MEDICINE & HEALTHCARE
Everyone, at some point in their life, will need medical care. These are some of the people who’ll help.
MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVE
A medical rep is essentially a legal drug dealer who markets prescription medication to doctors and pharmacists on behalf of manufacturers.
Reps are required to have extensive technical knowledge about medications and their side-effects.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Mathematics, physical sciences and English are key matric subjects, but this will depend on what degree you plan to study.
Employers tend to prefer their reps to have a Bachelor of Pharmacy or Medicine degree or a Bachelor of Commerce degree or similar business qualification.
Medical or science qualifications are an obvious advantage when it comes to sales requiring technical knowledge.
Graduates with a business qualification undergo up to six months of intense training, and reps are expected to keep up to date with research developments and new products.
››STARTING SALARY
R265 000 a year
GENERAL PRACTITIONER
GPs are doctors who provide primary and ongoing medical care for patients by diagnosing physicalor mental-health issues, disorders and injuries, and they prescribe medication and treatment to restore patients’ health and wellbeing.
Patients may be referred to specialists for additional assessment and/or treatment.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Your matric subjects must include English or first additional language, mathematics and life sciences or physical sciences.
An MBChB (a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) degree is essential, and competition for spots in medical schools is extremely tough.
Graduates must take up an internship for two years and perform one year of community service to be able to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa so they can legally practise as a doctor.
››STARTING SALARY
R450 000 a year
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
An occupational therapist (OT) helps children and adults develop, recover and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.
Patients may have lost these abilities because of mental or physical conditions, or developmentally or emotionally disabling conditions.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Your matric subjects must include English, mathematics and physical sciences or life sciences.
A Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy or a master’s degree or a more advanced degree in occupational therapy is needed to work as an OT. Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa is also required.
››STARTING SALARY
R290 000 a year
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
A physiotherapist is a medical professional who assesses and treats people who are suffering with physical problems caused by disease, injury, illness or ageing.
Physios will use nonsurgical procedures to reduce pain, improve movement and restore functionality for patients.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Your matric subjects must include English, mathematics and physical sciences or life sciences
Many SA universities offer bachelor’s degrees in physiotherapy. Graduates will have to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa to practise.
››STARTING SALARY
R360 000 a year
BIOKINETICIST
Biokinetics is the science of movement, and the job of biokineticists is to improve physical functioning and healthcare through exercise.
They can work in the public or private sector in many fields, including professional sport, corporations and police, military and fire services.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Your matric subjects must include English, mathematics and physical sciences or life sciences.
Thirteen SA universities offer a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in the field of biokinetics.
Graduates can register as biokineticists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
››STARTING SALARY
R300 000 a year
PSYCHOLOGIST
Psychologists study the human mind. Those with postgraduate qualifications and practical training can become registered psychologists who work with patients and counsel them.
An undergraduate degree in psychology covers only the theoretical aspects of psychological training, not the practical training needed to work ethically with the mental health of another person.
With an undergraduate degree, you can volunteer as a lay counsellor at a nongovernmental or nonprofit organisation or work in many other fields, including UX (user experience) design, marketing and sales, human
resources or as a teacher or lecturer.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
No specific matric subjects are needed, but life sciences or biology could be advantageous.
To work with patients you have to complete a master’s degree and have completed community service and practical training under the supervision of a psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council of SA. You’ll also have to register with the council.
If you intend specialising in a particular field, such as educational psychology, industrial psychology or forensic psychology, you’ll have to take extra courses after completing your master’s and practical training.
››STARTING SALARY
R294 000 a year
DIETICIAN
Dieticians don’t deal only with weight loss and weight management, although this can be part of their job. As nutritional experts, dieticians work in many fields, in private practice and the public healthcare sector, to assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional issues such as creating special eating plans for diabetics.
They provide their expertise in hospitals and institutions such as schools and universities where mass catering is provided; and they consult in the food, nutrition, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Matric subjects you’ll need include mathematics, physical sciences and life sciences, but requirements may vary from one university to the next.
To qualify as a dietician you’ll need a fouryear undergraduate degree in scientific dietetics, or a two-year postgraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics (the latter is presently available only at the University of Cape Town). You’ll need training in all aspects and fields of nutrition therapy.
››STARTING SALARY
R251 000 a year