4 answers
Alice
Student
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
5
Questions
Asked
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What are some of the less well-known jobs available in healthcare?
Besides being a doctor, nurse, surgeon, etc., what are some other less known jobs in the healthcare industry? What do each of their jobs entail? For some of these jobs, is med school necessary? #JULY20 #healthcare
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4 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Alice if you're interested in having a career that positively impacts the well being of others, but multiple years of graduate study doesn't sound appealing to you, there are still some excellent options in the healthcare industry to pursue. By obtaining a bachelor's degree, you can work in a medical career that you love while still making a substantial amount of money. Depending on the area of study you choose, many programs offer valuable hands-on experiences that adequately prepare you to enter the workforce soon after graduation.
RESPIRATORY SPECIALIST
Respiratory specialists are often employed in hospitals, but can also work at in-patient rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities and private practices. Job responsibilities can vary depending on a professional's employer or specialty. Respiratory specialists could provide care to patients with chronic diseases, such as asthma and emphysema, or offer emergency care to heart attack, stroke, drowning or shock victims. In addition, respiratory specialists can also be assigned to care for patients on life support in intensive-care units of hospitals. Most states regulate the respiratory therapy profession, requiring practitioners to complete an accredited degree program. Many entry-level academic programs in respiratory therapy or technology confer an associate degree, though universities across the U.S. also offer bachelor's and master's degree programs that could aid in career advancement. Courses typically include anatomy, physiology and cardiopulmonary studies. Students often receive hands-on training in patient diagnostics, therapeutic techniques and emergency response procedures through practical application in the classroom and supervised internships.
PROSTHETIC TECHNICIAN
Prosthetic technicians must be good at operating machinery such as power tools and need a high level of hand-eye coordination. They should also be able to follow detailed directions very closely and must have good communication skills. Prosthetic technicians must be good at operating machinery such as power tools and need a high level of hand-eye coordination. They should also be able to follow detailed directions very closely and must have good communication skills. They do have to converse with patients about their needs, take measurements, and instruct them on how to use their new device. Students in 2-year orthotic-prosthetic associate degree programs study the materials used in brace and prosthetic device creation, including thermoplastics, leather, metal and plaster. Most accredited programs feature a substantial amount of lab time, where the degree candidate practices fabricating orthotic and prosthetic devices.
DENTAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
Dental laboratory technicians are responsible for creating full and partial dentures for individuals who are missing their teeth. Technicians also design bridges, crowns, caps, veneers, and other orthodontic splints and appliances to protect and straighten teeth. Dental laboratory technicians work with a number of different materials, including plastics, waxes, stainless steel, porcelain, polymer glass and precious and non-precious alloys. Technicians are required to know how to use dental instruments and equipment before performing any procedures. They must be able to follow precise instructions and blueprints provided by a dentist. Dental laboratory technicians can receive their education through a 2-year program at a technical college, vocational school or community college. These programs will confer either a certificate or an associate's degree in dental laboratory technology. The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association is responsible for accrediting dental laboratory technology training programs. Some states require additional licensure or other credentialing.
CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN
More commonly known as phlebotomists, certified phlebotomy technicians work with patients in hospitals, blood banks and other medical set-ups. They are responsible for drawing blood for a variety of reasons, including lab testing and blood donation. To obtain the required Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) credentials, individuals must qualify for and pass an exam given by a nationally recognized CPT certification board. Phlebotomists play an important role in the healthcare system, and phlebotomy is a career with a faster than average growth expectancy. There are many different career paths that a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) might choose to take. These career paths include jobs as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), Certified Medical Assistants (CMA), Licensed Practice Nurses (LPN) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN). The reason for this is that there are many routes to qualifying for the CPT exam and many medical training programs that include proper training in phlebotomy. Phlebotomy certificate programs tend to last one year, while short-term courses can be completed in about two months. Both incorporate hands-on clinical practicums and equip students with the medical and technical skills for entry-level employment in blood collection. Classes may include anatomy and physiology, medical jargon, laboratory techniques, first aid and interpersonal communication.
