Medicine: Health and

The health and medical sector is one of the most prestigious career areas in Ireland; but with great power comes great responsibility. Those working in this industry are usually passionate about what they do and possess a deep-rooted desire to improve the health and suffering of others – whether by curing, nursing, or saving them, or by being at the forefront of revolutionary new medical treatments and developments.

While healing hands are useful, a postgraduate qualification is generally necessary for progression within many health and medical career areas. A high level of skills and knowledge is required to work in the modern health services as well as an insatiable desire to learn – this is one career area where you really can never know enough. For those who are committed and talented enough to succeed, working in the health industry can be tremendously rewarding.

Entry Requirements

As at undergraduate level, competition is tough for entry into many postgraduate courses in health and medicine. Unless you have an undergraduate qualification in the sector, it is very difficult to gain admission to a postgraduate programme in health and medical departments.

Most postgraduate courses require a good degree qualification in a relevant field. The high degree of specialisation involved means that you should have an undergraduate qualification in your chosen subject, or in a very similar discipline.

For nursing and related postgraduate courses, it is generally expected that the candidate be qualified and registered with An Bord Altranais.

Research-based courses tend to require an honours degree in a related undergraduate area. Those with science, biology or chemistry degrees are generally eligible to move into specialised medical areas such as molecular medicine, human nutrition or physiology.

Courses Available

There is a diverse range of postgraduate course options available to anyone interested in health and medicine. Some programmes are naturally specific to certain occupations – a nurse, for example, might specialise in midwifery. Other qualifications are a necessity for certain career paths; for example, to become a social worker you must take a course that leads to the National Qualification in Social Work (NQSW).

Graduates hoping to move into the social and childcare career areas also have plenty of choice when considering postgraduate course options. Irish colleges offer MA, MSc, HDip and GradDip courses in subjects ranging from addiction studies to developmental disabilities.

Postgraduate medical training can become highly specialised, with a few of the potential options being toxicology, gynaecology, general practice, pathology and paediatrics. Specialisation is also a likely option for dentistry students at postgraduate level.

Psychology, psychotherapy and counselling also form a very important part of the health and medical sector and postgraduate courses are diverse, covering everything from cognitive psychotherapy to sports medicine and acupuncture.

Research Areas

Medical research is of particular importance and postgraduate researchers can work in many areas – from anaesthesia to neuroscience and cancer research. Many universities have developed expertise in different fields, and there are dedicated research centres at colleges throughout the country.

The social care, childcare and nursing sectors also offer research possibilities in all areas from midwifery to psychotherapy and counselling.

Other research areas include health & safety, health management, healthcare informatics, health promotion, occupational safety, physiotherapy and sports medicine.

Prospective students may also be able to take advantage of scholarship and graduate training opportunities through collaborations with local institutions and industry. The Health Research Board is a statutory body that aims to foster both national and regional links between health agencies, the third level sector, the research charities and the healthcare industry.

Career Paths

Given the degree of specialisation involved in being a medical professional, it is unusual for people to make many career changes over the course of their lifetime. Being a doctor or a dentist means continual training throughout your whole career.

Those with nursing qualifications can choose to take postgraduate courses that lead to careers in accident & emergency, mental health, midwifery and so forth.

Other career areas include research, health administration, pharmacy, social care, physiotherapy and sports medicine.

Candidates with health and medical postgraduate qualifications can find employment in both the public and private sectors.

Those who choose a career in the health and medical professions ultimately never complete their education. Continuing professional development is essential to this sector, as new treatments and theories are constantly being developed.