Careers in Biomedical Technology Biomedical Technology

Why choose a health career? The demand for good HC providers keeps growing & growing! The demand for good HC providers keeps growing & growing! Very good job outlook (always have a job) Very good job outlook (always have a job) All different levels of education needed All different levels of education needed Lots of different working environments Lots of different working environments There is something for almost everyone There is something for almost everyone Can work directly with patients or not Can work directly with patients or not You can make a difference in someone’s life You can make a difference in someone’s life

How do you choose which health career is right for you? Start at home…ask relatives who are HC providers and get them to explain what they do Start at home…ask relatives who are HC providers and get them to explain what they do Get involved at school…observe, volunteer, participate (HOSA or HSA), ask questions, see counselor Get involved at school…observe, volunteer, participate (HOSA or HSA), ask questions, see counselor Volunteer at local hospital (Health Careers Exploration camp in summer) Volunteer at local hospital (Health Careers Exploration camp in summer)

How do you choose which health career is right for you? Think about your interests Think about your interests What are your likes and dislikes? What are your likes and dislikes? How much money will you need to live? How much money will you need to live? What kind of environment do you want to work in? What kind of environment do you want to work in? How long do you want to go to school? How long do you want to go to school? Etc….. Etc…..

Types of Education: Secondary: High school courses Secondary: High school courses Post secondary: Any after high school Post secondary: Any after high school Associate: Awarded at community colleges (2 yrs) Associate: Awarded at community colleges (2 yrs) Bachelor’s: Awarded at colleges or universities (4 yrs) Bachelor’s: Awarded at colleges or universities (4 yrs) Master’s: Awarded at colleges/universities (5-6 yrs) Master’s: Awarded at colleges/universities (5-6 yrs) Doctorate: Awarded at colleges/universities after 8 yrs of study Doctorate: Awarded at colleges/universities after 8 yrs of study

Health Careers Unit Huge unit with lots of different health careers Huge unit with lots of different health careers Some are review from HTR but we will be specifically talking more about careers that use biomedical technology Some are review from HTR but we will be specifically talking more about careers that use biomedical technology We will break this unit into parts so that it will not be so overwhelming. We will break this unit into parts so that it will not be so overwhelming.

Objective BT09.01 Laboratory careers & science Investigate laboratory careers and science

A. Clinical laboratory science: People who work in this area do not usually have contact with the patient People who work in this area do not usually have contact with the patient The lab provides a clean, well-lighted, and controlled working environment with regular hours The lab provides a clean, well-lighted, and controlled working environment with regular hours Most work in done while sitting Most work in done while sitting Workers must have very good vision Workers must have very good vision

A. Clinical laboratory science: 1. Careers A.Pathologist: Medical doctor who examines specimens of body tissue, fluids, and secretions to diagnose disease - They determine effectiveness of treatments and cause of death - They work in hospitals, medical schools, & private industries - They usually supervise the lab

A. Clinical laboratory science: B. Medical Technologist (clinical lab scientist): Performs lab testing and analyzes the results using independent judgment –Ex. They cross-match blood to be used for transfusion, they calibrate equipment –They have a bachelor’s degree (4 year) followed by training program of one year

A. Clinical laboratory science: There are several areas of specialty for lab techs. There are several areas of specialty for lab techs. –Microbiology technologists: They collect specimens. Grow microorganisms to identify them –Cytotechnolgists: They collect cellular specimens to ID cancer, infectious agents, or inflammation

A. Clinical laboratory science: –Hematology: Study of the blood –Immunology: Study of resistance to pathogens (a disease causing organism) –Histology: Study of tissues

A. Clinical laboratory science: C. Phlebotomist: Obtain and process blood specimens to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease - They may be trained on the job (OJT), at community colleges or vocational programs

B. Life Science 1. General Information a.Life scientists or researchers study living organisms and life processes (growth and reproduction) -They are responsible for developing new drugs b.Many areas of specialization are possible in research & development in health care c.Educational requirements: Masters or doctorate level

B. Life Science 2. Specific careers a. Microbiologist: Study bacteria, algae, viruses that cause disease -They help develop vaccines and new drugs -Must have at least a bachelor’s degree b. Virologist: They specifically study viruses that cause disease b. Virologist: They specifically study viruses that cause disease

B. Life Science c. Biochemist: Study chemical nature of living things -They analyze & research effect of hormones, enzymes, serums, & foods on tissues & organs -Education level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Objective BT09.02 Imaging Careers & technology Discuss imaging careers and technology

