Vermont Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program
Health
Careers
More Than a Job
A
HEC is a statewide program working to
strengthen Vermont’s community health
systems and the health of Vermonters and
is a partnership between the Northeastern
Vermont AHEC, Champlain Valley AHEC,
Southern Vermont AHEC, and the University of Vermont
(UVM) College of Medicine AHEC Program.
AHEC works to enhance quality access to health care,
particularly primary and preventive care, by improving
the supply, distribution and education of health care
professionals. AHEC provides a link between the UVM
College of Medicine and Vermont’s communities. This
academic-community partnership is responsive to state
and local needs to train health care practitioners. The
Vermont AHEC Network is made up of a program
office and three regional centers:
Champlain
• Valley AHEC
•
Northeastern •
Vermont AHEC
Southern
Vermont AHEC
•
UVM AHEC Program
UHC Campus, Arnold 5
1 South Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05401
802-656-2179
www.vtahec.org
Champlain Valley AHEC
Serving Franklin, Chittenden, Grand Isle and Addison Counties
92 Fairfield Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
802-527-1474
www.cvahec.org
Northeastern Vermont AHEC
Serving Essex, Orleans, Lamoille, Caledonia, Washington and Orange Counties
347 Emerson Falls Road, Suite 3
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-748-2506
www.nevahec.org
Southern Vermont AHEC
Serving Rutland, Bennington, Windham and Windsor Counties
55 Clinton Street
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-2126
www.svahec.org
Connecting Students to Careers, Professionals to Communities,
and Communities to Better Health
Health Careers
More Than a Job
Produced by:
www.vtahec.org
2011 Edition
/
Health Careers
Contents
Dental Health
9
Dental Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Dental Hygienist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Dental Lab Technician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Dentist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Emergency Services (Pre-Hospital)
17
Emergency Medical Technician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Health Care Office Services
21
Health Care Office Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Medical Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
27
Health Information & Communication Services Health Information & Medical Records Technician. . . . . . . . . . 28
Health Sciences Librarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Medical Transcriptionist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Clinical Laboratory Sciences
33
39
Cardiovascular Technologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Surgical Technologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Medicine
43
Physician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Physician Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Mental Health & Social Services
49
Counselor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Gerontologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Human Services Worker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Psychiatrist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Psychologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Social Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Nursing
Nutrition Services
71
Dietitian/Nutritionist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Dietetic Technician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Pharmacy
74
Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Pharmacist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Pharmacy Technician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Public Health
79
Biostatistician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Epidemiologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Health Educator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Public Health Nurse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Radiation Technologies
Clinical Laboratory Technologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Clinical Laboratory Technician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Cytotechnologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Medical Technologies
Advanced Practice Nursing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified
Nurse-Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
A Closer Look: Men Needed for Nursing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
59
Personal/Home Health Aide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
A Closer Look: House Calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Licensed Nursing Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Licensed Practical Nurse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Registered Nurse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
85
Nuclear Medicine Technologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Radiation Therapist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Radiologic Technologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Rehabilitation Therapy
91
Audiologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Occupational Therapist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Occupational Therapy Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Physical Therapist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Physical Therapist Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Orthotist/Prosthetist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Respiratory Therapist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Speech-Language Pathologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Vision Care
103
Ophthalmologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Optician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Optometrist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Careers in Health Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Health Care Educational Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Acronym Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Vermont Technical Centers & High Schools with
Technical Education Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Vermont Colleges & Universities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Directory of VT Hospitals & Long Term Care Facilities. . . . . . 114
Health Career Web Sites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Health Careers
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Why Choose a Career in Health Care?
H
ealth care is an essential part of human life. It is
a career field where you can be certain you will
make a difference to other humans. How many
careers can say that? Ask anyone you know in
health care and they will agree that helping others
is their greatest reward. Some other key RE A SONS to
consider health care as a career include:
R
E
e s p e c t
When you have a career in health care, you are a respected member of your community and state. People
respect your professionalism, your knowledge, and your ability to help them, often in a time of need.
v e r y w h e r e
After you are trained as a health care professional,
you can work anywhere.
A
pp r e c i at e d
S
Your work will benefit people, so the degree of appreciation you receive
will be greater than that in most other occupations.
a l a r y
You can earn a livable wage in health care; with additional training,
your income can always grow.
O
c c u pat i o n s / o pt i o n s
N
eeded
S
Within the health care field, there are hundreds of different occupations to choose from,
whether you prefer working directly with people, technology, or in laboratories.
As long as there are humans, your services will always be needed
and you will form enriching bonds with the people you serve.
t i m u l at i n g
Positions in health care are intellectually stimulating because of new technology,
surgical techniques, medicines and methods to improve patient care.
For the best testimony available about the rewards of a health care
career, check out the Profiles of Vermonters who made this choice,
and see for yourself the many RE A SONS why health care
may be the right choice for you.
Do something that matters. For yourself. For others.
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Health Careers
How To Use This Directory
T
he health careers featured in this guide reflect
professions that have shortages of personnel in
Vermont. If you know a specific area of health
care that you would like to check out, related
jobs are grouped together. Or, you may want
to simply browse through the pages to get an idea of the
scope of work environments available in health care.
Each career outlined includes a description of the
career, work environments where you might practice
that profession, the job outlook for that position, a
salary range (national averages taking Vermont factors
into account), education and certification/licensure
requirements, and educational programs in Vermont
and/or New England where you can train to enter the
career. In addition, there are web sites listed where you
can find more information about that career. Most
professional organizations for health care professions
have a “Career” or “Education” page on their web sites.
There are many health care professions in serious
need of more workers in addition to those highlighted.
With over 300 health care jobs, many are not covered
in detail in this book; they are listed in the back of the
book. To learn more about exciting opportunities as an
interpreter, transfusionist, child life specialist, or one
of the others on the list, you can look them up on the
U.S. Occupational Outlook web site, www.bls.gov/oco.
In addition, there are other helpful pages in the back
of this guide including Vermont health care facilities,
education and training schools in the state, acronyms
commonly used in various professions, and additional
web resources, such as www.vthealthcareers.org.
The best way to find the career that is most satisfying
to you is to research it carefully: ask many different
people all the questions you can think of ! This
Health Careers Directory is a starting point for your
exploration of career possibilities.
Health Careers
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Pathways To Health Care: Will I Like It?
I
f you are concerned about investing time, money
and effort in a career without an assurance you
will enjoy the job for which you are training, there
are many ways to “stick your toe in the water” to
see if you like the environment.
A typical way to learn more about health care is
to volunteer in a hospital or nursing home near you.
Most have well-organized junior volunteer programs
and welcome your contributions. While you are
donating time, you can experience the setting firsthand to see if it appeals to you. Some young people
volunteer to work in a veterinary office.
There are many social service agencies that will
welcome your offer to volunteer as well, such as the
American Red Cross, United Way member agencies,
or community health centers. These are organizations
whose main mission is to serve people, and that is
what working in health care is all about.
Another pathway to a health care career may be to
volunteer with your local rescue squad or become a
member of an Explorers group based with the rescue
squad or in your area hospital. More than one emergency
physician, nurse or nursing assistant got their first taste
of health care excitement on their local rescue squad.
Many middle and high schools, as well as AHEC
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Health Careers
centers, have established “shadowing” programs in
which you follow a professional through their workday
to see close-up what they do in their chosen career. Ask
your school guidance counselor if they know of such a
program or any other opportunity for you to experience
what health care is like on a day-to-day basis.
The health care workers we have profiled in this
guide mention these pathways and others: if it helped
them to decide, it will probably help you, too!
High school students have an opportunity to
explore health careers at a MedQuest summer
experience, offered on various college campuses
around Vermont. Some MedQuest activities include:
job shadows, interactive courses on basic medical
skills, leadership workshops, certification in CPR and
first aid, and self-esteem and asset-building activities.
The summer weeks are staffed by first year medical
students from the University of Vermont.
If you are an adult who is considering a second
career, you can learn more about health careers
by volunteering or getting a job at a hospital or
long term care facility. There are many training
opportunities in hospitals.
Contact the AHEC office near you to learn more
(see inside front cover).
How Can I Afford The Education/Training?
F
unding for education and
training programs can come
in the form of grants,
scholarships, loans and
work-study programs.
Grants and scholarships do not
have to be repaid. Grants are based
on your financial need, while
scholarships may be based on need
or a variety of other factors. Loans,
which must be repaid, are available
to students and/or parents at low
interest rates. A work-study program
helps a student earn wages in
part-time work while he/she goes
to school. Finally, some employers
offer tuition reimbursement
programs as an employee benefit.
If you are considering taking a
class or enrolling part- or full-time,
check with your school to find out
whether financial aid is available to
you and what forms you need to
submit. In nearly all cases, you start
by completing a Free Application
for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
If you are a Vermont resident and
have not already received a bachelor’s
degree, you should also apply for a
Vermont Grant.
Some students in college save
time and money by “testing out”
of certain core required courses by
taking an equivalency test to demonstrate that they
have the basic knowledge in that subject. If they pass
the test, they have earned the credits they would
get by taking the actual course, and the only cost is
usually the cost of the exam. Some colleges develop
their own equivalency exams and others use those
administered by the College Board or DSST. It is
important to check with your college academic
advisor to see what courses they will allow to be
met by an equivalency exam, as it differs from school
to school.
The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
(VSAC) is a public, nonprofit corporation created
to help Vermonters plan and pay for education and
training beyond high school. The VSAC Resource
Center, located on 10 East Allen Street in Winooski,
is the starting point for all VSAC customer service.
The staff can help you search for education options,
complete financial aid applications, and search for
scholarships. The Resource Center is open 8 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. No appointment is
necessary.
Health Careers
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Health Careers
Dental Health
Dental Assistant
10
profile
11
Dental Hygienist
12
Dental Lab Technician
13
Dentist
14
profile
16
Dental Health
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Dental Assistant
Dental Assistants perform a wide variety of responsibilities
including clinical patient care, office and laboratory
duties. Dental assistants work in partnership with
dentists, helping patients feel comfortable before,
during, and after their treatments as well as directly
assisting dentists during procedures. Dental assistants
also advise patients in postoperative and general oral
health care. With certification, the dental assistant
can expose radiographs on a patient.
Work Environments
Clinics
Dental offices
Dental specialty offices (ie; Orthodontics, Oral surgery)
Hospitals
Schools
Insurance Companies
Job Outlook
Job prospects for dental assistants are excellent;
employment is expected to make this one of the fastest
growing occupations through 2018.
Salary
Office duties may
include obtaining
patient medical
histories, sterilizing
and disinfecting
instruments and
equipment, and
preparing trays
for various dental
procedures. A dental
assistant with office
responsibilities may
be responsible for
billing, accounts
receivable, scheduling and confirming appointments,
and ordering dental supplies for the practice.
Dental assistants with laboratory duties would perform
such functions as taking impressions to fabricate stone
casts of the patient’s mouth and teeth, cleaning and
polishing removable appliances, fabricating temporary
crowns, and bleaching trays and mouthguards.
Education Programs
more training and experience, a dental assistant could
earn up to $22.63 per hour or a yearly salary of $47,070.
Center for Technology, Essex
3 Education Drive
Essex Junction, VT 05452
802-879-5558
www.go-cte.org
Education, Certification and Licensing
Professional Organizations
This challenging career is attractive to men and women
who have an interest in helping people stay healthy.
Dental assistants are expected to demonstrate acceptable
attitudes of pride, enthusiasm, good work ethic,
responsibility, respect for patient confidentiality, and
recognition of their importance as a member of the
dental team. Those interested in becoming a dental
assistant may receive on the job training or could attend a
training program offered in technical centers, community
colleges, or armed services. Dental assistants may take
a national exam to become certified. Certified dental
assistants may continue their education by becoming an
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. In Vermont, this
endorsement allows the dental assistant to place fillings.
American Dental Assistants Association
Chicago, IL 60601
312-541-1550
www.dentalassistant.org
The starting wage for a dental assistant ranges from
$22,710 to $39,780 per year for full time work. With
10 /
Health Careers
Dental Assisting National Board, Inc
Chicago, IL 60611
800-367-3262
www.danb.org
Factoid: Almost 2 out of every 5 dental
assistants in the United States work part-time,
sometimes in more than one dental office.
Profile
Nichole DeGoosh
Dental Assistant
Northern Counties Dental Center
Hardwick, VT
It might have been a community service project
in high school, or the fact that she just likes to
help people, but Nichole DeGoosh knows she is
in the right field as a dental assistant.
“I did a community service project working
with young people who have cystic fibrosis and
I liked that,” she recalls. “I decided I wanted
to go into the medical field so I thought I’d do
dental assisting for a year and apply to dental
hygiene school.”
Nichole entered the year-long dental assistant program at the Center for Technology in
Essex and did her internship for that course at Northern Counties, where she works now.
What are some of the qualities Nichole has used to be a good dental assistant? “Well,
you need to be patient with the patients, and like people,” she notes. “I would also say,
take the chance to go to school for training. You can get training on the job to be a
dental assistant but I am glad I took the school program,” Nichole remarks. “It makes me
feel more confident. It’s a good field to go into,” she adds.
“I get a lot of satisfaction from knowing we’ve accomplished something to make the
patient happy, and I’ve absolutely loved it here – everyone is friendly and energetic,
so it makes a great environment.”
Dental Health
/ 11
Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygienists remove hard and
soft deposits from teeth, teach patients
how to practice good oral hygiene,
and provide other preventive dental
care. Hygienists examine teeth and
gums; record the presence of disease
and abnormalities; take and develop
x rays, perform root planing; and
apply cavity-preventive agents such as
fluoride and pit and fissure sealants.
In some states, hygienists administer
anesthetics; place and carve filling
materials, temporary fillings and
periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth
and polish metal restorations. Although hygienists
may not diagnose diseases, they can prepare clinical
and laboratory diagnostic tests for the dentist to
interpret. Most dental hygienists work in dental
offices; others may work in public health settings.
Hygienists sometimes work chair side with the
dentist during treatment.
Education Programs
Vermont Technical College (BS)
Department of Dental Hygiene
PO Box 500
Randolph Center, VT 05061
800-442-8821
www.vtc.edu
Work Environments
Private dental practices
Public health
Public schools and clinics
Dental sales education
Job Outlook
According to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, dental
hygiene is among the 10 occupations expected to grow
the fastest over the next ten years.
Salary
Many dental hygienists work part-time. In Vermont, a
dental hygienist can expect a starting wage of about
$25.00 per hour, or about $45,000 per year for full
time work. Experienced dental hygienists can earn up
to $91,470 per year for full-time work.
Professional Organizations
American Dental Hygienists’ Association
Chicago, IL 60611
312-440-8900
www.adha.org
Vermont Dental Hygienists’ Association
PO Box 1482
Williston, VT 05495-1482
www.vdha.org
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school course work should include college
preparatory courses with an emphasis on science and
math. An associate in science degree in Dental Hygiene
and successful completion of licensing examinations are
necessary pre-requisites to licensure and to practice
dental hygiene in Vermont and most all other states.
Factoid: Salaries in this field depend heavily
on geographic location and experience.
12 /
Health Careers
Dental Laboratory Technician
Dental Laboratory Technicians make and repair dental
appliances such as dentures, crowns, bridges and
braces. They use materials such as gold, silver, stainless
steel, porcelain and plastic to fill dentists’ prescriptions
for appliances. They may specialize in orthodontic
appliances (retainers, braces, mouthguards), crowns
and bridges, dentures, or ceramics.
Work Environments
Commercial laboratories
Dentist offices
Hospitals
Homes
Medical equipment & supply manufacturing companies
Job Outlook
Trainee positions are expected to be abundant over the
next ten years. The future might show that advances
in preventive dental care will diminish the demand
for tooth and teeth replacement, and computers may
assume some of the workload once handled exclusively
by technicians.
Education Programs
There are no dental laboratory technician programs
in Vermont but there is one available through the
New England Regional Student Program (RSP)
www.nebhe.org at:
Middlesex Community College (MA)
Professional Organizations
National Association of Dental Laboratories
Tallahassee, FL
800-950-1150
www.nadl.org
Factoid: There are 20 accredited dental laboratory
technician programs offered by community
colleges and vocational technical institutes.
Salary
An average salary is about $34,170; with more
experience this amount might rise substantially but
entry level workers should expect minimum wage.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Dental laboratory technicians attend a two-year program
at a community or technical college to receive a certificate
or associate degree. Dental laboratory technicians may also
become certified by completing a five-year apprenticeship
program prior to passing the national certification exam.
Career Ladder
Dental laboratory technicians may, with additional
training and education, become dental hygienists.
Dental Health
/ 13
Dentist
Dentists diagnose, prevent, and treat problems with
teeth or mouth tissue, using science and technology to
help people maintain and improve their oral health.
Besides providing oral exams and filling cavities,
dentists repair fractured teeth, straighten teeth, put
sealants on children’s teeth, examine x-rays, make
models for dentures to replace missing teeth, perform
corrective surgery, place implants, and treat gum
disease. Dentists administer anesthetics and prescribe
medications. They screen patients for cancers and
14 /
Health Careers
disorders of the jaw and bones around the face.
Prevention is a key component of a dentist’s job.
They instruct patients on diet, brushing, flossing, and
the use of fluorides.
The majority of dentists are general practitioners;
about 15% are specialists who limit their practices to
such specialties as: orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial
surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, endodontics,
public health dentistry, oral pathology, oral and
maxillofacial radiology.
Work Environments
Clinics
Federal Government facilities
Hospitals
Military
Private and non-profit practices
Research facilities
Teaching institutions
Job Outlook
Employment is projected to grow faster than average
nationally; demand for dental services is very high in
Vermont, and many of the current dentists are nearing
retirement.
Salary
Most dentists earn $70,000-$200,000 per year. Salaries
depend upon location, specialization, and experience. A
dentist’s average income is in the highest five percent of
U.S. family income.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school and undergraduate course work should focus
on math and science. Most dental students get a bachelor’s
degree first, though some dental schools only require two
years of college before admission. Dental school usually
takes four years to complete. Specialization usually requires
an additional two to four years of training. Candidates must
pass a standard national exam and a regional exam in
the area where they wish to practice. Students may incur
a debt load for dental education as high as $150,000$200,000, but many states, including Vermont, offer
educational loan repayment options in exchange for service
commitments working with underserved populations.
To learn more about the Vermont Educational Loan
Repayment Program for Dentists, visit www.vtahec.org.
Factoid: Most dentists are “solo
practitioners.” They own their own businesses
and work with a small staff.
Some Dental Specialties:
Orthodontics
Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Pediatric dentistry
Periodontics
Prosthodontics
Endodontics
Public health dentistry
Oral pathology
Oral and maxillofacial radiology
Education Programs
Dentists usually complete at least eight years of
education beyond high school. There are no dental
schools in Vermont. The following program is
available through the New England Regional Student
Program (RSP). For more information on RSP, go
to www.nebhe.org or call 617-357-9620.
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030
860-679-2000
www.uchc.edu
For a listing of dental schools that do not participate in
the New England Regional Student Program (RSP), visit the
American Dental Association website at www.ada.org.
Professional Organizations
American Dental Association
Chicago, IL
312-440-2500
www.ada.org
American Dental Education Association
Washington, DC
202-289-7201
www.adea.org
Vermont State Dental Society
South Burlington, VT
800-640-5099
www.vsds.org
Dental Health
/ 15
Profile
Elaine McLain, DDS
Dentist
Bennington, VT
Elaine McLain went to college to become a science teacher, but
it was her part-time job working for a dentist while she attended
school that showed her the career path she would follow.
“I like working with my hands and being with people,” she
explains. “It looked interesting and was something I thought I could
do; before that, I never really thought about being a dentist.”
Elaine went to dental school at a time when women made up
less than two percent of the class, but she feels it’s an especially
good career for women. “It allows you to work as many days as
you wish,” she notes, which is important when raising a family.
“I’ve been able to make a good living at it and I think there is
a certain independence in regard to your hours and where you work, so you can allow
yourself more time with your family.”
