Studying in the health field opens the door to a wide variety of positions. It’s not necessary to do a PhD or follow university level studies to be able to manipulate tools, offer patients an attentive ear, perform tasks following well-established standards, etc.
SOMEWHAT… INTERESTED IN STUDIES
Secondary V graduates who are interested in the health field and not motivated to pursue lengthy studies can opt for a college program of professional studies or a certification of a professional specialty to then embrace a career of:
Pharmacy assistant technician: prepares and packages medications following established protocols, generally working in a hospital or nursing home. The hourly wage is about $19.
Nursing assistant: provides a variety of care to patients (comfort, hygiene, medicines) and works closely with the nurses, doctors and other health professionals. The wage varies between $20 and $26 per hour.
Medical secretary: welcomes patients and performs administrative tasks (makes appointments, filing, transcription of medical reports). The hourly compensation ranges from $22 to $18.
Orderly, Patient care assistant: provides a comforting presence, physical assistance and basic health care to beneficiaries of hospitals, readaptation centres, nursing homes and community services. Wage ranges from $18 to $20 per hour.
MANY… EFFORTS TO BE PROVIDED
Students who choose to obtain a college diploma (DEC) in the health field will find doors will open. Here are some professions they can practise, once the DEC has been received:
Technicians in special education, medical electrophysiology, dietetics, biomedical engineering, leisure, orthotics and prosthetics, special education, social assistance;
Medical technology in radiation oncology, diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine;
Nurse, physical therapist, medical archivist, ambulance technician, cytologist, respiratory therapist.
These different positions, which offer a salary ranging between $20 and $30 per hour, can be practised in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, community services centres or in emergency services.
PASSIONATELY… READY TO WORK HARD
A certain segment of the student population will opt for university studies that will better meet their ambitions, challenges, personal situation… In the health field, university studies open the way to many positions, with a salary scale that can range by one to three. Here are some examples of professions for which:
- the hourly wage is a maximum of $40: audiologist, dietitian-nutritionist, nurse clinician, biomedical engineer, spiritual care engineer, kinesiologist, speech therapist, psychoeducator;
- the maximum hourly compensation varies between $40 and $50 per hour: occupational therapist, physiotherapist, clinical biochemist, specialist nurse practitioner, pharmacist, medical physicist, psychologist, mid-wife;
- the wage is around $100 per hour: general practitioner ($95), specialist physician ($115).
Whatever profession is chosen, the health care sector offers interesting benefits to professionals: job security, attractive compensation with benefits, some flexibility, opportunity for travel, sense of helping and openness to people.