The good news is that all over the country there are programs in place to encourage high school students to consider a career in health.   Once such program to encourage students is at the North Louisiana Area Health Education Center where students are able to get hands on experience with a health occupation in exchange for high school credit.

“Students get a feel for each occupation,” North Louisiana AHEC youth program coordinator Ashley Frazier said. “The goal of AHEC of a Summer is to help high school students gain a greater understanding of health careers that will assist them in making informed decisions concerning their professional goals.”

“Rather than going to college and spending their money and time at school, they can do this 15-day program and narrow down their options,” Frazier said. “(During the program), almost half of the students always change their mind about what they want to do.”

Source: The Ruston Daily Leader

Mental health counselors provide therapy for groups and individuals. Counselors must complete a master’s degree and licensing requirements before they are allowed to practice. Many counselors report to a high-level therapist or psychologist.
Average annual salary range – $23,500-$38,000

Substance abuse counselors provide therapy for families, individuals, and groups for drug and alcohol problems. Counselors must complete a master’s degree and extensive training for special certification and licensing. Counselors are clinically supervised by a high-level counselor or psychologist.
Average annual salary range – $38,500-$49,000

Mental health technicians work in a hospital or mental health facility caring for psychiatric patients. Technicians develop a therapeutic relationship with patients and assist them with daily care tasks. A high school diploma and up to two years of related experience may be required. Technicians regularly report to a supervisor.
Average annual salary range – $24,600-$32,100

Bereavement coordinators provide grief support services for individuals and families. Coordinators need to complete a bachelor’s degree with a mental health focus. A master’s degree is required to become a licensed bereavement counselor. Bereavement coordinators or counselors usually work under the supervision of a director.
Average annual salary range – $42,500-$57,500

Youth detention workers monitor teens with legal problems. Clients either live at home with probation services or are sentenced to a residential treatment facility. Detention workers do a variety of tasks including client observation, arranging activities and outings, helping clients with daily choices, and involving family members with treatment. They may be employed by the state government, local agencies, or private facilities.
Average annual salary range – $34,000-$54,000

Psychologists provide therapy, testing, and consultation to master’s level therapists. Professional psychologists have doctorate from an accredited university or professional school. Psychologists may report to a medical officer, but do not need clinical supervision to practice therapy.
Average annual salary range – $66,800-$87,500

Social workers help people by providing direct services and through social advocacy. With a master’s degree, social workers may also become licensed to provide counseling to their clients. Social workers are found in government departments, community agencies, and private offices.
Average annual salary range – $38,000-$46,000

Psychiatric nurses plan, document, and monitor the care of psychiatric patients. They also assist doctors with mental status exams and evaluations. Depending on training and education level, psychiatric nurses provide short term mental health therapy to their patients. They also educate their patients on good self-care practices.
Average annual salary range – $54,100-$65,200

Mental health careers come in all shapes and sizes; the same is true for their salaries. Whether you aspire to complete your PhD or start an entry-level job, mental health careers provide many people with a good living.

The therapeutic relationship is at the heart of good counseling work. Working face-to-face with another human being is how change begins. Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and sometimes groups of clients. Counselors use therapy sessions to learn about their clients, listen to them, teach them new things, and help decrease their symptoms. These sessions are done on an outpatient basis.

Counselors do other things for their clients as well. They communicate with other professionals such as doctors, probation officers, caseworkers, and other therapists. Counselors are also responsible for writing session notes, filling out insurance information, crisis intervention, and on-call duties.

The average salary range for a licensed mental health counselor is $23,500-$38,000. This largely depends on whether a counselor works at a private practice office or an agency. Private practice offices rely on insurance claims and private payments for their income. Income can fluctuate in a private practice office as client attendance varies.

Agencies usually have multiple funding sources and provide raises with additional work duties. In a community agency or government office, counselors are usually salaried. This makes the paychecks predictable. However, salaried counselors must often meet quotas or direct service hour expectations.

