Download Not Just Doctors and Nurses

Explore Careers in
Health Care
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Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. We are an equal opportunity employer/program.
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Alaska Occupations by Employment
Outlook
Top 11 were all health careers. All were reported as Robust Growth
with VERY High openings, in no particular order.
Dental Assistants
Dental Hygienists
Healthcare Support Workers
Home Health Aides
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Medical Assistants
Medical and Health Services
Managers
Mental Health and Substance
Abuse Social Workers
Nursing Assistants
Personal Care Aides
Registered Nurses
Let’s talk
TIME and Money
When it comes to health
careers, TYPICALLY, the
longer you go to school, the
higher your salary will be…
Certified Nursing Assistant/Aid........................................$29,870
Dental Assistant...............................................................$36,730
EMT/Paramedic.................................................$34,073/$43,198
Licensed Practical Nurse.................................................$36,000
Medical Assistant.............................................................$31,770
Medical Coding Specialist................................................$34,320
Pharmacy Technician.......................................................$33,760
Radiographic Technologist...............................................$57,470
Alaska Dept. of Labor April 2013
Dental Hygienist.....................................................$70,210
Dietitian...................................................................$62,750
Industrial Hygienist..................................................$76,830
Medical Laboratory Technologist.............................$66,740
Registered Nurse.....................................................$63,260
Respiratory Therapist...............................................$67,220
Social Worker...........................................................$44,460
Emergency Dispatchers
Emergency dispatchers direct the activity of
police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances.
Median Wage in Alaska - $19.18/hr
Typical program – Less than 1 year
Paramedic
Paramedics are usually the first to arrive at the
scene of an emergency. They offer critical, often
life-saving, medical care while patients are
transported to the hospital.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $25.68/hr
Typical program – 2 years
Medical Assistant (MA or CMA)
Medical assistants help care for patients. They carry out
routine treatments, conduct lab tests, and maintain office
records. Assistants take medical histories and record patients'
weight, pulse rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs. They
explain treatments to patients and prepare them for the exam.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $17.94/hr
Typical program – 1-2 years
Heath Information Technician
Health information technicians collect, code, and
maintain medical information about patients.
They make sure records are complete and
accurate. They also develop organized filing and
storage systems that make it easy to store and
gather files.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $17.82/hr
Typical program – 6 months to 2 years
Computer Systems Administrator
Computer systems administrators design,
install, and support an organization's computer
system. They make sure all parts of a computer
system work to meet the organization's goals.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $33.41/hr
Typical program – 4-6 years
Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
CNAs give personal care to patients in hospitals
and nursing homes. They assist with eating,
dressing, bathing, toileting, exercising, and
walking. CNAs record vital signs and perform a
variety of other duties.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $16.23/hr
Typical program – 8 weeks
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses work to promote health and to help
patients cope with illness. They work with patients in
hospitals, doctors' offices, nursing homes, and public health
facilities such as government agencies and schools.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $38.55/hr
Typical program – 2-4 years
Physician
Physicians ask patients questions, examine patients, order lab
tests, and prescribe medication. They also explain test results
and review treatment options with patients and their families.
If more than one treatment is available, they help patients
decide which option to choose. Physicians may also specialize
in a particular area.
Average wage in U.S. – Approx $90/hr
Typical program – 11 years, more for a specialty
Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists use tourniquets, needles, swabs,
and other equipment to collect blood samples.
After drawing blood, they label and store it for
processing and may transport samples to labs.
Wage in Anchorage – $15-20/hr
Typical program – 6-12 months
Medical Laboratory Technician
Lab technicians run tests using samples of body fluids, cells, or
tissues. Sometimes they use samples to prepare slides.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $16.60/hr
Typical program – 2 years
Medical Laboratory Technologist
Medical laboratory technologists conduct complex tests to
help detect, diagnose, and treat diseases. Technologists
study blood samples to count the number of cells and
determine the blood type.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $31.23/hr
Typical program – 4 years
Radiologic Technologist
Radiologic technologists, also known as
radiologic technicians and radiographers, provide
information that is used to diagnose medical
problems. They create images of the inside of the
body.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $31.46/hr
Typical program – 2 years
Biomedical Service Technician
Biomedical Technicians/Medical Equipment Repairers
install, test, adjust, and repair medical equipment. They
maintain a variety of technical equipment. For example, they
work with monitors, scanners, x-ray units, and ultrasound
devices. They use meters and test instruments to inspect
equipment that is not working. They adjust the equipment
using tools and measuring devices. To do this work,
repairers refer to manufacturers' manuals, technical
drawings, or blueprints.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $22.30/hr
Typical program – 2 years
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapists evaluate, treat, and care
for patients with breathing disorders.
Sometimes they care for infants whose lungs
are not fully developed. More often they care
for elderly people whose lungs are diseased. In
some cases, they give care during patient
emergencies.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $31.91/hr
Typical program – 2 years
Cardiovascular Technologist
Cardiovascular technologists help doctors
identify and treat cardiac (heart) and vascular
(blood vessel) problems.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $42.44/hr
Typical program – 2 years
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear medicine technologists use cameras
that detect radioactive drugs as they move
through patients' bodies. To track the
movement of drugs, technologists arrange
patients and the equipment in the proper
position.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $37.10/hr
Typical program – 2 years
Surgeon
Surgeons perform surgery to diagnose and treat
patients. They repair organs, blood vessels, and
other parts of the body. Sometimes they perform
operations to determine the location and extent of
disorders such as cancer. There are many specialties.