Part of a practice of dentists, Elaine remarks that some dentists do all kinds of procedures,
while others prefer to focus on the ones they are interested in and refer people to other
dentists for the procedures they choose not to do. She enjoys having other dentists around
because they understand what the challenges are, and can learn from each other about
difficult cases. They also praise each other for a particularly good result in those difficult cases.
She takes pride in what she does: “You have a set group of procedures with everyone;
the variable is the person, and that’s the difference,” she says. “I want my work to look
a certain way and within the ability of the patient to cooperate, I try to get as close to
what is perfect as I can.”
Elaine admits the job can be demanding because of the anxiety that patients have
about going to the dentist, and notes it is important to remain calm and help the
patient through it. “A patient may not know the quality of the work you did but
they know the manner in which you did it. When a patient goes through a
procedure and says it wasn’t as bad as they expected, that makes me feel good,”
she explains. “I enjoy doing a procedure with the least amount of trauma.”
16 /
Health Careers
Emergency Services
(Pre-Hospital)
Emergency Medical Technician
18
profile
19
emergency services
/ 17
Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency Medical Technicians are the first to evaluate
the nature and extent of a medical problem at emergency
scenes. They determine the number of people injured,
the types of injuries they have, pre-existing medical
conditions of the patients, and the degree of trauma.
They stabilize and transport the patient to a health care
facility.
There are levels of EMTs depending on training
level completed. They are: First Responders (the
lowest level); EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate,
EMT-Paramedic and EMT-Critical Care Paramedic.
EMTs are required to work long hours on call, be
able to lift patients, bend, kneel and stand for long
periods, and work outdoors in all types of weather.
Education Programs
Training programs for various levels of EMTs are
offered by hospitals and ambulance services. Training
is also available through colleges, though none in
Vermont currently offer it. However, the following are
available through the New England Regional Student
Program (RSP) www.nebhe.org:
Work Environments
Emergency Medical Services
Fire departments
Hospitals
Industry
Private ambulance services
Capital Community College (CT)
Eastern Maine Community College
Kennebec Valley Community College (ME)
Job Outlook
Professional Organizations
Salary
Employment is projected to grow as fast as the average
for all occupations.
National Association of EMTs
Clinton, MS
www.naemt.org
Depending upon the level of certification, salaries range
from $23,650 to $39,250 and higher.
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
Columbus, OH
614-888-4484
www.nremt.org
Formal training and certification are required but state
requirements and reciprocity in recognizing certification
from other states vary. Opportunities are best for those
who have earned advanced certifications.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Career Ladder
Factoid: There are more than 270,000 EMTs
in the country, of which 20% work in hospitals,
30% for police, fire or rescue squads, and
45% with private ambulance services. Some work
as unpaid volunteers for local rescue squads.
18 /
Health Careers
Many people begin a lifelong career in health care as
First Responders and EMTs. They may continue their
studies to enter any area of health care work.
Profile
Colleen M. Nesto, EMT-I ’03
Essex Rescue
Essex Junction, Vermont
Colleen grew up in a family where everyone was
involved in Emergency Services. This spiked her
interest in the field. As a child she remembers
hearing her father’s fire department pager going
off and then rushing to the door. Until now she
never understood what was so exciting that he
continually would drop whatever he was doing for
someone else. Colleen’s father’s devotion to the fire
service inspired her to choose this career path. She
started as a volunteer at the age of sixteen in the
fire service. Over time, working with rescue on emergency scenes introduced Colleen to a
whole different side of emergency services, with which she fell in love.
Colleen couldn’t wait until her 18th birthday when she could officially join Essex Rescue
as a volunteer. While a volunteer with Essex Rescue she was trained as an EMT-B, EMT-I
and Crew Captain all before the age of twenty-one. Colleen quickly decided that she
wanted to make a career of EMS and was hired as a full-time employee.
During her shifts at Essex Rescue, she and her crews respond to 911 calls in the five
communities service area. When not responding to calls Colleen has administrative duties
such as data entry and filing run reports. She is responsible for training new members,
public education, and daily crew responsibilities. Colleen works with a volunteer crew
that consists of approximately three volunteers per shift. She enjoys working with
the volunteers who are there not for the pay but to give back to their communities.
Colleen works three, twelve hour shifts per week which includes occasional holidays
and weekends.
The part Colleen likes most about her job is being there for people when they
are in a time of need. This line of work is fast-paced, challenging and is never
the same. “The feeling of knowing you can help is more than gratifying. This
line of work has its difficult moments,” however, it is also extremely rewarding.
Those times make up for the difficult times. Essex Rescue has given me more
opportunity in my life than I ever dreamed possible at my young age.”
emergency services
/ 19
20 /
Health Careers
Health Care Office Services
Health Care Office Manager
23
MEDICAL ASSISTANT
24
Health Care Office Services
/ 21
Health Care Managers/Administrators
­Health Care Office Managers/Administrators are
people who plan, direct, coordinate and supervise
the delivery of health care. A specialist may be in
charge of specific clinical departments or services
22 /
Health Careers
while generalists manage an entire facility or system.
Specific skills needed include management ability,
financial analysis, supervisory skills, and good
communication and interpersonal skills.
Work Environments
Hospitals
Nursing and personal care facilities
Clinics
Physician offices
Social service agencies
Job Outlook
Employment is projected to grow faster than average
for all other occupations, with the fastest growth in
residential care facilities and physician offices and clinics,
as services previously provided in the hospital setting are
shifted to physician offices and clinics.
Salary
Earnings of medical and health services managers are high
but long hours of work are common. The middle 50% earn
$62,170-$104,120 annually; compensation is typically
related to experience, education and scope of responsibility.
Education, Certification and Licensing
A master’s degree is generally expected but some entry
level administrative positions may be open to those
with a bachelor’s degree. Professional development
programs leading to specialty certification in health
care administration are available through the American
College of Healthcare Executives. All states require a
series of courses and internships before a license is
granted to a nursing home administrator.
Career Ladder
Jobs are available at a variety of levels, from department
head or manager of a small practice, to Chief Executive
Officer. Those with graduate degrees and strong business
and management skills will find the best job opportunities.
Education Programs
University of Vermont (post-baccalaureate certificate)
Certificate in Healthcare Management
Burlington, VT 05405
800-639-3210
www.learn.uvm.edu
In addition, the following master’s level programs are
available through the New England Regional Student
Program (RSP) www.nebhe.org:
University of Massachusetts at Lowell
University of Southern Maine
Western Connecticut State University
Professional Organizations
American College of Healthcare Executives
Chicago, IL
312-424-2800
www.ache.org
Medical Group Management Association
Englewood, CO
303-799-1111
www.mgma.com
American College of Health Care Administrators
Alexandria, VA
202-536-5120
www.achca.org
Association of University Programs in Health Administration
Alexandria, VA
703-894-0940
www.aupha.org
Professional Association of Health Care Office Management
Lady Lake, FL
800-451-9311
www.pahcom.com
Healthcare Financial Management Association
Westchester, IL
800-252-4362
www.hfma.org
health care office services
/ 23
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical
tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists,
chiropractors, and other health practitioners running
smoothly.
Administrative duties may include answering
telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing
patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms,
handling correspondence, scheduling appointments,
arranging for hospital admission and laboratory
services, and handling billing and bookkeeping.
24 /
Health Careers
Clinical duties may include taking medical
histories and recording vital signs, explaining
treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients
for examination, and assisting the physician
during the examination. Medical assistants may
collect and prepare lab specimens or perform
basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose
of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical
instruments. They instruct patients about
medications and special diets.
Work Environments
Education, Certification and Licensing
Hospitals
Physician offices
Health practitioner offices
Ambulatory care centers
Medical and diagnostic laboratories
Nursing care facilities
Government agencies
Most employers prefer graduates of formal programs
in medical assisting; a few are still trained on the job.
Educational programs are offered in vocational-technical
schools, post secondary vocational schools, and community
and junior colleges. Post secondary programs usually last
either one year, resulting in a certificate or a diploma,
or two years, resulting in an associate degree. Courses
covered include anatomy, physiology, and medical
terminology as well as typing, transcription, recordkeeping, accounting and insurance processing. Students
learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic
procedures, pharmaceutical principles, the administration
of medications, and first aid. Accredited programs include
an internship that provides practical experience in
physicians’ offices, hospitals, or other health care facilities.
Job Outlook
Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow
much faster than average through 2018. In fact, it is
projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations
through 2018. As the health care industry expands due
to technological advances in medicine, and with the
growth and aging of the population, job growth for
medical assistants will increase. Job prospects should
be best for medical assistants with formal training or
experience, particularly for those with certification.
Salary
The middle 50% of medical assistants nationally earn
between $24,060 and $33,760. Earnings vary depending
upon work setting, experience, skill level, and location.
Education Programs
Community College of Vermont (certificate)
P.O. Box 489
Montpelier, VT 05601-0489
www.ccv.edu
Professional Organizations
American Association of Medical Assistants
Chicago, IL
312-899-1500
www.aama-ntl.org
Medical assistants can take national examinations for
certification, including the Certified Medical Assistant
credential from the American Association of Medical
Assistants, and the Registered Medical Assistant credential
from the American Medical Technologists organization,
as well as specialty certifications in ophthalmology and
podiatry.
The following are available through the New England
Regional Student Program (RSP):
Kennebec Valley Community College (ME)
Manchester Community College (NH)
Middlesex Community College (CT)
Middlesex Community College (MA)
Mount Wachusett Community College (MA)
Northwestern Connecticut Community College
Quinebaug Valley Community College (CT)
Southern Maine Community College
Springfield Technical Community College (MA)
American Medical Technologists
Rosemont, IL 60018
800-275-1268
www.amt1.com
Factoid: About six out of ten medical assistants
work in physician offices.
Allied Health Careers
/ 25
26 /
Health Careers
Health Information &
Communication Services
Health Information & Medical records technician
28
Health Sciences Librarian
29
Medical Transcriptionist
31
Health Information & Communication Services
/ 27
Health Information & Medical Records Technician
Health Information & Medical Records Technicians
assemble, review and complete all patient records
for a hospital or health clinic. They assign a code to
each diagnosis, using a software program to assign
the patient to one of several hundred “diagnosisrelated groups” or DRGs. Technicians who specialize
in coding are called health information coders. Some
technicians use computer programs to tabulate and
analyze data, such as tumor registrars who compile
medical records of patients with cancer.
Education Programs
Community College of Vermont offers Health
Information Technology training and a certificate
program to become a Health Information Specialist.
Community College of Vermont
PO Box 489
Montpelier, VT 05601-0489
www.ccv.edu
The following are available through the New England
Regional Student Program (RSP) www.nebhe.org:
Bristol Community College (MA)
Holyoke Community College (MA)
Kennebec Valley Technical College (ME)
Northern Essex Community College (MA)
Professional Organization
American Health Information Management Association
Chicago, IL
312-233-1100
www.ahima.org
Factoid: This is one of the few health occupations
in which there is little or no physical contact
with patients. Four out of ten jobs are in hospitals.
28 /
Health Careers
Work Environments
Clinics
Home health agencies
Hospitals
Medical group practices
Nursing homes
Job Outlook
Employment of medical records and health information
technicians is expected to grow much faster than the
average for all occupations through 2018 due to the
rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments
and procedures.
Salary
Median salary for medical records and health information
is about $30,610, with salaries starting at $20,440
and ranging as high as $50,060. Highest average salaries
are typically found in nursing and personal care facilities
and hospitals.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Typical technicians have a high school diploma and an
associate degree from a community or junior college.
Certification is available to become a Registered Health
Information Technician (RHIT), as well as a separate
certification for technicians who specialize in coding.
Career Ladder
With additional education, health information or medical
record technicians may become section leaders or health
information managers.
Health Sciences Librarian
Health Sciences Librarians
are the information sleuths of
the health care world. They
assist physicians, nurses, and
other health care professionals
in finding the latest published
medical research required
to diagnose, treat, and
rehabilitate their patients.
Health sciences librarians
who work in academic
environments also play a
role in teaching college
students how to find and
use high quality resources
to fulfill their course
requirements. They provide
instruction for medical
school faculty and practicing physicians in the use
of new electronic resources that will help them find
clinical information quickly and efficiently. They
assist university scientists engaged in cutting-edge
research to search the literature for discoveries
published by their counterparts in institutions around
the world. They also assist members of the general
public in finding accurate and reliable information
concerning their own health problems or those of a
loved one.
Health sciences librarians rely heavily on the use
of automated technologies to locate vital information.
Work Environments
Salary
Colleges and universities
Computer software development companies
Consumer health libraries
Government agencies
Hospitals
Pharmaceutical manufacturers
Research centers and foundations
Salaries vary according to the type and location of
institution, the level of responsibility, and the length
of employment. The overall average salary for Health
Sciences Librarians is $68,291.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for health sciences librarians is generally
good. Those who are willing to be flexible in employment
opportunities or are willing to relocate have greater career
options. In addition, there are many opportunities for
employment outside of the traditional library, including
work in health-related business and industry and as an
independent consultant.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school course work for a career as a health sciences
librarian should include college-prep courses, especially
in the life sciences and humanities. The undergraduate
degree (i.e., bachelor of arts or bachelor of science) can
be earned in any area, although a background in fields
such as biology, chemistry, nursing or allied health
sciences, computer science, education, or management
is helpful. To work as a health sciences librarian, you
need a master’s degree from an American Library
Association (ALA)-accredited program.
Health Information & Communication Services
/ 29
Education Programs
Currently, there are no ALA-accredited programs
offered in the state of Vermont, although excellent
schools can be found in the greater region. In addition,
a number of distance education programs have been
developed at schools around the country. Check the
ALA web site for further information on accredited
schools.
McGill University
School of Information Studies
Peel 3661
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1X1
514-398-4204
www.mcgill.ca/sis
Simmons College
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115-5898
617-521-2800
www.simmons.edu/gslis
Southern Connecticut State University
School of Education
Department of Information and Library Science
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515
888-500-7278
www.southernct.edu/ils
Factoid: Medical librarians use computers and
personal digital assistants (PDAs) constantly.
Some librarians are systems librarians, responsible
for fixing computers, for running local area
networks, or for training others to use
technology. Some librarians develop and update
Web sites for their libraries or universities.
30 /
Health Careers
State University of New York at Albany
Department of Information Studies
135 Western Avenue
Draper 113
Albany, NY 12222
518-442-5110
www.albany.edu/informationstudies
Syracuse University
School of Information Studies
343 Hinds Hall
Syracuse, NY 13244-4100
315-443-2911
http://ischool.syr.edu
University of Rhode Island
Graduate School of Library and Information Studies
Rodman Hall
94 W. Alumni Avenue, Suite 2
Kingston, RI 02881-0815
401-874-2878
www.uri.edu/artsci/lsc
Professional Organizations
American Library Association
Chicago, IL
800-545-2433 x 2153
www.ala.org
Medical Library Association
Chicago, IL
312-419-9094
www.mlanet.org
Medical Transcriptionist
Medical Transcriptionists use their knowledge of
medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, diagnostic
procedures and treatment to transcribe dictated
recordings from physicians and other health care
professionals into medical reports, correspondence
and administrative material. Generally the documents
transcribed include physical exam and history reports,
autopsy reports, operating room reports, discharge
summaries, referral letters and consultation reports.
Experienced transcriptionists can spot mistakes
or inconsistencies in medical reports and verify the
information with the document’s originator. Their
ability to understand and correctly transcribe patient
assessments and treatments can help reduce the
chances that a patient would receive inappropriate
care or even harmful treatments. An experienced
transcriptionist can help the health care team provide
high quality care for every patient.
Educational Programs
The Medical Transcription Education Consortium
(MTEC) Program is an eight month, online training
for an MT certificate. Information is available at
www.vthitec.org. Associate degree programs are
available through the New England Regional Student
Program (RSP) at:
Eastern Maine Community College
Community College of Rhode Island
Professional Organizations
Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity
Modesto, CA
800-982-2182
www.ahdionline.org
Work Environments
Clinics
Government medical facilities
Home (telecommute)
Hospitals
Laboratories
Medical libraries
Physician offices
Job Outlook
Growing numbers of medical transcriptionists will be
needed to amend patients records, edit documents from
speech recognition systems, and identify discrepancies in
medical reports.
Salary
Transcriptionists can expect to earn between $27,230$39,020 in the mid-range of profession salaries.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Employers prefer hiring transcriptionists who’ve completed
a training program in medical transcription after completing
high school. This training is available through vocational
schools, community colleges and distance learning
programs; it includes a 2 year associate degree or a 1
year certificate program with courses in anatomy, medical
terminology, medico-legal issues and English grammar
and punctuation. Medical transcriptionists can become
proficient in this career with just on-the-job training
if they have some previous experience as a nurse or
medical secretary.
The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity
awards a voluntary designation of Certified Medical
Transcriptionist (CMT) to those who pass written and
practical exams. While not required, certification is a
sign of competence in this field. Every 3 years CMTs
must earn continuing education credits to maintain
their certification.
Factoid: Job growth will be best in hospitals and
physician offices, especially large group practices,
as the need for standardized records increases.
Health Information & Communication Services
/ 31
32 /
Health Careers
Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Clinical Laboratory Technologist
34
Clinical Laboratory Technician
36
Cytotechnologist
37
clinical Laboratory Sciences
/ 33
Clinical Laboratory Technologist
Clinical Laboratory Technologists work behind the
scenes of patient care, usually in a laboratory setting.
They are the “lab detectives” who perform microbiological and chemical tests on tissue samples, blood
and other body fluids in order to provide doctors
with the information they need to diagnose, treat, and
monitor a patient’s condition. They use automated
equipment and instruments capable of conducting
a number of tests at once, in addition to using
34 /
Health Careers
microscopes, cell counters, and other high tech
laboratory equipment. Newer technology has
introduced automation to many areas of the
laboratory; however, some areas like microbiology
are still very much “hands on.”
Clinical laboratory technologists may also work
in a variety of research settings: as writers for medical
publications, as educators, and as employees in
biomedical technology companies.
Work Environments
Blood donor centers
Clinics
Hospitals
Independent laboratories
Medical schools
Pharmaceutical companies
Physician offices
Public health agencies
Research organizations
Job Outlook
Employment for clinical laboratory workers is expected
to grow faster than average through 2018 as the
volume of laboratory tests increases with population
growth and advancements in medical technology.
Salary
Medical technologists can expect to earn between
$45,810 and $65,050 per year.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Prospective medical technologists should emphasize math
and science in high school. To work in the field, a bachelor
of science (BS) degree is required, with coursework in
chemistry and biochemistry, as well as hands-on clinical
laboratory work. Graduates must also pass a certification
exam given by either the American Society of Clinical
Pathologists, or the National Credentialing Agency.
Medical laboratory technologists must have good
analyti­cal judgment and the ability to work under
pressure. They must also pay close attention to detail
because small changes or variations in test substances
could be crucial in the type of care a patient receives.
Education Programs
University of Vermont
Department of Medical Laboratory & Radiation Sciences
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
302 Rowell Building
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-3811
www.uvm.edu~cnhs
Professional Organizations
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Chicago, IL
773-714-8880
www.naacls.org
National Credentialing Agency
Lenexa, KS
913-895-4613
www.nca-info.org
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
Washington, DC
202-367-1174
www.ascls.org
American Society for Clinical Pathology
Chicago, IL
800-267-2727
www.ascp.org
Vermont Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
Burlington, VT
802-656-3811
www.ascls-vermont.org
Career Ladder
Technologists may advance to supervisory positions in lab
work or may become chief medical or clinical laboratory
technologists or laboratory managers in hospitals.
Factoid: Laboratorians like to work with
their hands and solve problems.
clinical Laboratory Sciences
/ 35
Clinical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory
Technicians perform
laboratory testing
that helps to detect,
diagnose and treat
disease. Working
under the supervision
of medical laboratory
technologists or
laboratory managers,
technicians prepare
specimens for study
and operate automated analyzers, for
example. They may
also perform manual tests on blood, tissue and other
body substances, following detailed instructions.