At a private practice office, counselors generally have fewer meetings or extra responsibilities. A counselor can spend most of their office time doing therapy with clients and have a flexible schedule. Unfortunately, this also leaves fewer opportunities to connect with fellow coworkers.

At an agency or large facility, counselors may be expected to perform other tasks or committee work that does not relate to direct time with clients. This allows counselors to get to know other mental health and support staff in their office. Private practice and community agencies each have advantages and disadvantages. Counselors often find it valuable to experience each setting sometime in their career.

Many counselors make their practice specialized in some way. Some find a niche they enjoy for many years. Others move through two or three specialties over their career. This can happen because of a job change, life events, or even struggles in their practice. Continued education courses give counselors the opportunity to learn more about a niche population or cluster of disorders that interests them.

It serves all four branches of the military and Public Health Service. Uniformed students receive their usual pay and benefits. Medical students have a seven year obligation to serve after graduation. Only military nurses are accepted in the post-graduate nursing programs for Master’s degree or PhD completion. Some civilians who are employed by the federal government may be eligible for admission and receive their full salary while attending.

The university specializes in the extraordinary requirements of deployed troops. For that reason the school is year-round and the medical education contains an added 7700 hours of military needs training. Other programs are available with an emphasis on research into uniquely military clinical findings (post-traumatic stress, etc.). In 2006 a new program was initiated studying radiation biology.

For information about the opportunities, see them on-line

Want to go to the medical or graduate school of your choice? If it is in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, clinical psychology or nurse anesthesia there’s a scholarship waiting for you.

The most extensive scholarship plan is the F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program. Not only is this a free ride for tuition, but also comes with a monthly stipend, books, non-expendable equipment, and promotions. To qualify, students must have already be enrolled or received a letter of acceptance from a program in the United States or Puerto Rico, qualify for commissioned officer status in the Army Reserve, be a United States citizen, and maintain full-time student. What you owe them is full-time status and dedicated effort to get good grades, 45 days active duty for training, commission as a second lieutenant and its obligations post-graduation. Your first year of training after school is performed on active duty at an Army medical center.

To start the application procedure you will need the following:

• Letter of Acceptance to a Professional School (Four year scholarships only)
• Dean’s Letter stating that you are currently enrolled in the Medical School and are in good standing with a projected graduation date (For 2nd, 3rd & 4th year medical students).
• 3 to 6 Letters of Recommendation (You must provide your Army Counselor/Recruiter with the names, address and telephone number of these individuals). Committee Letter can count as all three (3) for 4 year scholarships only
• Copy of MCAT / DAT / VCAT / OAT / GRE results (which ever applies)
• Proof of Birth / Citizenship: Copy of Birth Certificate / Passport / Naturalization Cert.
• Official Transcripts from ALL Undergraduate and Graduate Schools attending or have attended.

A physical examination is also required. Your free physical exam will be provided.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To get started now contact your Army Health Care Recruiter

1. Personal Chef – Lots of families are on the go nowadays and nutrition is compromised. Personal chefs see to it families are fed well-balanced, properly-portioned meals. Requires 18 months or more of culinary training.

2. Nutritionist/Dietician – Like the personal chef, a nutritionist will help see that individuals and families are eating properly. Schools, hospitals, spas, rehabilitation facilities and others have nutritionists on staff. Must have a college degree with required health, math, communication and science courses completed. Will also have to have a license or other certification. Check the guidelines for your state.

3. Personal Trainer – Personal trainers help people get into shape or stay in shape by tailoring exercises regimes to each participant’s lifestyle. A personal trainer can work out of a health club or spa or pay home visits. Check your state for the requirements necessary for a license or certification.

4. Massage Therapist – Everyone loves a massage! Massage therapists can work in their own private practice or under the employ of wellness centers, spas, cruise ships, athletic organizations and more. Requires a license and/or certification.

5. Patient Educator – There are people whose jobs it is to educate patients about their options, rights, payment and health care information and more. Patient educators have degrees in Sociology, Social Work, Psychology and more. Check for local requirements.

