Careers in Health Care

Chapter 3

Chapter ObjectivesCompare the educational requirements for

associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degreesContrast certification, registration, and

licensureDescribe at least 10 different health careers by

including a definition of the career, three duties, educational requirements, and employment opportunities

Investigate at least on health career by using the Internet or HOT JOBS

Interpret at least 10 abbreviations used to identify health occupations workers

Introduction to Health CareersIt is impossible to talk about all health

careers, there are over 250Educational requirements for health careersWhere does it begin?HIGH SCHOOL

Include science, social studies, English, math, general typing, accounting skills

Health Science Technology Education (HSTE)Prepare students for immediate employment in health

careers or for additional education after graduation (post secondary)

Associate’s DegreeAwarded by vocational-technical school or

community college after completion of a prescribed two year course of study

Bachelor’s degreeAwarded by college or university after a

prescribed course of study that usually lasts for four or more years

Master’s DegreeAwarded by a college or university after

completion of one or more years work beyond a bachelor’s degree

Doctorate/Doctoral degreeAwarded by a college or university after

completion of two or more years of work beyond a bachelor’s or master’s degree

Some doctorates can require four to six years of additional study

Health Careers

Three other terms associated with health careers are certification, registration, and licensure.

These are methods used to ensure the skill/competency of health care personnel and to protect the consumer or patient

Certification

A person has fulfilled requirements of education & performance & meets the standards & qualifications established by the professional association or government agency that regulates a particular career.

A certificate is issued by the association

ie: certified dental assistant, certified laboratory technician, certified medical assistant

RegistrationRequired in some health care careers

Performed by a regulatory body or professional association or state board that administers examinations and maintains a current list (registry) of qualified personnel in a given health care areaie: registered dietitian, registered respiratory therapist, registered radiologic technologist

Licensure

Government agency authorizes individuals to work in a given occupation; may vary from state to stateObtain/retain licensure after completion of educational program, pass a state board test and maintain standardsie: physician, dentist, physical therapist, registered nurse, LVN

AccreditationFor most health careers, graduation from an

accredited program is required before certification, registration, and/or licensure will be granted.-

Accreditation ensures that the program of study meets the established quality competency standards and prepares them for employment

It is important for the student to make sure that a technical school, college or university offers accredited programs of study before enrolling

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Required to renew licenses or maintain certification or registration in many states

Obtain additional hours of education in a specific health career area during a specified period of time

ie: nurses must obtain 24 to 48 CEUs every 1-2 years to renew licenses.

Health care workers should be aware of the state requirements regarding CEU,s for their given careers

Education LevelsTraining for most health occupations is

categorized into 4 levelsAide/Assistant

1 or more yrs. training combing classroom & OJTTechnician

2 yrs. Associate degree, special health occupations education, OR 3-4 yrs. OJT

Technologist/Therapist3-4 years college plus work experience; BS and

sometimes MSProfessional

4 or more yrs. College with BS, MS or Doctorate

Trend in Health CareMulticompetent/multiskilled worker

Due to high health cost, small facilities and rural areas often hire who can perform a variety of health care skills

ie: ECG and EEG tech to do both testsie: radiology, medical lab, and respiratory

therapy

OpportunityEntrepreneur: person who organizes,

manages, and assumes the risk of a business

You may combine BS in specific health care with a master’s in Business……..

This person needs to be well motivated, self confident, responsible, creative and independent

National Health Care Skill StandardsNational Health Care Skill Standards

(NHCSS) were developed to indicate the knowledge and skills that are expected of health care workers

Health Care Core StandardsTherapeutic/Diagnostic Core StandardsTherapeutic Cluster StandardsDiagnostic Cluster StandardsInformation Services Cluster StandardsEnvironmental Services Cluster Standards

Support Services ClusterBiomedical Research Cluster

Health Care Core Standards

Specify knowledge/skills of vast majority of health care workers

Academic foundationCommunication skillsEmployability skillsLegal responsibilitiesEthicsSafety practicesTeamworkKnowledge of systems of healthcare

Therapeutic/Diagnostic Core StandardsKnowledge/skills that focus on direct

client care in both therapeutic and diagnostic occupations

Health maintenance practicesPatient interactionIntra-team communicationMonitoring patient statusPatient movement

Therapeutic Cluster Standards

Knowledge/skills of workers in health occupations that are involved in changing the health status of the client over time

Interacting with the patientsCommunicating with team membersCollecting informationPlanning treatmentImplementing procedureMonitoring patient statusEvaluating patient response to treatment

Diagnostic Cluster StandardsKnowledge/skills of workers that are involved in

creating a picture of health status of client at a single point in time

Communicating oral and written informationAssessing patent health statusMoving and positions patients safely and efficientlyExplaining procedures and goalPreparing for proceduresPerforming diagnostic proceduresEvaluating test resultsReporting required information

Information Services Cluster StandardsKnowledge/skills required of workers that are

involved with documentation of client careCommunicate information accurately within legal

boundariesAnalyzing information Abstracting and coding medical records and

documentDesigning and/or implementing effective

information systemDocumenting informationUnderstanding operations to enter, retrieve and

maintain information

Environmental Services Cluster Standards

Knowledge/skills of workers that are involved in creating a therapeutic environment to provide direct/indirect client care

Developing and implementing the administration, quality control, and compliance regulations of a health care facility

Maintain a clean/safe environment through aseptic techniques

Managing resources Maintaining an aesthetically appealing

environment

Biotechnology Research and Development StandardsKnowledge and skills workers in

bioscience research and developmentComprehending how biotechnology

contributes to health and quality of lifeDeveloping strong foundation in math and

science prinicplesPerforming biotechnology techniquesUnderstanding and following laboratory

protocols and principlesComplying with bioethical policies