Download Athletic Trainer

Athletic Trainer
ATC’s deal in the treatment, preventions, and care for athletic injuries.
The often work in High Schools, Colleges, clinics, professional teams,
industrial settings, and fitness clubs. They often are responsible for
making an injured athlete comfortable. They must attend at least 4
years of school and pass both state and national certifying test to
practice athletic training services. Many go on to grad schools and
work as Graduate Assistants to receive their masters degree in a
related field for free. The average salary is anywhere from $27,00037,000 starting out.
Chiropractor
Chiropractors treat patients by manually adjusting parts of the human
body, especially the spine. Chiropractors and their patients believe
that problems with bone and nerve alignment can cause illness and
problems in other parts of the body, a view not widely accepted by
allopathic physicians and other traditional medical practitioners.
Chiropractors manipulate their patients' spinal columns for treatment.
They may prescribe specific diets or exercises, but not drugs.
Chiropractors cannot perform surgery.
Most chiropractors establish a private practice and some provide home
treatments. Others form group partnerships in clinics or chiropractic
hospitals.
Average Salary*
$75,000 - $125,000
Educational Requirements*
Students who want to become chiropractors should have a high school
diploma or an equivalent and two years of college or junior college
study. Students then must complete a program at a chiropractic
college. Most states require that chiropractors pass a certification
examination before being granted a license to practice.
Dentist
Dentists diagnose, prevent, and treat problems of the teeth and
tissues of the mouth. They remove decay and fill cavities, examine xrays, place protective plastic sealants on children's teeth, straighten
teeth, and repair fractured teeth. They also perform corrective surgery
of the gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases. Dentists
extract teeth and make molds and measurements for dentures to
replace missing teeth. Dentists provide instruction in diet, brushing,
flossing, the use of fluorides, and other aspects of dental care, as well.
They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for antibiotics
and other medications. Most dentists are general practitioners who
handle a wide variety of dental needs. Other dentists practice in one of
eight specialty areas.Orthodontists, the largest group of specialists,
straighten teeth. The next largest group, oral and maxillofacial
surgeons, who operate on the mouth and jaws. The remainder
specialize in pediatric dentistry; periodontics (treating the gums and
the bone supporting the teeth); prosthodontics (making artificial teeth
or dentures); endodontics (root canal therapy); dental public health;
and oral pathology (studying diseases of the mouth).
Average Salary*
$85,000 - $150,000
Educational Requirements*
All 50 states and the District of Columbia require dentists to be
licensed. To qualify for a license in most States, a candidate must
graduate from a dental school accredited by the American Dental
Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation and pass written and
practical examinations. Candidates may fulfill the written part of the
State licensing by passing the National Board of Dental Examinations.
Individual States or regional testing agencies give the written and/or
practical examinations.
All dental schools require applicants to take the Dental Admissions
Test (DAT). They consider scores earned on the DAT, the applicants'
grade point average, and personal recommendations when selecting
students. Dentistry requires diagnostic ability and manual skills.
Dentists should have good visual memory, excellent judgment of space
and shape, and a high degree of manual dexterity. Good business
sense, self-discipline, communication skills, and the ability to instill
confidence are helpful for success in private practice. High school
students who want to become dentists should take courses in biology,
chemistry, physics, health and science.
Dental Hygienist
Licensed to provide direct care to the patient. The diverse duties of the
dental hygienist include oral prophylaxis (cleaning), exposing,
processing and mounting radiographs, collecting and evaluating
medical history information, performing health and neck screening
examinations, and applying agents for the prevention of decay. Other
functions include assessing the condition of the periodontium (gums)
and providing periodontal therapy including root planing and
curettage, applying desensitizing and antimicrobial agents, and
administering local infiltration anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen
analgesia.
The dental hygienist also acts as a dental health educator and is
responsible for teaching patients to prevent dental disease and for
providing nutritional counseling. As the work involves contact with the
public, the Dental Hygienist must communicate well, have physical
stamina, good eyesight and manual skills. The ability to remember
details and to teach are also necessary.
Dental hygiene employment opportunities are numerous. They include
general practice and specialty dental offices; federal, state, county and
city health clinics; public schools, hospitals, dental schools, industrial
clinics, the armed services, and research institutions.
Average Salary*
$45,000 - $70,000
Educational Requirements*
The American Dental Hygienists' Association developed the approved
requirements for accreditation of dental hygiene programs. A program
must have both liberal arts and science content, and didactic and
