angry doc: Career Counselor

A kind reader has provided angry doc with a topic to blog about today.


"qns.

what are the prospects for life sci grads in the healthcare sector?

would one be able to work as a MT/phlembotomist(eg)after training on the job or would they require further certifications in that area before they can apply for it.

it's already been noted that there's an oversupply of life sci grads and apart from alternative careers in teaching and medical/pharm sales not much has been said if there are jobs suitable for a bio grad within the healthcare industry.

-future test tube washer"


angry doc must confess he didn't have the answer - he was pretty sure that if he ever got struck off the register he would do something else totally unrelated to the medical field, so he never bothered to find out.

Thanks to Google, however, he now knows there are lots of exciting career opportunities for Life Sciences graduates in the medical field, at least in the two healthcare clusters.

You can google up Singhealth and NHG and check out their offers - there are in fact many positions posted just this month!

Some of the jobs which might be suitable are:

Transplant Counsellor (SH) - requires 'Degree in Science, Life Science or arts or Diploma in Nursing'

Medical Technologist (SH) - requires 'Bachelor of Science or equivalent/ Diploma in Biomedical Science or equivalent'

Epidemiologist (NHG) - requires 'Preferably a medical-related basic degree (MBBS or MD or BSc Nursing) but non-medical candidates may also apply. At least MSc qualification. The postgraduate degree should be in Public Health or Epidemiology.'

Research Assistant (Infection Control) (NHG) - requires 'Degree in Paramedical or Health Science discipline or foreign MBBS'

Executive - Tissue Repository (NHG) - 'Candidate must possess a degree with at least 1 year of working experience, preferably in a healthcare setting'

Medical Technologist (Molecular) (NHG) - requires 'Mininum Bachelor of Science majoring in molecular biology'


The list goes on and on, but you get the idea. Many of them require some IT know-how, 'team player'-ness, and that elusive 'prior experience' (imagine if they required that before you could become a doctor...), but there *are* jobs out there. You might even consider applying for and working in a Diploma position first so you can get the requisite working experience in a hospital or healthcare setting first and apply for a degree position when you have a better idea of how work conditions are like (except the other diploma-holders wouldn't like you very much for competing with them...).

And I haven't even searched under the private sector yet. Don't expect me to do that for you too - you *are* a university student, afterall...