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Psychologists study mental processes and human behavior. They can choose among a wide variety of special fields, from Clinical to Forensic to Sports Pyschology.

The human mind is an amazing mechanism. How it works has challenged great thinkers for centuries, and it is the core concern of psychologists.

Psychologists study mental processes and human behavior. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), psychologists are concerned with two kinds of relationships: one between brain function and behavior, and the other between the environment and behavior. Within this framework, psychologists conduct research, diagnose and treat patients, and teach.

Don’t confuse psychologists with psychiatrists: the latter are medical doctors who have specialized in diagnosing and treating psychological disorders. Psychologists can also choose among a wide variety of special fields:

• Clinical psychologists treat mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders.
  
• Counseling psychologists help people make changes or adjust to difficult changes in their lives.
  
• Developmental psychologists study human development.
  
• Educational psychologists focus on the teaching and learning process.
  
• Engineering psychologists study the dynamics between people and machines.
  
• Forensic psychologists use their skills in courtroom testimony and other legal applications.
  
• Health psychologists deal with illness and health issues.
  
• Industrial/organizational psychologists focus on the workplace and ways in which employees can be both more productive and gain job satisfaction.
  
• Neuropsychologists study connections between the brain and human behavior, in some cases assessing and treating people with brain injuries.
  
• Quantitative and measurement psychologists focus on ways to acquire and assess psychological data.
  
• Rehabilitation psychologists help victims of illnesses and accidents or people with developmental disabilities adapt to their situations.
  
• School psychologists work directly with students in school settings.
  
• Social psychologists focus on relationships and their effect on behavior.
  
• Sports psychologists help athletes reduce stress and focus on achieving their goals.

With so many specialties, there is no one path to success. The usual starting point is to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Most jobs in the field, however, require a master’s or doctoral degree. This means that potential psychologists must be good students who enjoy school and are persistent at academic pursuits. Excellent communication skills, empathy for others, and strong analytical abilities are also needed.

The job market for psychologists is competitive, but the U.S. Department of Labor forecasts that job growth in the near future will be faster than the average for all occupations. Prospects will be brightest for those holding doctorates from leading universities. Healthcare organizations, schools, and private corporations are also expected to have increasing numbers of openings for those with various backgrounds. About half of all psychologists work in private practice. Currently, most psychologists who are not self-employed work in educational institutions or health services.

With such a range of career possibilities, it’s not surprising that salaries vary widely. The median income of salaried pyschologists is nearly $55,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Psychologists in top-level positions or private practice may earn more than $125,000 yearly.

For more information, contact the American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002-4242, www.apa.org.

Article courtesy of www.careersandcolleges.com

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 31, 2007 at 2:09 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

As a physician assistant, you’ll be part of a team approach to providing quality health care to more Americans. PA’s practice medicine under the supervision of licensed physicians, and they work in a wide variety of health care settings.

The physician assistant profession offers an alternative for those who want to practice medicine but may not be able to afford the time or cost of becoming a physician.

Physician assistants take patient medical histories, perform comprehensive physical exams, order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests, assist in surgery, and diagnose and treat both common and complex medical problems.

The PA profession was founded more than 38 years ago to address a shortage of primary care physicians. Today, without physician assistants, parts of our country—rural as well as inner-city—would have little or no access to medical care.

The Physician Assistant profession is one of the nation’s fastest-growing careers. The demand today for qualified PAs far exceeds the supply—a trend that is expected to continue. In 2004, there were approximately 63,000 PA’s working in the United States. and more than 130 accredited physician assistant training programs.

Most PA programs require a minimum of two years of college with a science emphasis; some also require prior healthcare experience, such as military or paramedical training. Most students in accredited PA programs have nearly four years of prior healthcare experience before they’re admitted.

Training programs typically combine classroom studies and clinical rotations (seeing and treating patients), and PA students complete more than 2,000 hours of supervised clinical practice before they graduate.

According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the median income for physician assistants in full-time clinical practice is $74,264; median income for first-year graduates is about $65,000.

To find out more about the physician assistant profession and for a list of all accredited degree programs, visit www.aapa.org, the website of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).

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Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 31, 2007 at 8:02 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Pharmacy is recognized as an indispensable—and increasingly important—healthcare field. There are more than 65,000 prescription and over-the-counter medicines available today; the mission of pharmacists is to ensure that they are dispensed and used properly.

Through their education and training, pharmacists know more about drugs and their use in treating disease than anyone else on the healthcare team, and they are expected to communicate this knowledge to both healthcare providers and to patients.

Pharmacists are probably the most accessible of all healthcare professionals, and their role as primary providers will certainly increase significantly in the years ahead. Pharmaceutical care, a new philosophy of pharmacy practice embraced by pharmacy educators as well as increasing numbers of practitioners, assumes a greater level of responsibility for the outcomes of drug therapy in patients.

Pharmacy program curricula have changed to reflect this new philosophy. For example, all schools have implemented a six-year entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy degree program of study: it comprises a two-year pre-professional and a four-year professional curricular format. The new professional curricula will emphasize critical thinking, problem solving, active learning, enhanced communication skills, and integrated studies in pharmaceutical and clinical sciences.

Following graduation from an accredited College or School of Pharmacy, students must become licensed to practice pharmacy in a particular state. A license can be transferred to other states through a process known as “reciprocity.” Pharmacy graduates find employment in a variety of practice settings, some traditional and some new or developing.

The most common practice settings for pharmacists are community pharmacies (either independent or chain operations) and institutional practice (hospitals and extended-care facilities).

• Many pharmacists in independent practice own their own businesses. Chain pharmacies provide opportunities for pharmacists to assume management positions at various levels of major retail corporations.
  
• In institutional practice, there are staff pharmacists and an increasing number of clinical pharmacy specialists in such fields as critical care, cardiology, psychiatry, oncology, internal medicine, and pediatrics. Entry-level salaries for pharmacy graduates in 2005 were approximately $75,000-$85,000 per year. In some geographic areas of this country where pharmacist shortages exist, salary levels were $5,000-$10,000 higher—many with additional sign-on bonuses and tuition debt relief. The need for pharmacists is projected to continue well into the next decade or two.

Job opportunities for pharmacists are available in the pharmaceutical industry (including sales, research, and clinical trials for new drugs); the federal government (Public Health Service, Food and Drug Administration, and the Drug Enforcement Agency); military services; long-term care facilities; outpatient clinics; home healthcare pharmacies; mail service pharmacies; nuclear pharmacies; consultant pharmacies; managed care settings; and at colleges and universities.

Either a Ph.D. or Pharm.D. degree is required for teaching positions in pharmacy schools or research positions with major pharmaceutical companies.

J. Douglas Bricker is associate dean at Duquesne University’s School of Pharmacy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information on career opportunities in pharmacy, contact the American Pharmacists Association, 1100 15th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005-1707, or visit their website at www.aphanet.org.

