Health Specialties Professor

Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Clinical Professor, Professor
Job Description

A Health Specialties Professor is an educator in higher education who specializes in teaching a variety of health-related subjects. They are responsible for instructing students in fields like medicine, dentistry, public health, pharmacy, and allied health sciences.

Typical Preparation

Education: Doctoral or professional degree

Years in related career: Less than 5 years

On-the-job training: None

Outlook

Projected Growth: 19.1% (far above average)

Annual job openings: 27 400

Direct AI exposure: 18% of tasks

Potential AI exposure: 60% of tasks

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2025 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is College and Other Vocational Instructors. According to the wage tables, average income is $94K per year.
Bottom 10%Bottom 25%Median (average)Top 25%Top 10%
$50K
per year
$68K
per year
$94K
per year
$113K
per year
$153K
per year
Compared to other careers: Median is $29K above the national average.

What does a Health Specialties Professor do?

Intro video

(less than 2 minutes)

Duties

  • Teaches and lectures in their area of health specialty.
  • Supervises students in clinical or laboratory settings.
  • Conducts and publishes research in their field.
  • Develops course materials and curricula.
  • Advises and mentors students.
  • Participates in academic committees and professional organizations.

Work environment

These professionals typically work in academic settings such as universities, colleges, medical schools, and teaching hospitals. Their environment may include classrooms, laboratories, and clinical settings, depending on their specialty.

Typical Schedule

Areas of specialization

  • Medical Sciences: Instructing in various branches of medicine.
  • Dental Sciences: Specializing in teaching different aspects of dentistry.
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences: Focusing on the study of drug development and pharmacy practice.
  • Public Health: Educating about community health, epidemiology, and preventive medicine.
  • Clinical Laboratory Sciences: Teaching about laboratory methods and diagnostics.

Description

Health Specialties Professors are crucial in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. They bring a wealth of practical experience and academic knowledge to their teaching roles, often combining teaching with active practice in their field. This dual role keeps them at the forefront of advancements in healthcare, which they can pass on to their students.

In addition to teaching, these professors engage in research to advance understanding in their field, often securing grants and publishing their findings in academic journals. Their research can have a significant impact on healthcare practices and policies.

Balancing teaching and research with clinical practice (if applicable) requires strong organizational and time management skills. These educators play a vital role in shaping the healthcare workforce, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the challenges of the healthcare industry.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

You might make a good Health Specialties Professor if you are...

Pros:

  • Rewarding work in shaping the future of healthcare education.
  • Opportunities for ongoing research and professional development.
  • High level of respect and prestige in the academic and healthcare communities.

Cons:

  • Demanding schedule with high responsibilities in teaching, research, and clinical practice.
  • The need for continual learning and staying updated in a rapidly evolving field.
  • Pressure of securing funding and publishing research.

How to become a Health Specialties Professor

Typical education

The required education level can vary significantly based on the specialty. Generally, a doctoral degree or a professional degree in the specific health field, such as M.D., D.D.S., or Pharm.D., is required, which can mean 6-8 years of post-bachelor's education.

High school preparation

Courses:

  • Advanced science courses like biology, chemistry, and physics.
  • Mathematics, particularly statistics, for research and data analysis.
  • Health and anatomy classes to build foundational knowledge.
  • Communication and writing courses for effective teaching and research dissemination.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

  • Volunteer in healthcare settings to gain early experience.
  • Participate in science clubs or health-focused organizations.
  • Engage in research or science fairs to develop an understanding of scientific inquiry.

Preparation after high school

  • Pursue an undergraduate degree relevant to your intended health specialty (e.g., biology for medical sciences, chemistry for pharmaceutical sciences).
  • Gain clinical or laboratory experience through internships or part-time work.
  • Enroll in a graduate or professional program specific to your health field (e.g., medical school, dental school, pharmacy school).
  • Consider pursuing a postgraduate degree like a Ph.D. or additional certifications in education if aiming for a career in academia.

More resources

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