Health care professions

Medical (Health) Professions Analyze medical/health professions and related employment 0pportunities: Medical professions Physician Physicians Assistant Chiropractor Other health professions Nursing Therapist Diagnostics Employment opportunities Trends Projections Where to look

Physician Examine patients Obtain medical histories Order tests Make diagnoses Perform surgery Treat diseases/disorders Teach preventive health MD: Doctor of Medicine DO: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine DPM: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine DC: Doctor of Chiropractic

Physician Assistant and Chiropractor PA Work under supervision of ________________ Take medical histories Perform routine physical examinations Order basic diagnostic tests Make preliminary diagnoses Treat minor injuries Prescribe and administer appropriate Tx CHIROPRACTOR Focuses on ensuring proper alignment of the spine and optimal operation of the nervous system to maintain health

Nursing Provide care for patients as directed by physicians. Care focuses on the mental, emotional, and physical needs of the patient RN Advanced education: Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, Nurse educator, Nurse Anesthetist LPN CNA

Therapist Help patients who are injured, physically or mentally disabled, or emotionally disturbed All Tx is directed toward allowing patients to function at maximum capacity OT Help patients overcome, correct, or adjust to their particular problems Teach how to use adaptive equipment and work toward achieving ADLs PT Promote health and prevent injuries and limit permanent disability Massage therapist Recreational therapist Respiratory therapist Speech pathologist Audiologist Art, music, and dance therapists

Preparation and Credentials Needed Identify preparation and credentials needed in medical/health professions: Preparation High school/secondary Post secondary Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate Professional Credentials Certification Fulfilled requirements of education and performance and meets the standards and qualifications established; issued by an association Licensure Government agency authorizes individuals to work in a given occupation; must complete approved education program, pass state board test, and maintain certain standards Registration Granted by a regulatory body that administers examinations and maintains a list of qualified personnel in a given health care area

Professional/Ethical Characteristics Analyze professional/ethical characteristics of medical/health professionals: Professional characteristics Appearance Attitude Actions Ethical considerations Definition of ethics Codes of conduct Confidentiality Professional ethics

Appearance How should a health care worker (or any worker) look? Professional appearance Uniform Personal hygiene

Attitude and Actions Empathy: being able to identify with and understand another’s feelings, situations, and motives Honesty Dependability Patience Acceptance of criticism Enthusiasm: display a positive attitude Tact: having the ability to say or do the kindest or most fitting thing in a difficult situation Competence: qualified and capable of performing a task Responsibility Team player

Ethics and Confidentiality Set of principles relating to what is morally right or wrong Provide a standard or conduct or code of behavior CONFIDENTIALITY Information about the patient must remain private and can be shared only with other members of the patient’s health care team