Introduction to Health Careers

1. Introduction to Health Careers

2. Educational Requirements • The educational requirements of careers in the medical professions: • Depend on many factors • Can vary from state to state • Some basic standards do exist

3. Secondary Education • Refers to basic preparation in high school • Should include the sciences, social studies, English and math • General typing and accounting skills are important and can be utilized in many health careers

4. Health Occupations EducationHOE • Secondary vocational program in health occupations • Prepare student for immediate employment in many health careers • Also prepare students for additional education after graduation

5. Post-Secondary Education • Education received after graduation from high school • Includes education in vocational-technical schools, community colleges and universities

6. Types of Degrees • Associate’s degree • Awarded by a vocational-technical school or community college • Requires completion of prescribed two-year course of study • Bachelor’s degree • Awarded by college or university • Requires completion of prescribed course of study that usually lasts for four or more years

7. Types of Degrees • Master’s degree • Awarded by college or university • Requires completion of one or more years beyond a bachelor’s degree • Doctorate or Doctor’s degree • Awarded by college or university • Requires completion of two or more years beyond a bachelor’s or master’s degree • Some require 4 to 6 years of additional study

8. Certification, Registration and Licensure • Methods used to ensure skill and competency of health care personnel and protect consumer or patient • Usually graduation from an accredited program required before certification, registration and/or licensure will be granted • Ensures that program of study meets established quality competency standards • Important to make sure the school has accredited programs before enrolling

9. Certification • Issued by a professional association or government agency that regulates a particular career • Certificate or statement is issued if person fulfills requirements of education and performance and meets standards and qualifications established • Ex – certified dental assistant, certified laboratory technician, certified medical assistant

10. Registration • Required in some health careers • Done by regulatory body in a health care area • Administer examinations and maintain current list (the “registry”) of qualified personnel • Ex – registered dietitian, registered respiratory therapist, registered animal technician

11. Licensure • Government agency authorizes individuals to work in a given occupation • Occupations requiring licensure vary from state to state • Usually require a person to: • Complete an approved educational program • Pass a state board test • Maintain certain standard to obtain and retain licensure

12. Licensure • Ex – physicians, dentists, physical therapists, registered nurses and licensed practical/vocational nurses

13. Continuing Education Units CEUs • Required to renew licenses or maintain certification or registration • Individual must obtain additional hours of education in the specific health care career during a specified period of time • Individuals should be aware of the state requirement regarding CEUs • Arkansas requires 15 CEUs per renewal period (renewal every 2 years)

14. 4 Main Levels of Training • Professional • Usually requires four or more years of college and an advanced degree • Ex – medical doctor, dentist • Technologist or therapist • Requires 3 to 4 years of college plus work experience, usually bachelor’s degree • Ex – medical laboratory technologist, physical therapist, speech therapist

15. 4 Main Levels of Training 3. Technician • Usually requires 2-year associates degree, special health occupations education or 3 to 4 years OJT • Ex – dental lab technician, medical lab technician, surgical technician 4. Assistant or aide • Usually requires up to 1 or more years of training that combines classroom and/or OJT • Ex – dental, medical or nurse assistants

16. Multi-competent or Multi-skilled Worker • New trend in health occupations • Workers perform in a variety of occupations • Eliminates the need for employing specialists for every aspect of care • At times, workers trained in one field receive additional education to work in second or third occupation • In other cases, educational programs prepare multi-competent workers

17. Multi-competent or Multi-skilled Worker • Examples • Combine electrocardiograph technician with electroencephalographic technologist • Combine basic skills of radiology, medical laboratory and respiratory therapy

18. Entrepreneur • Individual who organizes, manages and assumes the risk of a business • Opportunity available in many health occupations • However, even as entrepreneurs, many health professional must still work under the direction or guidance of doctors • Involves risks and requires certain level of education and ability

19. Entrepreneur • Satisfying to individual who is well motivated, self-confident, responsible, creative and independent • Examples • Doctors, dentists, optometrists, physical therapists