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Physicians Assistant (PA)

Physicians assistants are medical professionals that work collaboratively with doctors and other physicians. They are often are a patient's primary health care provider and have a versatile job with many specialties and different work environments. A physicians assistant is different than an MD because becoming a PA requires less schooling and hours. Besides that, a major difference is that an MD can work autonomously, while PAs always work in conjunction with a doctor.  

 

Some duties include dealing with medical histories and exams, diagnosing and treating patients, developing treatment plans, assist in surgery, research, etc.

Schooling: 

  1. College/University: 3-4 years (BS or BA)

  2. Join ACR-PA Program: 2-4 years (Master's Degree in Medicine)

  3. Pass PANCE Licensing Exam

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Work/Life Balance: Becoming a PA is rewarding and not as competitive as an MD. PA's have similar responsibilities to a doctor but with greater flexibility in hours.

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Estimated Average Salary:

Average overall: $108,610/yr (as of 2018).
Bay Area Average:  $139,606/yr.
 

Physicians Assistant

Registered Nurse (RN)

A Registered Nurse is a nurse that passed an RN program. They assist in patient assessment, running tests, preparing/administering treatments, establishing care plans, informing the patient, monitor equipment and dealing with medical records/history.

 

Three major types of RNs:  

1. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

3. Entry Level Masters Program in Nursing (ELM)

 

All nurses must pass NCLEX but how long it takes varies by each type of RN. 
 

Schooling: 

  1. College/University: 2-4 Years (AA, AS, BA, BS)

  2. Master’s Program (2 years, optional)

  3. Pass a national exam (NCLEX-RN). 

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Work/Life Balance:  Nursing is an extremely competitive field, especially in California. More nurses are getting higher education and employers are demanding this level. However, becoming a RN is a rewarding job, with many specialties and flexible work life. 

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Estimated Average Salary: 

RNs make roughly $75,510/yr. 

In the Bay Area, the yearly salary is roughly $115,172/yr.

Registered Nurse

Physical Therapist

Physical therapists (PTs) diagnose and treat individuals of all ages who have medical/health problems that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. They examine each individual and develop a plan to help reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability.

Schooling: 

  1. College/University: 3-4 years (BS or BA degree)

    1. Prerequisite Courses​

    2. 100-200 Hours of Shadowing PT/Clinic

  2. Doctor of Physical Therapy Program: 3 years

  3. National Physical Therapy Exam (Boards)

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Work/Life Balance: Depending on the type of work environment, you can set your own schedule.

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Estimated Average Salary: 

$72k-$110k per year

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Physical Therapy
Dentistry

Dentistry

A dentist is a surgeon specializing in dentistry, the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's support team, such as assistants, hygienists, and lab technicians, aid in providing oral health services.

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Some of the specialties include: 

  • Endodontist: focus on prevention and treatment of injuries or diseases of the dental pulp (root canal)

  • Orthodontist: deals with the diagnosis and treatment of misaligned or malpositioned teeth or jaws.

  • Periodontist: specialize in the care and prevention of gum-related diseases and the treatment of oral inflammation

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Schooling: 

  1. Bachelor's degree for undergrad (usually 4 yrs)

  2. Dental School (4 years)

    1. Need to pass american Dental Association’s Dental Admission Test (DAT) to apply

  3. Have the option to specialize

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Work/Life Balance: Considered a dynamic health profession, offering opportunity to become a successful, highly respected member of the community. Most dentists are able to make their own hours and do not work night shifts like a regular doctor might.

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Estimated Average Salary: $214,070

Optometry

Optometrists are independent primary health care professionals for the eye.

               
They examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.

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Specialties: 

  • Behavioral Optometry: treats problems from stress of visual tasks

  • Geriatric Optometry: Work with older adults 

  • Neuro-optometry: assess the way brain processes  information sent by the eyes

  • Pediatric Optometry: working with kids 

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Schooling: 

  1. Undergraduate for bachelor’s degree (3/4 years)​

  2. Optometry school for doctor of optometry degree  (4 years)

    1. Take Optometry Admission Test (OAT) to apply​

  3. National Board of Examiners in Optometry Exam 

  4. Options to further sub-specialize

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Work/Life Balance: ​

  • Flexibility in scheduling

  • Low stress level 

  • About 40 hours working per week

  • Have autonomy over work 

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Estimated Average Salary:

  • Ranges from $110,860 to $138,748
     

Optometry

Podiatry

Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg. 

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Can specialize in a variety of areas such as surgery, orthopedics, or public health.

Schooling: 

  1. College/University: 3-4 years (BS or BA degree)

  2. Podiatric Medical School: 4 years (DPM degree)

  3. Residency Program: minimum of 2 years 

  4. Fellowship (optional): 1-2 years

  5. American Podiatric Medical Licensing Exam

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Work/Life Balance: Balanced; similar to a 9am-5pm work setting. Call/no call depending on whether or not you do private practice.  

