Allied Health Careers
A cluster of health professions
covering as many as 100
occupational titles, exclusive of
physicians, nurses, and a
handful of others."
www.healthprofessions.org
Respiratory Care
Treatment of breathing disorders which include chronic lung problems
(i.e., asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema) as well as more acute health
problems related to other injury. Cystic fibrosis patients require respiratory
therapy for their entire lives.
Respiratory Care
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What do they do?
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Evaluates patients to determine
effectiveness of treatment.
Selects, assembles, and checks all
equipment used to provide
respiratory care.
Conducts therapeutic procedures.
Maintains patient records.
Assists physicians during special
procedures.
Respiratory Care
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How to become a
Respiratory Therapist.
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Registered Respiratory Therapist
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2 Years.
University Based.
Optional Bachelors Degree.
Certified Respiratory Therapy
Technician
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2 Years.
Technical College Based.
Optional Associates Degree.
Respiratory Care
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How much do Respiratory
Therapists make?
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Starting Salary $33,592
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Average Salary $40,277
Audiologist & Speech Language
Pathologist
Address people's speech production and language needs through
speech therapy in a variety of different contexts including schools,
hospitals, and through private practice.
Audiologist & Speech Language
Pathologist
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What do Audiologists do?
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Determines if a person has a
hearing loss.
Recommends options for dealing
with hearing loss.
Assists in the selection, fitting, and
purchase of hearing aids.
Audiologist & Speech Language
Pathologist
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What is Speech Pathology?
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The study of human
communication, its development,
and its disorders.
Audiologist & Speech Pathologist
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What do Speech
Pathologists do?
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Evaluate speech
Evaluate language
Evaluate swallowing skills
Recommends treatment for
communication and swallowing
problems.
Audiologist & Speech Pathologist
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How do I become an
Audiologist or Speech
Pathologist?
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Audiologist
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Masters Degree
Speech Pathologist
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Masters Degree
Audiologist & Speech Language
Pathologist

How much do they make?
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Audiologist
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Starting Salary $40,000
Average Salary $50,000
Speech Pathologist
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Starting Salary $35,000
Average Salary $45,000
Radiology Technology
Radiologic technologists and technicians take x rays and administer
non-radioactive materials into patients’ bloodstreams for diagnostic purposes.
Some specialize in diagnostic imaging technologies, such as computerized
tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Radiologic Technology
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What do they do?
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Apply knowledge of anatomy,
positioning, radiographic
technique, and radiation biology
for diagnostic medicine.
Evaluate and maintain
radiographic equipment.
Radiologic Technology
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How to become a
Radiologic Technologist.
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2 to 4 years at college level,
technical school, or in-house
training.
Radiologic Technology
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How much do they make?
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Starting Salary $38,000
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Average Salary $45,000
Physical Therapy
The treatment of injuries or disorders using physical methods, such
as exercise, massage, or the application of heat
Physical Therapy
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What do they do?
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Evaluate
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Joint motion.
Muscle strength and endurance.
Appearance and stability of
walking.
The need for braces and artificial
limbs.
Developmental activities.
Etc.
Physical Therapy
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How to become a Physical
Therapist.
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Masters Degree
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Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Physical Therapy
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How much do they make?
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Starting Salary $39,000
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Average Salary $56,000
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Upper Salary $100,000
Perfusionist
Operates the heart-lung machine during cardiac surgery. Highly trained
member of the Cardio-Thoracic team which consists of Heart Surgeons,
Anesthesiologists and nurses. Main responsibility is to place the patient
on bypass so that the surgeon may operate on a still, unbeating heart.
Perfusionist
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What do they do?
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Maintain life during open heart
surgery.
Administer blood and/or fluids.
Administer anesthetic agents.
Perfusionist
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How to become a
Perfusionist.
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Must have a bachelors degree.
Certificate programs.
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1 to 4 years.
Perfusionist
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How much do they make?
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Starting Salary $50,000
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Average Salary $70,000
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High Salary $90,000
Occupational Therapist
Skilled treatment that helps people return to ordinary tasks around
home and at work by maximizing physical potential through lifestyle
adaptations and possible use of assistive devices.
Occupational Therapist
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What do they do?
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Daily Living Skills
Work Readiness
Play / Leisure Capacities
Educational Performance
Development of sensory-motor,
perceptual or neuromuscular
functions.
Occupational Therapist
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How to become an
Occupational Therapist.
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Bachelors Degree
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Masters Degree
Occupational Therapist
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How much do they make?
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Starting Salary $40,000
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Average Salary $50,000
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High Salary $71,000
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
An imaging test which sends sound waves to and receives them
back from an organ to create an image of that organ.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
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What do they do?
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Gather diagnostic data.
Operate and maintain ultrasound
machines.
Limited interpretation of
ultrasounds.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
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How to become a
Sonographer.
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1 to 4 year programs based on
program objectives and degree.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
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How much do they make?
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Starting Salary $31,000
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Average Salary $48,000
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High Salary $65,000
Physician Assistant
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What is Physician Assistant
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Started in 1960s
Provides a physician with the
ability to increase patient base.
Physician Assistant
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What do they do?
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Diagnose
Prescribe
Work under the license of a
physician
Usually family practice, but may
specialize
Physician Assistant
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How to become a Physician
Assistant.
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2 Years post bachelors degree.
Physician Assistant
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How much do they make?
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Starting Salary $63,000
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Average Salary $72,000
Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who
specializes in preventive care.
Dental Hygienist
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What do they do?
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Perform patient screening.
Take dental x-rays.
Remove plaque from teeth.
Apply sealants and fluorides to
teeth.
Teach oral hygiene techniques.
Counsel patients on good
nutrition.
Dental Hygienist
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How to become a Dental
Hygienist?
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2 year associate degree.
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4 year bachelors degree.
Dental Hygienist
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How much do they make?
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Average $26/hour
Nursing
www.DiscoverNursing.com