Wondering where a health science or related degree could take you? Kick off your career research with this A to Z list – which barely even scratches the surface of all the health jobs out there!
A is for Audiologist
Identify, assess and manage hearing and balance disorders.
B is for Biomedical scientist
Do lab tests to help docs diagnose and treat people. Check out the study and career path of Dr Richard Charlesworth, a biomedical scientist studying gluten and celiac disease.
Diagnose and treat heart disease and abnormalities. Dr Clara Chow is a cardiologist and digital health expert – find out how she keeps her patients heart-healthy.
D is for Dietician
Be an expert in nutrition and human diet. Meet Tim Cassettari, an accredited dietician.Â
E is for Epidemiologist
Study disease and health at the population level.
F is for Forensic scientist
Collect, interpret and analyse evidence related to crimes. Not strictly health science but there’s a big overlap in skills and bodily fluids! Take a look at Dr Kari Pitts’ study and career path in forensic science.
G is for Genetic counsellor
Help patients understand and cope with genetic conditions.
H is for Health information manager
Plan, manage and maintain health information systems including patient records
I is for Infectious disease expert
Treat patients with rare infections.
J is for Journalist
A science communicator or a journalist specialising in health-related news.
K is for Kid’s health specialist
Also known as a paediatrician. That’s what Dr Valerie Sung does! Why not have a read about how she’s using her STEM smarts to improve the lives of children with congenital hearing loss. Â
L is for Lab technician
Work in pathology labs to help doctors and scientists diagnose and treat disease.
M is for Molecular geneticist
Detect, analyse and interpret disease-linked genetic abnormalities.
N is for Nuclear medicine technologist
Use radioactive materials to diagnose physiological and metabolic changes within the body and treat diseases.
O is for Ophthalmologist
Identify and treat eye disorders and diseases. Say hello to Kristopher Rallah-Baker is Australia’s first Indigenous ophthalmologist. He’s breaking new ground for Aboriginal health and showing kids their potential.
Make and fit artificial limbs (prostheses) for people who have a disability.
Q is for Quality and risk coordinator
Ensure practices are safe and up to standard in a hospital or medical setting – saving patients’ lives and hospitals from lawsuits!
R is for Radiation therapist
Draft, plan and execute radiation treatment for cancer patients.
S is for Sports and exercise scientist
Study how the human body works during sports and exercise to promote health and performance.
T is for Toxicologist
Study the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms (and humans!)
U is for Urologist
Specialise in the study and treatment of the urinary system.
V is for Vaccine scientist
Prevent or cure diseases by attempting to develop, trial and execute effective immunisation programs.
W is for Ward assistant
Get exposure to the hospital environment before you graduate or commit to a career in the health sector – you’ll assist hospital staff with non-medical duties such as transporting patients.
X is for X-Ray specialist
OK so they’re actually called radiologists – but there aren’t many words that start with X, and X-Ray specialist really does a better job of explaining what these peeps do (although the equipment they use extends to other medical imaging devices including MRI and CT scanners).
Y is for Youth mental health expert
A mental health professional – such as a psychologist or counsellor – working specifically with young people.
Z is for Zoo veterinarian
Humans aren’t the only animals that get sick! Zoo vets provide medical treatment to the many species of animals kept at zoos.
Start Your Career Here – Science + Health Study
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours), Australian Catholic University
- Bachelor of Health Science, Edith Cowan University
- Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide
Looking for even more health jobs? Check out these five awesome jobs you could get with a health science degree.
This article originally appeared in Careers with STEM: Science 2021
Author: Gemma Chilton
Gemma has a degree in journalism from the University of Technology, Sydney and spent a semester studying environmental journalism in Denmark. She has been writing about science and engineering for over a decade.
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