Health Careers Therapeutic Services, Veterinary Medicine, and Vision Services

Therapeutic Careers Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapy Assistant Occupational Therapy Assistant Pharmacist Pharmacist Pharmacy Technician Pharmacy Technician Physical Therapist Physical Therapist Physical Therapy Assistant Physical Therapy Assistant Massage Therapist Massage Therapist Audiologist Audiologist Art, music, and dance Therapists Art, music, and dance Therapists Recreational Therapist Recreational Therapist Recreational Therapy Assistant Recreational Therapy Assistant Respiratory Therapist Respiratory Therapist Respiratory Therapy Technician Respiratory Therapy Technician Speech-Language Therapist/Pathologist Speech-Language Therapist/Pathologist Athletic Trainer Athletic Trainer Perfusionist Perfusionist Dialysis Technician Dialysis Technician

Therapeutic Services Use a variety of treatments to help patients who are injured, physically or mentally disabled, or emotionally disturbed Use a variety of treatments to help patients who are injured, physically or mentally disabled, or emotionally disturbed All treatment is directed toward allowing patients to function at maximum capacity All treatment is directed toward allowing patients to function at maximum capacity

Occupational Therapist (OT) Often work under the direction of a physiatrist (physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehab) Often work under the direction of a physiatrist (physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehab) Help people with physical, developmental, mental, or emotional disabilities to overcome, correct, or adjust to their particular problems Help people with physical, developmental, mental, or emotional disabilities to overcome, correct, or adjust to their particular problems Use various activities to assist the patient in learning skills or ADLs, adapting job skills, or preparing for return to work Use various activities to assist the patient in learning skills or ADLs, adapting job skills, or preparing for return to work Teach patient how to use adaptive equipment, self-help aids, splints, and other similar devices Teach patient how to use adaptive equipment, self-help aids, splints, and other similar devices Direct treatment toward helping patients, acquire independence, regain lost functions, adapt to disabilities, and lead productive and satisfying lives Direct treatment toward helping patients, acquire independence, regain lost functions, adapt to disabilities, and lead productive and satisfying lives

Occupational Therapy Assistants Work under the guidance of occupational therapists Work under the guidance of occupational therapists Help carry out programs of prescribed treatment Help carry out programs of prescribed treatment Direct patients in arts and crafts projects, recreation, or social events Direct patients in arts and crafts projects, recreation, or social events Teach and help patients carry out rehabilitation activities and exercises Teach and help patients carry out rehabilitation activities and exercises Use games to develop balance and coordination Use games to develop balance and coordination Assist patients trying to master the ADLs Assist patients trying to master the ADLs Inform therapists of patients’ responses and progress Inform therapists of patients’ responses and progress

Pharmacists Dispense medications per written orders from physicians, dentists, and other health car professionals authorized to prescribe medications Dispense medications per written orders from physicians, dentists, and other health car professionals authorized to prescribe medications Provide information on drugs and correct ways to use them Provide information on drugs and correct ways to use them Order and dispense other health care items such as surgical and sickroom supplies Order and dispense other health care items such as surgical and sickroom supplies Recommend nonprescription items to customers/patients Recommend nonprescription items to customers/patients Ensure drug compatibility Ensure drug compatibility Maintain records on medications dispensed Maintain records on medications dispensed Assess, plan, and monitor drug usage Assess, plan, and monitor drug usage Can work for drug manufacturers and assist in researching, manufacturing, and selling drugs Can work for drug manufacturers and assist in researching, manufacturing, and selling drugs

Pharmacy Technicians Work under the supervision of pharmacists Work under the supervision of pharmacists Help prepare medications for dispensing to patients Help prepare medications for dispensing to patients Label medications Label medications Perform inventories and order supplies Perform inventories and order supplies Prepare intravenous solutions Prepare intravenous solutions Destroy old medications following legal requirements Destroy old medications following legal requirements Help maintain records Help maintain records Perform other duties as directed by pharmacists Perform other duties as directed by pharmacists

