Plastic Surgeon

Plastic Surgeon

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Plastic surgeons shape and mold regions of the body like the ears, face, trunk, hands, and other extremities. They also repair congenital problems such as malformed bone structure in hands or feet. Cosmetic surgery reshapes normal body parts for aesthetic reasons, while reconstructive surgery repairs or replaces body parts damaged by accidents, illness, or malformation.

Average Salary: $230,540

Educational Requirements:

                The path to becoming a plastic surgeon is a long and demanding one. Students must complete many levels of training and education, beginning with obtaining a bachelor’s degree in pre-medical major, such as biology or chemistry. Then they must enter medical school.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Question: Would you like to become a Plastic Surgeon in the future? Why or why not?

Answer: No, I most definitely would not like to become a plastic surgeon in the future because it simply does not interest me in any way possible.

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Pharmacy Technicians work in pharmacies under the direction of a pharmacist. Their main responsibility is filling prescriptions according to doctors’ orders for patients. Technicians measure out correct amounts of medication from larger containers to prescription size containers. In addition, they add drugs to intravenous solutions. All of their prescription filling work is rechecked by a pharmacist before medications are dispensed to patients or customers.

Other duties of pharmacy technicians are:

v  Checking inventories and ordering supplies.

v  Receiving and checking in supplies.

v  Waiting on customers.

v  Keeping pharmacy work areas clean.

v  Helping fill out insurance forms.

Pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and some large industrial complexes.

Average Salary: $15,000 - $25,000

Educational Requirements:

                Students should take math, science (especially chemistry), and typing courses in high school.

                A high school diploma is usually required to begin pharmacy technician training. Two year courses leading to certificates are available at most community colleges. Six month programs are offered at privately operated schools.

Pharmacist

Pharmacist

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Pharmacists compound, or prepare, prescriptions written by physicians, dentists, and other practitioners. They review these prescriptions to validate their accuracy and then prepare the medication. This can involve weighing, measuring, and mixing drugs. Once the compounds are prepared, pharmacists then dispense them to customers and patients.

                Pharmacists answer patients’ and customers’ questions about the drugs they are taking and drugs which can be sold over the counter. In some cases, pharmacists are responsible for taking inventory of the drugs on the shelves and ordering any which they are low on.

                Pharmacists work in hospitals, clinics, health departments, universities, and grocery, drug, and discount stores. Those who work in stores must be aware of the other health supplies available in the store so they do not direct customers in the wrong direction.

Average Salary: $33,000 - $51,000

Educational Requirements:

                Students should take the most challenging high school classes (including AP or IB) available in English, science, and math.

                All pharmacists must graduate from a college of pharmacy. Most pharmacy schools require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (P-CAT), and some require up to two years of pre-pharmacy education. Other colleges will admit students directly from high school.

                Normally it takes at least five years to earn a Pharmacy Degree. To earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Pharm D., requires at least six.

Perfusionist

Perfusionist

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Clinical perfusionists operate circulation equipment during medical situations when it is necessary to temporarily and artificially replace the patient’s circulatory or respiratory functions. This occurs during heart surgery and similar operations.

Their duties include:

-          Operating heart-lung machines

-          Administering some types of anesthesia

-          Administering some types of medication

Average Salary: $50,000

Educational Requirements:

                A high school diploma with a strong background in biology and chemistry is required to be accepted in perfusionist training programs. Admissions preference is given to students with college science work or experience in respiratory therapy and medical terminology.

                Perfusionist training programs are given at academic health centers and medical schools and universities. They emphasize hands-on, practical training. Course length varies, but for the school to be recognized by the American Academy of Cardiac Perfusionists, the curriculum must include the supervised performance of 150 procedures to include 20 pediatric and infant cases.

Patient Representative

    Patient Representative

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Patient Representatives work for healthcare administrators to address the concerns and special needs of patients and their families. They evaluate patient satisfaction, investigate complaints, collect information about patient dissatisfaction, work with departments to resolve patient problems, and educate staff.

                Patient representatives work in hospitals, nursing homes, other long-term care facilities, and in public health agencies.

