Health Careers
Chapter 2
Educational Requirements
Depends on many factors & can vary
from state to state
 Secondary education (high school)

– Science, Social studies, English, Math
– Computers & Accounting a plus

Health Occupations Education
– Prepares for entry level positions or
additional education
Educational Requirements (cont)

Post-secondary education
– After high school graduation
– Vocational schools, community colleges,
universities
Types of degrees

Associate’s Degree (AD)
– Awarded by vocational schools or
community colleges
– Completion of 2 year course of study

Bachelor’s Degree (BS or BA)
– Awarded by college or university
– Completion of at least 4 year course of
study
Types of degrees

Master’s Degree (MS)
– Awarded by college or university
– Requires 1 or more years after BS or BA

Doctorate or Doctor’s Degree (PhD)
– Awarded by college or university
– Requires 2 or more years after bachelor’s
or master’s
– Some require 4-6 years of study
Methods to ensure competency
Protect health care consumer
 Certification

– Issued by association or government
agency regulating a career
– Person needs to fulfill requirements of
education & performance. Also meets the
standards & qualifications
– Examples – CNA CDA CMA
Methods to ensure competency

Registration
– Done by regulatory board in a health care
area (state boards)
– Administers examinations & maintains a
current list (registry) of qualified personnel
– Examples – registered dietician, registered
respiratory therapist, registered radiologic
technologist
Methods to ensure competency

Licensure
– Government agency authorizes person to work in
a given occupation
– Requirements:
• Pass an approved educational program
• Pass a state board test
• Maintain certain standard to obtain & retain license
– Examples – physicians, nurses, dentists, physical
therapists
Methods to ensure competency

Usually need to graduate from ACCREDITED
program before granting license, certification,
or registration
 Ensures that program meets quality
competency standards
 Accreditation by
– Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health
Education Programs (CAAHEP)
– Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
(ABHES)
– Can contact agencies to determine if school is
accredited.
Continuing Education Units
CEUs
Required to renew license or maintain
certification/registration in many states
 Must obtain additional hours of
education in the specific health care
career during a specific time frame
 State requirements differ from state to
state

Training – 4 types
Professional – requires 4 or more years
of college & an advanced degree
(doctor)
 Technologist or Therapist- Requires 3-4
years of college plus work experience,
usually a bachelor’s degree (medical
lab technologist, physical therapist,
speech therapist)

Training – 4 types (cont)
Technician – usually 2 year associate
degree, special health education, or
specific on-the-job training (dental lab
technician, surgical technician)
 Assistant or aide-requires up to one or
more years of training combining
classroom & on-the-job training ( dental,
medical, or nurse assistant)

Multicompetent worker
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New trend where workers perform a variety of
occupations
Eliminates need for employing specialists for
every aspect of care
Often combine basic skills of radiology,
medical lab, & respiratory therapy
At times, workers can receive additional
education to work in 2nd or 3rd occupation
In some cases, training prepares workers to
be cross-trained
Entrepreneur

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Individual who organizes, manages, &
assumes the risks of a business
Much opportunity available
Many must work under the direction of
physicians or dentists
Educational programs combine training with
business skills
Involves risks & requires a certain level of
education & ability
Individual should be self motivated, creative,
disciplined, responsible, independent
National Health Care Skill
Standards

Developed to indicate knowledge & skills
expected of health care workers primarily at
the entry & technical levels
 6 groups of standards
– Health care core standards – specify knowledge &
skill that the majority of health care workers should
have
• Academic foundation, communication, employability,
legal/ethical issues, safety, teamwork, knowledge about
systems
National Health Care Skill
Standards

Therapeutic/Diagnostic Core Standards
– Focuses on direct client care in both diagnostic &
therapeutic occupations
– Health maintenance practices, client interaction,
intrateam communication, monitoring client status,
client movement

Therapeutic Cluster Standards
– Specify knowledge & skills required of workers
involved in changing the health status of the client
over time
– Data collection, treatment planning, implementing
procedures, client status evaluation
National Health Care Skill
Standards

Diagnostic Cluster Standards
– Specify knowledge & skills required of
workers involved in creating a picture of
the client’s health status at a single point in
time
– Planning, preparation, procedure,
evaluation, reporting
National Health Care Skill
Standards

