1. Chapter 3
Careers in Health Care

2. General Information Types of Degree’s
Associate’s Degree-Awarded by a Career/Technical College or a Community College upon completion of a 2 year program of study
Bachelor’s Degree-Awarded by a College or University after a prescribed course of study that usually lasts four or more years
Master’s Degree-Awarded by a College or University upon completion of one or more years post Bachelor’s degree
Doctorate, Doctoral, or Doctor’s Degree-Awarded by a College or University upon completion of two or more years post Master’s Degree

3. Health Care Competency Awards
Certification-A person has fulfilled requirements of education and performance and meets the standards and qualifications established by the professional association or government agency that regulates a particular career. Types: Certified Dental Assistant, Certified Laboratory Technician, Certified Medical Assistant.
Registration-Performed by a regulatory body that administers examinations and maintains a current list or qualified personnel in a given health care area.
Licensure-Process whereby a government agency authorizes individuals to work in a given occupation.

4. Accreditation
To obtain a certification, registration or licensure, graduation from an accredited program is required.
Ensures that the program of study meets the established quality of competency standards and prepares the student for employment in the health career

5. Continuing Education Units
Are required to renew licenses or maintain certification or registration in many states.
Must obtain additional hours of education in the specific health career area during a specified period

6. Levels of Training
Professional- Four or more years of college with a bachelor’s master’s or doctoral degree
Technologist or Therapist-Three to four years of college plus work experience, usually bachelor’s degree and, at times, master’s degree
Technician- Two-year associates degree, special health science technology education, or three to four years of on-the-job-training
Aide or Assistant-Specific number of hours of specialized education or one or more years of training combining classroom and or on the job training

7. Career Clusters
Therapeutic Services-Changing the health status of patients over time
Dental Careers-Focus of the health of the teeth and the soft tissue of the mouth
Emergency Medical Services-Provide prehospital care to victims of accidents, injuries or sudden illness. (First Responder-First person to arrive at the scene of illness or injury)
Medical Careers-Broad category that encompasses physicians and other individuals that work with physicians
Mental and Social Services Careers-Focus on helping people with mental or emotional disorders or those who are developmentally delayed or mentally impaired. Social workers help individuals deal with illnesses, employment or community problems.

8. Career Clusters
Mortuary Careers-Career that everyone will need-preparing the body, meeting the spiritual needs of the living and cremation or burying of the body.
Nursing Careers-Provide care for patients as directed by physicians, focuses on the mental emotional and physical needs of the patient.
Nutrition and Dietary Services-Careers that recognize the importance of nutrition and physical fitness to good health.
Veterinary Careers-Providing care to all types of animals
Vison Services-Provide care to prevent and treat vison disorders

9. Nursing Requirements
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BS/BSN) is a four-year degree offered at colleges and universities:
Prepares graduates to engage in the full scope of professional nursing practice across all healthcare settings
First two years often concentrate on psychology, human growth and development, biology, microbiology, organic chemistry, nutrition, and anatomy and physiology.
Final two years often focus on adult acute and chronic disease; maternal/child health; pediatrics; psychiatric/mental health nursing; and community health nursing.
Is intended to result in a deeper understanding of the cultural, political, economic,  and social issues that affect patients and influence healthcare delivery
Includes nursing theory, physical and behavioral sciences, and humanities with additional content in research, leadership, and may include such topics as healthcare economics, health informatics, and health policy

10. Nursing Requirements cont…
Undergraduate Diploma in Nursing, once the most common route to RN licensure and a nursing career, is available through hospital-based schools of nursing
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) 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.
Graduate Offer additional routes to advancing the expertise of registered nurses:
Master’s Degree (MSN) programs offer a number of tracks designed to prepare Advanced Practice Nurses, nurse administrators, and nurse educators.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs are research-focused whose graduates typically teach and/or conduct research
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs focus on clinical practice or leadership roles

11. Physical Therapy Requirements
The length of professional DPT programs is typically 3 years. Primary content areas in the curriculum may include, but are not limited to, biology/anatomy, cellular histology, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, ethics/values, management sciences, finance, sociology, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, cardiovascular and pulmonary, endocrine and metabolic, and musculoskeletal. Eighty percent (80%) of the DPT curriculum comprises classroom (didactic) and lab study and the remaining 20 percent (20%) is dedicated to clinical education. PT students spend on average 27.5 weeks in their final clinical experience.
Bachelor's Degree Required? Most physical therapist education programs require applicants to earn a bachelor's degree prior to admission into the professional DPT program. Other programs offer a 3+3 curricular format in which 3 years of specific pre-professional (undergraduate/pre-PT) courses must be taken before the student can advance into a 3-year professional DPT program.
Freshmen Entry - A few programs recruit all or a portion of students directly from high school into a guaranteed admissions program. High school students accepted into these programs can automatically advance into the professional phase of the PT program pending the completion of specific undergraduate courses and any other stated contingencies (eg, minimum GPA).

