This article contains information on what you can do with an Anatomy Degree.
According to Britannica [1], Anatomy is a field in the biological sciences concerned with the identification and description of the body structures of living things. Gross anatomy involves the study of major body structures by dissection and observation and in its narrowest sense is concerned only with the human body.
“Gross anatomy” customarily refers to the study of those body structures large enough to be examined without the help of magnifying devices, while microscopic anatomy is concerned with the study of structural units small enough to be seen only with a light microscope.
Anatomy is joined up with another area of science, such as biology or physiology. Four years of dealing with human bodies and its function will earn you a good knowledge of how the human body works, analysis, data interpretation and problem-solving which will land you opportunities beyond health-related professions.
This wide range of scientific knowledge provides an anatomy degree holder with a luxury of career choices just like Medicine and every other life science courses. No doubt, being an anatomist is not an easy job, but the careers in anatomy are highly paid, and I think that settles the matter.
Career Opportunities with a degree in Anatomy
Here are lists of careers an Anatomy degree holder can venture into;
1. Ambulance Officers and Paramedic
Ambulance Officers and Paramedics provide emergency medical services, typically in response to emergency calls from patients. An ambulance officer/paramedic will perform medical procedures, pre-hospital care and transport patients to the hospital. Their duties and tasks involve:
- Applying pre-hospital advanced medical and trauma care including, on the scene emergency care and life-saving stabilisation.
- Following strict OH&S policies and procedures.
- Operate vehicles that carry patients and accident victims to hospitals.
- Perform medical and shock trauma assessments.
- Provide medical treatment and patient care.
- Trained in first aid with an ability to perform life support to ill or injured people.
2. Doctor, Dentist or Nurse
Having an anatomy degree is one of the surest ways to enter medical school or advanced studies in medical sciences. Most medicals schools accept anatomy as a prerequisite or as the foundation for medicine.
3. Forensic Science Technician.
Forensic science technicians work in laboratories and on crime scenes. At crime scenes, forensic science technicians typically do the following:
- Analyze crime scenes to determine what evidence should be collected and how.
- Take photographs of the crime scene and evidence.
- Make sketches of the crime scene.
- Record observations and findings, such as the location and position of evidence.
- Collect evidence, including weapons, fingerprints, and bodily fluids.
- Catalogue and preserve evidence for transfer to crime labs.
- Reconstruct crime scenes.
In laboratories, forensic science technicians typically do the following:
- Perform chemical, biological, and microscopic analyses on evidence taken from crime scenes.
- Explore possible links between suspects and criminal activity, using the results of DNA or other scientific analyses.
- Consult with experts in specialized fields, such as toxicology (the study of poisons and their effect on the body) and odontology (a branch of forensic medicine that concentrates on teeth).
Forensic science technicians may be generalists who perform many or all of the duties listed above or they may specialize in certain techniques and sciences. Generalist forensic science technicians, sometimes called criminologists or crime scene investigators, collect evidence at the scene of a crime and perform scientific and technical analysis in laboratories or offices. Anatomy degree is a foundation for a career in Forensic.
4. High school /Postsecondary Health Specialties Teachers
One of the most common career choices for someone who studies anatomy is teaching, either in high school or as a professor in college. High school teachers generally specialize in biology. Professors teach both introductory and advanced biology courses, including anatomy. They may teach anatomy at a regular university or even medical, dental or veterinary school. An anatomy degree can provide you with the opportunity to impact scientific knowledge to students of all ages. You could be a teacher who prepares students for a career in medicals sciences like nursing, physiology, dentistry, medicine and other healthcare or biological science fields.
As a college teacher, your primary responsibilities will be planning lessons, instructing students, and evaluating their work. To be accepted as an anatomy college teacher, a doctoral degree is required although some may be able to find employment with a master’s degree in a health speciality. In order to work as a post-secondary biology professor or a research scientist, you must have a firm understanding of the human organism and its physiology, evolution, nutrition, development, and biology on a cellular and molecular level.
