Choosing a job you want to do for the rest of your life is tough. As we get older, our priorities, skills, and interests naturally change. This means that what you wanted to do at age 23 might not be what you want to do at age 40.
If you find yourself in this position, don’t despair. These days it’s increasingly common for people to retrain for a whole new career later in life – often with extremely successful results.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, following the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have decided to move into a career in the healthcare industry. Interested in joining them? Here are some health-related job ideas to get you inspired.
Healthcare Jobs You Can Retrain for Later in Life
The field of healthcare jobs is far broader than just being a doctor or surgeon! There are all sorts of career options available to you, meaning that you’re sure to find one which fits your passions and talents. Some of the most popular include:
1) Registered Nurse
Involves providing primary healthcare to patients of all ages and with all kinds of medical conditions. Tasks include administering medication, taking blood, dressing wounds, educating patients, assisting with medical procedures, and updating medical records. You can also choose to specialize in a particular patient group, medical condition, or healthcare setting that interests you
2) Occupational Therapist
With a Masters in Occupational Therapy, you can design adaptive equipment and customized treatments to assist patients of all ages who are suffering from an illness, injury, or disability. You’ll help them to engage in daily activities and develop a treatment plan to recover or develop their physical abilities. This can be done in a hospital, rehabilitation center, or the patient’s house
3) Healthcare Administrator
Ideal for those with strong organizational skills. This involves overseeing the management of a healthcare facility. For instance, you might deal with staff schedules, hiring and training, legal issues and records, as well as billing, budgeting, and other financial matters
4) Paramedic
If you’re good at staying calm under high pressure and working in a fast-paced environment, a paramedic role might be perfect. You’ll respond to all sorts of emergencies, from car crashes to heart attacks, and provide immediate advanced medical care to people out in the field
5) Personal Trainer
Those who are passionate about fitness should definitely consider this role. It involves motivating and educating clients to achieve goals such as weight loss, strength gain, and improving sports performance. More advanced trainers can also offer nutritional advice and help people with injury rehabilitation.
6) Mental Health Counselor
Perfect for those with an interest in psychology and the mind. This role means working with people who suffer from a wide variety of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and phobias. It often involves taking a holistic approach that combines medication, therapy, and various other forms of treatment
7) Senior Living Facility Assistant
Involves working with senior citizens to help them with daily tasks such as washing and dressing and enable them to live as independently as possible. You might also run craft workshops and fitness classes, take residents out on day trips, plus be an important source of companionship.
