1. Unit 4
Careers In Health Care

2. Introduction (Don’t Write)
There are over 200 different health care careers.
Most health care careers involve “hands on” patient care, but some workers in a health care career may never touch a patient.
Careers in health care can be very versatile

3. Education (Don’t Write)
In order to be successful in any career you must have a good education.
Requirements for health care careers can vary depending on the position you seek
Educational requirements can also vary from state to state

4. Education Types of education available:
Secondary education: (high school); math, science, social studies, English, computer and accounting skills
Health Occupation Education (HOE): (high school) prepare students for immediate employment in health career or for additional education after graduation

5. Education Types of education available:
Post-secondary: (college or technical school); can include specific training in a career-technical school, community college or university

6. Education Levels of education:
Associate’s degree: two year degree; technical school or community college
Bachelor’s degree: four year (or more) degree, college or university
Master’s degree: (graduate school) six year degree (or more) college or university
Doctorate or Doctoral degree: (graduate school ) 5-10 year (or more) degree

7. Education
National Consortium On Health Science & Technology: Developed for middle and high school students with a serious interest in a health career pathway
Required courses establish a foundation for the middle/high school student for success at the post-secondary (college) level

8. Certification/Registration/Licensure
Certification/Registration/Licensure: Methods used to ensure skill & competency of health care personnel
Certified Nursing Assistant
Registered Dietician
Licensed Practical Nurse

9. Certification/Registration/Licensure
Certification: person has fulfilled requirements of education & performance & meets the standards & qualifications established by the professional association or government agency that regulates a particular career
Examples: Cert. Dental Asst., Cert. Lab Tech., Cert. Medical Asst.

10. Certification/Registration/Licensure
Registration: granted by a regulatory body (professional association or state board) that administers examinations and maintains current list (registry) of qualified personnel in a given health care area
Examples: Registered dietician, registered respiratory therapist, registered radiologic tech.

11. Certification/Registration/Licensure
Licensure: a government agency authorizes individuals to work in a given occupation. Obtaining and retaining licensure usually require that a person complete an approved educational program, pass a state board test
Examples: physician, dentist, physical therapist, registered nurse, licensed vocation (practical) nurse

12. Certification/Registration/Licensure
CEU’s are required to renew or maintain certification or registration:
Renewal Time Periods: renewals can vary from state to state, usually between 12 and 24 months.
Failure to obtain CEU’s in mandated time period could result in an inquiry before the regulatory agency
Possible suspension or LOSS of license

13. Training
Professional Level: four or more years of college and an advanced degree (Bachelors, Masters)
Examples: physician, dentist
Technologist or Therapist: 3-4 yrs of college plus work experience (Bachelors)
Examples: physical therapist, speech therapist
Technician: 2 yrs of college plus 3-4 yrs of OJT(Associates) Examples: surgical tech.

14. Training
Assistant or Aide: one or more yrs of training that combines classroom and/or on-the-job experience
Examples: dental asst., medical asst., nursing asst.

15. National Health Care Skill Standards
National Health Care Skill Standards: Developed to indicate knowledge and skills expected of health care workers
NHCSS – 6 Core Standard Groups:
Health Care
Therapeutic/Diagnostic
Therapeutic
Diagnostic
Information Services
Environmental Services

16. National Health Care Skill Standards
Health Care Core Standards:
Specify knowledge and skills vast majority of health care workers should have
Discuss academic foundation, communication skills, employability skills, legal responsibilities, ethics, safety practices, teamwork, and knowledge of systems in health care environment

17. National Health Care Skill Standards
Therapeutic/Diagnostic Core Standards:
Specify knowledge and skills required to focus on direct patient care in both therapeutic and diagnostic occupations
Include health maintenance practices, client interaction, intrateam communication, monitoring client status, and client movement

18. National Health Care Skill Standards
Therapeutic Cluster Standards:
Specify knowledge and skills required of workers in health occupations that are involved in changing the health status of the patient over time
Include data collection, treatment planning, implementing procedures, and patient status evaluation

19. National Health Care Skill Standards
Therapeutic Cluster Standards:
Examples (Don’t Write)
Art/Music/Dance Therapist
Athletic Trainer
Audiologist
Chiropractor
Dental Careers
Dialysis Technician
Massage Therapist
Mental Health Technician
Nursing Careers
Occupational Therapist
Ophthalmologist
Optometrist
Pharmacy Careers
Physical Therapist
Physician
Psychiatrist
Radiation Therapist
Veterinarian
Veterinarian Assistant
Emergency Medical Careers
Psychologist

20. National Health Care Skill Standards
Diagnostic Cluster Standards:
Specify knowledge and skills required of workers in health occupations that are involved in creating a picture of patient’s health status at a single point and time
Include data collection, treatment planning, implementing procedures, and patient status evaluation, and reporting

21. National Health Care Skill Standards
Diagnostic Cluster Standards:
Examples (Don’t Write)
EKG Technician
EEG Technician
Genetic Counselor
Medical Laboratory Careers
Phlebotomist
Radiologic Technician
Sonographer

