Healthcare Career Options

Health Information
Mental, Social, and Physical Specialties
Nursing
Diagnostic Services
Dietetics and Nutrition

Health care offers something for everyone!

There are over 200 different career opportunities for persons interested in a life choice related to health care. These options require different levels of educational commitment, but allow a great deal of choice upon attainment. Not only do hospitals need persons with health-related education, but many clinics, insurance companies and elder care facilities are relying on these professionals to provide services for patients and consumers.

With all of these opportunities, there is sure to be something that will fit everyone. If you'd like to speak to anyone in more detail about any of the careers listed below, please contact us at jobs@pellahealth.org or at 641-628-6605.

Health Information

Medical Record Administrator

The Medical Record Administrator (RRA) is responsible for seeing that each patient's medical records are complete, kept confidential and safeguarded from individuals not involved with the medical care of the patient. Confidentiality and legal aspects are also among their responsibilities - including handling subpoenas and dispositions. Requires completion of a certification program.

Medical Record Technician

The Medical Record Technician (ART) reviews medical records for completeness and accuracy, sees that all information on a patient is available and arranged properly in the patient's chart, and translates the names of diseases and surgical procedures into coding symbols for retrieval and payment purposes. Computers, microfilm and microfiche equipment are some of the modern aids used to carry out functions within this position. Requires completion of a certification program.

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Mental, Physical and Social Specialties

Athletic Trainer

An athletic trainer is an integral part of a complete athletic program. The trainer's duties consist of implementing prevention-of-injury programs and immediate treatment and rehabilitation procedures for in the injured athlete as directed by a team physician. More specifically, the athletic trainer is professionally educated to recognize and evaluate injuries associated with competitive sports; provide immediate treatment and then determine if an injury requires further, specialized care; implement prevention-of-injury programs; plan and implement rehabilitation of injury regimens; educate and counsel athletes concerning health care; and, organize and administer an athletic training program. Requires a bachelors degree.

Audiologist, Speech - Language Pathologist

Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology are professions, which have developed out of concern for people with speech and hearing disorders. Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists, or speech therapists as they have formerly been called, devote themselves to helping both children and adults overcome speech and hearing problems. Speech-Language Pathologists primarily specialize in helping people with problems of speech, language and voice disorders. They primarily diagnose and evaluate the individual's speech and language ability, then plan, direct and conduct a treatment program to restore or develop patient's communication skills. Speech-Language Pathology degrees require a Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. An internship after the Master's Degree is required to become Certified (CCP). Audiologists concentrate on individual with hearing problems. They assess the type and degree of hearing impairment, then plan, direct and conduct rehabilitation and training programs. Audiology requires completion of a Master's Degree. Certification as an audiologist requires a Master's Degree plus 1-year of experience.

Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapy is the use of purposeful activities as rehabilitation for persons with physical injury or illness, psychosocial dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, poverty and cultural differences or the aging process. The ultimate goal of occupational therapy is to help the patient reach his/her highest level of functioning in normal activities of daily living (ADLs). Occupational Therapists work closely with other health care professionals and with the patient and family to provide education regarding the nature of the disability, precautions, home programs and community programs. To become an Occupational Therapist, a bachelor's degree plus an internship is required (5 years total).

Occupational Therapy Assistant, Certified

Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) aid therapists in rehabilitation activities. Duties may include educational, vocational, and recreational activity programs, teaching and assisting patients and making reports on the patient's progress to the therapist. They may also perform tasks such as ordering, preparing and laying out materials, helping to make splints and braces and maintaining tools and equipment. Persons may become certified as an OT Assistant by completing a course of study lasting 12-18 months.

Pharmacist

Pharmacists are primary dispensers of medicines and health supplies. They make available thousands of items used in health care, ranging from the drugs and chemicals used in compounding prescription medication to sickroom supplies. Pharmacists also serve the community as a primary source of information on health topics. They help patrons maintain their health and well-being by giving them the health information they need, or by telling them where they can get the help they should have. Pharmacists must have completed a doctorate-level of education (PharmD) and pass a test to become licensed in the state in which they desire to work.