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Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 30, 2007 at 6:56 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Do you have a keen scientific mind? Would you like to apply science to the challenges involved in the treatment of disease? Would you like to combine laboratory work and patient care? If so, pathology may be a career for you.

W hat do the following scenarios have in common?

• Tension is running high for a patient’s family. In the operating room, a surgeon removes some tissue and rushes it to the lab for examination under a microscope to see if it is cancerous. The results will determine how the surgeon will proceed and will help inform the patient of the prognosis.
  
• Instead of the patient undergoing surgery, fluid and cells from a suspected tumor are removed through a hollow needle and biopsied.
  
• A suspicious death occurs and an autopsy is done to determine the cause of death. Another patient dies, and an autopsy is performed that helps the doctor assess the accuracy of diagnosis and effectiveness of treatment, information that can help in the treatment of future patients.
  
• Day in and day out, routine lab tests rule disease in or out, measure levels of glucose or cholesterol, and assess a patient’s response to infection or disease.
  
• In the lab, bacteria, viruses, fungi,and parasites are identified in order to determine the most effective treatment.

In all of the previous scenarios, there is a pathologist at work. “Within our specialty, the principles of the basic sciences are artfully applied to very real, often complex, patient problems,” observe doctors Joseph A. Prahlow and Daryl G. Vogel on the website of the College of American Pathologists.

Like much of medicine, in this age of rapidly advancing technology, pathology is hardly standing still. New and complex tests are making the pathologist’s work an important part of the diagnosis and treatment of more and more patients.

These are some of the many ways that pathologists work:

• Anatomic pathologists analyze the structural changes in tissues and cells, playing a central role in the diagnosis of surgically removed tissues.
  
• Clinical pathologists may oversee specialty laboratories and consult with patients’ physicians in many areas (for example, in hematology they draw bone marrow samples from patients, diagnose leukemias and lymphomas, and identify malarial and other parasites; in transfusion medicine they oversee blood banks and transfusion of organs).
  
• Molecular pathologists use new DNA and RNA technology to identify infectious agents, monitor therapies, and screen for genetic defects and inherited susceptibilities to disease.

Where do pathologists work? Most work in community hospitals. Others work in medical schools, doing basic or applied research, and may also teach and do diagnostic work in university hospitals. A great advantage of the field is that more than most other physicians, pathologists are the masters of their own schedule: rarely do they need to be called in at night. Salaries vary, but the median can be about $200,000.

What does it take? After medical school, pathologists must complete four to five years of residency and may pursue a number of subspecialties, such as forensic pathology, pediatric pathology, blood banking and transfusion medicine, among others.

You might have been under the impression that pathology is a less glamorous field than other medical subspecialties. If so, you’d better examine that idea under a microscope!

For more information on careers in pathology, go to the website of the American Society for Investigative Pathology at www.asip.org, and click on “Pathology as a Career in Medicine,” from which much of this information was drawn.

Article courtesy of www.careersandcolleges.com

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 30, 2007 at 9:52 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Orthotics and prosthetics are two exciting careers that combine the challenge of working with cutting-edge technology and the satisfaction of helping people in need.

Patients who need customized artificial limbs or support systems are helped by prosthetists or orthotists. Orthotists work with patients who need extra support for their muscles, spine, or limbs. For example, orthotists design and fit corrective shoes or cutstomized braces. Prosthetists work with patients who need replacement limbs.

There are two levels of professional work in orthotics and prosthetics: practitioners and technicians.

• Practitioners are part of a team of healthcare workers who develop an effective rehabilitation program for the patient. They work with physicians, surgeons, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, and vocational rehabilitation counselors to understand the patient’s needs. Before designing a prosthesis (artificial limb) or an orthosis (brace or splint), the practitioner examines the patient to determine the best way to make a prosthesis or an orthosis. The practitioner takes measurements and makes a plaster impression; then, he or she designs the device, supervises its construction, and evaluates how well the device fits the patient.
  
• Technicians actually build the orthoses or prostheses—typically from materials such as metals, plastics, leathers, and fabrics—under the supervision of the practitioner.

Becoming a certified prosthetist or orthotist is a five-year process. Certification is optional, but recommended. Prosthetists and orthotists must have a four-year bachelor’s degree. Generally, they have two years of general study followed by two years of professional training, which includes study in science and human anatomy. Following the bachelor’s degree, students must complete a one-year residency. Once the residency is completed, students are eligible to sit for the certification exam.

Becoming a technician is not quite so rigorous. It’s a good choice for students who are interested in craft rather than the clinical aspects of the profession.

Most technician programs are two years and focus on mechanics and materials science.

Career outlook The career outlook for orthotists and prosthetists is good. While only eight institutions nationwide currently offer orthotics and prosthetics education, the demand for provider services is expected to increase by 25% for orthotic care and 47% for prosthetic care by 2020. This practitioner shortage means more demand than ever for graduates of the nation’s orthotics and prosthetics education programs. Changes in technology and science make this career area exciting and challenging. The average wage for full-time registered technicians is $40,454 annually. Most technicians work for practitioners, where they specialize in the types of devices they create. Some work in fabrication centers, where they specialize in the creation of specific kinds of devices.

The average salary for non-certified, licensed orthotists and prosthetists with seven years of experience is $56,040. The average salary for a certified professional with fifteen years of experience is $91,452. Most prosthetists and orthotists work in private practices and hospitals. Some work as researchers in universities and government facilities.

If helping others who are injured or disabled appeals to you—and if you can conceive and create the kinds of devices described above—you should consider orthotics or prosthetics.

If you think you might be interested in a career in orthotics or prosthetics, contact the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, 526 King Street, Suite 201, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-836-0788; or visit their website at www.oandp.org or their career website at www.opcareers.org.

Article courtesy of www.careersandcolleges.com

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 29, 2007 at 2:48 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Optometry involves caring for one of our most precious senses—sight. It is a challenging and personally rewarding career that provides satisfaction, financial security, independence, prestige, and flexibility.

Doctors of optometry provide over half of all primary vision care in this country. Although they are not medical doctors, they are trained and licensed to examine the eyes, diagnose problems, and prescribe treatment.

Because there are several areas of specialization, optometry provides career flexibility, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, occupational vision, and low or partial vision.

With favorable working conditions, regular hours, a minimum of emergency calls, and many career options, optometry offers great freedom in choosing a location to live and practice.

Optometry is one of the top income-earning medical professions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median income of all optometrists $114,000. Those in private practice may earn more.

The career outlook for optometry is good. The need for optometric care is expected to increase because the U.S. population is growing older and vision problems become more prevalent with age.

Advances in diagnosing and treating vision problems, together with an increasing awareness of vision care needs at every age, give optometry a solid future. There are currently more than 34,000 practicing optometrists and the need for new practitioners will grow between 18% and 26% by 2012.

Optometrists can choose from the following types of practice:

• Solo Practice—An optometrist working in his or her own office. More than half of practicing optometrists are in solo practices, making them both care providers and business people.
  
