A quote says “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver”. No matter how you stash your money, if your health is in peril, you’ll never awake one day and enjoy the fruits of your labour. As time progresses and baby boomers age, the demand for health care rises. The Philippines has one of the best health professionals owing to its colleges and universities that produce graduates. The Department of Labor and Employment of the Philippines (DOLE) listed healthcare as one of the priority industries in the country for the next 5 years. 

Here are some of the health-related jobs in the Philippines.

DIETICIAN

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For this role, you’re an expert in human nutrition, tasked to prevent diseases through the right choice of food. Your role is important to the healthcare team and the community as you guide people to make health-conscious decisions. 

Where do they work

You may work in barangay health care centers, hospitals, supermarket chains, fitness websites, pharmacy, food and beverage, sports organizations, or as a consultant or self-employed position.

How to be one

To be a professional Dietician, you’ll need a bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics - BS ND) in a school recognized by the CHED (Commission on Higher Education) and pass a licensure exam by the Professional Regulations Commission.

What dieticians do

• Identify and treat health problems through the knowledge of nutrients and metabolism.
• Plan meals and nutritional programs.
• Assist in treating malnutrition.
• Plan, conduct and evaluate nutritional educational programs.

Skills profile

MASSAGE THERAPIST

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If you like people skills and healing others through the use of your hands and feet, then a massage therapy career is for you. Here you relieve pain and increase blood circulation to promote the wellbeing of your clients.

Where do they work

Massage therapists are either regular employees or self-employed in:

• Spa franchises
• Fitness centers
• Hospitals
• Hotels

As a self-employed, you may carry your own tools such as Shiatsu massager, chair, and oil.

Do I need a license

While there are freelance or independent massage therapists in the country, the Department of Health’s Committee of Examiners for Massage Therapy (CEMT) regulates the practice of the said profession pursuant to the provisions of the sanitation codes Presidential Decree 856 and Executive Order 102. So, if you want to advance your career in this field, you can go ahead with licensing and training. Here is a resource.

Skills profile

MEDICAL RECORDS OFFICER

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Perhaps, this is one of the least stressful jobs. Being in this role, you’ll wade through medical papers of past and present patients. A typical medical record you’ll deal with has these sections: personal info, medical history, treatment history, family medical history and medical directives (your wishes if you can't speak for yourself). 

Your role is essential to the health-care system in hospitals and clinics, as medical history and info can affect the doctors and other healthcare professionals' decisions on patient’s therapy. Records organize treatment flow and prevent misdiagnosis. 

What do medical records officers do

• Keep and secure the confidentiality of files against unauthorized access.
• Encode paper records into a computer.
• Retrieve medical records for doctors, medical technologists and other health personnel.
• Operate a computer program that handles health records.
• Prepare the patient’s admission and discharge documents.
• Release info to government agencies that need such a record.
• Resolve discrepancies in records.
• Follow the management’s rules on keeping medical records.
• Process medical bills.

Skills profile

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST

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The world of a microbiologist or the study of microbes in the field of this profession. Medical technologists or med techs are tasked to analyze body fluids. You have an understanding of protozoans, bacteria, and viruses. If you like to work in a few team settings and less contact with patients, then this job is for you.

What med techs do

• Analyze blood, urine and fecal samples that can be used by doctors, health professionals and companies needing medical checks for their employees.
• Sterilize tools used for testing.
• Analyze the test results and record data.
• Use high-tech and sophisticated equipment such as analyzers.
• Advise doctors on the proper use of scrubs, gloves and gowns.

Skills profile

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST

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The Philippines is among the top countries for hosting BPO companies. And one of the jobs is medical transcriptionist.  If you like computer work and transcribing data while using your health-related course, this job is a good start.

What medical transcriptionists do

• Enter medical records data into a computer.
• Make reports on outpatient and in-patient info, medical research, letters and statistics.
• Transcribe dictated sentences into written format.
• Edit and review the transcribed report for grammar, fact, spelling, clarity and correct use of medical terms.
• Identify correct terms, inconsistencies, medical term mistakes, homonyms, and jargon.

Skills profile

PHARMACIST

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For this role, you have the expertise to identify the type of drugs and all names and their generic terms. So if the ailment is sinus, throat, and ear you’ll dispense Azithromycin (generic for Z-Pak and Zithromax), Vicodin (acetaminophen/hydrocodone) for pain. Your profession provides hospitals and clinics with drugs appropriate for a specific illness. A day in your life will be mostly in clinics, pharmaceutical companies, franchise drugstores, and hospitals.

What pharmacist do

• Interpret doctor’s orders.
• Identify and dispense the correct drug.
• Secure records of files, poison registries and patient profiles.
• Work with doctors, nurses, rad techs and med techs to monitor, review and evaluate the efficacy of drugs
• Advise clients on the best medical brands and supplies.
• Make inventories of stocks.
• Observe prescribing trends to prevent harmful drug interactions and excessive use.

Skills profile

RADIATION TECHNOLOGIST (RAD TECH)

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You may have already been to X-Ray rooms where someone asked you to face the wall while waiting for a photography-like machine to operate. Then, if you have been to well-funded hospitals, you already experienced entering your feet first into a doughnut-shaped device that can show your insides.  If you like to analyze and operate these sophisticated and pricey gizmos, then a rad tech career should be your calling.

What Rad techs do

• Follow a doctor’s order on the specific body part that needs imaging.
• Follow a process to prevent excessive exposure of radiation to patients or themselves.
• Assist patients into using the equipment.
• Organize and track patient’s images and records.
• Explain the process to patients.

Skills profile