Chapter 3 Careers in Health Care

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2 Introduction to Health Careers Introduction to Health Careers  Education & Types of Degrees 1. Associate’s: Usually 2 years 1. Associate’s: Usually 2 years 2. Bachelor’s: Usually 4 years 2. Bachelor’s: Usually 4 years 3. Master’s: Usually bachelor’s plus 2 Yrs 3. Master’s: Usually bachelor’s plus 2 Yrs 4. Doctorate (Ph.D): Usually Master’s plus 4. Doctorate (Ph.D): Usually Master’s plus 3-5 years. 3-5 years.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 3 Certification, Registration, & Licensure  Certification To insure that a person has met education & performance requirements & standards. To insure that a person has met education & performance requirements & standards.  Example careers - dental assistant- laboratory technician - dental assistant- laboratory technician - certified medical assistant (CMA) - certified medical assistant (CMA)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 4 cont’d cont’d  Registration Regulated by a professional association or state board Regulated by a professional association or state board  Example careers - dietitian- respiratory therapist - dietitian- respiratory therapist - radiological technologist (x-ray tech) - radiological technologist (x-ray tech)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 5 cont’d cont’d  Licensure Regulated by a government agency. Regulated by a government agency. A state-board test must be passed. A state-board test must be passed.  Example careers - physicians - dentist- physical therapist - physicians - dentist- physical therapist - registered nurse (RN) - registered nurse (RN) - licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) - licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 6 Accrediting Agencies  Purpose: ensures a program of study meets established quality competency standards. ensures a program of study meets established quality competency standards.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)  Purpose: to renew licenses, maintain certification or registration.  Requirements vary between careers: usually CEUs every 1-2 years.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 8 Training Levels  Professional: - 4 or more years - 4 or more years - Ex: MD or DDS - Ex: MD or DDS  Technologist or therapist: years plus work experience years plus work experience - Ex: Respiratory/physical therapist - Ex: Respiratory/physical therapist  Technician: - 2 years - 2 years - Ex: Surgical Technician - Ex: Surgical Technician

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 9 Health Care Careers  Dental Careers –Health of teeth and soft tissues of mouth –Preventing dental disease –Repairing or replacing diseased or damaged teeth –Treating gingiva (gums) and other supporting structures of the teeth (continues) Which of the two has Gingivitis?

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 10 Places of employment  Dentist (DDS)  Dental hygienist (DH)  Dental laboratory technician (DLT)  Dental assistant (DA)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 11 Emergency Medical Services Careers  Basic job duties –Provide emergency prehospital care –Provide care to victims of accidents, injuries, and sudden illness.  Places of employment -- fire & police departments -- fire & police departments -- rescue squads -- rescue squads -- ambulance services -- ambulance services -- emergency air services -- emergency air services -- USAF -- USAF

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 12 Types of EMS Personnel  Paramedic (EMT-P, EMT-2) years training years training - 6 months experience as EMT first - 6 months experience as EMT first - State certification exam - State certification exam  Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-1) - 6 months - 6 months (continues)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 13 Types of EMS Personnel  Paramedic (EMT-P, EMT-2) years training years training - 6 months experience as - 6 months experience as EMT first. EMT first. - State certification exam - State certification exam  Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-1) - 6 months - 6 months

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 14 Medical Careers  Basic description –Includes physicians and those who work under their supervision –Involved with diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases and disorders of the human body (continues)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 15 Medical Careers (continued)  Physician (doctor): MD, DO, DPM, DC  Physician assistant: PA  Medical assistant: MA

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 16 Mental and Social Services Careers  Basic job duties –Mental or emotional disorders or mental retardation –Social workers assist others to deal with illness, employment, or community problems –Focus: help individuals function to their maximum capacity  Places of employment - Hospitals, Clinics, Prisons, Military, Police - Hospitals, Clinics, Prisons, Military, Police

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 17 Mental and Social Services Careers (continued)  Psychiatrist: MD specialize in diagnosing & treating mental illness.  Psychologist: study behavior & help individuals deal with problems in every day life.  Psychiatric technician: help patients & families follow treatment & rehabilitation plans.  Social worker: aid people who have difficulty coping with various problems through training and referrals.  Genetic counselor: provides info to families on genetic diseases or inherited conditions.