• Group Practice—Two or more optometrists working in the same office. In a group practice, the optometrists often specialize in areas such as contact lenses, children’s vision, or low vision.
  
• Interdisciplinary Practice—A practice with other health professionals, such as dentists or physicians. Optometrists can also practice in HMOs or in prepaid group practices.
  
• The Armed Forces and Veterans Administration—Optometrists provide approximately 70% of the eye care services needed by the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, and other service-related organizations. Doctors of optometry are commissioned as captains in the Air Force and Army and as lieutenants in the Navy. Optometrists also serve in Veterans Administration Medical Centers and outpatient clinics.
  
• U.S. Public Health Service—The U.S. Public Health Service provides medical care in rural areas of the nation and to Native Americans.
  
• Teaching—Preparing students to become vision care practitioners in clinics, hospitals, and universities.
  
• Research—Private research by optometrists at universities or other similar settings. A graduate degree in a related field such as physiology or psychology is helpful or required.

The optometry professional program is four years. Although a specific college major is not required, the majority of students who enter optometry school have completed an undergraduate degree in the sciences, such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics. Requirements for admission to most schools of optometry include courses in English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. A few schools require or recommend courses in psychology, history, sociology, speech, and business.

Does optometry sound like a field you’d be interested in learning more about? The website of the American Optometric Association—www.aoa.org—has helpful information about eye problems and about a career in optometry. Click on “Eye Conditions and Concerns and again on “Ask the Optometrist.”

Article courtesy of www.careersandcolleges.com

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 29, 2007 at 8:43 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye disorders. They are among the most professionally satisfied of all physicians.

The reason? The span of this speciality—which includes both primary medicine and surgery—is broad: There are opportunities to treat children as well as adults, practitioners are involved in both primary care and highly specialized areas, and relationships between opthalmologists and patients are often close and can continue over many years.

Ophthalmology is sometimes regarded as a highly specialized field, but practitioners are primary care physicians who practice a mixture of medicine and surgery—spending typically four days a week in the office and one day in surgery. Ophthalmologists frequently work with and consult with other physicians and specialists as well.

Students considering ophthalmology should understand that unlike optometrists, ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye disorders. You’ll need to plan your academic work in college so you’ll be ready to apply to medical school. Ophthalmologists generally have a minimum of 12 years of education, including general clinical training, residency, and, sometimes, a subspecialty fellowship. Also, Ophthalmologists must have unusually good visual and motor skills for clinical and surgical practice.

Most ophthalmologists choose to practice general ophthalmology and work either alone or in a group practice. Highly refined methods of diagnosis and treatment have resulted in the development of a number of subspecialties within the field.

• Cornea and External Disease involves both the diagnosis and management of diseases of the cor
  nea. Training in this area frequently includes corneal transplant surgery.
  
• Glaucoma includes the treatment of glaucoma and other disorders that may cause optic nerve damage.
  
• Neuro-ophthalmology involves the relationship between neurologic and ophthalmic disease. It is usually practiced as a nonsurgical subspecialty, but it can be combined with surgery.
  
• Ophthalmic Pathology involves the study of specific diseases of the eye; the practitioner often examines and evaluates eye tissue specimens.
  
• Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery includes lid work and reconstructions of the upper face after removal of tumors or trauma.
  
• Pediatric Ophthalmology involves the treatment of eye disorders in infants and children.
  
• Vitreoretinal Diseases are those which affect the retina and vitreous tissue.

Opportunities for growth Currently, there are more than 40,000 ophthalmologists practicing in the U.S. The growing popularity of laser vision correction operations such as LASIK or PRK has created even more opportunities for ophthalmologists. These procedures utilize lasers in order to permanantly treat vision problems.The supply and demand may vary, but advances in opthalmic care and an aging population suggest that there will be a growing need for ophthalmic practitioners in the future.

Do you think you might enjoy a career as an ophthalmologist? If so, visit the website of the American Academy of Ophthalmology at www.aao.org. Click on “Careers”, then “Ophthalmology as a Career” for a useful guide to the history and current practice of ophthalmology.

Article courtesy of www.careersandcolleges.com

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 28, 2007 at 12:38 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

You probably have a good idea what an x-ray looks like. But an x-ray only shows the physical structures inside the body. Nuclear medical imaging reveals both the function and structure of internal organs. It’s used to diagnose, manage, treat, and prevent serious illnesses.

A Nuclear Medicine Technologist is the person who works with patients to administer procedures and who provides the results to physicians.

If you’d like to work in a medical setting, have direct patient contact, and earn a good salary, read on.

What exactly IS nuclear medicine? Nuclear medicine puts very small amounts of radioactive materials, known as radiopharmaceuticals or “tracers,” into a patient’s body and then uses special cameras to track the signals these materials emit. The cameras produce photographs or three-dimensional computer images that give doctors a picture of both the structure and the functioning of inner organs. The amount of radiation the patient receives is small, about the same as received from an x-ray. There are currently nearly 100 different nuclear medicine imaging procedures, with new technology continually under development.

Nuclear medicine is used for:

• Identification of tumors, areas of infection, or other disorders
  
• Diagnosis and treatment of hyper-thyroidism
  
• Cardiac stress tests to analyze heart function
  
• Bone scans for orthopedic injuries
  
• Lung scans for blood clots
  
• Liver and gall bladder procedures to diagnose abnormal function and blockages.

• Explain the procedure to the patient
  
• Prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals
  
• Position the patient
  
• Operate the camera, or “scanner”
  
• Produce the images on a film or computer screen for a physician to interpret
  
• Perform tests on blood, urine, or other specimens using radioactive materials to measure levels of hormones, drugs, or other substances
  
• Keep patient records and record the amount and type of radionuclides received, used, and then disposed of.

To advance in your career, you could become a supervisor, then a chief technologist, and then a department administrator or director. To move into teaching in the field, you would need a bachelor’s or master’s degree combined with certification and experience.

Where would you work? NMTs usually work in hospitals or outpatient clinics, though possibilities exist in research at universities, government institutes, or in manufacturing. You might have some evening and weekend or on- call hours. In 2004, median earnings were $56,450. Although the total number of positions is relatively small, the field is expected to grow as new techniques are developed and as the population ages.

How do you get from here to there? You may attend a two-year program to earn a certificate or an associate’s degree, or a four-year program to earn a bachelor’s degree. You’ll study anatomy, physiology, nuclear physics, chemistry, computer science, and radiopharmacy. You’ll also do clinical work. Look for programs that are nationally accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology. After graduating, you’ll want to take a voluntary certification exam administered by one of two national agencies. Many states also have their own licensing requirements.

For more information, check out the Societyfor Nuclear Medicine at www.snm.org.

Article courtesy of www.careersandcolleges.com

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 27, 2007 at 8:32 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Is medical writing an art or a science? This diverse career area offers elements of both. Medical writers specialize in communicating information about medicine and related areas.

Medical writers may also be known as biomedical communicators. Browse around a newsstand, and you’ll see their work in magazines and newspapers. Visit the nearest bookstore, and you’ll find scores of books written by medical writers. Pick up the brochures displayed in physicians’ waiting rooms, and you’ll see more evidence of the work of medical writers.

Obviously, this work involves writing about medicine and health. But what does that really mean? In some cases, it consists of experts writing for other experts—professors or others who write medical textbooks, journal articles, and research-related studies.

Viewed more broadly, medical writing focuses on interpretation. Medical writers take the complex information developed by physicians and other scientific experts and make it understandable to a general audience. For example, a writer might review new research about arthritis and then write a magazine article for senior citizens on managing arthritis. A writer may develop a pamphlet for teens on preventing eating disorders or a newspaper article about controlling cholesterol in-take. Or he or she might compile a book on the pros and cons of popular prescription drugs.

The Internet is providing a host of new opportunities for medical writers. Online magazines, websites about health issues, and other types of electronic information include the work of medical writers. Medical writers also work in public relations at hospitals and health organizations, write scripts for instructional media, and engage in other types of written communication.

Some writers are employed as staff writers for magazines, large newspapers, drug companies, professional associations, and other for-profit and not- for-profit organizations. Others choose to be freelancers, meaning they work under assignment for different—sometimes many different—employers.

Considering all this diversity, it’s not surprising that both the background and orientation of medical writers vary widely. Some see themselves primarily as writers who like science and have decided to specialize in medical topics. Others are people trained in medical fields who communicate their special knowledge by writing about it.

The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) has identified the following job specialties related to medical writing:

• advertising
  
• audiovisual production
  
• college and university teaching
  
• editing
  
• journal editing and staff writing
  
• pharmaceutical writing, editing, and managing
  
• public relations
  
• publishing
  
• reporting
  
• researching
  
• scriptwriting
  
• statistical analysis
  
• translating

The job prospects for medical writers are good, in part because the public continues to have a deep interest in health and medical topics. To pursue a career in medical writing, you might start by majoring in English, journalism, or technical writing. It would be helpful to pick up some medical knowledge along the way by taking biology courses, working in a healthcare organization, or simply reading extensively about medical topics.

Or you might study the biological sciences and enhance your writing skills through job experience or course work.

Virtually all colleges and universities offer general writing courses, and many sponsor specialized classes or seminars. The AMWA also offers training opportunities at both beginning and advanced levels.

For more information about a career in medical writing, contact the American Medical Writers Association at 40 West Gude Drive, Suite 101, Rockville, MD 20850-1192, 301-294-5303; or visit them online at www.amwa.org.

Article courtesy of www.careersandcolleges.com

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 26, 2007 at 3:28 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

One of the frustrating tasks facing anyone who is trying to decide on which school to attend is narrowing the list of schools to just those which offer the programs which are of interest and are located in a geographic area that works for the candidate. Although there are thousands of web sites that have a ton of information about on-line and traditional schools, the vast majority of them fail to deliver these pieces of information and also tend to provide information about a wide variety of schools.

An exception is GuideToHealthCareSchools.com, a resource guide and directory for schools which offer healthcare related degrees. I tried out the site and it offers a lot of information about a huge number of schools. One of the reasons that I liked it so much though wasn't the amount of information it had about each school or that I could pick a school close to home if I wanted to. The biggest reason that I liked the site was that it was a niche site. The site owners have chosen to focus on a niche they know well and to deliver outstanding information for that niche. Rather than trying to be all things for everybody and inevitably failing, they've really great for some. If I was looking for a healthcare school, this would a resource that I would definitely use.

Posted by Steven Rothberg, CollegeRecruiter.com on July 26, 2007 at 1:14 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

A strong local hospital is one of the most important assets of a community. Hospital administrators manage a complex variety of functions and provide overall leadership for the organization.

The people who work in hospitals tend to be specialists. Doctors, nurses, technologists, and other professionals are supported by the work of secretaries, accountants, custodians, and others. In such a complex environment, someone must coordinate all these functions and provide overall leadership for the organization. That is the role of the hospital administrator.

Hospital administrators oversee the various activities conducted in hospitals. This includes hiring staff and coordinating the hospital’s business and support functions. In a small hospital, the administrator may directly coordinate most functions. In a larger organization, a chief administrator may supervise several assistants or other managers who in turn administer various specific departments or functions.

Other health-service managers may hold similar positions but work in other agencies such as clinics, nursing homes, or health-maintenance organizations. Some managers also supervise offices of individual physicians or the combined practices of several doctors.

Responsibilities of hospital administrators and related managers are varied and may include:

• Implementing policies developed by a board or governing body
  
• Developing policies and procedures and seeing that they are observed
  
• Developing short-range and long-range plans for hospital growth and development
  
• Managing budgets and overseeing financial operations
  
• Recruiting, hiring, and evaluating hospital staff
  
• Overseeing day-to-day operations of the organization by supervising other managers or performing some functions themselves
  
• Coordinating training and professional development opportunities
  
• Supervising marketing and fund-raising functions
  
• Identifying areas for possible expansion or reduction
  
• Representing the hospital to the external community.

Most administrators in this field have at least a master’s degree in health administration, public administration, business, or a related area. Some have degrees in medicine or a health field, having switched to administration after starting out as a health professional. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum education necessary to get started in this field.

Earnings vary widely, depending on the level of responsibility and other considerations. Salaries average $40,000-$60,000 for entry-level managers, and $55,000-$85,000 for mid-level managers, according to the American College of Healthcare Executives. Top-level administrators may earn significantly more. In facilities where large numbers of physicians are employed, salaries may be well above $200,000.

The need for qualified administrators is expected to grow in the immediate future. Job demand will be particularly strong in healthcare organizations such as those providing managed care and home health services.

Success in this career area requires a combination of skills. Managers must have good analytical capabilities, solid organizational skills, and the ability to write and speak clearly. A high energy level is also a must because administrative jobs can be highly demanding. They can also be extremely rewarding for those who are motivated to provide leadership in healthcare settings.

For more information about a career in health administration, contact the American College of Healthcare Executives, One North Franklin Street, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60606-3424, www.ache.org.

Article courtesy of www.careersandcolleges.com

Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 26, 2007 at 8:24 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Not all health care specialists deal directly with patients. Histology specialists work in the background, performing important jobs like preparing tissue samples in laboratories or research settings.

Histologists, who may also be known as histotechnologists, work in medical labs. They prepare samples of human tissue to be examined by pathologists. This work is a key step in the process of diagnosing diseases or other health problems.

The main function of histologists is taking tissue samples and preparing them for laboratory examination. Steps in this process include staining tissue, cutting it into very thin slices, and mounting samples on glass slides for viewing with microscopes. Some histologists also supervise other workers or manage overall laboratory operations. By performing these tasks, they contribute in an important way to the world of health care.

