Careers by Major - Biomedical Communications

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Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for biomedical communication graduates. Below is a sample of types of positions available to ­­­­biomedical communication graduates.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

  • Medical Illustrator*
  • Technical Writer*
  • Cartoonist*
  • Computer Animator*
  • Doctor*
  • Illustrator*
  • Kinesiologist*
  • Multimedia Developer*
  • Editorial Art Director
  • Professor
  • Scientific Photographer
  • Fashion Illustrator
  • Pedorthist*
  • Health Care Administrator*
  • Art Administrator*
  • Cardiovascular Technician*
  • Set & Exhibit Designers
  • Medical Imaging Technician*
  • Medical Transcriptionist*
  • Plastic Surgeon
  • Artist/sculptor* (including facial reconstruction)
  • Image Enhancement Specialist
  • Technical Illustrator
  • Anatomical Model Creator
  • Animator*
  • Graphic Designer*
  • Art Director*
  • Prosthetist / Orthotist*
  • Taxidermist*
  • Public Health Nurse*
  • Web Designer*
  • Health Promotion and Wellness Coordinator
  • Director of Hospital Marketing
  • Medical Web Site Marketing Director
  • Biologist*
  • Bioinformatics specialist*
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonographer*
  • Crime Scene Investigator*
  • Science Illustrator
  • Drafter*
  • Consultant

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Canadian electronic career guide available through your Career Centre Online account.

Who employs graduates from this program?

  • Media and Animation Companies
  • Legal companies
  • Hospital Media Departments
  • University and Colleges
  • Pharmaceutical Companies
  • Government Agencies
  • Veterinaries
  • Prepress companies specializing in print (textbooks & journals)
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Science Centres
  • Medical Schools
  • Self Employed/ Freelance
  • Museums

Skills developed by students in this program

  • Creativity
  • Analytical skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Visual Communication
  • Attention to details
  • Critical thinking
  • Demonstrate creativity and artistic expression
  • Work independently
  • Time management
  • Interpersonal
  • Design
  • Work in teams/small groups
  • Organization skills

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation.  Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Medical Assistant, Appletree Medical Group
  • Art Review Editor, Imagineering Media Services Inc.
  • Pathology Software Developer, Centre for Imaging Technology & Commercialization
  • Research Assistant – Neurosurgery Rese, St. Michael’s Hospital
  • Kinesiologist, CWC Assessments
  • Clinical Assistant, Unionville Family Wellness Centre
  • Technical Writer, Miovision Technologies Incorporated
  • Medical Marketing Representative, Scarborough Rehabilitation Clinic
  • Rendering Production Assistant, Dayluxe Gallery Inc.
  • Interactive Developer, ADhoc – Real Estate Visualization Studio
  • Graphic Design Assistant, Leisureworld Caregiving Centres
  • Public Relations Mass Media Specialist, Health in Motion Rehabilitation
  • Medical Communications Officer, BioDiscovery Toronto
  • Applied Scientist, Child and Youth Health, Hospital for Sick Children
  • Web & Graphic Designer/IT, International Pharmaceutical Academy
  • Tissue Coordinator, Trillium Gift of Life Network
  • Medical Radiological Technologist, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai
  • Assistant Medical Editor, Pulsus Inc.

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want.  Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Summer Positions 

  • Summer Research Intern, Meditech International Inc.
  • Community Videographer/ Photographer, Stonegate Community Health Centre
  • Research Assistant, CATIE
  • Visual Designer, DiligenceEngine
  • Student Library Assistant, Occupational Health Clinic for Ontario Workers
  • Research Assistant, The College Family Physicians of Canada
  • Youth Program Summer Assistant, Stonegate Community Health Centre
  • Patient File Clerk, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
  • Co-op Summer Student – Medical Imaging, St. Michael’s Hospital
  • Coordinator Volunteer Services, Humber River Regional Hospital
  • Production Assistant, Art of the Danforth

