Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Health Sciences Professor
What health sciences professors actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a health sciences professor?
Supervise students at a clinic. From there, the day usually includes teach health science courses, supervise clinical training, and conduct health research. Mix of teaching, clinical work and research; clinical duties can include long days.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a health sciences professor working full time.
- Supervise students at a clinic.
- Teach pharmacology.
- Meet a research team.
- Run a simulation lab.
- Advise students.
- Review grant data.
- Grade case studies.
Where health sciences professors work
Faculty work in classrooms, simulation labs, clinics and hospitals.
Hours and schedule
Mix of teaching, clinical work and research; clinical duties can include long days.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Teach health science courses
- Supervise clinical training
- Conduct health research
- Practice clinically
- Mentor students
- Write grants
- Develop curricula
Tools you’ll use every day
- Simulation mannequins
- Learning management systems
- Electronic health records
- Research software
- Clinical equipment
- Video recording
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Much faster-than-average growth
- Combine teaching and practice
- High pay
- Train the next generation
What’s hard
- Heavy workload
- Clinical and academic demands
- Accreditation requirements
- Long training
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love my health profession
- I want to teach
- I enjoy mentoring students
- I want to keep practicing
- I like research
- I can manage a busy schedule
Not sure? Take the free Health Sciences Professor fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow clinical safety and infection control
- Supervise students closely
- Protect patient privacy
- Follow research ethics