clinical instruction. Education for dental hygiene can be obtained in a
two year certificate course or associate degree program offered at a
community college or a vocational/technical school, or the prospective
dental hygienist may complete a four year bachelor's degree program
at a college or university.
A high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement for
admission to dental hygiene schools. A two year degree would prepare
a student for private practice office work, however, a student wishing
to do research, teach or work in school health programs would require
at a minimum a bachelor's degree. All states require a license to
practice dental hygiene. This is obtained by successfully completing
both a clinical and written exam, the National Board Dental Hygiene
Examination, or a comparable state exam.
Dietitian
Dietitians integrate and apply the principles derived from the sciences
of food, nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, food management, and
behavior to achieve and maintain the health status of the public they
serve. Dietitians work in a variety of settings such as:
Clinical Dietitians work as a part of a team in hospitals, nursing homes,
and other health care facilities.
Community Dietitians work in public and home health agencies, health
and recreation clubs, and in government funded programs.
Educator Dietitians work in college or universities teaching future
Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Dietitians, and Dietetic
Technicians.
Research Dietitians work in government agencies, food and
pharmaceutical companies where they direct or conduct experiments
in order to answer critical nutrition questions and to continue to
provide information to modify dietary recommendations
Average Salary*
$35,000 - $60,000
Educational Requirements*
Educational requirements are variable depending on the educational
program chosen. Particular prerequisite coursework may vary. The
professional component is a minimum of 2 years at the baccalaureate
or master's degree level. Post baccalaureate supervised practice
programs vary from 6 months to 2 years. There are different types of
programs offered depending on the educational facility.
A Coordinated Program offers a didactic academic program in a college
or university and a minimum of 900 hours of supervised clinical
experience. Completion of this type of program prepares you to take
the national certifying exam to become a Registered Dietitian.
A Didactic Program offers a didactic academic program in a college or
university and enables the graduate to apply for a clinically supervised
practice program leading to eligibility to sit for the national certifying
exam.
A Dietetic Internship/Pre-professional practice program provides a
minimum of 900 hours of supervised clinical practice most likely in a
sponsored healthcare facility. This may be full-time or part-time
completed within a 2 year period. Upon completion this enables the
graduate to sit for the national certifying exam. Students must
complete a didactic program before entering the dietetic internship.
Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.)
Osteopathic physicians use accepted methods of diagnosing and
treating injuries and diseases. Although they practice in all branches of
medicine and surgery like allopathic physicians (M.D.s), they differ by
emphasizing the importance of the Musculoskeletal system, holistic
medicine, proper nutrition, and environmental factors in maintaining
good health. Osteopaths use a hands-on approach to medicine and
frequently manipulate or palpate as part of diagnosis and treatment.
They work primarily in hospitals or private practice. Osteopathic
Physicians may specialize just as Allopathic Physicians do, in such
specialties as family practice, emergency medicine, and orthopaedics.
Average Salary*
$130,000 - $250,000
Educational Requirements*
Students who are interested in becoming a Doctor of Osteopathy must
have a high school diploma or equivalent. A prospective physician
usually attends four years of college with an emphasis on the sciences
(pre-med). Schools that offer instruction in osteopathic medicine
require college level anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biology, and
chemistry courses. Some schools also require course work in calculus,
English, the humanities, or social sciences.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine programs are 4 years in length like
your traditional medical school. After completion of an accredited D.O.
program, you must complete a residency program in the specialty of
your choice. A residency program, depending on the specialty, is
usually 3-5 years in length.
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)
Emergency medical technicians, or EMT's, usually work in teams of two
in specially designed ambulances. They provide immediate life or limb
saving medical treatment at the scenes of accidents and injuries as
well as transport casualties to hospital emergency rooms for further
care. The job is both physically demanding and stressful.
EMT's are classified into basically three categories.
EMT-Basic: Staffs ambulances providing basic life support (e.g.
restoring breathing, controlling bleeding, treating shock, administering
oxygen, bandaging wounds, assisting heart attack victims).
EMT-Intermediate: Undergoes an additional 65-80 hours of training,
and can perform additional duties (e.g. administering I.V. fluids and
using defibrillators).
EMT-Paramedic: Provide extensive pre-hospital care by
administering drugs orally and intravenously, interpret EKG's, and use
complex equipment. Paramedics undergo an additional 600-1000
hours of instruction including clinical and field internships.
Average Salary*
