Health Professions at Penn State Behrend SC 201: Fall, 2013 Information from...

Health Professions at Penn State Behrend SC 201: Fall, 2013

Information from explorehealthcareers.org

Other Health Careers – Graduate Level

Physicians Assistant• Can practice and prescribe medicine in all 50 states under the license of

a physician in a variety of health care settings

• Although trained as generalists in medicine, they can also work in specialty areas, (orthopedics, emergency medicine, cardiology, etc.)

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 30% job growth rate for the profession through 2020. Salary average: $80,000

• With the average PA program at 24-27 months, and the flexibility to move into different areas of medicine without additional training also add to the appeal of the profession.


Physicians Assistant• PAs are formally trained to provide the following healthcare services, as

designated by a licensed physician:• Diagnose illness and disease• Examine and treat patients• Instruct and counsel patients• Order or carry out therapiesOrder and interpret lab tests and X-rays• Prescribe medications• Record progress notes• Take medical histories• Treat injuries by suturing, splinting, and casting


Physicians Assistant• PAs can also

• have managerial duties, • order medical and lab supplies and equipment• supervise technicians and assistants.

• While PAs practice under the license of a physician, they may also be the principal care providers in many practices, where a physician may be present for only 1 or 2 days each week. In such cases, the PA confers with the supervising physician and other medical professionals as needed, or as required by law.

• PAs may also make house calls or go to hospitals and nursing homes to check on patients and report back to the physician.


Physicians Assistant: Applying to PA School• The number of accredited PA programs has increased from 141 in 2008

to 174 in 2013.

• 89% of programs offer a Master's-level degree. The remainder of PA programs offer either a bachelor's degree, associate’s degree, or certificate of completion.

• Starting in 2020, all PA programs will be required to offer a Master’s-level degree upon completion of and graduation from a PA program.

• The Central Application Service for Physicians Assistants (CASPA) is the clearing house for the application process


Physicians Assistant: Applying to PA School• Of the 159 PA programs that participate in CASPA, 55% require

applicants to have health care experience. • Each PA program can vary with requirements! Program A may require

100 hours of experience, while Program C may require 2,000 hours of experience.

• In general, programs that require 2,000 hours require applicants to have worked full-time in the health care field prior to applying to PA school.

• Health care experience can be accepted in the following forms:• Volunteer• Paid• Combination of both


Physicians Assistant: Applying to PA School• In general a GPA >3.0 is a necessity

• Extra weight is given to your performance in science courses. • Although shorter than D.O. and M.D. programs, the academic rigors are

high—as with medical, dental and pharmacy programs they do not want candidates that won’t succeed!


Chiropractic: • Focuses on the relationship between the body’s main structures – the

skeleton, the muscles and the nerves – and the patient’s health.

• Belief that health can be improved and preserved by making adjustments to these structures, particularly to the spinal column. They do not prescribe drugs or perform surgical procedures, although they do refer patients for these services if they are medically indicated.

• Once derided by the “mainstream” medical community, chiropractic medicine has become a well-recognized and highly respected health care field.


Chiropractic: • Chiropractic services are covered by health insurance, including

Medicare, and chiropractors are bound by the same regulations and ethics as medical doctors and doctors of osteopathy.

• Many patients choose a chiropractor as their primary care doctor, because they prefer treatment plans that do not rely on medication or surgery.


Chiropractic: • Average Salary: $67,000

• Although shorter than D.O. and M.D. programs, the academic rigors are high—in general a GPA >3.0 is a necessity

• Employment is expected to increase by 28 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.

• People across all age groups are increasingly becoming interested in chiropractic care because it consists of nonsurgical methods of treatment.


Physical Therapy• PTs provide services that help restore function, improve mobility,

relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients with injuries or disease.

• PTs work closely with patients and clients to restore, maintain, and promote their overall fitness and wellness for healthier and more active lifestyles.


Physical Therapy• Patients may include accident victims and individuals with disabling

conditions such as low back pain, fractures, head injuries, arthritis, heart disease, and cerebral palsy.

• PTs take the patient’s/client’s history and conduct a systems review, and perform tests and measures such as strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function, to identify potential and existing problems.

• Based on the examination and the physical therapist’s evaluative judgment, PTs determine a patient diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care that increase the patient's ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace after injury or illness.


Physical Therapy• Among the best job outlooks for a health profession

• Salary: $65-85,000

• http://www.apta.org/YouCanBeMe/

• A shortage of 41,000 physical therapists by 2020 is predicted.

• All physical therapist education programs have transitioned to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree

• From http://www.ptcas.org/About/

http://www.apta.org/YouCanBeMe/



http://www.ptcas.org/About/

http://www.ptcas.org/About/


Physical Therapy

Apps Offers

1 52

2 62

3 57

4 49

5 47

6 45

7 45

10 48

20 42

30 67

40 0


Physical Therapy


Occupational Therapy • OTs assist clients in performing activities of all types, ranging from using

a computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking, eating, and driving.

