CAREERS IN HEALTH SCIENCE

Types of Degrees Associate’s Degree Bachelor’s Degree 2 year course of study from community college or vocational/technical school Bachelor’s Degree 4 year course of study from college/university

Types of Degrees Continued Master’s Degree Completed one or more year beyond bachelor’s degree from college/university Doctorate Completed two or more years beyond master’s degree or several years after bachelor’s degree (can be 4-6 years)

Certification - meeting the requirements to earn a certificate by a professional organization Examples: certified medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, certified dental assistant Registration - required in some health care careers, a state board or organization administers exam and maintains a list of those qualified. Examples: registered dietitian, registered respiratory therapist Licensure - government agency authorizes individuals to work in a certain occupation. Defines their scope of practice. Person completes educational requirements, passes a state board test, and maintains standards. Examples: physician, dentist, physical therapist, registered nurse

CEU’s Continuing Education Units Required to renew license Must obtain hours of education in the specific health area during a specified time

Dental Careers Concerned with health of teeth and soft tissues of mouth Where do you work in the dental field? Private dental offices Laboratories Clinics dental departments in hospitals, schools, health departments, government agencies

Workers in the Dental Field of Health Care Dentists (DMDs or DDSs) - doctors, diagnose and treat mouth tissues and teeth, perform surgery on the mouth, work to prevent dental disease, supervise the work of other dental workers. Dental hygienists(DHs) - work under supervision of the dentist, perform exams, clean teeth, take x-rays, perform preventative treatment services Dental laboratory technicians (DLTs) -make and repair dental prostheses (artificial devices) such as dentures, crowns, bridges and orthodontic appliances. Specialities in the field include dental ceramist and orthodontic technician Dental Assistant (DAs) - prepare patients for exams, pass instruments, sterilize instruments, schedule appointments, handle accounts

Dental Assistant / Dental Hygienist

Emergency Medical Services Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Provide emergency prehospital care to victims of accidents, injuries, and sudden illness. There are different EMT levels. An EMT - P is an emergency medical technician paramedic. They perform all the basic EMT duties plus endotracheal intubation, in depth patient assessment, drug administration, ECG interpretation as well as other duties. Highest level of an EMT.

Emergency Medical Services Places of employment Fire and police departments Rescue squads Ambulance service Hospital or emergency rooms Life flight services Military

Emergency Medical Services First Responder - people that arrive first on the scene of an illness or injury. Examples: police officers, security guards, fire department, immediate family members.

Medical Careers Broad category that includes physicians and other individuals who work in any of the varied careers under physician supervision Medical careers focus on diagnosing, treating, or preventing diseases and disorders of human body Where do you work? Private practices, clinics, hospital, public health, research facilities, and universities

Medical Services LEVELS OF WORKERS: Physician: examine patients, makes diagnoses, performs surgery, treats diseases/disorders. Many different classifications of physicians. Physician Assistant (PA): work under supervision of physician, perform exams, treat minor injuries, administer appropriate treatments Medical Assistant (MA): works under supervision of physician, prepares patients for exam, takes vital signs, assist the doctor with procedures, prepares equipment

Mental and Social Services Basic job duties Mental services workers deal with mental or emotional disorders Social workers help people deal with illness, employment, or community problems

Mental and Social Services Places of employment Hospitals Psychiatric hospitals Home health agencies Public health departments Government agencies Counseling agencies Drug and alcohol agencies Prisons

Mental and Social Services Psychiatrists (MD) Physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental illness Psychologist Study human behavior Use knowledge to help individuals deal with problems of everyday living

Mental and Social Services Social workers (also called sociologists, case managers or counselors) Assist patients who are unable to cope with various problems Help patients make adjustments to changes Assistants usually need one or more years of a Health Occupation Educational program

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Mortuary Careers Funeral Director (also called Morticians or Undertakers): Duties include managing and operating a funeral home. Work with families, file death certificates, direct all business activity of the funeral home. Embalmer - prepare and preserve the body, apply cosmetics to body, maintain embalming reports Mortuary assistant work under the supervision of the funeral director and/or embalmer. They might assist with preparing the body, driving the hearse, arrange flowers for the viewing...

