Tag Archives: Education

Becoming a Neurodiagnostic Technologist

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Neurodiagnostic Technologists review and analyze the patients’ nervous system to treat neurological ailments. Their experience and knowledge in neurophysiology help them identify normal and abnormal activities in the nervous systems of the body. They collect the data using electrical patterns and provide those to the physicians who treat ailments such as headaches, brain disorder, heart strokes and dizziness.

Key Responsibilities of Neurodiagnostic Technologists:

* Electroencephalograms (EEGs) being used to assess brain activity
* Intraoperative neuromonitoring, which tracks brain and nerve function
* Monitoring the disorders
* Perform Polysomnograms to diagnose sleep disorders and identify the real issues
* Find the electrical signals in nervous system.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists usually work in hospitals, clinical settings, physician’s office, epilepsy monitoring units, sleep disorder centers and research labs.

Education Requirements: The aspiring Neurodiagnostic Technologists must go for a high school diploma, which includes courses such as mathematics, science, biology, computer and language

courses. After completing high school diploma, they need to undergo a two-year degree program with coursework in physics or biology.

The aspiring Neurodiagnostic Technologists can opt for EEG Credentialing exam from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET).

Salary & Job Outlook: The career outlook for Neurodiagnostic Technologists remains very good. They earn around $44,200 per annum during the initial phase of their career. Experienced professionals may earn around $112,333 per year. The average annual salary for Neurodiagnostic Technologists was $65,226.

Becoming an Audiology Doctor (Audiologist)

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The Audiology Doctors are specialized in treating and balancing hearing related disorders. They focus on identifying and assessing hearing and balancing problems. They also help in rehabilitating persons with hearing and balance disorders. In addition, the Audiology Doctors work towards preventing hearing loss. They are trained to make use of technology in a better way.

The Audiology Doctors, commonly referred as Audiologists provide the following services at various clinical settings:

* Evaluate the hearing process
* Counsel patients and their family members
* Evaluate and treat balance disorders
* Help individuals with devices
* Assist the patients in bridging the communication gap and speech reading

Education Requirements:

1. High School Diploma: It’s better to opt for subjects such as Biology, Anatomy or Chemistry at the High School to gain first-hand knowledge about use of technology and human behavior.

2. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: A four-year bachelor’s degree program with coursework in Biology, Biochemistry, Communication Sciences or any related field, will be an added advantage.

3. Doctoral Degree: The Audiology Doctors or Audiologists must earn a doctoral degree (an AuD) accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) provides a listing of accredited schools offering an AuD program.

4. Licensure: Some states in the United States require a license while hiring the Audiologists. A current license in audiology or speech-language pathology will be very helpful for aspiring Audiology Doctors.

Working Conditions: Audiology Doctors or Audiologists work in health care settings, educational facilities, government agencies etc. They generally work for 40 to 50 hours in a week. They work with medical specialists, speech language pathologists, educators, engineers, scientists and other professionals.

Salary & Job Outlook: Job outlook for Audiology Doctors or Audiologists remains excellent at 34% for the period of 2012-22, which is much faster than average. The average annual salary for Audiologists was $69,720 per annum in 2012.

Becoming a Palliative Care Physician

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Palliative Care Physicians work hard to improve the functioning of body parts and improve the living conditions. They mainly focus on relieving the pain and other symptoms of serious and chronic illness. The Palliative Care Physicians work with patients and their family members to identify and alleviate physical and emotional pain and trauma associated with serious health conditions.

These professionals also spend time on family meetings and counseling process. They play as a strong link between the patients and family members and coordinate with the support groups and other service providers to ensure best services for them. The team where Palliative Care Physicians work, included nurses and social workers, pharmacists, massage therapists and nutritionists.

Key Challenges:

* Controlling pain, removing stress, addressing spiritual needs.
* Help the family members understand the patients’ conditions and treatment process.
* Improve communication between patients and care providers.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn a Medical Degree: The aspiring Palliative Care Physicians must earn a medical degree in any of the specialties: family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, anesthesiology, psychiatry and neurology, radiology or surgery.

2. Residency Program: After completing the medical degree, they may opt for residency programs to gain hands-on experience. They can also go for a one-year palliative medicine fellowship program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Working Conditions: The Palliative Care Physicians mostly work in hospitals, clinics, private nursing homes, government agencies, shelter homes etc. In some cases, they also offer services at patient’s home.

Salary & Job Outlook: Job outlook for the Palliative Care Physicians remain excellent. They earn in the range of $150,000 – $170,000 per year depending on experience and expertise.

Becoming an Anesthesiologist Assistant

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Anesthesiologist Assistants work under the direct supervision of licensed Anesthesiologists. Certified by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), they adhere to all guidelines and provide flawless service to the patients. The Anesthesiologist Assistants handle the equipments and monitor patients’ health conditions while providing adequate anesthesia care. They deal with the patients before and after anesthesia.