Clinical laboratory technicians may work in various
areas of the laboratory or they may specialize in one
area. For example, histology technicians cut and stain
tissue samples for microscopic examination by
pathologists while phlebotomists collect blood samples.
Education Programs
There are no Clinical Laboratory Technician programs
available in Vermont, but the following schools are
available through the New England Regional Student
Program (RSP). For more information on RSP, visit
their website at www.nebhe.org.
Bristol Community College (MA)
Central Maine Community College
Community College of Rhode Island
Housatonic Community College (CT)
Mount Wachusett Community College (MA)
Nashua Community College (NH)
Springfield Technical Community College (MA)
University of Maine – Augusta
University of Maine – Presque Isle
Factoid: Laboratory workers tend to spend
a great deal of time on their feet.
36 /
Health Careers
Professional Organizations
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Chicago, IL
847-939-3597
www.naacls.org
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
Washington, DC
202-367-1174
www.ascls.org
Vermont Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
Burlington, VT
802-656-3811
www.ascls-vermont.org
Work Environments
Blood donor centers
Clinics
Hospitals
Independent laboratories
Medical schools
Pharmaceutical companies
Physician offices
Public health agencies
Research organizations
Job Outlook
Employment for clinical laboratory workers is expected
to grow faster than average through 2018 as the volume
of laboratory tests increases with population growth and
advancements in medical technology.
Salary
Clinical laboratory technicians can expect to earn
between $28,770 and $45,420 per year.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school courses should include math and science.
Clinical laboratory technicians generally have either an
associate degree from a college or a certificate from a
hospital training program, vocational or technical school,
or from the armed services.
Cytotechnologist
Cytotechnologists are skilled healthcare professionals
who use microscopes to examine human cell samples to
look for cancer, pre-cancerous lesions, infections and
other diseases. Using subtle clues in the cells themselves
(changes in size, shape, structure and pattern) cytotechnologists evaluate the presence or absence of
specific diseases and determine which cases warrant
further review by a pathologist (a physician trained in
cell interpretation). The Pap test, a sample taken from
the cervix, is the most common type of specimen
submitted to a cytology laboratory. Cytotechnologists
may also be involved in the evaluation of cell samples
from other body sites such as lung, bladder, liver, breast
and thyroid. Physicians use the test results to diagnose
and treat a wide variety of human diseases.
Work Environments
Clinics
Government facilities
Hospitals
Private laboratories
Job Outlook
The demand for cytotechnologists is about average in
Vermont, although it is higher in other parts of the country.
Salary
Cytotechnologists earn a starting salary of about
$35,000 to $40,000 per year. Supervisory positions are
available and usually come with higher salaries.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school course work should include an emphasis on
math and science. A bachelor of science degree (BS) and
a cytotechnology certificate are required to work as a
cytotechnologist. Certification in this field is available from
the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).
Factoid: Cells are transparent and must be
immersed in dye to absorb color so that they
may be viewed with a microscope.
Education Programs
Cytotechnologists have a bachelor’s degree and
typically attend a 12-month training program in
addition. Students can also earn a BS degree and
cytotechnology certificate at the same time through
a “3+1” program.
Fletcher Allen Health Care (certificate)
School of Cytotechnology
111 Colchester Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401
802-847-5133
http://fletcherallen.org/cytoschool
The following is available through the New England
Regional Student Program (RSP):
University of Connecticut
Professional Organizations:
American Society for Cytotechnology
Raleigh, NC
800-948-3947
www.asct.com
American Society of Cytopathology
Wilmington, DE
302-543-6583
www.cytopathology.org
clinical Laboratory Sciences
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38 /
Health Careers
Medical Technologies
Cardiovascular Technologist 40
Surgical Technologist
41
Medical Technologies
/ 39
Cardiovascular Technologist
Cardiovascular Technologists assist physicians in
diagnosing and treating heart and blood vessel ailments.
In addition to performing tests, cardio-vascular
technologists prepare patients for the test by cleaning,
shaving areas of the skin, and administering anesthesia.
During procedures, they also monitor patients’ blood
pressure and heart rate.
Cardiovascular technologists may specialize in:
invasive cardiology, echocardiography, vascular
technology, and electrophysiology.
Education Programs
There are no cardiovascular technologist programs in
Vermont, but there is one available through the New
England Regional Student Program (RSP)
www.nebhe.org at:
Southern Maine Community College
Professional Organizations
Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals
Midlothian, VA
www.acp-online.org
Work Environments
Ambulatory surgery centers
Cardiac rehabilitation centers
Hospitals
Physician offices
Job Outlook
Employment of cardiovascular technologists is expected to
grow faster than the average for all occupations through
the year 2018. Growth will occur as the population ages
because older people have a higher incidence of heart
problems.
Salary
Average salary is about $48,300. However, wages range
from $33,680 to $62,950.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Cardiovascular technologists normally complete a
two-year junior or community college program. One
year is dedicated to core courses followed by a year of
specialization instruction. Graduates of one of the 37
accredited programs are eligible to earn certification
through Cardiovascular Credentialing International or the
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
depending on specialty.
Career Ladder
Some cardiovascular technologists may become
respiratory therapists.
40 /
Health Careers
FACTOID: Most of the 50,000 jobs for
cardiovascular technologists are located in
hospital cardiology departments.
Surgical Technologist
Work Environments
Clinics
Hospitals
Physician and dentist offices
Surgical centers
Job Outlook
The demand for surgical technologists is expected to grow
much faster than the average for all occupations through
the year 2018 as the volume of surgery increases.
Salary
Surgical Technologists are members of the operating
room team who assist in surgical operations. Before
an operation, they set up surgical instruments and
equipment, and make sure the equipment is working
properly. Technologists get patients ready for surgery
by washing, shaving and disinfecting incision sites.
They transport patients to the operating room, help
position them on the operating room table, and observe
patients’ vital signs, check charts, and help the surgical
team with putting on gowns and gloves. During
surgery, technologists pass instruments to surgeons,
count supplies used, care for and dispose of specimens
taken for lab analysis, and help apply dressings. After
surgery, they may help transfer patients to the recovery
room, and clean and restock the operating room.
Education Programs
There are no surgical technologist programs in Vermont,
but the following are available through the New England
Regional Student Program (RSP) www.nebhe.org:
Great Bay Community College (NH)
Manchester Community College (CT)
Springfield Technical Community College (MA)
The median annual earnings of surgical technologists
is $41,260 in offices and clinics of medical doctors and
$40,330 in hospitals. Some surgical technologists earn
more than $55,000 a year.
Education, Certification and Licensing
A high school diploma is required for admission to one of
over 400 accredited programs in community and junior
colleges, vocational schools, universities, hospitals, and
the military. Programs last 9 to 24 months and lead to a
certificate, diploma, or associate degree. Programs provide
classroom education and supervised clinical experience.
Career Ladder
Surgical technologists can advance by specializing in a
particular area of surgery, such as neurosurgery or open
heart surgery. Other surgical technologists go on to
manage central supply departments in hospitals, or
take positions with insurance companies, sterile supply
services, and operating equipment firms.
Factoid: Surgical technologists are also called
scrubs, surgical or operating room technicians.
Professional Organizations
Association of Surgical Technologists
Littleton, CO
303-694-9130
www.ast.org
Medical Technologies
/ 41
42 /
Health Careers
Medicine
Physician
44
Physician Assistant
46
profile
48
Medicine
/ 43
Physician
Physicians, also known as doctors of medicine, use
a combination of extensive education and training,
work experience and ongoing research to better serve
their patients. Once a physician has determined a
diagnosis and a treatment strategy, she/he works with
the rest of the health care team to put that strategy
into action.
Factoid: One third of Doctors of Medicine (MD)
and one half of Doctors of Osteopathic
Medicine (DO) are primary care physicians.
44 /
Health Careers
While all physicians are trained and licensed to
diagnose and treat illnesses and to prescribe medications,
most choose to specialize in a particular area.
Some Medical Specialties
Allergy
Anesthesiology
Cardiology
Dermatology
Emergency Medicine
Family Practice (Primary Care)
Gastroenterology
Internal Medicine (Primary Care)
Neurology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Oncology
Orthopedics
Ophthalmology
Pathology
Pediatrics (Primary Care)
Plastic Surgery
Psychiatry
Public Health
Radiology
Sports Medicine
Surgery
Urology
Education Programs
University of Vermont College of Medicine
Office of Admissions, Courtyard at Given South
89 Beaumont Avenue
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-2154
www.uvm.edu/medicine
Professional Organizations
Association of American Medical Colleges
Washington, DC
202-828-0400
www.aamc.org
American Association of Colleges of
Osteopathic Medicine
Chevy Chase, MD
301-968-4100
www.aacom.org
American Medical Association
Chicago, IL
800-621-8335
www.ama-assn.org
Vermont Medical Society
Montpelier, VT
802-223-7898
www.vtmd.org
Work Environments
Clinics
Government agencies
Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
Hospitals
Long-term care facilities
Medical schools
Military
Overseas
Peace Corps
Private practices
Public health departments
Research institutes
Student health services
Job Outlook
Several factors, including an aging population and
advancements in health care, will ensure that physicians
remain in high demand. Of all the medical specialties,
child psychiatry is expected to be the area of greatest
need. As increasing numbers of medical practices locate
in urban areas, there will be a particular demand for
physicians in rural areas in the coming years.
Salary
Physicians tend to earn high salaries, ranging between
$137,000 and $350,000 depending on specialty,
experience and work setting.
Education, Certification and Licensing
It isn’t easy to become a physician. After four years of
high school, it takes at least four years of undergraduate
work and four years of medical school, followed by
three to eight years of internships and residency. High
school course work should have a heavy emphasis on
math and science, followed by an undergraduate degree
in one of the natural sciences. Excellent grades along the
way are important.
There are two types of medical degrees that qualify a
person to become licensed to practice as a physician:
the M.D. or Doctor of Medicine degree or the D.O. or
Doctor of Osteopathy degree. Entrance to either type of
medical school is extremely competitive.
Medical school includes many long hours of studying and
doing clinical rotations, but the personal satisfaction from
being a physician is enormous. The years immediately after
medical school are known as residency training. Upon
completion of this training, candidates are eligible to take
examinations in their specialty to become board certified.
Students may incur a debt load for medical education as
high as $150,000-$200,000, but many states including
Vermont, offer educational loan repayment options for
physicians working in underserved areas.
To learn more about the Vermont Educational Loan
Repayment Program for Health Care Professionals, visit
www.vtahec.org.
Medicine
/ 45
Physician Assistant
Physician Assistants (PAs) practice medicine as part
of the health care team under the supervision of a
physician. They deliver many of the same services and
procedures as the physicians themselves. PAs examine
patients, take histories, order laboratory tests, prescribe
medications, stitch wounds and apply splints and
casts. PAs may also work in areas where physicians
are in short supply, reporting back to a supervisor
when necessary.
Work Environments
Group practices
Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
Hospitals
Long-term care facilities
Outpatient care centers
Physician offices
Public health departments
Student health services
Job Outlook
Physician assistants are in demand in Vermont, especially
in underserved rural areas. The trend toward making
health care more affordable will probably keep demand
high in the foreseeable future.
Salary
Physician assistants typically earn between $71,160 and
$99,540 per year, depending upon the work setting.
Educational level and experience also affect salary.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school courses should contain college prep material
with a focus on math and science. A physician assistant
(PA) program takes at least two years to complete,
and most PAs hold at least a bachelor of science (BS)
degree, which takes four years. To practice as a PA in
Vermont, you must complete a national certification
exam administered by the National Commission on the
Certification of Physicians’ Assistants (NCCPA), followed
by an on-the-job apprenticeship program.
46 /
Health Careers
Education Programs
There are no physician assistant programs available
in Vermont or through the New England Regional
Student Program, but the following schools are close
to Vermont:
Albany Medical College Program
Center for Physician Assistant Studies
47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-4
Albany, NY 12208-3412
518-262-5251
www.amc.edu/academic/physicianassistant
Springfield College
Physician Assistant Department
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109
413-748-3554
www.springfieldcollege.edu
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science –
Manchester
Graduate PA Program (24 months)
1260 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101
603-314-1701
www.mcphs.edu
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Physician Assistant Studies Program (30 months)
179 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
617-732-2918
www.mcphs.edu
Northeastern University
Physician Assistant Program
202 Robinson Hall
123 Behrakis Health Sciences Center
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
617-373-3195
www.northeastern.edu/bouve/pa
Franklin Pierce University
Physician Assistant Program
24 Airport Road, Suite 19
West Lebanon, NH 03784
603-298-6617
www.franklinpierce.edu
The University of New England
Physician Assistant Program
716 Stevens Ave.
Portland, ME 04103
207-797-7261
www.une.edu/wchp/pa
Yale Physician Associate Program
Harkness Office Building
367 Cedar Street
New Haven, CT 06510
203-785-2860
http://medicine.yale.edu/pa
Factoid: The first class of Physician Assistants
were Navy corpsmen who had received
considerable medical training during their
military service and during the war in Vietnam.
Quinnipiac University
Physician Assistant Program
Graduate Health Sciences Admissions
275 Mount Carmel Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-582-5226
www.quinnipiac.edu
Professional Organizations:
American Academy of Physician Assistants
Alexandria, VA
703-836-2272
www.aapa.org
National Commission on Certification of
Physician Assistants, Inc.
Duluth, GA
678-417-8100
www.nccpa.net
Physician Assistant Academy of Vermont
Hanover, NH
603-643-2325
www.paav.org
Medicine
/ 47
Profile
Peter Igneri, PA-C, MMSc
Department of Surgery
Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT
Volunteer EMT and firefighter service in high
school and college helped to channel Peter Igneri
toward a career as a physician assistant (PA). His
inclination toward science courses helped, too.
“When I graduated from college, I thought about
being a pharmaceutical sales rep, a firefighter
paramedic, or a physician assistant, but an
advisor at college suggested I take a look at PA
schools, so when I visited family in Atlanta, I
checked out Emory University. After graduating
from Emory, I got my first job in Family Practice at Fletcher Allen Health Care (in Burlington,
VT), where I had a great mentor who allowed me to learn and grow in my practice.”
Now a PA in the Surgery Service at Fletcher Allen, Peter enjoys his informal mentoring of
high school students and new PAs at Fletcher Allen. “In Family Practice, I was the practice
medical director, so I have that added administrative experience to share,” he notes. “Being
a PA is a unique role: it provides a bridge between clinical nursing and physicians, both of
which are important.”
Asked what he tells young people about his profession, Peter replies thoughtfully, “The
most important things about being a PA are knowing how to get the information you need
about medical conditions, and being able to problem-solve with other members of the
health care team. It is also helpful to be self-confident, and a team player.”
Peter says that a career as a PA allows him to have balance in his life, which includes
two young sons, volunteer firefighting, boating on Lake Champlain in the summer
and playing indoor soccer in the winter. And the rewards of his job? He rattles off
several: “The physicians I’ve worked with have allowed me to grow, and patients
sometimes send letters of thanks, which mean a lot. I’m thankful every day to
have the privilege to take care of patients because people have a trust in you:
they tell you things they wouldn’t tell anyone else, and you don’t get that in
every job.”
48 /
Health Careers
Mental Health &
Social Services
Counselor
50
Gerontologist
51
Human Services Worker
52
Psychiatrist
53
Psychologist
54
Social Worker 56
profile
58
Mental Health & Social Services
/ 49
Counselors
Counselors help people to identify and address specific
challenges in their lives. Rehabilitation counselors help
people with physical challenges – disabilities that come
from illness, injury or birth defects. Mental health counselors help people address such issues as substance abuse,
suicide, parenting or family problems, marital problems,
stress, self-esteem, or aging. Their duties depend on the
individuals they serve and the settings in which they work.
Work Environments
Colleges and universities
Community mental health centers
Correctional facilities
Drug rehabilitation facilities
Halfway houses
Hospice programs
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Private practices
Schools
Job Outlook
Employment of counselors is expected to grow faster
than the average for all occupations through 2018.
Salary
A general salary range of $40,260-$67,160 can be
expected; salaries vary depending on work environment,
population served, education and experience.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Most states require some form of counselor credentialing,
licensure, certification or registry for practice outside of
schools; all states require school counselors to hold a state
school counseling certification; Vermont requires that
mental health counselors be licensed. High school course
work should include college prep classes. Undergraduates
might major in natural sciences or psychology, for example.
Over half of all counselors have a master’s degree.
Career Ladder
Counselors can become supervisors or administrators in their
agencies. Some counselors move into research, consulting,
college teaching, or go into private or group practice.
50 /
Health Careers
Education Programs
College of St. Joseph
71 Clement Road
Rutland, VT 05701
802-773-5900
www.csj.edu
Johnson State College
Office of Graduate Studies
337 College Hill
Johnson, VT 05656
800-635-1244
www.jsc.edu
Springfield College School of Human Services
347 Emerson Falls Road
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
800-441-1812
www.spfldcol.edu/homepage/dept.nsf/shs
University of Vermont
The Counseling Program
Mann Hall
208 Colchester Avenue
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-3888
www.uvm.edu
Professional Organizations
American Counseling Association
Alexandria, VA
800-347-6647
www.counseling.org
American Mental Health Counselors Association
Alexandria, VA
800-326-2642
http://amhca.org
National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc.
Greensboro, NC
336-547-0607
www.nbcc.org
Gerontologist
Gerontologists know all about what it means to grow
old. They help tailor goods, services and public policy
to better meet the needs of the elderly. With many
career options, gerontology is an emerging field.
Elderly Americans represent one of the fastest growing
segments of our population. Their social, emotional
and health needs are greater than ever. Gerontologists
meet these needs by working in existing fields, such
as psychology, social work, dietetics, medicine, or
even law and business; and also by working in newly
developing nontraditional fields.
Education Programs
University of Vermont (certificate program)
Department of Continuing Education
322 South Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05401
800-639-3210
http://learn.uvm.edu
In addition, the following are available through the New
England Regional Student Program (RSP), www.nebhe.org:
Associate Degree PRograms
Community College of Rhode Island
Gateway Community-Technical College (CT)
Naugatuck Valley Community-Technical College (CT)
North Shore Community College (MA)
Quinsigamond Community College (MA)
Graduate program
UMass-Boston
Professional Organizations
Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE)
Washington, DC
202-289-9806
www.aghe.org
Factoid: As a result of the multidisciplinary
focus of gerontology, professionals from many
different fields call themselves “gerontologists.”
Work Environments
Educational institutions
Health care and long term care institutions
Senior citizen centers and retirement communities
Academic and research settings
Business and industry
Gerontologists may work in any number of places,
depending on their area of interest.
Job Outlook
As the size of the American elderly population grows,
the demand for people with expertise in gerontology
will increase much faster than the average for all other
occupations.
Salary
Salary levels vary in relation to work setting and level
of education. The average in Vermont is $32,070.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school course work should focus on college-prep
classes, including math, science, and humanities. After
high school, a minor or certificate in Gerontology can
be combined with a major in any number of fields. The
length of training in those majors is entirely dependent
upon the area of study. Gerontology course work or
a certificate can also be incorporated into a master’s
degree. There are currently no licensing or registration
requirements in Vermont for gerontologists.
Mental Health & Social Services
/ 51
Human Services Worker
Human Services Workers are case managers, group
home managers, activities coordinators, counselors,
and aides. Their clients might be people dealing with
drug addiction, HIV/AIDS, joblessness, homelessness,
mental illness, aging, or other challenging conditions.
A common goal in human services is to help people
deal effectively with their life situations, and to address
systems in need of change or improvement. Often, it
means working with other health professionals as part
of a team serving the individual needs of each client.
Work Environments
Community health centers
Group homes
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Private and public agencies
Schools
Job Outlook
Projected to be among the fastest growing occupations,
job opportunities should be excellent, particularly for
applicants with appropriate postsecondary education.
Salary
Salaries in this field range from $22,230-$35,620 in the
middle 50 percent.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Employers prefer an applicant with a minimum of an
associate degree and sometimes require a bachelor’s
degree.