22. National Health Care Skill Standards
Information Services Cluster Standards:
Specify knowledge and skills required of workers in health occupations that are involved with documentation of patient care
Include analysis, abstracting, coding, information services, documentation, and operations to enter, retrieve, and maintain information

23. Examples (Don’t Write)
National Health Care Skill Standards
Information Services Cluster Standards:
Examples (Don’t Write)
Admitting Clerk
Biomedical Writer
Health Care Administrator
Health Care Educator
Health Information Administrator
Health Information Technician
Health Science Librarian
Insurance Processor
Medical Billing Officer
Medical Illustrator
Medical Photographer
Medical Transcriptionist
Social Worker /Sociologist
Unit Secretary
Unit Coordinator

24. National Health Care Skill Standards
Environmental Services Cluster Standards:
Specify knowledge and skills required of workers in health occupations that are involved with creating a therapeutic environment to provide direct or indirect patient care
Include environmental operations, aseptic procedures, resource management and aesthetics

25. Examples (Don’t Write)
National Health Care Skill Standards
Environmental Services Cluster Standards:
Examples (Don’t Write)
Biological Scientist
Biomedical Scientist
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Equipment Technician
Central Supply Worker
Environmental Health Scientist
Epidemiologist
Housekeeping Worker
Sanitary Manager

26. Specific Careers: Diagnostic
Electrocardiograph Technician: Operates ECG (EKG) machine.
Minimum Educational Requirements: Associate’s Degree plus OJT

27. Specific Careers: Diagnostic
Electrocardiograph Technician:
Operates ECG (EKG) machine.
Applies Holter Monitor
Assist with stress test
Patient education
Minimum Educational Requirements: Associate’s Degree plus OJT

28. Specific Careers: Diagnostic
Electroencephalograph Technologist:
Operates EEG machine.
Prepares patient for testing
Assist physician as needed
Patient education
Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree plus OJT

29. Specific Careers: Diagnostic
Medical Technologist:
Works under supervision of pathologist (doctor)
Determines presence of disease by studying tissue Samples
Chemical analysis of body fluids
Blood bank technology
Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree plus OJT

30. Specific Careers Venipuncture Technicians/Phlebotomist:
Collect blood samples and prepare them for testing
May perform blood test in some states
Can be cross-trained to perform other laboratory task
Minimum Educational Requirements: Associate’s Degree plus OJT

31. Specific Careers Radiologic Technologist:
Work under supervision of radiologist (doctor)
Perform x-rays, MRI’s, CAT scans, ultrasounds, PET scans mammography
Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree plus OJT

32. Specific Careers Epidemiologist:
Identify and track disease in a group of people as they occur
Determine source
Develop methods to prevent/control spread of disease
May specialize in specific disease
Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree

33. Specific Careers: Diagnostic
Biomedical Engineer:
Develop devices that aid in diagnosis and treatment of disease
Develop artificial organs (hip, knees, heart valves)
Design technology for diagnosis of disease
Design surgical instruments and other custom devices
Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree

34. Specific Careers: EMS Emergency Medical Technician:
Provide emergency, prehospital care
Places of Employment:
Fire/Police Dept
Rescue/Ambulance Serv.
Hospital
Flight Services
Military
Different levels in different states
Minimum Educational Requirements: High School Diploma (Associate’s Preferred)

35. Specific Careers: EMS Paramedic:
Provide emergency, prehospital care
Provide advanced life support
IV’s/Medications
EKG’s
Advanced medical procedures
Flight medic
Minimum Educational Requirements: High School Diploma (Associate’s Preferred)

36. Specific Careers: Health Info.
Health Information Administrators:
Secure patient health information
Prepare information for:
Insurance claims
Legal action
Statistics
Minimum Educational Requirements: Master’s Degree

37. Specific Careers: Health Info.
Health Information Technician:
Secure patient health information
Ensure all entries in medical records are completed
Computerized records
Copies of records for physicians/patients
Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree

38. Specific Careers: Health Info.
Medical Transcriptionist:
Use word processor to enter data dictated on audio tapes by physicians /other medical professionals
Physical exams, surgical reports, consults, progress reports, lab/x-ray reports
Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree

39. Specific Careers: Medical.
Physician:
Examines patients
Orders tests
Makes diagnosis
Perform surgery
Treat illness/disease
Teach preventative medicine
Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree

40. Specific Careers: Medical.
Physician Assistants (PA):
Work under supervision of physician
Performs physical exams
Orders diagnostic tests
Treats minor injuries
Makes initial diagnosis
Minimum Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree

41. Specific Careers: Medical.
Medical Assistant:
Work under supervision of physician
Prepares patient for exam
Takes vital signs
Assist w/procedures
Basic lab tests
Prepares equipment
Maintains supplies
Minimum Educational Requirements: High School Diploma; Associate’s Degree

42. Specific Careers: Medical.
Nursing:
LPN/RN
Provide care for patient as directed by physician
Assist in procedures
Administer treatment & medications
Assessment skills
Supervise other nursing personnel
Minimum Educational Requirements: Associate’s Degree

43. End of Lecture