The Anesthesiologist Assistants are trained to help the surgeons and other physicians in life-saving operations. It’s impossible to conduct the surgeries without their support. They are high in demand in the United States. They review health history of the patients and consult their family members apart from conducting physical tests to identify the effects of anesthesia drug administration.

Education Requirement:

Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree in general science such as Chemistry and Biology is must for aspiring Anesthesiologist Assistants. Duration of the program will be four years and it may include other subjects such as Physics, Statistics, English etc.

Master’s Degree: A Master of Health Science Degree will boost the profile of Anesthesiologist Assistants. Certification through National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) is also helpful for them.

The Anesthesiologist Assistants need job experience by working under the licensed Anesthesiologists. They get trained in surgery related process, drug administration, reviewing patients’ medical history, trauma care, transplant surgery, neurosurgery etc.

Salary & Job Outlook: The projected job growth for Anesthesiologist Assistants is 38% during the period of 2012-2022, as per the data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The average annual salary for Anesthesiologist Assistant is $110,000 – $120,000. They work at medical centers, trauma centers, clinical laboratories and research labs.

Becoming a Naturopathic Physician

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Naturopathic Physicians are primary care providers who diagnose, treat and manage patients with chronic conditions. They address disease and dysfunction at the level of body, mind and spirit and provide appropriate treatment and care. For the Naturopathic Physicians, health promotion and disease prevention are the foremost concerns. They provide personalized therapies to remove the harmful effects on the body and restore optimal health.

Naturopathic Physicians focus on the healthcare of patients of all ages and genders. They work on each patient separately and put strong emphasis upon prevention and self-care. They use the most natural and least toxic therapies to treat patients. They identify and treat the causes while looking beyond the symptoms to find the underlying cause. Educating patients to achieve and maintain their health, is another key aspect of naturopathic healing.

Education Requirements:

1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree: Aspiring Naturopathic Physicians must earn a bachelor’s degree in any field. The coursework may include chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, cellular biology etc. Experience at a laboratory and some training are necessary to become a Naturopathic Physician.

2. Professional Medical Education: After completing the bachelor’s degree, the aspiring Naturopathic Physicians may go for a professional medical degree to boost their profile in many states that look beyond an entry level degree education while employing the Naturopathic Physicians. A professional degree in Medicine, Chiropractic, Oriental or traditional Chinese medicine, Osteopathic medicine or another recognized discipline, will always be preferable.

Salary & Job Outlook: The career in naturopathic medicine, remains excellent in the United States. It is projected to grow at 18% during the period of 2012-22. The average annual salary for Naturopathic Physicians was $187,200 in May 2013.

Becoming a Clinical Laboratory Scientist

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The Clinical Laboratory Scientists are highly skilled professionals who detect the presence of a disease and provide data to the physicians, which help them in coming up with best possible treatment plan. They are not directly involved with patients, but act as a guiding force from behind. They play a crucial role in the process of providing personalized care to the ailing people.

Clinical Laboratory Scientists often face big challenges of identifying and treating serious diseases such as cancer, heart ailments, diabetes and others. They use sophisticated biomedical instrumentation and technology and highly skilled manual techniques to examine and analyze body fluids, tissues and cells. The Clinical Laboratory Scientists also evaluate test results to provide accurate information to the physicians.

Working Conditions: The Clinical Laboratory Scientists are generally employed at hospitals, clinical laboratories, public health labs, commercial labs, pharmaceutical industries, biotechnology companies, forensic labs, veterinary clinics, law enforcement laboratories, research institutions, transplant centers, blood donor centers, fertility clinics and cosmetic industry.

Education Requirements: A four-year bachelor’s degree program is the first step towards becoming a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. A bachelor’s degree in clinical science, medical technology, or any life science subject such as microbiology, is most preferable. The bachelor’s degree programs may include biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and statistics. In addition, in-depth knowledge in microbiology, immunology, hematology, will give a big boost to the profiles of aspiring Clinical Laboratory Scientists.

Many states in the United States, require the Clinical Laboratory Scientists to be licensed. The licensure can be obtained from the American Medical Technologists (AMT), the Board of Registry of the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB), and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Salary & Job Outlook: The career outlook for Clinical Laboratory Scientists, remains excellent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put the projected growth rate at 22% during the period of 2012-22, which is much faster than average. The average annual salary for these professional was $79,600 as of May 2013.

Becoming an Occupational Therapy Aide

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They are not doctors or physicians. But, they assist during key treatment procedures. The Occupational Therapy Aides are responsible for various tasks such as scheduling appointments with patients/clients, answering their calls, keeping supplies in stock, filling out insurance forms and other paperwork and many more. They prepare materials and gather all equipments required during the treatment.

The Occupational Therapy Aide works under the direct supervision of an Occupational Therapist. They mainly work at outpatient therapy offices, clinics and healthcare organizations.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn an Associate’s Degree: The minimum educational requirement for an Occupation Therapy Aide is a two-year associate’s degree. It can be obtained from any institution accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Coursework may include biology, psychology,

kinesiology (the science of movement) and other occupational therapy subjects. Students can also opt for training and field work, which will give a tremendous boost to their profile.