Average Salary: $20,000 - $40,000

Educational Requirements:

                Students should take challenging high school courses in business, science, math, and English. Requirements differ, but most employers prefer college graduates with backgrounds in health or social services. Experience or course work in conflict resolution is also valued.

Osteopathic Physician, D.O.

   Osteopathic Physician, D.O.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Osteopathic physicians use accepted methods of diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases. Although they practice in all branches of medicine and surgery like Allopathic Physicians (M.D.s), they differ by emphasizing the importance of the musculoskeletal system, holistic medicine, proper nutrition, and environmental factors in maintaining good health. Osteopaths use hands-on approach to medicine and frequently manipulate or palpate as part of diagnosis and treatment. They work primarily in osteopathic hospitals or private practice, however many allopathic hospitals now accept osteopathic physicians as staff members. The majority of osteopaths are general practitioners, family, practitioners, or emergency medicine specialists.

Average Salary: $110,000

Educational Requirements:

            Students should take the most challenging high school courses (including AP or IB courses) available in science, math, and English.

            After three or four years of college, prospective physicians must attend medical school. Undergraduate requirements for admission to all medical schools include one year of chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one year of biology, and one year of physics. Some medical schools also require courses work in calculus, English, the humanities, or social science.

            Medical school usually includes two years of additional study in both basic and clinical sciences and is followed by a year-long hospital internship. Physicians who want to specialize must then undertake a three-year residency in their specialty.

Optometrist

Optometrist

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Optometrists treat vision problems. They treat vision problems by diagnosing the problem and then prescribing corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses, or vision therapy. Some optometrists specialize in industrial vision safety, treatment of vision related learning disabilities, and environmental vision care. Unlike ophthalmologists they are not physicians and may not write medical prescriptions, treat diseases, or perform surgery. Most optometrists are self-employed, however many work for hospitals, government agencies, optical manufacturers, or universities.

Average Salary: $78,000

Educational Requirements:

                Students interested in becoming an optometrist should take the most challenging high school courses (AP or IB) available in math, science, and English. Before entering an optometry school at least two years of college in a pre-professional program is required. Optometry school is four years of college pre-professional program required. After being awarded the degree of Doctor of Optometry, optometrists must pass state exams before starting to practice.

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Prosthetists design and make replacement limbs. Orthotists work with patients that need extra support for their muscles, spine, or limbs. Both  of them design, make, and fit apparatuses made of plastic, wood, leather, and metal that help stabilize, strengthen, or replace body parts. They also make and fit devices that help to align limbs that have grown in a crooked manner.

                Both orthotists and prosthetists work closely with physiscians. Physicians may give a patient a prescription for an orthotic or prosthetic device. Physicians may give a patient a prescription for an orthotic or prosthetic device. Physicians also may call in and consult with an orthotist or prosthetist to plan and design a needed device. Prosthetists and orthotists often use computers to design their apparatuses.

Average Salary: $25,000 - $40,000

Educational Requirements:

                Students should take challenging science, math, and English courses in high school.

                Some colleges and universities offer bachelor degrees in orthotic and prosthetic programs. These programs include courses in anatomy, physics, mathematics, mechanical drawing, and the use of materials used in the making of devices. After a year of experience, a person may apply for certification.

                                           

Optician

Optician

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Opticians fit and dispense eyeglasses for patients based upon prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists. Opticians help the customers select eyeglass frames and then measure the distance between the corneas of the eyes so that the lenses may be correctly fitted in the frames. Some opticians specialize in the fitting of contact lenses and also in fitting artificial eyes. Opticians may own their own retail store or work for an optical store. Some also work for optometrists and ophthalmologists who sell glasses.

Average Salary:  $19,000 - $40,000

Educational Requirements:

                Students should take high school courses in physics, algebra, mechanical drawing, and geometry. A high school diploma or GED certificate is needed to begin training as an optician. There are two types of training programs. Students can either complete an approved two-year course at a school of opticianry, or they can complete an approved three year on-the-job apprenticeship.

