Simply put, becoming a physician takes an extraordinary amount of hard work, dedication and sometimes a sense of calling that may have started at a young age. The physician is a vital member of the healthcare team. Their work allows for the care of the most vulnerable people—the patients. When asked, “Why am I a physician?” responses typically include:

• I am a lifelong learner—as a physician I am always expanding my knowledge
• I am intrigued by the way medicine can be used to improve one’s life
• The variety—in the patients I see and in my schedule
• I have an intellectual curiosity about medicine
• I am amazed by biology and anatomy
• I enjoy a challenge and love to figure things out (diagnosing)
• I want to help people
• I wish to understand how disease affects the body
• I had a good relationship with a physician who influenced me
• The income is well above average
• I realize that my knowledge could save someone’s life

1. Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, what is the job outlook for physicians?

The journey to becoming a physician is challenging yet rewarding. Most physicians complete at least four years of undergraduate school, four years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, three to eight years in internship and residency programs.

Most medical school applicants have at least a bachelor’s degree and many have advanced degrees as medical schools are highly competitive. Most applicants must submit transcripts, scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and letters of recommendation. Many schools require applicants to interview with members of the admissions committee.

Students spend most of the first two years of medical school in laboratories and classrooms gaining practical skills by learning to take medical histories, examining patients and diagnosing illnesses. During their last two years, medical students work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians in hospitals and clinics. Through rotations in internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry and surgery, they gain experience in diagnosing and treating illnesses in a variety of areas.

After medical school, they become a resident for three to eight years and learn all aspects of patient care while preparing for practice in a medical specialty. After residency, they may become board certified in a specialty, which involves a rigorous process of testing and peer evaluation that is designed and administered by specialists in their specific area of medicine.

1. Internet Research: Research a local college/university/school with a program to become a physician. Provide the following information:
   • School location
   • Length of program/degree


2. Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, what is the current median pay of a physician?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physicians diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. They examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They often counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare.

• Taking a patient’s medical history
• Updating charts and patient information to show current findings and treatments
• Ordering tests for nurses or other healthcare staff to perform
• Reviewing test results to identify any abnormal findings
• Recommending and designing a plan of treatment
• Addressing concerns or answering questions patients have about their health and well-being
• Helping patients take care of their health by discussing topics such as proper nutrition and hygiene

1. On Your Own: Using the list above, identify which responsibilities benefit the patient and which responsibilities benefit other members of the healthcare team.

Nurses are vital members of a patient’s healthcare team, often having the most patient interaction. Nursing is an emotionally-fulfilling and rewarding career that blends science and technology with the art of caring and compassion. Individuals who excel in nursing may have many of the following interests and skills:

• Fond of and amazed by biology
• Desire to help and educate others
• Interest in how diseases affect the body
• Enjoyment of a fast paced, flexible environment
• Ability to listen and empathize with others
• Desire to use knowledge to make someone’s life better

Nursing careers have many advantages, including:

• Positive image of nurses in the media
• Strong career demand (jobs are plentiful)
• Ability to find a job in any city, even internationally
• Ability to specialize in a specific health condition, part of the body, group of people or workplace

1. Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, what is the job outlook for registered nurses?

After deciding to become a nurse, you need to determine which educational path to pursue:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) — a two-year program at a community college or hospital
• Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) — a four-year program at a university or college, or two years of pre-nursing classes at a community college followed by a two-year program at a hospital. The last two years of study provide clinical experience in hospital departments including pediatrics, psychiatry, maternity and surgery.

To become a registered nurse, after completing an ADN or BSN degree, you must pass the national licensing examination (NCLEX-RN). After passing the NCLEX-RN certification your state may also require continuing education units (CEUs) over the years to maintain your license.

1. Internet Research: Research a local college/university/school with a medical program to become a registered nurse. Provide the following information:
   • School location
   • Length of program/degree


2. Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, what is the current median pay of a registered nurse?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.

• Record patients’ medical histories and symptoms
• Administer patients’ medicines and treatments
• Set up plans for patients’ care or contribute to existing plans
• Observe patients and record observations
• Consult with doctors and other healthcare professionals
• Operate and monitor medical equipment
• Help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results
• Teach patients and their families how to manage illnesses or injuries
• Explain what to do at home after treatment

1. On Your Own: Using the list above, identify which responsibilities benefit the patient and which responsibilities benefit other members of the healthcare team.

