C AREERS IN A LLIED H EALTH KNR 164

W HY K INESIOLOGY FOR A LLIED H EALTH S CIENCES P REP ? Kinesiology is the study of movements and functions of human body Dynamic anatomy Biomechanics Exercise physiology Motor control, development, learning Psychology Sociology With a physics and chemistry background Broad base knowledge = application of concepts for careers in health-related programs!

W ANT TO BECOME A DOCTOR ? Very rewarding and honorable career Lengthy and challenging education and training (4 yrs college, 4 yrs med school, 3 or more yrs residency) Selective process (two applicants for every one medical school spot) 50% of med students are now women Lifetime learning and maintenance of licensure and certification is expected

W ANT TO BE A NURSE ? With nationwide shortage of nurses, many hospitals have openings and offer educational assistance/hiring bonuses More men are becoming nurses Three major paths to becoming an RN (associate degree, diploma, bachelors) Advanced opportunities include nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, and nurse-midwife

“O KAY, SO WHAT OTHER CHOICES DO I HAVE FOR CAREERS IN THE HEALTH CARE FIELD ?”

H OW ABOUT ALLIED HEALTH ? There are approximately 200 recognized allied health professions Allied health professionals make up an estimated 60% of the US health care workforce Almost all allied health professions are experiencing shortages—many greater than those in nursing Seven of the top 10 fastest growing occupations, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics

B UT WHAT IS ALLIED HEALTH ? Allied health professionals are health care practitioners with formal education and clinical training who are credentialed through certification, registration, and/or licensure Allied health practitioners work with physicians and other members of the health care team Deliver high-quality patient care services for identifying, preventing, and treating disease and disabilities

T HEY ARE ESSENTIALLY EVERYONE WORKING IN HEALTH CARE OTHER THAN DOCTORS AND NURSES !

A LLIED HEALTH IS BIG, VERY BIG Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

S OME ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS MAY BE FAMILIAR TO YOU... Laboratory technician Radiologic technologist MRI Tech Surg/OR tech Physical therapist Physician assistant Dental hygienist Dietitian

A ND SOME MAY NOT... Art therapist Nuclear medicine technologist Cytopathology technologist Dosimetrist Cardiovascular technologist Health information administrator Recreational therapist Cancer Tumor Registrar

O KAY, HOW DO I CHOOSE WHICH CAREER IS RIGHT FOR ME ? Consider: length of education Salary job duties current/future staffing needs And think about your interests and your personality type. For example:

T HESE ARE JUST SOME EXAMPLES. THERE ARE MANY, MANY MORE ! Audiologist/speech language pathologist Dental assistant Diagnostic medical sonographer Emergency medical technician-paramedic Medical assistant Phlebotomist Polysomnographic technologist Radiation therapist/radiographer Respiratory therapist Surgical assistant Physician assistant

W HAT IS A P HYSICIAN A SSISTANT ? According to the American Association of Physician Assistants’ : Physician Assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. PAs are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. (

R OLE OF THE P HYSICIAN A SSISTANT Obtain a complete history and physical exam, including hearing, vision, pelvic and rectal exams Perform pre-operative physical exams and pre- season sports physical exams Order, perform and interpret specialized tests such as blood work and x-rays Diagnose and treat illnesses Counsel on preventative health care Assist in surgery, including suturing

R OLE OF PA S CONTINUED … Monitor the effectiveness of treatment Monitor patients in the hospital Write and change orders in the chart per supervising physician In most states, except Indiana and Ohio, PAs can write prescriptions Be accessible to the patient in regards to any questions they may have

PA P ROGRAMS Program is 24 months full time with several breaks (~2-3 years) 10 months of basic classes, anatomy, pharmacology, skills lab and shadowing/residency 12 months clinical rotations: Primary Care, Derm, ER, Ortho, CT surgery, Psych, you have choices 2 months of review for the board exam Certification test!!

P HYSICIAN A SSISTANT C ERTIFICATION : 134 accredited PA programs A PA must pass a national certification exam: PA-C Must re-certify every 6 yrs by retaking the re- certification test Must obtain 100 Continuing Medical Education (CME) units every 2 years to maintain certification: Conferences!