Tag Archives: Education

Becoming an Animal Behaviorist

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Apart from skill set and training, the most important requirement to become an Animal Behaviorist is the love and affection for animals and pets. The Animal Behaviorists study the way animals behave and act and then determine the causes and effects. They also analyze change in their behavior. Their research includes domestic animals, fishes, birds, wild animals etc. Apart from the movement and behavior of the animals, these professionals also focus on hunting, mating, productions etc.

Working Environment: They work in universities, research facilities, zoos, animal training centers, pet product companies, pharmaceutical firms, animal welfare organizations etc. They are usually smart people, who can easily understand the animals and their requirements. There are two types of Animal Behaviorists. Some work as specialists, while others work as teachers at a university or college.

Education Requirements:

  1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: It is mandatory for the aspirants to complete a bachelor’s degree in life science such as zoology, biology or ecology if they want to become Animal Behaviorists. Coursework in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and psychology are the basic requirements for Animal Behaviorist programs. Animal Behavior topics include behavioral ecology, neuroendocrinology and animal cognition.

Those having a bachelor’s degree might get employment at zoos with various positions such as Zookeepers, Assistant Zoo Directors, Zoo Directors etc.

  1. Advanced Education: After completing a bachelor’s degree, the aspirants may go for a master’s degree in the relevant field and even go further to complete a PhD or Doctorate. During that period, they will learn about evolution, genetics, neurobiology and physiology along with wildlife conservation and attend seminars on animal behavioral pattern.

Salary & Job Outlook: The job outlook for Animal Behaviorists remains good, if not excellent. Animal behaviorists working in private companies typically earn more than researchers or those working for zoos and other non-profit organizations. The average salary of Animal Behaviorists was $35,000 to $90,000 in May 2012.

Becoming a Nurse Midwife

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A Nurse Midwife specializes in various women’s issues such as menopause, childbirth, pregnancy, gynecological, breastfeeding etc. It’s true that they are best known for providing assistance to pregnant women during child birth. But, they are also experienced in postpartum care and child care. They are required to work in flexible hours and must have physical and mental strength and stamina to deal with any situation.

Skilled Nurse Midwives are also trained in the latest scientific procedures to assist in normal deliveries. At the same time, they can reduce heavy use of machinery in the delivery process with their expertise and experience. They must have proficiency in midwifery tools, including umbilical cord scissors and handling infant oxygen masks.

Education requirements:

  1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing is must for aspiring Nurse Midwives. Nursing degree programs, which will help them become Registered Nurses, may typically include two years of coursework in chemistry, biology and other related subjects. The next two years of the program are devoted to nursing courses for all phases of life along with coursework in family and community health.
  2. Obtain a License: The graduate nurses can take up the licensure examination to become a Registered Nurse. The requirements of licensure vary from state to state. There are 42 programs accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) in the United States.
  3. Job Experience: Most midwifery degree programs require the applicants to gain experience in midwifery or women’s health prior to admission. At least one year of registered nursing experience will come in handy.

Salary & Job Outlook: According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook remains good for this profession. The projected job growth for Nurse Midwives is 29% during the period of 2012-2022. According to PayScale.com, the average annual salary for Certified Nurse Midwives is $82,620 as of September 2014.

Becoming a Cytotechnologist

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Cytotechnologists focus on performing laboratory tasks involving cells and cellular complications. They use a microscope to examine the slides of human cells to figure out the exact nature of problem with the cells if any. They usually detect the cancerous, infectious and inflammatory cells. Cytotechnologists play a key role in identifying the complex diseases and help the patients recover.

These professionals specialize in the extraction and examination of human cells. They obtain cell specimens from various body parts, including lungs, veins and female reproductive tract, place them on slides and examine those microscopically. They are trained to mark the cellular changes.

Education Requirements:

  1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Bachelor’s degree programs in cytotechnology help the aspiring Cytotechnologists understand the cellular system and identify the diseases. The four-year degree programs include coursework in biology, cell biology, chemistry and human physiology as well as laboratory experience.
  2. Accreditation: After completing the bachelor’s degree program, the students must go for accreditation. According to the American Society for Cytotechnology, there are currently 48 programs nationwide that are accredited in cytotechnology. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) offer accreditation.
  3. Certification: In order to improve your employment prospects, obtain a certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP). The certification exam ask questions in eight different areas, including gynecological, respiratory system, lab operations etc.
  4. Licensure: Several states in the United States require the Cytotechnologists to possess a license. The students can obtain a license in order to boost their profile.

Salary & Job Outlook:

Job outlook for Cytotechnologists remains bright at least for the next two decades. These professionals are high in demand in the United States. The average annual salary for Cytotechnologists was $61,235 in 2012. Those in higher positions, can earn up to $71,261 per year.

Becoming a Medical Illustrator

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Medical Illustrators get extensive training in medicine, science, communication and technology to create visual materials, which help in keeping record and tracking the progress in medical and scientific operations. Their task is complex and risky, as they are responsible to provide accurate and useful visual message always. They belong to a small group of highly specialized professionals. According to the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI), only 1,200 Medical Illustrators are present in all of North America.