• Services typically include: customized treatment programs to improve one's ability to perform daily activities; comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations; adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training; and guidance to family members and caregivers.

• http://www.careeronestop.org/Videos/CareerandClusterVideos/career-and-cluster-videos.aspx

http://www.careeronestop.org/Videos/CareerandClusterVideos/career-and-cluster-videos.aspx




Occupational Therapy • http://www.aota.org

• #10 on the Best Jobs US News and World Report

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects occupational therapist employment growth of 33.5 percent between 2010 and 2020, adding 36,400 more professionals to the 108,800 already-existing jobs in this field.

• Median annual wage for occupational therapists was $73,820 in 2011.

http://www.aota.org/



Occupational Therapy • http://www.aota.org

• The minimum level of education for OTs is a master's degree in the field.

• In order to sit for the national certifying exam, occupational therapists must receive their degree from an institution accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

• Most occupational therapy programs are a full-time commitment, but a growing number of schools are offering weekend and part-time programs.




Occupational Therapy


Podiatry - Doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM)• Branch of the medical sciences devoted to the study of human

movement, with the foot and ankle as its primary focus.

• A DPM is to the foot what a dentist is to the mouth or an ophthalmologist to the eye - a specialist who has undergone lengthy, thorough study to become uniquely well-qualified to treat a specific part of the body.

• A (DPM) specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of foot disorders, diseases and injuries. A DPM makes independent judgments and performs or orders all necessary diagnostic tests. They perform surgery; administer medications, including DEA-restricted medications; and prescribe physical therapy regimens.


Podiatry• DPMs often detect serious health problems that may otherwise go

unnoticed, because a number of diseases manifest first through symptoms of the lower extremities (i.e., diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, or kidney disease).

• Podiatric physicians are educated in state-of-the-art techniques involving surgery, orthopedics, dermatology, physical medicine and rehabilitation.

• D.P.M. is awarded after four years of study at an accredited podiatry college.


Podiatry• The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM)

offers an online application service, known as CASPR, in which all entry-level residency programs are required to participate.

• MCAT usually required

• Approximately 97% of applicants in 2010-11 held a bachelor's degree or higher.

• Average overall GPA was 3.3 and MCAT Scores of 24+


Optometry (ODs)• ODs are the independent primary health care professionals for the eye.

• Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases, injuries and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures. They also identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.

• ODs diagnose and treat, prescribe medications, perform certain surgical procedures, provide vision therapy and low vision rehabilitation and assist patients with eyeglasses and contact lenses.


Optometry• They counsel patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options to

meet their visual needs.

• In cases involving surgery, they provide both pre-operative and post-operative consultation and care. ODs also diagnose systemic conditions that have eye-related symptoms (i.e., diabetes or high blood pressure) and refer patients to other health practitioners, as needed.

• ODs should not be confused with ophthalmologists or dispensing opticians. • Ophthalmologists are physicians who perform eye surgery, in

addition to diagnosing and treating eye conditions. • Dispensing opticians fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following

prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists.


Optometry• U.S. News & World Report listed optometry as one of the best jobs for

investigative people, because it's "a profession with a high cure rate, regular hours, good pay and realistic potential for being successfully self-employed.”

• Salary: $125,000

• Federal data indicate employment of optometrists is projected to grow 33% through 2020.

• An increasing number of health insurance plans that include vision care should generate more job growth


Optometry• The OD degree requires completion of a four-year program at an

accredited optometry school, preceded by at least three years of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university. Most optometry students hold a baccalaureate or higher degree.

• Optometry Admission Test (OAT)• Designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of

scientific information. • Four subtests: Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General

Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning.

• The OAT is scored on a 200-to 400-point scale in increments of 10. The national average for the test is generally between 300 and 310.


Optometry• http://www.aoa.org

• http://www.theaosa.org Student organization

• GPA >3.2, OAT > average of 310

http://www.aoa.org/

http://www.aoa.org/

http://www.aoa.org/

http://www.theaosa.org/

http://www.theaosa.org/


Naturopathic Doctor (ND)

• A ND practices a form of medicine that blends centuries-old, natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in the study of health and human systems.

• Naturopathic medicine covers all aspects of family health from prenatal to geriatric care, with a special focus on whole-patient wellness.

• NDs tailor their treatment protocols to suit each patient as an individual, placing a strong emphasis upon prevention and self-care.



• Based upon six fundamental principles:1. The Healing Power of Nature- Trust in the body’s inherent

wisdom to heal itself.2. Identify and Treat the Causes- Look beyond the symptoms to the

underlying cause.3. First Do No Harm- Utilize the most natural, least invasive and least

toxic therapies.4. Doctor as Teacher- Educate patients in the steps to achieving and

maintaining health.5. Treat the Whole Person- View the body as an integrated whole in

all its physical and spiritual dimensions.6. Prevention - Focus on overall health, wellness and disease

prevention


Naturopathic Doctor (ND)• Graduates from accredited naturopathic medical schools are

eligible to practice in any state in which they meet the licensing or state requirements.

