Tag Archives: Education

Becoming a Crime Scene Investigator

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Crime Scene Investigators are the trained police officers, who got complete training in performing the tasks related to forensic science, crime scene analysis and evidence collection. In some cases, civilians are also employed as Crime Scene Investigators. They collect fingerprints, footprints, fibers and biological evidences found at the crime scene and on victims’ body to help in criminal investigation process.

The Crime Investigators’ Job Responsibilities:

Rush to the crime scene to secure the venue
Take detailed measurements at the crime spot
Sketch and diagram the crime scene
Take photographs and make videos
Collect documentary evidences
Pack and label evidences before sending to the lab
Attend the autopsy process
File a report with a detailed analysis
Testify before the court with proper arguments and findings

Education Requirements:

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: The aspiring Crime Scene Investigators may not require to possess a Bachelor’s Degree, but it helps them to advance their career further. A Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a specialization in forensic technology, serves as a big advantage to them in their profession. Coursework during the bachelor’s degree program may typically include criminal psychology, investigation, law, ethics and research.

Complete a Police Academy: Many law enforcement agencies in the United States hire employees from their own payroll or people with police training. The aspiring Crime Scene Investigators must complete a police academy program if they are not from their background.

Work Experience: It is necessary for the entry-level Crime Scene Investigators to work under the supervision of Senior Investigators to get on-the-job training.

Certification: A Certification from the International Association for Identification (IAI) will help in boosting the profiles of Crime Scene Investigators. However, only people having at least one year experience in an area related to crime scenes, can apply for certification. A minimum of 75% marks are required to pass the IAI certification test.

Salary & Job Outlook:

The job outlook for this profession remains bright in the United States. The Crime Scene Investigators earn $27,683 – $ 52,471 on an average.

Becoming a Community Health Worker

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Community Health Workers are not trained medical professionals, but they are responsible for a series of tasks, related to health and nutrition. They also work for the healthcare of the community, where people are deprived of primary healthcare and basic amenities. They generally work for the welfare of migrant workers and immigrants who come from different ethnicity and culture. Dealing with such people, always remains a big challenge and Community Health Workers leave no stones unturned to revive them.

Job Responsibilities:

Treating minor diseases
Helping individuals, families, groups and communities
Assisting people in getting health insurance, quality healthcare and health information
Looking after pregnant women and newborn kids
Providing family planning services
Promoting sanitation, cleanliness and hygiene in public places and residential areas
Promoting health education activities
Screening infectious and communicable diseases and providing advice
Helping healthcare and social service systems
Doing Interpretation for clients and healthcare service providers
Providing informal counseling and support
Visiting the chronically ill patients and offering them support and advice

Education Requirements:

The aspiring Community Health Workers need to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree, which may include subjects such as social and human behavior as well as language proficiencies. The education requirements for Community Health Workers vary as per the employers’ requirements. The employers generally look for employees who can speak the language of the community for whom they will work.

Community Health Workers may also be required to undergo on-the-job training or a certification program in the related field.

Salary & Job Outlook:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job outlook for Community Health Workers remain bright and is expected to grow at 21% during the period of 2012-22. In 2012, the average salary of these professionals was $41,830 per year.

Becoming a Disaster Medical Specialist

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Disaster Medical Specialists treat people in case of emergencies, casualties and natural disasters. They also oversee treatment at the disaster scenes and ensure transportation of victims to hospitals or any other medical facilities for further treatment. They are entrusted with the task of providing accurate report to the physicians and surgeons to ensure patients’ well being.

Educational Requirements: A Diploma or Associate’s Degree in Medicine, is the entry level education to become a Disaster Medical Specialist. Many employers prefer a Bachelor’s Degree with a specialization in emergency care. It’s always advisable for the aspiring Disaster Medical Specialists to get the basic medical education plus on-the-job training to boost their career.

Medical School Training: A four-year medical school training may cover courses such as physics, chemistry, biology etc. along with English.

Residency Programs: Followed by a medical school training, the aspiring Disaster Medical Specialists need to go for residency programs, which usually take 3-4 years. They are required to complete field and classroom training and visit the sites to assist the disaster victims during the program.

Certification: Certification courses and proper training help the medical professionals become Disaster Medical Specialists. The American Academy of Disaster Medicine and American Board of Physician Specialties provide the certification programs.

Key Challenges:

Get updated about the recent happenings in your vicinity and collect the data on natural disasters to keep yourself prepared for any eventuality.

Learn how to use medical supplies and pain killers to provide immediate relief to the victims at the disaster site.

While visiting the disaster scenes, make yourself equipped with medical supplies such as oxygen kit, life-saving medicines, intravenous fluids etc.

Regular inspections of medical supplies and equipments to suggest improvements if any.

Consult with physicians and surgeons to offer assistance being the first point of contact with the patients.

