Explore Health Careers
Below is a list of health careers with a general description of the field, as well as links to more information including general prerequisites, tests needed, programs offered in California.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Audiologists are licensed health-care professionals who provide patient-centered care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of hearing, balance and other auditory disorders for people of all ages. Hearing and balance disorders are complex with medical, psychological, physical, social, educational, and employment implications.
Speech-language pathologists provide vital services across the lifespan to prevent, evaluate and treat disorders in speech, spoken and written language, social communication, cognition, voice, fluency, and swallowing. They work in collaboration with clients, families, and other professionals to improve the quality of life for children and adults with communication and swallowing disorders.
Explore Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Chiropractic
Chiropractors, also known as doctors of chiropractic medicine or chiropractic physicians, diagnose and treat patients whose health problems are associated with the body's muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems, especially the spine. Chiropractic is a drug-free, non-surgical science; although they will refer patients for such services if medically necessary.
Dentistry
Dentists play a significant role in our oral health care throughout our lives. Whether it's maintenance in our early years, braces in our adolescent years, or treatment for gum disease or teeth extractions in our senior years, successful dentists are capable and compassionate practitioners.
Nursing
Nurses promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. They have a unique scope of practice and can practice independently, although they also collaborate with all members of the healthcare team to provide the care needed by each patient. Nurses also serve as advocates for patients, families, and communities.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is the art and science of helping people do the day-to-day activities that are important and meaningful to their health and well-being. Occupational Therapists make it possible for people who face physical, cognitive, or mental health changes to participate more fully in their life roles at home and at the school, at work, and at play.
Optometry
Optometrists are trained to provide eye-care for people who have vision problems or develop them as a result of reduced ability to adjust their eyes to changing light and distance, a problem that often appears as we age. Optometrists spend much of their time assessing the vision status of each patient to provide individualized lenses, in the form of contact lenses or glasses.
Pharmacy
Pharmacists are health care professionals who dispense medications prescribed by physicians. They also counsel patients on proper drug use. Pharmacists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, retail businesses, long-term care facilities, internet pharmacies, and public health services.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists are evidence-based healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. They offer cost-effective treatment that improves mobility and relieves pain, reduces the need for surgery and prescription drugs, and allows patients to participate in a recovery plan designed for their specific needs.
Physician
Physicians examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients about illness, injuries, health conditions, and prevention. They can also conduct medical research, teach, and run medical centers. Physicians work in one or more specialties.
Physician Assistant
Physician assistants (PAs) are health care professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician. PAs provide physical exams, order and administer tests, make diagnoses, and treat illnesses. PAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and surgical centers.
Podiatry
A doctor of podiatric medicine, known also as a podiatric physician surgeon, is qualified by their education and training to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg. When treating patients, this system is also known as the lower extremity. Podiatric physicians are uniquely qualified among medical professionals to treat the lower extremity based on their education, training and expertise.
Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarians specialize in providing medical care for domestic food animals, pets, zoo animals and those of the wild. Part of their activities are also providing for the health of the human population by controlling animal diseases such as rabies and mad cow disease. In addition they inspect our meats, fish, and milk to keep these foods safe for us.
Post-Baccalaureate Programs
A post-baccalaureate program is for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree, and are interested in a health professions career. They need either to finish prerequisite courses and/or need to improve their academic standing for a more competitive professional school application. Learn more about post-baccalaureate programs.
Explore ALL Health Professions
ExploreHealthCareers.org is a collaboration between today's health professionals and leading health care associations designed to help people like you start down the road toward a career in health. Here you'll find the latest health career information and tools to guide you as you prepare for a future in health care.
