HEALTH SERVICES MANAGER

What will I do in this job?

If you choose to be a Health Services Manager,you will plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of health care services. Some Health Service Managers manage an entire facility or system, while specialists are in charge of specific clinical departments or services.

As a Health Services Manager, you must be prepared to deal with change, technological innovations, and an increased emphasis on preventive care. You will be called upon to improve efficiency in health care facilities and the quality of the health care provided. Large facilities usually have several Health Services Managers who assist the top administrator by handling daily decisions. In smaller facilities, the top administrator handles more details of daily operations.

Health services managers are usually responsible for:

  • improving efficiency
  • improving the delivery of health care systems
  • budgeting
  • overseeing employees
  • analyzing information
  • interpreting data

Do I need a special license?

You will need a license if you choose to be a nursing home administrator.

What type of education do I need?

If you choose to be a Health Services Manager, a Master’s Degree is a standard credential for health services administration. A Bachelor’s Degree is adequate for many assistant positions. Physician offices may accept on-the-job experience.

Will I find a job?

Employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow 16 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than the average for all occupations.

How much money will I make?

Median Salary: $73,340 (Ranges from $45,050-$127,830)

(2006)

HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS

What will I do in this job?

As a Human Service Workeryou will assess clients’ needs, establish their eligibility for benefits and services, and help clients obtain those services. You will also maintain case records on clients and provide progress reports to their supervisors. As a Human Service Worker you could find yourself working in a variety of jobs including:

  • social service assistant
  • case management aide
  • social work assistant
  • community support worker
  • alcohol or drug abuse counselor
  • mental health aide
  • community outreach worker
  • life skill counselor
  • gerontology aide

Job responsibilities may include:

  • organizing and leading group activities
  • assisting clients in need of counseling or crisis intervention
  • providing supervision in halfway houses, group homes, and housing programs
  • reviewing client records
  • working with other medical personnel to gain better insight into client’s needs
  • providing emotional support to clients

Do I need a special license?

No

What type of education do I need?

An Associate’s Degree or Certificate in social work, human services or a

behavioral or social science is preferred. On-the-job training is available in some

organizations.

Will I find a job?

Opportunities for Human Service Workers are expected to be excellent, particularly for

applicants with education beyond high school. Job opportunities are expected to grow

much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014.

Job prospects for social and human service assistants are expected to be excellent, particularly for individuals with appropriate education after high school.

The number of social and human service assistants is projected to grow by nearly 34 percent between 2006 and 2016, which is much faster than the averagefor all occupations.

How much money will I make?

Median Salary: $25,580 (Ranges from $16,180-$40,780)

(2006)

HEALTH UNIT COORDINATOR

What will I do in this job?

If you plan to be a health unit coordinator, you will manage non-nursing patient care activities at nursing stations in hospitals and nursing homes. You may process forms for admitting, discharging, and transferring patients. You are responsible for relaying information to nurses, physicians, and other health care workers and related departments.

Health unit coordinators have duties which may include:

  • transcribing physicians’ orders by computer or manually
  • reading charts and charting
  • ordering diets, drugs, equipment, supplies, laboratory tests, and x-ray exams

Health unit coordinators have basic knowledge of medical terminology and pharmacology, nursing, rehabilitation facilities, and clinics. People doing this work may hold a variety of job titles, including unit manager, ward/unit secretary, ward clerk, hospital service coordinator, and receptionist.

Do I need a special license?

No, however certification may be obtained by successfully completing the National Certification Exam offered by the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators.

Will I find a job?

Opportunities for individuals with excellent clerical skills and some experience in the knowledge of the health care field should be good.

How much will I make?

Median Salary: $17, 300 (Ranges from $13,900 - $20,600)

(2000)

CYTOTECHNOLOGIST

What will I do in this job?

If you want to be a cytotechnologist, you will use special techniques to prepare cellular samples for study under the microscope and assist in the diagnosis of diseases by examining the samples. Much of your work will be done with a microscope in screening preparations of body cells for abnormalities in structure that will indicate benign, infectious, inflammatory or malignant condition. These cells come from:

  • PAP smears
  • oral cavity
  • lung
  • any body cavity shedding cells

You will probably work in a hospital, clinic or private laboratory under the supervision of a pathologist. Some cytotechnologists work at universities as teachers or researchers.

Do I need special credentials?

National certification is voluntary, but strongly recommended. Cyotechnologist who graduate from an accredited program, complete an internship, and pass a national certification exam, may use the initials CT.

What type of education do I need?

You will need at least twenty semester hours of biological sciences, eight semester hours of chemistry, and some mathematics. The cytotechnology program is usually twelve months of specialized training after completing the prerequisite coursework.

Will I find a job?

Employment is expected to grow at an average rate through 2006

How much money will I make?

Median Salary: $59,284 (Ranges from $53,883$63,954)

(2008)

CLINICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS AND TECHNICIANS

What will I do in this job?