6. Reflexologist – Reflexologists work at spas, wellness centers and private practice. Must complete a reflexology course and receive certifications.

7. Pharmacist – Pharmacists are in demand! In fact, many “fresh out of college” pharmacists earn an average of $90,000 annually for their first gig! A six year degree is required.

8. Athletic Trainer – Professional sports organizations, high schools, colleges, universities, health clubs, country clubs, spas and more employ athletic trainers. Trainers have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in physical education and other health and fitness related studies, and must receive certification.

9. Physical Therapist – Physical therapists are employed by health care centers, hospitals, wellness centers, schools and more. Physical therapists must complete an accredited program.

10. Medical Scientists – Medical Scientists research diseases and ailments to help find cures. They’re employed by private laboratories, health care agencies, pharmaceutical companies and more. Four to eight years of college is required, depending on the specialty.

11. Wellness Coach – Wellness coaches are generally in private practice. Their jobs are to coach businesses or individuals on leading a healthier, happier lifestyle. Degrees in nutrition, psychology and more are helpful.

12. Wellness Director – Like the Wellness Coach, it’s the Wellness Director’s job to see that people maintain a positive lifestyle. Wellness directors are employed by rehabilitation centers, hospitals, senior citizen facilities and more.

13. Fitness Director – Schools, spas, cruise ships, athletic centers and more use fitness directors to oversee programs. A degree in physical fitness or physical therapy is beneficial.

14. Anesthesiologist – Employed by private surgeons, hospitals, clinics and more, an anesthesiologist requires 4 years of college and 4 years in med school.

15. Disability Health Advocates – The disabled often need people to look out for their best interests. Degrees depend on the specialty but it doesn’t hurt to have a health or psychology degree or a background in social work.

16. Health Inspector – Public health inspectors monitor health safety situations in restaurants, stores, schools and more. Check your state guidelines for requirements.

17. Midwife/Doulah – For those who prefer to give birth at home, or in a hospital without a traditional doctor, a midwife or doulah is who they call. To become a midwife or doulah you will have to complete your state’s requirements and receive a license or certification.

18. Substance Abuse Counselor – A substance abuse person must be compassionate and non-judgmental. A substance abuse counselor must have at least a Bachelor’s Degree and two years experience as a counselor.

19. Medical Biller – Some medical billers work from home, others work at a health care agency or medical facility. It helps to have a degree in accounting.

20. Dental Assistant – Dental assistants are in demand! To become a dental assistant one must complete an accredited course.

In 1874 a physician grew wary of the treatments rendered and lack of success with most medications. Dr. Andrew Taylor Still founded a school that paralleled the teachings of medicine and added the concept of holistic health. He determined nutrition played a large part in the maintenance of well being; the body has the potential for healing itself, and the musculoskeletal system plays a role in good health. The best way, perhaps, to put the differences succinctly, is to say medicine tends to treat the individual ailments while osteopathy treats the entire being.

Perhaps the biggest difference though, is the osteopath’s use of Osteo Manipulative Treatment (OMT). It is literally using the physician’s hands to move muscle and joint by stretching, pressure, and resistance to relieve pain, increase mobility, and promote healing. The American Osteopathic Association credits this modality with relief of:

• asthma
• sinus disorder
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• migraines
• menstrual pain
• other

Although there are a considerable number of osteopaths that become board certified surgeons, more than 65% of osteopaths practice general or family medicine. Osteopathic patients are said to have reduced need for surgery (due to the benefits of OMT). It is a rapidly growing profession, given the recent surge of interest in natural remedies and holistic health.

The findings of OMT, by the way, are not to be disdained as self-promotion. The highly respected New England Journal has published results demonstrating the efficacy of OMT in several conditions.