Information Services Cluster Standards
– Specify knowledge & skills required of
workers involved with documentation of
client care
– Analysis, abstracting, coding, information
systems, documentation, & operations to
enter, retrieve, & maintain info
National Health Care Skill
Standards

Environmental Services Cluster
Standards
– Specify knowledge & skills required of
workers involved with creating a
therapeutic environment to provide direct
or indirect client care
– Environmental operations, aseptic
procedures, resource management,
aesthetics
Careers in each cluster
Therapeutic
Diagnostic Info
Services
Environmental
Chiropractor
Dentist
Physician
Nursing
Pharmacy
Radiation Tx
Respiratory
Therapy
Veterinarian
EKG tech
EEG tech
Radiology
Genetic
counseling
Laboratory
Physician
ER
Biomedical
Engineer
Central
Supply
HouseKeeping
Grounds
keeper
Admitting
AdminiStration
Education
Insurance
Medical
Records
Ward clerk
Careers

Dental – teeth & mouth soft tissues
– Preventive, repair/replace diseased or damaged
teeth, treating gums
– Places of employment
– Specialty
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General dentistry
Endodontics
Orthodontics
Oral surgery
Pedodontics
Periodontics
Prosthodontics
Levels of Dentistry

Dentists- doctors, entrepreneurs
– Supervise, examine, diagnose, treat

Dental hygienists –
– Supervised by dentists, prelim exams, remove
stains/deposits, xray, place restoratives, remoe
sutures

Dental lab techs- make/repair dental
prosthesis
 Dental assistants – under dentist supervision
– Prepare pts for exam, pass instruments, take
xrays, sterilize, receptionists
Diagnostic Services
Perform tests/evals to detect, diagnose,
& treat disease, injury, or conditions
 Electrocardiograph workers (EKG)

– Operate EKG, stress tests, holter monitors,
thallium scans.
– With education, (AS or BS), can be
cardiovascular techs in a cath lab
Diagnostic Services

Electroencephalograph techs (EEG)
– Operate EEG to record electrical activity of
brain
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Electroneurodiagnostic tech
– Advanced EEG training to perform nerve
conduction tests, monitor sensory &
physical response to stimuli, operate
equipment
– Sleep disorder evals
Diagnostic Services

Medical laboratory technologists
– Study tissues, fluids, cells to determine presence
or cause of disease
– Biochemistry, blood bank, cytotechnology,
hematology, histology, microbiology

Medical laboratory technicians
– Work under supervision of technologist
– Performs routine tests that do not require
advanced knowledge

Medical laboratory assistants
– Prepare specimens, clean/maintain equipment,
perform basic lab tests
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Phlebotomists – draw blood
Diagnostic Services

Radiologic technologists
– Work with xrays, radiation, nuclear
medicine, ultrasound, MRI, PET scan to
diagnose & treat
– Different types of scanners

Biomedical equipment technicians
– Install, service, test, & repair machines
– Must be ACCURATE
Emergency Medical Services

Provides emergency, prehospital care
 First responder – first person to arrive at
scene – usually police, fireman, security
– CPR certified, CFR – airway, oxygen, bleeding
control

EMT (B)–basic emergency medical technician
– Medical emergencies, bleeding, fractures, airway
obstruction, BLS, oxygen, childbirth, rescue,
transports victims
Emergency Medical Services
EMT-D – EMT with additional training in
defibrillation
 EMT – I – EMT intermediate

– Same tasks as EMT-B
– Can also assess, manage shock, use IVs,
esophageal airways
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EMT-P – EMT paramedic
– More thorough pt. assessment, ACLS, interpret
EKGs, endotracheal intubation, administer drugs
Information & Communication
Services

Maintains complete & accurate medical
records, distribute health information,
researches & maintains info, uses computers
 Medical records administrator
– Plans systems for storing & obtaining info from
records, prepares info for legal action & insurance
claims, compiles statistics, manage records dept.,
ensure confidentiality, supervise/trains, operates
computers
Information & Communication
Services

Medical records technicians
– Organize & code pt. records, gather statistics,
record info, use computers
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Medical transcriptionists
– Use word processor to enter data dictated by
health care providers
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Unit secretary, ward clerk
– Records info on records, schedules tests, answers
telephones, order supplies, operates computers
Information & Communication
Services

