INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH CAREERS

DHO Chapter 3

INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH CAREERS

• More than 250 different health care careers • Broad overview of variety of careers including • • • • Education Certification, Registration, Licensure requirements Continuing Education Trends & Opportunities • Requirements vary by program and state

LEVELS OF EDUCATION

• High school (secondary education) • Prepare students for entry level employment after high school graduation • On-the-job training • Available for many health careers • Technical or Career School • Provide training during and beyond high school • Associate’s Degree (2 years of study) • Community college

LEVELS OF EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree • (4+ years at a college or university) • Master’s Degree • • (usually 1-2 years after Bachelor’s degree from a college or university) Usually 6 years total • Doctorate • • (2+ years after Bachelor’s or Master’s Degrees) Usually about 8 years total

LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT

Career Level Educational Requirement Examples

Aide or Assistant (CNA Salary: $24,000) Specific number of hours of specialized education or 1+ years training in classroom and on-the-job • • • Technician ( Surg Tech Salary: $41,000) Technologist or Therapist (RRT Salary: $55,000) 2 year assosciates degree or 3-4 years on the-job training Usually a bachelor’s degree and sometimes a master’s degree • • • • • Dental assistant Medical assistant Nurse aide Dental laboratory technician Surgical technician Physical therapist Respiratory therapist Medical laboratory technologist Professional (DDS Salary $163,000) 4+ years of college with bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree • • Medical Doctor Dentist

CREDENTIALING

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What are credentials?

Methods to prove competence in the health professions.

• Designed to protect the consumer and health care providers.

• Usually mandated by government agency, professional association or state board.

• After receiving education, one must also receive their credentials to practice in healthcare •

Examples of Credentials

Certification • • Certified nursing assistant (CNA) Certified dental assistant (CDA) • Registration • • Registered nurse (RN) Registered respiratory therapist (RRT) • License • Government agency authorizes an individual to work

CONTINUING EDUCATION

• Many health care professionals must further their education to stay up-to date with their practice • Continuing education is an ongoing process • Requirements vary from state to state and career to career.

• The healthcare worker is legally responsible for knowing the continuing education requirements of his or her field.

• Example: Many states require RNs to obtain 24-48 continuing education units every 1-2 years to renew their license

THE 5 HEALTH CAREER PATHWAYS

PATHWAY: THERAPEUTIC SERVICES

• Maintain or change the health status of the patient over time • • • • • • • Interact with patients Communicate with team members Collect information Plan treatment Implement procedures Monitor patient status Evaluate patient response to treatment

PATHWAY: THERAPEUTIC SERVICES

• Careers: • • • • • EMT/Paramedic Dentist (DDS) Nursing • • Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Registered Nurse (RN) Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) Optometrist • Careers: • • • • • • • Physician or Doctor (M.D., D. O.) Home health aid Rehabilitation (PT, PTA, OT) Pharmacist Dermatologist Speech Language Pathologist Anesthesiologist

PATHWAY: DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

• Create a picture of patient health at a single point of time • • • • • • • • Communicate oral and written information Assess patient’s health status Move and position patients safely and efficiently Explain procedures and goals Prepare for procedures Preform diagnostic procedures Evaluate test results Report required information

PATHWAY: DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

• Careers: • • • • • • • Clinical laboratory technologist Exercise physiologist Orthotist/Prosthetist Pathologist Phlebotomist Radiologic technician Electroencephalographic technologist (EEG Tech)

PATHWAY: HEALTH INFORMATICS

• Provide functions that support and document patient care • • • • • • Communicate information within legal boundaries Analyze information Coding medical records and documents Design and/or implement information systems Document information Understand operations to enter, retrieve, and maintain information

PATHWAY: HEALTH INFORMATICS

• Careers: • • • • • • • • • Admitting/Registration Clerk Medical Billing/Coder Epidemiologist Community Health Specialist Unit Coordinator Health Care Administrator Health Educator Transcriptionist Medical Records Hospital Administrator Video Clip

PATHWAY: SUPPORT SERVICES

• Provide a therapeutic environment for the delivery of health care • • • • Maintain a clean and safe environment though aseptic techniques Managing resources Maintain and aesthetically appealing environment Implement the quality control and compliance regulations of a health care facility

PATHWAY: SUPPORT SERVICES

• Careers: • • • • • • • Biomedical Engineer Central Services Technician Dietician Facilities Manager Food Services Purchasing Agent Transport Technician Hospital as a City Video Clip

PATHWAY: BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Use scientific and technical advancements to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic abilities in health care • • • • • Comprehend how biotechnology contributes to health and the quality of life Develop a strong foundation in math and science principles Perform biotechnology techniques Understand and follow laboratory protocols Work with product design and development

PATHWAY: BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Careers: • • • • • • • Biomedical Chemist Biostatistician Geneticist Molecular Biologist Pharmacist Quality Control Technician Toxicologist

THE END

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