Physical Therapists (PT) Often work under the direction of a physiatrist Often work under the direction of a physiatrist Provide treatment to improve movement and prevent or limit permanent disability of patients with disabling joint, bone, muscle, and/or nerve injuries or diseases Provide treatment to improve movement and prevent or limit permanent disability of patients with disabling joint, bone, muscle, and/or nerve injuries or diseases Administer treatments that my include exercise, massage, and/or applications of heat, cold, water, light, electricity, or ultrasound Administer treatments that my include exercise, massage, and/or applications of heat, cold, water, light, electricity, or ultrasound Assess the functional abilities of patients and use this information to plan treatment programs Assess the functional abilities of patients and use this information to plan treatment programs Promote health and prevent injuries by developing proper exercise programs Promote health and prevent injuries by developing proper exercise programs Teach patients correct use of muscles Teach patients correct use of muscles

Physical Therapist Assistants Work under the supervision of physical therapists Work under the supervision of physical therapists Help carry out prescribed plans of treatment Help carry out prescribed plans of treatment Perform exercises and massages Perform exercises and massages Administer applications of heat, cold, or water Administer applications of heat, cold, or water Assist patients to ambulate with canes, crutches, or braces Assist patients to ambulate with canes, crutches, or braces Provide ultrasound or electrical stimulation treatments Provide ultrasound or electrical stimulation treatments Inform therapists of patients’ responses and progress Inform therapists of patients’ responses and progress Perform other duties, as directed by therapists Perform other duties, as directed by therapists

Massage Therapists Usually work under the supervision of physicians or physical therapists Usually work under the supervision of physicians or physical therapists Use many variations of massage, body-work (manipulations or applications of pressure to the muscles and bones of the body), and therapeutic tough to provide pain relief for chronic conditions or inflammatory diseases Use many variations of massage, body-work (manipulations or applications of pressure to the muscles and bones of the body), and therapeutic tough to provide pain relief for chronic conditions or inflammatory diseases Improve lymphatic circulation to decrease edema Improve lymphatic circulation to decrease edema Relieve stress and tension Relieve stress and tension

Recreational Therapists Use recreational and leisure activities as forms of treatment to minimize patients’ symptoms and improve physical, emotional, and mental well-being Use recreational and leisure activities as forms of treatment to minimize patients’ symptoms and improve physical, emotional, and mental well-being Organize activities such as athletic events, dances, arts and crafts, musical activities, drama, field trips to shopping centers or other places of interest, movies, or poetry or book readings Organize activities such as athletic events, dances, arts and crafts, musical activities, drama, field trips to shopping centers or other places of interest, movies, or poetry or book readings Direct all activities toward allowing the patient to gain independence, build self-confidence, and relieve anxiety Direct all activities toward allowing the patient to gain independence, build self-confidence, and relieve anxiety

Recreational Therapy Assistants Work under the supervision of recreational therapists or other health care professionals Work under the supervision of recreational therapists or other health care professionals Assist in carrying out the activities planned by therapists Assist in carrying out the activities planned by therapists Arrange activities or events Arrange activities or events Note and inform therapists of patients’ responses and progress Note and inform therapists of patients’ responses and progress

Respiratory Therapists (RT) Work under physicians’ orders to treat patients with heart and lung diseases Work under physicians’ orders to treat patients with heart and lung diseases Administer oxygen, gases, or medications Administer oxygen, gases, or medications Use exercise to improve breathing Use exercise to improve breathing Monitor ventilators Monitor ventilators Perform diagnostic respiratory function tests such as checking blood for oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and measuring lung or breathing capacities Perform diagnostic respiratory function tests such as checking blood for oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and measuring lung or breathing capacities