12. Physical Therapy Cont…
Tuition and Fees
The mean tuition rates per year for DPT programs in 2013 were as follows:
Public In-state: $14427 (range: $3387 to $45340)
Public Out-of-state: $29157 (range: $8425 to $65156)
Private: $31716 (range: $19500 to $94020)
Specialty Certification Physical therapists have the opportunity to become board-certified clinical specialists through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities (ABPTS). Specialization is the process by which a physical therapist builds on a broad base of professional education and practice to develop a greater depth of knowledge and skills related to a particular area of practice. Specialty certification is voluntary. PTs are not required to be certified in order to practice in a specific area.
Physical therapists can become board-certified specialists in the following areas:
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
Clinical Electrophysiology
Geriatrics
Neurology
Orthopaedics
Pediatrics
Sports Physical Therapy
Women's Health

13. Medical Doctor Degree Levels
Bachelor's degree followed by M.D. or D.O.
Field(s) of Study
Pre-med or biological sciences then medicine
Prerequisites
High school diploma or equivalent; satisfactory MCAT scores
Program Length
4 years for bachelor's degree; 4 years for medical school; 3-7 years in residency and fellowships depending on specialty
Licensure/Certification
State licensure required
Job Outlook ( )
14% growth
Average Annual Salary (2015)
$197,700 (for physicians and surgeons)

14. Pharmacy Requirements
Degree Level
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) professional degree
Degree Field(s)
None specified (2 years of undergraduate study is required to apply to pharmacy school)
Licensure/Certification
Licensure required in all states
Experience
Clerkships, residencies and fellowships available
Key Skills
Attention to detail and extensive knowledge of drugs and interactions; research, communications, interpersonal, and customer service skills
Job Outlook ( )
3% growth
Median Annual Salary (2015)
$121,500

15. Psychologist/Psychiatrist
Degree Level
Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree
Degree Field(s)
Psychology
Licensure/Certification
Private practice, Ph.D. or Psy.D. often require state licensure
Experience
Practicum, internships, and volunteer work all valuable
Key Skills
Empathy and compassion; analytical, listening, and communication skills
Job Outlook ( )
19% growth for psychologists
Mean Annual Salary (2015)
$92,320 (for industrial-organizational psychologists) $76,040 (for clinical, counseling and school psychologists) $93,050 for psychologists specializing in all other areas)

16. Radiology Degree Level Doctor of Medicine Certification/Licensure
Mandatory medical licensure, optional certification from the American Board of Radiology (ABR) or the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology (AOBR)
Additional Requirements
Specialty radiology fellowship is required for certification (1-2 years)
Experience
4-year radiology residency
Job Outlook ( )
14% growth for all physicians and surgeons*
Median Salary (2016)
$286,902 annually for radiologists**

17. Radiology Technician Required Education
Associate's degree or bachelor's degree in radiology
Other Requirements
State licensure and optional certification
Projected Job Growth ( )
9%*
Average Salary (2015)
$58,520*

18. Dentistry Required Education
Bachelor's degree prior to admission to dental school; doctoral degree in dental medicine or dental surgery; some dental specializations require completion of a residency
Licensing
Required for dentists in all states
Projected Job Growth ( )
18%*
Median Salary (2015)
$152,700*

19. Dental Assistant Education Requirements
Varies; can range from a high school diploma to the completion of a postsecondary training program
Licensure and/or Certification
Licensure and/or certification might be required by some states
Projected Job Growth ( )*
18%
Median Salary (2015)*
$35,980

20. Dental Hygienist Required Education Certificate or associate's degree
Licensure
Required in all states
Projected Job Growth ( )*
19%
Median Salary (2015)*
$72,330

21. Athletic Trainer Required Education
Bachelor's degree at minimum; master's degrees are common
Other Requirements
State licensure from Board of Certification, Inc. required in most states
Projected Job Outlook ( )*
21%
Median Annual Salary (2015)*
$44,670