Real World Applications:

14 Careers in Anatomy and Physiology

What are anatomy and physiology?

Anatomy and physiology are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Though they both study the way the human body works, each focuses on different body functionalities.

Anatomy is the study of the human body and the way it operates. An education in anatomy focuses on learning about individual body parts and how each part functions. In comparison, physiology is the study of the systems within the human body. For instance, rather than studying the heart or the lungs, physiology seeks to understand the relationship between the two and how they work within the respiratory system. The big focus for physiologists is how the different systems within the human body work together to create homeostasis.

Careers in anatomy and physiology

For those interested enough in anatomy and physiology to seek a relevant career, there are several different paths you can take. While they all require a certain amount of education and training, you don't need an advanced degree to make a living studying or working with the human body. Many of these jobs don't require a degree in anatomy and physiology itself, though they do all require you to study those subjects while attaining a related degree.

Anatomy and physiology jobs with an associate degree

Though many anatomy and physiology careers are in the medical field, some of these options only require a two-year degree. Jobs related to anatomy and physiology that require an associate degree include:

1. Medical laboratory technician

National average salary: $19.42 per hour

Primary duties: A medical laboratory technician, sometimes called a medical technician or lab tech, is a medical professional who specializes in the collection and testing of samples. In a medical setting, this includes handling bodily fluids for tests that lead to a diagnosis. Medical techs are expected to be knowledgeable in the use and upkeep of the specialized equipment used to accomplish this goal.

2. Physical therapist assistant

National average salary: $22.50 per hour

Primary duties: A physical therapist assistant works under a physical therapist and helps administer physical therapy regimens with patients. They work with patients in their day-to-day care, document their progress and note any issues the patients may have with their therapy routines. They also help patients learn to use ambulatory aids such as crutches and prosthetic limbs.

3. Personal trainer

National average salary: $22.55 per hour

Primary duties: A personal trainer is a fitness professional who helps clients understand and perform various exercises. They assess a client's fitness, educate them on the safe, correct performance of fitness activities and help design exercise and fitness regimens to achieve desired fitness goals. Personal trainers also track progress and advise when adjustments are needed.

4. Massage therapist

National average salary: $30.38 per hour

Primary duties: Massage therapists apply hands-on care to their clients' muscles to treat pain and injuries and increase circulation. They also speak with their clients to locate those painful areas and guide them through stretching and light exercise regimens that benefit ambulatory function.

5. Nurse

National average salary: $31.22 per hour

Primary duties: A nurse's duties vary based on their work environment but generally involve seeing to patients' immediate medical needs, assisting doctors in the diagnosing of illnesses, administering treatments and recording the patients' symptoms and progress throughout their treatment. They also support and advise patients during medical care.

6. MRI technologist

National average salary: $36.95 per hour

Primary duties: MRI technologists use magnetic resonance imaging equipment to scan patients, seeking diagnostic causes of symptoms and illnesses. They often work closely with patients to explain what they should expect during the test, and they are responsible for interpreting the images and helping doctors diagnose patients.

Anatomy and physiology jobs with a bachelor's degree

With a four-year degree related to anatomy and physiology, you have a wider variety of careers to choose from. Careers in this discipline that require a bachelor's degree include:

1. Medical technologist

National average salary: $57,483 per year

Primary duties: Medical technologists administer tests on bodily fluids and analyze data for diagnostic purposes. Technologists are expected to be educated in the safe use of sophisticated equipment to complete these tests. They also work closely with physicians and other doctors to design and choose the correct tests based on desired goals.

2. Science teacher

National average salary: $63,288 per year

Primary duties: Science teachers educate middle and high school students in the understanding and application of sciences such as biology, chemistry and astronomy in everyday life. Many high school science teachers specialize in one field, such as biology, in which they explain the workings of the living world, including the bodies of humans and other living organisms. Science teachers also design and oversee laboratory experiments to provide students with hands-on learning for the given subject.

3. Biomedical engineer

National average salary: $85,245 per year

Primary duties: Biomedical engineers design and build equipment used in the healthcare industry to improve human health, such as artificial organs, prosthetics and diagnostic machinery. They also research the inner workings of systems within the human body to more accurately design such equipment. Biomedical engineers are responsible for training other professionals to safely use those biomedical devices.

4. Research scientist

National average salary: $111,951 per year

Primary duties: Research scientists create and perform experiments designed to extrapolate data. They then analyze this data to inform the thesis of their given end goal. They often work in laboratories as part of a larger team of scientists, researchers and doctors. Research scientists are responsible for translating their findings into useable information for medical or scientific use as well as to publish in scientific papers. They also peer review the findings of other scientists to ensure accuracy before publication.

5. Pharmacologist

National average salary: $117,703 per year

Primary duties: Pharmacologists research and test the effects of chemicals on the bodies of animals, and sometimes humans, to determine whether they are safe to use. They design and oversee clinical trials for the development of drugs and other substances to use on and in the human body.

Anatomy and physiology careers with advanced degrees

Most people who continue their anatomy and physiology education beyond a four-year degree become certified doctors, though there are other options both within and outside of the medical spectrum that you can consider. Careers involving the human body for those with advanced degrees include:

1. Anatomy professor

National average salary: $4,297 per month

Primary duties: Anatomy professors work in a college environment to educate students on the understanding and functionality of the human body. They develop assignments and laboratory experiments to further students' education with hands-on experience. Anatomy professors also teach students how to operate equipment used to observe and study the inner parts of the body.

2. Physical therapist

National average salary: $82,795 per year

Primary duties: Physical therapists help patients with ambulatory conditions through the use of exercise and other physical routines. They diagnose patients and work closely with them to develop personalized regimens to regain movement in limbs and other affected areas with the hope of reducing or avoiding the need for prescriptions or invasive surgeries. Physical therapists often work in conjunction with a patient's physician to provide accurate diagnoses and safe, appropriate treatment.

3. Physician

National average salary: $242,535 per year

Primary duties: Physicians work in hospitals or private practices to diagnose and treat patients. They order diagnostic tests and interpret data to reach a diagnosis and prescribe medication, therapy or other treatments to treat a patient's illnesses or injuries. They work with other medical professionals to aid in diagnoses and administer treatments.

Source: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/anatomy-careers