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapists work with patients to restore physical function, prevent disability and relieve pain after disease or injury. All treatment is directed toward normal movement and independence. Therapists review records, conduct assessments of joint motion, muscle strength, posture, gait, sensory perception, reflexes, muscle tone, endurance and cardiac status. Treatment programs are designed with an emphasis on the patient's reintegration into society and his/her home environment. Methods of treatment include: therapeutic exercise, gait and transfer training, cardiac rehabilitation, and the use of pain relieving modalities. The study of Physical Therapy requires a Master's Degree plus a written exam to become licensed in his/her state.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistants help the professional Physical Therapist in patient-related activities, by carrying out the tasks for which he/she was educated under the physical therapist's direction. Assistants perform certain routine treatment procedures in accordance with the planned programs, assist the physical therapist in carrying out more complex procedures and observe and report patient behavior to the therapist. A 2-year associates degree is required to work as a Physical Therapy Assistant.

Physical Therapy Aide

The Physical Therapy Aide is a non-licensed worker who has completed an on-the-job training program. The aide's function is to perform designated routine tasks related to the operation of a physical therapy program and to the treatment of the patient. An aide works in maintaining and transporting equipment and supplies, and in preparing and cleaning treatment areas. General office duties and special assignments related to operational procedures are performed. One may also assist the patients in many ways and may perform some basic treatment procedures as assigned by the Physical Therapist. A high school diploma or GED is acceptable to be trained into a Physical Therapy Aide position.

Respiratory Therapist, Registered

A career in Respiratory Therapy offers an individual the opportunity to blend hi-tech and scientific responsibilities with the human aspect of patient are to treat a person with heart and lung abnormalities. This health care specialty offers a set of unique challenges in the areas of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for people with lung problems. Respiratory Therapy programs are 2 or 4 year programs.

Respiratory Therapy Technician, Certified

Certified Respiratory Therapy Technicians (CRTT) work under the supervision of both the therapist and the physician. Their duties are essentially the same as those of the therapist. However, they make fewer decisions and have less responsibility in performing treatments, due to their clinical education, which is less comprehensive than that of a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Certification as a Respiratory Therapy Technician requires completion of a 12-18 month course of study.

Surgical Technologist, Certified

The surgical technologist, also referred to as an operating room technician, is supervised by a registered nurse and performs tasks that are essential to the continuity of the surgical procedure. The technologist arranges supplies and instruments, keeping an accurate count of the latter at all times; helps the surgical team members scrub and dress for surgery; passes instruments and other sterile supplies to the surgeon during the operation; helps apply dressings; and helps prepare and preserve specimens taken for testing. The technologist, if qualified, may also operate sterilizers, lights, suction machines, and diagnostic equipment and may become specialized in certain areas of operating room surgery. Most persons complete a 12-18 month course of study to become certified as a Surgical Technologist.

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Nursing

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Certified Nursing Assistants provide basic patient care under direct nursing supervision. One of the most important duties of the nursing assistant is to be sensitive to changes in the symptoms and needs of patients. Notifying nurses of changes can have an important effect on the quality of care a patient receives. Nursing Assistants may bathe and feed patients, take patients' vital signs, make beds, and provide other assistance to the nurse. Persons may become certified as a Nursing Assistant by completing a 75 to 120 hour course, generally offered through community colleges or through some health centers or nursing homes.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

