Unit I Careers in Biomedical Technology

WHY IS SCIENCE SO IMPORTANT TO US? Science is always evolving 1.Edward Jenner discovered smallpox vaccine 2.Joseph Lister convinced surgeons to wash hands and use clean bedding

Helps us understand our world “Great truths” dispelled (i.e. the world is flat) Knowing how the world works helps you make decisions about issues that affect your future. Scientists help discover how the world works!

FACTS ABOUT SCIENTISTS Don’t always work in universities or hospitals…pharmaceutical companies, public health laboratories, government agencies, chemical companies PhD or MD Curiosity Observant Enjoys finding out about things unknown

Emerging Field of Biotechnology Began in the early 1980’s with the development of Cloning & recombinant DNA techniques.

National Institutes of Health NIH The federal agency that has established safety guidelines for the transfer & manipulation of DNA.

Careers -ist at the end of a profession means what? i.e. A Radiologist reads & interpreted x-rays. He is a physician who specializes in radiographic images. (a person who does) -ian at the end of a profession means what? i.e. Electrocardiograph technician applies electrodes pads to the patient to test heart. (relating to)

Pathologists Physician specializing in diagnosing diseases by examining blood, secretions, body tissue & fluids. Must complete medical school & specialized training. Work in hospital laboratories or in outpatient reference laboratories or private practice pathology. Frequently determines cause of death.

Medical Laboratory Technician Prepares tissue slides & performs simple blood tests, cell counts, & urinalysis.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Medical technologist) Bachelor’s Degree/4 year program Responsible for performing clinical laboratory tests & analyzing the results using independent judgment.

Phlebotomist A phlebotomist primary draws blood, either for laboratory tests or for blood donations.

Associated Terminology Hematology - study of the formed elements of blood & blood forming tissues. Pathogens - microorganisms that produces a disease. Histology - Microscopic study of animal and plant tissues, which are groups of similar cells interrelated for cooperative performance of a particular biological function. Immunology - study of how blood cells prevent disease caused by microorganisms.

Life Science Life scientists or researchers study living organisms and life processes. Many opportunities in research & development in health care. Masters or doctoral level Specific careers a. Microbiologist b. Virologist c. Biochemist

Life scientists Responsible for: 1 - developing new drugs. 2- methods of treatments 3 - new methods of protecting the environment

Microbiologist A scientist that can work as a bacteriologist, who work in the field of bacteriology and study bacteria. 1. Environmental microbiologists - work in the field of environmental microbiology and study microbial processes in the environment. 2. Food microbiologists - work in the food industry and study pathogenic microorganisms that cause foodborne illness and spoilage.

Virologist A scientist who studies viruses and virus-like agents: their structure, classification and evolution, their ways to infect and exploit cells for virus reproduction, the diseases they cause, the techniques to isolate and culture them, and their potential uses in research and therapy.

Biochemist Typical biochemists study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms. Analyzes the effects of hormones, enzymes, serums, & foods on tissues & organs. Biochemist

Radiologist (imaging professional) A physician trained to diagnose patients by reading x-rays i.e. mammograms

Radiography (Radiographer) Education is 2 year program Responsibilities: takes the x-rays Radiation exposure a constant concern (1)Film badge (2)Federal Government regulates exposure. The level of exposure to radiological materials is measured on a badge worn by each radiographer.

Radiologic Technologist Administers radio opaque media (dye) to complete x-rays.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist Performs bone scans, brain, thyroid & lung scans.

Ultrasound Technologist (Medical sonographer) Utilizes sound waves to produce two- dimensional images of internal organs.

Physicist A scientist who specializes in physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made (particle physics) to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole....

Medical Dosimetrist A member of a radiation oncology team who specializes in the operation of radiation equipment and calculations of dosages in cooperation with oncologists.

Electrocardiograph Technician Minimal training compared to other professions. Attaches electrode pads to the patient to test the action of the heart. They operate electrocardiogram equipment to monitor patients' heart problems. Job duties include: Connect electrodes to patients. Insert and remove catheters. Record test results. Identify emergencies or abnormalities. Average Salary: $15,000 - $32,000

Echocardiography An echocardiogram is a sonography of the heart. Uses standard ultrasound techniques to image two-dimensional slices of the heart. An echocardiogram can also produce accurate assessment of the velocity of blood and cardiac tissue at any arbitrary point using pulsed or continuous wave doppler ultrasound.