Average wage in U.S. – $107/hr
Typical program – 8 years + 5-6 years residency
Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists are doctors who give patients drugs to relieve
pain or put them to sleep during surgery. During the procedure,
anesthesiologists monitor patients' temperature, pulse, heart,
and breathing rates. They watch for bad reactions to the drugs.
Approx Median Wage in the U.S. – $102.90/hr
Typical program – 12 years
Surgical Technologist
Surgical technologists prepare for and
assist with surgical procedures. During
surgery, technologists pass instruments
and supplies to surgeons and their
assistants.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $23.88/hr
Typical program – 2 years
Dietician
Dietitians plan diets for patients and educate people
about eating healthy foods. Management dietitians
are in charge of meal planning on a large scale. They
generally work in large hospitals, schools, prisons,
and cafeterias. Clinical dietitians work in hospitals
and nursing homes. Community dietitians work
with the public as well as with patients. Consultant
dietitians often run their own business.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $31.98/hr
Typical program – 4-6 years
Pharmacist
Pharmacists dispense drugs that are
prescribed by doctors and other health care
workers. Those who work in hospitals or
clinics advise medical staff on the selection
and effects of drugs. They monitor patients'
drug use to make sure they do not take
drugs that have harmful interactions.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $60.18/hr
Typical program – 6 years
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Techs technicians review prescriptions or requests
for refills that they receive from patients. To fill prescriptions,
they count, pour, measure, or mix the medication. Then they
select a container, and prepare and attach a label. They price
and file the prescription, which must be checked by a
pharmacist before it is given to a patient.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $18.94/hr
Typical program – On-The-Job Training
Medical Coders and Billers
Medical coders and billers assign codes to illnesses,
injuries, and medical procedures based on doctor's and
nurse's notes. They enter these codes on insurance
forms.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $17.94/hr
Typical program – 6 months to 1 year
Health Administrator
Health services administrators run hospitals and
other health care facilities. Health services
administrators make sure health care standards
are met and make sure hospitals and clinics run
efficiently.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $37.49/hr
Typical program – 4-6 years
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners often function as primary
care doctors. This means they see patients for a
variety of issues as well as general check-ups.
They can prescribe certain medications and
may specialize in a treatment area.
Median Wage in the U. S. – Approx $45/hr
Typical program – 6 years
Physician Assistant (PA)
PAs do basic care, such as interview
patients, perform physical exams, and
order lab tests. PAs make basic diagnoses
and give shots. They also do more complex
tasks, such as set simple fractures and run
electrocardiograms (EKG).
Median Wage in Anchorage – $42.89/hr
Typical program – 4-6 years
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people who have mental,
physical, or developmental disabilities. These disabilities are
caused by birth defects, injuries, illnesses, or aging. Therapists
help people develop, recover, or maintain their living and work
skills.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $37.25/hr
Typical program – 7-8 years
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists care for patients with
disabilities, injuries, or pain. They help patients
decrease pain, improve strength, and increase
range of motion.
Median Wage in Anchorage - $41.72/hr
Typical program – 7 years
Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapist assistants have a variety of tasks. Before working
with patients, they confer with a physical therapist about the
treatment plan for that patient. Under the direction of therapists, they
teach patients how to do exercises to strengthen muscles or improve
mobility. They train patients how to use and care for braces or
prostheses (artificial body parts). They teach patients to use support
devices such as crutches, and do a variety of other tasks.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $19.93/hr
Typical program – 2 years
Personal Care Assistant (PCA)
Personal and home care aides provide services to elderly,
disabled, and ill clients so they can live in their own homes.
In general, personal and home care aides provide light
housekeeping and personal care services. They do laundry,
change bed linens, and may do a little cleaning. Some aides
plan meals (including special diets), shop for food, and cook.
Aides also help clients move from their bed, bathe, dress, and
groom. Some go with clients outside the home, serving as a
guide and companion.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $14.44/hr
Typical program – Approx 1 month or On-The-Job Training
Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselors help those who
suffer from emotional disorders, mental
illnesses, and those undergoing difficult life
circumstances.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $28.34/hr
Typical program – 6 years
Dentist
Dentists examine patients' teeth and mouth and correct
dental problems. For example, they fill cavities, pull
teeth, and try to prevent dental disease.
Approx Median Wage in Alaska – $80/hr
Typical program – 8 years
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists clean teeth and teach clients how to
prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Hygienists use
dental instruments to clean plaque and various stains
from teeth, in preparation for the dentist. Part of that
preparation may include applying numbing agents to a
patient's gums. Some hygienists are licensed to administer
local anesthesia.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $43.57/hr
Typical program – 3 years
Dental Assistant
Dental assistants obtain dental records and
prepare patients for their exam. They hand
instruments and materials to dentists during
procedures and use suction devices to keep
patients' mouths dry and clear. They also
sterilize the instruments and equipment and
prepare tray setups.
Median Wage in Anchorage – $20.77/hr
Typical program – 1 year
Avoid Barriers to Employment in Health Care
 Professional Appearance, no offensive
or excessive tattoos or piercings,
THINK TWICE!
 Drug/alcohol related offenses
 Driving record
Introduction to Health Science
Professionalism in Health Care
Medical Terminology
Emergency Trauma Technician
Emergency Medical Technician
Math in Health Care
Personal Care Assistant
Certified Nursing Assistant
Other Activities
Job Shadowing
Career Fairs
Mini Medical School