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians, also known as medical technologists and technicians, perform laboratory testing that plays an important part in detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. To work in a clinical laboratory, you will need good analytical judgment, the ability to work under pressure, and the ability to pay close attention to detail.

In this job you will:

  • examine and analyze body fluids, tissues, and cells
  • look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms
  • analyze the chemical content of fluids
  • cross match blood components for transfusions
  • test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment
  • prepare specimens for examination, count cells
  • look for abnormal cells

You will use automated equipment and instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously, as well as microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists:

  • microscopically examine blood, tissue, and other body substances
  • evaluate test results
  • develop and modify procedures
  • establish monitoring programs to insure the accuracy of tests
  • supervise laboratory sections or shifts

Clinical Laboratory Technicians:

  • prepare specimens
  • operate automatic analyzers
  • perform manual tests following detailed instructions
  • usually work under the supervision of a Clinical Laboratory Technologist or Laboratory Director

Will I need a special license?

State licensure or registration required by some states; national certification is required by most employers.

What type of education will I need?

The usual requirement for an entry-level position as a clinical laboratory technologist is a bachelor’s degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences. Bachelor’s degree programs in medical technology include courses in chemistry, biological sciences, microbiology, mathematics, and statistics, as well as specialized courses devoted to knowledge and skills used in the clinical laboratory.

Will I find a job?

Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow 14 percent between 2006 and 2016, faster than the average for all occupations as the volume of laboratory tests increases with population growth and the development of new types of tests.

How much money will I make?

Technologists – Median Salary: $49,700 (Range from $34,660-$69,260) (2006)

Technicians – Median Salary: $32,840 (Ranges from $21,830-$50,250) (2006)

BLOOD BANK TECHNOLOGIST

What will I do in this job?

As a Specialist in Blood Bank Technology (SBBs) you will use your technical ability to:

  • test for blood group antigens, compatibility, and antibody identification
  • investigate amoralities such as hemolytic disease of the newborn, hemolytic anemia, and adverse responses to transfusions
  • support physicians in transfusion therapy of patients with coagulopathies or candidates for organ transplant
  • perform pre-transfusion tests to ensure the safety of the patient

You may work in a community blood center, private hospital, university or laboratory.

Do I need special credentials?

National certification is voluntary, but strongly recommended

What type of education do I need?

To be a SBB, you will need a bachelor’s degree in medical technology, biological sciences, or physical sciences and complete a one-year specialist program.

Will I find a job?

Average growth in the employment of all medical technologists can be expected nationwide.

How much money will I make?

$32,000- $42,000 (2000)

HISTOLOGIC TECHNICIAN/TECHNOLOGIST

What will I do in this job?

Histologic technicians or technologists prepare sections of body tissue for exam. In this job you will process sections of body tissue by:

  • fixation
  • dehydration
  • embedding
  • sectioning
  • decalcification
  • micro incineration
  • mounting
  • routine and special staining

Histologic technologists perform more complex procedures. As a technologist you will also identify tissue the staining characteristics of tissue structures and cell components and relate them to physiologic functions. Whether you choose to be a technician or technologist, you will work primarily in medical centers, hospitals, and private laboratories.

What type of education do I need?

To be a histologic technician you will need to complete a twelve-month education program after graduating from high school. You will need a bachelor’s degree to be a histologic technologist.

Will I find a job?

Employment is expected to be slightly slower for histologic technicians in Illinois. Average growth is expected of all medical technologists nationwide. Histologic technicians and technologists may expect to find job opportunities in a variety of practical settings, such as hospitals and clinics, privately operated laboratories, nursing homes, and public health facilities. Histologic technologists willing to teach their specialization may also expect good job opportunities.

How much money will I make?

Median Salary: $43,333 (Ranges from $39,491 -$47,510)

(2008 - Salary.com)

PHLEBOTOMIST

What will I do in this job?

Phlebotomists collect blood samples that are used in laboratory testing for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. This is an important job because you play a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.

Phlebotomist must be able to pay close attention to detail, have good manual dexterity and normal color vision.

Do I need a special license?

Some states require phlebotomist to be licensed or registered.

What type of education do I need?

You will need to take a training course that lasts between 6-20 weeks. You can take the course at a hospital, community college, or technical/vocational school.

Will I find a job?

Employment for Phlebotomists is expected to grow slightly slower than the average for all health occupations through the year 2006. Many openings will result from the need to replace current workers.

How much money will I make?

Median Salary: $27,239 (Ranges from $24,753 - $29,965)

(2008 Salary.com)

TOXICOLOGIST

What will I do in this job?

As a toxicologist, you will use principles of biology and chemistry to discover adverse effects of chemicals on living systems and determine the likelihood of such effects occurring. Toxicologists investigate relationships between chemicals and disease and the risks associated with various chemicals, including risks to human health and the environment.

Jobs that a toxicologist may work include:

  • teaching or research in universities
  • ensuring safe manufacture, use and disposal of chemicals in industry
  • pharmaceutical companies
  • government
  • consulting firms
  • research foundations

What type of education do I need?