$26,000 - $37,500
Educational Requirements*
Students must have a high school diploma or equivalent in order to
become an emergency medical technician. Driver's education, health
and science courses are strongly recommended and may be required
before enrolling in some training programs. Basic emergency medical
technician training includes about 120 hours spent in the classroom
and 10 hours in a hospital emergency room. Emergency medical
technicians are required to pass state licensing or certification tests
and participate in continuing education programs. Many emergency
medical technicians earn associate degrees in their field.
Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurses or Licensed Vocational Nurses, as they are
called in California and Texas, provide bedside care to the ill, injured,
convalescent, and physically disabled. They provide services in
hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or similar institutions. LPN's/LVN's
work under the supervision of a Registered Nurses (RN's) and provide
care that requires technical knowledge and skill but not necessarily the
in-depth professional training and education as a Registered Nurse.
An LVN's responsibilities include but are not limited to taking and
recording the patient's temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate,
respiration rate; dressing wounds; giving massages; administering
injections; applying compresses, ice bags, and hot water bottles;
administering certain medications; helping the patient with bathing
and other personal hygiene routines.
LVN's can specialize in one of several related areas of medicine. Such
as Pediatrics, Intensive Care, Coronary Care, OB/GYN, Surgery,
Emergency Room, and more.
Average Salary*
$29,000 - $35,000
Educational Requirements*
Persons interested in becoming a LVN/LPN must have their high school
diploma or an equivalent. A 12-18 month state approved
Vocation/Practical nursing program must be completed. Afterwards, a
state licensure must then be obtained. Most of the programs are
offered at vocational/technical schools & community colleges.
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants help physicians and nurses deliver patient care by
performing clinical and administrative tasks. A medical assistant's
administrative tasks consist of keeping medical records, greeting
patients, billing and clerical duties, scheduling appointments, arranging
for admission to the hospital and laboratory services, and checking
supplies.
Clinical responsibilities of a medical assistant consist of: Documenting
vital signs (e.g. blood pressures, pulse, respirations, and
temperature), performing simple lab tests, preparing patients for
examination, arranging equipment and instruments before an exam,
assisting physicians during patient exams, explaining treatment,
medications, diet schedules, and procedures to the patient. Some
medical assistants may also remove sutures, draw blood, and change
dressings. Medical assistants primarily work in outpatient settings but
may work in hospitals, or specialty offices.
Average Salary*
$24,000 - $30,000
Educational Requirements*
Students should have a high school diploma or an equivalent. Medical
assistant training programs are provided by community colleges and
vocational/technical training schools. They may take between six
months and two years to complete.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Nuclear Medicine Technologists prepare and administer
radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive substances) in order to detect and
treat disease. They then position equipment over patients to make
images. These pictures allow physicians to identify abnormal areas.
This helps in diagnosing illness.
Nuclear medicine technologists explain these tests to the patients and
administer radioactive doses by mouth or injection. They also perform
laboratory tests on tissue samples. They must follow strict safety
regulations due to the dangers of radiation effects to their bodies and
organs.
Their work is performed in specialized hospital departments, clinics, or
laboratories. Level of work performed varies depending upon level of
training and education completed.
Average Salary*
$50,000 - $75,000
Educational Requirements*
Applicants for admission must have graduated from high school or the
equivalent and have acquired postsecondary competencies in human
anatomy and physiology, physics, mathematics, medical terminology,
oral and written communications, chemistry and medical ethics.
Nuclear medicine technology training programs vary in length from
one to four years.
One year programs that lead to certification are offered by hospitals.
Associate and bachelor degrees are offered in colleges and
universities. Courses include training in safety, radiation procedures,
physical science, effects of radiation to the body and organs, and
computer techniques. Almost all states require licensing, and all
technologists must meet federal standards for administering and using
of radioactive materials.
The curriculum includes methods of patient care, radiation safety and
protection, nuclear medicine physics and radiation physics, nuclear
instrumentation, statistics, radionuclide chemistry and radiopharmacy,
radiation biology, diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging and nonimaging in-vivo and in-vitro procedures, radionuclide therapy,
computer applications, immunology as related to nuclear medicine,
and quality control and quality assurance.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners are healthcare providers who work in collaboration
with Physicians and other health-care team members in order to
provide comprehensive primary care to children and adults of all ages.
