Exploring Health Careers

1. Division of Biological & Health Sciences College of Lake County November 14, 2007 Exploring Health Careers

2. Introduction of Presenters Dr. Denise Anastasio – Dean of Biological and Health Sciences Dr. Deb Jezuit – Director of Nursing Education Derek Shouba – Associate Dean Sandie Cosner – Academic Advisor Kris Dahl – Counselor Panel members –Margaret Kyriakos (Health Information), Dr. Jezuit (Nursing and Nursing Assistant), Dr. Lakshmi Gollapudi (Medical and Other Professional Careers), Dr. Mayur Shah (Pharmacy and Pharmacy Technician), Soheila Kayoud (Surgical Technology)

3. Agenda Overview of Health Science Careers Panel Discussion of Select Careers Career Exploration Resources & Next Steps Feedback/Evaluation of Session

4. Objectives for Overviewof Health Career Exploration Factors affecting increase for health careers Positive and negative aspects of health careers Understand the range of health care career options Understand the educational requirements Resources for exploring career options Plan next steps for career exploration

5. Encouraging Statistics According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 6 of the 10 of the fastest growing occupation are health related careers According to Rose Porter, Dean of Sinclair School of Nursing, Missouri University, and cited from Boston Reed College, there will be a nursing shortage of 1 million in the year 2020

6. Factors Affecting Health Care and Demand for Health Care Workers

7. Factors Affecting Health Care and Demand for Health Care Workers Increasing number of older people Increasing percentage of older people Increased lifespan Baby boomers requiring increased medical assistance Expanding technology and knowledge in medicine Increasing expectations regarding health care Increasing number of urgent care clinics, nursing homes, and urgent care clinics More nurses and skilled healthcare professionals leaving due workforce due to retirement Transformation of the U.S. economy into a service economy America’s continued leadership in the field of high technology healthcare Continued advancements in pharmacology and other medical fields

8. Advantages of Health Care Careers

9. Advantages of Health Care Careers Expanding industry; positive job growth trends Industry is nationwide; healthcare jobs are available in all fifty states Helping professions can be meaningful and personally rewarding Pay rates and benefits are generally high and rising in proportion to other industry sectors Medical advancements mean constant learning, constant challenges Opportunities for career advancement Opportunities for all age groups It’s possible to enter the sector at almost any educational level Frequently flexible hours Frequently flexible work environments Opportunities to work in a variety of setting, e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, medical offices, retail outlets, urgent care clinics, assistant living facilities, clinics, spas, etc.

10. Some Disadvantages of Health Care Careers

11. Some Disadvantages of Health Care Careers Educational requirements can be demanding, long-term, and expensive Educational and training requirements can block certain forms of advancement or career flexibility Some high paying academic programs related to specific careers are very selective, e.g., nursing, medical imaging, pharmacists, etc. Depending on the job, the hours can be strenuous Some medical facilities are understaffed or under funded Emotional Challenges: life or death decisions, accidentally hurting patients, etc. Exhausting physical Requirements: standing, lifting, touching patients, etc. Environment can be unpleasant: smells, cutting open or burning patients in medical procedures, etc. Threat of malpractice lawsuits, high cost of insurance, and H.M.O. environment can be discouraging to some Not all health careers have positive short-term or long-term job market trends

12. Range of Health Care Professions By Broad Function I. Diagnostic-oriented (identifying conditions)‏ Clinical lab specialists MLT, MT, Histologist X-ray and other imaging (from techs to doctors)‏ Mammography CAT scan MRI Respiratory function diagnostics Gastrointestinal diagnostics Cardiac diagnostics (EKG, stress testing, ultrasound)‏ Contact w/ patient episodic, not often ongoing

13. Range of Health Care Professions By Broad Function II. Treatment-oriented careers (examples – not complete)‏ Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist Speech and Language Therapist Surgical Technologist Massage Therapist Respiratory Care Dental Hygiene Nurse Nurse Assistant Medical Assistant Contact w/ patients often longer term

14. Range of Health Care Professions By Broad Function III. Education of Patient and Family Nurse Dietitian Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist Dental Hygienist Medical Assistant Contact w/ patient short and/or long term

15. Range of Health Care Professions By Broad Function IV. Support functions Medical Billing and Coding Specialists Health Information Medical Transcriptionist Office Manager Medical Secretary Cancer registrar Little or no patient contact

16. Educational Requirements for Some Health Care Professionals On-the-job Training or Optional Short Training Dietary aide Unit clerk EKG tech Pharmacy Technician Short-term Training (< 6 months)‏ Nurse Assisting Phlebotomy EMT- Basic Approximately 1-year programs (full-time)‏ LPN (licensed practical nurse)‏ Medical Assisting Massage Therapy Medical Transcription, Medical Billing Surgical Technology

17. Educational Requirements for Some Health Care Professions Associate Degree (2+ years)‏ (Often have entrance requirements taking 1 year to complete)‏ Nursing (Associate degree nurse) – R.N. Radiologic Technologist ((Xray tech, Medical Imaging)‏ Health Information Technologist Dental Hygiene Physical Therapy Assistant Occupational Therapy Assistant Medical Lab Technology Diagnostic Sonographer Ophthalmic Medical Technician

18. Educational Requirements for Some Health Care Professions Bachelor's degree (4 years minimum)‏ Nurse (Bachelor in Science Nursing – BSN) – R.N. Health Information Administrator Radiologist Sciences Medical Technician Bachelor's/Master's Physician Assistant (generally 24-27 mo. w/previous college-level work)‏ Master's degree Physical Therapy (some are doctorate)‏ Occupational Therapy Audiology (moving to doctorate)‏

19. Educational Requirements for Physicians (Traditional)‏ Bachelor's degree (major typically in Biology but doesn't need to be in science) – 4 years Medical School – 4 years Graduate Medical Education (“residency” in a medical specialty)‏ 3 years for family practice, pediatrics 4 years for other specialties Additional years for subspecialties 11 or more years of post-high school education!

20. Educational Requirements for other Doctorate level professions Chiropractors Bachelor's degree (4 years of college)‏ 3 years of chiropractic school Pharmacists – Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)‏ 2 years of specific preprofessional course work 4 years of pharmacy school Dentists Bachelor's degree 4 years of dental school

21. Panel Discussion Introduction Moderator Questions Briefly overview the job/career you are representing What are some common myths Most rewarding aspects Biggest challenges How did you get interested Short-term/long-term job prospect Audience Questions

22. Career Exploration Resources www.exporehealthcareers.org www.bls.gov Professional Associations Accrediting agencies State agencies Occupational Outlook Handbook Health Professions Career & Edu Directory (AMA)‏ Career Counselors Career Testing

23. Resources at CLC • http://www.clcillinois.edu/divns/biodv.asp • http://www.clcillinois.edu/depts/biodv/infoSessions.asp • Career and Professional Program Advisors (See sheet)‏ • Counseling Center • Career and Placement Office

24. Next Steps Accrediting Bodies Asking the right questions Cost Credit versus noncredit Accredited or not accredited State-approved Certificate or diploma Job statistics & employment trends Work settings Academic requirements & career testing Length of program Opportunity for career advancement Level of comfort, interest & passion