Health IT: Top 5 Careers Choices in Medicine For Technology Geeks and How to Get Them

 

Those who are obsessed with or find themselves intrigued by technology have opportunities within the medical field. Medicine is constantly growing and so is technology within medical facilities. From hospitals to labs, technology is how medical professionals find new ways to help and heal diseases and conditions.

 

The benefits technology has on healthcare is tremendous and have lead to new ways of healing. The future of healthcare is changing and becoming more dependant on technology for accurate diagnoses to surgical procedures. These two aspects work well together in creating better aid for people across the world. Technology has advanced and will continue to transform our systems throughout healthcare and create a better and more trusting relationship between professionals and their patients.

 

Being passionate about technology could lead you to well-paying careers in the medical field. There are many different positions that focus on the technology side of medicine and as medical needs increase, these jobs become more popular.

 

1. Medical Technologist

Medical technology focuses on lab testings and research dealing with blood levels and examining microorganisms. These professionals are skilled in blood and body fluid analyzation and examine tissue samples. They’re responsible for maintaining order in the lab and making sure the tests are completed correctly.

 

The training that is required is a little bit more extensive than one would think. And though they don’t work directly with patients, the work they do is one of the most important parts in healing a patient, through diagnoses and forms of treatments. Medical technologists aren’t limited to one single area in the lab as they are required to be able to work anywhere from microbiology to chemistry and toxicology.

 

You must have knowledge of many areas of medicine and the human body to be able to correctly maneuver through the lab. From transfusion medicine to forensic pathology, there are varieties of specialties that these professionals have to narrow their focuses down to a single form of medicine. A bachelor’s degree is required in either biology, biochemistry, or microbiology, and a completed lab internship to be considered for a medical technologist position.

2. Ultrasound Technician

Ultrasound technicians are professionals that operate ultrasound machines to measure the growth of babies. They are also known as sonographers and aren’t qualified to diagnose any form of condition or illness. The sole purpose of a sonographer is to use technology to determine the wellness of a fetus or any issues that may be present. The results are interpreted by physicians only.

 

Ultrasounds work by using high-frequency sound waves to create images of the fetus inside the mother’s stomach. There are certain types of ultrasounds that sonographers are required to be skilled with. Transabdominal ultrasounds are done to detect the baby’s development through the skin over the stomach and transvaginal ultrasound are done to track the fetus through the insertion of the vagina.

 

The academic requirements for ultrasound technicians is a two-year associate’s degree program or, if it’s possible, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in diagnostic sonography.

3. Radiologist

Radiology is great for those who are interested in human anatomy and enjoy technology at the same time. Radiologists specialize in the analyzation and reading of x-rays and machine scans of patients’ bodies. These professionals are responsible for the diagnosis of cancers, heart issues, brain conditions, and bone breaks. Anything that cannot be viewed and looked at with the naked eye is something a radiologist can examine with ease.

 

These medical professionals are one of the highest paying physicians due to the combination of technology and medicine. The information radiologists receive about a patient’s body will help the physician provide the correct treatment. From genetic screening for cancer and tumors to x-rays of fractures in bones, radiologists are responsible for the treatments of many serious conditions.

 

The requirements for radiology are quite extensive and is heavily focused on obtaining degrees in medicine. A bachelor’s and medical degree are both necessary along with four years of residency. The amount of time these medical professionals put into their career is admirable.

4. Medical Lab Career

There are many other careers that combine both technology and medicine. Any career involved in lab work is considered great options for those looking to satisfy that career need. These professionals aren’t required to have direct patient contact but are important in the process of correct diagnoses and treatment options. Being comfortable and proficient with computer systems and equipment is where medical lab professionals tend to shine.

 

Medical labs are located in and out of hospital facilities as there are some corporate owned labs that charge processing fees. From universities and government institutions to corporations, you could work for any kind of place when choosing one of the medical lab careers as your job choice. Job titles that are included in medical lab careers are:

  • Medical Lab Technologist
  • Cytotechnologist
  • Pathologist
  • Histotechnician
  • Phlebotomist
  • Medical Technologist

 

As technology grows more jobs become available for laboratory work and means that the work put in to reach these careers will pay off. Salaries for these careers vary as they all require different types of education and specialties. College degrees aren’t required for all as some people hold certain positions with a high school degree.

5. Medical Illustrator/animator

Wanting to combine a hobby or your love for art and drawing with a career in medicine is something medical illustrators and animators wanted. You have the opportunity to combine your love for artistry, technology and helping people in need when you are a medical illustrator. Many people who have gone into this career path have found their training in medicine, science, and media useful when merged with the enjoyment of art.

 

They are responsible for creating images and animations that increases the public’s knowledge of health and that promotes science knowledge. Whatever challenge that may be present between the public and health industries’ communication is solved by medical illustrators. Their sole role in medicine is to simplify certain mechanisms, surgeries, and injuries to other medical professionals and patients.

 

You must have extensive knowledge with Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator to complete your job correctly. Having the artistic ability and a creative mind is important in acquiring a career as a medical illustrator or animator.