A related category is that of the histologic technician. A technician is involved in work that is similar to that of a histologist, but technicians have less training and they work within a more narrowly focused range of job tasks.

Typically, histologists are employed in clinical pathology laboratories. Some of these facilities are based in hospitals, while others operate as independent labs.

There are two basic paths to becoming a histologist. One is to enroll in a college program in this field. The second approach is to earn a bachelor’s degree in a discipline such as chemistry or biology and then complete a year of experience in an appropriate laboratory setting. After completion of training, students also take a national exam to become certified.

Like most other lab-related occupations, histology offers solid career prospects. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that job growth for clinical laboratory workers—a category including histologists—will be faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. The growth of the population, especially of older citizens who have a tendency to experience more healthcare problems, will undoubtedly support a continued need for trained people in this field.

Advancing technology should also create a demand for highly trained laboratory specialists. At the same time, improved laboratory techniques may make it possible for a given lab to operate with fewer staff members, thus moderately limiting job opportunities. But the need to replace histologists who leave their positions for retirement or other reasons will continue.

The salaries for histotechnologists average around $41,000 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Most earn between $33,000 and $45,000 annually.

To succeed at the training involved and the actual job experience, you need the ability to understand science and an aptitude for doing precise work. You also should have the right personality for working indoors in a somewhat confined setting, and the patience to perform repetitive functions.

For more details about pursuing a career in histology, contact the following organizations:

• American Society for Clinical Pathology, 33 West Monroe, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603, www.ascp.org
  
• National Society for Histotechnology, 4201 Northview Drive, Suite 502, Bowie, MD 20716-2604, www.nsh.org.

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Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 25, 2007 at 3:20 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Let’s face it: medical records don’t make exciting reading. But knowing how to manage them can land you a multifaceted, well-paid job. If health care, but not hands-on care, is your interest, check out Health Information Administration.

A long, but unglamorous title Today, two career fields are merging: medical records administration and computer science. Learn them both, and you’ll find yourself in demand as a Health Information Administrator, at the hub of a number of hospital activities: interacting with doctors, researchers, department administrators, and business managers.

An essential job When was the last time you lost sleep worrying about your medical record? Probably never. Yet behind the scenes, when you show up for a doctor’s appointment, someone makes sure that your medical record:

• is in your doctor’s hands
  
• is up-to-date, accurate, and legible
  
• is kept confidential.

An accurate medical record helps ensure that any doctor treating you knows your medical history.

Think about this: one particular ambulatory care clinic in San Diego actively maintains the records of up to 300,000 patients. On any given day, 1,500 records are coming or going. Daily, doctors make voice recordings about their appointments, transcriptionists type up the reports, and the information is entered into the record. Coders must figure out the primary and secondary diagnoses for insurance billings. The record must be accessible but kept secure. Analyses and reports must be compiled for hospital staff.

In short, the people who oversee all this are jugglers: the disorganized need not apply!

What does the job involve?
Health information administrators design and manage the systems that make this all work. They . . .

• supervise staff members who transcribe, code, and enter information
  
• train and supervise other staff
  
• compile statistics that are required by various government agencies
  
• analyze data to evaluate patient care or implement research studies
  
• make sure regulations governing patient privacy are observed.

Today, medical records on paper are on their way out, and electronic records are on their way in. Enter another aspect of the job: knowing the latest computer software and applications.

Recent federal legislation requires the privacy of patient records and computer security of electronic records. This has added new responsibilities to the job.

Traditionally, most medical records administrators worked in hospitals, but today they also work in doctors’ offices, HMOs, home health agencies, nursing homes, and insurance companies.

What does it take? As with most fields, the more you learn, the more you earn. The field is exploding with new opportunities and new sub-specialties. A bachelor’s degree minimum, a master’s preferable. Look for a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIM). Graduates of an accredited program can take the national certification exam to become a Registered Health information Administrator (RHIA). The median salary in 2006 was $53,000, but with advanced degrees and experience, salaries are much higher.

You can also enter the field with an associate’s degree and become certified as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) doing lots of hands-on work under the supervision of an information administrator. The median salaries for RHITs in 2004 was $25,590.

For more information, check out the American Health Information Management Association website at www.ahima.org, from which much of this information was drawn. Under “Schools/Jobs,” click on “Accredited HIM Programs” to search for accredited programs by state.

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Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 25, 2007 at 7:14 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Are you intrigued by the idea of uncovering the secrets of life? Do you like science and working with people? If these things interest you, you might want to explore the exciting field of genetics, where a world of opportunities awaits you.

n 2003 scientists completed the human genome project: the sequencing of the three billion DNA letters in the human genome. When they began work on this project in 1990, fewer than 100 disease genes were known; by the time they finished, they had discovered more than 1,400.

Today, the role of genetics in medicine, basic research, biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, forensics, agriculture, and animal biology is growing by leaps and bounds. This has led to the need for genetic counselors in medicine. It has also raised questions and debate about the legal, ethical, and social implications of this vast new knowledge and technology.

Genetics can lead you down many paths: counseling people with inherited diseases; treating patients with inherited diseases; solving murders; researching plant and animal applications; creating medicines and procedures that identify, treat, and cure diseases; and peering into the fundamental processes of life through basic laboratory research. And these days, you can’t watch the news without also hearing about stories involving another side of genetics: the dilemmas and controversies involved with prenatal testing for mutations and inherited diseases, adult testing, discrimination and privacy issues, gene therapy, and stem cell research.

Career options are expanding constantly. Here are just a few:

Medical doctor You would work with patients who have genetic diseases, probably in pediatrics or obstetrics-gynecology.

Genetic counselor You would work with patients and families whose members either have or are at risk for birth defects or genetic diseases. You would identify and research the problem, interpret information for the family, and discuss the options with them. People in this field typically pursue an undergraduate degree in biology, genetics, nursing, psychology, public health, or social work, followed by a two-year master’s degree in genetic counseling. Starting salaries in 2002 ranged between $40,000 and $48,000 per year.

Basic research You would conduct research essential to the development of applications in the real world. In college you would study biology, genetics, or one of the physical sciences, and then pursue a Ph.D. in genetics. You would work as a research director at a university or a research institute and perhaps also teach.

Laboratory geneticist Your job would involve working on pharmaceutical or clinical medicine applications, probably for a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company. With a Ph.D. or M.D., you would be a research director. With a relevant bachelor’s or masters degree, you would be a research technician.

Forensics Your job would involve analyzing samples for law enforcement purposes.

Agriculture and wildlife You would work on genetic modification of foods and seeds or in wildlife management, including identification and protection of endangered species.

Twenty five years ago, the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences was published monthly. Now it comes out weekly, because there are so many scientists doing research and so much is happening. The world of science is rapidly expanding, and genetics is a big part of that growth.