A. Medical Imaging 1. Radiography: Making film records of internal structures by passing x-rays through the body to make images 2. Radiologic technologists (radiographers): -work under radiologist a. Responsibilities include transferring & transferring patients, selecting proper technical factors to ensure quality pictures, & administering dye

A. Medical Imaging b. Radiation exposure: This job involves some hazard of radiation exposure -Each worker wears a film badge that records the level of exposure to radiological materials. -The federal government regulates the levels that are considered to be safe

A. Medical Imaging 3. Radiologist: Doctor who specializes in reading x-rays 4. Nuclear medicine technologist: Provides basic and emergency care, prepares and administers radioactive compounds, and participates in research activities - Example: Brain, thyroid, lung, bone, and heart scans are done in nuclear medicine

A. Medical Imaging 5. Ultrasound technologist (medical sonographer): Produce 2-dimensional images of internal organs, utilizing sound waves at high frequency -They position the patient, explain the procedure, and adjust equipment -In short, they take the x-rays

B. Related Imaging Personnel: 1. Physicist: Assist physician with the care of patients, equipment selection, quality control, teaching, and radiation safety. 2. Medical dosimetrist: Work under physicist. They calculate and plan radiation doses to treat cancer

B. Related Imaging Personnel: 3. Electrocardiograph (EKG) technician: They attach electrodes pads on patient to monitor the electrical activity of heart - Education: OJT or community college 4. Echocardiography: Recording the position and motion of the heart walls or its internal structure using ultrasonic waves

B. Related Imaging Personnel: 5. Electroencephalograph (EEG) technician: Measure the electrical activity in the brain to aid in diagnosis of disorders. - They place electrodes on patient, adjust machine, and monitor patient

Objective BT09.03 Environmental careers, resources, and hazards

Environmental Careers Nutrition Services Nutrition Services –Dieticians have a bachelor’s degree (4 years) and they provide nutritional counseling in a variety of settings  Supervise food operations to meet patient’s needs –Dietary Technicians have a associate degree (2 years).  Plan menus and supervise production of food

Nutrition Services cont’d Weight reduction specialists Weight reduction specialists –Also called nutritionists counsel patients on how to lose weight Food scientist-technologist Food scientist-technologist –Evaluates the safety of food processing and ingredients in the industry setting –2 year degree minimum

Environmental Control Pollution Control engineer Pollution Control engineer –Analyzes contamination problems to establish methods and equipment to prevent pollution Environmental engineer Environmental engineer –Modifies facitlities for environmental protection –Recommend methods for insect and rodent control –Recommend methods for safe waste disposal

Environmental Control cont’d Industrial hygienist Industrial hygienist –Conduct health programs at manufacturing plants and government agencies –Identify, control and eliminate health hazards and diseases in the workplace Safety engineer Safety engineer –Identify existing and potential hazards Health and Regulatory inspectors Health and Regulatory inspectors –Enforce laws and regulations concerning employment hazards –Specialize is dairy, food, waste, air quality, etc

Environmental Control cont’d Radiation monitors Radiation monitors –Test air, soil, water, floors, walls, and other areas of human contact for radiation –They have at least a 2 year degree Ecologists Ecologists –Analyze and regulate the quality of environment as it is affected by living organisms –4 year degree –Specialties include forest, aquatic, plant, and animal

Environmental Control cont’d Sanitarians Sanitarians –Plan, develop, and execute environmental health programs –Organize waste disposal for schools, government, and community –Set and enforce standards concerning food, sewage, and waste disposal –4 year degree

Environmental Control cont’d Environmental health technicians Environmental health technicians –Collect and analyze air and water samples under supervision of sanitarian

Other Support Services Sterile supply Sterile supply Central service Central service Biomedical engineering Biomedical engineering Laundry Laundry Security Security Maintenance operations Maintenance operations Grounds keeping Grounds keeping Housekeeping Housekeeping

Other Support Services cont’d Surgical Technicians Surgical Technicians –Work under direction of surgeon –They maintain sterile fields –Pass instruments to surgeon –9-12 month program Central service or sterile supply technicians Central service or sterile supply technicians –Sterilize, assemble, clean, and store diagnostic and surgical equipment –2 years of college

