Licensed Practical Nurse Guide: Medical Professions
Doctors and nurses have become synonymous with medical professions. And though they have become the primary representatives of the medical community, there are many others that play equally important roles. It is with the cooperation of all major and minor positions that a health care system is able to soundly function.
Among the various roles in medical care are administrators and specialists. These professions often provide the same benefits as a doctor or a nurse- a rewarding career and competitive pay – but are less known in the public eye. Additionally, many alternative careers in medicine require less schooling (compared that of a surgeon, who could spend over a decade in school and training). Listed here is a sampling of careers that you may or may not have heard of.
Athletic Trainers work as the medical force behind athletic teams. They monitor the injuries and muscles of athletes, and help to rehabilitate injured athletes. Often, athletic trainers assist in setting up appropriate exercise and diet regimens for the team. Aspiring athletic trainers need to complete 1500 hours of clinical experience, and most have obtained a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology as part of their training.
Audiologists study hearing disorders and help to treat them. While not medical doctors, they work closely with them, often within hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. Audiologists most often possess a master’s degree in audiology.
Biomedical engineers solve life science problems with an engineering perspective. They design medical apparatuses, such as imaging devices and prosthetics. Biomedical engineers may work in hospitals, but are more likely to work in universities or in the private sector. All have a bachelor’s degree, as well as other advanced degrees.
Biomedical research technicians provide technical backup to the equipment used in medicine. They possess certification in the discipline, usually accompanied by an associate’s degree.
Chiropractors manipulate the spine to increase wellness and balance. One of the basic principles of chiropractice are that spinal problems can affect the whole body. Chiropractors cannot legally perform surgery or prescribe drugs. Training starts with a two-year or four-year degree, and is completed at a chiropractic college, where the student receives a DCM (doctor of chiropractic medicine).
Clinical laboratory technicians and clinical laboratory technologists, together referred to as “clinical laboratory specialists,” are the technical staff of the medical laboratory. Laboratory technicians conduct basic tests and report back to technologists and physicians. Clinical technologists supervise laboratory technicians and perform the more complex procedures in the laboratory. Most clinical laboratory specialists work in hospitals, but are sometimes found in private practice or research laboratories as well.
Cytotechnologists are clinical technologists who study human cells.
Counselors work with the mentally and physically disabled, with drug and alcohol addicts, and with the mentally ill. They help patients to become more productive and integrated into broader society. Counselors generally have a psychology background, and work in hospitals, schools, and other institutions, or in private practice. All counselors have at least a bachelor’s degree, and most have master’s degrees as well.
Dental assistants work with dentists to provide dental care. They take X-rays, prepare dental equipment, and help to manage dental offices. Most generally work with dentists in private practice. Education consists of a certification program.
Dental hygienists clean teeth and work with dentists to provide dental care. Their practice is more technical and involved than that of dental assistants. Education is generally provided through an associate’s degree program.
Dental laboratory technicians fill a similar position to that of clinical laboratory technicians, except they work in the dental rather than the clinical lab. They build the dentures, replacement teeth, braces, molds, and prostheses of dental work, and work in hospitals, clinics, and in laboratories and workshops.
Dentists examine the mouth, not just the teeth. They also work on gums, perform oral surgery, and diagnose general oral problems. Some operate their own practices, but most work in dental clinics. A dentist must go through four years of dental school after receiving his or her bachelor’s degree.
Dialysis technicians operate dialysis machines, which clean the blood of patients whose kidneys no longer function. They work with the patient to determine the dialysis procedure that best suits them, and instruct patients and family members on home dialysis. Dialysis technicians must finish a state-approved training program.
Dietetic technicians assist dietitians in providing nutrition programs for institutions. They evaluate diets, assist in meal planning, and oversee food preparation. They possess associate’s degrees, and must complete an examination.
Dietitians counsel patients and institutions on nutrition. While many work within institutions such as hospitals and schools, some work in private practice. Dietitians possess bachelor’s degrees in dietetics and nutritional science, and are required to pass a professional exam and complete a practicum.
Electrocardiograph technicians operate the EKG that is used to monitor heart rate. EKG training varies depending on how in-depth it is, but is generally done at community colleges in three to six months.
Electroneurodiagnostic technologists study electronic graphs of the central nervous system. They perform electroneurodiagnostic tests and identify abnormalities within the results. Training generally takes a year, and is followed by a year of experience under supervision.