For more information,visit the Genetic Society of America’s website, www.genetics-gsa.org, from which some of this information was taken. Click on “Education, Public Policy, and History,” then “Careers in Genetics.” Check out the profiles of people working in various fields: they explain firsthand what they do and how they got into their field. You might also want to explore the website of the National Society of Genetic Counselors at www.nsgc.org.

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Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 24, 2007 at 1:11 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Surgery is a career for the committed. Much of your life is dictated by the demands of the operating room. The training is long and demanding. But for those who love it, a career in surgery is hard to beat.

Does the idea of becoming a surgeon intrigue you? Perhaps it’s the desire to save and cure people, or the excitement of the operating room. Perhaps it’s the chance to play a lead role on a highly skilled team of medical professionals, or the combination of art and science that surgery requires. Or perhaps it’s all these things, taking place in an emotionally charged situation.

Like other areas in medicine, surgery has many different specialties—currently 14! One of these is general surgery. The general surgeon is specially trained to deal with almost any area of the body. As a general surgeon you would do the following:

• Diagnose patients and provide pre-operative care
  
• Operate on patients and provide post-operative care
  
• Provide comprehensive management of patients, including trauma victims and the critically ill
  
• Deal with congenital and infectious diseases (both malignant and benign).

How would I become a general surgeon? After medical school, you must complete a surgical residency of at least five years, often longer. You must then pass an exam to receive Board Certification. The training is mentally and physically demanding, and it’s important to understand that during this time family and outside interests invariably take a back seat. While in your final year of residency, you must perform between 250 and 350 major operations.

After training, what would my life be like? Busy. Most surgeons work at least 50-60 hours a week and are also frequently on call. Fortunately, they can generally afford to pay for services such as child care and household help. According to a 2006 survey, the average annual salary for a general surgeon ranges from $249,700 to $336,000. More women are becoming surgeons, but progress is slow. In 2002, women averaged about 24% of residents and fellows in general surgery programs.

As a surgeon, there are many paths you can take in your career. You might combine caring for patients with research or teaching. You might work in a private practice, for a hospital or clinic, or the military. Or you might be employed by the government and have the chance to work in places where people often have the least access to quality medical care—for example, prisons, Indian reservations, low-income urban and rural areas, and developing countries.

How do I know if I have what it takes? Surgery is a calling. It’s also an art. And surgical residencies are highly selective. The job description of a surgeon is not for the faint of heart: the health and welfare of other people is in your hands.

If the idea of becoming a surgeon appeals to you, you’ll have many years to explore it while you’re training. You’ll grow as a person, discover more about who you are, and pursue a variety of interests. Time and again you will be challenged to reevaluate your dreams. More than many other paths you could choose in life, a career in surgery requires commitment.

For more information, visit the American College of Surgeons’ “Online Guide to Choosing a Surgical Residency” at www.facs.org/medicalstudents, the website from which much of this information was drawn. Check out especially the Frequently Asked Questions.

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Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 24, 2007 at 6:06 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Do you have a strong idealistic streak? Do you thrive on variety? Enjoy relationships with a wide variety of people?

If any of the following scenarios appeal to you, you might be cut out to be a family physician, the modern version of the old-fashioned “family doc.”

• Imagine yourself as the only doctor in a rural community. In your office, you see young kids, teenagers, adults, pregnant women, and the elderly. You also work in the hospital—maybe in the emergency room, perhaps also delivering babies and doing minor surgery. You travel to nursing homes, maybe even to your patients’ homes. You see people of all incomes and from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
  
• Imagine you’re a doctor in the inner-city, seeing a similarly wide variety of patients.
  
• Imagine yourself going abroad to help train medical workers in a family medicine program in a developing country.
  
• Or imagine yourself being able to balance your work as a doctor with your family life and other interests.

Today, family practice is its own specialty. In the 1960s, predictions were that general practice medicine was a dying field. The age of specialization had hit, and fewer than one-fifth of medical school graduates went into general practice. Beyond that, the single year of residency required seemed inadequate in light of all the new information and skills doctors needed.

So the specialty of family practice was born. Family practice now has its own certification and requires a three-year residency after medical school. The demand for family practitioners is high in almost all areas of the country.

What’s the special personal and intellectual challenge of being a family practitioner?
More than other specialists, you are the one who will see your patient as a whole person. Your insight and knowledge will help prevent health problems as well as detect potentially serious problems. You will know when to refer to specialists. And your sensitivity to and understanding of a patient’s family situation, culture, and personal habits will make you effective in the treatment of even common problems.

You can also still focus on an area of interest such as geriatrics, sports medicine, or adolescent care.

You will have flexibility about how you work: in a solo practice or as part of a group, in an office or a hospital, or both. Working in managed care may allow you to better balance your work with other interests in your life.

A comfortable living vs. the “big bucks”? What about the “prestige” of being a specialist? And what about the big bucks specialists can make? If family practice appeals to you, these probably aren’t your major concerns anyhow. Family practitioners earn high salaries, although they do make considerably less than doctors in many specialties (median income for family practitioners in managed care is about $156,000 per year). But they enjoy flexibility and variety in where and how they work. Family practitioners are also the doctors most recruited by managed care organizations and for rural and inner-city medical practices.

So in this age of specialization, there are still doctors who are trained to integrate the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their patients, who learn to treat all ages, both sexes, each organ system, and every kind of disease.

No one knows for sure what the future of medicine will be like for tomorrow’s doctors. But as you consider your own future, don’t check your ideals at the door.

Check out the website of the American Academy of Family Physicians, www.aafp.org, from which much of the information in this article was adapted. Click on “Students,” then “Family Medicine.”

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Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 23, 2007 at 12:02 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Unscheduled childbirths, near drownings, house fires, heart attacks, automobile injuries, gunshot wounds, drug overdoses. All of these situations require immediate emergency attention, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are usually the first to give critical care to the sick and injured—or the about-to-be-born.

F ew professions are as physically demanding and stressful—or as rewarding—as that of an emergency medical technician.

EMTs usually work in teams of two in specially designed ambulances that are dispatched to the scene of emergencies. Once there, EMTs stabilize, then transport, the victim as quickly as possible to a hospital.

To become an EMT, students must go through a three-tiered certification process. With each subsequent level, the EMT gains additional responsibilities.

• EMT-Basics may open airways, restore breathing, control bleeding, and provide basic life-support care.
  
• EMT-Intermediates may administer intravenous fluids, use manual defibrillators to give lifesaving shocks to a stopped heart, and provide other intensive-care procedures.
  
• EMT-Paramedics are trained to provide the most extensive emergency care. They may administer drugs, interpret electrocardiograms, and use monitors and other complex equipment to save lives.

Typically, students have a high-school diploma and are at least 18 years old to be eligible to become an EMT. Training prerequisites typically include driver’s education and health/science courses. The EMT-Basic certification requires 110-120 hours of classroom work plus 10 hours of internship in a hospital emergency room. The EMT-Intermediate classification typically includes 35-55 hours of additional instruction beyond the basic training. EMT-Paramedics. Once EMTs are certified, they must be recertified every two years for national certification.

