Presentation to Educators

A. Why am I here?

I am here to let you know that there are lots of job opportunities for your students in the health care field and that all of the trends - changes in the way health care is delivered, the aging of the baby boomers, a growing minority population - point to even more job opportunities in the future. For example, in the State of California alone, 43,000 new nurses are going to be needed by the year 2010 and 74,000 by 2020. That's alot of jobs, and I'm talking about only one out of 50 States.

Include local information:

B. What are the health professions?

When I talk about health care careers, you are probably thinking physicians, dentists, and nurses. But those are only the big three of more than 300 different health care professions, which are defined as careers requiring specialized skills and training for the purpose of maintaining the health and condition of the body.

Three hundred different kinds of jobs, that's something to appeal to all interests and abilities. Many of these jobs do not require graduate level degrees, but can be performed with specialized training at the associate degree and/or certificate levels. What this says is that these jobs are attainable by a wide range of students.

Let's look at some examples of nontraditional health professions:

Physician Assistants (PAs) perform physical examinations, diagnose illness, recommend treatment, and order laboratory tests under the supervision of a physician. Physician assistants attend an accredited PA program often after attaining a bachelor's or master degree. The median salary for a physician assistant is $61,910 a year.

Pharmacy Technicians are support personnel in pharmacies. Most attend community colleges or vocation-technical schools where they earn associate's degrees. Pharmacy technicians make between $9 and $11 dollars an hour.

Radiologic Technologists use radiation for diagnostic imaging. There are programs for radiography, radiation therapy, and diagnostic sonography at the certificate, associate's, and bachelor's degree levels. The median salary for radiologic technologists is almost $36,000 a year.

Respiratory Therapists work with physicians to treat and care for patients with pulmonary disorders, such as asthma or emphysema. They must complete a formal training program that can be a 4-year bachelor's degree or 2-year associate's degree. The median salary for respiratory therapists is almost $37,680 a year.

Athletic Trainers prevent, care for, and rehabilitate athletic injuries as recommended by a physician. A certified athletic trainer must graduate from an accredited program, fulfill an internship, and pass a certification exam. This is a growing field offering a range of salaries.

Physical Therapists work with people who have been disabled by illness or accident. Treatment may include exercise, massage, the application of heat, and other techniques. There are both undergraduate and graduate degrees for physical therapists who earn a median salary $54,810 a year.

Occupational Therapy Assistants teach disabled patients how to get around with limited mobility, perform strengthening or muscle toning exercises with patients, and work with them in other ways to complete treatment regimens. An associate's degree from an accredited training program is required for these jobs which pay $34,340 a year.

Dispensing Opticians make and fit eyeglasses and lenses. Opticians can be trained on the job either informally or in an apprenticeship program. As the population ages and requires more prescription eyewear, there will be more job opportunities for opticians. Salaries range from $14,400 to $39,660 a year.

Surgical Technologists prepare operating rooms for surgery, assist during operations, and carry out post-operative procedures. Training programs vary from 9 to 24 months. Salaries range from $20,490 to $40,310 a year.

Emergency Medical Technicians perform basic life support skills, such as restoring breathing, controlling blood loss, and treating shock victims. This job requires some 120 hours of classroom exercises and 10 internship hours. The median salary is a little more than $22,460 a year.

Certified Nurse-Midwives are registered nurses with advanced training that allows them to care for expectant mothers, deliver babies, and care for both mother and baby afterwards. To be nurse-midwives, registered nurses (RNs) must enroll in a 1-year certification program. While RNs earn about $44,840 a year, nurse-midwives usually make $70,100.

Genetic Counselors provide information and support to people with birth defects or genetic disorders, or those who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. A master's degree is required and the course work includes medical genetics, counseling, and hands-on experience in the field. The salary ranges from $35,000 at entry level to $75,000 for an experienced counselor.