Respiratory Therapy Technicians Work under the supervision of respiratory therapies Work under the supervision of respiratory therapies Administer oxygen and respiratory treatments Administer oxygen and respiratory treatments Perform basic diagnostic tests Perform basic diagnostic tests Clean and maintain equipment Clean and maintain equipment Note and inform therapists of patients’ responses and progress Note and inform therapists of patients’ responses and progress

Speech-language Therapists Identify, evaluate, and treat patients with speech and language disorders Identify, evaluate, and treat patients with speech and language disorders Help patients communicate as effectively as possible Help patients communicate as effectively as possible Teach patients to cope with the problems created by speech impairments Teach patients to cope with the problems created by speech impairments

Audiologists Provide care to individuals who have hearing impairments Provide care to individuals who have hearing impairments Test hearing Test hearing Diagnose hearing problems Diagnose hearing problems Prescribe treatment, which may include hearing aids, auditory training, or instruction in speech or lip reading Prescribe treatment, which may include hearing aids, auditory training, or instruction in speech or lip reading Test noise levels in workplaces Test noise levels in workplaces Develop hearing protections programs Develop hearing protections programs

Art, Music, and Dance Therapies Use the arts to help patients deal with social, physical, or emotional problems Use the arts to help patients deal with social, physical, or emotional problems Usually work with individuals who are emotionally disturbed, mentally retarded, or physically disabled Usually work with individuals who are emotionally disturbed, mentally retarded, or physically disabled May also work with adults and children who have no disabilities in an effort to promote physical and mental wellness May also work with adults and children who have no disabilities in an effort to promote physical and mental wellness

Athletic Trainers Frequently work under the guidance of a sports medicine physician Frequently work under the guidance of a sports medicine physician Prevent and treat athletic injuries Prevent and treat athletic injuries Provide rehabilitative services to athletes Provide rehabilitative services to athletes Teach proper nutrition Teach proper nutrition Assess the physical condition of athletes Assess the physical condition of athletes Give advice regarding a physical conditioning program to increase strength and flexibility or correct weaknesses Give advice regarding a physical conditioning program to increase strength and flexibility or correct weaknesses Apply braces, tape, or padding on players to protect body parts Apply braces, tape, or padding on players to protect body parts Treat minor injuries Treat minor injuries Administer first aid for serious injuries Administer first aid for serious injuries Help carry out any rehabilitation treatment prescribed by sports medicine physicians or other therapists Help carry out any rehabilitation treatment prescribed by sports medicine physicians or other therapists

Dialysis Technicians Operate the kidney hemodialysis machines used to treat patients with limited or no kidney function Operate the kidney hemodialysis machines used to treat patients with limited or no kidney function Monitor the patient during the dialysis procedure Monitor the patient during the dialysis procedure Provide emergency care if the patient has abnormal reactions to the procedure Provide emergency care if the patient has abnormal reactions to the procedure Provide emotional support for the patient Provide emotional support for the patient Teach proper nutrition (because many patients must follow restricted diets) Teach proper nutrition (because many patients must follow restricted diets)

Perfusionists Extracorporeal circulation technologists Extracorporeal circulation technologists Work as members of open-heart surgical teams Work as members of open-heart surgical teams Operate the heart-lung machines used in coronary bypass surgery Operate the heart-lung machines used in coronary bypass surgery May assist with research on heart disease May assist with research on heart disease Assist and monitor patients with artifical hearts Assist and monitor patients with artifical hearts

Veterinary Careers Veterinarian (DVM) Veterinarian (DVM) Veterinary Technician Veterinary Technician Veterinary Assistant Veterinary Assistant

Veterinarians (DVM or VMD) Work to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries in animals Work to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries in animals Specialties include surgery, small animal care, livestock, fish and wildlife, and research Specialties include surgery, small animal care, livestock, fish and wildlife, and research