Electroencephalograph Frequent headaches & seizures would be a reason for an EEG. EEG measures electrical activity of the brain.

Nutritionist / Dietician An expert in food and nutrition. They provide nutrition counseling for patients (i.e. concern over weight gain). Dietitians help promote good health through proper eating. They have to have a bachelor’s degree to practice.

Dietary Technician Completes a two year associate degree program & whose duties includes planning menus & supervising the production of food.

Weight Reduction Specialist Counsels obese patients using dietary & activity guidelines.

Environmental Careers, Resources & Hazards

Environmental Engineer Improve the environment (air, water, and/or land resources), to provide healthy water, air, and land 1. Environmental engineering involves water and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, and public health issues

Health & Regulatory Inspectors A public employee who investigates health hazards then takes action to eliminate the hazards. Usually the public perception of a health inspector.

Sanitarian Set & enforce standards concerning food, sewage & waste disposal. Enforces laws, rules and regulations for maintaining and promoting community hygiene.

Biomedical Equipment Technician Highly skilled technicians responsible for ensuring medical equipment is deemed serviceable, safe, and properly repaired & inspected.

Central Service Technician Cleans, sorts, assembles, prepares, packages and sterilizes supplies and equipment used in diagnostics & the operating room.

Environmental Control Biosphere-atmosphere that supports life.

Ecosystems ~ Ecology Is the scientific study of the distribution and abundance of life and the interactions between organisms and their natural environment.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal agency responsible for setting & regulating the standards for the environment. It was established in 1970.

Diseases & health conditions linked to environment. The thinning of the ozone layer is due to exhaust, aerosol sprays & painting materials. Lung related diseases Skin cancer

Emphysema Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity (increased compliance) of the lung tissue Worsened by air pollution, including long-term exposure to tobacco smoke.

Lead Poisoning Increased levels of the metal lead in the blood. Lead may cause irreversible neurological damage as well as renal disease, cardiovascular effects, and reproductive toxicity. Government programs have reduced lead in gas additives & paints.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating, making it difficult for people to detect. Replaces oxygen in the blood stream

Lung Cancer Lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death in men and the second most common in women…is responsible for 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually.

Biotechnology careers & genetics

Biotechnologist 1. Development of cloning & recombinant DNA techniques of gene manipulation. 2. A scientist that alters the cells of living things to discover & improve genetic traits. 3. Most work in private biotechnology companies.

Laminar flow hoods are used to vent & filter air. W o r k i n g e n v i r o n m e n t

Strict Sterilization In biotechnology laboratories the use of microorganisms requires strict sterilization.

Biotechnology rapidly making complex advances Over 200 medicines and related products created from biotech techniques currently available. Horizontal gene transfer in living plants. Manipulate organic materials to reach the demands of food production.organic materials New drug creation

Over 1000 biotech companies in U.S., most working in diagnostics & therapeutics A few of the more prominent biotech companies are Alteon, Inc., AmpliMed, Inc., Callisto Pharmaceuticals Inc., Kinexis, Inc., Trellis Bioscience, Inc., and The Vaccine Company.

Ethical concerns related to eugenics. Eugenics is "the study of, or belief in, the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population by such means as discouraging reproduction by persons having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics)." Counseling of couples not to have a child if a faulty gene is present. Selecting favorable traits such as gender before implantation.

Different Fields of Study A. Medical biotechnologist B. Research biotechnologist C. Forensics D. Geneticist

Medical Biotechnologist Works with production of antibodies for diagnosis or treatment of disease.

Research Biotechnologist A scientist that studies the use of microorganisms to perform specific industrial or manufacturing processes. Applications include the production of certain drugs, synthetic hormones, and bulk foodstuffs as well as the bioconversion of organic waste and the use of genetically altered bacteria in the cleanup of oil spills.

Forensics Biotechnology professional who works to aid in solving crimes is a forensics specialist.

Geneticist A geneticist is a scientist who studies genetics, the science of heredity and variation of organisms.geneticsheredity variationorganisms Counsel families with history of health problems I.e. Sickle cell traits Down Syndrome.

Support Personnel Biomedical Engineer Biomedical Equipment Technician

Biomedical Engineer Designs instruments & machines that are used to monitor & treat disease.

Biomedical Equipment Technician Fixes / repairs medical equipment i.e. Monitor in ICU is not working properly..who would you call to fix it? Biomedical Equipment Technician