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 18 Mortuary Careers  Basic job duties –Preparation of the body –Perform ceremony that honors the deceased and meets the spiritual needs of the living –Cremation or burial of the remains

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 19 Mortuary Careers (Cont’d)  Funeral Director (Mortician) bachelor’s degree  Embalmer: Associate or bachelor’s  Mortuary Assistant: 1-2 yrs OJT

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 20 Nursing Careers  Basic job duties –Provide care under direction of a physician –Direct care given to meet mental, emotional, and physical needs of the patient  Places of employment - hospitals - clinics -law enforcement - hospitals - clinics -law enforcement - military - schools - missions - military - schools - missions (continues)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 21 Nursing Careers (continued)  Registered Nurse (RN) 3 yrs Program Diploma 3 yrs Program Diploma 2 yrs Associate Program ADN 2 yrs Associate Program ADN 4 year Bachelor Program BSN 4 year Bachelor Program BSN 6 year Master’s Program MSN 6 year Master’s Program MSN 8 year Doctorate Program Ph.d 8 year Doctorate Program Ph.d  Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) 1 year Junior College 1 year Junior College  Certified Nurse Assistant (CAN) 1 Semester Junior College 1 Semester Junior College (continues)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 22 Nutrition and Dietary Services Careers  Basic job duties –Recognize importance good nutrition has for health –Promote wellness and optimum health through good nutrition –Provide dietary guidelines used to treat various diseases –Teach proper nutrition –Prepare food for health care facilities (continues)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 23 Nutrition and Dietary Careers (cont’d)  Registered Dietitian (RD) - manage food service systems, assess patients, plan menus enforce sanitary & safety rules. - manage food service systems, assess patients, plan menus enforce sanitary & safety rules. - BA or MA - BA or MA  Dietetic technician (DTs) - plan menus, test recipes, provides basic dietary instruction, teach classes on proper nutrition. - plan menus, test recipes, provides basic dietary instruction, teach classes on proper nutrition. - Associates degree (AA) - Associates degree (AA)  Dietetic assistant - assists with food prep, help pts select menus, clean work areas. - assists with food prep, help pts select menus, clean work areas months OJT months OJT

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 24 Veterinary Careers  Basic description –Prevent, diagnose & Rx diseases & injuries in animals. –Range from house pets to livestock to wildlife – Bachelor’s degree in a Science field – 4 year Veterinary college  Veterinary Technician - Associate’s degree - Associate’s degree - Registration, certification or licensure - Registration, certification or licensure (continues)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 25 Vision Services Careers  Basic job duties –Provide care & Rx to prevent vision disorders (continues)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 26 Vision Services Careers (contn’d)  Ophthalmologist (MD)  Optometrist (OD) - BA/BS & 4 yrs optometry degree - BA/BS & 4 yrs optometry degree  Ophthalmic technician (COT) - AA degree - AA degree  Ophthalmic assistant (COA) - OJT - OJT  Optician yrs OJT with State Certification yrs OJT with State Certification  Ophthalmic laboratory technician yrs OJT with State Certification yrs OJT with State Certification

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 27 3:2J Other Therapeutic Services Careers  See Table 3-13 in text  Occupational therapist (OT)  Occupational therapy assistant  Pharmacist  Pharmacy technician  Physical therapist (PT)  Physical therapist assistant (continues)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 28 Other Therapeutic Services Careers (continued)  Massage therapist  Recreational therapist (TR)  Certified therapeutic recreation specialist  Recreational therapy assistant or activity director  Respiratory therapist (RT)  Respiratory therapy technician (continues)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 29 Other Therapeutic Services Careers (continued)  Speech-language therapist/pathologist and/or audiologist  Surgical technician/technologist  Art, music, dance therapist  Athletic trainer  Dialysis technician  Perfusionist, certified clinical perfusionist, or extracorporeal circulation technologist

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 30 Diagnostic Careers (continued)  Electroneurodiagnostic technologist  Medical (clinical) laboratory technologist  Medical (clinical) laboratory technician  Medical (clinical) laboratory assistant  Phlebotomist  Radiologic technologist

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 31 3:4 Health Informatics Careers  Basic job duties –Documentation of patient records –Health information –Health education  Places of employment (continues)

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 32 (continues) Health Informatics Careers (continued)  See Table 3-15 in text  Health information (medical records) administrator registered (RRA)  Health information (medical records) technician registered (RHIT)  Medical transcriptionist  Admitting officers/clerks

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 33 Health Informatics Careers (continued)  Unit secretary/ward clerk/health unit coordinator/medical records clerk  Epidemiologist  Medical interpreter/translator  Medical illustrator  Medical librarian

Copyright © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 34 Summary  Health care careers are as exciting as they are diverse with over 250 different opportunities available  Each career has specific education requirements, job descriptions, and annual salaries earned  There are many occupational opportunities for a successful career in health care