Nursing Careers Nurses provide care for patients as directed by the physician. Nurses care for the mental, emotional, and physical needs of the patient. Places of employment: Hospitals Rehabilitation/Long-term facilities Physicians office Schools – (School Nurse) Industry Education – (College, University, etc.)

Nursing Careers Level of workers Registered Nurses (RN) Work under a licensed physician Provide total care to patients Administer meds and treatments Teach health care Supervise other nursing personnel

Nursing Careers Specialties after advanced education Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) – Perform basic physical exams, order lab tests, refer patients, help set-up treatments, treat common illnesses Nurse Midwives (CNM) – Provide care for normal pregnancies, examine patient, perform routine test, deliver infant, monitor mother/infant Nurse Educators – Teach in Health Occupational programs, Schools of Nursing (College or University) Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) – Administer anesthesia, monitor patients during surgery

Nursing Careers Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Work under physician or RN Provide patient care but not to the extent of an RN Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Work under RN or LPN Provide care such as baths, bed-making, feeding, transfers, etc.

Nursing Careers Surgical Technician Work under RN or physician Prepares the patient for surgery Sets up the operating room

Nutrition and Dietary Services Dietitians Manage food service system Assess patients nutritional needs and plan menus Teach others proper nutrition Purchase food and equipment

Veterinary Careers Basic description Level of workers Work with all types of animals Level of workers Veterinarian (DVM or VMD) Animal Technician (ATR) Veterinarian Assistants

Vision Services Basic job duties Levels of workers Provide care to prevent vision disorders. Levels of workers Ophthalmologists ( a medical doctor) Optometrists Optometric Technicians Optician

Therapeutic Services Therapeutic Services are directed toward changing the health status of the patient over time. Use variety of treatments to help patients who are injured, physically disabled Direct treatment toward allowing patients to function at full capacity

Therapeutic Services Physical therapist (PT) – Provide treatment for disabling injury. Use exercise, massage. Promote health and prevent injuries. Physical therapist assistants (PTA) – Work under a therapist. Perform exercises and massage. Assist patients. Massage therapists – Use massage, body work and therapeutic touch to provide pain relief.

Therapeutic Services Types of workers Occupational Therapist (OT) – Help people with physical developmental disabilities. Use activities to assist a person in ADLs. Direct pt toward helping pts acquire independence. Pharmacists (PharmDs) – Dispense medications on written orders from Physicians, Dentists. Provide information on drugs and correct ways to use them. Maintain drug records. Assess, plan and monitor drug usage.

Therapeutic Services Respiratory therapists (RT) – Treat patients with heart and lung disorders. Administer oxygen, gases or medication. Athletic Trainers (ATC)– Prevent and treat athletic injuries. Provide rehabilitation services. Teach proper nutrition. Apply tape or padding to protect body parts.

Diagnostic Services Basic job duties Places of employment professional that performs tests or evaluations Aid in detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury or other physical conditions Places of employment Hospital laboratories Private laboratories Doctors offices Clinics

Diagnostic Services Types of workers Electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG) Technician Operate EKG machine Physicians use EKG to diagnose heart disease and to note changes in condition of the patient’s heart Experienced technicians can also perform stress test, Holter monitoring, and specialized cardiac tests

Diagnostic Services Electroencephalographic (EEG) technologists Operate EEG to record electrical activity of the brain Phlebotomist Collect blood and prepare it for testing May perform blood test in some states

Diagnostic Services Radiologic technologist Work with x-rays, nuclear testing, ultrasound and MRI

Diagnostic Services Ultrasound techonlogist/sonographers: use equipment to send sound waves into body and record images produced on screen