Is a medical STEM gig calling your name? You’ve landed at the right place.
From allied health assistants to zZzZz (a.k.a. sleep!) technicians, here’s a list of medical careers that all use STEM skills.
Can you think of any others? Leave them in the comments below!
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A is for Allied Health Assistant
They support health professionals by managing the admin side of patient care, like organising appointments and records. Meet allied health assistant, Jennifer Myers, who undertook a school-based traineeship in Allied Health Assistance at school and is now carving out her own cool medical career path.
B is for Biomedical Engineer
Combines their knowledge of medical science and engineering to come up with solutions that improve patients’ lives. Biomedical engineer, Trina Majumdar, is engineering a better way for bones to heal!
RELATED: Biomedical engineering – everything you need to know
C is for Community Pharmacist
Dispenses prescriptions and gives advice on medications and general healthcare.
D is for Dentist
Diagnoses and treats dental issues, and advises patients on how they can care for their teeth.
E is for Engineer
They can develop lifesaving medical devices. Dr Noushin Nasiri is doing just that – she’s working on a mobile breathalyser for detecting disease.
F is for Family Practice Physician
Also known as a general practitioner. They care for patients of all ages and can diagnose health concerns.
G is for Gynaecologist
Specialises in women’s health.
H is for Head and Neck Surgeon
A.k.a. an otolaryngologist! These medical experts treat conditions of the ear, nose, throat, head and neck.
I is for Immunologist
Researches the immune system to work out how the human body fights disease. Check out the CV of immunologist Rebecca Abbott who is on a mission to find treatments and cures for brain cancer.
RELATED: This is every science career we can think of
J is for Junior Research Assistant
Help medical professionals by gathering and analysing data. They also conduct experiments.
K is for Knee Surgeon
Commonly referred to as an orthopaedic surgeon. They treat and rehabilitate musculoskeletal injuries and diseases.
L is for Laboratory Phlebotomist
Not for the squeamish! These pros draw and process blood samples.
M is for Medical Information Officer
Develops plans to integrate information technology systems into medical departments and other healthcare settings. Dr Kudzai Kanhutu is a deputy medical information officer and a health data hero who is passionate about using data to improve the way care is delivered in hospitals and address major gaps in equality.
N is for Neonatologist
Provides care for newborn babies who are premature or unwell.
O is for Optometrist
Diagnoses vision issues or eye disorders, and can dispense glasses and contact lenses for patients.
P is for Physiotherapist
Rehabilitates patients with physical problems caused by illness, injury, disability or ageing. This is done through targeted exercises. Say hello to Christian de Cos, a physiotherapy student who is using health science to score goals for Indigenous communities.
Q is for Qualified Medical Practitioner
A physician or surgeon who has legal qualifications to practise medicine.
R is for Radiochemist
Makes therapeutic radiopharmaceutical products to treat human diseases, like cancer. Take a look at Nigel Lengkeek‘s STEM pathway to becoming a senior radiochemist at ANSTO.
RELATED: Video – 3 ANSTO scientists chat all things STEM careers
S is for Speech Pathologist
Studies, diagnoses and treats speech and language disorders.
T is for Transcriptionist
Medical transcriptionists listen to voice recordings made by health professionals and turn them into reports.
U is for Ultrasound Technologist
Uses specialised equipment to examine parts of the body, like the abdomen, heart and reproductive system.
V is for Veterinarian
Looks after the health of animals. This includes treating and preventing disease and injury. Keen on a STEM + animals career? Follow in the footsteps of Hannah Passmore, who works as a vet at an animal emergency centre in Adelaide.
RELATED: 10 cool animal jobs you could get with an animal science degree
W is for Ward Nurse
Provides care and treatment to patients staying on a hospital ward.
X is for X-Ray Technician
Or radiographers! They operate x-ray machines and take medical images that are then sent on to doctors and/or radiologists to examine.
Y is for Youth Psychologist
Works with children and teenagers to diagnose mental health conditions, and develops treatment plans to help them.
Z is for zZzZz Technician
Or, you know, a sleep technician! They perform sleeps tests to understand and treat sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.
Want more jobs in the medical/health space? Check out our A to Z of health jobs for 26 more amazing careers!