Alice it's important to consider your interests when determining which degree program is the right fit for you. While earning a high salary might be attractive, it's a good idea to make sure you're selecting a career that you'll enjoy on a day-to-day basis. It's important to make sure that the institution you are selecting is accredited. This will help you find employment upon graduation. Additionally, whether your degree is in a clinical setting or not, programs that offer real-world experience can be very beneficial.
Hope this was Helpful Alice
RESPIRATORY SPECIALIST
Respiratory specialists are often employed in hospitals, but can also work at in-patient rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities and private practices. Job responsibilities can vary depending on a professional's employer or specialty. Respiratory specialists could provide care to patients with chronic diseases, such as asthma and emphysema, or offer emergency care to heart attack, stroke, drowning or shock victims. In addition, respiratory specialists can also be assigned to care for patients on life support in intensive-care units of hospitals. Most states regulate the respiratory therapy profession, requiring practitioners to complete an accredited degree program. Many entry-level academic programs in respiratory therapy or technology confer an associate degree, though universities across the U.S. also offer bachelor's and master's degree programs that could aid in career advancement. Courses typically include anatomy, physiology and cardiopulmonary studies. Students often receive hands-on training in patient diagnostics, therapeutic techniques and emergency response procedures through practical application in the classroom and supervised internships.
PROSTHETIC TECHNICIAN
Prosthetic technicians must be good at operating machinery such as power tools and need a high level of hand-eye coordination. They should also be able to follow detailed directions very closely and must have good communication skills. Prosthetic technicians must be good at operating machinery such as power tools and need a high level of hand-eye coordination. They should also be able to follow detailed directions very closely and must have good communication skills. They do have to converse with patients about their needs, take measurements, and instruct them on how to use their new device. Students in 2-year orthotic-prosthetic associate degree programs study the materials used in brace and prosthetic device creation, including thermoplastics, leather, metal and plaster. Most accredited programs feature a substantial amount of lab time, where the degree candidate practices fabricating orthotic and prosthetic devices.
DENTAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
Dental laboratory technicians are responsible for creating full and partial dentures for individuals who are missing their teeth. Technicians also design bridges, crowns, caps, veneers, and other orthodontic splints and appliances to protect and straighten teeth. Dental laboratory technicians work with a number of different materials, including plastics, waxes, stainless steel, porcelain, polymer glass and precious and non-precious alloys. Technicians are required to know how to use dental instruments and equipment before performing any procedures. They must be able to follow precise instructions and blueprints provided by a dentist. Dental laboratory technicians can receive their education through a 2-year program at a technical college, vocational school or community college. These programs will confer either a certificate or an associate's degree in dental laboratory technology. The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association is responsible for accrediting dental laboratory technology training programs. Some states require additional licensure or other credentialing.
CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN
More commonly known as phlebotomists, certified phlebotomy technicians work with patients in hospitals, blood banks and other medical set-ups. They are responsible for drawing blood for a variety of reasons, including lab testing and blood donation. To obtain the required Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) credentials, individuals must qualify for and pass an exam given by a nationally recognized CPT certification board. Phlebotomists play an important role in the healthcare system, and phlebotomy is a career with a faster than average growth expectancy. There are many different career paths that a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) might choose to take. These career paths include jobs as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), Certified Medical Assistants (CMA), Licensed Practice Nurses (LPN) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN). The reason for this is that there are many routes to qualifying for the CPT exam and many medical training programs that include proper training in phlebotomy. Phlebotomy certificate programs tend to last one year, while short-term courses can be completed in about two months. Both incorporate hands-on clinical practicums and equip students with the medical and technical skills for entry-level employment in blood collection. Classes may include anatomy and physiology, medical jargon, laboratory techniques, first aid and interpersonal communication.
Alice it's important to consider your interests when determining which degree program is the right fit for you. While earning a high salary might be attractive, it's a good idea to make sure you're selecting a career that you'll enjoy on a day-to-day basis. It's important to make sure that the institution you are selecting is accredited. This will help you find employment upon graduation. Additionally, whether your degree is in a clinical setting or not, programs that offer real-world experience can be very beneficial.
