CHAPTER 3: CAREERS IN HEALTH CARE

CHAPTER 3: CAREERS IN HEALTH CARE

3: 1 I N F O R M AT I O N - I N TR O T O H E A LT H CA R E E R S There are over 250 different health care careers Basic Prep High school Post-Secondary- Career/Technical School, Community College, University Types of Degrees Health Science Technology Education (HSTE)- prepares students for immediate employment after graduation Associates- given by tech school or community college Bachelor’s- awarded by college or university, 4yr degree Master’s- after completion of bachelor’s, 1-2yrs beyond bachelor’s Doctorate- after completion of bachelors or masters, additional 46yrs

CE RTIFICATION, REGISTRATION, AND LICE NSURE All 3 methods are used to ensure skills and competency of health care personnel and to protect consumers and patients Certification- A person has fulfilled requirements of education according to the standards established by the professional agency that regulates that career. Registration- Regulating body (State Board, professional association) that administers examinations and maintains current list of qualified personnel. Licensure- a governing agency authorizes individuals to work in each occupation. Vary from state to state Requires completion of an approved educational program, pass a state board test, maintain standards (Dr, nurse, dentist, PT, etc)

ACCREDITATION Ensures the program of study meets the established quality competency standards and prepares students for health career Graduation from an accredited program is required for most certifications/careers 2 Major accrediting Agencies CAAHEP- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs ABHES – Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS CEU’s- Continuing Education Units Required to renew and maintain license Hours of additional education must be obtained in specific health career area Check the state requirements in your field

E D U C AT I O N A L L E V E L S , CAREER LEVEL TRENDS, AND O P P O RT U N I T I E S Professional EDUCATIONAL REQUIRMENET EXAMPLES Four years of college with Medical Doctor bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral Dentist degree Technologist or Three years of college (usually Physical Therapist Therapist bachelors or masters) plus work Laboratory experience Technologist Two-year associate degree, special Surgical Technician health science technology education Laboratory Technician Technician OR three to four years of on-the-job training Aide or Assistant Specific number of hours of Nurse Assistant specialized education or one or Medical Assistant more years of training combining classroom and/or on the job training *Education requirements may have changed

NATIONAL HEALTH CARE SKILL STANDARDS NHCSS: A set of standards developed to indicate the knowledge and skills designated to reach health care career Knowledge and skills expected of health care workers at entry/technical levels 7 Groups of Standards 1. Health Care Core Standards: the knowledge and skills that most health care workers should have 2. Therapeutic/Diagnostic Core Standards: the knowledge and skills required to focus on direct patient care in both the therapeutic and diagnostic health care careers 3. Therapeutic Cluster Standards: the knowledge and skills required of workers in health care careers that are involved in changing the health status of the patient over time

NATIONAL HEALTH CARE SKILL STANDARDS CONTINUED 4. Diagnostic Cluster Standards: the knowledge and skills required of workers in health care careers that are involved in creating a picture of the health status of the patient at a single point in time. 5. Health Informatics Service Cluster Standards: the knowledge and skills required of workers in health care careers that are involved with the documentation of patient care. 6. Support/Environmental Services Cluster Standards: the knowledge and skills required of workers in health care careers that are involved with creating a therapeutic environment to provide direct and indirect patient care. 7.Biotechnology Research and Development Standards: the knowledge and skills required of workers in health care careers that are involved in bioscience research and development

3: 2 I N F O R M AT I O N - I N TR O T O H E A LT H CA R E E R S Careers begin with HSTE programs Additional education allows growth to higher paying positions Therapeutic Services Careers Service- to help patients who are injured, disabled, Physically and emotionally Treatment- focused on allowing patient to function at maximum capacity Employment Opportunities- Rehab facilities, hospitals, clinics, LTC, schools Dental Careers Service- Health of teeth and soft tissue of mouth Treatment- prevention dental disease, repairing/replacing teeth, gum treatment Employment Opportunities- Dentist, Dental hygienist, Dental lab tech, Dental assistant

