Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Health Care Career Cluster Education and Opportunities

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 1 2 There are so many options …. the amount of education you need for a career in health care depends on the specific career you choose there are many different levels of education – High school and on-the-job training – College – Technical or career schools – University – Continuing education

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 1 3 High School and on-the-job training On-the-job training – during or after high school, on-the-job training provides experience and education for many health careers – However, advancement in these careers tends to come through post-secondary education – Some employers prefer a certificate or college diploma examples: home care worker, hospital service worker, medical secretary

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 1 4 these centers or schools provide training after high school, e.g. Michener Institute for applied health sciences these offer certificate and diploma programs(some even offer degree programs) teach specific skills required for your career Certificate programs specialize in one skill and are for those who already have a degree or work experience, while diploma programs are longer and more in-depth Technical or Career Schools

Colleges colleges offer 1 year (or less) certificate programs or 2 – 3 year diploma programs many offer bachelor degrees in applied areas of study focus on career training and trades (practical or hands-on training) but incorporate certain courses (theory) – examples of careers requiring a diploma: denturist, massage therapist, practical nurse, paramedic Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 1 5

Universities focus on academic and professional programs; offer degrees 3 – 4 years for a bachelor’s degree you may further your education by obtaining a master’s degree (2 years) and a doctorate degree (2 or more years after that) – examples of careers requiring a degree: radiologist, psychologist, kinesiologist, biotechnologist Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 1 6

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 1 7 Continuing Education – your education will continue in the workplace; this is important to keep current in the field you have chosen – the health care worker is legally responsible for knowing the continuing education requirements of his or her field – may include training at your place of employment, schools or colleges, the Internet, or even through reading professional journals

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 1 8 The Career Ladder health care field can be entered at various levels, depending on education. additional education can allow further advancement. – eg. you might enter health care as a laboratory aide and progress to assistant, technician, and technologist You may also become an entrepreneur (work for yourself) – eg. massage therapists, veterinarians, physicians, dentists, and medical transcriptionists.