Nebraska Health Careers

What are some of my options?

• Dietitian• Emergency Medical

Technician• Health Information

Management• Medical Lab

Technician• Nurse• Occupational

Therapist

• Pharmacist• Physical Therapist• Physician• Radiology

Technologist• Respiratory

Therapist• Surgical

Technologist

Why be a health care professional?

Make a difference

Choose your destiny

Attain skills that are in high demand

Have a job that is stable and secure

Provide a service to those in need

Save a life

Nebraska’s health care workforce

Source: Nebraska Career Information System, 2000

Health care workers make up nearly 16% of Nebraska’s total workforce

More than 70,000 Nebraska health care professionals work in hospitals and health systems

Nebraska has a serious need for:

NursesMedical Lab TechniciansRadiology TechnologistsSurgical Technologists

Nursing

Nurses: What do they do?

• Assist doctors with patient care and treatment

• Conduct physical exams

• Gather patient information

• Assist with diagnosing health problems

• Evaluate and record patients’ conditions and progress

• Teach patients how to care for themselves

• Educate patients and families

• Flight Nurse• Emergency Room• Operating Room• Obstetrics/

Gynecology• Pediatrics• Intensive Care

Nursing Specialties

Nursing: What education do I need?

Hospital Diploma A two to three year hospital-based program

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

A two-year program offered at many community and junior colleges and hospital schools of nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A four-year program offered at colleges and universities

Master’s Degree Required for those who want to practice in advanced specialty areas

LPN educational programs in Nebraska

• Central Community College – Columbus, Grand Island, Kearney

• Metropolitan Community College – Omaha• Mid-Plains Community College – North Platte,

McCook (satellite), Valentine (satellite)• Nebraska College of Business - Omaha• Northeast Community College – Norfolk• Southeast Community College – Beatrice,

Lincoln, Falls City (satellite), Geneva (satellite)• Western Nebraska Community College –

Scottsbluff, Alliance, Sidney (satellite)

RN educational programs in Nebraska

• Bryan LGH School of Nursing – Lincoln• Central Community College – Grand Island• Clarkson College – Omaha• College of Saint Mary – Omaha• Creighton University – Omaha• Metropolitan Community College – Omaha• Mid-Plains Community College – North Platte

RN educational programs in Nebraska (cont.)

• Midland Lutheran College - Fremont• Nebraska Methodist College – Omaha• Northeast Community College – Norfolk• Southeast Community College – Lincoln• Union College – Lincoln• University of Nebraska Medical Center –

Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, Scottsbluff

Nursing: Is there a job for me?• Nursing is the

nation’s largest health care profession

• Nurses are the largest single component of any hospital staff

• There is already a nursing shortage and a projected shortage of 434,000 RN’s by 2020

125,000

213,500

381,250

434,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

450,000

2005 2010 2015 2020

Number of Projected Open RN Positions in the U.S. 2005-2020Source: Peter Buerhaus, JAMA 2000

Nursing: Salary and wages

Average Earnings by Occupation in NebraskaSource: Nebraska Dept. of Labor, Workf orce Development

$48,547

$46,488

$41,953

$38,930

$34,965

$28,558

$27,104

$27,040

$24,571

$0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000

Accountant

Loan Officer

Registered Nurse

Teacher

Paralegal

LPN

Social Worker

Fitness Trainer

Interior Designer

Radiologic Technology: What is it?

• X-Ray• Digital Imaging• Mammography• Magnetic Resonance

Imaging (MRI)• Radiation Therapy• Nuclear Medicine

Radiologic Technology: Education requirements

• Usually includes a 2-year program at a hospital earning a certificate or a 2-year program at a community college

• There are nearly 1,000 accredited radiologic technology programs in the United States

• Certificates are needed for various disciplines and specialties such as CT Scan, mammography and nuclear medicine

Radiologic Technology educational programs in

Nebraska• University of Nebraska Medical Center – Omaha• Clarkson College – Omaha• Alegent Health/Immanuel Medical Center –

Omaha• Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital – Hastings• Regional West Medical Center – Scottsbluff• Southeast Community College – Lincoln• University of Nebraska – Kearney• Western Nebraska Community College -

Scottsbluff

Radiologic Technology: Salary and wages

Source: Nebraska Hospital Association Salary Survey, January 2003

Radiologic Technologists in Nebraska have the potential to earn $30,000 to $60,000+ a year depending upon education, duration of employment, position, etc.

Surgical Technologist

                                  

Surgical Technologist: Responsibilities

• Prepare the sterile setup for the appropriate surgical procedure

• Pass instruments and provide sterile items in an efficient manner

• May have to hold and position instruments and retractors

• Sponge and suction the operative site

Surgical Technologist: Education requirements

Certification programs are generally offered through community and/or junior colleges, hospital programs and technical schools

9 to 15 months for a diploma or certificate; 2 years for an associate degree

There are more than 350 accredited surgical technology educational programs in the U.S.

Surgical Technology educational programs in Nebraska

• Metropolitan Community College – Omaha

• Nebraska Methodist College – Omaha

• Southeast Community College - Lincoln

Surgical Technologist: Job outlook Source: Nebraska Hospital Association Salary Survey, January 1999, 2001, 2003

A surgical technologist in Nebraska averages an hourly wage of $13.81 or $28,725/year

Surgical Technologist Job Growth, Nebraska 1999-2003

200

250

300

350

400

1999 2001 2003# o

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Medical Lab Technician

Medical Lab Technician: Job functions

• Perform blood tests

• Look for absence, presence and cause of diseases

• Confirm test results

• Operate complex equipment, computers and instruments

Medical Lab Technician: Career preparation

• Have a solid foundation in sciences

• Obtain an Associate degree from an accredited program – community or junior college

• Obtain certification upon completion of academic and laboratory requirements

Medical Lab Technician educational programs in

Nebraska• Central Community College – Hastings

• Mid-Plains Community College – North Platte

• Southeast Community College - Lincoln

Medical Lab Technician: Job outlook

Source: Nebraska Hospital Association Salary Survey 1999, 2001, 2003

The number of Lab Tech’s working in Nebraska hospitals has nearly doubled over the past 4 years

Medical Lab Tech's Employed in Nebraska 1999-2003

50

75

100

125

150

1999 2001 2003

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Medical Lab Technician: Job outlook

Source: Nebraska Hospital Association Salary Survey 1999, 2001, 2003

Lab Tech Average Hourly Wage, Nebraska 1999-2003

$12.51

$13.32

$14.70

$12.00

$12.50

$13.00

$13.50

$14.00

$14.50

$15.00

1999 2001 2003

The average hourly wage for Lab Tech’s in Nebraska has increased more than $2.00 in 4 years

Nebraska Health CareersMake a difference –

Become a health care professional