Five amazing medical careers you may never have considered

Are you interested in health, but not a fan of blood? Love helping people, but couldn’t imagine yourself working in a hospital? Or maybe you love science, but the lab just isn’t for you?

Well, we have good news. Thanks to explosions in technology and population that have happened alongside incredible research breakthroughs, there are more careers than ever in medicine and healthcare – many of which you may have never even heard of.

A quick look at courses offered by the Monash Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (MNHS) shows just how many interesting courses and fascinating, rewarding careers are available to you.

If you’re still considering your options, it’s time to think beyond the doctor/nurse box. Here are some examples of courses we offer in Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences that will take you well beyond the clinical, hospital or lab:

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists (OTs) work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, socially or emotionally disabling. OTs help these people perform tasks in their living and working environments. These tasks might include getting dressed, cooking, eating, driving or using a computer. A great OT has exceptional communication skills, is patient, compassionate and loves to help people solve problems.

Alyce Woodruff studied OT at Monash and now works in a not-for-profit organisation.

“I realised quickly that OT was the perfect job for me because it’s health-focused and you’re helping people, but it’s not overly medical,” she says.

“OT is very much about the person – their environment, what they are doing, what they want to do. I really like helping people and seeing the change my work can make on people’s lives.”

Paramedicine

Paramedics is about more than lights and sirens. Paramedics administer drugs, respond to large-scale disasters, maintain patient records, transport patients and work closely with the community. To succeed as a paramedic, you need to be calm under pressure, be highly adaptable, love working in a team and have a caring nature.

After completing Monash’s Bachelor of Emergency Medicine (Paramedicine), Julian Hannah quickly got a job as a paramedic for the London Ambulance Service (LAS), one of the busiest in the world. His experience in London made him aware of the many different ways he could take his career.

“I’ve had opportunities for specialist training, exposure to more patients, and higher levels of acutely sick patients. You have many opportunities to work in different areas within the ambulance service,” he says.

“One day I hope to work with the air ambulance team, responding to the most critical emergencies in a helicopter.”

Biomedical Science

The biomedical sciences help us understand disease, how it occurs and how we can control, cure and prevent it. Biomedical scientists provide the foundation of healthcare and assist in developing treatments for diseases. This includes developing new tools to screen for cancer, new methods of disease diagnosis, designing drugs and controlling infections.

Brigette Semple undertook the Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash because of her interest in neuroscience.

“The course allowed me to do all the neuroscience-related subjects while simultaneously giving me a well-rounded foundation in scientific methods and related disciplines,” she says.

After graduating with honours, Brigette did research focusing on traumatic brain injury, and worked in San Francisco before getting a position at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Radiation Sciences

Radiation therapy is an exciting healthcare field that uses ionising radiations for the treatment of cancer and benign conditions.

Radiation therapists are key members of professional teams that manage patients’ treatments, in increasing demand due to the ageing population, expansion of services in regional Australia, and industry growth. The equipment used is increasingly sophisticated.

Sean Finn is studying a Bachelor of Radiation Sciences at Monash, and plans to go on to further study in the field.

“My goal is to work inside a radiotherapy centre in a major hospital or treatment centre and help people in their fight against cancer,” he says.

“I love learning about how we deliver treatments to the highest possible standard, and how we can use radiation to combat cancer.”

Nutrition Science

People with expertise in nutrition science can work in areas where they provide advice and counselling about diet, food and nutrition. They help people make healthy choices and work with people who need particular assistance in healthy eating.

Monash graduate Sarah Clark has forged a busy and highly rewarding career as a paediatric dietitian since completing her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics. In her role at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, she has gained vast experience, working in almost every unit of the hospital.

Sarah currently works across the areas of gastroenterology, hepatology, endocrinology and specialist diets for epilepsy.

“I have to use my food knowledge every day. I love working with children and their families, and the staff and environment at the hospital makes it a wonderful place to work,” she says.

The bottom line is there are many careers in medicine, and a wider range of fascinating degree options in medicine and health than ever before. Remember to explore your options, talk to lots of people, keep an open mind and enjoy the journey to your dream career!

Explore these courses and more at monash.edu/medicine/study/future-students