Finding the Right Occupation for You In the Health Care Field Chapter 3

Educational Requirements Secondary (High School) Post-secondary (Vo-tech, Community Colleges, Universities)

Post-Secondary Education Types of Degrees: Certification (have to met qualifications and required hours) Associate’s Degree (Two Year Course Study) Bachelor’s Degree (Course Study of Four or More Years) Master’s Degree (One or More Years Beyond Bachelor’s Degree) Doctorate or Doctor’s Degree (Two or More Years Beyond Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree)

Education and Levels of Training Professional – 4 or more years of college Bachelors, Master’s or doctoral degree Examples Medical Doctor, Dentist Technologist or Therapist- 3-4 years of college plus work experience Examples Physical Therapist, Respiratory Therapist

Education and Levels of Training Technician -2 years associates degree, technology education Examples Dental Laboratory Technician Surgical Technician Aid or Assistant –number of hours of specialized education or on the job training Examples Nurse assistant, Dental Assistant

Major Services in Health Care Therapeutic Services Diagnostic Services Health Informatics Support Services

Therapeutic Services Provide care over time Occupational examples include: Physical Therapist Respiratory Therapist Athletic Trainer Dental Hygienist

Places Employed Rehabilitation Facilities Hospitals Clinics Mental health facilities Long-term care facilities

Diagnostic Services Services used to identify a particular condition or disease, such as x-rays or blood tests Create a picture of the health status of a patient at a single point in time Occupational examples include: Medical Lab Technicians Pathologists Radiology Technicians

Where are they employed? Hospital Laboratories Outpatient Centers Clinics

Common Diagnostic Tests Ultrasounds-high frequency sound waves creating an image X-Ray-snap shot of body structures and bones MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) Superconductive magnets and radio waves produce detailed images CAT scan (computerized axial tomography) Scanner obtain cross sectional images of the body

Informational Services Services that document and process information Occupational examples include: Admitting Clerk Health Care Administrator Medical Librarian Transcriptionist Medical interpreters

Employed? Hospitals Clinics Research facilities Health departments Insurance companies

Support Services Services that help create relaxing, healing, and supportive environment for patients Occupational examples include: Health care administrators Central/sterile supply Dietary Technicians Hospital Maintenance Engineers Housekeeping/sanitary managers

Where are they employed? Hospitals Operating rooms Clinics

Resources for Occupational Research Dictionary of Occupation Titles http://www.occupationalinfo.org/ Occupational Outlook Handbook http://www.bls.gov/oco/

Review Questions from Your Textbook What does a respiratory therapist worker help a patient do? Where might a physical therapist work? Name three daily tasks a dental assistant might perform. Name three types of diagnostic services careers. Why is the work of an environmental service technician so important?

Career Exploration Activity Fill out the Healthcare Career table guide Use your book and the provided website Choose 1 career from the table that you are interested in and 1 that you think you would never want to do Now create a Health Care Career Poster include (education needed, what they do, where they work, interesting facts, why you would or would not want to do it) Any Questions? Have Fun 

Sources for Career Exploration Activity http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm