Physical therapy involves treatment through physical means for people disabled by illness, accident, or congenital handicap. Physical therapy seeks to improve mobility, relieve pain, or minimize permanent physical disabilities.
Clinical practice:
Acute care, rehab/subacute rehab, extended care, wellness and prevention, & sports and fitness
Management
Education
Research
Consultation
Specialties:
Cardiovascular, electrophysiology, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, pediatrics, sports medicine, & women’s health
Hospitals
Outpatient clinics/private practice
Home healthcare agencies
Nursing and residential care facilities
Sports and fitness facilities
Rehabilitation centers
Physician offices, particularly orthopedic
Hospice programs
Universities and colleges
Federal and state government:
Department of Defense
Public Health Service
Veterans Health Administration
Indian Health Services
Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills, patience, and a desire to help individuals of all ages with disabilities. A positive attitude is important when working with patients.
Obtain knowledge of several basic sciences needed for pursuing additional training including anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, psychology and physics.
Attain superior grades in pre-physical therapy coursework due to intense competition for admittance to physical therapy programs.
Volunteer for a physical therapist in a hospital or clinic to gain experience and improve chances of acceptance into a program. Many programs require volunteer or related experiences for admission.
Understand the demands of physical therapy work such as dexterity and physical stamina.
Earn a degree or post-bachelor certificate to become physical therapy assistant or a doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) from a program
accredited by the Council on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) as required for most states licensure.
Review states licensure requirements which will include passing the National Physical Therapy Examination.
Explore practice areas (consider one-third of physical therapists work in hospitals and another third in physical therapy offices).
Consider completing a clinical residency after school to gain training and experience in a specialty. Fellowships in advanced clinical areas after residency are also available.
Occupational therapy is the treatment of people who are unable to perform some everyday functions due to injury, illness, or disability. Occupational therapists utilize activities with specific goals to enhance the quality of life and increase the in- dependence of individuals who have a mentally, emotionally, or physically disabling condition.
Screening
Evaluation
Treatment:
Physical, psychosocial, & vocational
Follow-up
Administration
Education
Research
Population Specialties:
Geriatrics, mental health, pediatrics, & physical rehabilitation
Task Specialties:
Driving, eating, low vision, & supportive environment changes
Hospitals (psychiatric and rehabilitative)
Schools
Outpatient rehabilitation facilities
Group or private practice
Nursing and residential treatment facilities
Adult daycare programs
Job training centers
Home healthcare agencies
Federal and state government:
Department of Defense
Public Health Service
Veterans Health Administration
Universities and colleges
Build a solid foundation in physical, biological, and behavioral sciences.
Develop excellent communication skills which are important when interacting with patients and their families.
Develop and foster patience and a true interest in helping people with disabilities.
Learn to work well within a team as many occupational therapists work with many other professionals, including physicians, physical therapists, and social workers in the rehabilitation of patients.
Volunteer in an occupational therapy setting or gain
experience in a healthcare setting to improve chances of program admittance.
Earn a degree or complete a post-bachelor certification to become occupational therapy assistant or a master’s (MOT, MA, MS) or doctoral (OTD) degree in occupational therapy from accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
NOTE: Review licensure requirements for states interested in living in as ACOTE is requiring all programs to transition to bachelor degree for
assistants and doctoral degree for therapists by 2027.
Review state licensure requirements which will include passing an exam given by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
Passing the board exam will allow you to become Occupational Therapists Registered (OTR).
Consider a research focused doctoral degree and or gain some practice experience if interested in.
Cytotechnologists are highly skilled laboratory professionals who study the patterns of disease progression found in human cells. They detect subtle changes and clues within cells. With expert eyes, the cytotechnologist looks for the smallest abnormalities in color, shape, and size that may indicate clinically significant conditions. This profession provides the potential to help save lives by discovering disease early and uncovering information that informs effective treatment.
Screening and Diagnosis:
Cancer
Pre-cancerous abnormalities
Benign tumors or growths
Infectious organisms and inflammatory conditions
Evaluation of Tissue:
Bladder, body cavities, bone and soft tissue, breast, central nervous system, female reproductive tract, gastrointestinal tract, liver, lung, lymph nodes, pancreas, salivary glands, thyroid
Technological equipment operation:
Light microscopes
Biomedical instrumentation
Laboratory information systems
Molecular diagnostic testing
Hospital and private laboratories
Federal and state government laboratories
Public health facilities
Research and biotechnology industry
Healthcare administrative departments
Educational institutions
Earn a Bachelor or Master of Science in Cytotechnology from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Prepare for and pass the certification examination given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology’s Board of Certification.
Supplement curriculum with courses in biology that emphasize body structure, development, tissue organization, and function. Recommended courses include histology, cellular biology, and genetics. Additional recommendations may include other biological sciences such as zoology or ecology.
Become comfortable with applied learning techniques. Most programs utilize a combination of training activities such as microscopic evaluation, laboratory skills development, case presentations, research, community health projects, and supervised clinical laboratory site experiences.
Develop problem solving as well as effective written and verbal communication skills.
Display personal characteristics such as accuracy, responsibility, and motivation. Become comfortable making important decisions.
Plan to learn new technology and techniques to stay abreast of developments in the field.
Specialty certifications exist for those who want supervisory or other advanced positions.
Dental hygienists help people of all ages maintain optimal oral health by working with dentists to prevent and treat tooth decay, periodontal disease, oral cancer, and other conditions that affect oral function.
Specific areas of activity for dental hygienists include:
Gathering data for a dental diagnosis
Recording medical and dental histories
Screening and charting oral structures and conditions
Exposing and processing oral radiographs
Dietary analysis:
Providing oral disease prevention information and instruction
Monitoring oral health status of individuals
Providing therapeutic services
Removing calculus and plaque from teeth
Applying fluoride and dental sealants to teeth
Private dental offices and dental clinics
Federal, state, and local health departments or associated institutions
Hospitals and nursing homes
School districts or departments of education
Private business/industry
Correctional facilities
Private and public centers for pediatric, geriatric, and other individuals or groups with special needs
Managed care organizations
An associate’s or bachelor’s degree is required to enter the field in nearly all states.
A passing score on the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination and state or regional clinical examination is also required for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).
The scope of practice for dental hygienists is determined by individual states.
Opportunities for practice are available throughout the world, particularly with the military, the US government, and US owned corporations.
A master’s degree in dental hygiene is available at some institutions.
Dental hygienists with bachelor’s or master’s degrees may work in teaching, research or administrative positions.
Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills and an attention to detail.
HIM and informatics professionals play critical roles in maintaining, collecting, and analyzing the data that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers rely on in the delivery of quality healthcare.
Patient health information management
Operations/Medical records administration
Health information technology
Computer information systems Management
Revenue cycle management/billing and coding
Personnel and budget administration
Quality management and improvement
Risk management and compliance
Privacy and security
Utilization review
Management
Research
Health informatics specialties:
Clinical, clinical research, consumer health, dental mental health, nursing, pharmacy, primary care, public health, telemedicine and mobile computing, translational bioinformatics, veterinary
Hospitals
Physician offices and clinics
Long-term care facilities
Rehabilitation centers
Insurance companies
Government agencies
Home care providers
Behavioral health facilities
Information systems vendors
Pharmaceutical companies
Research facilities
Consulting firms
Educational institutions
Earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Health Information Management or Health Informatics from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
A passing score on a national examination is required for certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).
Visit a health information management department in a hospital to better understand the role of health information managers.
Research career opportunities through The American Health Information Management Association and The American College of Medical Informatics.
Develop strong oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, orientation to detail, flexibility, and advanced technology skills.
Federal legislation regarding Electronic Health Records (EHRs) has transformed this field in recent years.
Clinical laboratory scientists, also known as medical technologists, work together with other members of the healthcare team to perform and supervise laboratory analyses on blood, body fluids, and tissue. They also provide data to detect, diagnose, and monitor disease. Medical technologists use medical equipment such as microscopes, computers, and other highly technical instruments to assist them in their work.
Hematology
Immunohematology (blood banking)
Microbiology
Clinical chemistry
Immunology
Urinalysis
Mycology
Parasitology
Histocompatibility
Molecular diagnostics
Laboratory product development and sales
Hospital and private laboratories
Public health laboratories
Biotechnology industry
Pharmaceutical and chemical companies
Research and forensic laboratories
Veterinary clinics
Transplant and blood donor centers
Fertility clinics
Universities and colleges
Earn a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from a program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Be prepared to participate in supervised clinical experiences.
Many states require a license to practice. Obtain licensure by passing a certification exam given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification.
Attain good grades in pre-medical technology course work, including biology, anatomy, physiology, and general and organic chemistry.
Develop manual dexterity, fine motor skills, and an attention to detail. Be willing to work in a fast-paced environment.
Visit a clinical laboratory. Talk with practitioners to gain critical knowledge of the profession.
Nuclear medicine is a highly specialized field that involves preparing and administering radioactive chemical compounds (radiopharmaceuticals) and performing imaging procedures using radiation-detecting equipment. Nuclear Medicine Technologists process data and provide images, analysis, and patient information to physicians who make diagnoses.
Diagnosis and treatment (some applications):
Neurology, oncology, orthopedic, renal, cardiac, pulmonary
Specialties:
Nuclear cardiology
Positron emission tomography (PET)
Clinical Research
Education
Administration
Training
Sales
Community hospitals
Teaching hospitals
Medical centers
Public health institutions
Research institutes
Outpatient imaging facilities
Medical and diagnostic laboratories
Physician offices
Private clinics
Commercial radiopharmaceutical suppliers
Nuclear imaging equipment manufacturers
Secure a strong foundation in science and mathematics, along with interests in computer technology and medicine.
Develop strong interpersonal skills, as nuclear medicine technologists work directly with patients interviewing and providing instruction.
Conduct informational interviews or shadowing experiences with professionals, and plan to tour nuclear medicine facilities to confirm interest in the field.
Seek volunteer experience in a clinical setting, nuclear medicine if possible.
Earn a degree from a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).
Seek certification through one of two national accrediting agencies: Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT); certification requirements vary by state and employer.
Consider specializing further in nuclear cardiology or positron emission tomography (PET).
Approximately two-thirds of Nuclear Medicine Technologists work in hospitals. Professionals may be on call in some hospital settings.
Part-time or shift work may be available.