• In some states, ND graduates are required to pass rigorous professional board exams in order to be licensed as primary care general practice physicians.

• Only graduates from CNME-accredited naturopathic medical schools are eligible to sit for the professional board exams in licensed states and provinces.

.



Naturopathic physicians collaborate with all other branches of medical science, referring patients to conventional healthcare practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate.

The prospects for making a prosperous living in this field are excellent for the foreseeable future. Naturopathic medicine continues to gain acceptance and recognition throughout the U.S. and in Canada.

Colorado just became the 17th state to accredit NDs


Physician Scientist (M.D./Ph.D.)• Physician scientists are physicians or dentists who pursue their

research interests in the laboratory.

• Various training pathways and career opportunities exist for physician scientists: they can teach, treat patients, conduct basic science, and perform translational or clinical research.

• Physician scientists hold positions at academic research centers, pursue clinical careers in private or group practice, or do research for public or private institutions.


Physician Scientist (M.D./Ph.D.)• With training in both research and clinical practice, physician scientists

have good flexibility in selecting a career path. They traditionally hold faculty positions in medical or dental schools or academic research centers.

• Whatever they do, physician scientists must spend a significant portion of time doing both lab research and clinical work.

• Due to the short supply of physician scientists (currently less than 5% of the physician workforce), the job market in this field is excellent. They are highly sought-after to become the future leaders of medicine and dentistry. Physician scientists hold leadership positions wherever they are: in academia, government, and private industry (including pharmaceutical, biotech, and venture capital companies).


Physician Scientist (M.D./Ph.D.)• Applicants to physician scientist programs must hold a bachelor's

degree from an accredited university or college and have a GPA of 3.5 or better. College coursework should include biology, chemistry, physics, and other basic elements of a pre-medical curriculum.

• Must take the MCAT (or DAT) and in addition, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) may be required for some dual degree programs.

• Devotion to the research enterprise also is a highly valued quality in candidates.


Physician Scientist (M.D./Ph.D.)• For physician scientists who conduct research with a medical (M.D. or

D.O.) or dental (D.D.S. or D.M.D.) degree alone, four years of clinical training are required, as well as one or more years of research training in a laboratory. Earning clinical and Ph.D. degrees separately may take over 10 years, whereas combined degree programs typically take 6 to 8 years.


Psychiatry • Physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental

illnesses. The stereotype of the "bearded analyst" sitting by the couch is obsolete. While psychoanalysis is still practiced, most psychiatrists today provide a wide range of biological, psychotherapeutic, and psychosocial treatments tailored to the specific needs of the patient.

• Psychiatrists also serve as the medical experts for the mind/brain/body interface.

• Like other medical conditions, mental illnesses can range from relatively mild and self-limiting conditions to severe and life-threatening disorders.


Psychiatry • Recent research by the National Institute of Mental Health indicates

that 26% of the adult population in the U.S. suffers from some diagnosable mental disorder in any given year. Nearly 6% of all Americans suffer from severe mental illness (i.e., schizophrenia or bipolar disorder).

• Psychiatry is one of the oldest medical specialties. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is over 150 years old.

• Psychiatry is also one of the frontiers of medicine, as researchers constantly make new discoveries about the brain: imaging pharmaceuticals, etc.


Psychiatry • The prospects for finding a good job in this field are excellent for the

foreseeable future. There is still a great need for psychiatrists in all aspects of the public, as well as in the private care sector.

• Psychiatry was designated as a shortage specialty and a priority specialty in a recent report by the Graduate Medical Education National Advisory Committee.

• Subspecialists such as child psychiatrists and geriatric psychiatrists are in even greater demand.


Psychiatry • To become a psychiatrist, you first must hold a medical degree. Once

you earn your MD or DO, you must enter a residency program in psychiatry.

• Post-graduate education in psychiatry consists of 4 years of residency training, of which at least 3 are in psychiatry. During the first year, the resident spends at least four months in general medical care, including internal medicine, family medicine or pediatrics, and at least two months of neurology.

• General psychiatry residents spend the next 3 years rotating through in-patient services, with full and partial hospitalization; ER and/or walk-in or crisis clinic coverage; and ambulatory services. These experiences are complemented by lectures, seminars and case supervision.


Psychiatry • The last year offers numerous opportunities for electives. Some

residents become the chief resident of an in-patient or ambulatory care unit. Others focus on special clinical and/or research interests.

• Following residency, you must select a sub-specialty. Most sub-

specialties require a one-year fellowship, although some (such as child/adolescent psychiatry) require two years. Sub-specialty fellowships culminate in a certificate of added qualification in one of the following fields: Child and Adolescent, Geriatric, Addiction, Forensic and Psychosomatic Medicine

Health Professions at Penn State Behrend SC 201: Fall, 2013 Information from...

Documents

Transcript of Health Professions at Penn State Behrend SC 201: Fall, 2013 Information from...