Opportunities in Allied Health Careers,

Opportunities In . . . series gives you valuable career insight into your job field of choice!The most comprehensive career book series available, Opportunities In . . . explores a vast range of professions. InOpportunities in Allied Health Careers, you will find: The latest information on the field Training and education requirements you will need Salary statistics for different positions Up-to-date professional and Internet resources And much more

Dr. Alex Kacen has worked as a career education consultant for the state of Indiana and evaluator for the national career education program in Puerto Rico. In addition to more than 25 articles on career development, he wrote a book on career transition, a subject for which he was a featured guest on a five-part ABC-TV series. He is the director of the Career Directions Center in San Antonio.

Introduction

ix

1. What Is an Allied Health Career?

1

(12)

A case study.

Allied health paraprofessional defined.

Criteria for being in an allied health career.

Overview of the health care field.

2. The Need for Allied Health Paraprofessionals

13

(14)

Shortage of health care workers.

The solution to the problem.

Allied health workers in demand.

Government recognition and support.

A word of caution.

3. Education and Training

27

(12)

Accreditation.

Levels of study.

Entry choices.

Admissions requirements.

Licensure and certification.

Continuing education.

Paying for school.

4. Advanced Paraprofessionals in the Medical Field

39

(18)

Physician assistant.

Pathologist assistant.

5. Other Paraprofessionals in the Medical Field

57

(12)

Medical assistant.

Podiatric assistant.

6. Paraprofessionals in Emergency Medical Services

69

(10)

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

What EMTs and paramedics do.

Training and education.

Licensing and certification.

Earnings.

Job outlook.

7. Paraprofessionals in the Nursing Field

79

(14)

Licensed practical nurse.

Nursing assistant.

Home health assistant.

8. Paraprofessionals in Dentistry

93

(18)

Dental assistant.

Dental hygienist.

Dental laboratory technician.

9. Paraprofessionals in Optometry

111

(16)

Optometric assistant and technician.

Ophthalmic assistant, technician, and technologist.

Orthoptist.

10. Paraprofessionals in Physical and Occupational Therapy

127

(12)

Physical therapist assistant.

Occupational therapy assistant.

11. Paraprofessionals in Psychiatry

139

(10)

Psychiatric technician.

Psychiatric assistant.

12. The Future of Allied Health Paraprofessional Careers

149

(8)

Employment opportunities.

Training and education.

Paraprofessional versatility in demand.

Additional information.

Appendix: Associations and Organizations

157

What is included with this book?

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Opportunities in Allied Health Careers, revised edition

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials