Heartfelt careers for the faint of heart
So you're a kind, loving person in search of a caring career.
OK, but wait a minute... You can't stand the sight of blood, avoid horror movies like the proverbial plague, and turn a vibrant, decorative shade of green if someone gets a paper cut in your presence. How on earth could you, of all people, attempt a career in the healthcare profession?
Luckily, today's medical field offers a multitude of job opportunities for those who have strong hearts, but weak stomachs. These jobs require advanced educations and high levels of experience, to be sure; but they don't involve the direct, physical treatment of patients. A typical day on the job will not require you to perform surgeries, tend to accident victims, draw blood samples, or perform physical exams. Yet you still will make a vital difference in the lives of your patients.
A Pharmacist is a medical professional who prepares and fills prescriptions for patients; giving them the pills, liquids and ointments they need to alleviate or even cure their conditions. Pharmacists generally work in hospitals, medical centers, grocery stores and drug stores; and while they interact with patients, they are not involved in their direct physical treatment.
Most pharmacists make over $100,000 a year. They also make a difference in patients' lives, as they play a vital role in making them feel better.
Also well-paid and influential are hospital administrators, who oversee the intricate inner workings of medical centers around the world.
Earning salaries of more than $100,000 annually, hospital administrators set the rules, policies and procedures at health care facilities; ensuring that all runs smoothly and according to state and federal regulation. And while they work directly with physicians and staff to ensure an optimum level of patient care, they do not personally administer this care. They work at desks, not operating tables.
On a related note, what would any hospital, medical center or doctor's office be without their administrative staff? You could work the switchboard or the front desk at a hospital, answer phones or set appointments at a doctor's office, or even work from home as a Medical Transcriptionist. In these capacities, you will contribute actively to the operation of a healthcare facility; without having to perform any 'operations' yourself.
Psychology is a division of the medical field that involves the treatment of the mind, not the body. True, certain psychological conditions can have a direct effect on the state of one's mind. Conversely, a mental illness can result in certain physical side effects. Overall, though, a psychologist works to improve a person's emotional and mental state; and this treatment does not involve traditional medical procedures. It also should be noted that psychologists are paid handsomely for their efforts; as a psychologist, you can earn as much as $80,000 a year.
It is your capacity for caring, not your tolerance for the sight of blood or certain physical conditions, that will determine your success in the medical field. Even if you're faint of heart, you still can invest your full and true heart into the healthcare profession.
