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SUNY Oswego - Career Services

What can I do with a minor in health science?

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SUNY Oswego - Career Services

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  • Medical Assistant
  • Health Education Specialist
  • Community Health Specialist
  • Physical Therapy Assistant
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Surgical Technician
  • Medical Lab Technician

Search for employers hiring graduates in your minor

Employers in NY: 85,554
Employers in the U.S.: 1,304,241

 

Explore the numerous career fields related to your major

Physical Therapy
Areas
  • Clinical practice
  • Acute care, rehab/subacute rehab, extended care, wellness and prevention, sports and fitness
  • Management
  • Education
  • Research
  • Consultation
  • Pediatrics, geriatrics, sports medicine, orthopedics, neurology, cardio vascular and pulmonary, women’s health, clinical electrophysiology
Employers
  • Hospitals
  • Outpatient clinics/private practice
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Nursing and residential care facilities
  • Sports and fitness facilities
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Physician offices, particularly orthopedic
  • Hospices
  • Schools
  • Universities and colleges
  • Department of Defense
  • Public Health Service
  • Veterans’ Health Administration
  • Indian Health Services
Sample occupations
  • Earn a doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) from a program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association.
  • Programs include supervised clinical experiences.
  • All states require licensure which includes passing the National Physical Therapy Examination.
  • Approximately one third of physical therapists work in hospitals and another third in physical therapy offices.
  • Obtain knowledge of several basic sciences including anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics.
  • Attain superior grades in pre-physical therapy course work due to intense competition for admittance to physical therapy programs.
  • Volunteer for a physical therapist in a hospital or clinic to gain experience and improve chances of acceptance into a program. Many programs require volunteer experiences and a good understanding of the field for admission.
  • Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills, patience, and a desire to help individuals of all ages with disabilities.
  • A positive attitude is important when working with patients.
  • Manual dexterity and physical stamina are important in succeeding in physical therapy work.
  • Some physical therapists complete a clinical residency after PT school to gain training and experience in a specialty.
  • Fellowships in advanced clinical areas after residency are also available.
Occupational Therapy
Areas
  • Screening
  • Evaluation
  • Physical, psychosocial, social, vocational treatment
  • Follow-up
  • Administration
  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Geriatrics, pediatrics, mental health, work and industry, health and wellness, low vision, hand therapy, driver rehabilitation
Employers
  • Hospitals (psychiatric and rehabilitative)
  • Schools
  • Out-patient rehabilitation facilities
  • Group or private practice
  • Nursing and residential treatment facilities
  • Community mental health centers
  • Adult daycare programs
  • Job training centers
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Department of Defense
  • Public Health Service
  • Veterans’ Health Administration
  • Universities and colleges
Sample occupations
  • Earn a master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy to gain entry in the field.
  • Programs include supervised clinical fieldwork.
  • All states regulate licensure which requires passing an exam given by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
  • Build a solid foundation in physical, biological, and behavioral sciences.
  • Volunteer in an occupational therapy or related healthcare setting to experience the field first- hand and improve chances of program admittance.
  • Develop excellent communication skills which are important when interacting with patients and their families.
  • Individuals working in occupational therapy should possess patience and a true interest in helping people with disabilities reach their full potential.
  • Learn to work well within a team. OT’s work with many other professionals, including physicians, physical therapists, and social workers in the rehabilitation of patients.
  • Occupational therapists may choose to specialize in a particular age group or type of disability
Cytotechnology
Areas
  • Screening and Diagnosis
  • Evaluation of Tissue
  • Technological equipment operation
  • Molecular diagnostic testing
Employers
  • Hospital and private laboratories
  • Federal and state government laboratories
  • Public health facilities
  • Research and biotechnology industry
  • Healthcare administrative departments
Sample occupations
  • Supplement curriculum with courses in biology that emphasize body structure, development, tissue organization, and function.
  • Recommended courses include histology, cellular biology, and genetics.
  • Additional recommendations may include other biological sciences such as zoology or ecology.
  • Become comfortable with applied learning techniques. Most programs utilize a combination of training activities such as microscopic evaluation, laboratory skills development, case presentations, research, community health projects, and supervised clinical laboratory site experiences.
  • Develop problem solving as well as effective written and verbal communication skills.
  • Display personal characteristics such as accuracy, responsibility, and motivation.
  • Plan to learn new technology and techniques to stay ahead of developments in the field.
  • Specialty certifications exist for those who want supervisory or other advanced positions.
Dental Hygiene
Areas
  • Gathering data for a dental diagnosis
  • Recording medical and dental histories
  • Screening and charting oral structures and conditions
  • Exposing and processing oral radiographs
  • Dietary Analysis
Employers
  • Private dental offices and dental clinics
  • Federal, state, and local health departments or associated institutions
  • Hospitals and nursing homes