2. Licensing and Certification: The aspirant Occupational Therapy Aides may take the exams conducted by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) to complete the certification. They can also apply for licensure, as many states in the United States seek licensed professionals.

Salary & Job Outlook: The job outlook for Occupational Therapy Aides remain very bright. The job will have a projected growth of 41 per cent during the period of 2012-22. This is much above the national average. The average annual salary for Occupational Therapy Aides was $26,850 in May 2012.

Becoming a Dental Laboratory Technician

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Dental Laboratory Technicians work closely with the Dentists to assist them in treating the patients suffering from various dental ailments. They also create crowns, bridges and dentures based on the information received about the patients’ teeth. They play a key role during the restoration process by placing the corrective device in the patients’ mouth after the dental surgery in case of an accident or disease, which force the patients lose teeth.

The restoration process is typically complex and requires more skill and art to bring perfection. Dental Laboratory Technicians capture and recreate that perfection to make the smile look natural.

They use advanced materials such as ceramics, plastics and metal alloys during fixed restorations.  These professionals take instructions from the Dentists and then design dental replacements with care.

Education Requirements: The aspiring Dental Laboratory Technicians may have to go for a two-year high school diploma program at the community college, vocational school, technical college or dental school. They receive an associate degree upon the successful completion of the program.

After completing the degree, the aspiring Dental Laboratory Technicians must take up a certification program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (CODA). Another certification program is being offered by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBCDLT).

During the Associate’s Degree and Certification programs, students learn safety principles, laboratory equipment operation, denture and bridge construction, plaster use, anatomy, science and math.

Salary & Job Outlook: Job outlook for Dental Laboratory Technicians is not very good. The projected job growth is estimated at 3% during the period of 2012-22. The annual average salary for Dental Laboratory Technicians was $39,780 per year.

Becoming a Physical Therapist

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The Physical Therapists perform  a series of tasks, including applying exercise and rehabilitation techniques to treat injuries or abnormalities and reducing their pain and improve ability to move. They work with the patients to prevent disability and ensure healthy living for them. They generally deal in areas such as injuries, geriatrics, orthopedic, home care, neurology, pediatrics, sports etc.

Physical Therapists need to be very patient and understanding, as they may encounter many annoying and irritating, as well as ignorant patients during their work. They teach the patients about various exercises and techniques to improve their mobility and gain strength while preventing recurring injury.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Aspiring Physical Therapists must complete a bachelor’s degree program without any specific major. The four-year bachelor’s degree program may include anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics and psychology along with English proficiency. They can also try to volunteer at the physical therapy units of hospitals or clinics to get hands-on experience.

2. Graduate Degree: After completing a bachelor’s degree program, the Physical Therapists are required to complete a professional physical therapy degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program may take 2-3 years for completion.

3. Licensure: All states in the United States require the Physical Therapists to have a license. They must clear the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

4. Residency Program: The residency programs help the Physical Therapists to boost their career and profile. The programs are typically comprised of 1,500 hours of clinical physical therapy practice. The duration of these programs may be 9-36 months. They get a chance to work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists during the period.

Salary & Job Outlook: The job outlook for Physical Therapists remains excellent with a projected growth rate of 36% during the period of 2012-22. The average salary of these professionals was $81,030 in May 2013.

Becoming an Emergency Management Specialist

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The Emergency Management Specialist fights the first battle in case of any disasters, whether they are natural or man-made. These professionals assist the Municipalities, Government Agencies and other organizations to prepare for the disaster. They review emergency plans and work in tandem with the relevant government and private officials to make sure that all the needs of the people are met during the disaster.

Key Requirements:

It’s not easy to become an Emergency Management Specialist even though you possess necessary educational qualification. A person without any criminal record, will excel as an Emergency Management Specialist. As they have access to sensitive information, the employers always do a background check before hiring these professionals.

Apart from clean criminal record, the aspirants must possess excellent English writing and presentation skills. All Emergency Management centers require these skills so that people in charge can address the audience properly.

Education Requirements:

1. High School Education: It’s must for the aspiring Emergency Management Specialists to complete the high school graduation first. They can select the courses and subjects as per the requirements. But, that’s not mandatory. They can choose any other subjects too.

2. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: As most employers prefer the candidates with bachelor’s degree, the aspirants can opt for a four-year degree program in emergency and homeland security subjects. The coursework will include disaster management, response and recovery, world politics, psychology etc.

3. Job Experience: Some employers look for Emergency Management Specialists with a minimum three years of experience. Training in disaster management or firefighting, experience in law enforcement agencies or program coordination, may serve as an added advantage to their profile.

4. Certification: The National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) offers a certification program that awards Specialist in Emergency Management (SEM) titles upon its successful completion. Also, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operates an Emergency Management Institute that offers free courses. These courses are offered to the Emergency Management Specialists as part of continuation of education.

Salary & Job Outlook: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for Emergency Management Specialists remain bright. The average salary of these professionals was $62,780 in 2013.