Five In-Demand Post-Pandemic Healthcare Careers
Now more than ever, healthcare workers are in high demand. Discover how earning a healthcare degree can empower you with a career that makes a substantial impact navigating a post-COVID-19 world.
It’s not too late to help in the fight against COVID-19. While vaccines offer hope for a return to normalcy, the world will be dealing with virus mutations and the long-term effects of the disease for years to come. That means that healthcare professionals will be in high demand for the foreseeable future, with several different areas of study available to those who want to make a difference.
With nearly 200 million cases (and counting) of COVID-19 worldwide, physicians remain dedicated to treating patients long term and monitoring those who’ve recovered from the virus for potential complications or new health issues that emerge down the road. By earning a degree from Touro’s New York Medical College (NYMC) or Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, you’ll be prepared to provide evidence-based care that makes a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of millions of patients.
#1 Molecular Biologist
However, physicians are not the only health care professionals who are in high demand. To prevent new coronavirus outbreaks, minimize the potential for virus mutations and help those who’ve been affected make full recoveries, scientists and other health professionals from many disciplines will be needed. Want to figure out where you best fit in? Take a look at these five healthcare careers that will put you in a position to help save lives and shape a post-pandemic world.
Throughout the pandemic, molecular biologists have worked to create viral tests and vaccines for COVID-19 – and that work will be as important as ever as variants of the virus continue to emerge. These medical researchers will be on the front lines of spotting new strains, updating vaccines and developing the new therapeutics needed to save lives. If you want to join them, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in biology or a similar field, along with a Master of Science (M.S.) degree like Touro’s M.S. in Medical Health Sciences or NYMC’s master’s or doctoral degrees in medical sciences. Most molecular biologists also go on to earn Ph.D.s and, depending on the type of work or research they do, they can earn between $75,000 and $95,000 annually.
#2 Osteopathic Physician (DO)
As more long-term effects of COVID-19 are discovered, it’s clear that the virus not only causes physical damage, but also has a dramatic impact on a patient’s mental and emotional well-being. Osteopathic doctors are uniquely suited to treat these wide-ranging and long-lasting symptoms with a holistic approach to healing. One of the fastest growing areas of medicine, the field has expanded by nearly 300% in the last three decades and has an average salary of $171,000. If you’re interested in finding innovative, patient-centric treatments for COVID-19, learn more about Touro’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program.
#3 Pharmacist
There are more opportunities than ever for pharmacists. They can be found working in a hospital determining treatments for severely ill patients as an infectious disease pharmacist or making a direct impact by educating patients and customers as a community pharmacist. Pharmacists of all types will be vital in the coming years as the world continues to find treatments and remedies for the effects of COVID-19, and most earn an average of $129,000 a year.
With professors who are board-certified practitioners in their field and state-of-the-art, fully equipped labs, the Touro College of Pharmacy four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program can prepare you for a career in any aspect of pharmacy.
#4 Physical Therapist
While millions of Americans have recovered from COVID-19, hundreds of thousands have faced lingering consequences, from reduced heart function to weakened respiratory systems. Physical therapists play a crucial role in helping these patients recover and regain strength – and in severe cases, even relearn how to breathe. Touro’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program and NYMC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) can prepare you with the knowledge you need to treat life-altering after-effects and allow you to play a significant role to get your patients back to living healthy, happy lives. Plus, you’ll earn an average salary of $91,000, and with the field expected to grow by 18% between now and 2029, job opportunities will extend well beyond COVID-19.
#5 Epidemiologist
There’s plenty of evidence that shows COVID-19 has disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minority groups, and as the virus continues to mutate these underserved communities will continue to be the greatest risk for infection. As one of the fastest growing jobs during the pandemic, epidemiologists are in the position to protect those communities and create plans to keep them safe and healthy. At Touro, we offer competitive programs to ensure you are prepared for this important role. By earning your degree though our dual Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Public Health (MSPAS/M.P.H.) program or with NYMC’s six M.P.H. programs, you’ll be uniquely prepared to bring quality medical care to underserved populations and prevent devastating outbreaks of COVID-19.
Ready to step forward and make an impact on a post-pandemic future? Learn more about the health care programs at Touro College today!