phs final

4 main pathways of healthcare careers

therapeutic services
diagnostic services
health informatics
support services

therapeutic services

focus on direct patient care, helping patients achieve optimal health

diagnostic services

involve using tests and evaluations to aid in the diagnosis ofdiseases or medical conditions. Examples include radiologic technologists, EEG/EKG technicians, and pathologists

health informatics

workers handle medical information, records, and communication systems.

support services

maintain clean, safe environments in health care facilities, such as custodial staff or environmental services

Health care careers range from

doctors, dentists, technicians, and therapists

Medical and dental specialists

include cardiologists (heart), psychiatrists (mental health), neurologists (nervous system), ophthalmologists (eyes), oral surgeons, and orthodontists

Technicians and technologists

perform specialized diagnostic tests, technicians usually require a 2 year associates degree while technologists require a bachelor's or higher

eeg/ekg technicians

monitor electrical activity of the heart or brain

radiologic technologists

perform imaging tests

pharmacists

dispense medications and provide drug related information

physical therapists

help patients improve mobility and recover from injuries

dental hygienists

work under the supervision of dentists to clean teeth, take x-rays, and educate patients

a healthcare worker should present a ___ appearance.

healthy and neat

facility guidelines - appearance

clean uniform
hair pulled back
minimal jewelry
natural looking makeup

empathy

understanding patients' feelings and needs

honesty

being truthful and admitting mistakes to maintain trust

dependability

being reliable, punctual, and consistent

willingness to learn

adapting to new technology, procedures, and research developments

patience

tolerating frustration and setbacks calmly

acceptance of criticism

learning from constructive feedback without resentment

enthusiasm

displaying a positive attitude that motivates both coworkers and patients

Self-motivation

taking initiative and completing tasks independently.

Tact

considering the feelings of others in difficult situations.

Competence

knowing your skills and performing tasks accurately

Responsibility

being accountable for your actions

Discretion

protecting confidential patient information.

Teamwork

collaborating with other health care professionals to achieve common goals

Stress is a normal part of health care, caused by

internal and external stressors

The U.S. health care system includes

private facilities, government agencies, andvoluntary/nonprofit organizations

Hospitals

general (treating a wide range of conditions) or specialty (focused on onetype of care, such as burn, oncology, or pediatrics).

Long-term care facilities (LTCFs)

nursing homes, extended care, and assisted livingfor elderly or chronically ill patients

Medical and dental offices

provide diagnosis, treatment, and minor surgeries

Clinics

outpatient services, often specializing in surgery, emergency care, orrehabilitation

Optical centers

vision exams and treatment for eye diseases

Emergency care services

ambulance services, ERs, and rescue squads

Laboratories

diagnostic tests on blood, urine, or tissue

Home health care

nursing and therapy services in patients' homes.

Hospice care

comfort care for terminally ill patients

Mental health centers

psychiatric, counseling, or substance abuse treatment

Genetic counseling centers

prenatal screening and genetic counseling.

Rehabilitation facilities

therapy to improve independence in patients with disabilities

HMOs and PPOs

health plans focused on preventive care and cost containment

Industrial health centers

occupational health for employees

School health services

emergency care, screenings, and health education for students

Government agencies like the

World Health Organization (WHO), CDC, NIH, FDA, and OSHA help regulate, monitor, and improve health care. State and local health departments provide immunizations, inspections, and education.

Voluntary/nonprofit agencies

focus on specific diseases, research, and public health outreach. Examples include the National Mental Health Association and the American Cancer Society.

Health insurance

protects against financial loss from illness

HMOs

require use of network providers

PPOs

provide more flexibility in provider choice

Medicare

federal coverage for those over 65 or with disabilities, including hospital (PartA) and medical (Part B) services

Medicaid

state program for low-income individuals

SCHIP

health coverage for uninsured children in working families

Workers' compensation

care for injuries on the job

TRICARE

coverage for military personnel and their families.

Cost containment methods include

diagnostic-related groups (DRGs), combining services, outpatient care, bulk purchasing, early intervention, preventive services, and energy conservation.

Trends in health care emphasize

home health care, geriatric care,
telemedicine, holistic health, wellness promotion, and alternative/complementary therapies, including acupuncture and chiropractic care

Health care workers must understand

legal and ethical responsibilities

Civil law

protects patient rights, such as through torts (malpractice, negligence, assault,battery, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment, abuse, defamation)

Criminal law

covers acts that harm society

Contracts

agreements between two or more parties, which may be expressed or implied

Legal disabilities

certain individuals (minors, mentally incompetent, unconscious, orunder drugs) cannot form legal contracts

Principal-agent relationship

employers (principals) are responsible for employees'(agents) actions

Privileged communications

confidential patient information must only be shared with authorized team members. Exceptions exist for births, deaths, violent injuries, drug abuse, communicable diseases, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Health care records

are owned by the provider but patients have the right to copies. Errors must be corrected using a single line, initialed, and dated. Confidentiality must be maintained even with computerized records

Ethics

involve moral principles and standards of conduct.

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA)

ensures residents' rights and competency evaluations for nursing assistants.

Advance directives

including living wills and durable power of attorney, allow patients to specify medical decisions if they cannot communicate.

The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)

ensures patients are informed of their rights

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

orders allow terminally ill patients to die peacefully without resuscitation.