You are organized, excel in science and math and like to solve problems. You are naturally curious, eager to learn new technology and have strong communication skills. A career as a medical technologist might be right for you because:

• A technologist’s work schedule can be very flexible (part-time, evenings or weekends).
• There are several educational tracks to becoming a medical technologist. Some positions require a two-year degree and some require a bachelor’s degree.
• There are two paths to choose from—one that works directly with patients or one that doesn’t—either way, you are a very important member of a healthcare team.
• With many new diagnostic tools and software, it is an exciting and challenging field.
• Technologists are in demand and can work in many different areas.
• Your work helps people become healthier.

• Radiology or MRI technologists use diagnostic equipment to produce images of tissue, organs, bones and vessels of the body.
• Laboratory technologists collect, process and analyze biological samples such as blood and tissue to look for the presence of disease.

1. Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, what is the job outlook for medical laboratory technologist and a radiologic/MRI technologist?

Many people with varying skills and backgrounds work as medical technologists. Laboratory technologists generally have either a two-year associate’s degree studying clinical laboratory science or a four-year bachelor’s degree studying for a medical laboratory scientist degree.

Radiology technologists generally have completed a two-year certification program, a two-year associate’s degree program or a four-year bachelor’s degree program. They are also required to pass certification exams.

A two-year certificate or associate program focuses on the technical skills required by radiology, such as radiation protection and medical imaging procedures. A bachelor’s degree program can either be specialized in a specific type of radiology equipment or a more generalized focus on radiologic sciences.

1. Internet Research: Research a local college/university/school with a laboratory technologist or radiology technologist degree program. Provide the following information:
   • School location
   • Length of program/degree


2. Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, what is the current median pay of a laboratory technologist and a radiologic/MRI technologist?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical laboratory technologists collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue and other substances. Radiology technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations such as X-rays on patients and MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images.

• Keeping detailed patient records by logging data from tests and entering results
• Discussing results and findings of tests and procedures with physicians
• Supervising or training medical laboratory technicians
• Precisely following orders from physicians
• Preparing patients for procedures, including taking a medical history and answering questions about the procedure

• Analyze body fluids (such as blood, urine and tissue samples) and record normal or abnormal findings
• Study blood samples for use in transfusions by identifying the number of cells, the cell morphology or the blood group, blood type and compatibility with other blood types
• Operate sophisticated laboratory equipment such as microscopes and cell counters
• Use automated equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests at the same time

• Adjust and maintain imaging equipment
• Protect the patient by shielding exposed areas that do not need to be imaged
• Position the patient and the equipment in order to get the correct image
• Operate the computerized equipment to take the images

1. On Your Own: Using the list above, identify which responsibilities benefit the patient and which responsibilities benefit other members of the healthcare team.

You are organized, have good communication skills, excel at chemistry and math, and like to solve problems. A career as a pharmacist might be right for you because:

• You would be an important member of a healthcare team but would not deal with most physical aspects of patient care.
• People who take prescription (and non-prescription) drugs would look to you to make sure medications are safe and effective.
• A pharmacist’s work schedule can be flexible. You could work part-time, evenings or weekends, or opt for a seven-day-on/seven-day-off shift.
• You could become a full-fledged, licensed pharmacist with a Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) in your early 20’s and may not have to complete a residency program.
• With many innovations and new drugs, it is an exciting and challenging field.
• You would be in demand, earn a good salary and could work in many different locations throughout the country.
• You would help people become healthier.

1. Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, what is the job outlook for pharmacists?

As a pre-pharmacy student, you will complete two to four years of undergraduate school at a college or university and will take the PCAT to qualify for pharmacy school.

Your PharmD degree from an accredited college or school of pharmacy takes another four years to complete. Courses teach you about all aspects of drug therapy and how to communicate with patients and other healthcare providers about drug information and patient care. In addition, you will learn about professional ethics, concepts of public health and business management. Besides classroom instruction, you will experience clinical rotations working with licensed pharmacists in a variety of practice settings.

1. Internet Research: Research a local college/university/school with a PharmD degree program. Provide the following information:
   • School location
   • Length of program/degree


2. Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, what is the current median pay of a pharmacist?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. They also provide advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle, conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunizations and oversee the medications given to patients.

• Fill prescriptions, verifying instructions from physicians on the proper amounts of medication to give patients
• Check whether the prescription will negatively interact with other drugs that a patient is taking or with any of the patient’s medical conditions
• Instruct patients on how and when to take a prescribed medicine and inform them about potential side effects
• Advise patients about general health topics such as diet, exercise, stress management and equipment or supplies that would be best to treat a health problem
• Give flu shots and, in most states, other vaccinations
• Complete insurance forms and work with insurance companies to ensure that patients get the medicines they need
• Oversee the work of pharmacy technicians and pharmacists in training (interns)
• Keep records and other administrative tasks
• Teach other healthcare practitioners about proper medication therapies for patients

1. On Your Own: Using the list above, identify which responsibilities benefit the patient and which responsibilities benefit other members of the healthcare team.

