Beyond Doctors and Nurses: 12 Different Medical Positions You've Probably Never Considered
10 Jun, 2026
When most people think about careers in medicine, they picture doctors in white coats, nurses at bedsides, or surgeons in operating rooms. But the truth is, health care trades encompass an extraordinarily diverse landscape of specialized roles — many of which fly completely under the radar. I've spent years working with job seekers across every corner of the healthcare industry, and I'm constantly surprised by how many talented people overlook career paths that could be a perfect fit for their skills, interests, and lifestyle goals.
In this post, I want to pull back the curtain on some of the most fascinating and underappreciated healthcare career paths. We'll explore what a Medical Science Liaison actually does, why art therapy careers are booming, and how dozens of other specialized trades are quietly reshaping the healthcare workforce. Whether you're a career changer, a recent graduate weighing your options, or someone who's simply curious about the breadth of opportunity in healthcare, this guide is for you.
The term "health care trades" doesn't have a single official definition, and that's part of what makes it so interesting. Broadly, it refers to the wide spectrum of skilled, specialized roles that keep the healthcare system functioning — roles that often require specific training, certification, or licensure but don't necessarily follow the traditional physician or nursing track.
Think of it this way: a hospital or healthcare organization is like a small city. You need plumbers, electricians, and builders to keep the infrastructure running — but you also need specialists, artisans, and technicians who bring niche expertise. In healthcare, those "trades" might include:
Each of these roles requires distinct expertise, and each fills a gap that no other profession can. That's the beauty of health care trades — there's a path for almost every combination of interests and aptitudes.
One question I see repeatedly from career changers and PharmD or PhD graduates is: what is an MSL? It's a fair question, because Medical Science Liaisons occupy a space that most people don't even know exists — yet it's one of the most intellectually stimulating and well-compensated roles in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.
A Medical Science Liaison, or MSL, is a field-based medical professional employed by pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device companies. Unlike sales representatives, MSLs don't sell products. Instead, they serve as scientific experts who build relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) — physicians, researchers, and academic experts who influence treatment decisions and clinical guidelines.
On any given day, an MSL might:
Most MSLs hold advanced degrees — a PharmD, PhD, MD, or sometimes a DNP or PA with significant clinical experience. The role is particularly appealing to individuals who love science but want to step away from direct patient care or bench research. It offers a blend of autonomy, travel, intellectual challenge, and competitive compensation that's hard to find elsewhere.
According to industry surveys, MSL roles have grown steadily over the past decade, and sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlight the broader growth of medical scientist and pharmaceutical-adjacent positions. If you have an advanced science degree and strong communication skills, this is a health care trade worth exploring seriously.
Breaking in can be challenging because many job seekers don't know the role exists until mid-career. Here are strategies I've seen work:
On the opposite end of the spectrum from the data-driven MSL role, art therapy careers represent one of the most emotionally resonant and growing segments of healthcare. If you've ever felt torn between a calling for creative work and a desire to help people heal, art therapy might be the intersection you didn't know existed.
Art therapy is a licensed mental health profession in which trained therapists use creative processes — drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, and other media — as therapeutic tools. This isn't casual crafting; it's a structured, evidence-based clinical intervention used to treat conditions including:
Art therapists work in hospitals, psychiatric facilities, rehabilitation centers, schools, veterans' programs, hospice settings, and private practice. The American Art Therapy Association has been instrumental in establishing clinical standards and advocating for licensure across states.
To become a registered art therapist, you'll typically need:
Licensure requirements vary significantly by state, so I always recommend checking your state's specific regulations. Some states license art therapists under their own title, while others fold them into broader licensed professional counselor categories.
Several converging trends are driving demand for art therapists. The mental health crisis in the United States — exacerbated by the pandemic — has created an urgent need for more mental health professionals of all types. At the same time, there's growing recognition in clinical settings that traditional talk therapy isn't the only effective modality. Sources such as the National Institutes of Health have published research supporting the efficacy of creative arts therapies for trauma, pediatric care, and geriatric populations.
For healthcare organizations, art therapists offer a differentiated care approach that can improve patient engagement and outcomes. For job seekers, it's a career path with genuine meaning and increasing opportunity.
The MSL and art therapy paths are just two examples. Here are several more health care trades that deserve attention, especially if you're looking for something beyond the obvious:
Genetic counselors help patients understand genetic test results and make informed decisions about their health. With the explosion of genomic medicine and direct-to-consumer genetic testing, this field is expanding rapidly. The BLS has recognized genetic counseling as one of the faster-growing healthcare occupations.
Perfusionists operate heart-lung machines during open-heart surgery and other procedures. It's a highly specialized, high-stakes role with strong compensation and a tight-knit professional community. Most programs grant a master's degree, and certification through the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion is standard.
As electronic health records become more complex and data-driven decision-making reshapes care delivery, health informatics professionals are in high demand. This trade blends IT expertise with clinical knowledge — ideal for people who are technically minded but want to work in a healthcare context.
These professionals design, fabricate, and fit artificial limbs and orthopedic braces. It's a deeply hands-on, patient-facing role that combines engineering, anatomy, and empathic care. A master's degree and residency are typically required, along with certification from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics.
Similar to art therapy careers, music therapy uses a creative medium — in this case, music — as a clinical tool. Music therapists work with patients recovering from strokes, children with developmental disabilities, veterans with PTSD, and many other populations. Board certification through the Certification Board for Music Therapists is required.
With so many options, the selection process itself can feel overwhelming. Here's the framework I recommend to job seekers on our platform:
Health care trades refer to the broad array of specialized roles within the healthcare ecosystem that require specific training, certification, or licensure. Unlike traditional paths like becoming a physician or registered nurse, many health care trades offer shorter or alternative educational pathways, niche specializations, and diverse work environments — from pharmaceutical companies to art studios to surgical suites.
An MSL, or Medical Science Liaison, is a field-based scientific expert employed by pharmaceutical or biotech companies to engage with key opinion leaders in the medical community. You don't need an MD specifically, but you do typically need an advanced degree — a PharmD, PhD, or DNP are the most common. Strong scientific communication skills and therapeutic area expertise are also essential.
Yes. Art therapy careers are growing alongside the broader expansion of mental health services in the United States. Increased recognition of creative arts therapies as evidence-based interventions, combined with a nationwide shortage of mental health providers, is driving demand. Settings like veterans' hospitals, pediatric facilities, and substance abuse treatment centers are particularly active in hiring art therapists.
Absolutely. Many health care trades — including surgical technology, medical laboratory technology, health information technology, and dental hygiene — can be entered with an associate's degree or a professional certificate. That said, some trades like genetic counseling and art therapy require master's-level education. The right path depends entirely on the specific role.
We built healthcareers.app specifically to serve job seekers across the full spectrum of healthcare — not just the most common roles. You can search by specialty, credential, or job title to find openings in niche fields. I also recommend joining professional associations for your specific trade, as many maintain their own job boards and networking communities.
The healthcare industry is far broader and more varied than most people realize. Health care trades like Medical Science Liaisons, art therapists, perfusionists, genetic counselors, and health informatics specialists represent just a fraction of the specialized roles that keep our healthcare system running — and many of them offer exceptional career satisfaction, competitive compensation, and genuine impact on patient lives. If you've been looking at healthcare careers through a narrow lens, I hope this post has widened your view. The right trade for you might be one you haven't heard of yet — and that's exactly why we're here to help you find it.
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