The Medical Illustrators translate complex medical and biological information into captivating images by using their skills, knowledge and competencies. People having genuine interest in illustration, biology, science and medicine, may choose this career as an option.

Education Requirements:

  1. Obtain Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-Medical Illustration: The pre-medical illustration programs may include biological, scientific and biomedical visualization. They help students prepare for graduate coursework. They are mostly related to human and animal anatomy, medical terminology and artistic techniques. These programs typically last for four years. The key subjects may include basic art design, digital drawing, human and animal biology, human physiology and developmental biology principles.
  2. Earn Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Illustration: After completing pre-medical program, the aspiring Medical Illustrators must go for a four-year bachelor’s degree program in medical illustration that combines traditional artistic methods with computer technology and biology. Students learn drawing, painting and digital creation of images of human and animal anatomy apart from 2D and 3D designs. Computer animation remains an integral part of the degree program.

Salary & Job Outlook: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for Medical Illustrators remain good, as that is expected to grow at 8% during the period of 2010-2020. The average annual salary of Medical Illustrators was $54,000 in May 2012.

Becoming a Forensic Toxicologist

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Forensic Toxicologists mainly work with law enforcement agencies and monitor the evidences found at crime scene. This profession keeps changing constantly with frequent developments and new technologies. The Forensic Toxicologists keep themselves updated with the changes and use their brain and expertise to determine the exact nature of the crime and present themselves in court cases.

Education Requirements:

  1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Forensic Toxicologists need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences such as Chemistry or Biology. They can also go for a degree in Forensic Science. Coursework in mathematics, medicine and pharmacology will serve as an extra advantage. The Bachelor’s Degree is just an entry level program. The aspiring Forensic Toxicologists are required to go for higher courses to reach the zenith of their career.
  2. Obtain a Master’s Degree: After completing Bachelor’s Degree, the aspiring Forensic Toxicologists can go for a Master’s Degree program in relevant field. Coursework in biochemistry and environmental toxicology, will give a tremendous boost to their career.
  3. Doctorate/Post Doctorate: A postdoctoral training arms the Forensic Toxicologists with hands-on experience in setting up a toxicology laboratory, coordinating with staff, prepare relevant applications and manage various projects. Apart from that, a certification from reputed institutes such as the American Board of Forensic Toxicology or the American Board of Clinical Chemistry or the American Board of Toxicology, is also very much desirable.

Salary & Job Outlook: The average salary for a Forensic Toxicologist is around $75,000 per year. Some experienced Toxicologists may earn up to $100,000 or more while newly hired professionals get $60,000 or so. The job outlook for this profession remains bright.

Becoming an Environmental Health Advocate

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Environmental Health Advocates have expertise in various fields such as social issues, political science, business, non-profit management, community activities, urban studies etc. They identify public health concerns, organize campaigns to spread awareness and educate the people about good health and protection of the environment. They work with other healthcare specialists to development programs and solutions to promote public awareness campaigns.

The public awareness campaigns may include, but not limited to tobacco use, drug abuse, excessive alcohol use, poor diet schedule and other activities that have adverse impact on one’s health as well the environment.

Education Requirements:

Environmental Health Advocates do not require high profile degree education. They need to be aware of the cause. Volunteer work in an organization, may make one qualify to get employment as the Environmental Health Advocate. However, a degree in Law along with Management course such as B.B.A. or M.B.A. can boost the profiles of such professionals.

In-depth knowledge in English, Science, Biology, Physics, Mathematics and other medical and scientific majors, will give extra advantage to the Environmental Health Advocates. They must also participate in public health improvement programs that include environmental engineering, community service, health camps, blood donation camps etc.

Some states in the USA may require certification while employing Environmental Health Advocates. After getting work experience, you can appear in the written examination to earn the certification. Although it’s not mandatory, but Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in environment health science will enhance the job prospects and boost the earning potential.

Salary & Job Outlook:

The career outlook for Environmental Health Advocates remains bright and rewarding. They mostly get employment in non-profit sectors, social organizations and other health agencies. They are required to be flexible in terms of working hours and be ready to relocate whenever needed. People with philanthropic instinct, will prosper well in this profession. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the profession is expected to grow by 19% during the period 2012-22. The average annual salary of an Environmental Health Advocate was $48,790 in 2012.

Becoming a Dietetic Technician

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The Dietetic Technicians work with people to improve their health and fitness through nutritional planning and guidance. They also consult with the Dietitians to prepare diet schedule and food chart for the people suffering from obesity and other ailments. The Dietetic Technicians usually get employment at schools, day care centers, gyms, private clinics, government agencies and prisons.

These professionals are well trained to identify the problems people face in their day-to-day life when it comes to eating habits. They understand how the nutrition factors influence our health and what we should eat or drink to keep the body in balance mode. They prepare nutritious recipes that help people to overcome the resentment and accept the foods that are good for their health. Proper guidance and healthy eating habits help people reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other ailments. The Dietetic Technician plays a key role in making that happen.

Education Requirements:

An Associate’s Degree in health studies from an accredited institution is must to become a Dietetic Technician. The coursework generally includes general science, nutrition science and food service systems management. After that, you can enroll in a training program offered by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The program includes 450 hours of practical work in real environment.

The training will help the aspiring Dietetic Technicians learn the communication tricks while dealing with the patients and preparation of food chart to satisfy their needs as well as dietary requirements.

After the training, a certification is necessary to start working as the Dietetic Technician. You must pass a national examination conducted by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to get the certification.

Salary & Job Outlook:

The job outlook for Dietetic Technicians remains bright in the United States. Demand for this profession is expected to grow by 18% during the 2012-22 period. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of Dietetic Technicians was $26,260 in May 2012.

Becoming a Dental Hygienist

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Dental Hygienists provide educational, clinical, medical, research, administrative and therapeutic services on oral healthcare. They diagnose the patients’ oral tissues and overall health to determine the disease or other issues such as risk factors and offer preventive services. They also educate the patients on oral hygiene and preventive oral care. They generally work under the supervision of licensed Dentists. The Dental Hygienists get employment at dental clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.

Education Requirements:

  1. Earn an Undergraduate Degree: Dental Hygienists usually hold an Associate’s Degree. The two-year Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene programs can be availed at community colleges, vocational institutes or dental schools. The major courses in this degree program include oral pathology, dental science, radiology, pain management, periodontics, community dental health and pharmacology.
  2. Licensing: All states in the United States require Dental Hygienists to hold licenses. The Associate’s Degree, school transcripts and/or letters of recommendation are needed to qualify to sit in the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA), which has the final authority to grant the license.
  3. Career Advancement: A higher degree in Bachelor’s or Master’s will help the Dental Hygienists get further growth in their career. That might assist them go beyond the dental office and get a job in research and teaching.

Salary & Job Outlook: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary of a Dental Hygienist was $71,110 per year in 2013. The job outlook remains bright for this profession, as it is projected to grow at 33% during the period 2012-22.

Becoming a Health Information Manager

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The Health Information Managers are not just medical record holders. Rather, they observe the treatment and go deep while preparing the patients’ history. Whatever information they provide, those play a key role in the medication process, which eventually help the patients recover from illness. They put the test results, reports of X-rays, diagnosis and treatment plans together to build healthcare records, which is maintained electronically.

Health Information Manager organizes, analyzes and manages all health information and ensure its accuracy and appropriate disclosure so that not a single mistake occurs during the treatment or medication. Their recommendations also helps the patients in quick disbursal of medical reimbursements. The most important part of their job is to spend a lot of time working with computers and Internet to comply with federal requirements for electronic storage of patient information.

Education Requirements:

  1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management is very much essential for aspiring Health Information Managers. They are also required to take courses such as statistics and research methods, electronic health records and health information services management. Apart from this, good knowledge in some other topics like legal and ethical issues in medicine and privacy and security of health information may come in handy when they go for further studies.
  2. Obtain a Master’s Degree: After completing Bachelor’s Degree, it’s mandatory to enroll into a master’s degree program in Health Information Management for career advancement. Topics in master’s degree may include statistics, financial management, medical terminology and legal issues.
  3. Certification in Health Information Management: The aspiring Health Information Managers are required to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) examination conducted by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The certification from AHIMA gives a boost to the profile while looking for employment.

Salary & Job Outlook:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for Health Information Managers are expected to grow at 23% during the 2012-2022 period. The average salary for HIMs was $101,340 as of May 2013.

Becoming a Pharmaceutical Scientist

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The Pharmaceutical Scientists conduct research to make sure that all medicines and medication procedures meet government standards and do not have any adverse impact on the patients. They go for research and clinical trials to give the best possible results so that the lives of common people are not put at risk. They are always expected to meet the standards prescribed by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA).

There is a big difference between Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists. While the former reviews the use of medicines, communicate with doctors, prepare and dispense medication and monitor the progress, the latter are adequately trained to discover, develop, do testing and

manufacture new medications. While Pharmacists work at healthcare facilities, the Pharmaceutical Scientists spend their entire time at research laboratories.

Education Requirements:

A Bachelor’s Degree in Science is considered as the entry-level education to become a Pharmaceutical Scientist. The four-year bachelor’s degree program will help the aspirants to understand the fundamentals of science and technological research. The course work will include general science, physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics apart from English.

After completing the bachelor’s degree, it is required to possess a doctorate and years of research experience to reach the level of Pharmaceutical Scientist. The master’s degree program and doctorate may take 3-4 years for completion. The students may choose pharmacology, chemistry, biology, anatomy, and mathematics during the study. They also need to Work in the pharmaceutical field to gain hands-on experience.

A strong mathematics background is very much required to become a Pharmaceutical Scientist. He should have excellent communication skills, analyzing abilities and deep knowledge in medical data to become a high level professional in pharmaceutical science.

Salary & Job Outlook:

Pharmaceutical Scientists working in academic institutions and colleges generally earn less than those working in industry and other scientific establishments. According to the salary survey conducted by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists in 2013, the average salary for Pharmaceutical Scientists at academic institutions was $90,400 – $151,500. However, the professionals working at industry and other sectors, earned up to $105,000 – $180,000.