Career Ladder
Formal education almost always is necessary for
advancement; generally, this means a bachelor’s or
master’s degree in counseling, rehabilitation, social work,
human services, psychology or a related field.
52 /
Health Careers
Education Programs
Burlington College
Admissions Office
351 North Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401
802-862-9616 or 800-862-9616
www.burlington.edu
College of St. Joseph
71 Clement Road
Rutland, VT 05701
802-773-5900
www.csj.edu
Community College of Vermont
PO Box 489
Montpelier, VT 05601
802-828-2800
www.ccv.edu
Lyndon State College
1001 College Road, PO Box 919
Lyndonville, VT 05851
800-225-1998
www.lyndonstate.edu
Southern Vermont College
982 Mansion Drive
Bennington, VT 05201
802-442-5427
www.svc.edu
Springfield College
School of Human Services
347 Emerson Falls Road
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-748-5402
www.spfldcol.edu/homepage/dept.nsf/shs
Professional Organizations
National Organization for Human Services
Woodstock, GA
770-924-8899
www.nationalhumanservices.org
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in the
diagnosis and treatment of emotional, cognitive and
behavioral disorders. Their medical education and
post-graduate training make psychiatrists uniquely
qualified to understand the growing database regarding
the causes, mechanisms, manifestations and treatments
of mental illness, and how these brain disorders relate
to other types of illness as well.
Psychiatry is sometimes confused with clinical
psychology. Both fields are concerned with helping
people achieve mental health and psychiatrists
and clinical psychologists both diagnose and treat
patients. Unlike psychologists, however, psychiatrists
are medical doctors. Accordingly, they may order
laboratory and other diagnostic tests, prescribe
medications and other medical interventions, and
coordinate with other physicians as part of their
patients’ treatment. Psychiatrists also engage in
research to gain further information about the causes
and mechanisms of mental illness and to advance
treatment. Some psychiatrists include in their work
the practice of psychotherapy. Some choose to work
with community organizations, like schools and the
legal system, as a way to improve mental health.
Education Programs
University of Vermont College of Medicine
Office of Admissions
Courtyard at Given South
89 Beaumont Avenue
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-2154
www.uvm.edu/medicine/admissions
Professional Organizations
Vermont Psychiatric Association
c/o The Vermont Medical Society
Montpelier, VT
802-223-7898
www.vtmd.org/vpa
American Psychiatric Association
Arlington, VA
703-907-7300
www.psych.org
Work Environments
Colleges and universities
Community agencies
Courts and correctional facilities
Emergency rooms
General and psychiatric hospitals
Government agencies
Hospice
Military
Nursing homes
Private practices
Rehabilitation programs
Schools
Job Outlook
The need for psychiatrists is extremely high in Vermont and
is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. There is
a particularly high need for child psychiatrists in Vermont.
Salary
Psychiatrists tend to earn high salaries, averaging about
$121,000 per year in New England. This is due to the
length and difficulty of their training. Salaries can vary
greatly according to the type of practice, hours worked,
geographic location and whether or not the psychiatrist
works in the public or private sector.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Psychiatrists must complete the same rigorous education
as other physicians. High school course work should have
a heavy emphasis on math and science, followed by an
undergraduate degree in one of the natural sciences.
College is followed by four years of medical school and at
least four years of residency training in psychiatry. Many
candidates continue on for additional training so that they
can further specialize in such areas as child and adolescent
psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, psychopharmacology or psychoanalysis. After completing residency
training, most psychiatrists seek certification from the
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Some states,
like Vermont, have loan repayment programs to assist with
educational debt in exchange for service commitments.
Mental Health & Social Services
/ 53
Psychologist
Psychologists include clinical and research psychologists.
Clinical psychologists work with clients to help them
overcome mental health challenges and build stability
in their lives. They provide evaluation and/or therapy
for those suffering from mental, emotional, behavioral
or intellectual/learning problems. To help them in
diagnosing a problem, they conduct interviews and
administer tests and questionnaires. Some psychologists
provide consultations to organizations, businesses,
sports teams, schools or other institutions.
Work Environments
For clinical psychology:
Correctional institutions
Hospitals
Industries and corporations
Mental health agencies
Private practices
Schools
For research psychology:
Colleges and universities
Independent research facilities
Job Outlook
Employment of psychologists is expected to grow about
as fast as average for all occupations through 2018.
Psychologists with master’s and doctoral degrees will be
sought after.
Salary
Psychologists typically earn between $61,340-$103,450
a year, depending on setting, education level and
experience. Clinical psychologists in private practice may
earn considerably more.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Education Programs
The degree level offered is indicated in parentheses.
Bennington College (BA)
One College Drive
Office of Admissions and the First Year
Bennington, VT 05201
802-442-5401
www.bennington.edu
Burlington College (BA)
Admissions Office
95 North Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401
802-862-9616 or 800-862-9616
www.burlington.edu
54 /
Health Careers
A Ph.D. degree is required to practice clinical psychology
or to hold a position as a university professor. However,
many opportunities exist, especially in educational and
organizational psychology, for master’s level psychologists.
Licensing, required in any practice, is administered by the
state. Prospective psychologists should study a strong,
well-rounded selection of math, science and humanities
subjects during high school and undergraduate studies.
Career Ladder
After obtaining a doctoral degree, a psychologist may go
into private practice or set up consulting firms, or teach
at the university level.
Castleton State College (BA)
86 Seminary Street
Castleton, VT 05735
802-468-5611
www.csc.vsc.edu
Saint Michael’s College (BA, MA)
One Winooski Park
Colchester, VT 05439
802-654-2000
www.smcvt.edu
College of St. Joseph (BA, MS)
71 Clement Road
Rutland, VT 05701
802-773-5900
www.csj.edu
University of Vermont (BA, BS, PhD)
Office of Admissions
1945 Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05401-3596
802-656-3370
www.uvm.edu/admissions
Green Mountain College (BA)
One Brennan Circle
Poultney, VT 05764
800-776-6675
www.greenmtn.edu
Johnson State College (BA, MA)
Office of Admission
337 College Hill
Johnson, VT 05656
800-635-2356
www.jsc.vsc.edu
Lyndon State College (BA)
1001 College Road, PO Box 919
Lyndonville, VT 05851-0919
802-626-6413 or 800-225-1998
www.lyndonstate.edu
Norwich University (BA)
The Admissions Office
158 Harmon Drive
Northfield, VT 05663
800-468-6679
www.norwich.edu
Southern Vermont College (BS)
982 Mansion Drive
Bennington, VT 05201
802-442-5427
www.svc.edu
Professional Organizations:
American Psychological Association
Washington, DC
800-374-2721
www.apa.org
National Institute of Mental Health
Bethesda, MD
866-615-6464
www.nimh.nih.gov
Mental Health America
Alexandria, VA
703-684-7722
www.nmha.org
National Association of School Psychologists
Bethesda, MD
301-657-0270
www.nasponline.org
Vermont Psychological Association
Montpelier, VT
802-229-5447
www.vermontpsych.org
FACTOID: There are about 170,200 psychologists
in the country, of which 29% are employed
in educational institutions; 21% in
health services; 10% in government agencies;
34% are self-employed.
Mental Health & Social Services
/ 55
Social Worker
Social Workers provide a wide range of services to
individuals, families, small groups, communities and
organizations. Social workers are guided by the values
of social justice and human rights. Social workers
often reach out to people who may be described as
oppressed and underserved.
Social workers most commonly work in non-profit
agencies and/or government agencies. Some social
workers choose to work in for-profit businesses or join
private practice groups. Fields of social work practice
56 /
Health Careers
include, but are not limited to, mental health, child
welfare, family work, substance abuse, adult and
juvenile justice, school social work, medical social
work, geriatric social work, homelessness and housing,
domestic violence, and community organizing/
development.
Social workers rarely do their work without
collaborating with other professionals like teachers,
nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors, community
organizers and legislators.
Education Programs
Castleton State College (BSW degree)
Department of Social Work
86 Seminary Drive
Castleton, VT 05735
802-468-5611
www.csc.vsc.edu
Springfield College
School of Human Services
347 Emerson Falls Road
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
800-441-1812
www.spfldcol.edu/shs
University of Vermont (BSW and MSW degrees)
Department of Social Work
85 South Prospect Street
443 Waterman Building
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-8800
www.uvm.edu/~socwork
Professional Organizations
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Washington, DC
202-408-8600
www.socialworkers.org
Council on Social Work Education
Alexandria, VA
703-683-8080
www.cswe.org
Vermont Chapter, National Association of Social Workers
Montpelier, VT
888-260-7398
www.naswvt.org
Work Environments
Community justice centers
Community mental health centers
Correctional facilities
Day care centers
Domestic violence agencies
Home health and hospice agencies
Hospitals
Housing agencies
Legislative/lobbying organizations
Nursing homes
Physician offices
Schools
Social and human service agencies
Substance abuse treatment facilities
Job Outlook
Employment is projected to grow faster than average
for social workers through 2018. The job search is
more competitive in cities than in rural areas. There
are increased opportunities for social workers who are
bilingual and for social workers who want to work in
rural, underserved areas.
Salary
Education, geographic location and experience impact
salary levels which range from $31,040-$52,080.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Bachelor degree-level social workers hold many human
service positions. High school course work should be
well-rounded, including math, science, and humanities.
A master’s degree and a state license are required for a
social worker to receive third party payments for their
work. Therefore a master’s degree is required to do
private practice work.
Career Ladder
Factoid: There are about 642,000 social
workers in the U.S., of which nine out of ten
are employed by state, county and municipal
government agencies, health care and
social assistance industries.
Supervisory positions for social workers are most definitely
available to BSWs and MSWs. However, with higher
education, social workers can more easily become
supervisors, administrators or open a private practice.
Mental Health & Social Services
/ 57
Profile
Casey Patunoff, MD
Child Psychiatrist
Northwestern Counseling and Support Services
St. Albans, VT
Casey Patunoff, MD of Colchester describes the best part of her child
psychiatrist job as saying goodbye to patients when they’re better.
A native of Plattsburgh, NY, she works at Northwestern Counseling and Support Services
(NCSS), which provides mental health, developmental, psychological and support services
to residents of Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.
Casey attended Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY where she earned her undergraduate
degree in biology and psychology; she studied for her medical degree at SUNY Upstate
Medical University in Syracuse, NY, where she also completed a residency in general adult
psychiatry. Following a fellowship in child psychiatry at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical
Center, she started her position at NCSS a last year.
Though she initially considered going into Pediatrics, a psychiatry clerkship rotation in her
third year of medical school changed her mind. “I saw the need for child psychiatrists,
and realized that when you help an individual, you are really helping the whole family.”
A challenging part of her job is “coming in as an outsider to people’s families and getting
them to let you into their worlds and secrets; establishing enough trust to be able to say
things that may be hard to hear.”
Nevertheless, Casey is clear about recommending the profession as a career, and she’s
realistic about the preparation for it. “It’s a long and challenging road to get all the
education you need, but it’s worth it because psychiatry offers an appealing balance
of lifestyle and work. It is never boring: there are new and interesting cases, and the
impact and change you can bring about is very rewarding. It’s a great job and a
wonderful community.”
58 /
Health Careers
Nursing
Home Health Aide
60
A Closer Look: House calls
61
Licensed Nursing Assistant
62
profile
63
Licensed Practical Nurse
64
Registered Nurse
65
profile
67
Advanced Practice Nursing
68
Nurse Practitioner
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Certified Nurse Midwife
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
A Closer Look: men needed for nursing
70
nursing
/ 59
Personal/Home Health Aide
Personal/Home Health Aides care for elderly, new-
borns and children with special needs, or those with
injuries or disabilities, in their own homes. Personal/
home health aides perform such duties as housekeeping,
activities of daily living for the patient, such as
personal hygiene, meal preparation, assistance with
medications, and laundry. They may accompany
a patient to doctor appointments and assist with
physical exercise. Personal/home health aides may
work independently or under the supervision of a
nurse, physical therapist or social worker.
Work Environments
Private homes
Job Outlook
Personal/Home health aide positions are expected to be
the fastest growing of all occupations because of the
increasing needs of an aging population and efforts
to control health care costs by moving patients out of
hospitals and nursing facilities as quickly as possible, as
well as consumer preference for care in the home.
Salary
Earnings depend upon experience, geographic location,
and client load. The average median hourly rate ranges
between $7.81-$10.98.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Nursing aide training is offered in high schools, vocationaltechnical schools, some nursing homes and community
colleges. Hospitals also offer training, as well as home
health aide agencies, but most in Vermont require a
commitment of employment as a prerequisite to getting
the training.
Career Ladder
Additional education can take home health aides into
nursing positions such as licensed practical nurse,
registered nurse, and so on (see other Nursing positions
in this Directory).
Professional Organizations:
National Association for Home Care and Hospice
Washington, DC
202-547-7424
www.nahc.org
Factoid: Experience as an aide can help
people decide whether to continue on a
health care career path.
60 /
Health Careers
A Closer Look
House Calls: Providing Health Care in the Patient’s Home
T
he biggest growth of jobs in
health care is projected to
occur in the home health
arena, which is a natural
outgrowth of the trend to be
proactive in managing chronic disease
Patricia Donehower
outside of acute care.
What types of jobs will experience this huge
increase? Patricia Donehower, RN, vice president for
Clinical Services at the Visiting Nurse Association
of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties (VNA) in
Colchester, can list quite a number of them. “There
is a wide range of professions that provide service
in home health, including registered nurse, licensed
practical nurse, licensed nursing assistant, occupational
therapist, physical therapist, speech therapist, social
worker, personal care attendant, and nurse specialists
such as wound care/incontinence nurse, psychiatry
nurse, maternal-child nurse, and diabetes educator.
In addition, there are specialized programs that
function in the home, such as palliative care, hospice,
and bereavement.”
“The benefits of working in home care are
numerous,” says Pat. “You’re part of a team of people
who enable recovery and/or adaptation to chronic
illness in patients’ homes, and that’s a great feeling.
You get to know the patients and their families
because you see them over time and the rewards
of developing a relationship with a patient are very
substantial.”
Home health care also presents opportunities for
using many skills, such as clinical decision-making,
communication, patient assessment, and for registered
nurses who guide and direct licensed practical nurses
and licensed nursing assistants, management and teambuilding skills. The challenges presented are in finding
the patient’s home and establishing a relationship with
new patients balanced by a degree of independence
for workers to schedule their patient visits within the
day, and a supportive work environment.
Typical employee benefits in home health care
include car allowance reimbursements, cell telephone
expenses, a pension and an investment savings program,
says Pat. There are also tuition reimbursement funds
available and in-house and external continuing
education provided.
When asked how to know if home health care is
the right setting for an employee, Pat suggests summer
employment at an agency to get a closer look at the
environment. Those interested in being a licensed
nursing assistant can attend an LNA course, a job
shadowing experience, and for other new employees,
there is an extensive orientation program that is
customized for each learner.
Home health care allows you to truly understand
the patient in their environment, and challenges
you to call upon community agencies and resources
who should be involved to help make the patient
as independent and comfortable as possible,” Pat
comments. “It is a health care setting where you can
see the difference you make each and every day.”
Nursing
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Licensed Nursing Assistant
Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNA) work under the
supervision of licensed practical nurses (LPN) and
registered nurses (RN) to provide basic patient care and
assist with nursing procedures. They take vital signs, collect
specimens for laboratory tests, administer medications,
change wound dressings, serve and feed meals, assist
patients in and out of bed, and answer patients’ call
lights. They have a great deal of patient contact.
Work Environments
Home health organizations
Hospitals
Long-term care facilities
Mental health facilities
Nursing facilities
Job Outlook
Employment of nursing aides is expected to grow faster
than the average in response to increasing emphasis on
rehabilitation and the long-term care needs of a growing
elderly population.
Salary
LNAs earn between $10.00-$15.63 an hour, with an
average of about $25,740 a year.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Vermont requires nursing assistants to complete a
training program and pass the state licensing exam.
Career Ladder
Additional education can take licensed nursing aides
into nursing positions such as licensed practical nurse,
registered nurse, and so on (see other Nursing positions
in this Directory).
Factoid: Of the approximately 2.1 million
nursing aides in the country, one quarter work in
hospitals, nearly one half work in nursing facilities
and others work in various related settings.
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Health Careers
Education Programs
Training programs are available from technical high
schools, some hospitals, home health agencies, and
nursing homes, but applicants must first secure a
position at that facility to be eligible for training.
Professional Organizations
National Association of Health Care Assistants
Washington, DC
800-784-6049
www.nahcacares.org
National Network of Career Nursing Assistants
Norton, OH
330-825-9342
www.cna-network.org
For more information on nursing in Vermont, go to
www.choosenursingvermont.org
Profile
Desi (Desiree) Plumley, LNA
Licensed Nursing Assistant
Grace Cottage Hospital
Townshend, VT
Desi Plumley grew up in the service area of Grace
Cottage Hospital in Newfane, Vermont where her
mother and grandmother work in the kitchen. After
graduating from the local high school she worked in a
photo lab. But securing a housekeeping job at Grace
Cottage five years ago gave her an inside look at the
career she now loves: licensed nursing assistant (LNA).
A self-confessed “clean freak,” Desi spent two years
in housekeeping where she interacted with patients
and staff each day, often lending a hand to nurses or
physical therapists as they helped patients. She enrolled
in an LNA course offered at the hospital, and after she
completed the course, she passed the state licensing exam and became an LNA.
She enjoys being with patients all the time noting she can sometimes be the “eyes and
ears” of the nurse, or the early warning system if something is going wrong. She says
she particularly enjoys talking with elderly people who tell stories about war and the
Depression. “I love my job – I really do. I love the patients and the people I work with,”
she says. What is the difficult part of the job? “Losing a patient in the Hospice Unit,”
Desi responds.
Asked about the qualifications for becoming an effective LNA, she responds by saying,
“You have to have the right mindset, and be friendly, attentive to detail, caring,
honest and organized.” Clearly, Desi has found her niche, and says she would like
to continue her health care education.
Nursing
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Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide basic bedside
care to patients whose common recurring conditions are
generally stable. After licensure, LPNs typically find
employment in a hospital, long-term care facility or
another health care organization. They work under the
supervision of physicians, dentists, or registered nurses
(RNs), who might ask an LPN to give injections, insert
catheters, or give patients other physical treatments.
An LPN may also provide the patient and family with
information about medical conditions, treatment
and care. In the hospital setting, an LPN might take
patients’ vital signs, monitor patients’ responses to
medication and other treatments, or help patients
with personal hygiene. They may also help registered
nurses develop or change a patient’s plan of care.
Educational Programs
Vermont Technical College (VTC) offers the only
LPN program in Vermont. Their “one-plus-one”
program is available at 11 Vermont locations. During
the first year, students complete a Certificate of
Practical Nursing and are eligible to apply for LPN
licensure. If accepted into the second year program,
students complete an associate of science degree in
nursing and are eligible to apply for RN licensure.
Vermont Technical College (VTC)
PO Box 500
Randolph Center, VT 05061-0500
800-442-VTC1 or 802-728-1243
www.vtc.edu
VTC’s program is also offered at these sites:
•Bennington/Putnam Campus
150 Hospital Drive, Box 76
Bennington, VT 05201
•Thompson/Brattleboro Campus
157 Old Guilford Road, Suite 7
Brattleboro, VT 05301
•Fanny Allen/Williston Campus
201 Lawrence Place
Williston, VT 05495
•Extended Campuses: Lyndon, Middlebury, Morrisville, Newport, Springfield, St Albans, White River Junction
64 /
Health Careers
Professional Organizations
National Association for Practical Nurse Education & Service, Inc.
Alexandria, VA
703-933-1003
www.napnes.org
For more information on nursing in Vermont, go to
www.choosenursingvermont.org
Work Environments
Clinics
Dentist offices
Government agencies
Home health care agencies
Hospitals
Insurance companies
Long-term care facilities
Physician offices
Private homes
Schools
Job Outlook
The need for LPNs through 2018 should grow at an
average rate in the general health care sector and faster
than average growth in long term care facilities. This
trend is due to the aging of the population in the U.S.
and the current practice of releasing patients from
hospitals shortly after procedures such as surgery.
