There are many careers paths to choose from within the health care industry; in recent years, one of the most popular is a clinical chemist. The clinical chemist career originated in the late 19th century and has been gradually more accepted and admired ever since.
A clinical chemist is employed within the pathology department; and is normally concerned with the examination of bodily fluids. They will utilize chemical tests to observe and research blood, urine, examine all types of tissue, study DNA, and other enzymes. Biochemical testing, such as those associated with serum or blood plasma are also performed by a clinical chemist.
All of this testing is completed within the pathology laboratory. Currently, many laboratories make use of automated equipment, such as a centrifuge, to assist in the proper examination as well as to ensure quality control in clinical testing.
The Pros of Being a Clinical Chemist
Although it is a popular career choice, as with all other professions, there are pros and cons of being a clinical chemist.
• This career has a high salary attached to it; ranging from $40,000 to $100,000; depending on the amount of education you have chosen.
• There are many career options are available; such as a research scientist, a college professor or a public speaker.
• The enjoyment and prestige in knowing that you have the ability to assist a physician with an early diagnosis and play a role in saving lives of a patient.
The Cons of Being a Clinical Chemist
There are a few disadvantages to think about as well when contemplating becoming a clinical chemist. A few of them include the following:
• The cost of a college education for an associate’s, bachelors, and most definitely a doctoral degree can be overwhelmingly expensive.
• Safety in the workplace is a major concern due to its nature of health-threatening substances such as blood and blood products.
• The work hours may be extended if it is critical to provide immediate testing results.
Be Ready
Once you have decided to enter this career field, you will need to take many classes such as mathematics, statistics, chemistry, anatomy and physiology. You will also need to participate in an internship; this will provide hours of valuable experience and will be very appealing to prospective employers.
As previously stated, workplace safety is an ongoing issue in this profession; however, there are many universal precautions in place to prevent concern. For example, there are latex gloves, gowns, goggles and masks for all employees to wear during their working hours.
Overall, the health care industry has many high paying as well as fulfilling career choices, including clinical chemistry. Although it may require a few years of education to work in this field, many say it is well worth the effort that is required. The significance of all of the pros and cons of being a clinical chemist must be considered by each person before making the decision to pursue this professional career.