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Estimated Average Salary:

$87k-230k per year

Podiatry

Mental Health Professionals

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A mental health career is perfect for anyone who is passionate about learning and understanding emotional well-being, cognition, behavior, and the perception of the world around us. Some specific pathways are outlined on this page. 

Mental Health Counselor

Salary: $44,630

Schooling: Master's Degree in counseling and state certified license

Job: Specializes in areas such as trauma, addiction, or youth services.

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Clinical or Counseling Psychologist

Salary: :$76,990

Schooling: Master's Degree and usually  Ph.D

Job: Diagnose/ treat mental illness without prescribing medication. 

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Marriage

 Family Therapist

Salary:$50,090

Schooling: Master's Degree in family therapy

Job: Help couples and families build stronger healthier relationships

Psychiatric Registered Nurse

Salary: $71,300

Schooling: Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree

Job: Assist in assessing, diagnosing, treating patients with mental illnesses.

Mental health

Pharmacy

Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions; they work in pharmacies (drug, general merchandise, grocery stores), hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. 

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Specialties

Community pharmacists work in retail stores, chain drug stores, or independently owned pharmacies.

Clinical pharmacists work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings; they are involved in direct patient care.

Consultant pharmacists advise healthcare facilities or insurance providers on patient medication use.

Pharmaceutical industry pharmacists work in areas such as marketing, sales, or research and development.

Schooling: 

  1. Undergraduate: ≥ 2 years**​

    1. Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)

  2. Pharmacy School: 4 years, Pharm.D. 

  3. License: North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) and Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE)

  4. Residency: 1-2 years for pharmacists seeking a position in clinical pharmacy or research

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Work/Life Balance: Depends on where you work; retail tends to be stressful due to unreasonable demands from patients and administration, but independently owned pharmacies can be better.

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Estimated Average Salary:

Median annual salary: $126,120

Range: $111,340—$145,870

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** The University of Pittsburgh has a pharmacy guarantee program for freshman applicants; acceptees are essentially guaranteed acceptance into the PharmD program.

Pharmacy

Hospital Administration

Evaluate doctors/hospital employees, create and maintain policies, help develop procedures for medical treatments, patient services public relations activities such as participation in fundraising.

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**Benedictine University offers a dual degree in 2 years of a MBA/MS (master of science). Columbia offers a dual degree of MBA/MPH (masters in public health). Lots of masters and dual degrees available for hospital administration.

Schooling: 

  1. College/University: 3-4 years bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business, or a clinical discipline. 

  2. Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) or a related graduate degree (2 years).

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Work/Life Balance: 

  • Has a high quality of life rating.

  • Flexibility in work schedule, since hospitals are open 247. 

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Estimated Average Salary: 

Average:  $98,350 

Range: $50K-150K

Hospital Admin

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

EMTs work as clinicians who respond to emergencies and provide medical care for sick and injured people at the scene. The job typically involves working in teams to respond to medical emergencies

 

There are 3 Levels in the EMT Profession: Basic, Intermediate, and Paramedic

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This profession has an excellent job outlook since job stability and demand are both high.

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Schooling: 

  • ​To become an EMT you'll need a high school diploma or GED and formal emergency training.

  • Highest level of EMT (paramedics) often requires an associates degree and also completion of the NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians) exam.

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Work/Life Balance: While EMTs do not have to work the long hours of traditional doctors, one of the downsides of being an EMT is that work hours can sometimes be unpredictable and done in long shifts (up to 12-hour shifts).

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Estimated Average Salary:

Average: $31,021
Range: $29,799-$44,987

EMT

Academia or Industry

You don't have to work in a hospital or with patients to make an impact in medicine. You can make your contributions through research!

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Academia: Working at a university on an individualized project. This pathway usually leads to a career as a tenured professor, or university scientist. 

  • Includes applying for grants, publishing a scientific paper, and teaching courses.

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Industry: Working on goal-oriented projects, such as drug development, at a biotech company. This path provides broader career possibilities such as bench work, marketing, or product development. 

  • Includes adhering to deadlines, collaborating with others, and filing reports. 

Schooling: 

  1. College/University: 3-4 years (BS or BA degree)

  2. Graduate School

    1. Master's Degree: ​1-3 years (less competitive, sometimes required before a PhD)

    2. Doctorate Degree: 4-7 years (PhD--more competitive, but opportunity of higher paying jobs than just Master's)

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Work/Life Balance:

  • Academia: Individualized work schedule, flexible. 

  • Industry: More structured, usually adheres to normal 9am-5pm work day. 

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Estimated Average Salary:

  • Academia average: ~$88,693

  • Industry average: ~$129,507

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Link for more info

Academia/Reseach

Introduction to

Careers in Healthcare

A brief guide for pre-health students created by UC Berkeley's American Medical Student Association

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