Medical illustrator
– Use artistic talent to produce illustrations, charts,
graphs,& diagrams for health textbooks, journals,
magazines, exhibits
– Related field – medical photographer

Medical librarian –
– Organizes books, journals to provide health
information
– Uses computer to create or provide info
– Specialize in researching info for large
pharmaceutical companies, insurance, lawyers,
industry, or government
Hospital/health care facility
services
Operates support departments –
administration, admitting, business office,
central/sterile supply, housekeeping
 Health Care Administrators (CEO) –

– Plans, directs, coordinates, supervises delivery of
health care, manages personnel, supervise
department heads, determine budget, establish
policies/procedures, coordinates all activities
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Admitting clerk
– Obtains necessary info, assigns rooms, maintains
records, processes discharge info
Hospital/health care facility
services

Central/sterile supply workers
– Order, maintain, & supply all the equipment
& supplies used, sterilizes
equipment/supplies, inventory materials, fill
requisitions
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Housekeeping/Environmental service
– Maintains cleanliness of health care facility
to provide pleasant & sanitary environment
Medical Careers

Involved with diagnosis, treatment, or
prevention of diseases & disorders
 Physicians
– Examines pts, obtains medical histories, order
tests, make diagnoses, perform surgery, treat
diseases
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MD – medical doctor
DO – doctor of osteopathic medicine
DPM – doctor of podiatry
DC – doctor of chiropractry
Medical careers

Physician assistants
– Routine physical exams, basic diagnostic
tests, medical histories, preliminary
diagnosis, treat minor injury, prescribe &
administer treatments
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Medical assistants
– Prepare pts for exams, take VS & medical
histories, basic lab tests, prepare/maintain
equipment, secretarial duties
Mental & social services
Help individuals function to their
maximum capacity
 Psychiatrists – physician

– Diagnoses & treats mental illness

Psychologists –
– Study human behavior & uses knowledge
to help deal with problems
Mental & social services

Psychiatric/mental health technicians
– Help pts follow treatment & rehab plans, help with
physical care, provide understanding &
encouragement, observe & report behaviors,
teach pts social behavior

Social workers
– Assist pts who are unable to cope & help make
adjustments to change, refer pts to community
services
Mortuary Careers
Prepare body for burial/cremation
 Funeral directors/morticians/undertaker

– Provide support to survivors, interview
family for details of ceremony, review prior
arrangements, prepare body, secure info
for legal documents, arrange/direct
services, arrange for burial/cremation,
direct business activities, provide postdeath counseling & support
Mortuary careers

Embalmers –
– Prepare body for interment, wash body with
germicidal soap, replace blood with embalming
fluid, reshape & restructure disfigurements, apply
cosmetics, dress body, place in casket, maintain
records of reports & valuables

Mortuary assistants –
– Assist with body preparation, drive hearse,
arrange flowers, assist with preparations, help with
filing & record maintenance, clean funeral home
Nursing Careers

Provide care for a pt. under dr. direction
 Registered Nurses (RN)
– Provide total care, observe pts & report,
administer meds & treatments, teach health care,
supervise other workers
– Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse
educators, nurse anesthetists
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Licensed vocational nurses (LVN)
– Provides pt. care that requires technical
knowledge but not at the depth of a RN
Nursing Careers
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Nurse assistants
– Provide pt care such as baths, bedmaking,
feeding, transfer, ambulation, basic
treatments
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Surgical technicians/technologists
– Prepare pt for surgery, set up operating
room with equipment, instruments, & sterile
supplies, pass instruments & supplies to
surgeon
Nutrition & Dietary Services

Dieticians or nutritionists
– Manage food service system, assess nutritional
needs & plan menus, teach proper nutrition,
purchase food & equipment, enforce sanitary &
safety rules, supervise/train personnel
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Dietetic technicians
– Plan menus, order food, standardize & test
recipes, assist with food preparation, provide basic
diet info
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Dietetic assistants
– Assist with food preparation & service, help pts
select menus, clean work areas, assist as needed
Therapeutic services

Focus on functioning at max capacity
 Occupational Therapist
– Help people with disability overcome, correct, or
adjust to problem, use activities to assist with
ADLs or job skills, help pts acquire independence