Salary
Most LPNs start at about $28,890 (or about $13.89
per hour) for full time work, although salaries vary
depending on the work setting. Experienced, full time
LPNs can expect to earn $33,920 to $47,220 per year.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school course work should include plenty of math
and science. After high school, licensed practical nurse
(LPN) candidates must complete about a year’s worth
of combined classroom and clinical study, then pass the
LPN licensing exam for Vermont.
Title
Registered Nurses (RNs) administer medications,
perform life-saving procedures, promote health,
prevent disease, and help people cope with illness, life
changes and death. Nurses are advocates and educators
for patients, families and communities.
The majority of nurses practice in hospital settings
where they provide care to patients 24 hours a day.
They develop and manage nursing care plans for
patients that combine the treatment prescribed by
the physician with the nursing needs that have been
identified. Hospital nurses often specialize in a
particular area of nursing such as maternity, surgery,
emergency, pediatric, psychiatric, medical, cardiac, or
critical care. Nurses perform procedures and exams
that frequently include assisting a physician, such as
in the operating room. Nurses also teach patients and
their families about their conditions, particularly how
to care for themselves, how to prevent complications,
and when to seek further advice from a health care
professional. Nurses coordinate the activities of many
other members of the health care team. They supervise
licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed nursing
assistants (LNAs).
Some RNs work for local, state or international
public health agencies, where they monitor
communicable diseases, assist with evaluating air and
water quality efforts, teach people in the community
about healthy choices, and disease prevention.
Registered Nurse
Work Environments
Clinics
Corporations
Government agencies
Home health organizations
Hospitals
Long-term care facilities and hospices
Overseas, military, traveling nurses agencies
Peace Corps
Physician offices
Public health agencies
Schools and universities
Job Outlook
Employment opportunities for registered nurses will
continue to grow much faster than average through 2018.
The fastest growth in new RN positions is expected in
hospital outpatient facilities, home health care agencies,
and long term care facilities. In Vermont, there is a great
need for nurses in all areas.
Salary
Salaries for registered nurses depend heavily on geographic
location, work setting and level of experience, education and
responsibility. Registered nurses can expect to earn starting
wages between $52,520 and $77,970. Although some
health care organizations in Vermont do not differentiate
salary for associate (ADN) and bachelor (BSN) degrees,
graduates of BSN programs will have greater opportunities
to advance, a primary factor in job satisfaction.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school course work should have a strong emphasis
on math, English, and science. In order to take the Vermont
licensing exam, candidates must successfully complete either
an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or BSN (Bachelor of
Science in Nursing) program. Both levels of education, with
a license, permit a registered nurse to work in an entry-level
position. However, a BSN is usually required for advancement
into a master’s level specialization program, although some
master’s programs accept individuals with an ADN and a
related bachelor’s degree. There are also options for entering
nursing at a master’s level with a B.S. or B.A. degree.
nursing
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To learn more about the Vermont Educational Loan
Repayment Program for Health Care Professionals,
visit www.vtahec.org.
Education Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Castleton State College
Nursing Department
Castleton, VT 05735
802-468-1262 or 802-468-1230
www.csc.edu/Nursing
Southern Vermont College
Nursing Division
982 Mansion Drive, Bennington, VT 05201
802-447-4661
www.svc.edu
Vermont Technical College (VTC)
Admissions Office, PO Box 500
Randolph Center, VT 05061-0500
www.vtc.edu
VTC’s program is also offered at the following sites:
•Fanny Allen/Williston Campus
201 Lawrence Place
Williston, VT 05495
•Putnam/Bennington Campus
150 Hospital Drive, Box 76
Bennington, VT 05201
•Thompson/Brattleboro Campus
157 Old Guilford Road, Suite 7
Brattleboro, VT 05301
•Extended Campuses: Lyndon, St. Albans, Newport
Baccalaurate Degree Programs:
Castleton State College
Nursing Department
Castleton, VT 05735
802-468-1262 or 802-468-1230
www.csc.edu/Nursing
66 /
Health Careers
Norwich University
Nursing Department
158 Harmon Drive
Northfield, VT 05663
800-468-6679
www.norwich.edu
Southern Vermont College (see left)
University of Vermont (BSN, Master’s and Post-Master's
Certificate)
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
105 Rowell, Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-3858
www.uvm.edu/nursing
Nursing Refresher Course information is available online at:
www.vtprofessionals.org
Professional Organizations
National League for Nursing
New York, NY
800-669-1656
www.nln.org
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Washington, DC
202-463-6930
www.aacn.nche.edu
American Nurses Association
Silver Spring, MD
800-274-4262
www.nursingworld.org
Vermont State Nurses’ Association
South Burlington, VT
802-651-8886
www.vsna-inc.org
For more information on nursing in Vermont, go to
www.choosenursingvermont.org
Factoid: Registered nurses constitute the largest
health care occupation, with 2.6 million jobs.
Profile
Stacy Wissmann, RN
Informatics Specialist
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
Brattleboro, VT
Stacy Wissmann thinks it is a combination of influences
that spurred her to become a nurse. “I actually made
the decision when I was in high school: my aunt was
a nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital in
White River and listening to her sparked my interest
over the years. I also had grandparents who struggled
with medical problems, and in high school, I developed
a concern for other people. Following high school, I
became a licensed nursing assistant at a nursing home,
which taught me basic skills and confirmed that it was
a good career for me.”
“I attended Greenfield Community College (GCC) for my associate degree, and I have
been working on my bachelor’s degree evenings; looking back, I wish I had gotten advice
from a more knowledgeable guidance counselor and gone for my bachelor’s right away
because it is hard to do it evenings when you have a family and a full-time job.”
After six years as a bedside nurse and clinical coordinator, she started to assist in
developing nursing applications for electronic medical administration, and found she
enjoyed developing tools for nurses to use in new computer systems. Currently working
toward her national Informatics Specialist certification while she continues to work
toward her bachelor’s in nursing, Stacy notes that as a nurse it is possible to do many
things in one’s career: “If you’re willing to work hard and expose yourself to different
opportunities, people in your workplace will recognize that, see the value you bring
to the organization, and work with you to succeed in those opportunities.”
nursing
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Advanced Practice Nursing
Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) refers to several
specialties in nursing for those with advanced
education and skills. They include Nurse Practitioners
(NPs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), Certified
Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Registered
Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) provide obstetric
and gynecologic care to women of all ages. They
perform gynecologic exams and Pap smears, prescribe
medications and birth control methods, deliver babies,
perform the first newborn exam, and assist new
mothers with breastfeeding. CNMs consult with a
physician if complications arise during pregnancy or
birth. CNMs also educate patients about reproductive
health and family planning.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
are responsible for the administration of all types of
anesthesia including routine and invasive monitoring of
vital signs for all surgical procedures as well as obstetric
procedures. CRNAs practice under the supervision of
a physician. They also conduct full pre-anesthetic
assessments and provide post-operative care.
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) most often work
within a hospital and are experts in a specialized area
of practice, such as cardiology, gerontology, mental
health, or cancer care. They provide direct care or
advise other nurses in the care of those patients.
CNSs may also carry out nursing research, educate
patients and staff, or act as a consultant to groups
needing expert nursing knowledge.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) work as primary health care
providers in specialty practice. In collaboration with
a physician, they conduct physical assessments, take
medical histories, prescribe medications, diagnose and
treat many illnesses and injuries, and may perform a
variety of medical procedures. Nurse practitioners are
also experts at teaching patients about staying healthy
and preventing disease.
Education Programs
University of Vermont
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
105 Rowell
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-3858
www.uvm.edu/nursing
NURSE ANESTHETIST PROGRAMS:
University of New England
School of Nurse Anesthesia
716 Stevens Avenue
Portland, ME 04103
www.une.edu
Albany Medical College
Nurse Anesthesiology Program
Mail Code 68
16 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
518-262-4303
www.amc.edu
Boston College
Nurse Anesthesia Program
140 Commonwealth Ave.
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
www.bc.edu/nursing
68 /
Health Careers
Factoid: There are more than 257,000 advanced
practice registered nurses (APRN) in the United States.
Northeastern University/New England Medical Center
Nurse Anesthesia Program
102 Robinson Hall, 360 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
617-373-2985
www.northeastern.edu
NURSE-MIDWIFE PROGRAMS:
Yale University
School of Nursing (MSN)
100 Church Street, Box 9740
New Haven, CT 06536
203-785-2389
www.nursing.yale.edu
Baystate Medical Center
Midwifery Education Program (post-baccalaureate certificate)
759 Chestnut Street
Springfield, MA 01199
413-794-4448
www.baystatehealth.com
Professional Organizations
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Park Ridge, IL
847-692-7050
www.aana.com
American College of Nurse-Midwives
Silver Spring, MD
240-485-1800
www.midwife.org
American College of Nurse Practitioners
Arlington, VA
703-740-2529
www.acnpweb.org
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
Philadelphia, PA
215-320-3881
www.nacns.org
For more information on nursing in Vermont, go to
www.choosenursingvermont.org
Work Environments
Birthing centers
Clinics
Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
Hospitals
Industry
Military
Nursing homes and hospices
Nursing schools
Outpatient offices
Private homes
Public health departments
Schools
Job Outlook
The demand for advanced practice nurses is expected to
continue to increase over the next decade and beyond,
as the need and demand for effective health care
increases. Demand is expected to be particularly high in
rural, inner-city and other underserved areas.
Salary
Nurse practitioners and nurse midwives typically earn an
average salary of $90,000 per year. Nurse anesthetists
usually earn an average salary of $60,000 per year.
Education, Certification and Licensing
For those interested in advanced practice nursing, high
school course work should include an emphasis on math
and science. A bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and a
registered nurse (RN) license are usually required before
continuing on to advanced certification or a master’s
degree; however, there are nursing programs that
enroll non-RNs with bachelor degrees in other areas of
specialization. Master’s programs generally take two
years to complete.
Nurse anesthesia programs usually require 1 to 2 years
of critical care experience. These programs generally take
2.5 years to complete.
nursing
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A Closer Look
More than a Few Good Men Needed for Nursing
M
en have chosen to be nurses since
the Middle Ages, particularly during
wartime when they nursed the critically
ill and wounded. In fact, the military
provides great opportunities for young
men to study nursing in college and enlist, or for
enlisted men and veterans to advance their careers
from medics to registered nurses, and even further to
nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse educators
or nurse scientists. Men also enter nursing as a second
career seeking the satisfaction of caring for individuals,
families and whole communities.
Research shows that male nurses tend to gravitate
toward working in fast-paced settings like the
Emergency department and critical care units, although
psychiatry nursing is also a popular specialty for male
nurses. Male middle school students have been shown
to prefer high technology and caring careers that
have good job security and win the respect of others.
Those traits accurately describe a career in nursing;
in fact, Gallup polls consistently find nurses ranked
number one for being a trustworthy and respected
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Health Careers
profession, Perhaps that is why the percentage of male
nurses continues to grow: in the military, 30-35% of
nurse positions are held by men, and the number of
men enrolled in baccalaureate nursing programs has
increased from 5.9% in 1992 to 12.3% in 2010.
The work settings are nearly limitless, from business
to management, clinical specialties and schools.
Nursing promises a job in nearly any geographical
location or nursing specialty, with flexibility in
schedules and steadily improving salaries.
Additional information about becoming a nursing
is available at the following web sites:
American Assembly for Men in Nursing:
www.aamn.org
The National Student Nurses’ Association:
www.nsna.org
The Campaign for Nursing’s Future:
www.discovernursing.com
Vermont Nursing Programs:
www.choosenursingvermont.org
Nutrition Services
Dietitians/Nutritionists
72
Dietetic Technicians
73
Nutrition Services
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Dietitian/Nutritionist
Dietitians/Nutritionists plan nutrition programs for
large groups such as hospitals and nursing facilities,
and for individuals with special needs, such as people
with diabetes or high blood pressure. They also educate
people about the need for and ways to achieve proper
nutrition. There are many specific areas of this field
that work with particular population groups.
Education Programs
Department of Nutrition
and Food Sciences
University of Vermont
109 Carrigan Drive
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-3374
www.nutrition.uvm.edu
Professional
Organizations
The American Dietetic Association
Chicago, IL
800-877-1600
www.eatright.org
American Society for Clinical Nutrition
Bethesda, MD
301-634-7050
www.nutrition.org
Factoid: There are about 50,000 dietitian/
nutritionist jobs in the U.S: of those, more
than half are in hospitals, nursing homes,
or offices and clinics of physicians.
Work Environments
Clinics
Company cafeterias
Day care centers
Health clubs
Home health agencies
Hospitals
Nursing facilities
Physician offices
Private practice
Public health/government agencies
Research labs
Schools
Job Outlook
Employment of dietitians is expected to grow about as
fast as average for all occupations through 2018 as a result
of increasing emphasis on disease prevention through
improved dietary habits. A growing and aging population
will increase the demand for meals and nutritional
counseling in nursing homes, schools, prisons, community
health programs and home health care agencies.
Salary
The middle 50 percent of dietitians earn between $41,060
and $61,790 a year, depending on setting and experience.
The highest salaries are found for those in consultation
and business, food and nutrition management, education
and research, community nutrition, and clinical nutrition.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school course work should include college prep
classes in the sciences, math, and communication.
Dietitians must obtain a bachelor’s degree from an
accredited program and complete a supervised internship.
They must also pass the Registered Examination for
Dietitians to become a Registered Dietitian (RD).
Career Ladder
Experienced dietitians may advance to management
positions in a dietetic department.
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Health Careers
Dietetic Technician
Dietetic Technicians work under the supervision of
a registered dietitian to help plan, implement, and
assess nutritional programs and services. The
technician screens patients to identify nutritional
problems and provides patient education and
counseling to individuals or groups. They may oversee food service personnel and be responsible for
monitoring food inventories and ordering supplies.
Work Environments
Community health centers
Correctional facilities
Food companies
Health clubs
Hospitals
Nursing facilities
Public health/government agencies
Schools and day care centers
Education Programs
There are no dietetic technician programs in
Vermont, but the following are available through
the New England Regional Student Program (RSP)
www.nebhe.org:
Gateway Community College (CT)
Southern Maine Community College
Professional Organizations
The American Dietetic Association
Chicago, IL
800-877-1600
www.eatright.org
Job Outlook
The job market for registered dietetic technicians is assumed
to be similar to that for dietitians and nutritionists, which
is as fast as the average. Growth is anticipated in nursing
homes, residential care facilities, and physician clinics.
Salary
Entry-level dietetic technicians earn between $21,070$34,710 per year, with some higher earnings reported
among those with greater responsibility and experience.
Education, Certification and Licensing
A high school diploma and a two-year associate degree
at an accredited college or university or the equivalent is
needed to prepare for the certification exam. Programs
include classes in food and nutrition sciences, foodservice
systems management and general science courses.
Career Ladder
Dietetic technicians may want to pursue their education
to become registered dietitians.
Factoid: Dietetic technicians may start
their careers as dietetic aides or assistants
which require no formal training; training is
gained by on-the-job learning.
Nutrition Services
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Profile
Alison Geier, RPh
Pharmacist
Central Vermont Medical Center
Berlin, VT
A friendly discussion with her hometown pharmacist in East Montpelier, Vermont led Alison Geier
to start looking at colleges where she could study
pharmacy.
“The pharmacist I talked to liked her job, and I
like science and math,” Alison explains. “I knew I
wanted to stay in New England, but I didn’t want
an all pharmacy school. Northeastern University
offered a small pharmacy program in a large university, with a co-operative program that I am
thankful to have had,” she adds. “The Co-op approach allowed me to go out and work in
my field early in my college career: this enabled me to try the new skills I was learning and it
confirmed that I liked the career I chose.”
During the six years she was in college, Alison completed co-op experiences doing
mission work in Oklahoma and working in a retail pharmacy in Vermont; classmates
explored nuclear pharmacy as well as hospital pharmacy in their field work.
When she graduated from college, Alison remained with the retail pharmacy chain in
Roxbury for seven years where she enjoyed working in the community as a result of
earning a Disease State Management certificate as a diabetes educator at the
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. After she met and married her husband,
they decided to leave Boston, so they returned to her home state where
she was hired at Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC).
“Hospital and retail pharmacy are completely different,” she comments about her
current job, and adds that the change is good. “I’m using my brain in many
different ways: to learn patient conditions, therapeutics, kidney function,
appropriateness of medication for the patient, allergies, and more. I’ve also
been involved in trying to develop a computer system that’s better for
our patients.”
Alison’s advice for those who want to become a pharmacist? “Pharmacy college
is hard: you need to like sciences, especially chemistry, and be able to memorize
a lot,” she says. “But the work is worth it because you can earn good pay and
there is excellent job security in this profession.”
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Health Careers
Pharmacy
profile
74
PharmAcist
76
Pharmacy Technician
78
pharmacy
/ 75
Pharmacist
Pharmacists work closely with physicians and other
health practitioners to ensure that patients are
treated with the safest, most effective medications.
Pharmacists routinely review medication orders,
prescriptions, and medication profiles to help ensure
appropriate drug selection, dose, and dosing schedule.
They look for drug-drug and drug-food interactions
that may be harmful. If a pharmacist identifies a drugrelated problem or detects a potentially dangerous
situation, she/he is responsible for notifying the
doctor, patient, or both, and recommends potential
alternatives.
Pharmacists with advanced training may collaborate
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Health Careers
with other providers to focus on direct patient care
activities. These activities may include policy
development or research rather than reviewing and
approving prescription orders. They help make sure
people can afford their medications, look at responses
to drug therapies and address ways to minimize drug
side effects.
Factoid: While earnings are high, some pharmacists
are required to work evenings, weekends and
holidays, depending on where they work.
Education Programs
There is one pharmacy college available in Vermont.
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences/
VT Campus
261 Mountain View Drive
Colchester, VT 05446
888-203-8010
www.acphs.edu
Professional Organizations
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
Alexandria, VA
703-739-2330
www.aacp.org
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Bethesda, MD
866-279-0681
www.ashp.org
American Pharmacists Association
Washington, DC
800-237-2742
www.pharmacists.com
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
Alexandria, VA
www.nacds.org
American College of Clinical Pharmacy
Lenexa, KS
913-492-3311
www.accp.com
Work Environments
Clinics
Government agencies
Home health care agencies
Hospitals
Insurance companies
Mail order pharmacy companies
Pharmaceutical companies
Retail pharmacy stores
Retail store or supermarket pharmacy departments
Job Outlook
The demand for pharmacists is expected to be greater
than average through 2018 due to the increased need
for pharmaceuticals by a larger and aging population.
Also, scientific advances will make more drug products
available, while increasingly sophisticated consumers
will be seeking more information about medications.
Salary
Pharmacists typically earn between $95,780 and
$123,330 a year.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school course work should include an emphasis
on math and science, especially biology and chemistry.
To become a pharmacist a doctoral degree is required.
A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) takes six years, and
pharmacists must pass a licensing exam after graduation.
pharmacy
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Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technicians assist licensed pharmacists
in the dispensing of medications and other healthrelated items to patients. In most settings, pharmacy
technicians receive prescriptions from a prescriber and
verify the patient’s information on the prescription
for clarity and accuracy. They prepare the medication
needed to fill the prescription by retrieving it, counting,
pouring, weighing, measuring and sometimes mixing
the medications. Before the prescription is given to the
patient, a pharmacist checks it.
Technicians also establish and maintain patient
records, prepare insurance claim forms, stock and
take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter
medications.
Education Programs
There are no programs in Vermont or in the New
England Regional Student Program. Many hospitals
offer pharmacy technician training programs.
Professional Organizations
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
Washington, DC
800-363-8012
www.ptcb.org
Work Environments
Government agencies
Home health care agencies
Hospitals
Mail order pharmacy companies
Pharmacy benefit managers
Pharmaceutical companies
Retail pharmacy stores
Retail store or supermarket pharmacy departments
Factoid: About 7 out of 10 pharmacy
technician jobs are in retail pharmacies;
2 in 10 jobs are in hospitals.
