The Advantages and Limitations of Healthcare Employment

The healthcare industry has always been the pioneers of society. In an inevitable world where people get ill, accidents and emergencies arise and hospitals are needed to diagnose, treat and manage different types of ailments and diseases, we need healthcare more than ever.

Like many industries, healthcare isn’t limited to just one specific area. In order to meet the health needs of many individuals, healthcare is further divided into nursing, physiotherapy, medical lab technology and medical assistants among many others. Therefore, it is no surprise that healthcare has been categorised as essential services especially with the advanced technology in extending lifespan of mankind.

There may be some risks in healthcare during pandemic outbreak. However, they are protected by the basic training they obtained in the professional training school. With the knowledge and skills, they literally become the heroes in life saving.

So, what do you say? Are you interested in a healthcare career? But what are the possible education pathways you can take?

Education Pathway:

Foundation

Foundation is a pre-university programme for students who wish to take a shorter route to their degree. Foundations usually lasts for 12 months and is a full-time study mode.

Foundations usually cost between RM6,000 to RM9,000. For students who wish to pursue a Foundation that leads to healthcare pathway, expect a short but comprehensive course that will expose you to basic theories and will help you prepare for your undergraduate studies.

Check out Ramsay’s Foundation programmes right here.

Diploma

A Diploma course is a level below an undergraduate degree and can be considered equivalent of a first year Degree at university. Diploma for healthcare related courses can range between RM23,000 to RM40,000. While it varies for each institution, students usually pursue their Diploma courses full-time. Diploma is typically between 24 months to 36 months and is usually focused on industry related skills for students who wish to start working immediately upon graduation.

Check out Ramsay’s Diploma programmes right here.

Advanced Diploma

An advanced diploma is one given to students who complete a set of courses based on their desired field of study. Generally, this type of diploma is given to students who complete three years of higher education studies (often a diploma in the specific field). Therefore, this type of diploma is just below the achievement of a bachelor's degree. Advanced diplomas are short (only around 12 months) and only costs between RM15,000 to RM20,000.

Check out the best offered Advanced Diploma right here.

 Degree

An undergraduate degree in either medical or healthcare courses is essential if you wish to join the healthcare field. There are many branches of healthcare courses students can pursue – from nursing to physiotherapy to pharmacy, among many others. The length of a typical medical or healthcare degree is between 48 months to 60 months, and because medical and healthcare degree can be intensive, most institutions offer full-time modes for the students. Upon completion of degree, students can choose to start working full-time or pursue postgraduate studies on specializations.

Check out the best offered Degree programmes right here.

Professional Qualification 

Professional qualifications are recognitions that required specialized and complex knowledge, trust from the public, and also the responsibility for the public. It is an additional education path after degree, and is a short term programme (only between 6 to 12 months). Most of those who pursue professional qualification chose to do because a professional qualification helps in seeking employment as most of the professional qualifications are recognized by different countries around the world.

Check out the best offered Professional Qualification programmes right here.

In-Demand Courses:

Nursing

Nursing is extremely popular in Malaysia and is always in demand. Students can pursue a diploma in Nursing for three years before registering with the Nursing Board Malaysia as a staff Nurse. If you intend to progress to a Nursing Degree, you will need to obtain at least 3 years of working experience and obtain your Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) first.

Generally, a nursing course covers 3 main core sciences – namely health sciences, behavioural sciences and nursing sciences. The minimum entry requirements for a diploma in Nursing is 5 credits, including Bahasa Melayu, Mathematics and a Science subject for your SPM or O-Levels. Find out more about their Diploma in Nursing programme right here!

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists helps patients heal and recover from physical difficulties hence physiotherapy is an extremely in demand course in the healthcare field. The physiotherapy course allows students to study cardiorespiratory, sports, paediatrics, occupational health and neurology. Students can pursue a diploma for three years and continue with a degree for an additional four years.

Entry requirements for a diploma in physiotherapy is a minimum 5 credits for your SPM or O-Levels, with heavy emphasis on Malay Language, English, Mathematics, and Science subjects. Find out more about their Diploma in Physiotherapy right here!

Medical Assistant

Medical assistants perform various duties and responsibilities that are both patient and lab-based. Students are trained in the areas of basic medical sciences and professional modules such as medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, public health, pharmacology, behavioural science and nursing.

A diploma in medical assistant typically last for three years and to apply, students need 5 credits in their SPM/O-Levels in the Malay Language, English, one Science subject and/or Add Maths. Find out more about their Diploma in Medical Assistant here!

Healthcare Services

The healthcare services course focuses on hospitality needs of the healthcare industry which include customer services and feedback management, travel and medical tourism, logistics, medical records, bed board management, event planning as well as related business areas. Which is why healthcare services is an extremely in-demand course for students!

Interested students can pursue a diploma in healthcare services, which is only for three years. To be eligible, students need a minimum of three credits for their SPM/O-Levels. Find out more about their Diploma in Medical Assistant here!

Medical Laboratory Technology

A Medical Laboratory Technology course provides an academic background and the technical skills necessary to enter the health care system as a practicing medical laboratory technician. With this course, students will gain educational experiences and knowledge to develop critical thinking, technical and interpersonal skills to be a successful clinical laboratory scientist!

Students who are interested are encouraged to pursue a diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology for a duration of three years. Entry requirements include a minimum of three credits in Mathematic and one Science subject, with a pass for Malay Language, English or History for SPM or O-Levels. Find out more about Ramsay Sime Darby here!

Which Institution is the best for Healthcare Studies?

Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare College offers nursing and health sciences programs. The college is known for its excellence in nursing education, and for nurturing health sciences professionals who are competent and industry-ready.

The College has a track record of academic excellence since its establishment in 1995. Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare College is registered with the Ministry of Higher Education as a Higher Education Provider and the programmes offered by the College are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

95% Employed upon graduation or continued for further studies (Data 2018), 600 Ready Jobs available locally and internationally (for graduate nurses), Over 10,000 graduates currently employed, Graduates in Demand Globally (Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Middle East and Germany)

Check Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare College page to find out more about them.

Limitations as Healthcare Workers

The true reality of healthcare employment isn’t sunshine and rainbows. The healthcare field is notorious for being one of the most stressful and demanding jobs – it is a physically draining industry as it requires long hours that include overnight working shifts.

It can also be quite an emotionally involving job. You are certain to encounter sickness and death on regularly, which can take an emotional toll. Those working in healthcare are constantly exposed to infectious diseases, as we can all see with the COVID-19 pandemic frontlines.

Awarding and Satisfaction from the Limitation

The physical draining work gives the healthcare workers sense of satisfaction at the end of their shift. Reporting to next shift members on what they have done for the patients and the achievement of each patients.

Going through the emotion roller-coaster in the hospital, it builds the inner strength of the healthcare workers in dealing with crisis and disaster.

Choosing the right profession for ourselves require the outmost attention. Engaging self in a course will take 3 to 4 years; but engaging into a profession will last for the next 30 - 40 years of your life. Ensuring yourself for a long-lasting employment is the essential decision that everybody need to make.  

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