APPROACHES TO A HEALTHCARE CAREER THE MOST VALUABLE ASSET VIVECA MACK-HANDLEY

CAREER PATHS IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY Cardiovascular perfusion technology Diagnostic medical Sonography Emergency medical sciences Health administration Health information management Medical Assistant Medical technology Occupational therapy Physical therapy Physician assistant Radiation therapy technology Respiratory therapy (Brooks, n.d.)

CAREER PATHS IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY NON CLINICAL HEALTHCARE Medical Assistants - These individuals who usually check patients in, process records, keep appointments, track prescriptions and perform some direct care, such as taking blood pressure, assisting the doctor in an exam room and performing simple lab tests. Some medical assistants are trained on the job, but have an Associates Degree. Healthcare Administrators - A healthcare administrator oversees the organization and flow of a healthcare office or project. They are also responsible for financial management, staff coordination, project planning, and policy and procedure implementation are common responsibilities. A Master’s Degree is usually required for this career track, though some people take an alternate route by getting an MBA with a concentration in healthcare. Medical Secretaries - These individuals manage information flow within medical offices just as with any business office. Office software skills are increasingly necessary, as is an understanding of medical terminology, which can be learned on the job, through in-house training or specialized courses. Training is available at vocational high schools, training institutes and community colleges. (Aaron, n.d.)

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS Allied health professionals are health care practitioners with formal education and clinical training who are credentialed through certification, registration and/or licensure. They collaborate with physicians and other members of the health care team to deliver high quality patient care services for the identification, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disabilities and disorders. Physical therapists uses physical methods such as manipulation, traction, exercise, massage, hot/cold therapy to assess, diagnose and treat injury, disability or disease. Respiratory therapists help people who suffer from chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. Occupational Therapists help people recover from injury, disability or illness and participate in activities of daily living (Brooks, n.d.). (Brooks, n. d.)

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS CONTINUED Radiologic technologists are the health care professionals who perform diagnostic imaging procedures, such as X-ray examinations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and computed tomography (CT) scans. Audiologists are experts in the nonmedical diagnosis and management of disorders of the auditory and balance systems. They specialize in identifying and assessing hearing and balance problems, rehabilitating persons with hearing and balance disorders and preventing hearing loss. Health Administrators are leaders who direct the operation of hospitals, health systems and other types of organizations such as physician group practices, nursing homes and home health agencies (Brooks, n.d.)

NURSING LEVELS RN - LPN - NP RN (REGISTERED NURSE) There is more than one educational pathway leading to eligibility to take the standardized National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)-RN. In undergrad, a diploma in Nursing, once the most common route to RN licensure and a nursing career is available through hospital-based schools of nursing. An Associate Degree in Nursing is a two-year degree offered by community colleges and hospital-based schools of nursing that prepares individuals for a defined technical scope of practice. And a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BS/BSN) is a four-year degree offered at colleges and universities Record patients’ medical histories and symptoms Administer patients’ medicines and treatments Set up plans for patients’ care or contribute to existing plans Observe patients and record the observations Consult and collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals Operate and monitor medical equipment Help perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results Teach patients and their families how to manage illnesses or injuries Explain what to do at home after treatment (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015)

NURSING LEVELS RN - LPN - NP Licensed Practical Nurses - LPN’s must complete an approved educational program. These programs award a certificate or diploma and typically take about 1 year to complete, but may take longer. They are commonly found in technical schools and community colleges, although some programs may be available in high schools or hospitals. Monitor patients’ health—for example, by checking their blood pressure Administer basic patient care, including changing bandages and inserting catheters Provide for the basic comfort of patients, such as helping them bathe or dress Discuss the care they are providing with patients and listen to their concerns Report patients’ status and concerns to registered nurses and doctors Keep records on patients’ health Nurse Practitioners - Candidates must earn a graduate degree. Many graduate schools require students to gain a few years of nursing experience before being accepted into their nurse practitioner programs. Others allow students to gain RN work experience while pursuing their graduate degrees. In either case, real-world RN experience is an essential element to a future as a nurse practitioner and provides an important opportunity to explore potential specialties Diagnose and treat acute illnesses, injuries and infections Write prescriptions for medications, including their dosage and frequency Order and conduct diagnostic tests, like electrocardiograms (EKGs) and x-rays Teach patients about managing their health, make recommendations and design treatment plans Examine and record patient medical histories, symptoms and diagnoses Provide guidance to patients about medications, side effects and interactions (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015)

REFERENCES ANA, n.d.What nurses do. Retrieved from Aaron, S, (2016) Non-clinical healthcare careers. Retrieved Aaron, S, (2016) Non-clinical healthcare careers. Retrieved from advice/article/nonclinical-healthcare-careers Brooks, L, (n.d.). Allied health professions overview. Retrieved fromBrooks, L, (n.d.). Allied health professions overview. Retrieved from  Field/1/Allied_Health_Professions Field/1/Allied_Health_Professions Bureau of labor statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved from