The Career Pathways Initiative focuses on five targeted degree
programs at the Community Colleges:
- Medical
Assistant
- Physical
Therapist Assistant
- Radiologic
Technology
– Diagnostic
Medical Sonography
– Nuclear
Medicine Technology
– Radiation
Therapy
– Radiologic
Technologist
- Registered
Nurse
- Respiratory
Care Therapist
A 28-credit system-wide Health
Career Pathways Certificate Program has been developed
to improve the academic preparation and success of students entering
health care programs at the Colleges.
A new course, Investigations in Health Careers, provides
students with an opportunity to explore different health careers,
learn study skills and time management techniques, and gain an understanding
of the expectations of a health career degree program.
Statewide marketing materials are being developed, and high school
and One-Stop Career Center counselors are being provided with information
on Nursing and Allied Health career pathways, programs offered by
the Colleges, and the math and science skills needed for health
careers.
Targeted Programs: Career
Pathways Initiative in Nursing & Allied
Health
Also
see Programs at a Glance for more information >
Diagnostic
Medical Sonography
Diagnostic medical sonographers use
specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the
human body, which are used by physicians to make a medical diagnosis. Ultrasound
technology produces high frequency sound waves (like sonar) that
are reflected by internal organs in varying patterns. These
are then converted by a computer into a moving picture, or image,
which sonographers are trained to examine for subtle signs of problems. Sonographers
prepare patients physically and mentally, explain procedures, position
patients, and obtain medical images used for diagnosis. Sonographers
can work in clinics, hospitals, private practice physician offices,
public health facilities, laboratories, and other medical settings
performing examinations in their areas of specialization. They
may perform ultrasonic examinations
at the bedside or in surgery.
Medical
Assistant
Medical Assistants are multi-skilled health care professionals
who perform administrative and clinical duties. They obtain and
record patients’ vital signs, assist physicians in physical
examinations and minor office surgery, and perform diagnostic procedures
such as EKGs, laboratory tests, and spirometry. In addition, a medical
assistant schedules appointments and prepares medical insurance
forms as well as other office documents. Medical assistants are
employed by physicians’
offices, health clinics,
HMOs, hospitals, laboratories, and home care agencies.
Nuclear
Medicine Technology
The nuclear medicine technologist is a highly specialized
health care professional who works closely with the radiologist.
Nuclear medicine technology
uses radiopharmaceuticals to "see" organ images (i.e.,
heart, lungs, liver, kidneys), body functions, and assist in the
diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Skilled in patient care,
nuclear medicine technologists instruct patients before medical
procedures.
Under the direction of a
physician, they calculate dosages and administer appropriate radioactive
drugs. Technologists also must document the use and disposal
of radioactive materials. Nuclear medicine technologists are
usually employed in hospitals, clinics, and outpatient imaging centers.
Physical
Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistants assist the physical therapist in
implementing treatment programs, training patients in exercises
and activities of daily living, conducting treatments, and reporting
to the physical therapist on the patient’s responses. Physical
Therapist Assistants’ work may occur in a hospital, in a school
system, in an orthopedic or sports rehabilitation clinic, in the
patient’s home through a home health agency, or in a hospital
that specializes in rehabilitating patients after serious injury
or disease.
Radiation
Therapy
Radiation therapy technology, also known as radiation
therapy, comprises another subset of workers known as radiologic
technologists. These professionals administer doses of radiation
to treat patients afflicted with cancer. By applying radiation
in the form of x-rays, gamma rays, and electron beams to specific
body parts, the radiation therapist attempts to halt the spread
of disease or offer relief from symptoms. Radiation therapists
deliver the course of radiation, give support and information to
the patient, and work closely with oncologists to weigh treatment
options and monitor patient progress. Cancer patients and
their families often develop a meaningful relationship with these
health care providers over the course of treatment. Radiation therapists
work in hospitals, clinics, research facilities, cancer centers,
physician offices, equipment sales, technical applications and education.
Radiologic
Technologist
Radiologic technologists, also called radiographers,
use x-ray machines and other equipment to create images of the internal
structures of the body. This allows physicians to study the organs
and bones for injury and disease. They give patients contrast agents
so those body organs will be visualized. Radiologic technologists
process and evaluate film, and educate patients on procedures. Radiologic
technologists usually work under the direction of radiologists or
other physicians. Radiologic technologists usually work in hospitals,
clinics, physician offices, and public health departments.
Registered
Nurse
Nurses care for the whole person, including physical, emotional,
psychological, social, and spiritual human responses to the entire
range of health issues. Often they care for the ill or injured,
but they are also involved in education and other health-promoting
activities for patients, families, and communities. Usually nurses
work as part of a larger team including physicians, respiratory
therapists, physical therapists, social workers, and other health
care practitioners. RNs direct and supervise nursing support personnel.
They monitor their patients’ conditions, give medications,
and provide treatments prescribed by physicians or advanced practice
nurses. Nurses can work in a variety of settings and with various
populations such as infants, children, women, or the elderly. They
may also work with special groups of patients such as those requiring
dialysis (kidney machines), rehabilitation, or the mentally disabled.
Hospital nurses may work on general surgical or medical units or
in a variety of specialties such as emergency department, pediatrics,
operating rooms, maternity, or many types of critical care units.
Outpatient nurses may work in institutions in a variety of specialties
or in private offices. Geriatric nurses care for older adults and
can choose positions in varying levels of care including nursing
homes, adult homes, and day treatment centers. Home health nurses/visiting
nurses provide periodic services, prescribed by a physician, to
patients at home. Community health nurses work in government and
private agencies, clinics, schools, retirement communities, and
other community settings. Occupational health or industrial nurses
provide nursing care at worksites to employees, customers, and others
with minor injuries and illnesses. Travel nurses, with some experience,
can work for agencies that offer opportunities all over the country.
Respiratory
Care Therapist
Respiratory therapists assess, treat, and care for patients with
heart and lung problems. A respiratory therapist performs assessment,
therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures such as oxygen and medication
administration, blood gas analysis, lung function, or cardiac function
tests. Respiratory therapists may specialize in cardiopulmonary
diagnostics, critical care, neonatal care, pulmonary rehabilitation,
or sleep laboratories. Respiratory therapists also provide life
support to patients by providing mechanical ventilation, physiologic
monitoring of blood, airway control, and CPR if necessary. Respiratory
therapists work in many areas of hospitals, including ICU, ER, laboratory,
pulmonary/cardiac rehabilitation, and sleep studies.
