How To Become A Physiologist
As a physiologist, you will work with patients who have chronic illnesses. You will develop fitness and exercise programs for your patients, helping to get people on the road to recovery and a healthier lifestyle. You will share your love of nutrition, fitness, health and wellness with others. It is important to be health conscious and physically fit, and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. You must enjoy working with people, and be outgoing and friendly. This job requires a bachelor’s degree.
Why Become A Physiologist
There are many reasons why people may have a chronic illness or a traumatic injury. As we age, our bodies deteriorate and we tend to have more health issues. We need to see a doctor or other kinds of specialists when we develop illnesses. Other times, we experience an injury or accident, and this requires a trip to see a specialist. We may have a chronic condition that we will never recover from, or we may have an impairment in our body that requires treatment to get us back to our original state of health.
Physiologists develop health, fitness and exercise programs for people who are looking to recover from illnesses and injuries in their lives. A physiologist will meet with people in any kind of a health care setting, such as a private clinic, a nursing home, or a hospital. If a physiologist works as a private consultant, they may even do home visits. Together, the physiologist and the patient come up with a healthcare plan and set goals to achieve. They meet on a regular basis to assess how the plan is coming. The physiologist performs fitness tests and does standard health assessments such as height, weight, and blood pressure to see how the patient is doing. In addition to this, physiologists also educate people on health, wellness, fitness and nutrition.
Physiologists should possess the following qualities and skills:
- Physically Fit
- Health Conscious
- Enjoys Helping Others
- Compassionate
- Outgoing
- Observant
- Good Communicator
Physiologist Work Environment
A physiologist is able to work in any type of health care setting. Most often they are found working in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, fitness centers, nursing homes, universities and colleges, and private health care clinics. This is a full-time job with regular hours. As a physiologist, you will work directly with patients, talking and listening to them. If you would enjoy starting your own business, there is plenty of opportunity for that, since about half of physiologists are self-employed, working in their own clinic, or as a private consultant.
Physiologist Salary
The median annual salary for physiologists was $47,340 in 2016, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There are some things to take into consideration that will determine a person’s salary. Salary can vary, depending on the industry that a person is employed in. For physiologists, the top paying field is pharmaceuticals. Medical physiologists earned a median annual salary of $96,000 in 2016. Those who chose to work in academia, as professor or researchers, earned considerably less. It is important to think about what setting you want to work in when thinking about salary. Those with more experience and education may be in a position to earn a higher salary.
Physiologist Career Outlook
Employment for physiologists is expected to increase by 11 percent from 2014 to 2024. This is a faster rate of growth than most occupations within the United States.
There will always be a need for medical professionals, and new healthcare laws in United States will have people seeking out healthcare providers such as physiologists. More people now than ever before are interested in taking care of their health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Better technology and healthcare advancements have helped create longer lifespans, leading to a larger senior population. The senior population will be seeking out professionals such as physiologists, who can assist them with cardiovascular disease, lung issues, and other related health problems. There are many opportunities in this field for people looking to become physiologists.
Physiologist Degree
If you are interested in becoming a physiologist, read below for learn more.
Step 1: Undergraduate education. You must receive a bachelor’s degree in order to become a physiologist. Choose from programs such as kinesiology, anatomy, biology, exercise science, athletic training, or a related program. These programs will help you learn more about this field and whether it is a good career path for you. Choose lots of science and math courses. It takes four years to complete your bachelor’s degree.
Step 2: Graduate education. It is not a requirement to have a master’s degree in order to become a physiologist. Many entry-level opportunities are available if you have a bachelor’s degree. Having an advanced degree will open you up to more career opportunities. Apply for a graduate level program in physiology, kinesiology, exercise science, or another related field. Be sure to apply to universities that are well known for this program. During this program, you will take more advanced coursework, learning more about physiology. You will also have the opportunity to work directly with patients and participate in your own research. It will take two years to receive your master’s degree.