Salary & Job Outlook: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a Disaster Medical Specialist earns approximately $150,000 to $300,000 per year.The job outlook remains bright because of rising number of natural disasters and emergencies.

Becoming an Allopathic Physician

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Allopathic Physicians (M.D.) are the most sought-after healthcare professionals in the United States. They examine patients, diagnose their health issues, dig deeper into the medical histories and perform tests before prescribing proper treatment and medicines to cure their injury and disease. They counsel patients about illness, injuries and other peventive healthcare issues. They also conduct medical tests and get involved in research and teaching too.

The Allopathic Physicians have various specialties to choose from. They include Anesthesiology, Family and general medicine, General internal medicine, General pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry and Surgery.

Working Conditions: The Allopathic Physicians work in hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare settings, clinical settings, private organizations, Universities, public agencies, research laboratories etc. They also prefer freelance teaching, but most Allopathic Physicians are seen opting for private practice.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: To become an Allopathic Physician, a bachelor’s degree in general science with coursework in Chemistry, Physics, Microbiology and Anatomy is the first step of academic requirements. The course duration is four years. Some experience in laboratory work, may come in handy and boost their profile. Apart from college/graduate school certificates, the aspiring Allopathic Physicians must get good scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in order to get enrolled into a bachelor’s degree program.

2. Residency Program: After getting the Medical Degree, the students will have to go for residency programs to get experience at clinical settings. These programs may last from three to eight years.

Salary & Job Outlook:

The job outlook for the Allopathic Physicians remain excellent, as it is expected to grow at 18% during the period of 2012-22. They can earn in the range of $150,000 – $300,000. The average annual salary is $183,940 for family and general practice doctors and $235,070 for anesthesiologists.

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

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Nurse Practitioners provide care to patients of all ages and ensure their physical fitness and well being. They perform critical physical examinations and treat illness and injuries apart from providing immunization and care. They also manage the patients’ blood pressure, diabetes, depression and other chronic ailments. It is the responsibility of Nurse Practitioners to handle the reports of X-Rays and EKGs as well as other laboratory tests. They also educate and counsel patients and their families regarding healthy living.

Nurse Practitioners work in clinics, offices, care facilities, hospitals besides providing personal services at home. Their work places also include college campuses, non-profit organizations and government agencies.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn an Undergraduate Degree in Nursing. It’s mandatory for aspiring Nurse Practitioners to go for an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. The under-graduate degree program usually takes two years to complete.

2. Get a Bachelor’s Degree. A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing is the next level when it comes to education requirements to become a Nurse Practitioner. The four-year program may consist of various subjects such as pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, pediatric nursing and community health.

3. Licensure: A license from the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is must for Nurse Practitioners to get employment in the United States. They must be proficient in Problem solving, decision making, written and oral communication skills.

Salary & Job Outlook: The career outlook for Nurse Practitioners remains excellent. In 2013, the average salary of Nurse Practitioners was $92,670 per year. Top Nurse Practitioners may earn up to $126,250 per year.

Becoming a Forensic Odontologist

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Forensic Odontologists use their expertise to help identify the bite marks on individuals and figure out the repercussions while prescribing treatments. They are capable of identifying human remains that cannot be identified through face recognition. They also identify bodies in case of mass casualties, such as plane crash, road mishap and natural disasters. The Forensic Odontologists also determine the source of bite marks to prove any suspected assault or abuse. They further estimate the age of skeletal remains, using their knowledge and expertise.

Apart from these tests, the Forensic Odontologists write detailed reports explaining the the events and suggested actions. They must be prepared to testify in the court and justify their findings. They usually work as regular Dentists at hospitals, medical facilities and law enforcement agencies.

Education Requirements:

A Forensic Odontologist must earn a Doctor of Dental Science (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree followed by extensive training in forensic odontology. Hands-on experience will be an advantage for the professionals.

They must do coursework in various subjects such as Biochemistry, Histology, Human Anatomy, Oral Surgery, Neuroscience, Physiology etc. A certification program from the American Board of Forensic Odontology or the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, may be desired by various states in the U.S.

Salary & Job Outlook:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for Forensic Odontologist may grow by 16% – greater than the average during the period of 2012-22. Their average annual salary is around $150,000 – $185,000, which is considered high in the field of healthcare.

Becoming a Surgical Technologist

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Surgical Technologists play an important role in the operating room by teaming up with Surgeons, Anesthesiologist and Circulating Nurse. They work under the direct supervision of the Surgeon, but fulfill the primary requirements before a surgery. They prepare the operating room by setting up sterile surgical instruments, equipment and supplies, such as drapes, gowns, gloves, suction tubing etc. The Surgical Technologists also assemble the sterile equipment to ensure its smooth functioning.

The Surgical Technologists are shadows of the Surgeons who conduct surgery inside the operating room. They anticipate the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and relevant assistance, including the supplies. While the Surgical Technologists generally work in operating rooms, they also work in clean and cool environment when they are not assisting in surgeries. Sometimes, they are exposed to communicable diseases and unpleasant odors, which they counter with utmost care.

Education Requirements:

A career in Surgical Technology, remains very challenging. A two-year degree is the most preferable degree for the aspirant Surgical Technicians. The program is known as

In addition, a certification program with courses in medical terminology, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, also comes in handy for the students. The certification program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Job Experience: Working as a Medical Assistant or Nursing Assistant, will help the aspirants to show their job experience while applying for the posts of Surgical Technologist. Although it’s not a mandatory requirement, some employers do prefer professionals with some job experience.

Salary & Job Outlook: Job outlook of Surgical Technologists is projected to grow by 30% from 2012 to 2022. The average annual wage for Surgical Technologists was $41,790 in May 2012.

Becoming an Occupational Therapist

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Occupational Therapists provide a helping hand to elderly people and disabled who are in need by assisting them in performing activities such as daily chores, personal activities and stuffs such as cooking, driving, eating, walking etc. The main goal of Occupational Therapists is to improve one’s ability to perform daily activities.

Working Environment: The Occupational Therapists generally work in hospital, research centers and clinical settings. They need to be flexible and patient, as they may be required to work in odd hours. On many occasions, they need to deal with clients, who are annoyed or frustrated.

Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree is must for prospective Occupational Therapists. They require education and training during the four-year degree program. The coursework may include Kinesiology, psychology, anthropology, biology and sociology. Apart from the regular education, students can also opt for certification courses to boost their profiles.

Some states in the United States require licensure while hiring Occupational Therapists. It is always better to make yourself prepared with a certification program rather than joining a job with a mere degree program. A Master’s Degree program in similar subjects can further boost the profiles of Occupational Therapists.

Salary & Job Outlook: The job outlook for Occupational Therapists remains excellent. The average annual salary of Occupational Therapists was $54,660.

Becoming a Medical Librarian

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Medical Librarians play a key role in the healthcare sector, as they help physicians, health professionals and researchers by keeping a tab on the recent happenings. They also work closely with patients and their family members to maintain the health record and conduct a research on those.

Medical Librarians are responsible for maintaining the resources in various formats, including paper and electronic methods. They also design and manage websites, blogs, online education programs and digital libraries to store medical record and information as well as resources. Medical Librarians are also helpful in fundraising, marketing, business and IT systems.

Working Conditions: Medical Librarians get employment at colleges, universities, clinical settings, healthcare organizations, hospitals, academic health centers, health libraries, research centers, biotechnology centers, health insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, government agencies etc.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: It’s mandatory for the aspirants to complete a bachelor’s degree in science, which includes Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, English and computer Technology. The duration of the program will be four years.

2. Get a Master’s Degree: The prospective Medical Librarians must have a Master of Library and Information Science degree with coursework in biology, medical sciences, medical terminology, computer science, education and management.

3. Doctorate: Some Medical Librarians go for Ph.D or Doctorate programs to add more credibility and stature to their profiles. They can also apply for membership in the Academy of Health Information Professionals.

Key Challenges:

1. Doing research
2. Managing information resources
3. Preparing catalog
4. Maintaining consumer health records
5. Providing health science information resources

Salary & Job Outlook:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of Medical Librarians is $55,690 per year. The projected job growth for this profession is 7% during the 2012-22 period.

Becoming a Chiropractor

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Chiropractic doctors diagnose and treat patients who face problems with muscular, nervous and skeletal systems of the body. They manipulate these parts to identify the issues and reduce pain and lower resistance to disease. They mostly use hands-on technique to adjust imbalances in patients’ skeletal system. They also work in collaboration with other health care professionals that treat the patients.

Chiropractic care primarily focuses on the relationship between the spine and function of the nervous system. The Chiropractors analyze the factors that affect the health. Those include exercise, eating habits, diet, sleep and hereditary issues.

Education Requirements: The aspiring Chiropractors must have a four-year bachelor’s degree program in chiropractic medicine. After completing the degree, they can enroll for a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree.

The D.C. has a vast curriculum and covers various courses such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology, Pathology, Public health, Physical, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, Gynecology and obstetrics, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Dermatology, Otolaryngology, Diagnostic imaging procedures, Psychology, Nutrition/dietetics, Biomechanics, Orthopedics, Neurology, Spinal analysis etc.

Salary & Job Outlook: The job outlook for Chiropractors remain good and is projected to grow at 15% during the period of 2012-2022. The average salary for Chiropractors is $66,160 per year. Some highly-paid Chiropractic professionals may earn up to $94,454 in a year.