And how does this differ from the chiropractor? The osteopath goes through four years of undergraduate, the same number of years for medical school, and three to six years in a post-graduate residency program, with a strong medical education. Chiropractors need take similar undergraduate courses in biology and the sciences, often completing a degree program, attend a four or five year program of chiropractics that specialize in spinal manipulation. They are known for their attention to ailments of the neck and spine, but address most skeletal injuries and illness that do not require surgery. Chiropractic care is similar to some forms of OMT and physical therapy.

Which is best between the three professions? From a patient perspective it depends on their needs and beliefs. Actually, the same holds true for those exploring the professions as a career. All are equally as difficult to obtain acceptance in American schools. Course curriculums are no easier in any of the three. All professions require state licensure and national certification exams. Allopathic and osteopathic physicians receive similar insurance reimbursements; chiropractics are less so. As a bit of trivia, it was not until the sixties that chiropractics were accepted as a licensed profession in all the states. Their educational requirements and training have come a long way since the days Dr. Palmer started his school in Davenport, Iowa. There are still naysayers regarding spinal manipulation as a valid treatment. However, there are critics of medicine and osteopathic as well.

Make up your mind by exploring the national associations that represent the professions. Read the negatives, as well as positives: no profession is perfect or pure. It will always be a matter of opinion.

Osteopathics

Chiropractics

There are a number of fundamentals shared by almost everyone who wants to be involved in the health industry: from EKG technician to the physician who does stereotactic radiosurgery. All such occupations involve taking care of the human body in one way or another: and this means being capable of handling the emotional as well as physical aspects of treatment.

Here are eight concrete things you can do while in high school to get ready for a college education and career in health.

1. Become well versed in English so that peers and patients can communicate with you in a common language.It will be far easier to read, write, and interpret reports if you are familiar with the terms.

2.With the growing Hispanic population, it is advisable to speak Spanish in order to learn what their needs are and to give instructions if need be. Knowing a language is far superior to having an interpreter.

3. Take biology class seriously. Learn where the organs lie, what their functions are, and the basics of what happens when organs fail. There’s a lot to be had when studying other animals too. Biology may be the single most important subject you will ever study because it lays the groundwork for advanced studies.

4. Anyone that will be handling medication or chemicals cannot avoid taking chemistry class. Yes, it can be tough: but learn the basics now and you’ll understand when your college professor discusses why a free radical can change the structure and application of a treatment modality.

5. Have a working relationship with numbers. Just about everything in health care is dependant on measurements of one kind or another, figuring out distance, dosages, BMI, ratios and times will depend on it. Become independent of calculators so you will be able to determine the data in lieu of a malfunctioning machine.

6. Volunteer you time or get a part-time job in a hospital or nursing home. Healthcare is a profession where patient contact is demanded in more than 90% of the vocations. You had better learn if you have the personality to work with the sick, elderly, children, intransigent, and families of all the aforementioned. If you intend on working in a profession that reports to others, can you take direction? Will you abide by sometimes frustrating and nonsensical institutional rules? Get to know yourself and if the perceived status of your chosen endeavor is one worth having.

7. Attend career days, often held at hospitals. Speak to individuals who are already in the field you may enter. Ask them about what they like and dislike regarding the job; and if they would do it again.

8. Go to the websites of professional societies. There you will find the issues that involve members, news about legislation and pertinent information to help make your career decision.

Below is a table published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which outlines the fields in healthcare with the biggest growth potential. We suggest you visit their site.

Financial influences in your decision should include housing costs, utility bills, urban versus rural living, and whether you want to ski or play golf. Of course you could do both in a place like New Mexico for most of the year; but the cost will be a lower wage: but living expenses will be lower.  If you live in New York City, you may only be able to afford a one-room walk-up.The training required for those choosing cardiovascular, is two to four years. Technicians and Technologist take similar courses in the first year, then go on to specialized areas. Technologists can qualify to take the national certification exam and generally earn a bachelor’s degree.That being said, it’s time to discuss the breadth of occupations within the healthcare industry.

We can start with the cardiovascular technician. These professionals are often involved with performing electro cardiograms, assist at catheterizations, manage lung capacity tests, pulmonary functions, and other tasks. Nationwide there is expected to be a 33% increase in need for trained technicians over the next 10 years.