Emergency medical technicians provide immediate support at medical emergency sites, and work in teams of two in ambulances. EMT is considered a high stress profession, Training consists of a classroom component and an emergency room training portion, followed by certification
Epidemiologists study disease as it affects human populations, by frequency, by geographic location, by environmental condition, and by genetic precondition. Epidemiologists generally perform their research within governments, universities, NGO’s, and research laboratories. They typically have master’s degrees in public health, and frequently possess PhDs.
Genetic counselors work with families in regards to genetic disorders and birth defects. They examine family histories and help families make choices about genetic disorders in their families, whether of family members or of unborn children. A master’s degree is typically required.
Health educators instruct individuals about health both within and outside the school system. Many have master’s degrees, though the base requirement is a bachelor’s degree in education.
Health information specialists coordinate medical records. They include, in order of increasing qualifications and salary, certified coding specialists, accredited record technicians, and registered record administrators. Certified coding specialists received on-the-job training. Accredited record technicians must receive an associate’s degree and pass a credential examination. Registered record administrators receive a bachelor’s degree and must pass a more thorough certification examination.
Health sciences librarians and health science library technicians organize medical information in libraries, hospitals, and universities, and other research institutions. Librarians acquire and organize the information, while technicians perform lower-level tasks around the library. Most health sciences librarians have a bachelor’s degree in the life sciences and all go through a master’s program in library science. Library technicians sometimes have associate’s degrees, or they can be trained on the job.
Healthcare administrators manage healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics. Many facilities have multiple administrators. Most have a master’s degree in healthcare administration, although some have MBAs instead.
Histologists and histology technicians examine tissue for disease or malignancy. Histologists perform the more advanced examinations and procedures. Histology technicians earn associate’s degrees and usually go through extended training in a histology lab. Histologists usually have a bachelor’s degree, and then go through similar advanced training.
Home health aides assist disabled and/or elderly patients at home by helping them with their daily tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, dressing, and bathing. Prospective home health aides go through a certification program.
Industrial hygienists examine health hazards in industry. Some work as government inspectors, while others work within industry. They conduct laboratory and epidemiological research as well as instruct employees on industrial safety. A bachelor’s degree is necessary, and many require a master’s degree as well.
Medical assistants help physicians and nurses with simple tasks and perform clerical tasks in the office. They work in hospitals, private practices, and clinics. Medical assistant training takes anywhere from six months to two years to complete.
Medical illustrators are artists who create biological and medical graphics for all manner of media, including textbooks, journals, and pamphlets. They generally study some combination of art and biology at the undergraduate level. Most have a master’s degree in medical illustration, and spend a significant portion of both their undergraduate and graduate careers assembling a portfolio.
Monitor surveillance technicians study the electrical activity of heartbeats on monitors. They look for abnormalities, patterns, and changes, and maintain the monitor systems. Most complete a training program that ranges from three months to two years in length.
Nuclear medicine technologists administer radioactive substances for pharmaceutical purposes and conduct tests related to radiopharmaceuticals. They work in hospitals, clinics, and medical laboratories. Due to the dangers of radioactive substances, nuclear medicine technologists go through a strict training program and licensing.
Nurse anesthetists are nurses who have had further training in anesthesia, and fill many of the same roles as anesthesiologists. Like nurse practitioners, they have advanced training beyond standard RN training.
Nurse midwives have trained in obstetrics as well as in nursing. They assist women with childbirth, conduct reproductive health exams, and provide limited neonatal care. They complete advanced training beyond standard RN training.
Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists are a subset of registered nurses. While RN’s, not medical doctors, they perform high level tasks and work with doctors. Most work together with doctors in hospitals and clinics. Nurse practitioners receive advanced degree training after conventional RN training.
Nursing assistants perform lower level tasks in the medical environment under the direction of nurses and doctors, generally in hospitals. Nursing assistants receive on the job training.
Occupational therapists help people with disabilities learn to cope with their limitations. Most work at hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. All have at least a bachelor’s degree, and many have master’s degrees as well.
Occupational therapy assistants work with occupational therapists to help patients adjust to handicaps. They work in the same environments, and must generally complete a two year training program.
Operating room technicians prepare operating rooms for surgery. On occasion, operating room technicians are called in to assist during the surgery itself. The training program is one to two years in length, followed by a certification examination.
Optical laboratory technicians fit prescription lenses into frames. Some work for optometrists or opticians, while others work for optical laboratories or in the optical departments of department stores. While some optical laboratory technicians get their skills from on-the-job training, most acquire them through training programs lasting six months to a year.
Opticians sell eyeglasses in a retail environment. They help fit eyeglasses to customers, and work closely with optometrists, ophthalmologists, and optical laboratory technicians. Opticians generally complete a two-year degree at a school of opticianry.
