Troy, Alabama: For students interested in making a difference in healthcare but unsure if a nursing, medical, or other professional program is the right fit, there are alternative career paths to consider. Non-clinical health jobs offer opportunities to professionals who want to contribute to public health, promote general well-being, manage programs, or work in health organizations without direct patient care involvement.
According to Candice Howard-Smith, Ph.D., professor and coordinator for interprofessional health sciences at Troy University, many students are uncertain about their career goals beyond working in healthcare. They may have a desire to help people, work in a hospital, or be involved in fitness and wellness, but are not inclined to pursue a professional degree program like nursing or medical school.
Troy University aims to assist these students in discovering the wide variety of non-clinical health jobs available to them. It is important for students to understand the difference between clinical and non-clinical healthcare jobs. Clinical healthcare involves direct patient care, including the diagnosis, treatment, and management of medical conditions by professionals such as physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and physical therapists.
On the other hand, non-clinical healthcare involves little to no direct patient care and encompasses areas such as general health promotion, health administration, and policy development. These non-clinical roles complement clinical healthcare by providing comprehensive patient services and promoting overall well-being and health.
The healthcare field offers a diverse range of opportunities, including primary care, clinics, hospitals, specialty care, urgent care, and smaller organizations such as rural healthcare facilities and community health centers. These facilities require various personnel to function effectively, not limited to clinical staff. They also need administrators, program coordinators, case managers, public relations professionals, human resource staff, mental health professionals, and researchers.
For individuals interested in non-medical health careers, fields to consider include public health, mental health and social services, fitness, health policy and administration, health education, and sports coaching. Other career paths in non-clinical health jobs include epidemiology, medical research, sports medicine, and rehabilitation.
Troy University’s interprofessional health sciences degree provides the foundation for preparing students for non-clinical healthcare jobs. It offers coursework in nutrition, career exploration in occupational health sciences, and various related fields, preparing students for roles such as health services manager, healthcare marketing manager, healthcare educator, HR manager, and public relations specialist.
The degree program is flexible, allowing students to customize their education based on their unique career goals and needs. Through courses in entrepreneurship, promotion, advertising media, communication studies, and public relations, students can tailor their education to their specific career interests.
In addition to working in hospitals or clinics, graduates of Troy University’s interprofessional health sciences program are also prepared for careers in nonprofits, government agencies, public health departments, rehabilitation centers, mental health organizations, and health and wellness companies. The program emphasizes the importance of an interprofessional approach and provides training in areas such as health promotion, human services, and collaboration with healthcare providers.
Overall, Troy University’s interprofessional health sciences degree equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue non-clinical health jobs, whether in healthcare organizations or health-related settings. The program’s customizable nature and focus on career exploration make it an attractive option for those seeking to make a difference in healthcare without direct patient care involvement.