You will need either a master’s degree or a doctorate, although some employment opportunities are available at the bachelor level. To enter a graduate program, you will need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area and advanced coursework in chemistry (especially organic), biology, physics, calculus, and laboratory experience.

Will I find a job?

Faster than average growth is expected in this field nationwide.

How much money will I make?

Median Salary: $65,434 (Ranges from $53,955 - $79,021)

(2008 Salary.com)

DENTAL ASSISTANT

What will I do in this job?

Dental Assistants work at chair-side as the dentist examines and treats patients,perform a patient care, and office and laboratory duties. You will make patients comfortable, prepare them for treatment, and obtain dental records. You will also give instruments and materials to the dentist, sterilize and disinfect equipment, prepare setups for procedures and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care.

You may also:

  • process x-rays
  • take impressions of teeth
  • make temporary crowns
  • confirm appointments
  • maintain patient records
  • order supplies

You will probably work in a private dental office. Some assistants work in dental schools, private and government hospitals, State and local public health departments, or in clinics.

Do I need special certification?

No, although certification is available.

What type of training do I need?

You may choose a training course offered at a community college or on-the job training.

Will I find a job?

Employment is expected to grow 29 percent from 2006 to 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

How much money will I make?

Median Salary: $30,220 (Ranges from $20,530-$43,040)

(2006)

DENTAL HYGIENIST

What will I do in this job?

Dental hygienists clean teeth, provide preventative dental care, and teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene. You will examine patients’ teeth and gums and record the presence of any disease or abnormality. You will also remove calculus, stains, and plaque from teeth; take and develop dental x-rays; and apply cavity preventive agents. Some States permit hygienists to administer local anesthetics and anesthetic gas, place temporary fillings, remove sutures, and polish metal restorations.

Some of the equipment you will use includes:

  • hand and rotary instruments, lasers, and ultrasonic to clean teeth
  • x-ray machines
  • syringes to administer local anesthetic
  • models of teeth to explain oral hygiene

You should have good manual dexterity because you will use dental instruments with little room for error. .

Do I need a special license?

Yes, you will need a state license.

What type of education do I need?

Dental hygienists must be licensed by the State in which they practice. To qualify for licensure, a candidate must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both a written and clinical examination.

High school students interested in becoming a dental hygienist should take courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics.

Will I find a job?

Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow 30 percent through 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations.

How much money will I make?

Median Salary: $62,800 (Ranges from $40,450-$86,530)

(2006)

DENTIST

What will I do in this job?

Dentists diagnose, prevent, and treat teeth and tissue problems. As a dentist you will:

  • remove decay
  • fill cavities
  • examine x-rays
  • place sealants on children’s teeth
  • repair fractured teeth
  • perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases
  • perform cosmetic procedures
  • extract teeth and make denture replacements for missing teeth

You will also provide instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, and the use of fluorides. Dentists use a variety of equipment, including x-ray machines, drills, and instruments such as mouth mirrors, probes, forceps, brushes, and scalpels. As part of your job you will wear masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect yourself and your patients from infectious diseases. Dentistry requires diagnostic ability and manual skills. Dentists should have good visual memory, excellent judgment of space and shape, a high degree of manual dexterity, and scientific ability.

Most dentists are general practitioners. Other dentists practice in one of eight specialty areas such as:

Orthodontists – straighten teeth

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons – operate on the mouth and jaws

Pediatric dentists – specialize in dentistry for children

Periodontists – treat gums and bones supporting the teeth

Prosthodontists – make artificial teeth and dentures

Endodontists – root canal therapy

Public health dentists & pathologists – study oral diseases

Will I need a special license?

You will need to have a state license.

What type of education do I need?

Most students have at least a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in science. To gain

admission to dental school, students are required to take the Dental Admissions Test

(DAT). Dental school is four years in length. Specialists require additional schooling.

Will I find a job?

Employment of dentists is projected to grow nine percent through 2016, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Although employment growth will provide some job opportunities, most jobs will result from the need to replace the large number of dentists projected to retire. Job prospects should be good as new dentists take over established practices or start their own.

How much will I make?

Median Salary: $132,140 (Ranges from $68,990-$145,600)

(2006)

DENTAL TECHNICIAN

What will I do in this job?

Dental laboratory technicians fill prescriptions from dentists for crown, bridges, dentures, and other dental prosthetics. As a technician, you will:

  • create a model of the patient’s mouth, which serves as the basis of the prosthetic device
  • build and shape a wax tooth or teeth model using small hand instruments
  • cast the metal framework for the prosthetic device
  • pour the cast and prepare the surface to allow the metal and porcelain to bond
  • apply porcelain in layers, to arrive at the precise shape and color of a tooth
  • place the tooth in a porcelain furnace to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework, and then adjust the shape and color to achieve a sealed finish

As a dental laboratory technician, you can specialize in one of five areas: Orthodontic appliances, crows and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures, or ceramics. The work is extremely delicate and time consuming.