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Health Careers
Job Outlook
Employment growth for Pharmacy Technicians is expected
to increase at an average rate through 2018. As a result
of a pharmacist shortage, the increasing impact of
prescription medicines on the quality of life, and
the overall cost of health care, the use of pharmacy
technicians for routine procedures will expand to allow
pharmacists to concentrate on more complex roles.
Technicians with formal training and licensure will have
the best employment prospects.
Salary
Pharmacy technicians earn between $23,020-$33,820
per year for full time work. Salaries may increase with
formal training and licensing.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Pharmacy technicians entering the field should have
strong backgrounds in math, chemistry, and reading.
Also, strong customer service skills are important. Many
pharmacy technicians receive informal, on-the-job
training, although employers prefer to hire those
technicians who have completed a formal education
program. Formal pharmacy technician education programs
require classroom and laboratory work in various areas
including medical and pharmaceutical terminology,
pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy record keeping,
pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law.
Some colleges provide associate degrees for pharmacy
technicians and others award certificates for yearlong
programs.
After completing a formal education program, pharmacy
technicians can sit for the licensing exam administered by
the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. The exam is
voluntary but technicians who pass it demonstrate a level
of competency to prospective employers.
Public Health
Biostatistician
80
Epidemiologist
81
Health Educator
82
profile
83
public Health
/ 79
Biostatistician
Biostatisticians are more statisticians than biologists
who work with researchers to design studies that
may show the pattern of a disease, the effectiveness
of treatments, or a given health issue’s impact on the
community. They figure out the best way to collect
data and then use mathematics to study what they’ve
collected. Their work helps to define and answer the
questions that ultimately lead to advances in disease
prevention and treatment.
Education Programs
University of Vermont
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
16 Colchester Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401
802-656-2940
www.uvm.edu/cems
Professional Organizations
International Society for Clinical Biostatistics
214-45-42-14-62-79
www.iscb.info
Society for Clinical Trials
Philadelphia, PA
215-564-3484
www.sctweb.org
American Statistical Association
Alexandria, VA
703-684-1221
www.amstat.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Atlanta, GA
800-232-4636
www.cdc.gov
American Public Health Association
Washington, DC
202-777-2742
www.apha.org
Factoid: There are about 23,000 biostatisticians
in the U.S., primarily in government.
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Health Careers
Work Environments
Healthcare organizations
Colleges and universities
Government agencies
Pharmaceutical companies
State and local health departments
Finance and insurance companies
Job Outlook
Job opportunities for statisticians in general are expected
to remain good, with more employment available to wellqualified statisticians with a master’s or doctoral degree.
Salary
Biostatisticians can expect to earn a median salary of
$72,820 per year, depending on the level of education
and experience.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Typically a master’s level is the minimum education
required for a biostatistician. Undergraduate work should
include calculus, matrix algebra, computer programming
and a major in statistics.
Career Ladder
Some biostatisticians may assume supervisory positions
within their work area.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists work to understand the causes of
disease and ways to prevent or control it. Understanding
an epidemic means knowing how a given disease works
inside the body, how it passes between people, and how
it can move through a community. Epidemiologists also
work to reduce or even prevent epidemics when they
can. They use academic methods, such as statistics,
demography and scientific research, as well as communitybased approaches, such as vaccination programs and
educational campaigns to help people stay healthy.
Education Programs
There are no graduate epidemiology programs
available in Vermont or through the New England
Regional Student Program. Schools in New England
that do have such programs are:
Boston University (MA)
Brown University (RI)
Harvard University (MA)
Tufts University (MA)
University at Albany (S.U.N.Y)
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Yale University (CT)
Professional Organizations
American College of Epidemiology
Raleigh, NC
919-861-5573
www.acepidemiology2.org
American Public Health Association
Washington, DC
202-777-2742
www.apha.org
Work Environments
Health departments (federal, state and local)
Medical corporations
Research organizations
Universities
Job Outlook
Infectious diseases continue to pose a threat to public
health and chronic conditions such as heart disease and
cancer have become more prevalent. Therefore, the
demand for epidemiologists will likely be high for the
foreseeable future.
Salary
Salary is dependent upon educational level and place
of employment, but salaries range between $49,870$75,350 a year.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Candidates for study in epidemiology should have a strong
math and science focus in high school. Undergraduate
study might include biology, microbiology, or public health,
followed by a Master of Science program and/or a Ph.D.
program in epidemiology. Another route is to earn a
medical degree (M.D. or D.O.), followed by a Master of
Public Health degree in epidemiology.
Career Ladder
Those who obtain a doctoral degree are qualified to
assume leadership roles in research and teaching of
epidemiology.
Association for Professionals in Infection Control &
Epidemiology
Washington, DC
202-789-1890
www.apic.org
International Clinical Epidemiology Network
Philadelphia, PA
215-735-8170
www.inclen.org
public Health
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Health Educator
Health Educators are professionals who design, conduct
and evaluate activities that help improve the health
of all people. For example, they provide information
on preventive health care to the general public in an
effort to prevent disease and promote the health of
individuals and communities. They address subjects
such as sexuality, alcohol/substance abuse, tobacco
control and prevention, maternal/child health,
and nutrition/weight management. Some health
educators also work on research and planning,
studying the health needs of a population and creating
educational programs to help meet those needs.
Education Programs
There are no health education programs in Vermont,
but the following are available through the New England
Regional Student Program (RSP), www.nebhe.org:
BACHELOR’S DEGREE
Rhode Island College
University of Massachusetts/Lowell
Western Connecticut State University
National Education Association
Washington, DC
202-833-4000
www.nea.org
Society for Public Health Education
Washington, DC
202-408-9804
www.sophe.org
Work Environments
Colleges and universities
Corporations
Correctional facilities
Hospitals
Non-profit organizations
Physician offices
Rehabilitation clinics
Public health agencies
Schools
Job Outlook
MASTER’S DEGREE
Plymouth State University (NH)
Rhode Island College
Southern Connecticut State University
Demand for health educators is expected to grow faster
than average with an increasing emphasis on preventive
health care.
Professional Organizations
Salary
American Public Health Association
Washington, DC
202-777-2742
www.apha.org
Education, Certification and Licensing
American Alliance for Health Education, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance
Reston, VA
800-213-7193
www.aahperd.org
Factoid: Health educators work as generalists,
educating people about a whole spectrum of health
issues, or they may specialize in a certain population
group like adolescents or the elderly; they may
also specialize in a certain aspect, such as industrial
health, school health, or community health.
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Health Careers
Annual salaries range from $33,270-$60,970 depending
on location and experience.
High school course work for this position should include
college prep classes in math, science and humanities.
Health educators might earn a bachelor’s degree in
education, public health, psychology or other related
fields. For many positions, a Vermont teaching certificate
is required. It is also possible to be a certified health
educator through the National Commission for Health
Education Credentialing.
Career Ladder
Health educators may advance from being practitioners
and teachers to managers and directors within a variety
of health-related fields.
Public Health Nurse
Public Health Nurses care
for all the people of their
community. Public health
nurses monitor the spread
of disease, keep vigilant
watch for environmental
hazards, educate the
community on how
to care for and treat
themselves, and train
for community disasters
and bioterrorism. Public
health nurses advocate,
not just for the patient,
but for the community.
Public health nurses
travel to schools, community
centers, and other sites in
the promotion and protection
of the health of populations using knowledge
from nursing, social and public health sciences.
Education Programs
See information on Registered Nurse page 66.
Salary
The average salary nationwide for a public health nurse
is $51,000-$55,000; salaries vary depending on where
one works.
Professional Organizations
Education, Certification and Licensing
American Public Health Association
Washington, DC
202-777-2742
High school coursework should have a strong emphasis
on math, English and science. In order to take the
Vermont licensing exam, candidates must successfully
complete either an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program. Both levels
of education, with a license, permit a registered nurse to
work in an entry level position. Advanced degrees in this
field include a master’s in public health.
Work Environments
Government agencies
Non-profit organizations
Community health centers
Schools
Career Ladder
Job Outlook
As in all areas of nursing, there is an increasing demand
for public health nurses, particularly in medically
underserved and low income communities as well as
with government agencies.
Additional education may result in a public health nurse
attaining a supervisory or administrative position.
Factoid: Public health nursing developed from
early days of visiting homes to disease prevention
and health promotion for whole populations.
public Health
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Profile
Dorey Myers, RN
Public Health Nurse
Vermont Department of Health
St. Albans, VT
Dorey Myers, RN, has lived all over the country because
of her father’s military career, but when they settled in
Vermont during her freshman year in high school, she
fell in love with this state. Her mother is a nurse and
Dorey was deeply impressed by the relationship between
a nurse and her terminally ill grandmother, so she
attended the University of Vermont School of Nursing.
“I wanted to develop relationships with people and look
at treating them holistically,” she says.
“In nursing school I fell in love with psychiatric nursing
because it looked at the whole person; I worked at the
Vermont State Hospital for a year, where I saw some
people repeatedly. That made me realize I wanted to
work on the prevention side of illness, to be sure they
get services before they are ill, so I turned to public
health nursing.”
Dorey Myers, RN, public health
nurse in St. Albans, stands before
the completed Swanton Rail Trail
with Commissioner of Health
Harry Chen, MD and Judy AshleyMcLaughlin, director of the St.
Albans District Health Office.
At the Vermont Department of Health, Dorey works in
school health, chronic disease prevention and HIV/STD prevention. For example, her
school health role includes establishing relationships with school nurses and assisting
in efforts to enact policy changes related to student nutrition and the ways food is
presented to students; establishing a breastfeeding support group; a physical education
component in schools, and volunteer crossing guard program, to name a few.
“You don’t see immediate change, but the outcome is amazing because it
impacts an entire population and that’s exciting,” Dorey remarks. “The longer
you’re in the field, the more change you will see. It’s important to have young
people in this field because it is exciting and young people identify with you,”
she adds.
Following a childhood of frequent moves, Dorey says she loves Vermont for
its environment, because it is “a clean and healthy state and I think it’s a
supportive state, too.”
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Health Careers
Radiation Technologies
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
86
Radiation Therapist
87
Radiologic Technologist 88
profile 90
Radiation Technologies
/ 85
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear Medicine Technologists are highly-skilled
health care professionals who work with patients,
computers, high-tech equipment, and small quantities
of radioactive materials to produce anatomical and
physiological images which provide accurate diagnostic
information for almost 100 different procedures
involving almost every major organ system in the
human body.
Education Programs
Nuclear Medicine Technology Program (B.S.)
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Department of Radiation Sciences
302 Rowell Building
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-3811
www.uvm.edu/cnhs/mlrs
Work Environments
Community hospitals
Medical centers
Private clinics
Universities
Job Outlook
Employment of nuclear medicine technologists is
projected to grow faster than average through 2018.
Salary
Annual salaries range from $57,270 to $78,240.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Nuclear medicine technologists must be team players,
have a good foundation in mathematics, biology, and
computers, and be able to work with patients. Most
states, including Vermont, require nuclear medicine
technologists to be licensed in order to practice.
Graduates of an approved program are eligible to take
a national certifying examination. With additional
education and training, graduates can become involved
with ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and
positive emission tomography (PET).
Professional Organizations
Society of Nuclear Medicine
Reston, VA
703-708-9000
www.snm.org
Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board
Tucker, GA
404-315-1739
www.nmtcb.org
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs
In Nuclear Medicine Technology
Edmond, OK
405-285-0546
www.jrcnmt.org
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
St. Paul, MN
651-687-0048
www.arrt.org
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
Albuquerque, NM
800-444-2778
www.asrt.org
Career Ladder
After gaining additional experience and education,
nuclear medicine technologists can become teachers,
administrators, PET imagers, radiation safety experts,
computer applications developers, and clinical researchers.
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Health Careers
Factoid: There are an estimated 21,800 nuclear
medicine technologists in the U.S.; two-thrids
are in hospitals. Radiation handling is very safe,
as there are many available safety techniques
and equipment.
Radiation Therapist
Radiation Therapists are highly skilled medical
specialists educated in physics, radiation safety,
patient anatomy and patient care. They administer
targeted doses of radiation to a patient’s body to
treat cancer or other diseases. As the radiation strikes
human tissue, it produces highly energized ions that
gradually shrink and destroy malignant tumor cells.
Education Programs
Radiation Therapy Program (B.S.)
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Department of Medical Laboratory and Radiation Sciences
302 Rowell Building
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-3811
www.uvm.edu/mlrs
Professional Organizations
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
Albuquerque, NM
800-444-2778
www.asrt.org
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
Fairfax, VA
800-962-7876
www.astro.org
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic
Technology
Chicago, IL
312-704-5300
www.jrcert.org
Factoid: The University of Vermont is one of
31 colleges in the U.S. where you can get a BS
degree in Radiation Therapy. Handling radiation
is safe because of the many available safety
techniques and equipment used to protect the
patient and the health care practitioner.
Work Environments
Community hospitals
Medical centers
Private clinics
Universities
Job Outlook
Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow
much faster than average through 2018.
Salary
Average salaries range from $59,050 to $87,910.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Radiation therapists must be team players, have a good
foundation in mathematics, biology, and computers, and
be able to work with patients. Most states, including
Vermont, require radiation therapists to be licensed
in order to practice. Graduates of approved programs
are eligible to take a national certifying examination.
With additional education and training, graduates can
become involved with dosimetry.
Career Ladder
After gaining additional experience and education,
radiation therapists can become involved with dosimetry,
teaching, administrative positions, radiation safety, and
clinical research.
Radiation Technologies
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Radiologic Technologist
Radiographers,
also referred to as radiologic
technologists and x-ray technicians, work extensively
with computers and specialized equipment to create
images that allow physicians to diagnose conditions
inside the body. Radiographers produce x-ray films
(radiographs). They may specialize in computed
tomography (CT scan) or mammography.
Ultrasound Technologists,
or sonographers, use
sound waves to create images of the inside of
the body. Physicians use these images to assess
the condition of a specific organ or to see the
development of a fetus in a pregnant woman.
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Health Careers
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technologists
use super-conductive magnets and radio waves to
gather information about anatomy or the body’s
chemical composition.
Factoid: Sometimes radiographers may
travel to patients in large vans equipped with
sophisticated diagnostic equipment and perform
x-rays at sites remote from healthcare facilities.
Work Environments
Hospitals
Industrial research and development facilities
Medical and dental laboratories
Physician offices
Outpatient clinics
Diagnostic imaging centers
Job Outlook
The outlook is excellent for radiographers. Demand is
expected to increase at a faster than average rate due
to a growing and aging population. Radiographers with
cross training in nuclear medicine technology or other
modalities will have the best job prospects.
Salary
Certified radiologic technologists typically earn between
$42,710 and $63,010 per year. More education and training
can lead to higher salaries and greater opportunities.
Education Programs
Champlain College (AS, BS)
Radiography Program
163 South Willard Street
Burlington, VT 05402
800-570-5858
www.champlain.edu
College of St. Joseph (AS)
71 Clement Road
Rutland, VT 05701
802-773-5900
www.csj.edu
Southern Vermont College
982 Mansion Drive
Bennington, VT 05201
802-442-5427
www.svc.edu
Professional Organizations
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school course work should focus on math and
science. Associate and bachelor degrees are both
options for a career in radiologic technology. After
earning a degree or certificate from an accredited
program, candidates must pass an exam by the
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in order
to become registered in most states.
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
Albuquerque, NM
800-444-2778
www.asrt.org/asrt.htm
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
Chicago, IL
312-704-5300
www.jrcert.org
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
St. Paul, MN
651-687-0048
www.arrt.org
Radiation Technologies
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Profile
Bridget Thompson, RT (R)(CT)
Imaging Specialist III
Northwestern Medical Center
St. Albans, VT
A local museum and an aptitude test in high school
pointed Bridget Thompson in the direction of her
career in Diagnostic Imaging at Northwestern Medical
Center (NMC).
“When I was young I was really interested in the St. Albans Historical Society Museum
because it had a medical section,” Bridget recalls. “And when I was in high school, I took an
aptitude test that showed radiographer as the career I was most suited for.”
In high school, Bridget enjoyed sciences, and was part of the Vermont Student Assistance
Corporation (VSAC) group of students that met monthly for career counseling sessions,
during which she researched the radiography program at Champlain College. In two years
at Champlain College she completed her Associates in Science degree (Radiography) and
passed the ARRT registry exam. She then began working at Northwestern Medical Center
as a radiographer, meanwhile completing her final two years in liberal arts at Champlain
and earned a bachelor of science degree.
She has been trained in CT scanning and has passed her registry exam in that
specialty, where she is the lead staffer at NMC.
When she talks to young people about entering the field, she advises them to try to
job shadow someone who is already working as an imaging specialist. She also notes
they should be, “dedicated to studying, interested in science, organized, with good
communication skills.”
“It is only a two-year program to become an Imaging Specialist and the pay is
good,” Bridget points out. “There is always room to go into other fields such as
MRI, CT, ultrasound, mammography, and bone density; you’re always learning
because the technology is always changing, and you need to accept change.”
Bridget now trains new techs in the department, and is also a clinical instructor
for students from the Champlain College program when they train at NMC.
“I became a teacher unexpectedly, but I like being a resource, and helping to train
people in an important role for a person’s health care” she remarks. “I like to see
my hometown get good quality care: it’s satisfying.”
90 /
Health Careers
Rehabilitation Therapy
Audiologist
92
Occupational Therapist
93
Occupational Therapist Assistant
94
profile
95
Physical Therapist
96
profile
97
Physical Therapist Assistant
98
Orthotist/Prosthetist
99
Respiratory Therapist 100
Speech-Language Pathologist 101
Rehabilitation Therapy
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Audiologist
Audiologists are hearing experts. They work with
patients to determine the nature or cause of a
hearing problem and then find ways of addressing
it. Audiologists perform hearing tests, fit people for
hearing aids, and teach lip-reading. They also help
people deal with inner ear and balancing difficulties
and work to educate the public about noise pollution
and ways of preventing hearing loss.
92 /
Health Careers
Education Programs
Baccalaureate Degree
University of Vermont
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Pomeroy Hall, 489 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-3861
www.uvm.edu/~cmsi
Graduate Degree:
There are no graduate audiology programs in
Vermont. However, the following programs are
available through the New England Regional
Student Program (RSP). For more information on
RSP go to www.nebhe.org.
University of Connecticut Graduate School
438 Whitney Road Ext., Unit 1006
Storrs, CT 06269-1006
860-486-3615
www.grad.uconn.edu
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Goodell Building
358 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003
413-545-0131
www.umass.edu/gradschool
Professional Organizations:
American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association (ASHA)
Rockville, MD
800-638-8255
www.asha.org
Vermont Speech-Language Hearing
Association, Inc. (VSHA)
Waitsfield, VT
802-496-4668
www.vsha.org
Work Environments
Colleges and Universities
Home health agencies
Hospitals
Private practices
Rehabilitation centers
Research facilities
School systems
Speech and hearing clinics
Job Outlook
Our communities and workplaces are becoming
increasingly noisy as we drive more, listen to louder
music, and use more machines. The demand for
audiologists is expected to increase much faster than
average for all occupations through 2018.
Salary
The average salary for audiologists ranges from $51,230$79,420 per year. Experienced audiologists can earn up to
$80,000 per year, depending upon the setting.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Candidates for this profession should emphasize math
and science in their high school and undergraduate
choices. A master’s degree is required to become an
audiologist in Vermont. Vermont also has a licensing
requirement, as most other states do. Certification
is available from ASHA (American Speech-Language
Hearing-Association).
Factoid: More than 31.5 million people in the
U.S. have some degree of reduced hearing
sensitivity; the majority of these are men.
Better Hearing Institute, 2011
Rehabilitation Therapy
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Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists (OTs) work with patients who
suffer from a disability due to illness, injury, aging
or developmental, emotional, or mental challenges.
They help people learn (or re-learn) to do every
day activities like writing, cooking, and dressing.
After observation and testing, an OT will develop a
treatment plan to help the patient regain function or
overcome a permanent loss of function. Treatment
plans may include life and work activities, strength
and dexterity exercises, or the design and use of
special adaptive equipment to make daily tasks easier.
