HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY EXPLORE THE OPPORTUNITIES Created for South Carolina AHEC By Nanette Morris, RN, BA, NBCT_ 2009

HEALTHCARE… a Dynamic and Exciting Career! Welcome to the Exploration of Health Careers! FIRST: Consider your area of interest: » Therapeutic Cluster » Diagnostic Cluster » Informational Cluster » Environmental Services Cluster NEXT: Make an INFORMED career choice through exploration

What Does a Career in Health Care Mean for Me? A Rewarding Career Job Satisfaction Position Availability Work with All Ages Specialty Variety Excellent Salaries Advancement Mobility

What Kinds of Patients Do Healthcare Workers Treat? Adults Children Elderly Adults Deceased Athletes Babies Animals

Successful Healthcare Professionals Have WHAT IT TAKES in the Workplace! Personal Qualities of a Health Care Worker Professional Appearance Competence Team Player Willingness to Learn Effective Communication Enthusiasm

Positive Traits of Health Care Professionals Dependability Empathy Attitude Respect Patience Responsibility Honesty Self-motivation Tact

IF... You enjoy working with people You are looking for a career with job security You are interested in earning an above-average starting salary and in job THEN… A career in healthcare might be right for you!

Healthcare Professionals can be found Everywhere!

Where Do Healthcare Professionals Work? Acute care Hospitals Diagnostic Laboratories Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Facilities Patients’ Homes Patient Transport Services Private Practice Physician Offices Assisted Living & Retirement Centers Educational Institutions, Including Colleges & Universities Industry Athletic Teams: HS, College & Professional

What Do Healthcare Professionals Do? Health care professionals contribute to our health, help us when we are sick, troubled, or injured, and work to protect our environment.

How Does the Job Market Look for Healthcare Professionals? Skills That Work 2000, a workforce study lists 9 of the top 20 fastest growing occupations in South Carolina in health care. Major shortages are predicted for all healthcare professions in rural and urban areas.

Health Related Occupations Among South Carolina’s Top 10 Fastest Growing Occupations 1.Home Health Aides 2.Demonstrators, Promoters, and Models 3.Computer Engineers 4.Physical and Corrective Therapy Assistants/Aides 5.Ushers and Lobby Attendants 6.Paralegal Personnel 7.Physical Therapists 8.Human Services Workers 9.Systems Analysts, Electronic Data Processors 10. Personal and Home Care Aides SOURCE: South Carolina Career Outlook: Overview of Fastest Growing Careers in South Carolina, portal.com/articles/South_Carolina_Career_Outlook%3A_Overview_of_the_Fastest_Growing_Careers_in_South_Carolina%28SC%29.html, July 2009

Why Choose A Profession in Health? Great Job Security Hundreds of Career Choice Personal Satisfaction in Making A Difference Anthony Poole Physician Assistant Student, MUSC Upstate AHEC HCP Completer

South Carolina Salary Averages Salary ranges for healthcare workers range from $15,000 to $200,000+ depending on job responsibilities, education, and location within the state PROFESSIONAVERAGE SALARY AVERAGE LENGTH OF TRAINING BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL Dentist$163,16011 Years Physician$162,3407 – 8 Years Chiropractor$108,0608 Years Pharmacist$93,6306 Years Nurse Anesthetist$71,3206 Years Medical Records Administrator$70,5606 Years Audiologist$70,5606 Years Physician Assistant$70,5204 – 6 Years Physical Therapist$65,7206 – 8 Years Athletic Trainer$58,5804 Years Registered Nurse$53,2102 – 4 Years Dental Hygienist$48,1302 – 4 Years Dietitian/Nutritionist$39,6404 Years Licensed Practical Nurse$35,6201 Year Dental Assistant$29,78010 – 12 Months Emergency Medical Technician27,7402 Years Optician$26,1002 Years Salary averages for South Carolina reported by SCOIS and may vary by region

South Carolina’s Health Science Technology Program Teachers are generally Registered Nurses (R.N.) or other Healthcare Professionals Available Courses: –Intro to Health Science Technology –Health Science Technology 1, 2, 3 & 4 –Emergency Medical Services 1 & 2 –Gerontology –Medical Terminology –Sports Medicine 1 & 2

Learning By Performing HST students gain experience in a variety of areas: –Medical and surgical areas of the hospital –Intensive care units (adult, pediatric, neonatal) –Emergency room –Patient transport –School settings –Outpatient clinics and physicians’ offices –Home care –Long-term care facilities –Therapy departments –Dental offices –Nurseries/daycare centers Gabrielle Cannick Doctor of Dental Medicine Student, MUSC Lowcountry AHEC HCP Completer

Additional Opportunities for Health Career Exploration Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) is a national organization to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality healthcare which provides: –Community and School Service Projects –Competitive Events Program –Travel Opportunities –Leadership Development –Scholarship Awards –Networking Statewide and Nationwide

What Would You Like to Be When You Grow Up? As a Healthcare Professional: YOU can make a difference in peoples lives YOUR work is interesting and meaningful YOU are in a high-tech and exciting career YOU are in a high-touch, people-oriented profession

Get There: Steps To  EXPERIENCE Volunteer Service Learning Observe  EXPLORE Network Question Read  PREPARE Educate Train

Preparing to Become a Health Care Professional! Certification - 3 to 18 months of training Associate Degree - 2 years of college Bachelor Degree - 4 to 5 years of college Master Degree - 1 to 2 years past college And Beyond …. Degree

Health Science Training Program Requirements for Admission Prerequisite coursework in general education Requires a strong background in Math & Science Regular attendance Clean discipline record

QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION