Healthcare industry in India is growing at a rapid pace. It is fast emerging as a global hub for sophisticated surgeries, organ transplants and world class medical facilities at half the prices of the Western world. With an annual growth rate of 30 percent, India is already inching closer to Singapore, an established medicare hub that attracts 150,000 medical tourists a year. This article looks into the available range of opportunities for students in this burgeoning sector.

Scope

According to McKinsey report the healthcare industry employs over 4 million people, which makes it one of the largest service sectors in the economy. The vacancies in the healthcare are no longer limited to doctors. A range of professionals, like paramedics, managers, lab technicians, dieticians, sales professionals, marketing executives, administrative assistant, librarian, etc., have fuelled and are fuelling this tremendous growth.

We will discuss in a series of articles the career scope for the paramedic professionals, from where they can get educated, what kind of challenges they face in the industry, what are the important companies, who are the chief employers, what is the starting and progressive emolument etc. This article gives an overview of the work of paramedics.

What they do?

Paramedic is a person trained to assist medical professionals and to give emergency medical treatment. Paramedics include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, medical laboratory technician, radiographers, x-ray technicians, ophthalmologists, opticians and refractionists, naturopaths, medical imaging technologists, speech pathologists, cardiac technologists and acupuncturists.

A physiotherapist treats cases such as fracture, dislocation, amputation, deformities born or acquired, nerve injuries, cerebral, heart and chest conditions, skin conditions etc.

An occupational therapist helps in the rehabilitation of the physically handicapped and mentally deranged patients by imparting training in skills and activities of recreation as well as problems of day-to-day livings.

Medical laboratory technicians help in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They conduct different type of chemical, microscopic and bacteriological tests, performed by him.

There are two types of radiographers – diagnostic radiographers and therapeutic radiographers. A diagnostic radiographer takes X-Ray photographs of the patients. He uses X-Ray machines in such a way that it helps the doctor in diagnosing the disease. He has to work under a medically qualified radiologist. Therapeutic radiographer treats the patients by using X-Ray, radium and radioactive isotopes for cure of diseases.

Naturopath, or natural medicine practitioners treat illness and practice preventive medicine by using nutrition, herbalism, homeopathy, iridology and other natural therapies, including remedial therapy to stimulate the body’s own ability to repair and heal itself without the use of pharmaceutical drugs or surgery.

Medical imaging technologists operate X-Ray and other imaging equipment to produce radiographs and other images which are used in the diagnosis and subsequent management of disease or injury.

Acupuncturists treat disorders and illness by inserting fine needles into the skin to stimulate the body’s defence mechanisms. Acupuncturists normally work on their own, but may also work within an established clinic in which other traditional forms of health care are practiced.

Employment is available in diagnostic laboratories, government and private hospitals, clinics, research centers and in equipment manufacturing companies. The demand for professionals in this field is on the increase because of the importance given to diagnostic imaging in today's medical world.

However, there are a few downsides to this field. One could be exposed to health hazards. The field also demands hard work and dedication.