A Nurse Practitioner may work in a variety of different health-care
specialty settings (e.g. Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Adult/Geriatric
medicine, Acute care, Psych/Mental health, or Women's health).
Duties of a Nurse Practitioner often include: taking medical histories
and performing physical examination; ordering and interpreting
laboratory tests and x-rays; diagnosing, treating, and monitoring
acute and chronic illnesses; prescribing medications and other
treatments; providing patient and family education; providing
appropriate referral to physicians and other health care team
members.
Average Salary*
$60,000 - $85,000
Educational Requirements*
Nurse Practitioners are Registered Nurses with advanced formal
training. Most RN's interested in becoming a Nurse Practitioner possess
a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. Upon completion of an accredited
Nurse Practitioner training program a master's degree in nursing is
often awarded and licensing is then awarded after passing national
boards.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists help patients who are mentally, emotionally,
or physically disabled adjust to handicaps and regain abilities to
perform daily living and self-care skills. They work as part of a team
with physicians, counselors, and physical therapists.
Occupational therapists design therapy programs and work closely
with patients to observe them, help them, and monitor their progress.
They frequently design special equipment to aid patients and help with
their therapy. They also teach patients how to adjust to work and
home life after becoming disabled by injury or illness. Most
occupational therapists are employed at hospitals, and many work at
nursing homes. Some work at schools for the handicapped,
rehabilitation centers, or at adult daycare centers.
Average Salary*
$42,000 - $47,000
Educational Requirements*
Students who want to become occupational therapists should have a
high school diploma or equivalent. All states require either a bachelor's
or master's degree that includes clinical experience and successful
completion of a national examination to become a certified
occupational therapist.
Phlebotomists
Phlebotomists draw blood from patients for testing purposes. They
usually work under the supervision of medical technologists or
laboratory managers.
Average Salary*
$25,000 - $29,000
Educational Requirements*
People interested in becoming phlebotomists should have a high school
diploma or an equivalent. 1 year phlebotomy programs are offered at
vocational/technical schools awarding diplomas and 2 year phlebotomy
programs are offered at community colleges awarding associate's
degrees.
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapists evaluate patients' medical history, test and
measure strength, assess range of motion, and ability to function and
develop written treatment plans based primarily upon physician
instructions. Physical Therapists help patients restore bodily functions,
prevent permanent disability, and relieve pain after an injury or
illness. Therapy can include work and massage to increase strength,
coordination, and range of motion. Therapists also apply traction and
heat, cold, light, and water treatments. They also train patients to use
prosthetic and orthotic appliances. Physical therapist are employed in
hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools, and
physicians' offices.
Average Salary*
$40,500 - $65,000
Educational Requirements*
Students who want to become physical therapists must have a high
school diploma or an equivalent. A bachelor's degree is also obtained
through a university with an emphasis on the sciences.
To become a licensed physical therapist, most states require students
to earn a master's degree and pass a certification examination.
Physicians Assistant
Physician assistants are healthcare providers who work under the
direction and supervision of physicians. They provide routine
diagnostic and therapeutic tests, and offer preventative care. Physician
assistants work in a variety of settings and in a number of different
specialties. Physician assistants duties often include:
Taking medical histories and performing physical examinations.
Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and x-rays.
Diagnosing, treating, and monitoring acute and chronic illnesses.
Treating injuries by suturing, casting, or splinting.
Prescribing medications and other treatments.
Providing patient and family education.
Providing appropriate referral to physicians and other health care team
members.
Average Salary*
$65,000 - $90,000
Educational Requirements*
A high school diploma or equivalent, college science courses which
include anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, in order to be
accepted into a formal, academically accredited physician assistant
program.
As a minimum, academic physician assistant programs require two
years of collegiate-level study in health care, biology, English,
chemistry, math, psychology, and social sciences. Many programs end
with an Associate's Degree although some colleges offer Bachelor's
and Master's Degree programs. All physician assistant programs
include extensive supervised clinical training.
Physician M.D.
Physicians, M.D.s, are medical doctors who treat disease and injury.
Physicians often evaluate and provide patient care in public or private
hospitals, clinics, or private practices. Physicians can prescribe
medications for preventative and curative treatment. Their work hours
can be long and irregular. Although many physicians become
internists, generalists, or family practitioners, most specialize in other
medical fields.
Specialties include:

