Careers in Health Care Section 1 Introduction to Health Careers

Objectives 1) Compare the educational requirements for an associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree 2) Contrast the difference between certification, registration, and licensure

Educational Requirements 1.) Secondary 2.) Health Occupations Education (HOE) 3.) Post-secondary 4.) College Degrees

Educational Requirements 1) Secondary Education a. Basic preparation in high school b. General educational courses 2) Health Occupations Education (HOE) a. Secondary vocational program in health occupations b. Prepares student for entry level employment within the health field c. Prepares the student for advanced college courses

Educational Requirements 3) Post-secondary a. Education received after graduation from high school b. Includes vocational technical schools, community colleges and university.

Types of Degrees a. Associate Degree 1. Awarded by a vocational school, community college 2. Requires completion of a prescribed 2 year course of study b. Bachelor’s Degree 1) Awarded by college or university 2) Requires completion of prescribed course of study that lasts four or more years

Types of Degrees c. Master’s Degree 1) Awarded by college or university 2) Requires completion of one or more years beyond a bachelors degree d. Doctorate or Doctor’s Degree 1) Awarded by a college or university 2) Requires completion of 2 or more years beyond a bachelors or masters degree 3) Some may require 4-6 years of additional study

Certification, Registration, Licensure 1) Methods used to ensure skill and competency of health care personnel and protect the patient 2) Graduation from an accredited program before you can receive certification, registration or licensure 3) Certification a. Issued by professional association or government agency that regulates a particular career b. Certificate is issued if person fulfills requirements of education and performance c. Examples- certified nurses aid, certified dental assistant

Certification, Registration, Licensure 4) Registration a. Required by some health careers b. Regulatory body within a health care area administers exams and maintains a current list of qualified personnel (Registry) c. Examples- registered respiratory therapist 5) Licensure a. Governmental agency authorizes individuals to work in a given occupation b. Vary from state to state c. Usually require a person to: i. Complete an approved educational program ii. Pass state board exam iii. Maintain current standards iv. Examples- registered nurse, physicians, licensed practical nurses

Certification, Registration, Licensure 6) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) a. Required to renew license or maintain certification, registration b. Example- some states require R.N.’s to obtain 24 to 48 CEUs every 1 to 2 years to renew their license

Training 1) Professional a. Advanced degree plus 4 or more years of college b. Example- doctor, dentist 2) Technologist or Therapist a. 3-4 years of college plus work experience, usually a bachelors degree b. Example- Speech

Training 3) Technician a. 2 year associate degree, special health occupation education, or 3-4 years on job training b. Example- surgical technician 4) Assistant or Aide a. 1 or more years of training that combines the classroom and on the job training b. Examples- dental, medical or nursing assistant

Multiskilled Worker 1) New trend in health care 2) Workers perform a variety of health occupations 3) Eliminates need for specialties 4) Example- electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG) and electroencephalograph (EEG) technologist 5) At times the worker is trained in 1 field and will receive additional training to work 2 or 3 occupations

Entrepreneur 1) Individual who organizes, manages and assumes the risk of a business 2) Entrepreneurs, many health professionals must still work under the direction or guidance of doctors 3) Example- dentist, doctors, physical therapist

National Health Care Skill Standards (NHCSS) 1) Developed to indicate knowledge and skills expected of health care workers primarily in entry and technical levels

Summary 1) Different Health Occupations requires different level of education 2) Requirements vary state to state