HEALTH CAREERS

EDUCATIONHealth Occupations Education (HOE)◦Vocational training for immediate employment

>>>OR<<<◦Additional education after HS graduation

Associate’s Degree – vocational-tech school or community college (2 years)

Bachelor’s Degree – college or university (4 or more years)

Master’s Degree – one or more year beyond BA or BS

Doctorate or Doctor’s Degree – 2 or more years beyond bachelor’s or master’s

CERTIFICATIONPerson has fulfilled requirements and meets standards of government or professional association

Ex: certified dental assistant, certified lab tech, certified medical assistant

REGISTRATION

•Workers take exams and are placed in a list of qualified personnel

•Ex: registered dietician, registered respiratory therapist

LICENSUREGovernment agency authorizes individuals to work in a given occupationCan vary from state to state

Requirements:◦Completion of approved educational program

◦Passing the state board test

◦Maintain standards

Ex: physician, dentist, RN, phys. therapist

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS•Required to renew licenses or maintain certification or registration

•Additional hours of education during a specified period of time

MULTISKILLED WORKERS•Workers who can perform a variety of skills

•Additional training or educational programs that prepare multi-competent workers

ENTREPRENEURIndividual who organizes, manages, and assumes the risk of a business

Must still work under the direction or guidance of doctors

Ex: doctor, dentist, physical therapist, dental lab technician, etc…

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES

•Follows a line of authority or chain of command

•Will vary:•with the size of hospital or office

•Number of people employed

•Important for health care workers to identify and understand their respective positions

•Workers must take questions, problems, and reports to their immediate supervisors

•If they cannot help, then go to the next level

SAMPLE MEDICAL OFFICE CHART

Secretary

L.P .N 's and L.V .N 's M edical Assistants

R .N .'s M aintenance Laboratory Business D ept.

O ffice M anager

D octor

SITUATION #1

YOU WORK AS A NURSE ASSISTANT IN A HOSPITAL. A

PATIENT ASKS FOR HELP TO GO TO THE BATHROOM. HOW CAN

YOU DETERMINE IF THE PATIENT IS ALLOWED UP TO

THE BATHROOM?

SITUATION #2YOU WORK AS A DENTAL ASSISTANT

IN A LARGE DENTAL CLINIC WITH THREE DOCTORS. YOU SEE THE

SECRETARY-RECEPTIONIST TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE CASH DRAWER

AND PLACING IT IN HER PURSE. WHAT DO YOU DO?