Optical Laboratory Technician

Optical Laboratory Technician

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Optical laboratory technicians grind and fit eyeglass lenses into frames according to prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists. Technicians set lens grinding machine so that lens blanks are ground and polished. Then they fit the polished lenses into eyeglass frames and, depending upon where they work, fi the frames to the patients. Some ophthalmic technicians work in optical laboratories, or for optometrists or ophthalmologists. Many work in retail stores that have optical departments.

Average Salary: $15,000 - $20,000

Educational Requirements:

             A high school diploma or GED certificate is needed to begin optical laboratory training. Training programs last between six months and one year and are provided by vocational schools and community colleges. Some retail store optical departments provide on-the-job training.

Ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologist

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Ophthalmologists are physicians who specialize in the treatment of eye disorders and diseases. They treat vision problems and write prescriptions for both pharmaceuticals and corrective eyeglass lenses. When necessary, they perform eye surgery. Most ophthalmologists are in private practice, however some are employed by hospitals or clinics, and others perform research.

Average Salary: $90,000 - $150,000

Educational Requirements:

                Only physicians may study to become ophthalmologists. After completing medical school and an internship, an ophthalmologist must then complete a three to five year residency in an approved ophthalmology program. After completing their residency program, they must pass an examination to be certified.

Ophthalmic Technician

Ophthalmic Technician

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Ophthalmic technicians or technologists help ophthamologists collect data and measurements to allow the correct diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and problems. They work at hospitals, clinics, or for ophthalmologists in private practice.

Their duties often include:

•   Performing simple eye exams

•       Assisting with eye surgery

•       Explaining diagnostic and treatment procedures to patients

Average Salary: $14,000 - $25,000

Educational Requirements:

                Students will need a high school diploma (or GED certificate) and two years of college prior to beginning ophthalmic training programs. These programs may vary in length, but can take up to two years to complete.

Nursing Home Administrator

                                                Nursing Home Administrator

Duties and Responsibilities:

            Nursing Home Administrators plan and direct operations of nursing homes and long-term care facilities. They supervise personnel, financial, medical, and nursing administration.

            Most work in nursing homes, but some work for large corporations that control many facilities. Some are also involved in teaching and research.

Average Salary: $40,000 - $55,000

Educational Requirements:

            Students should take challenging high school courses in business, science, math, and English.

            Requirements differ, but most states require nursing home administrators to have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing home administration, complete an additional internship program, and pass a comprehensive examination.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

                                                               Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Nuclear Medicine Technologists prepare and administer radioph

armaceuticals (radioactive substances) to detect and treat disease. Then they position equipment over patients to make images. These pictures allow physicians to identify abnormal areas. This helps in diagnosing illness.

                Nuclear medicine technologists explain these tests to the patients and administer radioactive dose by mouth or injection. They also perform laboratory tests on tissue samples. They must follow strict safety regulations due to the dangers of radiation effects to their bodies and organs.

                Their work is performed in specialized hospital departments, clinics, or laboratories. Level of work performed varies depending upon level of training and education completed.

Average Salary: $28,000 - $42,000

Educational Requirements:

                Students should take the most challenging science, math, and English courses available in high school.

                Nuclear medicine technology training programs vary in length from one to four years. One year programs that lead to certification are offered by hospitals. Associate and bachelor degrees are offered in colleges and universities. Courses include training in safety, radiation procedures, physical science, and effects of radiation to the body and organs, and computer techniques. Almost all states require licensing, and all technologists must meet federal standards for administering and using of radioactive.

Monitor Surveillance Technician

                               Monitor Surveillance Technician

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Monitor surveillance technicians observe the electrical activity of heartbeats which is graphically displayed on a series of monitors in cardiac care units of hospitals. They examine these patters and provide the results to physicians and nursing staff.

They:

v  Gather and report heart pattern information on patients.

v  Operate monitoring computers that simultaneously display multiple patient results.

v  Identify heart pattern changes and abnormalities.

v  Clean and maintain equipment, battery packs, and wiring systems.

Average Salary: $26,000 - $41,000

Educational Requirements:

                Students wanting to become Monitor Surveillance Technicians should take math, science, and computer technology courses in high school.

                Upon graduation from high school, they may enroll in training programs at vocational schools, community colleges, or hospitals. Program length varies from three months to two years.

