Unit 4 Careers In Health Care

Introduction (Don’t Write) There are over 200 different health care careers. Most health care careers involve “hands on” patient care, but some workers in a health care career may never touch a patient. Careers in health care can be very versatile

Education (Don’t Write) In order to be successful in any career you must have a good education. Requirements for health care careers can vary depending on the position you seek Educational requirements can also vary from state to state

Education Types of education available: Secondary education: (high school); math, science, social studies, English, computer and accounting skills Health Occupation Education (HOE): (high school) prepare students for immediate employment in health career or for additional education after graduation

Education Types of education available: Post-secondary: (college or technical school); can include specific training in a career-technical school, community college or university

Education Levels of education: Associate’s degree: two year degree; technical school or community college Bachelor’s degree: four year (or more) degree, college or university Master’s degree: (graduate school) six year degree (or more) college or university Doctorate or Doctoral degree: (graduate school ) 5-10 year (or more) degree

Education National Consortium On Health Science & Technology: Developed for middle and high school students with a serious interest in a health career pathway Required courses establish a foundation for the middle/high school student for success at the post-secondary (college) level

Certification/Registration/Licensure Certification/Registration/Licensure: Methods used to ensure skill & competency of health care personnel Certified Nursing Assistant Registered Dietician Licensed Practical Nurse

Certification/Registration/Licensure Certification: person has fulfilled requirements of education & performance & meets the standards & qualifications established by the professional association or government agency that regulates a particular career Examples: Cert. Dental Asst., Cert. Lab Tech., Cert. Medical Asst.

Certification/Registration/Licensure Registration: granted by a regulatory body (professional association or state board) that administers examinations and maintains current list (registry) of qualified personnel in a given health care area Examples: Registered dietician, registered respiratory therapist, registered radiologic tech.

Certification/Registration/Licensure Licensure: a government agency authorizes individuals to work in a given occupation. Obtaining and retaining licensure usually require that a person complete an approved educational program, pass a state board test Examples: physician, dentist, physical therapist, registered nurse, licensed vocation (practical) nurse

Certification/Registration/Licensure CEU’s are required to renew or maintain certification or registration: Renewal Time Periods: renewals can vary from state to state, usually between 12 and 24 months. Failure to obtain CEU’s in mandated time period could result in an inquiry before the regulatory agency Possible suspension or LOSS of license

Training Professional Level: four or more years of college and an advanced degree (Bachelors, Masters) Examples: physician, dentist Technologist or Therapist: 3-4 yrs of college plus work experience (Bachelors) Examples: physical therapist, speech therapist Technician: 2 yrs of college plus 3-4 yrs of OJT(Associates) Examples: surgical tech.

Training Assistant or Aide: one or more yrs of training that combines classroom and/or on-the-job experience Examples: dental asst., medical asst., nursing asst.

National Health Care Skill Standards National Health Care Skill Standards: Developed to indicate knowledge and skills expected of health care workers NHCSS – 6 Core Standard Groups: Health Care Therapeutic/Diagnostic Therapeutic Diagnostic Information Services Environmental Services

National Health Care Skill Standards Health Care Core Standards: Specify knowledge and skills vast majority of health care workers should have Discuss academic foundation, communication skills, employability skills, legal responsibilities, ethics, safety practices, teamwork, and knowledge of systems in health care environment

National Health Care Skill Standards Therapeutic/Diagnostic Core Standards: Specify knowledge and skills required to focus on direct patient care in both therapeutic and diagnostic occupations Include health maintenance practices, client interaction, intrateam communication, monitoring client status, and client movement

National Health Care Skill Standards Therapeutic Cluster Standards: Specify knowledge and skills required of workers in health occupations that are involved in changing the health status of the patient over time Include data collection, treatment planning, implementing procedures, and patient status evaluation

National Health Care Skill Standards Therapeutic Cluster Standards: Examples (Don’t Write) Art/Music/Dance Therapist Athletic Trainer Audiologist Chiropractor Dental Careers Dialysis Technician Massage Therapist Mental Health Technician Nursing Careers Occupational Therapist Ophthalmologist Optometrist Pharmacy Careers Physical Therapist Physician Psychiatrist Radiation Therapist Veterinarian Veterinarian Assistant Emergency Medical Careers Psychologist

National Health Care Skill Standards Diagnostic Cluster Standards: Specify knowledge and skills required of workers in health occupations that are involved in creating a picture of patient’s health status at a single point and time Include data collection, treatment planning, implementing procedures, and patient status evaluation, and reporting

National Health Care Skill Standards Diagnostic Cluster Standards: Examples (Don’t Write) EKG Technician EEG Technician Genetic Counselor Medical Laboratory Careers Phlebotomist Radiologic Technician Sonographer

