5 Unusual Professions to Pursue in the Field of Medicine

In 2021, UCAS statistics show that 28,690 people applied to study medicine in the UK - a 26% increase compared to the previous year. Careers in medicine are very competitive, leading to just a few intakes in the field. So how do you stand out? Exploring career paths in specialized or alternative roles may be the answer!

Below are five lesser-known professions with unexpected benefits that you can pursue in the medical field.

Medical Illustrator
Medical Illustrators are referred to as artists working in the medical field. They create comprehensive drawings to show the relationships between one body part to another. Also, they help convert complex medical information into detailed, easy-to-understand diagrams to be used for medical textbooks and research purposes. With today's advanced technology, medical illustrators use three-dimensional modelling techniques to build sculptures and models of body parts. The average salary of medical Illustrators is $59,000 annually.

Cardiac Perfusionist
Perfusionists work alongside surgeons in the operating room. Some intensive surgeries require the patient's heart to be stopped for surgeons to operate safely. How do you keep the patient alive during this crucial period? This is where a medical perfusionist comes into play. A perfusionist's job is to keep the patient's circulatory and respiratory systems running with the use of sophisticated mechanical, electronic, and technical equipment. To be a cardiac perfusionist, you must be certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion. The average salary for a cardiac perfusionist is $60,000 per year.

Clinical Evaluation Report (CER) Writers
A Clinical Evaluation Report is a document that consists of concluded clinical evaluations of medical devices and new drugs. The CER shows the evaluated clinical data of a device obtained from either a clinical investigation or the outcome of other studies on equivalent products. Conducting a CER determines if the product is serving its purpose without endangering the users and patients. CER writers are in high demand as new equipment and drugs are constantly entering the market. The average CER writer salary is $77,830 annually.

Health Information Technician
As technology advances, paper-file record-keeping has been overruled by electronic information storage. This has increased demand for efficient technicians who can manage, process, protect, and maintain medical records and data. Having access to up-to-date medical records is essential when diagnosing and treating a patient. Technicians must be organized and capable of managing large data files in compliance with government regulations and laws. Health Information Technicians earn an average salary of $38,040 per year.

Music and Dance Therapy
Sound and Movement therapy helps to rebuild connections between the body and mind. Body movement has proven to be very beneficial in treating medical disorders like post-traumatic stress disorders, eating disorders, and autism. Music therapy is used to help patients with Parkinson's Disease to spark memories, engage the mind, and stimulate the appetite. Movement and music therapists are trained to move the body and exercise the mind in certain ways to facilitate patients' psychological and mental states. These therapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, nursing homes, and can even make house-calls. Music and dance therapists earn an average of $40,000 per year.

Conclusion
Recent studies have shown that people may not be effectively exploring a wider scope of medical professions because there is a stigma around pursuing lesser-known roles. In a highly competitive field, exploring more "unusual" roles may be a great option for professionals looking to stand out and work around a flexible schedule - all while providing specialized care for their patients.

Opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of WITI.