Part-Time Positions

  • Multimedia Developer, Vretta Inc.
  • Publishing Assistant, Sun Falls Press
  • Science Tutor, Tutor Doctor
  • Research Assistant, Institute for Work & Health
  • Children Graphic Designer, 88 Keys
  • Health Professional Seminar Facilitator, Proactive Movement Corporate Wellness Solutions
  • Web Writer/Editor, Consumer Centre
  • Programmer, MyLawBid
  • Optometrist Assistant, University Eye Clinic
  • Move Coordinator, Unison Health and Community Services
  • Web Content Editor, Hospital for Sick Children
  • Research Assistant, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Work-Study Positions

Previous postings have included:

  • Digital Imaging Assistant, Communications & Culture Department
  • Basic Procedures in Molecular Biology, Department of Biology
  • Lab Assistant, Department of Biology
  • Plant Biodiversity Assessment, Department of Biology
  • Web Technology Development Associate, Biomedical Communications
  • Marketing and Website Coordinator, Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences
  • Peer Health Education Program Assistant, UTM Health and Counselling Centre
  • Director’s Assistant, Blackwood Gallery

Extern Job Shadowing Program

Extern is a career exploration program that offers you the opportunity to meet with people working in your preferred career area for placements of 1-5 days.

Samples of previous Extern placements include:

  • Medical Radiation Technologist, St. Michael’s Hospital
  • Health Care Management, Rupert Case Management
  • Editor/Scientific Illustrations, Imagineering Media Services Inc.
  • Journal Publishing (medical), Pulsus Group Inc.

Volunteer Positions

  • Illustrator, Varsity Publications, Ltd.
  • Infection Control Administrative Volunteer, Toronto Grace Health Centre
  • Junior Graphic Designer, Sullivan Entertainment
  • Artist Workshop Assistant, Art of the Danforth
  • Research Assistant, Mukibaum Treatment Centres
  • Communications Volunteer, SWAPSITY
  • Clinical Research Volunteer, Hospital for Sick Children
  • Instructional Designers, Virtual Team Builders
  • Communications & Copywriting Support, Bell Canada
  • Photoshop Assistant, Art of the Danforth

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Research Opportunity Program (ROP) at UTM

UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows students in their second and third year to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Check the ROP website for information about the program including application deadlines.

Professional Associations

Each industry has affiliated associations. There are many benefits of becoming a member of an association, such as stating your affiliation on your resume. In addition to your experiences and the completion of your university degree, a student membership in an association is one ay to get an edge in the job market.  It also furthers your knowledge of a particular field.

The Association of Medical Illustrators

Founded in 1945, AMI is an international non-profit  “furthering the use of visual media to advance life sciences, medicine, and healthcare through a worldwide network of specialized interdisciplinary professionals.”   They strive to “be key partners in the process of scientific discovery, knowledge transfer, and innovation, and to be recognized as the premier global resource for promoting the power of visual media to advance science education, communication, research, and understanding.   They serve society as visual translators between the expert and novice, the scholar and student, the physician and patient.”

The Canadian Association of Professional Image Creators

Founded in 1978 as a national, not-for-profit association, CAPIC is “dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the rights and interests of photographers, illustrators and recently, digital artists, working in the communications industry.  CAPIC is the acknowledged leader in business practices education for illustrators and photographers in Canada.  CAPIC members create the photographs and illustrations which are reproduced in published materials of all types.  This includes editorial, advertising, education, books, brochures and periodicals.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

“CAAHEP is the largest programmatic accreditor in the health sciences field.  CAAHEP reviews and accredits over 2000 educational programs in twenty-three health science occupations.

The Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research (CAHSPR)

“CAHSPR is a multidisciplinary association dedicated to improving health and health care by advancing the quality, relevance, and application of research on health services and health policy. As the largest and most diverse association of its kind in Canada, CAHSPR provides members with unique opportunities for networking, research collaboration, and career advancement.”

Resources

Career Centre Library Resources:

  • Career Cruising
  • Careers for Scientific Types & Others with Inquiring Minds
  • Great Jobs for Biology Majors
  • Alternative Careers in Science
  • Career Opportunities in Health Care
  • Opportunities in Biological Science Careers
  • Great Jobs for Communication Majors
  • Top Careers for Art Graduates

Career Centre Library Panel Packages:

  • Career Panel for Biology (2011)
  • Beyond the Stethoscope: Careers in Health Care (2006)
  • CCIT Speaks Up: Alumni Career Panel (2008)
  • Careers in Writing & Communication (2004)

Web Links:

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).