To say that healthcare is evolving would be an understatement. It is undergoing a massive transformation where technology is changing the way we do healthcare and its career possibilities. Moreover, the pandemic has fast-tracked the adoption of technological advancements that would typically take years to achieve and has begun to digitize healthcare.
We've compiled a list of the possible new roles we expect to become the next big career paths in life sciences.
1. Bioprinting engineer
While we are currently limited to printing tissues, full-fledged synthetic organs are a possibility in the future. For example, some experts believe that in 12 years, we will have a bioprinted heart in an animal. Such bioprinted organs will save the lives of thousands of organ transplant candidates, and thanks to bioprinting techniques, these organs can be tailored to individual patients. We will need bioprinting engineers to scale the bioprinting material and scaffold to each patient's needs for this purpose.
2. Deep learning expert
AI's capabilities in healthcare are vast, ranging from managing mundane administrative duties to revealing clinical connections that are invisible to the naked eye. The rapid development of intelligent algorithms, on the other hand, is crucial to their use. All too often, AI is trained on medical data that contain inherent biases or on datasets that aren't entirely representative of real-world clinical settings.
This is where a deep learning expert comes in: to ensure that medical AI is adequately trained. Such an expert will be able to lead and supervise the creation and deployment of practical and ethical algorithms, whether it's for an autonomous emergency drone to discover the best way to its destination or for designing treatment plans.
3. Lifestyle strategist
According to some estimates, the number of connected wearable devices worldwide will exceed one billion this year. Furthermore, this adoption trend is expected to continue due to the democratized access to individual health data that they provide.
A lifestyle strategist will assist such early adopters in navigating the mountain of data they constantly collect and the devices they use, ranging from food scanners to meditation headbands to EKG monitors. Then, the lifestyle strategist can create a personalized lifestyle, diet, and workout routine for their patients based on those individual health metrics.
4. Virtual surgeon
Analysts predict that the global medical robots market will be worth $12.7 billion by 2025, up from $5.9 billion in 2020. Considering that 5G in healthcare is just around the corner, it's easy to see a growing demand for surgical robot specialists.
Surgeons will be able to perform more complex procedures with the help of robots and remotely. Surgeons can also use augmented or virtual reality technologies to hone their skills. These can aid in planning operations and even improve surgeons' performance.
5. 3D printing surgeon and specialist
From custom orthopedic implants to "organoids" made from living cells for drug testing, 3D printing applications for healthcare have come a long way. For example, burn or accident victims will be given new skin (and possibly more) grown using their cells and 3D printed for use in reconstructive surgery. This will give rise to a new breed of 3D printing technicians specializing in tissue generation.
6. Virtual hospital manager
An online general practitioner appointment is feasible, but can doctors treat sick patients virtually as well? The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention began work on the virtual hospital project in 2020, the first innovative hospital built in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nation. The project is being developed in collaboration with one of the country's leading telecom operators, Du. Once operational, the hospital will eliminate geographical barriers by allowing patients to communicate with specialists from the comfort of their own homes.
As such facilities grow in size and popularity, they will require dedicated managers who are experienced in providing virtual care, just as real-life hospital managers are needed.
7. Precision medicine compounding pharmacist
Biotech companies aiming to gain a competitive edge in the fast-growing health tech market increasingly focus on personalized diagnosis and treatment services. Precision medicine will be the norm for future patients, rendering bulk pharmaceutical drugs obsolete, at least for this purpose. Instead, compounding pharmacists will supervise robots that handle the dispensing process while providing the robots with accurate patient information based on genetics and individual characteristics defined by medical imaging and analytics.
8. Epigenetic counselor
The job of the current genetic counselor may change, or scientific developments may lead to the emergence of an entirely new breed of counselors who deal not just with DNA sequences but also with the epigenetics involved. As new research emerges, differing degrees of evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications are linked to (but not always caused by) various diseases and disorders. As our understanding of this linkage improves, epigenetic counselors will educate adults and the younger generation to make the right choices to ensure healthier lives.
Final thoughts: Jobs of the future have never looked so good
These are just a few of the potential new trades that will emerge due to technological advancements and their application in the healthcare sector. McKinsey research firm estimates that globally, jobs in healthcare could grow by 50 million to 85 million by 2030. Without a doubt, technology will significantly impact many of these, both by creating new types of employment and by evolving current roles.
Whether you're a professional looking for a job or a business seeking highly-skilled life sciences talent, the team at Real is here for you. " target="_blank">Contact us for more information.