1. Finding the Right Occupation for You
In the Health Care Field
Chapter 3

2. Educational Requirements
Secondary (High School)
Post-secondary (Vo-tech, Community Colleges, Universities)

3. Post-Secondary Education
Types of Degrees:
Certification (have to met qualifications and required hours)
Associate’s Degree (Two Year Course Study)
Bachelor’s Degree (Course Study of Four or More Years)
Master’s Degree (One or More Years Beyond Bachelor’s Degree)
Doctorate or Doctor’s Degree (Two or More Years Beyond Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree)

4. Education and Levels of Training
Professional – 4 or more years of college
Bachelors, Master’s or doctoral degree
Examples Medical Doctor, Dentist
Technologist or Therapist- 3-4 years of college plus work experience
Examples Physical Therapist, Respiratory Therapist

5. Education and Levels of Training
Technician -2 years associates degree, technology education
Examples Dental Laboratory Technician
Surgical Technician
Aid or Assistant –number of hours of specialized education or on the job training
Examples Nurse assistant, Dental Assistant

6. Major Services in Health Care
Therapeutic Services
Diagnostic Services
Health Informatics
Support Services

7. Therapeutic Services Provide care over time
Occupational examples include:
Physical Therapist
Respiratory Therapist
Athletic Trainer
Dental Hygienist

8. Places Employed Rehabilitation Facilities Hospitals Clinics
Mental health facilities
Long-term care facilities

9. Diagnostic Services
Services used to identify a particular condition or disease, such as x-rays or blood tests
Create a picture of the health status of a patient at a single point in time
Occupational examples include:
Medical Lab Technicians
Pathologists
Radiology Technicians

10. Where are they employed?
Hospital Laboratories
Outpatient Centers
Clinics

11. Common Diagnostic Tests
Ultrasounds-high frequency sound waves creating an image
X-Ray-snap shot of body structures and bones
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Superconductive magnets and radio waves produce detailed images
CAT scan (computerized axial tomography)
Scanner obtain cross sectional images of the body

12. Informational Services
Services that document and process information
Occupational examples include:
Admitting Clerk
Health Care Administrator
Medical Librarian
Transcriptionist
Medical interpreters

13. Employed? Hospitals Clinics Research facilities Health departments
Insurance companies

14. Support Services
Services that help create relaxing, healing, and supportive environment for patients
Occupational examples include:
Health care administrators
Central/sterile supply
Dietary Technicians
Hospital Maintenance Engineers
Housekeeping/sanitary managers

15. Where are they employed?
Hospitals
Operating rooms
Clinics

16. Resources for Occupational Research
Dictionary of Occupation Titles
Occupational Outlook Handbook

17. Review Questions from Your Textbook
What does a respiratory therapist worker help a patient do?
Where might a physical therapist work?
Name three daily tasks a dental assistant might perform.
Name three types of diagnostic services careers.
Why is the work of an environmental service technician so important?

18. Career Exploration Activity
Fill out the Healthcare Career table guide
Use your book and the provided website
Choose 1 career from the table that you are interested in and 1 that you think you would never want to do
Now create a Health Care Career Poster
include (education needed, what they do, where they work, interesting facts, why you would or would not want to do it)
Any Questions? Have Fun 

19. Sources for Career Exploration Activity