                                       

               CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Question: Would you like to be a Monitor Surveillance Technician? Why or why not?

Answer: No, I would not like to be a Monitor Surveillance Technician because this profession does not interest me.

Health Science Librarian

                                                         Health Science Librarian

Duties and Responsibilities:

            Health Sciences Librarians and Library Technicians collect and organize medical information they need for patient care, education, research, and administration.

            Librarians select and acquire books, journals, and other library material.  They also establish electronic and digital database information systems. They organize this information into collections and develop catalogs for access and provide reference assistance to patrons. They coordinate and control budgets and supervise library technicians.

            Library technicians assist librarians in organizing collections, shelve books, manage circulation desks, answer patrons’ questions, and perform administrative duties.

Average Salary:

$20,000 - $30,00 (Library Technicians)

$35,000 - $55,000 (Librarians)

Educational Requirements:

            Students should take challenging high school courses in information management, science, math, and English.

            Health sciences library technician training varies by employer. Some provide on the job training, but all prefer that students complete library technician programs at a community college or technical school. Associate’s degrees can be earned in many of these programs.

            Health Science Librarians should earn an undergraduate degree in one of the life sciences and must earn a master’s degree in library science from a program that is accredited by the American Library Association. Some library science graduate programs offer specialized courses in health science librarianship.

Student Success Statement #37

                                                                          Student Success Statement #37

"You can't put a limit  on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get."
                                                                                      -Michael Phelps
                                                                        22 Olympic Medals (18 Gold)

Medical Illustrator

                                                      Medical Illustrator

Duties and Responsibilities:

                Medical illustrators are highly skilled artists. They work strictly in the medical field amd create graphics for textbooks, journals, magazines, and educational films. Their drawings span a wide range from microorganisms to body parts.

                Some medical illustrators prepare illustrations that aid in research about or creation of artificial body parts. At times, they are called upon to use modeling skills to create artificial body parts, such as ears, and noses, for patients that are deformed or have undergone some surgeries.

Average Salary: $35,000 - $50,000

Educational Requirements:

                Students interested in becoming medical illustrators should take a college preparatory program in high school that emphasizes art and science.

In college they should either major in art and minor in science or major in science and minor in art. Undergraduate science courses should be the same as those required for medical school.

                The majority of medical illustrators have master’s degrees in the field from a program that is accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs.

                Certification as a medical illustrator requires a graduate degree in medical illustration, a portfolio review, and successful completion of a national examination.

                                CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Question: Would you like to be a Medical Illustrator?

Answer: No, I don’t think I would like to be a Medical Illustrator because I don’t know how to draw.

Medical Assistant

                                                                     Medical Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities:

            Medical assistants help physicians and nurses deliver patient care. They schedule appointment; take blood pressures, respirations, temperatures; and perform other routine patient pre-examining procedures. Sometimes they help with office and clerical tasks. Medical assistants work in hospitals, clinics, and private physician offices.

Average Salary: $17,000 - $18,000

Educational Requirements:

            Students should complete high school with courses in biology, physical science, office management, communications, and human relations, although medical assistant training programs may accept GED certificates. Medical assistant training programs are provided by community colleges and for-profit technical training schools. They may take between six months and two years to complete.

                                CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Question: Would you like to be a Medical Assistant? Why or why not?

Answer: I, maybe, would like to be a Medical Assistant. It seems interesting.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

                                               Licensed Practical Nurse

Duties and Responsibilities:

            Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) work with and under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. They care for injured, handicapped, and sick patients. Their duties include taking temperatures, blood pressures, and pulses. They also give injections, change dressings, and help give patients baths. In general, they care for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and extended care facilities. Some practical nurses work in private homes.

Average Salary: $16,000 - $23,000

Educational Requirements:

            Although a high school diploma or GED certificate is not always required, it is encouraged. LPNs do not have the extensive professional education that is required for a registered nurse.

            State approved training programs are offered by the hospitals, vocational schools, junior colleges, and private schools.

     CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Question: Do you think you would like to be a LPN? Why or Why not?

Answer: No, I would not like to be a LPN because it does not interest me.