Working as an EMT is very stressful—not surprising, given the “life or death” nature of the work. Many EMTs eventually leave field work and become supervisors, operations managers, or administrative directors. Some EMTs become instructors, firefighters, or dispatchers. Others return to school to become registered nurses, physicians, physician assistants, or other health-care workers.

Career outlook The employment outlook for EMTs is very good. EMTs held about 191,000 jobs in 2004 (the most recent year for which statistics are available). EMT positions, once mostly volunteer, are now becoming paid, professional positions in most cities and towns.

About four out of 10 emergency medical professionals work for private ambulance services. About three out of 10 work for fire departments, public ambulance services, and EMS. Another two out of 10 work in hospitals, responding to calls in ambulances or helicopter transports. The remainder worked in various industries providing emergency services.

An expanding population, particularly in older age groups that are the greatest users of medical services, is also contributing to growth opportunities in this field. In 2003, the average annual salary for an EMT-Basic was approximately $22,460, while the annual salary for an EMT-Paramedic averaged $37,760.

If you’re looking for a job in the health professions that’s high in excitement and responsibility, investigate becoming an EMT.

For more information, contact the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, 132 A East Northside Drive, Clinton, MS 39060, 800-346-2368; you can also visit their website at www.naemt.org or the Emergency Medical Services office for your state.

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Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 23, 2007 at 6:56 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

We are what we eat, they say. So what could be more important than making sure people eat the right kinds and quantities of food? That’s the role of dietitians.

This might mean planning meals for schools or hospitals, advising individuals on how to modify their diets, or training food service staff. Some dietitians specialize in areas such as sports nutrition, education, or pediatrics.

Registered dietitians work in a wide range of settings. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) lists the following work environments as examples:

• hospitals, HMOs, or other health-care facilities
  
• schools and daycare centers
  
• correctional facilities
  
• sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs
  
• food and nutrition-related businesses and industries
  
• private practice
  
• community and public health settings
  
• universities and medical centers
  
• research facilities.

Depending on the job setting, dietitians may educate patients about nutrition and administer medical nutrition therapy; they may manage food-service operations; or they may counsel athletes or other clients about nutrition and fitness, teach health professionals and students, or conduct research.

Employment prospects in this field are good. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, job growth is expected because of an aging population along with an increased emphasis on preventing disease and pursuing good nutrition. The greatest area of job growth for dietitians in the near future will be in nursing homes, residential-care facilities, and physician clinics.

Earning potential is also promising. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, half of all registered dietitians earn between $36,000 and $53,000 per year. Experienced dietitians may have annual incomes of $60,000 or more.

Students interested in becoming dietitians need to complete a bachelor’s degree. Ideally, this should be in nutrition or a related field, but students majoring in other areas may qualify by taking additional classes. The main consideration is to complete an academic program approved by the ADA. This will include an internship or pre-professional practice experience.

To become a registered dietitian, you must pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and complete continuing education requirements once you’re employed.

Subjects you’ll study include nutritional sciences, food service systems management, business, computer science, culinary arts, and other courses. Courses in science such as biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, and anatomy are also required, so pay attention in your math and science courses now!

What skills or aptitudes do you need to succeed as a dietitian?

Since dietetics is based on scientific principles, it’s certainly important that you enjoy science. Success in courses such as biology and chemistry is a good indication of your potential for studying (and enjoying) nutrition. Good organizational skills and analytical ability are also important in this field.

Since most jobs include teaching or advising others on the principles of good nutrition, you will also need strong skills in written and oral communication. This means that you should pay attention in your English and history courses, too!

For more information about a career as a registered dietitian, contact the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800-877-1600, www.eatright.org.

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Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 22, 2007 at 6:52 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The discoveries of x-ray by Roentgen in 1895 and radioactivity by Becquerel in 1896 led to the emergence of several healthcare professions in medical diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology.

Using highly computerized equipment that either detects or produces gamma rays or x-rays, healthcare professionals in diagnostic imaging focus on taking images of various parts of the human body for use in diagnosing medical problems. What is unique about these professions is that they combine cutting-edge technology with intimate patient care.

Normally, education in any of the medical diagnostic imaging professions involves instruction in human anatomy, pathophysiology, radiologic sciences, and patient care, followed by clinical rotations and internships. The oldest of these professions is radiography, which uses x-rays to acquire a diagnostic image commonly known as the “x-ray,” or radiograph. Professionals in this field are called radiographers or radiologic technologists (RT). Their training typically involves two years of postsecondary education culminating in an associate’s degree. A national certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists completes the training process and allows the student entry into clinical practice.

In addition to radiography, there are several other modalities such as nuclear medicine, diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) (ultrasound), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bone densitometry, mammography, positron emission tomography (PET), and cardiovascular technology. Advanced modalities have their own training curricula, which normally last for a year beyond the initial training in radiography.

A number of universities offer combined baccalaureate-level training in radiography and an advanced modality. These programs produce multicompetent technologists who are sought after by employers because of their unique abilities to function in two or more modalities.

A typical work environment for diagnostic imaging professionals, who are also known as technologists, is the radiology department of a hospital. Depending on their specialization, some technologists work a typical 8-5 shift, while radiographers can be expected to work any one of three shifts. Technologists working in nuclear medicine, MRI, and DMS may work 8-hour shifts but may get called in for emergency services. According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, salaries of diagnostic imaging professionals vary based on geographic location and area of specialization.

Currently, there is an increased demand for professionals in diagnostic imaging in all employment settings, including hospitals, outpatient centers, doctors’ offices, and industry. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 162,000 technologists currently practice in the U.S. In its latest Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that multicompetent technologists have the best employment prospects.

A shortage of qualified technologists has led to a marked increase in salaries as well as sign-on bonuses of $5,000 or more. Most major urban hospitals offer salaries of $40,000-$45,000 per year, with salaries at rural and community hospitals not far behind.

M. Gary Sayed, Ph.D., author of this “Glimpse,” is dean of the College of Health at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, California. For more information about diagnostic imaging, contact the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, 15000 Central Avenue S.E., Albuquerque, NM 87123; phone 800-444-2778; fax 505-298-5063; or visit them online at www.asrt.org.

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Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 22, 2007 at 11:41 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Today’s dentists do much more than “drill and fill.” They perform a wide variety of tasks, including educating the public about disease prevention; providing cosmetic procedures; performing tooth, gum, and tissue restoration; correcting poorly spaced teeth; reconstruction; and surgery.

Because dentists are skilled health professionals, they earn the respect and appreciation of their patients as well as fellow citizens.

More than almost any other branch of medicine, dentistry offers professional flexibility. By establishing individual or group practices, dentists become independent businessmen and women, and they enjoy the flexibility that goes along with this independence. They set their own hours, and their work and personal lives tend to be well-balanced.

