HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY

EXPLORE THE OPPORTUNITIES

Created for South Carolina AHEC

By Nanette Morris, RN, BA, NBCT_ 2009

HEALTHCARE…a Dynamic and Exciting Career!

Welcome to the Exploration of Health Careers!

FIRST: Consider your area of interest:» Therapeutic Cluster» Diagnostic Cluster» Informational Cluster» Environmental Services Cluster

NEXT: Make an INFORMED career choice through exploration

What Does a Career in Health Care Mean for Me?

• A Rewarding Career

• Job Satisfaction

• Position Availability

• Work with All Ages• Specialty Variety• Excellent Salaries• Advancement • Mobility

What Kinds of Patients Do Healthcare Workers Treat?

• Adults• Children• Elderly Adults• Deceased• Athletes• Babies• Animals

Successful Healthcare Professionals Have WHAT IT

TAKES in the Workplace!Personal Qualities of a Health Care Worker

• Professional Appearance

• Competence

• Team Player

• Willingness to Learn

• Effective Communication

• Enthusiasm

Positive Traits ofHealth Care Professionals

• Dependability

• Empathy

• Attitude

• Respect

• Patience

• Responsibility

• Honesty

• Self-motivation

• Tact

IF...• You enjoy working with people

• You are looking for a career with job security

• You are interested in earning an above-average starting salary and in job

THEN…• A career in healthcare might be

right for you!

Healthcare Professionals can be found Everywhere!

Where Do Healthcare Professionals Work?

• Acute care Hospitals

• Diagnostic Laboratories

• Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Facilities

• Patients’ Homes

• Patient Transport Services

• Private Practice

• Physician Offices

• Assisted Living & Retirement Centers

• Educational Institutions, Including Colleges & Universities

• Industry

• Athletic Teams: HS, College & Professional

What Do

Healthcare Professionals Do?

Health care professionals contribute to our health, help us when we are sick, troubled, or injured,

and work to protect our environment.

How Does the Job Market Look for Healthcare Professionals?

• Skills That Work 2000, a workforce study lists 9 of the top 20 fastest growing occupations in South Carolina in health care.

• Major shortages are predicted for all healthcare professions in rural and urban areas.

Health Related Occupations Among South Carolina’s

Top 10 Fastest Growing Occupations

1. Home Health Aides 2. Demonstrators, Promoters, and Models 3. Computer Engineers

4. Physical and Corrective Therapy Assistants/Aides 5. Ushers and Lobby Attendants 6. Paralegal Personnel

7. Physical Therapists

8. Human Services Workers 9. Systems Analysts, Electronic Data Processors

10. Personal and Home Care Aides

SOURCE: South Carolina Career Outlook: Overview of Fastest Growing Careers in South Carolina, www.education-portal.com/articles/South_Carolina_Career_Outlook%3A_Overview_of_the_Fastest_Growing_Careers_in_South_Carolina%28SC%29.html,

July 2009

Why Choose A Profession in Health?

• Great Job Security

• Hundreds of Career Choice

• Personal Satisfaction in Making A Difference

Anthony PoolePhysician Assistant Student,

MUSC

Upstate AHEC HCP Completer

South Carolina Salary Averages Salary ranges for healthcare workers range from $15,000 to $200,000+ depending on

job responsibilities, education, and location within the state PROFESSION AVERAGE SALARY

AVERAGE LENGTH OF TRAINING BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL

Dentist $163,160 11 Years

Physician $162,340 7 – 8 Years

Chiropractor $108,060 8 Years

Pharmacist $93,630 6 Years

Nurse Anesthetist $71,320 6 Years

Medical Records Administrator $70,560 6 Years

Audiologist $70,560 6 Years

Physician Assistant $70,520 4 – 6 Years

Physical Therapist $65,720 6 – 8 Years

Athletic Trainer $58,580 4 Years

Registered Nurse $53,210 2 – 4 Years

Dental Hygienist $48,130 2 – 4 Years

Dietitian/Nutritionist $39,640 4 Years

Licensed Practical Nurse $35,620 1 Year

Dental Assistant $29,780 10 – 12 Months

Emergency Medical Technician 27,740 2 Years

Optician $26,100 2 Years

Salary averages for South Carolina reported by SCOIS and may vary by region

South Carolina’sHealth Science Technology Program

• Teachers are generally Registered Nurses (R.N.) or other Healthcare Professionals

• Available Courses:– Intro to Health Science Technology

– Health Science Technology 1, 2, 3 & 4

– Emergency Medical Services 1 & 2

– Gerontology

– Medical Terminology

– Sports Medicine 1 & 2

Learning By Performing

• HST students gain experience in a variety of areas:– Medical and surgical areas of the hospital– Intensive care units (adult, pediatric, neonatal)– Emergency room– Patient transport– School settings– Outpatient clinics and physicians’ offices– Home care– Long-term care facilities– Therapy departments– Dental offices– Nurseries/daycare centers

Gabrielle Cannick

Doctor of Dental Medicine Student, MUSC

Lowcountry AHEC HCP Completer

Additional Opportunities for

Health Career Exploration

• Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) is a national organization to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality healthcare which provides:

– Community and School Service Projects– Competitive Events Program– Travel Opportunities– Leadership Development– Scholarship Awards– Networking Statewide and Nationwide

What Would You Like to Be When You Grow Up?

As a Healthcare Professional:

• YOU can make a difference in peoples lives

• YOUR work is interesting and meaningful

• YOU are in a high-tech and exciting career

• YOU are in a high-touch, people-oriented profession

Get There:

Steps

To

EXPERIENCE

• Volunteer

• Service Learning

• Observe

EXPLORE

• Network

• Question

• Read

PREPARE

• Educate

• Train

Preparing to Become a Health Care Professional!

• Certification - 3 to 18 months of training

• Associate Degree - 2 years of college

• Bachelor Degree - 4 to 5 years of college

• Master Degree - 1 to 2 years past college

And Beyond ….

Degre

e

Health Science Training Program Requirements for Admission

• Prerequisite coursework

in general education

• Requires a strong

background in Math & Science

• Regular attendance

• Clean discipline record

QUESTIONS &

DISCUSSION