5 In-Demand Careers in Health and Wellness
- Exercise Physiologist
- Athletic Trainer
- Dietician and Nutritionist
- Orthotists and Prosthetists
- Genetic Counselors
An aging population and an increasing focus on health care reform are two of several reasons that there are likely to be a number of fast-growing careers in health and wellness in the years ahead. It isn’t necessary to spend years in medical school to find a career in this field that is interesting, lucrative and improves people’s lives. Below are five careers that should show rapid expansion.
1. Exercise Physiologist
Exercise physiologists specifically work with people who have chronic diseases and develop fitness and exercise programs based on their individual needs and condition. A typical patient might suffer from heart or lung disease. Their process would include taking a patient’s vital signs and doing fitness tests to assess the patient’s overall health and fitness level. A good exercise physiologist bases recommendations not just on the patient’s physical condition but on the person’s temperament and expressed likes and dislikes in order to develop a program that the patient is likely to stick with.
2. Athletic Trainer
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is a very fast-growing health and wellness career with 23 percent growth expected in the years ahead. The work of athletic trainers often focuses on injury, particularly muscle and bone injury, and how athletes can recover. They may work in schools, at sports centers or with professional sports teams as well as in hospitals or doctors’ offices. An athletic trainer may carry out emergency care as well as develop a long-term plan of recovery for people who are injured.
3. Dietician and Nutritionist
While dieticians and nutritionists develop eating plans to help people manage specific diseases and conditions, they also work with people who have no particular diagnosis to improve their wellness by way of their diet. They may educate an individual or group and contribute to research in the field. Within this field, there are additional specialties. Some dieticians or nutritionists may oversee kitchen staff in institutions; some might work with public health bodies in education; and others work in hospitals or doctors offices to create custom plans for patients. The field overall will experience growth that is faster than average.
4. Orthotists and Prosthetists
This specialty in the field of health and wellness is expected to grow almost as quickly as that of athletic trainer with a prediction of 22 percent growth. These are the professionals who design medical devices ranging from braces to artificial limbs and more. Typically, an orthotist or prosthetist would work with both a patient and the patient’s physician to design the needed device. Orthotists and prosthetists also adjust and repair devices and teach patients how to use and care for them.
5. Genetic Counselors
This may be the fastest-growing health and wellness field of the five listed here. Genetic counselors work with families to assess the risk of birth defect and other genetically inherited disorders. They may write risk assessment reports for physicians and provide information on testing options to family members along with explaining the risks and limitations of those tests.
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The first three options above usually require a bachelor’s degree while the other two usually require a master’s degree. All offer excellent opportunities for people who are interested in health and wellness careers that will offer the most rapid growth in the years ahead.