Factoid: Nearly one-third of
occupational therapists work part time.
Work Environments
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Private practices
Rehabilitation clinics
Schools
Job Outlook
Employment of occupational therapists is expected
to increase much faster than average for all occupations
through 2018, as a result of growth in the number of
individuals requiring therapy services with disabilities
or limited function.
Salary
The average salary for occupational therapists is $55,090$81,290. The highest salaries are paid by nursing and
personal care facilities, followed by hospitals, offices of
other health practitioners, and elementary and
secondary schools.
Education, Certification and Licensing
A high school diploma is required, with emphasis on
math, science and skills-oriented classes like art. A
master’s degree is the minimum educational requirement,
as well as national certification from the American
Occupational Therapy Certification Board, to practice
as an occupational therapist.
94 /
Health Careers
Education Programs
No occupational therapy programs are available in
Vermont, but the following are available through
the New England Regional Student Program (RSP),
www.nebhe.org:
Worcester State College (MA) (Bachelor & Master's)
Professional Organizations
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
4720 Montgomery Lane
Besthesda, MD
301-652-2682
www.aota.org
Vermont Occupational Therapy Association
www.vermontot.org
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) work with
people who are in some way disabled and need help
with the every day activities of life – things like
dressing, eating and getting out of the house. OTAs
are supervised by occupational therapists. They work
one-on-one with patients to carry out individual
treatment plans and also assist occupational therapists
during exams and other procedures.
Work Environments
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Private practices
Rehabilitation clinics
Schools
Job Outlook
Employment of occupational therapy assistants is expected
to grow much faster than the average for all occupations
through 2018.
Salary
Salaries for OTAs average between $39,240-$57,810 per
year with work experience.
Education, Certification and Licensing
OTAs need a high school diploma and an associate
degree from an accredited program or certificate
program in an accredited community college or technical
school. In most states, OTAs must pass a national
certification exam after graduation.
Career Ladder
With additional education, occupational therapist
assistants can become occupational therapists.
Education Programs
There are currently no occupational therapy assistant
programs available in Vermont, but the following
schools are available through the New England
Regional Student Program (RSP), www.nebhe.org:
Bristol Community College (MA)
Community College of Rhode Island
Housatonic Community College (CT)
Kennebec Valley Community College (ME)
Manchester Community College (CT)
Nashua Community College (NH)
North Shore Community College (MA)
Quinsigamond Community College (MA)
Springfield Technical Community College (MA)
Professional Organizations
The American Occupational Therapy Association
Bethesda, MD
www.aota.org
Vermont Occupational Therapy Association
www.vermontot.org
Factoid: Occupational therapy assistants and
aides need to have a moderate degree of strength
to assist patients with their treatments.
Allied Health Careers
/ 95
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapists restore, maintain and promote the
best possible physical health for their patients. They
help prevent, identify, correct and alleviate short or
long-term movement problems. An injured athlete, a
senior citizen dealing with arthritis, and a child with
a developmental disability are all examples of people
who might work with a physical therapist. Together,
they tackle treatments such as movement exercises,
strength training, stretching, and activities to promote
mobility and function. With education from a physical
therapist, a patient can continue their treatment
program at home, at work, and during leisure activities.
Work Environments
Clinics
Hospitals
Industrial health centers
Nursing homes
Private practices
Rehabilitation centers
Schools
Sports facilities
Job Outlook
Demand is expected to grow much faster than average
as the number of middle-aged and elderly individuals
increases the demand for therapeutic services.
Salary
The average salary for physical therapists is between
$60,300-$85,540.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school course work should include college prep
courses. Certified physical therapists are required to
complete a master's or Doctorate of Physical Therapy to
be licensed to practice.
Education Programs
University of Vermont (Department of Rehabilitation
and Movement Science)
002 Rowell Building
802-656-3858
www.uvm.edu/~cnhs
University of New England (MPT, OPT)
University and Westbrook Campuses
207-283-0171
www.une.edu/wchp/pt
Professional Organizations
Factoid: The job of a physical therapist can be
demanding because they often stoop, kneel, crouch,
lift and stand for long periods during the work day.
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Health Careers
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Alexandria, VA
800-999-2782
www.apta.org
Vermont Chapter, APTA
www.vtapta.org
Profile
Sara Stinson, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital
St. Johnsbury, VT
Sara Stinson, native of the Danville, VT area, got to
physical therapy in a roundabout way but feels she has
found her niche.
“I always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to
be in health care; as a kid I worked in my Dad’s physical
therapy clinic (Dan Wyand, PT, head of PT at Northeastern
Vermont Regional Hospital),” she remarks, “But I started
college at Northeastern University where I studied business
for three years and finished my undergraduate degree in
biology at UVM. Then I earned my Doctorate in Physical
Therapy at Franklin Pierce University.”
“When I was finishing my undergraduate work at UVM,
I happened to get into a training program to be an
assistant in ophthalmology at Fletcher Allen and I loved it. The clinical skills I gained there
brought me back to physical therapy because I wanted to deal with the whole body and
wellness approach.”
Sara completed the three-year program at Franklin Pierce and has worked at Northeastern
Vermont Regional Hospital for two years in the Physical Therapy Department. “I’m so glad
I went into PT; I absolutely love it,” she enthuses. “I like working with people and dealing
with the whole person, not just their diagnosis for physical therapy but what other things
drive their injury. I love having people come in feeling 50% better at their next appointment
and being able to help put them in a more tolerable pain range.”
The toughest part of her job? “Addressing issues when people don’t want to make
lifestyle changes and self-improvement commitments to feel better,” she admits.
That challenge does not diminish her enthusiasm for her career in PT. “It’s easier
to start a college career knowing you want to do PT, and it’s a good idea to
spend time in a PT clinic to decide if this is right for you, plus you need to be
a ‘people person,’” Sara advises. Though she took the long way around, she
is glad she ended up in health care and specifically, physical therapy.
Rehabilitation Therapy
/ 97
Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) help physical
therapists carry out patient treatment plans as
selected by a supervising physical therapist. Patients
work directly with PTAs on exercises aimed at
building strength and flexibility in the joints, bones
and muscles. PTAs also assist physical therapists
in patient exams and other procedures. Together,
the physical therapy team helps people who are
in some way disabled to have more mobility and
independence in their lives.
Education Programs
There are no PTA programs available in Vermont,
but the following schools are available through
the New England Regional Student Program
(www.nebhe.org):
Berkshire Community College (MA)
Community College of Rhode Island (RI)
Kennebec Valley Community College (ME)
Massachusetts Bay Community College (MA)
Manchester Community College (CT)
Naugatuck Valley Community College (CT)
North Shore Community College (MA)
Northwestern Connecticut Community College (CT)
River Valley Community College (NH)
Springfield Technical Community College (MA)
Tunxis Community College (CT)
Professional Organizations:
American Physical Therapy Association
Alexandria, VA
703-684-2782
www.apta.org
Vermont Chapter, APTA
www.vtapta.org
Factoid: Physical therapist assistants should have
a moderate degree of strength, due to the exertion
required to assist patients in their treatment.
98 /
Health Careers
Work Environments
Clinics
Hospitals
Industrial health centers
Nursing homes
Private practices
Rehabilitation centers
Schools
Sports facilities
Job Outlook
Demand for physical therapy assistants is very high. The
trend should continue through 2018 as the population
of middle-aged and elderly people increases.
Salary
Physical therapy assistants generally earn between
$37,170-$54,900 depending on the work setting.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school course work should include college-prep
classes, including math and science. Most physical
therapy assistant (PTA) programs lead to an associate of
science degree and take two years to complete. PTA’s are
also required to pass a licensing exam given by the state
of Vermont.
Orthotist & Prosthetist
Orthotists (COs) and Prosthetists (CPs) are certified
specialists who make and fit upper and lower limb
devices designed to replace or repair those lost or
disabled through injury or disease. Orthotists make
and fit orthopaedic braces; prosthetists make and
fit artificial limbs. Some people may be qualified to
work in both areas.
Work Environments
Private practices
Hospitals
Laboratories
Government agencies
Rehabilitaion facilities
Job Outlook
As medical and technological advances continue in the
field of orthotics and prosthetics, demand for skilled and
experienced workers will be great.
Salary
Certified individuals earn between $44,370 and $82,000.
Education, Certification and Licensing
A bachelor’s degree, specific training courses in orthotics
and prosthetics, and at least one year of supervised
experience in the field. There are only a few accredited
training programs in the U.S. and they award either a
bachelor’s degree or a certificate. The telephone number
for that program is 860-667-5304; the website is
www.nopschool.com.
Education Program
University of Hartford
(BS/MSPO degrees in Prosthetics and Orthotics)
Department of Physical Therapy
College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
860-768-4599
www.hartford.edu/enhp
Professional Organizations:
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP)
Washington, DC
202-380-3663
www.oandp.org
Factoid: To be a successful prosthetist and
orthotist you should have good eye-hand
coordination and manual dexterity.
Rehabilitation Therapy
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Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapists help people breathe more easily.
Their patients, newborn through elderly, have cardiopulmonary (heart-lung) problems brought on by
asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis and
other conditions. Respiratory therapists test patients for
breathing capacity and analyze oxygen and carbon
dioxide concentrations. To improve breathing, they
treat patients with exercises and physiotherapy, by
administering inhaled medications and, if necessary, by
hooking up ventilators for patients who cannot breathe
for themselves. Respiratory therapists are also educators,
making sure patients and their families know how to
maintain cardiopulmonary function and health.
Education Program
Vermont Technical College Respiratory Therapy Program
(Associate Degree)
P.O. Box 500
Randolph Center, VT 05061
800-442-8821
www.vtc.edu
Professional Organizations
American Association for Respiratory Care
Irving, TX
972-243-2272
www.aarc.org
The National Board for Respiratory Care
Olathe, KS
913-895-4900
www.nbrc.org
Vermont/New Hampshire Society for Respiratory Care
www.vtnhsrc.org
Work Environments
Diagnostic laboratories
Home health care agencies
Hospitals
Industry
Long term care facilities
Outpatient clinics
Patient transport services
Physician offices
Private homes
Rehabilitation facilities
Sleep centers
Job Outlook
Job opportunities are expected to increase much faster
than average through 2018 because of the substantial
growth in middle-aged and elderly populations.
Employment opportunities are most favorable for
respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills
and experience working with newborns and infants.
Salary
Respiratory therapists earn between $45,300 and
$62,570 per year.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Prospective respiratory therapists should emphasize
math and science course work in high school. After
high school, it normally takes two years to complete an
associate degree and prepare for the national registry
exam, which is required. It is possible to work as a
Registered Respiratory Therapist while completing a
bachelor degree. More education can lead to higher
levels of responsibility and higher salaries in the field.
100 /
Health Careers
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-Language Pathologists are concerned with
conditions that affect speech, voice and language.
Their patients may have trouble with stuttering,
swallowing or understanding and using language.
Some have lost the ability to speak after a stroke or
other trauma. Speech-language pathologists teach
sign language, help people strengthen muscles used
in speech and swallowing, and work with patients to
improve lost or compromised abilities.
Work Environments
Colleges and universities
Home health agencies
Hospitals
Private practices
Rehabilitation centers
Research facilities
School systems
Speech and hearing clinics
Job Outlook
The demand for speech-language pathologists is expected
to increase faster than the average for all occupations
through the year 2018.
Salary
Salaries for speech-language pathologists average
between $52,030-$82,380 per year. Experienced speechlanguage pathologists can earn up to $101,820 per year.
In both cases, salary is dependent upon the work setting.
Education, Certification and Licensing
High school and undergraduate course work should
include math and science. It is also possible to focus on
areas such as speech, behavioral science and language
development at the undergraduate level. A master’s degree
is required to work as a speech-language pathologist, as
well as a license in the state of Vermont. Certification is
available from ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association).
Education Programs
University of Vermont (BA, MS)
Department of Communication Sciences
Pomeroy Hall
489 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-3861
www.uvm.edu/~cnsi
Professional Organizations
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Rockville, MD
800-638-8255
www.asha.org
Vermont Speech-Language-Hearing Association (VSHA)
www.vsha.us
Factoid: Sometimes speech-language
pathologists are referred to as speech therapists.
Rehabilitation Therapy
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102 /
Health Careers
Vision Care
Ophthalmologist 104
Optician 105
Optometrist 106
vision care
/ 103
Ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologists are physicians who specialize
in diagnosing and treating conditions of the eyes.
Ophthalmologists are required to have medical
degrees and they treat patients of all ages who
have vision-threatening diseases and disorders.
Ophthalmologists perform surgeries that may be
used to treat conditions like glaucoma or cataracts.
Ophthalmologists examine the internal and
external structures of the eye, give eyesight exams,
and may use medications, corrective lenses, or
eye patches to treat their patients.
Education Programs
Work Environments
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
University teaching programs
Job Outlook
Ophthalmologists, like other physicians, are highly trained
professionals, and as such, will always be in demand.
Continuing advances in the use of surgery (instead of
glasses) to correct vision problems like nearsightedness will
probably create even more demand in the future.
University of Vermont College of Medicine
Office of Admissions
Courtyard at Given South
89 Beaumont Avenue
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-2154
www.uvm.edu/medicine
Salary
Professional Organization
Education, Certification and Licensing
American Academy of Ophthalmology
San Francisco, CA
415-561-8500
www.aao.org/aao
Like other physicians, ophthalmologists tend to earn
high salaries, usually between $114,000 to $300,930
per year or more due to the length and difficulty of their
training. Salaries vary according to specialty, geographic
region, and whether a physician works in the public or
private sector.
High school course work for students aspiring to an
ophthalmology career should include a strong emphasis
on math and science, followed by an undergraduate
career that focuses on one of the natural sciences.
Excellent grades along the way are important. An
ophthalmologist must complete a minimum of 12 years
of higher education. This education includes four years
of college, four more years of medical school, one or
more years of general clinical training, and three or
more years in a hospital-based eye residency program.
Any specialization in the area of ophthalmology may
require an additional year or more of fellowship training
beyond residency.
Factoid: Information about eye conditions and
ophthalmology were recorded on an ancient
Egyptian papyrus (circa 1600 B.C.) showing that the
specialty was relatively advanced at that time.
104 /
Health Careers
Optician
Opticians fit glasses and contact lenses, following
prescriptions written by optometrists and
ophthalmologists. Opticians help customers select
eyeglass frames, lenses and lens coatings after
considering their prescription, lifestyle, occupation
and facial features.
Opticians prepare work orders for ophthalmic
laboratory technicians, giving them the information
they need to grind and insert lenses into eyeglass
frames. Sometimes opticians do this work themselves.
After the glasses have been made, opticians shape
and bend the frames so the eyeglasses fit the
customer comfortably.
Opticians also fit contact lenses, artificial eyes or
cosmetic shells to cover blemished eyes. Opticians
measure the customer’s eye shape and size and select
the appropriate lens material. Fitting contact lenses
requires skill, patience and care. Opticians must take
the time to instruct customers to properly insert,
remove and care for their contact lenses.
Education Program
Community College of RI
Middlesex Community College (CT)
Professional Organizations
National Federation of Opticianry Schools
Mountain Home, AR
870-492-6623
www.nfos.org
Opticians Association of America
Lakeland, TN
901-388-2423
www.oaa.org
Work Environments
Clinics
Department stores
Offices of optometry and ophthalmology
Retail optical stores
Job Outlook
Employment for opticians should grow at an average
rate through 2018. The aging population as well as
advances in eyewear such as no line bifocals and antireflective lens coatings will increase the demand for
corrective lenses.
Salary
Opticians can expect to earn between $26,170-$41,930,
depending on experience and work setting.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Knowledge of physics, math, anatomy and mechanical
drawing are particularly valuable to people starting an
opticianry training program. Opticians should possess
manual dexterity and skill, in addition to the ability to
relate directly with customers. Many employers hire
people with no opticianry experience and offer on-thejob training or apprenticeships lasting two or more years.
Other pathways into opticianry work come from working
first as an ophthalmic laboratory technician. Opticianry
training is generally offered in community colleges.
These colleges offer either one or two-year programs.
Opticians may apply to the American Board of Opticianry
(ABO) and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE)
for certification of their skills. Certification must be
renewed every three years through continuing education.
Opticians must obtain a professional license in Vermont.
National Academy of Opticianry
Landover, MD
800-229-4828
www.nao.org
American Board of Opticianry/
National Contact Lens Examiners
Springfield, VA
703-719-5800
www.abo.org
Vision Care
/ 105
Optometrist
Optometrists are vision experts. They help people
with regular eye exams and eye care. They also
diagnose and treat such conditions as nearsightedness,
farsightedness, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, and
cataracts. Quite often the treatment is corrective
lenses, either glasses or contact lenses. Other times
an optometrist may treat eye conditions with
prescriptions such as eye drops. Optometrists are
doctors of optometry, and do not perform eye
surgery, unlike ophthalmologists, who are doctors
of medicine. Most optometrists are in general
practice, although some specialize and work with
children, the elderly, or partially-sighted people
with special vision needs.
Factoid: More than half the people in the
United States wear glasses or contact lenses.
106 /
Health Careers
Education Programs
There are no optometry programs available in
Vermont or through the New England Regional
Student Program. The following schools are
located in nearby states:
New England College of Optometry
424 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02115
617-266-2030
www.neco.edu
State University of New York
State College of Optometry
33 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
800-291-3937
www.sunyopt.edu
Professional Organizations:
American Optometric Association
St. Louis, MO
800-365-2219
www.aoa.org
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
Rockville, MD
301-231-5944
www.opted.org
Vermont Optometric Association
Montpelier, VT
802-223-7723
www.vtoptometrists.org
Work Environments
Chain optical stores
Clinics
Government health agencies
Health maintenance organizations (HMO’s)
Hospitals
Optical manufacturers
Private practices
Job Outlook
Demand for optometrists should grow much faster than
average through 2018, in response to the vision care
needs of a growing and aging population. The need
for optometrists is moderating somewhat due to
advancements in technology that allow a doctor to
see more patients.
Salary
Optometrists typically earn between $70,140 and
$125,460 per year, depending upon the work setting and
geographic area. Experienced optometrists who have built
strong private practices may earn considerably more.
Education, Certification and Licensing
Optometry candidates should emphasize math, physics,
and other sciences in high school and as an undergraduate in college. Most optometry programs take four
years to complete. To gain admission into an accredited
program, three years of undergraduate work are required,
although most optometry students hold a bachelor degree.
Vermont also requires optometrists to be licensed.
