What would you say is the most important profession in the world? There are some people who will immediately respond “President, surely!”. While it’s easy to see their point, it’s also easy to disagree. While heads of state have an important job, they are also surrounded by so many advisors that anyone could do the job for a day. They might not do it well, but they would be insulated.

Other jobs which are important include the police force, who keep the peace in towns and cities. Teachers, too, play an essential role by ensuring that kids learn. But if there is one job sector which would be missed immediately if it suddenly disappeared, it would have to be the medical profession.

Sure, we can all administer aspirin to a friend with a headache, or look after a sickly child. But to work in medicine you need to be ready, every day, for emergencies you may never have faced before. You can face literal life-or-death scenarios on a daily basis. If you don’t make the right treatment decisions, people may die. Sometimes they will even if you do.

When you look at it that way, why would anyone ever look for a new job in medicine? Well…

• Because they are natural carers. They have compassion and want to make people feel better.
• Because they have an interest in the human body and mind. They understand how it works and how it can be made to work better.
• Because they have spent time in hospitals and seen the work doctors and nurses do – and want to be of help.
• Because they are calm in a crisis. When sirens are blaring and people shouting, they can process and make the right decision.

All of the reasons above, and more, are what make people want to be doctors. That said, becoming a doctor is difficult, expensive and competitive. Those who are successful will end up working long hours. Those who are not successful may find out the hard, and expensive way. But becoming a doctor is not the only way you can play a part in the medical sphere. Others include:

Counseling

If you have a mind for easing people’s concerns and a desire to make a positive difference, then becoming a counselor can be a way forward. You don’t need to go to medical school – an associate degree can be enough. In some cases, personal experience of the area you work in is considered desirable. Past addiction problems, for example, can qualify you for a drug counseling post.

Nursing

Just as hospitals couldn’t function without doctors, they would also be lost without nurses. For anyone looking on it as an easy option, the shocks will come thick and fast. Nurses are often the first line of care for patients with various levels of need.

You’ll need to qualify, as nurses will often administer medication in emergency situations. As patients will see you more than they see the doctor, you also need to be a skilled communicator and be able to deal with tricky questions.

Dental Hygienist

The job of a dentist goes far beyond telling people they need to brush more, extracting teeth and placing dentures. They may also be the first to spot signs of more troubling general health conditions – and need to be qualified through dental school. A hygienist need only have an associate degree – check this site out for more information.

A dental hygienist will do much of the same work a dentist does. In some cases, they’ll need to refer patients to a dentist. However, they perform vital duties such as cleaning and detecting problems in the mouth. This may include spotting risk factors for serious health problems before those fully develop.

Radiation Therapist

In medicine, there is no such thing as an expendable job. Roles in the field may see you prescribing or administering medications. You may, without a medical degree, be in a position to diagnose an injury or illness. Even if you are not a doctor, your advice and assistance will be pivotal for the suitable care of patients.

For example, a radiation therapist with an associate degree may administer vital cancer treatment. This is a treatment that can be the difference between life and death for patients. While it goes without saying that it can be a job with its low points, it can also be where you find moments of intense job satisfaction. In this job, what you do really matters.