Audiologists are employed in a variety of settings: schools, hospitals, private practice. They diagnose, prevent and treat auditory ailments of all ages: infants through geriatrics. This is not only for hearing deficits, but also balance impairments, industrial programs, rehabilitation and research. The mean salary is $57,100. Know exactly what goes on in the profession by visiting the American Academy of Audiologists website .

Dental Hygienists clean and examine teeth, educate on oral health care, make impressions from casts, charts findings, use technology, x-rays, and computers. Education is specialized and requires a four year degree. Salaries are in the area of $62,800. To learn more about the profession see the site of the American Dental Hygienist Association

Medical Sonographers receive a mean national wage of $57,200. They have diverse opportunities to specialize, and are currently in great demand. The technicians utilize sonography to visualize organs, generally eliminating the need for exploratory surgery, in conjunction with other diagnostic tools. Sonographers are usually part of the larger radiology department and are seen as playing a vital role in patient diagnosis. Training is two years in length with schools sometimes located within or associated with hospitals. For information see the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Emergency Medical Technicians have come a long way from the days when training consisted of having a first aid card and driver’s license. The mean salary of $27,100 does not include the advanced training of paramedics. EMT is required to advance to paramedic. Also of interest is the growth expected in the occupation. The mean rate is 27%; meaning there are areas of significantly higher expectations. EMTs are first responders to illness and accidents, trained to provide assistance at critical times. The job is highly stressful but great for adrenalin rushes. A downside of the job can be burn-out, depending on the town or city where located. Training takes less than one year. To learn more about educational and training opportunities, go to the NAEMT site

Ashford University (Clinton, Iowa)
Ashford University prides itself on offering one of the lowest tuition costs for a private school in the Midwest, while still providing low student-teacher ratios. The college has about 4,000 students who have the option of attending classes on campus or participating in an online program. Ashford’s health education options include Bachelor’s Degrees in Biology, Clinical Cytotechnology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Health Care Administration, Health Science, Health Science Administration, Natural Science, and Nuclear Medicine Technology. http://www.ashford.edu/home/

Eagle Gate College (Utah)
Eagle Gate College has campuses in Salt Lake City, Layton, and Murray, as well as an online program. The college offers Diploma and Associate’s programs that take about 12-18 months to complete. Some of the health programs include Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Professional Massage and Bodywork, Personal Fitness Training, Pharmacy Tech, and Medical Insurance Billing and Coding. http://www.eaglegatecollege.edu/index.php

Miller-Motte Technical College (Southeast US)
MMTC offers a variety of programs, from Certificates (Therapeutic Massage) and Diplomas (Professional Massage Therapist, Medical Office Assistant) to Associate’s (Surgical Technology, Medical Assisting, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting) and Bachelor’s Degrees (Allied Health Management). They have seven campuses in Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and Virginia. http://www.miller-motte.com/

Sanford-Brown College (Multiple Locations)
Sanford-Brown College has campuses across the country, including several colleges in the St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Cleveland areas, as well as 15 institutes in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. They offer Diplomas and Associate’s Degrees in areas including Massage Therapy, Cardiovascular Technology, Medical and Dental Assisting, Surgical Technology, and more. http://www.sanford-brown.edu/sbi/index.asp

National Holistic Institute (California)
Massage Therapy school NHI has five campuses throughout California. The one-year program includes working at the NHI Student Clinic and NHI’s externship program, where students have hundreds of locations to choose from. NHI also has strong partnerships with spas, clubs, and hotels throughout the world, giving graduates an advantage in landing their dream jobs. http://www.nhi.edu/

Walden University (Online University)
Since 1970, DC-based Walden University has catered to working professionals from around the world. Today, Walden has more than 270,000 students enrolled at 58 campuses in 16 countries. The School of Health Sciences offers both a Masters and PhD in Public Health, with specializations including epidemiology and health management and policy. The School of Social Service offers a PhD in Human Services, with specializations ranging from clinical social work to criminal justice to social policy planning. http://www.waldenu.edu/c/home.htm