Optometrists treat problems with vision by prescribing therapy, or corrective devices (glasses or contacts). Optometrists cannot write drug prescriptions or perform surgery. Most work within small optometric clinics, either by themselves or with other optometrists, but some work in hospitals and larger-scale clinics. Optometrists, after completing their bachelor’s degree, go on to complete four years of optometry school and acquire a D.O. (doctor of optometry) degree.
Optometry technicians and optometry assistants assist optometrists with eye examinations and procedures. Most work in private optometric offices. Optometry assistants usually go through one year of training. Optometry technicians perform more technical work than assistants, and consequently require an associate’s degree.
Orthotists and prosthetists make devices to help the disabled. Orthotists create devices that support for the spine, limbs, and muscles. Prosthetists design replacement limbs. Both work with the patient and physicians to create a suitable device. Some work in clinics, while some maintain private practice. Orthotists and prosthetists generally possess bachelor’s degrees.
Patient representatives act as liaisons between the patients and their families with healthcare administrators to ensure a positive patient experience. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other large-scale healthcare institutions. While different institutions have different requirements, most patient representatives have a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field or public relations.
Perfusionists operate heart-lung machines and control the temperature of patients during surgery. Most have bachelor’s degrees in the sciences, but the training itself is conducted through a separate program, which includes 150 procedures.
Pharmacists prepare prescriptions for customers and check for any potential complications or negative drug interactions. They work in hospitals and clinics, as well as in the pharmacy departments of grocery stores, drugstores, and other retail outlets. All have to go through pharmacy school after achieving their bachelor’s.
Pharmacy technicians act as assistants to pharmacists. They check inventory, fill prescriptions, and occasionally prepare medications. Most go through a two-year associate’s degree program.
Physical therapists help patients recover from injury, prevent disability, and increase strength and coordination. They are employed in hospitals and clinics, as well as often having their own private practice. Physical therapists go through a master’s degree program after achieving their bachelor’s.
Physical therapy assistants work under physical therapists to help patients recover from injury, prevent disability, and increase strength and coordination. They work closely with physical therapists. Most have an associate’s degree, and all have to pass a certification exam.
Physician assistants work under the supervision of physicians to examine patients, treat minor injuries, and take medical histories. They work wherever physicians do, and many work in places where physicians are in short supply, such as rural areas, poverty zones, and prisons. All physician assistants have at least an associate’s degree before beginning a physician assistant program, and many have a bachelor’s degree as well.
Psychiatric aides and psychiatric technicians work with other mental health professionals in psychiatric and residential care facilities. They help patients with their daily routines, dispense medications, and work with patients’ families. Most psychiatric aides and technicians receive on-the-job training.
Psychologists study the behaviors and minds of people, and work in a broad array of environments, ranging from hospitals to schools to universities to private practice. Psychologists further choose among myriad psychological specialties and schools of thought. In addition to analyzing, observing, and counseling patients. Clinical psychologists almost invariably have a master’s degree, and most have a PhD.
Radiation therapists work with radiologists and oncologists in the medical applications of radiation technology. Radiation therapists run the technical end of medical radiation, maintaining equipment and assisting with treatments, and work in hospitals and clinics. They receive their training through one to two year programs.
Radiographers run the various machines used in radiation treatment, such as X-rays, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. They work in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. Radiographers go through a two-year program.
Recreation therapists help to provide recreation for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and care facilities. Bachelor’s degrees are usually required.
Respiratory therapists assist patients with breathing, administering oxygen and treating patients with pulmonary conditions. They can work in hospitals or other large-scale medical facilities, or closely with patients in their homes. Respiratory therapists possess associate’s degrees and pass written examinations.
Respiratory therapy assistants and respiratory therapy aides work with respiratory therapists to administer oxygen, monitor patients, and maintain the equipment used in respiratory therapy. Both are more likely to assist therapists in the hospital rather than in homes. Aides are usually trained on the job, while assistants generally have completed one year of a training program.
Sanitarians work in environmental health, whether enforcing government regulations or helping private companies to comply with regulations. They run tests, develop health programs, and clear environmental health hazards. Sanitarians generally possess a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a related field, and often have a master’s degree in addition.
Sonographers work with ultrasound machinery to diagnose and treat patients. While ultrasound is most commonly thought of as being used to assist pregnant women, it’s also used to image organs and tumors. Sonography training programs take one to four years to complete, and require a national certification exam.
Speech pathologists help patients with speech and language disorders. They conduct tests, diagnose speech disorders, and implement therapy. They work in schools and hospitals, and generally work with patients over an extended period. Training generally requires a master’s degree in speech therapy.
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