Income is an important consideration in selecting a career, of course. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual income of salaried dentists is $129,920. Many dentists earn more, and specialists—such as oral surgeons—may earn well over $200,000.

Certainly one of the most important benefits of a career in dentistry is personal fulfillment. Dentists perform an important public service by helping their patients maintain good health and look and feel better. Armed with constantly improving techniques and technology, today’s dentists will meet public health needs and challenges well into the future.

By the way, dentistry offers exceptional career opportunities for women and multicultural students. While more than 80% of practicing dentists today are men, more than 40% of current dental students are women.

What do dentists do, beyond what you’ve seen during your own visits? Lots of things. For example, dentists provide basic health care, education, leadership, research, professional development, and community advocacy.

Most dentists are general practitioners who are capable of providing comprehensive care to a wide variety of patients. Some dentists become specialists in order to treat patients with particular kinds of problems. Here are some examples:

• Endodontists treat diseases of the dental pulp.
  
• Oral surgeons perform extractions and treat injuries, diseases, and deformities of the mouth.
  
• Orthodontists prescribe and fit braces.
  
• Oral pathologists perform laboratory tests and examine biopsy material.
  
• Pedodontists specialize in preventive and therapeutic care for children and young people.
  
• Periodontists treat gum disease.
  
• Prosthodontists fit bridgework and dentures.
  
• Public health dentists provide the public with information about the importance of dental health.

How should you prepare for a career in dentistry? Enroll in college preparatory classes in chemistry, biology, and algebra. In fact, it’s a good idea to take as many math and science courses as possible.

There’s a wealth of information about dentistry on the American Dental Association’s website, www.ada.org/public. Click on “Educators & Students” and again on “Career Resources” for fact sheets on dental specialties, such as dental hygiene, dental technology, and dental assistant. The next time you have your teeth cleaned, tell your dentist you’re interested in a career in dentistry. He or she will be able to offer plenty of advice on how to get started.

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Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 21, 2007 at 9:21 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Have you always loved dance or art? Consider combining your passion with a career in health care. Today, both of these activities are used to help people cope with physical, psychological, or sociological problems.

Dance therapy involves using movement to help people deal with physical, emotional, or social problems. It is based on the belief that the body, the mind, and the spirit are interconnected. Dance therapists use their professional skills to help people of all ages integrate their emotional and physical needs. They help people use this creative art to relieve stress, build their confidence, and overcome emotional problems. A key to the field of dance therapy is promoting self-expression.

A related occupation, art therapy, takes a similar approach. Art therapists use art media, images, and the creative-art process to help people cope with illness or other challenges. The art therapist’s job might include helping people deal with emotional conflicts, develop social skills and self-awareness, reduce anxiety, and build self-esteem.

Dance and art therapists are employed in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals and clinics, psychiatric and rehabiliation facilities, nursing homes, correctional facilities, crisis centers, and others. In many cases, dance or art therapy involves working with groups of people. Therapists work with all age groups, from children to young adults to senior citizens, depending on the setting.

Experienced dance and art therapists earn good incomes, and demand for qualified professionals is growing. According to the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), most beginning art therapists start out earning about $32,000 annually. The median income for experienced therapists is $45,000, and administrators in this field may earn $50,000 to $100,000 yearly. Art therapists with top credentials and state licensure to conduct private practice may bring in $75 to $150 per hour or more.

To be a successful dance or art therapist, you must have a number of special aptitudes. In addition to having a background in dance or art, you should have a solid understanding the creative process. In addition, you must be sensitive, patient, emotionally stable, and able to get along well with different kinds of people.

Most students who want to become therapists start out by gaining significant dance or art experience while also earning a bachelor’s degree. The next step is to enroll in a master’s degree program in dance/movement therapy or art therapy. If the master’s program has been approved by the American Dance Therapy Association, graduates are eligible to receive the D.T.R. (Dance Therapist Registered) credential. Art therapists may earn similar credentials through the AATA.

If you want to become credentialed in dance therapy but cannot find a graduate program in in your area, you may be able to combine master’s level study in dance or movement therapy with course work in a related field such as psychology, counseling, or social work. Likewise, art therapists may earn a master’s degree in art therapy, or they may pursue a degree in a related area while completing significant course work in the field.

For more information about dance and art therapy, contact The American Dance Therapy Association, 2000 Century Plaza, Suite 108, Columbia, MD 21044-3263, 410-997-4040, www.adta.org; or the American Art Therapy Association, 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria VA 22304, 703-212-2238, www.arttherapy.org.

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Posted by Sarah Ennenga on July 20, 2007 at 6:15 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Cytotechnologists study human cells to help identify diseases and other problems. If you enjoy science and have an eye for detail, cytotechnology can offer a promising career.

Cytotechnologists use microscopes to examine cells from the human body and identify abnormalities. Then they report their results so that physicians and other medical professionals can follow up with appropriate treatment.

Most cytotechnologists work in hospital laboratories, clinics, or independent labs, but other work settings include nursing homes, businesses, and public health organizations. In their day-to-day work, cytotechnologists prepare small samples of tissue, typically by adding special dyes; then they look for clues to disease. By identifying abnormalities in the size, shape, or colors of cell components, they can help identify diseases or other problems.

An important part of the job of cytotechnologists is communicating the results of their studies. They use oral and written communication skills in sharing their findings with pathologists or other medical professionals.

According to practitioners, one of the biggest rewards of this profession is knowing that the work is truly important. By helping to identify diseases in their early stages, specialists in this respected career help save lives. Practitioners also speak of the rewards of working as part of a team of professionals whose goal is to diagnose and treat diseases and help patients get better.

The earning potential of cytotechnologists is good, with salaries of $50,000 or more not uncommon, according to the American Society for Clinical Pathology. In general, the employment outlook is excellent, with job demand predicted to be significant into the foresee-able future.

The nature of cytotechnologists’ work requires certain basic aptitudes. An aptitude for science is a must. Sharp powers of observation, attention to detail, and the patience to concentrate for long periods of time are required. It’s also important to be a good team player, since this type of work involves close cooperation with other health professionals.

The highly specialized nature of this field requires specific training. One approach is to earn a bachelor’s degree with a major in cytotechnology. Another is to complete studies in another field, such as biology, and then enroll in a special program in cytotechnology, which typically takes one year to complete. Both universities and hospitals offer such programs.

Students pursuing this field take courses such as biology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and mathematics. A basic scientific background is then supplemented with specific courses covering laboratory procedures and the specific skills needed on the job.

Students who successfully complete a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) may sit for a national certification exam proctored by the American Society for Clinical Pathologists’ Board of Registry. If they pass, they become recognized as CT (ASCP) certified cytotechnologists.

Experienced practitioners can also seek designation as Specialists in Cytotechnology. This designation prepares practitioners for job advancement and can lead to supervisory positions.

Want to know more about a career in cytotechnology? For additional information, contact the American Society for Cytopathology, 400 West 9th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, 302-429-8802, www.cytopathology.org.

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