Environmental Resources & Hazards: There is a limited supply of air, water, & land. There is a limited supply of air, water, & land. These resources are constantly being used and reused (recycled) These resources are constantly being used and reused (recycled) Biosphere: air, crust of the earth, & water Biosphere: air, crust of the earth, & water –Made up of ecosystems (living and nonliving parts of environment that support life)

Environmental Resources & Hazards: Ecology: Study of living organisms & how they relate to their environment Ecology: Study of living organisms & how they relate to their environment Humans make more wastes than can be recycled through natural processes Humans make more wastes than can be recycled through natural processes Goal of public health programs = protect life & preserve the natural resources Goal of public health programs = protect life & preserve the natural resources

Environmental Resources & Hazards: EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): federal agency that sets and regulates standards for environmental factors EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): federal agency that sets and regulates standards for environmental factors There are many diseases/health problems related to environmental conditions There are many diseases/health problems related to environmental conditions –Emphysema/lung disorders are worsened by air pollution –Lead poisoning has resulted from paint/gasoline additives

Environmental Resources & Hazards: Carbon monoxide from car exhaust is linked to heart disease Carbon monoxide from car exhaust is linked to heart disease Mercury is linked to neurological disorders Mercury is linked to neurological disorders Lung cancer is linked to smoking & asbestos (in insulation) Lung cancer is linked to smoking & asbestos (in insulation) These chemicals in the environment act as mutagens & cause cancers These chemicals in the environment act as mutagens & cause cancers

Environmental Resources & Hazards: Air pollution: Air pollution: –Thinning of the ozone layer has resulted from contaminants released from car exhausts, aerosol propellants, and painting materials –This lets more of the harmful rays from the sun reach the earth increasing the risk of skin cancer

Objective BT09.04 Outline biotechnology careers & genetics

Careers Biotechnology applies scientific & engineering techniques to manipulation of genes of living organisms Biotechnology applies scientific & engineering techniques to manipulation of genes of living organisms Biotechnologists alter the cells of living things to discover and improve genetic traits Biotechnologists alter the cells of living things to discover and improve genetic traits

Biotechnologist Scientists have been using natural techniques of biotechnology for many years Scientists have been using natural techniques of biotechnology for many years –Fermentation –Selective breeding –Artificial insemination In the 1980’s a separate field emerged with cloning, recombinant DNA techniques of gene manipulation In the 1980’s a separate field emerged with cloning, recombinant DNA techniques of gene manipulation

Biotechnologist Most biotech labs use elaborate safety and security systems Most biotech labs use elaborate safety and security systems Safety guidelines have been set by the NIH (National Institutes of Health) Safety guidelines have been set by the NIH (National Institutes of Health) Some of these include: Some of these include: –Using laminar flow hoods to vent and filter air –Strict sterilization –Careful planning to ensure all microorganisms are harmless

Biotechnologist These professionals face unique challenges in the HC field These professionals face unique challenges in the HC field There are more than 1000 biotech companies in the US, most working in therapeutic and diagnostic areas of the field There are more than 1000 biotech companies in the US, most working in therapeutic and diagnostic areas of the field Biotechnologists also face ethical concerns about the control of human characteristics (eugenics) & safety of organisms produced by gene manipulation Biotechnologists also face ethical concerns about the control of human characteristics (eugenics) & safety of organisms produced by gene manipulation –Ex. Insurance companies denials to couples with faulty genes

Biotechnologists Biotechnologists work in many fields like research, forensics, immunology, & teaching Biotechnologists work in many fields like research, forensics, immunology, & teaching –Medical biotechnologists: work with the production of antibiotics for diagnosis or treatment of disease –Biotechnologists in forensics use biological samples from a crime scene (hair, blood, skin, etc)

Biotechnologists Must have at least a Masters degree but most have a doctorate Must have at least a Masters degree but most have a doctorate Geneticists study patterns of inheritance and develop methods to influence genetic information Geneticists study patterns of inheritance and develop methods to influence genetic information –Work as counselors for individuals with a family history of genetic abnormalities

Support Personnel Biomedical engineers or bioengineers design, develop, and help maintain instruments and machines that are used to monitor and treat disease in health care Biomedical engineers or bioengineers design, develop, and help maintain instruments and machines that are used to monitor and treat disease in health care –Ex. Lasers, pacemakers, artificial hearts and kidneys, robotic surgery –Most work for hospitals –Biomed equipment tech and repairers inspect and adjust equipment used in HC

THE END!!!