KOCHI: Acareer in the field of medicine is what most science students dream of but all of them securing admission to colleges is challenging, considering the applications pouring in every year. With limited seats in top institutions, students need can choose options even in the field of Allied Health. A professional course in Allied Health Sciences offers lucrative opportunities.
At the undergraduate level, students can pick a larger discipline and look at specializing in the area of their interest when they get more insights on their aptitude and area of interest. Some of them are:
Bachelor of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology .
One of the most sought after courses in the past few years, students learn about the normal aspects and disorders of speech, language and hearing; they are also trained in evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and management of communication disorders.
Students are trained in identifying and rehabilitating speech, hearing and balance disorders in people. There are jobs in government and private hospitals, NGOs and schools for children with hearing and speech disorders. Yearly pay package: Rs 3.5 -5 lakh.
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
This therapy focuses on modifying the task, environment and teaching necessary skills to help differently-abled people in daily activities. Occupational therapists are employed in hospitals, private clinics and health centres, rehabilitation centres and NGOs. Some even work part-time or provide home service as consultants. Yearly pay package is Rs 3.5- 5 lakh.
Nuclear Medicine Technology
Nuclear Medicine Technology is a highly specialized health care professional area that looks at how the body functions in order to help in diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions. It combines imaging, patient care, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer technology, and medicine. Nuclear medicine technologists are able to bring together knowledge and skills from the academic fields of physics and biology. These are combined with the practical skills required to work with equipments and people. Yearly pay package is Rs 4- 6 lakh.
Bachelor of Cardio Vascular Technology
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians assist physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments. A cardiovascular technologist works in a cardiac cath lab and performs very complex procedures, including stent implants, cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators and other tests to diagnose heart disease. They take emergency calls and participate in saving the lives of those who are having a heart attack. Yearly pay package is Rs 3.5- 5 lakh.
Masters in Exercise and Sport Science
This area of discipline is concerned with the testing and training of elite athletes. Sport scientists work in laboratories and wherever athletes train and compete. The role of the sport scientist is to assist the athlete and coach to improve performance. Sport scientists conduct research to improve sport equipment and training techniques. Some elite coaches are able to work for themselves or freelance as consultants. Yearly pay package is Rs 5-7 lakh.
Health Informatics
Health Informatics is a discipline at the intersection of information science, computer science, and health care. It deals with resources, devices, and methods required in optimizing the storage, retrieval, and use of information in health. Health informatics oversee the development of high tech systems that allow for real-time communication, diagnosis, and consultation using video, audio, and web-based technologies. Yearly pay package is Rs 4-6 lakh.