What are Health Science Bachelor’s Career Options?

Lifecare Planners

These professionals work with patients after life-changing injuries or health conditions to develop reasonable goals to improve patients’ quality of life. They might work with the legal and medical community to coordinate medical needs or handle lawsuits. Lifecare planners typically must complete a year-long certification program.

Laboratory Assistants

Lab Assistants prepare biological samples, such as blood, urine, and bacteria cultures to conduct tests. They work under the supervision of a biologist, microbiologist, or medical doctor to conduct research or help diagnose medical conditions.

BLS Median Annual Salary: $48,140

Nutritionists

Dieticians and Nutritionists assess a patient’s dietary needs and also restrictions to complement the work of healthcare professionals. Nutritionists also educate patients who need special dietary guidance and help them make healthy food choices.

BLS Median Annual Salary: $61,650

Recreational Therapists

These therapists use activities such as sports, games, and also crafts to help reduce patient stress and depression. Some recreational therapists work in psychiatric settings. Whereas, others provide care to people in stressful situations. For example, many work with children in foster care or patients recently diagnosed with a terminal illness.

BLS Median Annual Salary: $47,940

Medical and Health Services Managers

Health Services Managers oversee health care facilities or departments to coordinate the administrative needs of the facility. They may make schedules, monitor budgets, and also train new hires.

BLS Median Annual Salary: $101,340

Social and Community Service Managers

Community Service Managers work in a variety of environments. But as a health science graduate, you will most likely work for a nursing home or long-term care facility. They collect statistics and ensure that their program area is running smoothly. Additionally, they often hire, train, and supervise social workers and other care staff.

BLS Median Annual Salary: $74,000

Health Information Specialists

Healthcare Information Specialists maintain clinical databases and review patient records. They also often work with health insurance companies to get proper reimbursement and may be involved in billing. Most employers prefer candidates who have completed professional certification in the field.

BLS Median Annual Salary: $45,240

Medical School

Physicians can work in a variety of fields and settings. Getting a medical degree sets you up to pursue a large breadth of work where you get to work directly with patients and medical staff. They must attend four years of a post-graduate medical program followed by a 3 to 7-year residency.

Dental School

Most dentists examine teeth to diagnose and treat tooth and gum disease. They also play an important role in the overall health of patients because many diseases are caused by poor dental hygiene. Dentists attend four years of dental school followed by a four to seven-year residency. Furthermore, they can specialize in a specific area of dentistry if they choose.

Pharmacology School

Pharmacists fill prescriptions, check medication interactions, and educate their patients. They can offer advice about minor health conditions, recommend appropriate over-the-counter medications, and offer general wellness advice. Typically they attend four years of pharmacology school followed by a one or two-year residency.

BLS Median Annual Salary: $128,570 Pharmacist

Nursing School

If you are interested in directly treating patients, you can complete your associate’s degree in nursing in addition to your bachelor’s in health science. The combination will give you a professional leg up, as most hospitals prefer to hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree.

BLS Median Annual Salary: $77,600 Registered Nurse (RN)

Genetic Counselors

With the advent of genome sequencing, the medical profession has begun to use genetics to diagnose and treat illnesses. Genetic counselors discuss the benefits and risks of genetic testing with patients, interpret genetic information, and discuss the results with patients.

Genetic counselors must be comfortable explaining complex scientific concepts to patients without any scientific background. An undergraduate background in Psychology or Social Work would be a complement to this path. This career requires a master’s degree in genetics or genetic counseling.

BLS Median Annual Salary: $80,150 Genetic Counselor

Physician’s Assistants

PAs usually work with medical doctors to take patient histories, run and interpret tests, and examine patients. They can do many of the same tasks that primary care doctors do and may work fairly independently in remote communities where physicians are not regularly available. Physician’s Assistants complete 2 years of post-graduate education in a physician’s assistants’ program.

BLS Median Annual Salary: $129,400 PA