TEACH Teen Education and Careers in Healthcare American Medical Students Association

Why is healthcare a good choice? Healthcare affects many people –Illnesses do not discriminate based on ethnicity, wealth, or location You help a wide variety of people. You will always have something to do.

Why is healthcare a good choice? Healthcare careers ensure job stability –Illnesses aren’t going anywhere, so there will always be a need for professionals in the healthcare field –Some professions are being put out of business by improving technology Healthcare careers require human interpretation, not just technology –As people continue to get sick and the population grows, there is an increased need for health professionals 4 of America’s top 10 fastest-growing careers are healthcare-related

Why is healthcare a good choice? Health-related careers are well-paid –14 of America’s top 20 well-paying careers are healthcare-related –With just a training program after high school, you could be making above the average annual income in the US But careers that require college make much more

Why is healthcare a good choice? Healthcare careers are diverse –There are many aspects to maintaining good health and preventing illness Foot, mouth, heart, drugs, community health… the list goes on!

Health Career Intro Recall Why do people have a greater chance of getting a career in medicine compared to other career fields? People will always need medical care

Medicine opens many options With a degree in medicine, you can pursue: –Practice –Policy/Politics –Administration –Teaching –Volunteering –Advocacy –Sports –Business –Law

Who are health-related careers right for? If you… –Like to solve problems or are a creative thinker –Are eager to learn and/or a fast learner –Like to help people –Are a people-person –Like science/medicine –Pay attention to details –Handle pressure well

What can I do in healthcare? MANY different options –Aside from doctors (MD, DO) and nurses (RN)… Technicians (ECG, surgical, x-ray, clinical lab, etc…) Dentists (dental hygienist, dental lab technician, etc…) Optometrists (dispensing, ophthalmic lab tech, etc…) Sports medicine (trainer, physical therapist, etc…) Alternative medicine (acupuncture, etc…) Emergency medicine (paramedic, EMT, etc…) And many more! (genetic counselor, massage therapist, home care aide, nutritionist, dosimetrist, speech pathologist, chiropractor, occupational therapy, etc…)

Doctors (DO or MD) Duties: –Treat and prevent illness, injury, or disease Training/education required: –Requires 4 year college and 4 year medical school –Also requires additional training after medical school Examples: –Surgeons, radiology/oncology, OBGYN, family medicine, etc.

Nurses Duties: –Treat patient under doctor’s recommendations Training/education required: –Requires 4 year college –Length of additional training depends on degree pursued Examples: –Registered nurse –Nurse practitioner

Technicians Duties: –Tend to have one specific function in workplace, limited duties Training/education required: –Most don’t require college –Most require short training program (~1 year) Examples: –Surgical tech, radiology tech, ER tech, etc.

Dentistry Duties: –Preventative healthcare and treatment dealing with the mouth, teeth, tongue, and gums Training/education required: Dentist: college, dental school (8 years after HS) Assistant: training program (2 years) Hygienist: training program (2 years) Lab Tech: training optional (2 years)

Optometry Duties: –Preventative healthcare and treatment dealing with the eyes and patients’ sight Training/education required: –Dispensing: optional training (0-2 years after HS) –Optometrist: college, optometry school (8 years) –Lab tech: training with employer

Sports Medicine Duties: –Treating mostly athletes at various skill levels to improve their range of motion or to aid recovery Training/education required: –Exercise Physiologist: college, training (0-2 years after high school) –Physical Therapist: college, physical therapy school (6-9 years)

Emergency Medicine Duties: –Treat patients requiring immediate medical attention in/on the way to the hospital Training/education required: –Emergency medical technician: training (1 year after high school) -- Paramedic: EMT and 1 year additional training

Other options… There are also many other healthcare- related careers: –Veterinarian and veterinarian technician –Community health worker –Hospital administration –Hospital information manager –Food safety specialist –Medical coder –Etc…

So what should I do now? 1.Finish high school –get a diploma –Take courses you need for career 2.Do your research –Figure out what interests you and what extra schooling/training it requires Technician? – short training Doctor? – college and medical school Specialist (e.g. physical therapy) – college and extra training

So what should I do now? 3.Seek out resources –Ask for help Contact a professional in that particular field Parents Career counselor Advisor 4.Get experience now –Shadow a professional –Volunteer in healthcare

Health Career Intro Recall What is at least one thing you can do while in high school to prepare for a medical/ health career? Take courses available for career in high school

More than 250 careers Require different levels of education –Associate’s Degree –Bachelor’s Degree –Master’s Degree –Doctor’s Degree Begins in High School Health Careers Educational Pathway

Associate’s –2 years of education –Career/ technical school or community college Bachelor’s –4 or more years of education –College or University Master’s Degree –Earn undergraduate degree –1 or more years of education Education

 Certification ◦ Fulfilled requirements of education and meets the standards and qualifications established or government agency that regulates a particular career. ◦ Examples:  Certified Dental Assistant,  Certified Laboratory Technician  Certified Medical Assistant. Certification, Registration, & Licensure

 Preformed by regulatory body ◦ Professional Association or state board  Need to take exam  Examples ◦ Registered dietician ◦ Registered radiological technologist Registration

 Government agency controls who works in a job ◦ Complete an educational program ◦ Pass a state board test  Examples ◦ Physician ◦ Dentist ◦ Physical Therapist ◦ Registered Nurse Licensure

Accredited Educational Program –Program prepares student for job –Accrediting Agencies Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) Accreditation

Required to renew licenses Additional hours of education Example –Registered Nurse- 24 to 48 hours a year Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Desirable Skills –Multicompetent or multiskilled worker High Cost of Health Smaller Facilities Some facilities cannot afford to hire specialists –Example Technician who can read both a –Electrocardiograph (ECG) »Records electrical Activity of heart – Electrocephalograph »Records electrical activity of brain Trend

Entrepreneur –Individual who organizes, manages, and assumes the risk of a business. – Educational Pathway Bachelor’s in specific health care career Master’s in business Career Opportunities

Four Levels of Health Careers –Professional –Technologist –Therapist –Technician Education Levels and Career Opportunities

 Educational Requirements ◦ Four or more years with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.  Examples  Medical Doctor Dentist Professional

 Educational Requirements ◦ Three to four years of college plus work experience ◦ Usually Bachelor’s degree and, at times, master’s degree.  Examples ◦ Medical (clinical) laboratory technologist ◦ Physical therapist ◦ Speech therapist ◦ Respiratory therapist Technologist or Therapist

 Educational Requirements ◦ Two-year associate’s degree ◦ Special health science technology education ◦ 3-4 years of on-the-job training  Examples ◦ Dental Laboratory Technician ◦ Medical (clinical) laboratory technician ◦ Surgical Technician Technician

Educational Requirements –Specific number of hours of specialized education or –1 or more years of training combining classroom and/or on the job training Examples –Dental Assistant –Medical Assistant –Nurse Assistant Aide or Assistant