When we are sick, the first thing we do is run to the nearby doctor. The doctor prescribes us medicines and, in most cases, after taking the due medication we become healthy. In cases where the medication is not enough or the nature of the disease is too severe, we go to the hospitals. There, a wide array of healthcare professionals serves us in order to make our life easier and ease the pain. Not all of them are doctors and nurses. We have dental hygienists, dieticians, medical sonographers, medical technologists, physical therapists, pathologists and a host of other people.
All these people fall under the category of allied health professionals. The primary aim of these people is to deliver quality healthcare to the citizens of the country. Contrary to what most people believe, allied health professions actually make a lot of money. One does not have to be very qualified academically in order to make a name here.
In fact, the range of qualifications required to succeed in this varies from that of a simple class 10 pass to that of post-graduation diplomas. This article describes the different career options that are available in this field and talks about the scope of growth in each of them. It also speaks about the average salary and the qualifications that are required. Read on to know more about the same.
1. Pharmacy Technicians
These people are responsible for enabling pharmacists to give away licensed medicines to the patients. A thorough knowledge of pharmaceutical technology, drug classification and administration is an absolute must. People with a background in pharmacy management are preferred for this post.
There are specific diploma courses in pharmacy tech that are recommended for people who want to pursue a career in this field. This course may either be carried out as a full-time course or may also be initiated as something that is studied part-time. The average salary for a pharmacy technician in the country is about INR 2,70,000 per year.
2. Dispensing Opticians
These people advise patients on how to wear spectacles and take care of the same. Everything from selecting the appropriate frame to fitting and dispensing appropriate powered glasses is taken care of by these people. The average salary for these people is close to INR 1,50,000 per year.
A diploma in optical studies is required for this. These people find employment both in the manufacturing as well as in the retail sector. Talking from a medical point of view, medical equipment and supplies manufacturing is the highest paying sector. Most of the job vacancies in this profession are in this sector as well.
3. Dietitians And Nutritionists
A bachelor's degree is an absolute must for a career in this field. Many people who pursue a career in this field are actually postgraduate degree holders. The main role of these people is to plan out the dietary intake of the patients after taking into consideration factors like the person's age, medical condition, sex and physical agility.
They also tell people what not to eat and what will happen if they do eat those prohibited items. The salary of these people depends on the place they have graduated from, their experience and the organisation that they are currently working for. The average value stands at somewhere close to INR 3,00,000.
4. Surgical Technologists
The conduction of any surgery involves a lot of work other than the actual surgery. This would include preparing the operation theatre, passing instruments to the surgeons and getting the entire set-up ready. All of these are the duties of surgical technologists.
The prerequisite for a profession in this field is having a class 12 degree (candidates with a background in science are preferred). Most of these people learn their knowledge through experience. The average salary for these people stands at around INR 2,50,000 in India.
5. Radiologists
These days radiological procedures are an essential part of the diagnosis and treatment of a number of ailments. In such cases, physicians explain what they want to the radiologists who then carry out the required procedures.
This job role brings along a huge churn of responsibilities since a small variation in the MRI results can entirely change the course of treatment. Because of the high precision involved, this is one of the highest paid jobs in the world of allied medical science (with the average salary being as high as INR 4,00,000).
6. Dental Assistants
Most dentists require the service of assistants in order to carry out their normal day to day functioning. The job role of these people includes sterilising the equipment and getting things ready for the dentists to carry out surgical procedures.
In some cases, they may also have to calm down a patient and prepare them to take up complex surgical procedures. The salary of these people depends on the organisation that they are working in. Many of them do not work with any registered clinic or hospital but instead choose to work with private dentists.
7. Phlebotomists
Most of us have encountered at least one phlebotomist in our lifetime. The primary job role of a phlebotomist is to draw blood out of a patient and prepare the same for laboratory testing. This is one work that requires quite some bit of expertise.
You should be doing this in such a way that minimal pain is caused to the patients. These people work in hospitals and medical laboratories and in more experienced roles they oversee the entire process of blood transfusion. The average salary for such professionals in the country is close to INR 2,09,447 per year.