Liberty University (Lynchburg, Virginia)
Reputably the largest evangelical university in the world, Liberty University offers Bachelor’s Degrees in Athletic Training, Exercise Science and Fitness, Health Promotion, and Kinesiology. Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. has helped the school grow rapidly since its founding in 1970, with a student body of 10,000 and rising. http://www.liberty.edu/

Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Maryland)
One of the top universities in the US, Johns Hopkins is considered a leader in many areas, including health and medicine. The School of Medicine is widely regarded as one of the best medical schools and biomedical research institutes in the world. They also have a School of Nursing, and The Bloomberg School of Public Health, which is the first and largest public health school in the world. http://www.jhu.edu/

Stanford University (Stanford, California)
Stanford is the oldest continuously running medical school in the western United States, and one of the top medical research institutions in the country. The school offers 12 medical concentrations, and all classes are graded pass/fail, with no honors programs, in an attempt to encourage cooperation among students. http://med.stanford.edu/

Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee)
Not only is the Vanderbilt School of Medicine one of the top medical schools in the country, it is also affiliated with several of the top hospitals in the country. Some of these units include psychiatry, oncology, sports medicine, and more. After FedEx, Vanderbilt is the largest private employer in the state of Tennessee. http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/medschool/

One person dies every 16 minutes in the US while waiting for an organ transplant. Although health experts can’t directly increase the number of organ donations available, a network of local organ transplant organizations can find ways to make sure that more people who need an organ get one – and one that fits.

The field of organ transplantation is technologically fascinating and professionally diverse. In the 1940s, organ transplantation was virtually non-existent. Only in the past several decades has the technology caught up to allow patients a high chance of survival when undergoing transplantation. Now, the medical community faces a new problem: a lack of available organs.

In some ways, finding suitable organs for patients is more important than the actual surgery, simply because of the severe shortage of organs. Only about 7% of individuals on the waiting list will receive an organ within one year. While doctors and nurses can usually perform a successful surgery, it’s somebody else’s job to line up the body parts: specifically, an organ coordinator.

All organ transplants in the US are coordinated by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), an independent nonprofit organization that operates under the US Department of Health and Human Services. Any individual in need of an organ transplant must be registered in a nationwide organ distribution system called the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), which is operated by UNOS.

Across the country, there are nearly 100 local “organ procurement organizations” (OPOs) that are responsible for the organization of donations, as well as the retrieval, preservation, and transportation of newly available organs. Most organ donors are brain-dead individuals on life support, and their organs must be recovered quickly in order to achieve a successful transplantation. In addition, OPOs educate the public and medical staff about organ donation, and work with donor families during the entire donation procedure.

OPOs hire a diverse staff, including organ procurement coordinators, donor family advocates, and technicians that perform the actual organ and tissue recoveries. Still other staff members are involved in community outreach, teaching educational classes and encouraging individuals to volunteer to donate their organs. The education and background of many OPO staff may include RN, surgical, or paramedical certification, bachelor’s degrees in life sciences, and higher education in the medical field.

When an organ becomes available in the local area, the OPO staff members must work quickly to gather all the personal information about the donor to compare with a waiting list of individuals in need. UNOS has established a system that generates a ranked list of potential recipients based on several factors, such as the physical compatibility between donor and recipient, and waiting time.

Once the OPO determines the best candidate and prepares the organ for delivery, the rest is up to the recipient’s surgical team. While transplantation is successful about 95% of the time, patients often must take immunosuppressant drugs for their remainder of their lives to stop the new organ from being rejected by their own immune systems. Researchers are investigating new technologies that will reduce this foreign tissue rejection response. Some scientists are even investigating “xenotransplantation” – transplanting organs from animals into humans.

Until scientists find a new way to find organs for people in need, the work of non-profit organ procurement organizations will play a large role in finding and distributing body parts throughout the country.