It’s a common belief thatthere are no options for MBBS graduates apart from clinical and teaching practices. Many people still believe that “Without PG MD or MS there is no career”. This is awrong perception. A career in medicine is not easy at all. So, a few folks might look for alternate careers after MBBS. Moreover, withthe growing competition in the medical field, MBBS is no longer considered as the final qualification. In this post, we will look at the bestalternative career options after MBBS and top courses after MBBS.
Co-authored by Parinita Gupta
In today’s fast-paced and competitive world many doctors are searching for challenging career paths apart from their clinical practices. The more demanding nature of medical practices has forced many to take bolder steps and more open to changing careers. In this article, we will discuss the various other career paths and courses after the MBBS degree. Here are a few roles open to medical graduates.
Top Alternative Career Options after MBBS
Hospital Administration
One of the most lucrative career alternatives after MBBS is to get into hospital Administration. The administrative jobs are the long-standing options for doctors, especially for the senior and elder doctors. It’s a fact that clinical experience makes doctors better administrators as they understand the health system inside out thus enhancing the hospital’s credibility.
To overcome the challenge of a lack of business acumen, many doctors are opting for this alternative career and taking up business courses and pursuing an MBA (maybe MBA in healthcare management) in an attempt to position themselves for the role of a hospital administrator.
Medical Teacher/ Professor
Medical education is one of the best career paths you can choose after MBBS. With a teaching career, you can always be in touch with your medical world along with many other things. You can support trainee medical students or doctors, educating the public, be it in your home country or abroad. It can earn you a handsome amount as well for your expertise.
Public Health Worker
Public health is about promoting and protecting the health of the general population. It is one of the most challenging and honorable jobs since you might work on preventing the spread of infectious diseases or environmental health hazards and work with your government on many crucial projects on saving millions of lives. You could also be involved in strategies to improve the accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness of your health service.
Related Article:Careers in Public Health
Health / Medical Journalism and Medical Writing
Journalism itself is a very wide field, but those with scientific & medical credentials and have adequate experience have the edge over the vast majority of journalists who come mostly from other social science backgrounds. Some medics undertake this as an addition, rather than an alternative to their clinical practice.
As a medical writer, you can work in academia, industry (medicaldevices, pharmaceuticals, etc.), news organizations, government, or for yourself. You can write manuscripts, reports on clinical trials, news articles, regulatory submissions, meeting abstracts, patient education materials, and even slide decks.
For this alternative career path, you may need to gain extra qualifications to start a successful journalism career. Doctors with a passion for writing, undertake clinical writing and editorial activities for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies which are lucrative careers too.
Related Article: 11 Best Alternative Careers for Biomedical and Biotech Graduates
Clinical Forensic Medical Examiner
After completion of your MBBS course, one can take up this interesting route to become a Clinical Forensic Medical Examiner. Their role is to deal with examining the living and forensic pathologists are trained to carry out medical examinations on the dead.
Medico-Legal Advisor
This field is quite demanding as they deal with the legal angle of medical cases. This is a highly paid alternative career option for those interested in a medico-legal career. They may even require attending court trials, running workshops as well as holding lectures, and writing articles regarding the same.
Forensic Psychiatry
Forensic psychiatryis a subspeciality of psychiatry and is related to criminology. It encompasses the interface between law and psychiatry.This field is also closely related to the field of medico-legal study, which involves the treatment and healing of mentally ill criminal offenders.
Related Article: Forensic Science Careers in India
Medical / Pharmaceutical Researcher
The medical research field is a dynamic one that is constantly developing. Those who conduct experiments and analyze results to learn more about the human body and potential treatments are medical researchers. The researchers are often required to work in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, hospital labs, and research institutes. They formulate new drugs and clinical approaches via focused research and analysis.
Translational Medicine or Translational Research is a great career path for MBBS graduates who wish to combine lab/bench research and clinical duties. Read more aboutCareers in Translational Medicine – Introduction, Different Phases, Training and Scope.
Transplant Coordinator
Both administrative and medical alternatives to MBBS are those professionals who coordinate activities related to organ donation and transplantation. They liaise with medical, paramedical and non-medical personnel and may be involved in various stages of the process, from meeting with donors and recipients to post-surgical care and follow-up. This role demands both medical and administrative tasks.
Radiology / Diagnostic Imaging
They are in charge of keeping on top of medical imaging programs such as X-Rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRIs. They ensure to meet the correct professional standards.
Academic Medicine
Academic medicine is another viable career after MBBS where the doctors not only engages in clinical practice but also provide their knowledge teaching medical students and taking part in various research programs. Many senior doctors opt for this career option and settle down with a handsome salary.
Sports Medicine
Nowadays, a career in sports medicine is another one of the most sought-after careers because of its dynamic and high-profile client base which also includes regular travel abroad. The sports doctor’s career can earn you the best salary amongst all other competitive careers.
Public Services
MBBS graduates can appear for UPSC exams and can serve the nation in a positive way.
Investment Banking
Does this sound crazy?
Investment banks help companies obtain funds and offer advice on mergers, acquisitions and equity research. As ahealthcare equity research analyst, you could use your medical background to give advice on parts of the health industry such as biotech companies. Learn more about investment banking careers.
Health Informatics and Analytics
Data Analytics and Health Informatics are also two excellent career options for MBBS graduates who have got a love for Numbers and Analytics. Read more about health informatics careers and jobs.
Entrepreneurship
Agrowing number of clinical doctors who are heading to business schools to bag lucrative opportunities in streams like healthcare consulting, hoping to turn entrepreneurs someday.
Related Article: Why Doctors are joining MBA programs?
Best Courses after MBBS
Now we will discuss some prominent courses after MBBS which can provide various job opportunities available after the degree. The courses are mentioned below:
- M.Tech in Biomedical Engineering and Biological Sciences
- Masters in Hospital Administration
- MS in Microbiology
- MS in Clinical Pathology
- Diploma in Health Education
- Diploma or Masters (MS) in Occupational Health
- Diploma in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Diploma in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- Diploma or MS in Sports Medicine
- Diploma or MS in Immunohematology
- Diploma or MS in Pathology
- Diploma in Pediatrics
- Diploma in Nuclear medicine
- Diploma in Psychiatry
- Diploma in Radiotherapy
- MBA
- MBA in Healthcare Management
- Masters in Hospital Administration
- Masters in Public Health
- Masters in Bio-Statistics or Epidemiology
Another course that is very popular after MBBS is Masters in Medical Sciences and Technology or Masters in Translational Medicine or Molecular Medicine, which combines both sciences and technology. Those specializing in the area need to attain knowledge of the following:
- Translational Medicine
- Molecular Imaging and Image Analysis
- Regenerative Medicine
- Nanomedicine
- Medical Imaging
- Biomaterials and Implants
- Medical Statistics
- Telemedicine
- Stem Cells
- Biomedical Instrumentation
- Clinical Biomarkers
- Immuno-technology
- Recombinant DNA Technology
- Biosensors
- Early Detection of Cancer
- Cancer Biology
- Biomedical Simulation
Author Bio: Parinita Gupta is a full-time banking professional. Additionally, she is also a passionate blogger and digital marketer.
She mostly writes about the Banking & Finance, Technology, and FinTech sector. But, she also enjoys writing on other topics as well.You can follow her on Twitter.
Featured Image Source: The Daily Star
