As the baby boom population continues to age, the demand for qualified professionals in diagnostic services remains high and is expected to rise at a steady rate into the future. The increased demand for professionals, together with advances in modern technology, make this an exciting career that stays on the cutting edge of medical research and practices.
Following are 5 great paying jobs in the diagnostic services field.
Medical/Clinical Laboratory Technician
A lab tech performs routine chemical analysis and blood tests that look for diseases or other abnormalities in the lab tests that doctors order. This job is a critical step in diagnosing, treating, and even preventing diseases. In addition to performing the lab tests themselves, other duties could include collecting the blood and tissue samples from patients, analyzing and recording the data, issuing reports, maintaining lab equipment, and much more. The average salary for a medical or clinical lab tech is around $51,000 per year. An entry level position generally requires a bachelor’s degree, and some states require technicians to be licensed.
Related resource: Top 10 Best Online Health Science Degree Programs
Cardiovascular Technician
A cardiovascular technician works with the pulmonary or cardiovascular system of patient. They can conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, lung capacity and other pulmonary functions, and more. They need to be proficient in operating ultrasound and other diagnostic equipment as well as patient care when preparing and testing the patients themselves. The average salary in this field is around $55,000 annually. You can find an entry level position with just an Associates degree in cardiovascular technology, although those people with a bachelor or even masters degree can advance their career at a much faster rate.
Cytogenetic Technologist
A cytogenetic technologist analyzes chromosomes in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of genetic diseases. These could include birth defects, fertility problems, hematological disorders, and much more. Other duties could include preparing biological specimens and slides, and becoming proficient with advanced medical equipment such as light microscopes, photomicroscopes, and computer imaging systems. The average salary for a cytogenetic technologist is around $53,000. Education for this field includes a bachelor’s degree and an additional 1-2 years in an accredited cytotechnology program for certification.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers are the people who produce the ultrasonic recordings and images of the motion, shape, and composition of internal organs, blood, tissues, and other body masses. Other duties could include patient care during the procedure, operating and adjusting the settings on the equipment to ensure that the results are accurate, preparing reports, and more. The average salary for a diagnostic sonographer is around $67,500. To get certified, students must complete an associate degree or a postgraduate degree from an accredited program before they can sit for the qualifying exams.
Epidemiologists
Epidemiologists are the people who investigate and research infectious or communicable diseases. This field has numerous branches that people can specialize in, such as research, environmental, infection control, chronic disease, and much more. Duties vary depending on the specialty, but could include overseeing public health programs, research and development, monitoring and reporting, and more. The average salary for an epidemiologist is around $71,000. For this job, an advanced degree is important such as a master’s program or even a doctoral degree.
Summary
Jobs in the diagnostic services field are varied depending on your individual interests. This field can be extremely fulfilling, both personally and financially with plenty of room for advancement. This medical specialty provides an important function in the health care industry.
