Chapter 7: Health Career Planning — Vocabulary Flashcards

Key terms and definitions from the lecture notes on health career planning, licensure, certification, workforce diversity, and projected growth.

Desirable Traits for Health Careers

A strong desire to help others, genuine concern for the welfare of patients, and the patience and emotional maturity to work with people of diverse backgrounds in stressful situations.

Direct Contact with Clients or Patients

Careers that involve personal interaction with patients, such as nursing, medicine, dentistry, and therapy.

Limited Direct Contact with Patients

Careers that influence patient care but involve limited direct contact; examples include medical laboratory professionals and health information technicians.

Three Categories of Health Care (BLS)

Three broad categories based on direct clinical care, education/credentialing, and licensure/certification/registration: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations; Healthcare Support Occupations; Community and Social Service Occupations.

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

Diagnosing or treating practitioners who provide direct clinical care; examples include physicians, registered nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, dietitians, chiropractors, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.

Health Technologists and Technicians

Support the work of practitioners; examples include medical laboratory scientists and technicians, diagnostic-related technologists and technicians, medical records specialists, licensed practical/vocational nurses, and dietetic or pharmacy technicians.

Educational Requirements: Practitioners vs. Scientists vs. Technicians

Practitioners generally require a graduate degree and licensure; scientists typically require bachelor’s and graduate study; technicians commonly require an associate’s degree.

Healthcare Support Occupations

Represent the largest number of healthcare workers; include home health and personal care aides, nursing assistants, medical assistants, dental assistants, massage therapists, phlebotomists, and therapy assistants/aides; usually lower educational requirements and work under supervision.

Home Health Aide

A healthcare support worker who provides in-home personal care and assistance.

Nursing Assistant

A healthcare support worker who assists licensed nurses in patient care.

Medical Assistant

A healthcare support professional performing clinical and administrative tasks in clinics.

Dental Assistant

A healthcare support worker who assists dentists with clinical procedures and patient care.

Massage Therapist

A healthcare support occupation providing therapeutic massage for clients.

Phlebotomist

A healthcare support professional who collects blood samples for laboratory testing.

Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides

Support clinicians by assisting patients in occupational therapy under the supervision of an OT.

Physical Therapy Assistants and Aides

Assist physical therapists in implementing rehabilitation and mobility therapy plans.

Community and Social Service Occupations

Professionals who work in healthcare settings, including social workers, counselors, and health educators; often require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level practice; social service support roles exist as well.

Social Workers

Professionals who help individuals, families, and communities access services and resources.

Substance Abuse/Behavioral Disorders/Mental Health Counselors

Counselors who work with individuals facing mental health, behavioral, or substance abuse issues.

Health Educators

Professionals who promote health and wellness, often employed in hospitals or public health settings.

Community Health Workers

Public-facing staff who help communities access care and navigate health resources; typically require a high school diploma and on-the-job training.

Social Service Workers/Assistants

Personnel who support social service delivery; assistants often require less formal education and on-the-job training.

Diversity of Healthcare Workers

Diversity by sex, race, and ethnicity in healthcare does not perfectly match population diversity; about three-quarters of workers are women; gaps exist in representation.

Male-Dominated Professions

Five professions with majority male representation: dentists, chiropractors, physicians, optometrists, and emergency medical technicians/paramedics; EMTs/paramedics are in Health Technologists/Technicians, others in Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners.

Low Representation in Men

Occupations with the lowest men’s representation include dental hygienists and speech-language pathologists.

HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration)

Agency that monitors healthcare workforce diversity and provides financial support through grants, loan repayment programs, and scholarships for health professions students, especially disadvantaged.

Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA)

Rural and inner-city areas with maldistribution of health personnel; HRSA funds scholarships and low-interest loans for disadvantaged students.

NHSC Loan Repayment Program (LRP)

National Health Service Corps program that repays loans in exchange for service in an HPSA.

Career Exploration: The Process

Visit several departments, set up interviews, visit laboratories, and inquire about the facility’s philosophy.

Homework for Career Exploration

View video clips of health professionals, visit professional organization websites, and prepare pertinent questions.

Licensure

State license required to work in many health professions; involves graduating from an approved program and passing a licensing examination; protects the public.

Certification

Voluntary or mandatory credential that demonstrates competence; granted by national organizations and recognized across states; enhances employment prospects.

Registration

Official roster/listing of certified professionals kept by a state agency or professional organization; sometimes used interchangeably with certification.

Health Careers: Something for Everyone (Overview)

The health field offers diverse opportunities not limited to hospitals; some roles require math/science, while others do not.

Career Preparation Duration

Some health occupations require many years of schooling; others can be practiced with two years or less of preparation.

Cost versus Earnings

Training costs should be balanced against potential earnings in the chosen health career.

Encouragement Not to Sell Yourself Short

Advice to pursue feasible training paths and not dismiss options as too hard without exploring alternatives.

Five Major Industries Employing Health Workers

Hospitals; Offices of health practitioners; Nursing and residential facilities; Home health services; Outpatient, laboratory, and other ambulatory services.

Other Work Settings for Healthcare Workers

Orthotists/prosthetists; blood banks; dental laboratories; family planning services; health education departments; public health; poison control; federal agencies (OSHA, USDA, FDA); military branches.

Orthotists and Prosthetists

Professionals who design and fit braces and artificial limbs for patients.

Public Health Departments

Government or organizational departments employing health professionals to promote and protect community health.

Federal Health Agencies (OSHA, USDA, FDA)

U.S. agencies that regulate safety, food, and medical products; employ health professionals.

Workforce Growth Projections (2019–2029)

Healthcare occupations are among the fastest-growing sectors, with projections showing substantial job creation and growth rates above the average for all occupations.

Largest Occupations in Health Care

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlighting the biggest job titles by employment in health care (e.g., nurses, aides, assistants, etc.).