5. Radiologic and MRI Technicians
Having an anatomy degree also gives you a room to work as an MRI Technician. The duties of a radiologic technician include performing clear and accurate diagnostic imaging examinations such as x-rays for medical facilities while an MRI technologist runs Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners at hospitals and diagnostic facilities. They also work directly with patients, educating them on what to expect, helping them be comfortable, and also give IV drugs to a patient to provide a better contrast on the scanned images. To help patients and doctors diagnose potential health issues, an x-ray technician is needed to perform quality x-rays on patients.
Radiologic technicians are also known as limited scope x-ray machine operator and x-ray technician.
A thorough understanding of anatomy and human biology to effectively and safely position patients so that they capture images of the necessary body parts are needed. To be effectively poised for a career in radiology, it is a must to earn an associate degree but a background in anatomy prepares you well for this career.
6. Physical Therapists
Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions that use evidence-based kinesiology, exercise prescription, health education, mobilization, electrical and physical agents, treats acute or chronic pain, movement and physical impairments resulting from injury, trauma or illness typically of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological and endocrinological origins. This knowledge helps the physical therapist to improve a patient’s physical functions through physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis, patient education, physical intervention, rehabilitation, disease prevention and health promotion.
Physical therapists are required to have a doctoral degree in physical therapy and a state license. Their studies include biology and anatomy because they need extensive knowledge of how the human body is structured and how it works in order to effectively diagnose and treat their patients. They are responsible for identifying the physical effects of an illness or injury on their patients and determining the best way to help them regain physical functions and minimize their pain.
Having a degree in anatomy is a gateway to also becoming a physical therapist.
7. Technical Writers
Technical writers are also called technical communicators. They are the brains behind users guide, product articles, paper-based and digital operating instructions, assembly instructions, and “frequently asked questions” pages and other supporting documents to effectively communicate complicated and technical information about medical-related products to help technical support staff, consumers, and other users within a company or an industry. They develop, gather, and disseminate technical information through an organization’s communications channels to help users understand and use a product or services.
There job is so diverse and requires excellent communication skills, they work closely with product liability specialists, customer service managers to improve the end-user experience through product design changes.
With a degree in Anatomy, you can be a technical writer in the medical field. Like the saying goes, ”You can’t give what you don’t have.” In other words, you can’t write well about what you don’t have knowledge about.
8. Biomedical Engineers
This involves designing and creating medical equipment, devices, computer systems and software that are used in health care settings. Their responsibilities can range from creating medicinal treatments, artificial limbs, pacemakers, and implantable medical devices depending on the specialty of the career.
Biomedical engineers usually earn a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, where they learn engineering principles along with scientific fields such as biology and physiology. It is paramount they understand human biology and anatomy so that they can produce artificial body parts that can function in place of the original part or organ. Biomedical engineers also work on designing, evaluating, and repairing diagnostic equipment or medical devices.
9. Clinical Research Coordinator
Clinical Research Coordinator responsibilities include the planning and management of the study, enrollment, maintenance, and training initiatives, as well as maintaining compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. They carry out experiments, clinical research, and medical studies. From evaluating research protocols to seeking approval from regulatory committees, Clinical Research Coordinators have a wide reach within laboratories, medical centres, and research hospitals.
To secure a job as a Clinical Research Coordinator, professionals must have at least a four-year bachelor’s degree in a field such as medical technology, microbiology, or public health administration. However, some employers require an additional two-year master’s degree, particularly for management positions.
Typical courses to take in preparation for this career include biochemistry, biostatistics, healthcare management, mathematics, epidemiology, and human anatomy.
10. Biochemist or Bio- Physicist
Biochemists perform essential functions in the fast-growing fields of biotechnology and biomedical research. Studying biology equips you with the laboratory and scientific research skills and knowledge to plan and perform studies for developing new products. These specialists hold an interesting and unique career that focuses on the chemical and physical foundations that make life pleasant. This can include cell development, the chemistry of disease, or the physiology of metabolism. Many bachelor’s degrees can lead to this profession, including biology, chemistry, physics, and of course anatomy.
11. Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists research disease and injury in order to determine patterns in when, how, and where they occur to try and devise better methods of treatment and means of responding. These professionals must hold a master’s degree but anatomy could be the foundation for this career.
12. Chiropractor
A chiropractor is a health care professional who deals with the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders, with an emphasis on treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine.
Most chiropractors seek to reduce pain and improve the functionality of patients as well as to educate them on how they can account for their health via exercise, ergonomics and other therapies to treat back pain.
13. Cytogeneticist.
The responsibilities of a cytogeneticist revolve around the study of genetics, cells, DNA, and chromosomes. In a clinical setting, your duties as a cytogeneticist are to analyze these individual building blocks to detect, interpret, and study disease, chronic conditions, and genetic abnormalities. You use bodily fluid, blood, or tissue to access DNA information about patients. The qualifications to begin your career as a cytogeneticist include a bachelor’s degree in laboratory sciences, microbiology, or genetics.
With this degree, you gain the skills to perform research as an assistant, though most universities and research institutions expect you to progress to a PhD as you continue your career. If you want to become a clinical cytogeneticist, you must earn a doctorate in genetics or a related field. After graduating from medical school, you can specialize in Cytogeneticist. Relevant certification for licensure varies by state but is typically required for lab personnel in this field.
14. Fitness Trainer and Masseur
Fitness trainers help their clients lose weight, gain strength, and reform from illness and injury. They assess the client’s condition, including their general measurements and biochemical compositions. In addition to assisting clients through workout routines, personal trainers provide meal plans and other consultations.
15. Medical Scientists
Although physicians work directly with patients to improve care, they often rely on the work of medical scientists to improve their techniques and practices. Medical scientists use experiments and research to create new approaches to treatments and disease prevention. They analyze diseases to develop cures and treatment procedures to prevent the spread of illnesses. Most medical researchers work in offices or laboratories, and they typically need an advanced degree. A doctorate is required, but a background in biology is required. A major prerequisite is a doctoral degree in a life science subject, such as biology, or a medical degree. Expertise in human biology and anatomy is necessary for medical scientists to identify abnormalities in how a person’s body is developing or functioning as a result of illness or injury. This knowledge is also valuable when determining whether treatments are effective at combating the cause of the medical issue.
16. Pharmacist
Phar-macy is all about dispensing specific medications to improve the health and well-being of patients. This field requires a doctorate in pharmacology or a related field, but it can start with a bachelor’s degree in anatomy.
17. Pharmaceutical Scientist or Sales
Pharmaceutical or medical product sales representatives sell medical supplies, IT products, medicines, and more to hospitals, clinics, and other medical practices. Pharmaceutical sales reps promote new drugs to doctors and other medical professionals for them to prescribe to patients. Knowledge of pharmacology and chemistry, and an interest in the business side of medicine, as well as communication skill, are needed for this role. This is another possible career for people with an anatomy background. With a science background, people can work with drug companies to research and test new products, or they can use their science knowledge to work in sales, marketing or public relations.
18. Scientific Illustrator
Using the knowledge of physiology, genetics, and other biological fields, scientific illustrators visualize anatomy, molecular structures, and environmental processes. They may work in academia, illustrating for textbooks and other educational materials. They can as well pursue careers in forensic imaging and graphic design. Possible employers include hospitals, speciality publishers, and film studios.
19. Veterinarians
Veterinarians are doctors that specialize in animal care and their responsibilities include the normal daily care of animals, surgeries and medical treatment for animal illnesses. Veterinarians need to be versatile and well-rounded, so a bachelor’s in biology is the ideal start for this career. This is one of the best jobs you can get with a biology degree as your educational foundation. A veterinarian usually has some background in anatomy; veterinary medical colleges usually require applicants to complete a wide range of science classes, including biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology. Once in vet school, students take courses in animal anatomy and physiology.
Reference
[1] The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2023). anatomy. In Encyclopedia Britannica.
