Career Technical Education Preparation for Careers in Healthcare Submitted by Craig Cooper ROP Teacher, Computer Technology Coastline ROP 2/1/11

Industry professional McArthur VanOsdale Managing Partner and President/CEO Harpeth Consulting, Specializing in Healthcare Advisory Services.

Externship location San Clemente Medical Center December 22, 2010

Healthcare employs a significant number of people and demand for workers will increase significantly as baby boomers age. 10,000 baby boomers a day turn 65 and many require healthcare of some sort.

There are many entry level healthcare jobs that all lead to lifelong careers. Many of these entry level positions lead to managerial level positions up to company CEO.

You do not need a college degree to enter the healthcare field. All you need is to take meaningful career technical education classes (CTE), format a resume that reflects your education, experience and background and sell yourself in a job interview.

Entry level positions exist in: Hospitals Medical offices Dentist offices Emergency medical systems agencies Physical therapy clinics Centralized medical business offices. Healthcare insurance companies Urgent care centers Diagnostic imaging centers And more!

There are several categorical groupings of services where CTE students can find entry level employment: Administrative services Information services Therapeutic services Diagnostic services Support services

Administrative services Jobs in administrative services help oversee healthcare management CTE trained students are qualified for jobs such as:  Administrative assistant

Informational services Jobs in informational services help document and process information within the organization. CTE trained students are qualified for jobs such as: Admissions clerk Billing and collections clerks Book keeper Medical records clerks Phone operator Computer information technician Health educator Human resources assistant Marketing assistant Public relations assistant

Therapeutic services Jobs in therapeutic services help provide treatment services to patients within the organization. CTE trained students are qualified for jobs such as: Physical therapy (PT) assistant Occupational therapy (OT) assistant Music therapy (MT) assistant Art therapy (AT) assistant Mental health aide Speech therapy (ST) assistant Respiratory therapy (RT) assistant Pharmacy assistant Dietician assistant Nurses aide Dental assistant Emergency medical technician (EMT)

Diagnostic services Jobs in therapeutic services help determine the causes of illness and injury s to patients within the organization. CTE trained students are qualified for jobs such as: Laboratory assistant Laboratory assistant Pathology assistant/deiner Pathology assistant/deiner Diagnostic imaging assistant Diagnostic imaging assistant

Support services Jobs in support services help provide support for the entire organization. CTE trained students are qualified for jobs such as: Central supply technician Central supply technician Biomedical technician Biomedical technician Housekeeper Housekeeper Facility maintenance Facility maintenance Security Security Dietary Dietary Medical staff office clerk Medical staff office clerk Quality improvement assistant. Quality improvement assistant.

What CTE training is needed to secure entry level healthcare jobs? All of the following CTE classes currently offered by Coastline ROP will prepare students for employment. A student should try to take as many of these applicable classes as possible. Banking and financial services internship Business internship Computerized accounting Computer programming Construction technology Dental assistant chair side and radiology internship Dental assistant front office E marketing

CTE training continued: Emergency medical technician Entrepreneurship Food services cooperative Marketing principles Medical assistant back office internship Medical assistant front office internship

CTE training continued:  Medical nursing careers internship  Medical office management and billing  Medical terminology  Microsoft tools 1 and 2  Multimedia communication design  Nursing assistant internship  Office technology  QuickBooks

CTE training continued: Registered dental assistant preparation Retail sales and merchandising cooperative Retail sales and merchandising internship Sports medicine Video and film production Visual imagery Web site development

What is my action plan to get a healthcare job right out of high school? 1. Take a career assessment questionnaire available through coastline ROP classes and determine what career best matches your personality 2. Meet with the ROP career specialist at your high school to determine the best classes to take to meet your career goals. 3. Sign up for the CTE classes you need. 4. Get good grades in the CTE classes 5. Develop a great resume 6. Practice your interviewing skills.

Action plan continued: 7. Determine what health care organizations are close to your home 8. Go on-line and check out the job opportunities at those organizations 9. Apply on line or in person depending on the preference of the organization. 10. When granted an interview dress for success. 11. Be early for the interview 12. Be positive and determined to be the best candidate 13. Once employed always put a smile on your bosses face. 14. Seek advanced education through your local college.

Summary Job growth in the healthcare sector will be one of the best opportunities for future employment. Determine what career will best match your personality and skills. Meet with your school’s ROP career specialist to map out a class strategy Get A's in the classes and go find a great career in the healthcare sector!