20 Jobs that Require Scrubs

In many ways, medical scrubs are an iconic representation of the medical field. Though most commonly associated with nurses, surgeons and doctors, there are in fact many different healthcare career paths which encourage or require practitioners to wear scrubs.

This comes as little surprise, as scrubs of different materials offer their wearers a wide range of benefits. For example, they are comfortable, which is important given the long hours that caregivers can spend on duty. They are often germ-resistant, or at the very least easy to wash, which is essential to maintaining health and safety standards withinin medical settings, not to mention for preventing the spread of pathogens from medical facilities to the public. They also offer an advantage by acting as an alternative to street-clothes, which can help save healthcare professionals’ personal clothes from much of the mess which is an inevitable part of the healthcare industry. These benefits are a large part of the reason that scrubs are worn by so many people with healthcare jobs. In nursing homes and spas, operating rooms and doctors’ offices, these essential items of workwear are absolutely indispensable. 

In this article, we’ll explore some of these jobs in greater detail, and examine why scrubs are so important for them.

Pharmacists 

Pharmacists specialise in the proper use, storage and distribution of medicine, and can offer guidance on how medication should be used to both medical professionals and the general public. They also undertake some basic medical tasks, such as administering flu shots. Pharmacists most commonly wear scrubs if they work in larger healthcare facilities such as hospitals.

Pharmacy technicians 

Pharmacy technicians help to organise and distribute patient medication. Like pharmacists, they tend to wear scrubs only when working in a larger medical facility, rather than in a high-street pharmacy. 

Dentists 

These oral health specialists conduct a vital role; not only do dentists look after our mouths, but they also help to identify and prevent diseases found elsewhere in the body. Whilst extensive procedures are undertaken to make sure that dentist’s offices are safe and clean, there’s no doubt that working with peoples’ mouths carries associated risks for mess and the spread of germs. This makes scrubs ideal for dentists. 

Dental Hygienists 

Dental hygienists help to keep our mouths clean and healthy, but anyone with experience in the field knows that their responsibilities far exceed two minutes of brushing! In fact, an associate degree is usually required to work in this role. 

Dental Assistants 

Dental Assistants usually oversee the operation of dentists’ offices, and carry out tasks such as scheduling appointments and maintaining a well-stocked supply of products. As they are often a first point of contact for patients, wearing scrubs can help assistants to convey an air of professionalism. 

Physical Therapists 

Physical therapy is an essential part of helping patients to recover from physical injuries. These injuries may be from accidents or surgeries, or may be the result of longer-lasting physical trauma. PT work can involve lots of close contact with clients, so scrubs are a good way to help keep therapists’ clothes clean, and help to keep them comfortable during long days.

Veterinarians  

Vets can bear responsibility for a wide range of tasks.  From diagnosing your dog to performing surgeries on horses, their degree of skill can really give you paws for thought. Though vets may specialise in a range of different fields, most of them include a combination of fur, faeces, urine and drool. As such, scrubs act as an important barrier between vets and pets’ mess. 

Veterinary technicians 

These professionals carry out plenty of essential tasks to help keep animals healthy. These can include administering medications, taking X-rays and restraining animals during exams, and subsequently have the same scrub-requirements as veterinarians.   

Massage Therapists

Massage therapists can work in a number of ways, including oil-based skin massages and by offering, deep yogic stretches. In any modality, scrubs can help massage therapists to avoid getting oil or client sweat on their own clothes, and may help clients to feel more comfortable by creating a professional image.

Medical Assistants  

Medical Assistants carry out a very wide range of supportive roles within healthcare teams, from explaining procedures for treatment to patients, to performing basic lab tests. This is an important and growing role within the medical industry. In fact, according to the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics, this is one of the fastest growing jobs in the US, and in Australia, the position offers an average salary of 5640 AUD.

Medical Practitioners

This category includes General Practitioners, Surgeons, and Specialists. According to the Medical Board of Australia, as of 2023, there were 138,127  registered medical practitioners in the country. For surgeons, especially, scrubs are vital in maintaining a sterile environment in operating theatres.

MRI Technologist

These technologists are specialists who operate imaging equipment, and work as a vital part of healthcare teams to create diagnoses. Whilst they may be further removed from patients, pathogens and bodily fluids than some other medical professionals, it’s valuable for them to wear scrubs for comfort and to prevent the spread of germs. 

Nurses

Nurses, including Registered Nurses (RNs) and Enrolled Nurses (ENs), form the backbone of the Australian healthcare system. As per Department’s Health Workforce Data website, there were over 372,759 nurses in Australia in 2022. Nurses wear scrubs as they provide patient care, perform procedures, and coordinate with other healthcare professionals. Scrubs are essential for their work, offering durability and comfort during long shifts.

Licensed Practical Nurses 

This entry-level role acts, in many ways, as the backbone of the medical sector. LPNs carry out many essential tasks such as basic patient care, recording vital signs, and supporting the rest of the care team. This role is also an excellent first step for many on their nursing career path.

Registered Nurses 

These nurses have a slightly more managerial role, as they oversee Licensed Practical Nurses, and work with physicians and other specialists to perform a wide range of patient care tasks. They also serve as a frequent point of contact for patients. 

Nurse Practitioner 

Nurse Practitioners have an extraordinary amount of experience, and usually hold an advanced degree to show it. They are able to work as primary caregivers, or offer support in specialised fields. 

Occupational Therapists 

These healthcare providers help people learn how to perform everyday activities which are, for one reason or another, difficult for those people. This can mean helping children learn how to socialise, or helping people with disabilities to use assistive technology. Occupational therapy is also an excellent way to start working in the medical field without further education, as you can begin training as an occupational therapist aide with a high school diploma, and then develop further experience on the job. 

Home Health Aides 

Home health aides help patients in their homes. For example, they might provide the elderly with alternatives to assisted living facilities, or offer support to those with disabilities. Many of their tasks revolve around ensuring the basic wellbeing and hygiene of their patients. They may do so by helping their patients to eat, bathe and dress. As such, scrubs offer home health aides protection from potential spills, and can offer reassurance to patients that they are being looked after by a professional. 

Chiropractors

Chiropractic care in Australia is a significant part of the allied health sector. Data from the Chiropractic Board of Australia shows a consistent growth in the number of practicing chiropractors. These professionals, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders, primarily through manual adjustment of the spine, opt for scrubs due to their functionality. Scrubs offer chiropractors the ease of movement necessary for performing adjustments and therapies, and the durability to withstand the physical nature of their work.

Medical Aestheticians

The field of medical aesthetics has been rapidly expanding in Australia, with a focus on non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Medical aestheticians, as per industry reports, are adopting scrubs to maintain a sterile environment, crucial in procedures like laser treatments, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion. 

 

Scrubs are important for healthcare professionals working in any of these jobs, so it’s important to make sure that you buy scrubs which best fit your role and its needs. At Medshop, we not only offer a wide variety of high-quality scrubs, but also offer a range of resources to help you to find the right scrubs for you. If you’re looking for guidance on which scrubs to buy, what to wear under your scrubs, or you just want to stay up-to-date on the newest medical equipment, check out Medshop’s blog today. 

 

Author: Carolyn Cumper's career spans from being a Patrol Officer in Rhodesia to a Paediatric Nurse in the UK, and later a Deputy Hospice Manager in Australia. Her diverse journey includes roles in law enforcement, healthcare, and business, culminating in her significant contributions to Medshop.