You are organized, like mathematics and excel at written and oral communication. You also enjoy business law and science classes. You want to be a vital member of a healthcare team, and also enjoy the business aspect. A career as a medical and health services manager (also called hospital administrator, healthcare executive or healthcare administrator) might be right for you because you could:

• Work in a variety of healthcare facilities, but not directly with patients.
• Earn a very good salary, be in demand and work in many locations throughout the country.
• Work with a very talented group of people, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, technologists and health coaches.
• Work in an exciting, challenging and constantly changing field.
• Make a difference in healthcare quality and costs.

“There are many people who hear the call to save lives, but not all of them like cutting into people. The hospital administrator (also called a medical and health services manager) plays a vital role in saving lives, without having to take scalpel in hand.” — Princeton Review

1. Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, what is the job outlook for medical and health service managers?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. However, master’s degrees in health services, long-term care administration, public health, public administration or business administration are also common.

Courses for a degree in health administration often include:

• Hospital Organization and Management
• Accounting and Budgeting
• Human Resources Administration
• Strategic Planning
• Law and Ethics
• Health Economics
• Health Information Systems

1. Internet Research: Research a local college/university/school with a medical and health services manager degree program. Provide the following information:
   • School location
   • Length of program/degree


2. Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, what is the current median pay of a medical and health services manager?

• Work to improve efficiency and quality in delivering healthcare services
• Keep up-to-date on new laws and regulations, so the facility in which they work stays in compliance
• Supervise assistant administrators in facilities that are large enough to need them
• Manage the finances of the facility including patient fees and billing
• Create work schedules
• Represent the facility at investor meetings or on governing boards
• Keep and organize records of the facility’s services, such as the number of inpatient beds used
• Communicate with members of the medical staff and department heads

1. On Your Own: Using the list above, identify which responsibilities benefit the patient and which responsibilities benefit other members of the healthcare team.

You are goal-oriented and always have a detailed, organized plan of attack to reach your goals. You care about maintaining your own health, striving to eat right and exercise and encouraging others to do so as well. As an important member of the patient’s healthcare team, a health coach fulfills a vital mission: educating patients, staff and the community on living healthier lives.

A career as a health coach (also called a health educator, community health worker or wellness coach) might be right for you, if:

• You enjoy developing a plan of action
• You enjoy gathering and analyzing data
• You like to create programs that meet specific needs
• You enjoy learning about topics such as health, fitness, nutrition, lifestyle modification and community health
• You enjoy working with others one-on-one or as a member of a team
• You are a good listener
• You encourage others through mentoring or motivation
• You educate others—acting as a teacher or guide
• You are passionate about living a life of wellness

1. Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, what is the job outlook for a health coach (educator)?

There are many different educational paths to becoming a health coach (educator), including:

• Obtaining a license as a nurse, dental hygienist, physician assistant or other healthcare professional, followed by studying and passing the National Society of Health Coaches exam.
• Obtaining a four-year degree in Health Education, followed by studying for and becoming a certified health education specialist (CHES).
• Obtaining a four-year degree in Dietetics that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE), completing a six to twelve month CADE internship and passing a licensing exam. Followed by completing the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching exam and certification.
• Becoming a certified personal trainer, obtaining 2,000 hours of experience in personal training, then registering and completing the wellcoaches® School of Coaching course and exam.

1. Internet Research: Research a local college/university/school with a health education or community health degree program. Provide the following information:
   • School location
   • Length of program/degree
   
   
2. Internet Research: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, what is the current median pay of a health coach (educator)?

• Assessing the needs of the people and communities you serve
• Developing programs and events to teach people about health topics
• Teaching people how to cope with or manage existing health conditions
• Helping people find health services or information
• Providing training programs for other health professionals or community health workers
• Supervising staff who implement health education programs
• Collecting and analyzing data to evaluate the effectiveness of programs
• Advocating for improved health resources and policies that promote health
• Providing outreach and discussing healthcare concerns with community members
• Educating people about the importance and availability of healthcare services such as cancer screenings
• Collecting data and reporting findings to health educators and other health providers
• Providing informal counseling and social support
• Conducting outreach programs
• Ensuring that people have access to the healthcare services they need
• Advocating for individual and community needs

1. On Your Own: Using the list above, identify which responsibilities benefit the patient and which responsibilities benefit other members of the healthcare team.