Careers Medical Support Information Provided By: Georgia Statewide Area Health Education Center (AHEC) PowerPoint Presentation By: Juliane Monko & Dr. Frank Flanders CTAE Resource Network, June 2009 Based On PowerPoint Ideas From: Penny Howard, RN, Healthcare Science Instructor

AHECAHEC There are six centers in the Georgia AHEC Network, and each serves a multi-county region. The AHEC mission is to meet the health needs of Georgia by improving the supply, distribution and quality of healthcare providers. AHECs offer enrichment programs, camps, learning tools, student counseling, volunteer and mentoring activity coordination, and access to other educational resources. Contact your regional AHEC for more information.

Objectives Students will be able to describe health careers in the field of Medical Support. Students will be able to plan a healthcare career path in Medical Support.

Careers in Medical Support Anesthesiologist Assistant Athletic Trainer Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic Medical Assistant Perfusionist Surgical Technician

Anesthesiologist Assistant

Anesthesiologist assistants work directly under the supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist to provide quality anesthesia care. They cannot work independently or under the direction of any physician other than an anesthesiologist. They are trained to administer drugs, obtain vascular access, apply and interpret monitors, establish and maintain the patient’s airway, and assist with preoperative assessment.

Work Environment Salary Ambulatory surgical centers Hospitals Average Starting Salary $110,500 (bachelor’s level)  Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: Anesthesiologist Assistant

Anesthesiologist Assistant Academic Requirements Prior to applying to an anesthesiologist assistant program, one must have a bachelor's degree and completed the required pre-medical curriculum. Programs leading to a master's degree last 24 to 28 months and include both classroom and clinical work. Two of the nation's four anesthesiologist assistant programs are located in Georgia.

Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers work to keep athletes and other physically active people in top condition. Their duties entail two main areas: injury prevention, recognition and management, and the evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries that happen during physical activity or sporting events. Certified athletic trainers develop conditioning and nutrition programs.

Athletic Trainer They must be knowledgeable about the environment, protective equipment and safety. When injuries occur, athletic trainers develop and carry out the treatment and rehabilitation prescribed by a physician. In addition to a broad knowledge of anatomy, physiology, psychology, nutrition, and conditioning, athletic trainers must be skilled in first aid procedures, CPR, and therapeutic rehabilitation.

Work Environment Salary Colleges and universities Corporate heath programs Health clubs Hospitals Industrial medicine Professional sports teams Sports medicine clinics Average Starting Salary $35,000 (bachelor’s)  Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: Athletic Trainer

Athletic Trainer Academic Requirements A bachelor's degree is the minimum education level for practice in this field, however, more than 70 percent of athletic trainers have a master's degree or higher.

Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic

Emergency medical technician (EMT) is a broad term used to address EMTs and paramedics. These technicians respond to health care crises. They drive ambulances, give emergency medical care, and, if necessary, transport patients to hospitals. They explain the situation to local hospital staff and under the direction of a physician, EMTs are told how to proceed with medical care.

Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic Paramedics receive additional training and therefore may be given more responsibilities, such as administering life-saving cardiac medication and performing EKGs.

Work Environment Salary County ambulance services Fire departments Hospital ambulance services Hospital emergency rooms Private ambulance companies Average Starting Salary Basic EMT $25,771 Paramedic $28,412  Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic

Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic Academic Requirements A high school diploma or equivalent is required. EMTs and paramedics receive both classroom and practical training in emergency medical care.  Basic EMT education requires 120 to 220 hours of instruction over three to six months. Intermediate EMT education requires 378 hours of training, which usually lasts nine months.  Paramedics receive approximately 1000 hours of instruction. This usually takes one year to a year and a half. A paramedic may obtain an associate degree in emergency medical services with additional general college courses. A few bachelor's and master's programs are available.

Medical Assistant

Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative duties. They prepare patients for examinations and take vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiration. They assist with first aid, collect and process specimens, and perform procedures such as EKGs. Medical assistants also maintain patient records, type reports, process health insurance forms and serve as a liaison between the physician and others.

Work Environment Salary Chiropractic offices Medical clinics Optometrists' offices Physical therapy clinics Physicians' offices Podiatrists' offices Average Starting Salary $22,380  Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant Academic Requirements A high school diploma or equivalent is required. On- the-job training is available but many choose a one- or two-year medical assistant program. Two-year programs result in associate degrees while one-year programs grant certificates or diplomas.

Perfusionist

Perfusionists are important members of the open heart surgical team. During open heart surgeries, perfusionists manage and monitor the heart-lung machine which performs the function of the human heart and lungs. They sometimes perform similar functions outside the operating room such as maintaining artificial hearts, ventricular assist devices, and other circulatory assist devices. Perfusion care is performed in a team-oriented setting and is considered to be highly stressful.

Work Environment Salary Equipment manufacturers Hospitals Private surgeons' offices Perfusionist Average Starting Salary $79,000  Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at:

Perfusionist Academic Requirements A strong background in science is recommended. Some programs require candidates to have backgrounds in medical technology, respiratory therapy or nursing. A bachelor's degree is required for all programs that are not bachelor degree granting programs. Programs are generally one to two years in length. Admission into schools of perfusion is extremely competitive.

Surgical Technologist

Surgical technologists provide care for patients before, during, and after surgery. Before a procedure they help surgical staff scrub and put on gloves and gowns, as well as position patients on the operating table. During an operation, they maintain the sterility of the operating room, pass instruments and prepare specimens for the lab.

Work Environment Salary Ambulatory surgical facilities Animal hospitals Crime labs/autopsy labs Physicians' offices Hospitals Veterinary offices Average Starting Salary $29,399  Figures according to 2006 data. To see updated figures, visit the SOWEGA-AHEC website at: Surgical Technologist

Surgical Technologist Academic Requirements A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Education in surgical technology usually lasts from nine to fifteen months for a diploma or certificate and two years for an associate degree.

Summary There are a variety of careers available in Medical Support. Educational requirements vary by career and career level. Students interested in these careers should use the information provided here as a basis for a career plan. The student should also research the career further to complete a career plan. Career available in Medical Support include: Anesthesiologist Assistant Athletic Trainer Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic Medical Assistant Perfusionist Surgical Technician