Term | Definition |
Associate's Degree | awarded by vocational/technical school or community college; requires completion of prescribed two-year course of study |
Bachelor's Degree | Awarded by college or university; requires completion of prescribed course of study that usually lasts for four or more years |
Master's Degree | Awarded by a college or university; requires completion of one ore more years beyond a bachelor's degree |
Doctorate Degree | Awarded by college or university; requires completion of two or more years beyond a bachelor's or master's degree; some require four to six years of additional study |
Purpose of certification, Registration & Licensure | to ensure skill and competency of healthcare workers and to protect patients |
Certification | issued if person fulfills requirements of education and performance and meets standards and qualifications established (not REQUIRED to work in that career field) |
Registration | REQUIRED of some careers; professional/state agencies administer examinations and maintain a current list (the "registry") of qualified individuals |
Licensure | Authorizes individuals to work in an occupation; Person required to 1) complete approved education program, 2) pass a STATE board exam, and 3) Maintain certain standards (CEC) |
Aide/Assistant | Up to one year of training (classroom and on-the-job training); examples: Dental assistant, nursing aide |
Purpose of an Accrediting Agency is? | Ensures that a program of study meets established quality competency standards |
Purpose of Continuing Education Credits (CEC) is? | Required to renew licenses, and maintain registration/certificaiton |
Technician | Associate's degree, or on-the-job training; examples: dental laboratory technician, surgical technician |
Technologist | 3-4 years of college (bachelor's degree), plus work experience; examples: Occupational Therapist, Respiratory Therapist |
Professional | 4 years of college (bachelor's) and an advanced degree; examples: dentist, physician, nurse |
Therapeutic Services Cluster/Pathway | Maintain or change the health status of the patient over time; examples: nurse, physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist |
Diagnostic Services Cluster/Pathway | Create a picture of patient health at a single point and time; examples: Electroencephalographic technologist, medical laboratory technician, radiologic technician |
Health Informatics Cluster/Pathway | Provide functions that support and document patient care; examples: admitting clerk, epidemiologist, medical librarian |
Support Services Cluster/Pathway | Provide a therapeutic environment for the delivery of health care; examples: central supply worker, housekeeper |
Biotechnology Research & Development Cluster/Pathway | uses scientific and technical advancements to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic abilities in health care; examples: biomedical engineer, forensic scientist |
Purpose of the National Health Care Skill Standards (NHCSS) is | Developed to indicate knowledge and skills expected of healthcare workers in a specific cluster/pathway |
Athletic Trainer | Prevent, recognize, manage, & rehabilitate injuries that result from physical activity |
Massage Therapist | Apply manual techniques to manipulate soft tissue |
Occupational Therapist | Work with people who are having difficulty participating in their daily living and working environments due to mental, physical, developmental or emotional disabilities |
Physical Therapist | Work with patients to help them regain their physical strength |
Recreational Therapist | Provide activities and recreational opportunities to people with disabilities and illnesses |
Respiratory Therapist | Treat patients who have difficulty breathing because of heart-lung problems |
Speech Language Pathologist | Evaluate and treat patients with speech, hearing, language and swallowing problems |
Audiologist | Help people with hearing and balance disorders. |
Chiropractic Care | Complementary medicine that focuses on mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal systems |
Phlembotomist | Draw blood samples by puncture of the veins |
Dental Hygienist | clean teeth, apply fluorides and sealants to teeth and conduct X-rays |
Oral Surgeon | Surgery of the mouth and jaw |
Orthodontics | correction of teeth placement and facial structures |
Periodontics | Treat the gums and supporting structures |
Health Information Administrator | Plan, develop, organize, manage and direct the medical information system for healthcare facilities |
Social Worker | Work with individual or groups with problems such as poverty, illness, substance abuse or child, spouse or elder abuse. |
Certified Nurses Aide (CNA) | Basic nursing skills; earned with 15 -22 weeks of training and are certified. |
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | help care for ill or injured people and perform health maintenance duties under the direction of physicians, dentists and registered nurses; 1 year of training with a certification |
Registered Nurse (RN) | observe patients to assess symptoms, reactions to treatment, and progress. Manage CNAs and LVNs; must have an associates or bachelors and be certified. |
Pharmacist | dispense medications prescribed by physicians, dentists, and other authorized medical practitioners |
Electrocardiographic (EKG) Technician | operate noninvasive equipment which prints graphic tracings of electrical impulses transmitted by the heart |
What career pathway/cluster is a Healthcare Administrator? | Health Informatics |
What pathway/cluster is an Electrocardiographic (EKG) technician? | Diagnostic |
Optometrist | Vision care - exam, diagnosis, treat and manage eye diseases. |
Emergency Medical Technician | provides emergency, pre-hospital care to accident victims |
Licensed vocational nurse | helps care for the ill or injured people and performs health maintenance duties under the direction of a physician or registered nurse |
Healthcare administrator | manages the operations of healthcare facilities |