National Health Care Skill Standards Information Services Cluster Standards: Specify knowledge and skills required of workers in health occupations that are involved with documentation of patient care Include analysis, abstracting, coding, information services, documentation, and operations to enter, retrieve, and maintain information

Examples (Don’t Write) National Health Care Skill Standards Information Services Cluster Standards: Examples (Don’t Write) Admitting Clerk Biomedical Writer Health Care Administrator Health Care Educator Health Information Administrator Health Information Technician Health Science Librarian Insurance Processor Medical Billing Officer Medical Illustrator Medical Photographer Medical Transcriptionist Social Worker /Sociologist Unit Secretary Unit Coordinator

National Health Care Skill Standards Environmental Services Cluster Standards: Specify knowledge and skills required of workers in health occupations that are involved with creating a therapeutic environment to provide direct or indirect patient care Include environmental operations, aseptic procedures, resource management and aesthetics

Examples (Don’t Write) National Health Care Skill Standards Environmental Services Cluster Standards: Examples (Don’t Write) Biological Scientist Biomedical Scientist Biomedical Engineer Biomedical Equipment Technician Central Supply Worker Environmental Health Scientist Epidemiologist Housekeeping Worker Sanitary Manager

Specific Careers: Diagnostic Electrocardiograph Technician: Operates ECG (EKG) machine. Minimum Educational Requirements: Associate’s Degree plus OJT

Specific Careers: Diagnostic Electrocardiograph Technician: Operates ECG (EKG) machine. Applies Holter Monitor Assist with stress test Patient education Minimum Educational Requirements: Associate’s Degree plus OJT

Specific Careers: Diagnostic Electroencephalograph Technologist: Operates EEG machine. Prepares patient for testing Assist physician as needed Patient education Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree plus OJT

Specific Careers: Diagnostic Medical Technologist: Works under supervision of pathologist (doctor) Determines presence of disease by studying tissue Samples Chemical analysis of body fluids Blood bank technology Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree plus OJT

Specific Careers Venipuncture Technicians/Phlebotomist: Collect blood samples and prepare them for testing May perform blood test in some states Can be cross-trained to perform other laboratory task Minimum Educational Requirements: Associate’s Degree plus OJT

Specific Careers Radiologic Technologist: Work under supervision of radiologist (doctor) Perform x-rays, MRI’s, CAT scans, ultrasounds, PET scans mammography Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree plus OJT

Specific Careers Epidemiologist: Identify and track disease in a group of people as they occur Determine source Develop methods to prevent/control spread of disease May specialize in specific disease Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree

Specific Careers: Diagnostic Biomedical Engineer: Develop devices that aid in diagnosis and treatment of disease Develop artificial organs (hip, knees, heart valves) Design technology for diagnosis of disease Design surgical instruments and other custom devices Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree

Specific Careers: EMS Emergency Medical Technician: Provide emergency, prehospital care Places of Employment: Fire/Police Dept Rescue/Ambulance Serv. Hospital Flight Services Military Different levels in different states Minimum Educational Requirements: High School Diploma (Associate’s Preferred)

Specific Careers: EMS Paramedic: Provide emergency, prehospital care Provide advanced life support IV’s/Medications EKG’s Advanced medical procedures Flight medic Minimum Educational Requirements: High School Diploma (Associate’s Preferred)

Specific Careers: Health Info. Health Information Administrators: Secure patient health information Prepare information for: Insurance claims Legal action Statistics Minimum Educational Requirements: Master’s Degree

Specific Careers: Health Info. Health Information Technician: Secure patient health information Ensure all entries in medical records are completed Computerized records Copies of records for physicians/patients Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree

Specific Careers: Health Info. Medical Transcriptionist: Use word processor to enter data dictated on audio tapes by physicians /other medical professionals Physical exams, surgical reports, consults, progress reports, lab/x-ray reports Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree

Specific Careers: Medical. Physician: Examines patients Orders tests Makes diagnosis Perform surgery Treat illness/disease Teach preventative medicine Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree

Specific Careers: Medical. Physician Assistants (PA): Work under supervision of physician Performs physical exams Orders diagnostic tests Treats minor injuries Makes initial diagnosis Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree

Specific Careers: Medical. Medical Assistant: Work under supervision of physician Prepares patient for exam Takes vital signs Assist w/procedures Basic lab tests Prepares equipment Maintains supplies Minimum Educational Requirements: High School Diploma; Associate’s Degree

Specific Careers: Medical. Nursing: LPN/RN Provide care for patient as directed by physician Assist in procedures Administer treatment & medications Assessment skills Supervise other nursing personnel Minimum Educational Requirements: Associate’s Degree

End of Lecture