Hope this was Helpful Alice
Kevin Lam CISSP, PMP, ITIL
Sr. Manager, Incident Response
35
Answers
Santa Clarita, California
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Laboratory testing such as a career as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS). There's high demand for these roles and the pay is great after one gets experience in his/her belt. There are many national labs (Quest, Labcorp) and regional labs out there.
Thank you for answering my question! Laboratory testing sounds interesting, and I will look more into it. Can you tell me more about your experience with laboratory testing?
Alice
I worked in IT implementing the interfaces and automation of these machines and systems (taking the raw data out of the instruments and pass them onto programs that process/render them into results. These results are then electronically returned or shared with patients or doctors .
All of us get labs done today when we visit a doctor. Some are routine tests or others can be very specialized (infectious diseases, cancer, etc). Working on the lab space, the work is 24x7 as it is important to process tests quickly as possible to help provide the results back to the doctor or hospital. CLS are involved in setting up and ensuring these tests are executed expeditiously and accurately to FDA/State approved protocols.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2eM7uK0zNg
Kevin Lam CISSP, PMP, ITIL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFh0owhI72s
Kevin Lam CISSP, PMP, ITIL
Judy Owens
Nurse Practitioner
13
Answers
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Updated
Judy’s Answer
This is a far reaching question and my answer is in no way comprehensive. Healthcare jobs include everything from Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Dosimetry (associated with dosing with radiation oncology), radiation therapy, lab jobs like medical technology, pharmacy and pharmacy tech. Just included in Nursing are all the different specialties (peds, oncology, cardiology, dermatology, surgery, etc) in direct patient care but also pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, managed care ect. There are hospitals, doctor offices, nursing homes and outpatient facilities. There is nuclear medicine (needs PHD's, MD's, nurses, techs), sports medicine, addiction therapy. There are many positions that are not associated with patient care like administrator, marketing and finance.
The real answer comes with what you like and what you strengths are. I was in dentistry for 20 yrs. (dental hygienist) which I really liked but eventually felt a calling to do more for people on a different level. I went to nursing school and found oncology to be where my heart is.
Good luck! This is just a drop in the bucket but hope it is enough for you to get some ideas! Judy
The real answer comes with what you like and what you strengths are. I was in dentistry for 20 yrs. (dental hygienist) which I really liked but eventually felt a calling to do more for people on a different level. I went to nursing school and found oncology to be where my heart is.
Good luck! This is just a drop in the bucket but hope it is enough for you to get some ideas! Judy
Wow, that is a LOT of options. Thank you for giving me these ideas!
Alice
Sabrina Logan
Nurse Manager
5
Answers
Johnson City, Tennessee
Updated
Sabrina’s Answer
Alice, Like mentioned in the response from John, there are many different career opportunities to pick from in Healthcare.
I went to college to become a nurse. Soon after graduating from college I was concerned as I wasn't happy with working in the hospital but I wanted to somehow still provide care for patients. I transitioned to health insurance and worked as a Care Coordinator. I outreached to members around chronic conditions and collaborated with the Providers. I am now a Nurse Manager for a major health insurance company and love it. Best part of working in healthcare is that you have so many different options.
Hope this helps!
Sabrina
I went to college to become a nurse. Soon after graduating from college I was concerned as I wasn't happy with working in the hospital but I wanted to somehow still provide care for patients. I transitioned to health insurance and worked as a Care Coordinator. I outreached to members around chronic conditions and collaborated with the Providers. I am now a Nurse Manager for a major health insurance company and love it. Best part of working in healthcare is that you have so many different options.
Hope this helps!
Sabrina
Thank you for your answer! I like hearing about personal experiences. Your answer definitely resonated with me since I realized I wasn't happy studying engineering. Luckily, I found that I was really interested learning about diseases and medicine, so I decided to go down the healthcare pathway.
Alice