Health Careers
/ 107
Careers in Health Care
Administration & Support
Dietetics
Mental Health
Administrator/Chief Executive Officer
Associate Administrator/Finance
Associate Administrator/Patient Care
Chaplain
Director of Materiel Management
Director of Volunteer Services
Group Practice Administrator
Health Educator
Health Planner
Human Resources Manager
Management Engineer
Nursing Home Administrator
Patient Representative
Risk Manager
Dietary Manager
Dietetic Technician
Nutritionist
Registered Dietitian
Emergency Medical Technician
Paramedic
Drug Abuse Counselor
Mental Health Technician
Psychiatrist
Psychiatric Social Worker
Psychiatric Mental Health Technician
Psychiatric Technologist
Psychologist
Hospital Information
Nursing Service
Alternative Medicine
Acupressure
Acupuncture
Massage Therapy
Naturopathic Medicine
Clinical Lab/Technical Services
Blood Bank Technology Specialist
Cardiovascular Technologist
Clinical Chemist
Clinical Microbiologist
Cytotechnologist
Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG/ECG)
Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist
Emergency Medical Technician
Histologic Technician/Technologist
Immunology Technologist
Laboratory Assistant
Laser Optics Technician
Medical Technologist
Phlebotomist
Dentistry
Dental Assistant
Dental Hygienist
Dental Laboratory Technician
Dentist
Endodontist
Oral Surgeon
Orthodontist
Pediatric Dentist
Periodontist
Prosthodontist
108 /
Health Careers
Emergency Services
Biophotographer
Certified Coding Specialist
Health Information Specialist
Health Sciences Librarian
Medical Illustrator
Medical Record Administrator
Medical Record Technician
Medical Transcriptionist
Medical Writer & Editor
Telecommunications Manager
Human Services
Gerontologist
Human Services Worker
Medicine
Physician (partial listing)
Primary Care Specialties:
Family Practice
Internal Medicine
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Pediatrics
Other Specialties/Subspecialties
Allergy & Immunology
Anesthesiology
Cardiology
Dermatology
Emergency Medicine
Geriatrics
Neurology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Otolaryngology
Pathology
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Plastic Surgery
Radiology
Surgery
Urology
Clinical Instructor
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Director of Nursing
Homemaker/Home Health Aide
Home Health Nurse
In-Service Director
Licensed Practical Nurse
Nurse Assistant
Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse Midwife
Nurse Practitioner
Public Health Nurse
Operating Room Technician
Orderly
Patient Educator
Psychiatric Aide
Registered Nurse
Ward Clerk/Unit Coordinator
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmic Assistant
Ophthalmic Technician
Ophthalmic Technologist
Optician
Optometric Technician
Optometrist
Orthoptis
Pharmacy
Pharmacy Clerk
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacologist
Biochemical
Cardiovascular
Clinical
Endocrine
Molecular
Veterinary
Registered Pharmacist
Physician Support Personnel
Rehabilitation
Science & Engineering
Genetic Counselor
Medical Assistant
Medical Secretary
Physician Assistant
Surgical Technologist
Laser Optics Technician
Art Therapist
Athletic Trainer
Audiologist
Chiropractor
Dance Therapist
Horticultural Therapy
Industrial Therapist
Massage Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Orthotist & Prosthetist
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapy Assistant
Recreational Therapist
Rehabilitation Counselor
Visually Disabled Specialist
Speech-Language Pathologist
Biochemist
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Equipment Technician
Environmentalist
Food Scientist
Health Scientist
Microbiologist
Occupational Health & Safety
Podiatry
Podiatrist
Podiatric Assistant
Public Health
Behavioral Scientist
Biomedical & Lab Practitioner
Biostatistician
Disease Investigator
Environmental Health Engineer
Epidemiologist
Health Educator
International Public Health Specialist
Public Health Program Specialist
Safety Specialist
Radiology
Imaging Technologist
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Perfusionist
Radiation Therapy Technologist
Radiologist
Radiologic Technician
Sonographer
Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarian
Veterinarian Technician & Assistant
Respiratory
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapy Assistant
Social Work Services
Child/Adult Protective Services
Child Welfare & Family Services
Criminal Justice
Gerontology
Licensed Social Worker
Policy & Planning
Social Work Assistant
Health Careers
/ 109
Health Career Educational Requirements
Investing in your education will lead to a fulfilling and challenging career
with a strong outlook for the future. Below are guidelines for the education
required for a sample of health professions. Remember, preparation varies
for health careers. We strongly recommend that you contact a representative
from a reputable institution or training program to obtain specific information
on admission and certification requirements.
Doctoral Degree
More than 6 Years of Training
Bachelor’s Degree or
4 Years of Training
Clinical Psychologist
Dentist
Ophthalmologist
Physician
Psychiatrist
Veterinarian
Biostatistician
Health Education Specialist
Counselors
Cytotechnologist
Epidemiologist
Registered Dietician
Registered Nurse
Medical Technologist
Occupational Therapist
Recreation Therapist
Social Worker
Wellness & Alternative Health Medicine
Master’s Degree or
5+ Years of Training
Audiologist
Clinical Psychologist
Nurse Practitioner
Optometrist
Pharmacist
Physical Therapist
Social Worker
Speech-Language Pathologist
110 /
Health Careers
Associate’s Degree or
2 Years of Training
Dental Hygienist
Dietetic Technician
Human Services Worker
Massage Therapist
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Optician
Physician Assistant (post bachelor)
Physical Therapy Assistant
Radiological Technologist
Registered Nurse
Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist
Respiratory Therapist
Vocational Training
Emergency Medical Technician
License Practical Nurse
Medical Laboratory Technician
Certified Coding Specialist
Paramedic
Pharmacy Technician
Respiratory Therapy Technician
Surgical Technologist
1-12 Months on the Job Training
Dental Assistant
Human Services Assistant
Medical Assistant
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Physical Therapy Aide
Social Services Assistant
Up to a Month of on the
Job Training
Dietetic Assistant
Health Advocate
Personal/Home Health Aide
Licensed Nurses Aide
Personal Care Attendant
Phlebotomist
Acronym Glossary
AAPN
ATR
Advanced Practice Nurse
Art Therdapist Registered
BSN
BSW
Biomedical Equipment Technician
Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing
Bachelor Degree in Social Work
B BMET
CC-CATODSW Certified Clinical Alcohol,Tobacco, &
CCC
CCP
CCS CCS-P
CEO
CMA
CMD
CMT
CNM CNS
CO CPO CPO CPR CP
CRNA
CRT
CRTT
C-SSWS
CST
C-SWCM
CT
other Drugs Social Worker
Certificate of Clinical Competence
Certified Clinical Perfusionist
Certified Coding Specialist
Certified Coding Specialist, Physician
Chief Executive Officer
Certified Medical Assistant
Certified Medical Dosimetrist
Certified Massage Therapist
Certified Nurse Midwife
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Certified Orthotist
Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist
Certified Paraoptometric
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Certified Prosthetist
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Certified Respiratory Therapist
Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician
Certified School Social Work Specialist
Certified Surgical Technologist
Certified Social Work Case Manager
Cytotechnologist
DDS
DMD
DO DPM
DSN
DSW
DTR
DVM
Doctor of Chiropractic
Doctor of Dental Surgery
Doctor of Dental Medicine
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Doctor of Science in Nursing
Doctor of Social Work
Dietetic Technician, Registered
Doctors of Veterinary Medicine
EKG
EMT Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist
Electrocardiogram
Emergency Medical Technician
HIT
HT
HTL
HTR
Health Information Administrator
Health Information Technician
Histologic Technician
Histotechnologist
Horticultural Therapist Registered
DDC
E EEG
HHIA
L LISW
LNA
LPN
LSW
LVN
Licensed
Licensed
Licensed
Licensed
Licensed
MD
MHSE
MLS
MLT MNNP
MRI
MS
MSN
MSS
MSW
MT
Medical Assistant
Doctor of Medicine
Master of Health Science
Master’s of Library & Information Science
Medical Laboratory Technician
Master of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Master’s of Science
Master’s of Science in Nursing
Master of Social Services
Master of Social Work
Medical Technologist
NMD
NP Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Medical Doctor
Nurse Practitioner
OT
OTA
Doctors of Optometry
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapy Assistant
PA-C
PharmD
PhD
PsyD
PT
PTA
Physician Assistant
Physician Assistant, Certified
Doctor of Pharmacy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Psychology
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapy Assistant
RHD
RN
RNP
RPT
RRT
RTT
Registered Dietitian
Registered Dental Hygienist
Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse Practitioner
Registered Phlebotomy Technician
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Radiation Therapy Technologists
SLPA
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
MMA
NND
OOD
P PA R RD
S SLP
Independent Social Worker
Nursing Assistant
Practical Nurse
Social Worker
Vocational Nurse
Health Careers
/ 111
Vermont Technical Centers and High Schools with
Technical Education Programs
Applied Technology Center at
St. Johnsbury Academy
1000 Main Street
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-748-8171
www.stjohnsburyacademy.org
Barre Technical Center
155 Ayers Street
Barre, VT 05641
802-476-6237
www.barretechnicalcenter.org
Lake Region Union High School
River Valley Technical Center
317 Lake Region Road
Orleans, VT 05860
802-754-6521
www.lruhs.org
307 South Street
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-8300
www.rvtc.org
Lyndon Institute Technical Center
Southwest Vermont Career
Development Center
168 Institute Circle
Lyndon Center, VT 05850
802-626-3357
www.lyndoninstitute.org
321 Park Street
Bennington, VT 05201
802-447-0220
www.svcdc.org
Burlington Technical Center
Missisquoi Valley Union
High School
52 Institute Road
Burlington, VT 05401
802-864-8426
www.burlingtontech.org
100 Thunderbird Road
Swanton, VT 05488
802-868-7311
www.missisquoi.k12.vt.us
8 Stratton Road
Rutland, VT 05701
802-770-1033
www.rutlandcitypublicschools.org
Canaan Memorial High School
North Country Career Center
Vergennes Union High School
99 School Street
Canaan, VT 05903
802-266-8910
www.canaanschools.org
209 Veterans Avenue
Newport, VT 05855
802-334-5469
www.northcountrycareercenter.org
50 Monkton Road
Vergennes, VT 05491
802-877-2938
www.vuhs.org
Center for Technology, Essex
Northwest Technical Center
Windham Regional Career Center
3 Educational Drive
Essex Junction, VT 05452
802-879-5558
www.go-cte.org
71 South Main Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
802-527-6453
www.nwtonline.org
45 Career Circle
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-451-3900
www.wrccvt.com
Cold Hollow Career Center
Patricia A. Hannaford Career
Center
P.O. Box 530
Enosburg Falls, VT 05450
802-933-4003
www.ed2go.com
Green Mountain Technology &
Career Center
51 Charles Avenue
Middlebury, VT 05753
802-382-1012
www.hannafordcareercenter.org
Randolph Technical Career Center
738 Route 15 West
Hyde Park, VT 05655
802-888-4447
www.gmtcc.info
17 Forest Street
Randolph, VT 05060
802-728-9595
www.randolphtech.org
Hartford Area Career &
Technical Center
River Bend Career &
Technical Center
1 Gifford Road
White River Junction, VT 05001
802-295-8630
www.hartfordschools.net
36 Oxbow Drive
Bradford, VT 05033-0618
802-222-5212
www.rbctc.org
112 /
Health Careers
Stafford Technical Center
Vermont Colleges & Universities
Green Mountain College
Southern Vermont College
261 Mountain View Drive
Colchester, VT 05446
www.acphs.edu
One Brennan Circle
Poultney, VT 05764
800-776-6675
www.greenmtn.edu
982 Mansion Drive
Bennington, VT 05201
802-442-5427
www.svc.edu
Bennington College
Johnson State College
Saint Michael’s College
One College Drive
Office of Admissions
Bennington, VT 05201
802-442-5401
www.bennington.edu
Office of Admission
337 College Hill
Johnson, VT 05656
800-635-2356
www.jsc.edu
One Winooski Park
Colchester, VT 05439
802-654-2000 or 800-762-8000
www.smcvt.edu
Burlington College
Landmark College
Admissions Office
351 North Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401
802-862-9616 or 800-862-9616
www.burlington.edu
Office of Admissions
1 River Road South
Putney, VT 05346
802-387-6718
www.landmark.edu
School of Human Services
347 Emerson Falls Road
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-748-5402
800-441-1812
www.spfldcol.edu/shs
Castleton State College
Lyndon State College
University of Vermont
Admissions Office
86 Seminary Drive
Castleton, VT 05735
800-468-1213
www.csc.vsc.edu
PO Box 919
Lyndonville, VT 05851-0919
802-626-6413
www.lsc.vsc.edu
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
194 South Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05401
802-656-3370
www.uvm.edu
Champlain College
163 South Willard Street
Burlington, VT 05401
802-860-2700 or 800-570-5858
www.champlain.edu
Office of Admissions
PO Box A, 2582 South Road
Marlboro, VT 05344
800-343-0049
www.marlboro.edu
College of Saint Joseph
Middlebury College
71 Clement Road
Rutland, VT 05701
802-773-5900
www.csj.edu
The Admissions Office
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT 05753-6002
802-443-3000
www.middlebury.edu
Albany College of Pharmacy and
Health Sciences
Community College of Vermont
PO Box 489
Montpelier, VT 05601
(11 other sites around VT)
802-241-3535 or 800-228-6686 (in VT)
www.ccv.edu
Goddard College
123 Pitkin Road
Plainfield, VT 05667
802-454-8311 or 800-468-4888
www.goddard.edu
Marlboro College
Norwich University
Admissions Office
Norwich University
158 Harmon Drive
Northfield, VT 05663
802-485-2000 or 800-468-6679
www.norwich.edu
Springfield College
University of Vermont
College of Medicine
Office of Admissions
Courtyard at Given South
89 Beaumont Avenue
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-2154
www.uvm.edu/medicine
Union Institute and University
62 Ridge Street, Suite 2
Montpelier, VT 05602
800-336-6794
www.myunion.edu
Vermont Technical College
Director of Admissions
PO Box 500
Randolph Center, VT 05061-0500
800-442-8821
www.vtc.edu
Health Careers
/ 113
Directory of Vermont Hospitals & Long Term Care Facilities
Hospitals
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
17 Belmont Avenue
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-257-0341
www.bmhvt.org
Central Vermont Medical Center
PO Box 547
Berlin, VT 05641
802-371-4100
www.cvmc.org
Copley Hospital
528 Washington Highway
Morrisville, VT 05661
802-888-8888
www.copleyhealthsystems.org
Northeastern Vermont Regional
Hospital
PO Box 905, 1315 Hospital Drive
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
802-748-8141
www.nvrh.org
Northwestern Medical Center
133 Fairfield Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
802-524-5911 or 800-696-0321
www.northwesternmedicalcenter.org
Porter Medical Center
115 Porter Drive
Middlebury, VT 05753
802-388-4701
www.portermedical.org
Fletcher Allen Health Care
111 Colchester Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401
802-847-0000 or 800-358-1144
www.fletcherallen.org
Brattleboro Retreat
PO Box 803, Anna Marsh Lane
Brattleboro, VT 05302
802-257-7785
800-RETREAT (738-7328)
www.brattlebororetreat.org
Gifford Medical Center
PO Box 2000, 44 South Main Street
Randolph, VT 05060
802-728-7000
www.giffordmed.org
Rutland Regional Medical Center
160 Allen Street
Rutland, VT 05701
802-775-7111
www.rrmc.org
Grace Cottage Hospital
PO Box 216, Route 35
185 Grafton Road
Townshend, VT 05353-0216
802-365-7357
www.gracecottage.org
Springfield Hospital
PO Box 2003, 25 Ridgewood Road
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-2151
www.springfieldhospital.org
Mt. Ascutney Hospital &
Health Center
289 County Road
Windsor, VT 05089
802-674-6711
www.mtascutneyhospital.org
North Country Hospital
189 Prouty Drive
Newport, VT 05855
802-334-7331
www.nchsi.org
114 /
Health Careers
Southwestern Vermont
Health Care
100 Hospital Drive East
Bennington, VT 05201
802-442-6361 or 800-543-1624
www.svhealthcare.org
VA Medical & Regional Office Center
215 North Main Street
White River Junction, VT 05009
802-295-9363 or 866-687-8387
www.whiteriver.va.gov
Vermont State Hospital
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671
802-241-1000 or 802-241-2601
www.mentalhealth.vermont.gov
Vermont Association of Hospitals
and Health Systems (VAHHS)
148 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
802-223-3461
www.vahhs.org
Long Term Care Facilities
The list of Nursing homes and
long term care facilities is too
long to include here, but it can
be accessed online at:
www.dlp.vermont.gov/nursing-list
Health Career Web Sites
American Medical Association
www.ama-assn.org
A list of links to professional health professions web sites
under “Education and Careers.”
HEALTH CARE CAREERS
www.vthealthcareers.org
A Vermont AHEC web site to help students and career
changers learn about health careers.
ASSOCIATION OF ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTERS
www.explorehealthcareers.org
A free online health careers resource for students and advisors.
Books
DISCOVER NURSING
Health Care Careers Directory, by American Medical
Association. Chicago, IL: AMA Press
www.discovernursing.com
Information about nursing careers, programs, scholarships
and salaries, maintained by Johnson & Johnson Health
Care Systems, Inc.
Top 100 Health-Care Careers: Your Complete Guide to
Training and Jobs, by Wischnitzer and Wischnitzer.
St. Paul, MN: JIST Publishing
HEALTH CAREER CONNECTION
www.healthcareers.org
Financial Aid Web Sites
Information about paid internships, career resources and
networking opportunities for college undergraduates
interested in pursuing careers in health care.
FREE APPLICATION FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL AID (FAFSA)
HEALTH RESOURCES SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
www.2ed.gov/collegecosts
www.bhpr.hrsa.gov
U.S. Department of Education handbook on paying
for college.
Information about HRSA-funded scholarshipps and loans.
www.fafsa.ed.gov
MANAGE THE PRICE OF COLLEGE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ADVISORS FOR THE
HEALTH PROFESSIONS, INC.
UVM AHEC PROGRAM
www.naahp.org
Vermont educational loan repayment programs for
health care professionals.
Resources for advisors of students who are interested in
health careers.
www.vtahec.org
VERMONT STUDENT ASSISTANCE CORPORATION
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
www.vsac.org
www.science.education.nih.gov
Information about grants, loans, scholarships, career and
education planning, and general information about how to
get the education you want. Educational loan forgiveness
programs for nursing, dental, and dental hygiene students.
Explore health and medical science careers online.
THE NEXT GENERATION
www.NextGenMD.org
An online respource fpr aspiring physicians.
OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK
www.bls.gov/oco
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a nationally
recognized source for career information, designed to
provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions
about their future work lives.
US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
www.va.gov/jobs/hiring-programs.asp
Scholarship, educational debt reduction, and tuition
reimbursement programs for health care professionals
who work for the VA.
Health Careers
/ 115
Index
A Advanced Practice Nursing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
L
Licensed Nursing Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Licensed Practical Nurse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Audiologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
B
Biostatistician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
MMedical Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
C Cardiovascular Technologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Certified Nurse Midwife. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Clinical Nurse Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Clinical Laboratory Technologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Clinical Laboratory Technician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Counselor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Cytotechnologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
D Dental Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Dental Hygienist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Dental Lab Technician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Dentist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Dietetic Technicians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Dietitians/Nutritionists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
E
Emergency Medical Technician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Epidemiologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
H Health Care Office Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Health Educator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Health Information & Medical Records Technician. . . . .
Health Sciences Librarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Home Health Aide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Human Services Worker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
82
28
29
60
52
P
R
S
Health Careers
Nuclear Medicine Technologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
O Occupational Therapist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
116 /
Medical Transcriptionist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
N Nurse Practitioner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
G Gerontologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Occupational Therapist Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Ophthalmologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Optician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Optometrist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Orthotist/Prosthetist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Personal/Home Health Aide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pharmacist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pharmacy Technician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Physician. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Physician Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Physical Therapist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Physical Therapist Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Psychiatrist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Psychologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
60
76
78
44
46
96
98
53
54
Radiologic Technologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Radiation Therapist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Registered Nurse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Respiratory Therapist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Social Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Speech-Language Pathologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Surgical Technologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Acknowledgements
AHEC gratefully acknowledges the following organizations that have
supported and contributed to the production of this Directory:
Funding Support
University of Vermont College of Medicine Office of Primary Care
U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
State of Vermont, Department of Health
Vermont’s 14 Hospitals
For content review, interviews, photo subjects and other invaluable
advice, we thank all who participated in this publication. Ongoing
feedback about this directory may be emailed to ahec@uvm.edu.
For planning and content contributions, we thank the Vermont
Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS), Vermont
Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), the Vermont Department of
Labor (VDOL), the Vermont Area Health Education Centers (AHEC),
and countless other advisors.
Materials consulted include:
U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11
Northeast Regional Student Program—The Apple Book
New Hampshire and Texas Health Career Directories
Design and production by Liquid Studio / Lisa Cadieux
Photos by UVM Medical Photography; additional photos courtesy of
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Central Vermont Medical Center, Essex
(Vermont) Rescue, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Grace Cottage Hospital,
Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Care, Northeastern Vermont Regional
Hospital, Northern Counties Dental Center, Northwestern Medical Center,
Porter Medical Center, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Springfield
Hospital, Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties,
and VSAC.
This is a publication of the University of Vermont College of Medicine Area
Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program: www.vtahec.org
For additional information about health careers, visit vthealthcareers.org
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