Anesthesiologist - administers anesthesia

Cardiologist - treats heart disease

Dermatologist - treats skin conditions

Gastroenterologist - treats digestive problems

Gerontologist - provides care for elderly

Gynecologist - treats female reproductive system problems

Neurologist - treats brain and nervous system problems

Obstetrician - provides pregnancy care and delivers babies

Oncologist - treats cancer

Orthopedist - treats musculoskeletal problems

Pathologist - interprets disease in tissues

Pediatrician - provides care for children

Pulmonologist - treats respiratory problems

Surgeon - performs operations

Urologist - treats urinary problems
Average Salary*
$125,000 - $300,000
Educational Requirements*
Students should take the most challenging high school courses
(including AP or IB courses) available in science, math, and English.
After three or four years of college, prospective physicians must attend
medical school. Undergraduate requirements for admission to all
medical schools include one year of basic chemistry, one year of
organic chemistry, one year of biology, and one year of physics. Some
medical schools also require course work in calculus, English,
humanities, or social sciences. Prospective students who want to
attend medical school must also take the MCAT (Medical College
Admissions Test).
Medical school usually includes two years of additional study in both
basic and clinical sciences and is followed by a two year-long hospital
internship. Physicians who want to specialize must then undertake a
residency in their specialty which may take 3-6 years.
X-Ray Technician
Radiology Technicians use x-ray machines, ultrasound machines,
magnetic resonance scanners, positron emission scanners, and other
technologically advanced machines to help diagnose and treat illnesses
and injuries under the direction of a physician. They are responsible
for explaining and getting patients ready for radiological tests and
treatment that will be performed. They place the equipment at the
right distance and right angle from the patient to make the appropriate
images for the physician. Radiographers also assist physicians in
performing sophisticated procedures. It is their responsibility to ensure
that the radiology equipment is properly maintained. They work in
hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, nursing homes, and in private
industry.
Average Salary*
$29,000 - $39,500
Educational Requirements*
Students interested in becoming an X-Ray Tech should have a high
school diploma or an equivalent. To become a registered radiology
technician, students must complete a two year training program in a
hospital or school. A high school diploma or GED certificate is required
for entry into these programs.
Registered Nurse RN
Registered Nurses (RNs) do specialized and skilled nursing. They are
responsible for supervising and planning the care of ill patients. They
oversee the care that is given by practical nurses and nurses’ aides.
Registered nurses make sure that physicians' orders are followed.
They may give injections and administer fluids. Registered nurses
often specialize in fields like post-surgery care or pediatrics. They work
in doctors' offices, dentists’ offices, hospitals, schools, public health
clinics, industrial plants, private practice, and many other places where
health care is provided.
Average Salary*
$35,000 - $49,000
Educational Requirements*
Students should take college preparation courses in high school that
emphasize the sciences.
Some colleges offer Nursing Programs leading to a Diploma or and
Associate's Degree. These are usually two year programs that are
combined with clinical practice in hospitals. Although many colleges
offer four year programs leading to bachelor degrees.
Almost all nursing management positions require four year college
degrees. Masters degrees are required to teach or to specialize.
Speech Pathologists
Speech pathologists and audiologists specialize in prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of speech, language, and hearing problems.
Speech Pathology and Audiology are areas of endeavor 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.
Because speech and hearing are so interrelated, Speech Pathologists
and Audiologists work closely with each other, as well as with other
professionals and as consultants to educational, medical and other
professional groups.
Speech 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.
Audiologists concentrate on individuals with hearing problems they
assess the type and degree of hearing impairment, then plan, direct
and conduct aural rehabilitation and training programs.
Speech Pathologists and Audiologists may advance to administrative or
supervisory positions such as clinic director or coordinator of clinical
services. They may also become professors or department heads in
colleges or universities, or choose to engage in research activities.
Professional mobility is generally based on experience, skills, and level
of education.
A person entering this work must have academic ability and
intellectual curiosity. One must have an interest in people and the
ability to approach problems with a scientific attitude. Another
requirement is the ability to become involved with patients without
letting them develop an unhealthy dependence.
Average Salary*
$45,000-$65,000
Educational Requirements*
A number of professional degree programs in Speech Pathology or
Audiology are available. The American SpeechLanguage and Hearing
Association certification requires masters level training and 1 year
experience in addition to successful completion of a national exam.
Preprofessional course work should provide a broad liberal arts
background, including biology, anatomy, physiology, physics, general
psychology, child and adolescent psychology, sociology, and
anthropology.
Ultrasound Technician
Ultrasound techs provide patient services in a variety of medical
settings in which the physician is responsible for the use and
interpretation of ultrasound procedures. The medical sonographer is
able to obtain ultrasound images by the use of equipment that sends
high-frequency sound waves into areas of the patient's body, which
then creates reflected echoes collected to form an image on a screen.
This diagnostic data in the form of an image is then interpreted by a
physician.
Average Salary*
$30,500-$40,000
Educational Requirements*
People interested in becoming an ultrasound technician should have a
high school diploma or an equivalent. There are one, two, and four
year programs depending on the degree awarded.
Health Professions
Sports Medicine
2007