Veterinary Technicians Work under the supervision of veterinarians Work under the supervision of veterinarians Assist with the handling and care of animals Assist with the handling and care of animals Collect specimens Collect specimens Assist with surgery Assist with surgery Perform laboratory tests Perform laboratory tests Take and develop X-rays Take and develop X-rays Administer prescribed treatments Administer prescribed treatments Maintain records Maintain records

Veterinary Assistants Feed, bathe, and groom animals Feed, bathe, and groom animals Exercise animals Exercise animals Prepare animals for treatment Prepare animals for treatment Assist with examinations Assist with examinations Clean and sanitize cages, examination tables, and surgical areas Clean and sanitize cages, examination tables, and surgical areas Maintain records Maintain records

Vision Services Ophthalmologist (MD) Ophthalmologist (MD) Optometrist (OD) Optometrist (OD) Ophthalmic Medical Technician Ophthalmic Medical Technician Ophthalmic Technician Ophthalmic Technician Ophthalmic Assistant Ophthalmic Assistant Optician Optician Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Ophthalmologist Medical doctor specializing in diseases and disorders of the eyes Medical doctor specializing in diseases and disorders of the eyes Diagnose and treat disease Diagnose and treat disease Perform surgery Perform surgery Correct vision problems or defects Correct vision problems or defects

Optometrist Examine eyes for vision problems and defects Examine eyes for vision problems and defects Prescribe corrective lenses or eye exercises Prescribe corrective lenses or eye exercises Use drugs for diagnosis and/or treatment in some states Use drugs for diagnosis and/or treatment in some states Refer the patient to an ophthalmologist if eye disease is present or if eye surgery is needed Refer the patient to an ophthalmologist if eye disease is present or if eye surgery is needed

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists Work under the supervision of ophthalmologists Work under the supervision of ophthalmologists Obtain patient histories Obtain patient histories Perform routine eye tests and measurements Perform routine eye tests and measurements Fit patients for contacts Fit patients for contacts Administer prescribed treatments Administer prescribed treatments Assist with eye surgery Assist with eye surgery Perform advanced diagnostic tests Perform advanced diagnostic tests Administer prescribed medications Administer prescribed medications Perform advanced microbiological procedures Perform advanced microbiological procedures Perform any tasks that ophthalmic technicians or assistants perform Perform any tasks that ophthalmic technicians or assistants perform

Ophthalmic Technicians Work under the supervision of ophthalmologists and optometrists Work under the supervision of ophthalmologists and optometrists Prepare patients for examination Prepare patients for examination Obtain medical histories Obtain medical histories Take ocular measurements Take ocular measurements Administer basic vision tests Administer basic vision tests Maintain ophthalmic and surgical instruments Maintain ophthalmic and surgical instruments Adjust glasses Adjust glasses Teach eye exercises Teach eye exercises Measure for contacts Measure for contacts Instruct patients on the care and use of contacts Instruct patients on the care and use of contacts Perform receptionist duties Perform receptionist duties

Ophthalmic Assistant Work under the supervision of ophthalmologists, optometrists, and/or ophthalmic technologists or technicians Work under the supervision of ophthalmologists, optometrists, and/or ophthalmic technologists or technicians Prepare patients for examination Prepare patients for examination Measure visual acuity Measure visual acuity Perform receptionist duties Perform receptionist duties Help patients with frame selections and fittings Help patients with frame selections and fittings Order lenses Order lenses Perform minor adjustments and repairs of glasses Perform minor adjustments and repairs of glasses Teach proper care and use of contact lenses Teach proper care and use of contact lenses

Optician Make and fit the eyeglasses or lenses prescribed by ophthalmologists and optometrists Make and fit the eyeglasses or lenses prescribed by ophthalmologists and optometrists Some specialize in contact lenses Some specialize in contact lenses

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician Obtain prescriptions from opticians Obtain prescriptions from opticians Cut, grind, finish, polish, and mount the lenses use in eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other optical instruments such as telescopes and binoculars Cut, grind, finish, polish, and mount the lenses use in eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other optical instruments such as telescopes and binoculars