Public Health Program Specialists identify those at risk of a specified health problem. They also implement and evaluate interventions to prevent such health problems. Many colleges and universities award a bachelor's degree in public health; most advanced positions require a master's degree. Public health professionals' salaries vary by specialty, experience, geographic location, and level of education. Average salary for all specialties is $70,700.

Other examples I am familiar with include:

If you are interested in learning more about health care professions or would like to build a reference library for your students, I have a list of available publications (Appendix A) or look in the reference section of your library under Health Professions Occupations.

C. Why should your students consider careers in the health professions?

These are good, steady jobs. Young people, who train for health care careers, are going to have skills that are in demand and these skills are not going to stop being in demand. Opportunities in the health care field are only going to grow in the future.
Health care jobs pay well. The student, who chooses this career path, will be able to earn a good living and support a family.
Health care careers are attainable. Not all of them require graduate degrees. As I have demonstrated, the qualifications for many health care jobs are 2-year associate degrees or completion of even shorter training programs.
Opportunities for advancement abound. A student, who opts for a health career at one level, may well decide to seek additional training in the future and move up.
Health care is a respected career choice. The young person who chooses a health care career will be looked up to in his or her community and will also be making an important contribution to that community.

I think health care careers are rewarding because ...

D. What does a high school student need to do to be eligible for a health care career?

To become a health care professional, first and foremost, students need to complete their high school educations and be awarded either a diploma or GED. To the greatest extent possible they should be encouraged to take courses with a strong concentration in mathematics and the sciences, such as biology, chemistry, general math, algebra, geometry, business math, statistics, etc. In addition, students must take the national placement tests, either SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Test), and make scores that are acceptable for entry into whatever kind of program they are aiming for, whether it be a 4-year college, junior college, vocational school, or training program.

For specific entry and/or admission requirements, either you or your interested students should consult the specific institutions that offer these programs. There are many of them throughout the country. For a list, you might contact your local department of education, the State board of education, or the National Association of Colleges and Universities.

E. What advice would you give to parents on financing an education in the health professions?

There are many ways to finance an education. This is no longer the insurmountable obstacle it once was. Today, there are scholarships, loans, grants, and an assortment of other student assistance programs. The key is to locate these programs and then follow application procedures, which are likely to be different for each program.

Your search might focus on the following:

Federal, State, and local government financial aid programs. (scholarships, grants, loans, work/student aid, etc.)

Private sector financial assistance including:·

Corporations, small business, etc.;
Professional associations and groups;
Foundations, affiliated organizations and/or individuals;
Hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities;
Medical supply, equipment, and pharmaceutical companies;
Community-based organizations like churches;
Social groups such as sororities and fraternities;
National Organizations (4H Club, YMCA, YWCA, Boys and Girls Clubs); and
Financial institutions (banks, savings and loans, and credit unions).

I have a list of specific financial aid programs that I would be happy to leave with you [ Appendix C ].

Some methods of funding health professions training locally are:

F. What can you, as guidance counselors, teachers and school administrators, do to create, reinforce, and nurture this interest?

First and foremost, become knowledgeable about the health professions and share this information as part of your everyday interaction with your students and their parents.

Other ways to get the word out about careers in health care are:

Talk about health careers during counseling sessions;
Make information and resources available;
Display exhibits on health careers;
Invite speakers from the health professions;
Take field trips to health care facilities;
Explore opportunities for students to volunteer or work at health care facilities; and
Take advantage of local Federal Government health care facilities, such as Area Health Education Centers, Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, and the Health and Human Services Career Academy.

G. Why is it important to get more young people into health care careers?

Today, there are shortages in health care. More than 3,000 mostly rural and minority communities do not have adequate health care to meet their needs. If current trends continue, the situation will only get worse.

Thus, by exposing your students to worthwhile, rewarding careers, you are also helping medically underserved communities and improving access to health care for many people who simply don't have it. Your effort is a gift that not only keeps on giving, but snowballs. Every student who goes into health care affects the welfare of hundreds of patients, who together change the course of whole communities. It is no small contribution.