A Licensed Practical Nurse works under the supervision of a registered nurse giving nursing care to patients in situations that are routine and uncomplicated. He/She works very closely with a registered nurse in giving care to patients in a more complex situation. The LPN is qualified to also give routine bedside care and selected portions of the individual's plan of care. He/She may also serve in a medical office setting as a nurse for a physician providing clinic-based care. Persons may become licensed as a practical nurse by successfully completing a 12-18 month program.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Nursing is an art and science directed at the promotion of health, prevention of disease and care of the sick. It is practiced in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, industries, schools and homes. Nurses are called upon to perform a wide range of services requiring a high level of knowledge and judgment. The profession provides an array of intellectual challenges and a host of career opportunities. Today's nurse operates and interprets intricate life-saving equipment and understands, administers and evaluates the effects of a wide range of medications. They also participate in patient care evaluation, discharge planning and patient teaching. The nurse is responsible for assisting the patient in lifestyle changes and promoting self-care for patients with chronic/self-limiting health concerns. Training as a Registered Nurse requires more than two years, but less than four years for most persons. For those who wish to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, a 4-year program is required. Master's level degrees are also available, including MSN or a master's-level degree as a Nurse Practitioner (NP).

Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

The Nurse Anesthetists is an essential member of the surgical team. He/She is a skilled and highly educated specialist who, under the direction of a physician, administers anesthetics to patients for all types of surgery. They also practice in the obstetrics department, with psychiatric patients, in the respiratory therapy department, the emergency room and in dental offices. Attention to vital signs and changes in the patient's condition is one of the important functions of the Nurse Anesthetist. Nurse Anesthetist positions require a Bachelor's of Nursing (BSN) degree with a minimum of one year of experience plus an additional 24-36 month nurse anesthetist program.

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Diagnostic Services

Medical Laboratory Technician

Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) assist Medical Technologists by performing diagnostic tests such as culturing and identifying bacteria found in blood. MLTs are trained through a two-year associates degree program.

Medical Technologist (MT)

Medical Technologists perform laboratory tests, which play a vital role in the maintenance of health and in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They examine blood tissue and other body fluids to assist the physician in the proper diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Medial Technologists are knowledgeable in all areas of routine procedures as well as those specialized tests that require more complex techniques. They work with a variety of complex precision instruments and computers. Completion of a Medical Technologist degree requires a minimum of a 4-year Bachelor's degree that will include an internship in the field.

Radiologic Technologist

The Radiologic Technologist provides patient service by using radiant energy to aid the physician in disease diagnosis. Duties include providing patient care essential to x-ray procedures in routine and emergency situations; correctly adjusting equipment and positioning patients for optimum quality x-ray films, exercising discretion and judgment in the performance of medical imaging procedures and applying procedures of radiation protection for the patient; effectively producing and evaluating the technical aspects of the required files. With ongoing advancements in the field of medical imaging, the Radiologic Technologist has a wide array of specialties and advanced learning opportunities available to him/her. Radiologic Technologist certification requires a minimum of a two-year associates degree. Further specialization within the medical imaging field requires completion of further study that will lead to certification in his/her area of interest, such as CT, Mammography and ultrasound.

Ultrasound Technologist

Ultrasound Technologists (Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) use complex equipment to direct high frequency sound waves into specific areas of the patients' body to obtain visual information about internal organs, development of the fetus in a pregnant woman, fluid accumulations or masses. A minimum of a two-year associates degree plus an additional certification program is required.

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Dietetics and Nutrition

Dietitian

Dietitians and nutritionists represent dietetics, a profession in the health field which focuses on nutrition. Dietitians are specialists in food administration, therapeutic nutrition, and education. They excel in the sciences of nutrition management. Therapeutic (or clinical) dietitians, as members of the health care team, provide nutritional care to patients. An important phase of this work includes interpreting dietary recommendations and adapting these to the food pattern of patients, taking into account their income, cultural background, and living conditions. Therapeutic dietitians may also counsel groups and individuals about foods and essentials of nutrition in outpatient clinics. Study in the field of dietetics requires a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree. Master' s level degrees are also available.

Dietetic Assistant

Dietetic Assistants work under the direction of a dietitian, dietetic technician or food service supervisor and are responsible for providing food services in hospitals and other facilities. Typical responsibilities include assisting with menu preparation, production schedules and the standardization of recipes. Dietetic assistants are also involved in patient care services consisting of processing dietary menus, helping patients with menu selection, and writing routine modified diets according to established patterns. Typically a dietetic assistant training course requires 12-18 months of study.

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