3: 2 I N F O R M AT I O N - I N TR O T O H E A LT H C A R E E R S C O N T I N U E D Emergency Medical Technician Service- provide emergency, pre-hospital care to victims of accidents, injuries and sudden illness. Training is required for most jobs Treatment- wide range of illnesses and injuries List the levels of education and brief description of the 3 levels of EMTs (pg 49): Emergency Medical Technician Basic Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic

3: 2 I N F O R M AT I O N - I N TR O T O H E A LT H C A R E E R S C O N T I N U E D First responder- first person to arrive on scene Police officer, family members, fire department, security guards Interviews and examines the victim Calls EMS as needed Maintains safety and infection control Provides basic emergency care

3: 2 I N F O R M AT I O N - I N TR O T O H E A LT H C A R E E R S C O N T I N U E D Medical Careers Physicians Education Requirement Doctoral degree 3-8 years additional post graduate training of internship or residency depending on specialty State licensure Board certification in specialty area Doctor of Medicine (MD): diagnosis, treats, and prevents diseases or disorders (may specialize) Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO): treats diseases/disorders, placing special emphasis on the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems. Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM): examines, diagnoses, and treats diseases/disorders of the feet or low leg Doctor of Chiropractic (DC): Focuses on ensuring proper alignment of the spine and optimal operation of the nervous and muscular systems – not medical doctors

3: 2 I N F O R M AT I O N - I N TR O T O H E A LT H C A R E E R S C O N T I N U E D Physician Assistants Education Requirement 2 or more years of college and a bachelor’s degree 2 or more years accredited physician assistant program with certificate, associate’s or bachelor’s degree Registration, certification, and licensure Work under supervision of physicians, take medical Hx, routine exams, basic diagnostic tests, treat minor injuries, prescribe and perform appropriate treatments Medical Assistants Education Requirement 1-2-year HSTE program or associate degree Certification and Registration Duties are determined by state law Under supervision of physician Job includes- prepping for exam, taking vital signs, brief history, basic lab tests, assist with procedures

3: 2 I N F O R M AT I O N - I N TR O T O H E A LT H C A R E E R S C O N T I N U E D Phlebotomist Education Requirement 1-2 year HSTE program or 100-300hr certification program Certification Collect blood and prepare it for testing. Perform blood tests in some states. Forensic Science Technicians Education Requirement Associate, bachelors, or master's degree Must meet proficiency standards, but may or may not require cert/license Investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence such as bodily fluids, weapons, and fingerprints. May testify in trials.

3: 2 I N F O R M AT I O N - I N TR O T O H E A LT H C A R E E R S C O N T I N U E D Mental and Social Services Focus on helping people with mental/emotional disorders, developmentally delayed or mentally impaired Employment opportunities- psychiatric hospitals/clinics, home health, government agencies, prisons, educational facilities List level of education and brief description of the following: Psychiatrist Psychologist Psychiatric/Mental Health Tech Social Worker/Sociologist Genetic Counselor

3: 2 I N F O R M AT I O N - I N TR O T O H E A LT H C A R E E R S C O N T I N U E D Mortuary Careers Involve preparing body, perform ceremony to honor the deceased and meet spiritual needs of the deceased, cremation or burial of remains Employment Opportunities- funeral homes, mortuaries, crematoriums, cemetery Funeral Director (Mortician): provide support to the survivors Embalmers: prepare the body for internment Mortuary Assistants: work under the Mortician or Embalmer

3: 2 I N F O R M AT I O N - I N TR O T O H E A LT H C A R E E R S C O N T I N U E D Nursing Careers Care focuses on physical, emotional, and mental needs Under direction of physicians Employment Opportunities- hospitals, home health, Dr offices, clinics, LTC List level of education and brief description of the following: RN: works under the direction of a physician and provides total care to the patient Nurse Practitioner Nurse Midwife Nurse Educators Nurse Anesthetists Clinical Nurse Specialists Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse: working under the supervision of a physician or RN, providing patient care requiring technical knowledge but not the level of education as an RN. CNA/PCT: Under the supervision of a RN or LPN providing care such as baths, bedmaking, and feeding. Geriatric aides/assistants Home Health Care assistants