Occupational Therapy Assistant
– Helps pt carry out program of treatment, directs
pts in art/crafts, recreation, social events, teach &
help carry out rehab & exercises, uses games to
develop balance & coordination, assist pts in
ADLs, report pt response & progress to therapist
Therapeutic Services

Pharmacists
– Dispense meds, provide drug info, order &
dispense health care items, recommend
nonprescription items, check compatibility
of drugs, monitor drug usage
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Pharmacy technicians
– Prepare meds for dispensing, label meds,
inventory & order supplies, prepare IVs,
maintain records
Therapeutic Services

Physical Therapists
– Treat joint, bone, muscle, nerve injuries by
exercise, massage, & applications of heat, cold,
water, light, electricity, ultrasound
– Assess function & plan treatment, promote help by
developing exercise programs
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Physical therapy assistants
– Carry out treatments, perform exercises &
massages, administer applications, assist with
ambulation, provide ultrasound or electrical
stimulation, report pt. response to therapists
Therapeutic Services

Massage therapists
– Use massage, bodywork, therapeutic touch to
relieve pain, improve lymphatic circulation, relieve
stress & tension
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Recreational therapist
– Use recreation & leisure activities as treatment to
minimize symptoms & improve wellness.
– Provide activities like athletic events, dances,
arts/crafts, music, drama, field trips movies to
allow pts to gain independence, self-confidence &
relieve anxiety
Therapeutic Services
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Recreational therapy assistants
– Assist in carrying out activities planned by
therapist, arrange activities & events, note & report
progress
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Respiratory therapist
– Treat pts with heart & lung diseases by
administering oxygen, gases, & meds, use
exercise to improve breathing, monitor ventilators,
provide diagnostic function tests
Therapeutic Services

Respiratory therapy technicians
– Administer respiratory treatments, perform
basic diagnostic tests, clean & maintain
equipment, note & record pt. progress
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Speech pathologists
– Identify, evaluate, & treat pts with speech &
language disorders, help pt. communicate
as effectively as possible, teach pt to cope
with problems of speech impairment
Therapeutic Services

Audiologists
– Work with the hearing impaired, test hearing,
diagnose problems, & prescribe treatment
including hearing aids, speech, or lip reading, test
noise levels in workplaces
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Art, music, & dance therapists
– Use arts to help pts deal with social, physical, or
emotional problems, Usually work with the
emotionally disturbed, mentally retarded, or
physically disabled but may work with people with
no disabilities to promote wellness
Therapeutic Services

Athletic Trainers
– Prevent & treat athletic injuries, provide rehab to
athletes, teach nutrition, apply tape or padding,
treat minor injuries, administer first aid, help carry
out rehab

Dialysis technicians
– Operate kidney hemodialysis machines, monitor pt
during dialysis, provide emotional support, teach
correct nutrition

Perfusionists (extracorporeal circulation techs
– Members of open heart surgical teams that
operate heart/lung machine & monitor pt
Veterinary Careers

Veterinarian (DVM)
– Prevent, diagnose, & treat diseases of animals,
may be specialized

Veterinary technicians
– Assist with handling & care of animals, collect
specimens, assist with surgery, perform lab tests,
take/develop xrays, administer treatments,
maintain records

Veterinary assistants
– Feed, bathe, groom, exercise animals, prepare for
treatment, clean & sanitize cages, exam tables, &
surgical areas, assist with exams
Vision Services

Ophthalmologist
– MD specializing in eye diseases/disorders,
diagnose & treat disease, perform surgery,
& correct vision problems

Optometrists
– Examine eyes for vision problems,
prescribe corrective lenses or exercises,
use drugs for diagnosis & treatment, refer
to ophthalmologist as needed
Vision Services

Ophthalmic medical technologists
– Perform routine eye tests & measures, fit pts for
contacts, administer treatments, assist with
surgery, infection control

Ophthalmic medical technicians
– Prepare pts for exams, obtain medical histories,
take ocular measurements & perform basic tests,
teach eye exercises, adjust glasses, measure for
contacts, act as receptionist
Vision Services

Ophthalmic assistants
– Prepare pt for exams, measure visual acuity, act
as receptionist, help pts with frame selection &
fittings, order lenses, teach proper care of contacts

Opticians
– Make & fit glasses & contact lenses

Ophthalmic lab technicians
– Polish, cut, grind, finish, & mount lenses, work with
glasses, contacts, telescopes, & binoculars