Education and Credentials

1. Education and Credentials

2. Career Ladder • It is best to think of a career as a path or a ladder. Often, several jobs are taken as steps along the way to an ultimate career goal. There may be many ways to enter the field and achieve the same career goal.

3. An assistant is a person in an entry-level position whose job is to help a person in a more highly-skilled position. Many health care workers enter the field as assistants. Some may then continue their education and move up the career ladder, but others find that an assistant-level position provides all of the rewards and satisfaction they need.

4. Career Levels Common career levels in health care and their typical educational requirements are: • Assistant or Aide: 1 or more years of training on-the-job, in the classroom, or a combination of both. • Technician: 2-year associate's degree or 3-4 years of on-the-job training. • Technologist or Therapist: 3-4 years of college plus work experience. Usually a bachelor's degree, and sometimes a master's degree, is required. • Professional: 4 or more years of college with a bachelor's or master's degree or a doctorate. Often, clinical training is also required.

5. Health Assistants • Health assistants are important members of health care teams. There are many types of assistants, and they have a variety of skills, education, and jobs.

6. Health Assistants Some examples of health assistants are: • Nurse assistant • Medical assistant • Medical laboratory assistant • Recreational therapy assistant • Dietetic assistant • Restorative nursing assistant • Hospice assistant • Psychiatric assistant • The vast majority of assistants are nurse assistants or medical assistants.

7. Nurse Assistant Education • Nurse Assistants must have a high school diploma or GED. • Some nurse assistants are trained on the job. Other nurse assistants complete a state-approved training program. After passing a state exam, they become certified and are placed on the state's registry of nurse assistants. These nurse assistants are known as certified nurse assistants (CNAs).

8. OBRA Certification • The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) is a federal law that regulates health care facilities that receive funding from Medicare or Medicaid. OBRA requires these facilities to hire certified nurse assistants • According to OBRA, CNAs must complete a state-approved training. • CNAs must pass a certification exam. • Each state has specific requirements for CNA training and certification. People interested in becoming a CNA must comply with the requirements in their state.

9. Medical Assistant Education • Medical Assistant must have a high school diploma or GED. • Some medical assistants are trained on the job. Other medical assistants complete a training program. • They are not required to be certified or registered. Doing so, though, helps ensure that medical assistants provide quality care to patients.

10. State Regulations • Each state may also have specific regulations for assistants. Assistants are responsible for understanding the regulations in their state, in addition to any facility guidelines. Not following state regulations may result in legal action against the assistant.

11. Professional Organizations • Health assistants should join professional organizations. A professional organization is a group that exists to further a certain career. • Taking part in professional organizations provides many benefits, including: • Meeting people with similar interests and sharing ideas. • Growing more confident and competent in professional skills through education. • Opportunities for networking.

12. Student Organizations • While in training, assistants should become involved in student organizations. In addition to offering similar benefits as professional organizations, student organizations: • Enhance the student's education in both its quality and impact. They strive to help the student build knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will lead to success in the workplace. • Sponsor special competitions with the goal to encourage pride and excellence in work. • Award scholarships to make sure that deserving students can get the further training they need.

13. Two national organizations that assist students who are studying health assisting careers are: • Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), whose mission is "to promote career opportunities in health care and to enhance delivery of quality health care to all people." • SkillsUSA-VICA, formerly the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, which serves students enrolled in training programs for technical, skilled, and service occupations.

14. Professional development • Professional development means that even after becoming employed, a person needs to continue to get more education. Health assistants must frequently adapt to new technologies and procedures. A commitment to lifelong learning is important in order to keep skills up-to-date and stay competitive in the job market.

15. Continuing Education Units • In many careers, continuing education units (CEUs) are required to stay certified and registered. A CEU represents a specified amount of additional education. Usually a minimum number of CEUs are required within a certain amount of time. • Each state and facility may have specific requirements for professional development. Assistants must comply with these requirements.