  • School districts or departments of education
  • Private business/industry
  • Correctional facilities
  • Private and public centers for pediatric, geriatric, and other individuals or groups with special needs
  • Managed care organizations
Sample occupations
  • An associate’s or bachelor’s degree is required to enter the field in nearly all states.
  • A passing score on the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination and state
  • or regional clinical examination is also required for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).
  • The scope of practice for dental hygienists is determined by individual states.
  • Opportunities for practice are available throughout the world, particularly with the military, the US government, and US owned corporations.
  • A master’s degree in dental hygiene is available at some institutions.
  • Dental hygienists with bachelor’s or master’s degrees may work in teaching, research or administrative positions.
  • Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills and an attention to detail.
Health Information Management & Health Informatics
Areas
  • Patient health information management
  • Operations/Medical records administration
  • Health information technology
  • Computer information systems Management
  • Revenue cycle management/billing and coding
  • Personnel and budget administration
  • Quality management and improvement
  • Risk management and compliance
  • Privacy and security
  • Utilization review
  • Management
  • Research
  • Health informatics specialties
Employers
  • Hospitals
  • Physician offices and clinics
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Insurance companies
  • Government agencies
  • Home care providers
  • Behavioral health facilities
  • Information systems vendors
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Research facilities
  • Consulting firms
  • Educational institutions
Sample occupations
  • Earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Health Information Management or Health Informatics from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
  • A passing score on a national examination is required for certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).
  • Visit a health information management department in a hospital to better understand the role of health information managers.
  • Research career opportunities through The American Health Information Management Association and The American College of Medical Informatics.
  • Develop strong oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, orientation to detail, flexibility, and advanced technology skills.
Clinical Laboratory Science
Areas
  • Hematology
  • Immunohematology (blood banking)
  • Microbiology
  • Clinical chemistry
  • Immunology
  • Urinalysis
  • Mycology
  • Parasitology
  • Histocompatibility
  • Molecular diagnostics
  • Laboratory product development and sales
Employers
  • Hospital and private laboratories
  • Public health laboratories
  • Biotechnology industry
  • Pharmaceutical and chemical companies
  • Research and forensic laboratories
  • Veterinary clinics
  • Transplant and blood donor centers
  • Fertility clinics
  • Universities and colleges
Sample occupations
  • Earn a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from a nationally accredited program.
  • Be prepared to participate in supervised clinical experiences.
  • Attain good grades in pre-medical technology course work, including biology, anatomy, physiology, and general and organic chemistry.
  • Develop manual dexterity, fine motor skills, and an attention to detail.
  • Be willing to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Visit a clinical laboratory. Talk with practitioners to gain critical knowledge of the profession.
Nuclear Medicine Technology
Areas
  • Neurology, oncology, orthopedic, renal, cardiac, pulmonary
  • Nuclear cardiology
  • Positron emission tomography (PET)
  • Clinical Research
  • Education
  • Administration
  • Training
  • Sales
Employers
  • Community hospitals
  • Teaching hospitals
  • Medical centers
  • Public health institutions
  • Research institutes
  • Outpatient imaging facilities
  • Medical and diagnostic laboratories
  • Physician offices
  • Private clinics
  • Commercial radiopharmaceutical suppliers
  • Nuclear imaging equipment manufacturers
Sample occupations
  • Secure a strong foundation in science and mathematics, along with interests in computer technology and medicine.
  • Develop strong interpersonal skills, as nuclear medicine technologists work directly with patients interviewing and providing instruction.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadowing experiences with professionals, and plan to tour nuclear medicine facilities to confirm interest in the field.
  • Seek volunteer experience in a clinical setting, nuclear medicine if possible.
  • Consider specializing further in nuclear cardiology or positron emission tomography (PET).
  • Approximately two-thirds of Nuclear Medicine Technologists work in hospitals.
  • Professionals may be on call in some hospital settings.
  • Part-time or shift work may be available.

General information and strategies

  • Develop a desire to help people of all backgrounds and ages including various races and socioeconomic groups.
  • Gain an understanding of the rigorous education and training required in the medical professions to ascertain your willingness to complete the required experiences.
  • Study the demands required by each of the medical fields.
  • Specific fields require licensure that is generally regulated by the state of residency. (Research requirements for your state and medical position.)
  • Plan for a lifetime of learning to stay on top of new trends in the field and to fulfill continuing education requirements for licensure.
  • In some medical fields, additional training is necessary for advanced research and administrative positions, university teaching, and independent research.
  • Some medical fields offer the opportunity for post-doctoral experiences which can allow one to gain additional training or specialize in a particular area.
  • Obtain knowledge of several basic sciences including anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics.
  • Volunteer in an occupational therapy or related healthcare setting to experience the field first- hand and improve chances of program admittance.