Careers in Health Care Chapter 3

Chapter Objectives Compare the educational requirements for associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees Contrast certification, registration, and licensure Describe at least 10 different health careers by including a definition of the career, three duties, educational requirements, and employment opportunities Investigate at least on health career by using the Internet or HOT JOBS Interpret at least 10 abbreviations used to identify health occupations workers

Introduction to Health Careers It is impossible to talk about all health careers, there are over 250 Educational requirements for health careers Where does it begin? HIGH SCHOOL Include science, social studies, English, math, general typing, accounting skills Health Science Technology Education (HSTE) Prepare students for immediate employment in health careers or for additional education after graduation (post secondary)

Associate’s Degree Awarded by vocational-technical school or community college after completion of a prescribed two year course of study

Bachelor’s degree Awarded by college or university after a prescribed course of study that usually lasts for four or more years

Master’s Degree Awarded by a college or university after completion of one or more years work beyond a bachelor’s degree

Doctorate/Doctoral degree Awarded by a college or university after completion of two or more years of work beyond a bachelor’s or master’s degree Some doctorates can require four to six years of additional study

Health Careers Three other terms associated with health careers are certification, registration, and licensure. These are methods used to ensure the skill/competency of health care personnel and to protect the consumer or patient

Certification A person has fulfilled requirements of education & performance & meets the standards & qualifications established by the professional association or government agency that regulates a particular career. A certificate is issued by the association ie: certified dental assistant, certified laboratory technician, certified medical assistant

Registration Required in some health care careers Performed by a regulatory body or professional association or state board that administers examinations and maintains a current list (registry) of qualified personnel in a given health care area ie: registered dietitian, registered respiratory therapist, registered radiologic technologist

Licensure Government agency authorizes individuals to work in a given occupation; may vary from state to state Obtain/retain licensure after completion of educational program, pass a state board test and maintain standards ie: physician, dentist, physical therapist, registered nurse, LVN

Accreditation For most health careers, graduation from an accredited program is required before certification, registration, and/or licensure will be granted.- Accreditation ensures that the program of study meets the established quality competency standards and prepares them for employment It is important for the student to make sure that a technical school, college or university offers accredited programs of study before enrolling

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Required to renew licenses or maintain certification or registration in many states Obtain additional hours of education in a specific health career area during a specified period of time ie: nurses must obtain 24 to 48 CEUs every 1-2 years to renew licenses. Health care workers should be aware of the state requirements regarding CEU,s for their given careers

Education Levels Training for most health occupations is categorized into 4 levels Aide/Assistant 1 or more yrs. training combing classroom & OJT Technician 2 yrs. Associate degree, special health occupations education, OR 3-4 yrs. OJT Technologist/Therapist 3-4 years college plus work experience; BS and sometimes MS Professional 4 or more yrs. College with BS, MS or Doctorate

Trend in Health Care Multicompetent/multiskilled worker Due to high health cost, small facilities and rural areas often hire who can perform a variety of health care skills ie: ECG and EEG tech to do both tests ie: radiology, medical lab, and respiratory therapy

Opportunity Entrepreneur: person who organizes, manages, and assumes the risk of a business You may combine BS in specific health care with a master’s in Business…….. This person needs to be well motivated, self confident, responsible, creative and independent

National Health Care Skill Standards National Health Care Skill Standards (NHCSS) were developed to indicate the knowledge and skills that are expected of health care workers Health Care Core Standards Therapeutic/Diagnostic Core Standards Therapeutic Cluster Standards Diagnostic Cluster Standards Information Services Cluster Standards Environmental Services Cluster Standards Support Services Cluster Biomedical Research Cluster

Health Care Core Standards Specify knowledge/skills of vast majority of health care workers Academic foundation Communication skills Employability skills Legal responsibilities Ethics Safety practices Teamwork Knowledge of systems of healthcare

Therapeutic/Diagnostic Core Standards Knowledge/skills that focus on direct client care in both therapeutic and diagnostic occupations Health maintenance practices Patient interaction Intra-team communication Monitoring patient status Patient movement

Therapeutic Cluster Standards Knowledge/skills of workers in health occupations that are involved in changing the health status of the client over time Interacting with the patients Communicating with team members Collecting information Planning treatment Implementing procedure Monitoring patient status Evaluating patient response to treatment

Diagnostic Cluster Standards Knowledge/skills of workers that are involved in creating a picture of health status of client at a single point in time Communicating oral and written information Assessing patent health status Moving and positions patients safely and efficiently Explaining procedures and goal Preparing for procedures Performing diagnostic procedures Evaluating test results Reporting required information

Information Services Cluster Standards Knowledge/skills required of workers that are involved with documentation of client care Communicate information accurately within legal boundaries Analyzing information Abstracting and coding medical records and document Designing and/or implementing effective information system Documenting information Understanding operations to enter, retrieve and maintain information

Environmental Services Cluster Standards Knowledge/skills of workers that are involved in creating a therapeutic environment to provide direct/indirect client care Developing and implementing the administration, quality control, and compliance regulations of a health care facility Maintain a clean/safe environment through aseptic techniques Managing resources Maintaining an aesthetically appealing environment

Biotechnology Research and Development Standards Knowledge and skills workers in bioscience research and development Comprehending how biotechnology contributes to health and quality of life Developing strong foundation in math and science prinicples Performing biotechnology techniques Understanding and following laboratory protocols and principles Complying with bioethical policies