GRAAHI will continue to add resources for students interested in learning more about the health care field. In addition, resources will be added in the future to help those students currently enrolled in health care curriculums.

Are you thinking about a health career? If not, maybe you should!

When you hear about health care careers, you are probably thinking physicians, dentists, and nurses. But those are only the big three of more than 300 different health care professions, which are defined as careers requiring specialized skills and training for the purpose of maintaining the health and condition of the body.

With more than three hundred different kinds of jobs, there is something to appeal to all interests and abilities. Many of these jobs do not require graduate level degrees, but can be performed with specialized training at the associate degree and/or certificate levels. What this says is that these jobs are attainable by a wide range of students. Minority students especially should take a good look at health careers.

According to HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration), most racial and ethnic minorities are under-represented within the health professions. Therefore choosing a health career matters because minority representation with the health professions directly relates to access to health care services in underserved communities.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census,
1990 data projected to 1997 by the National Center for health Workforce Information and Analysis, BHPr, HRSA. 
*AAPI data not available.

What do I need to take in school if I am interesting in a career as a doctor or nurse?

A student intern working with GRAAHI put together a curriculum track for becoming a doctor and a nurse. Check out these documents for further information.

How to become a Doctor
How to become a Nurse

What other health careers are there besides being a doctor or nurse?

Pharmacy Technicians are support personnel in pharmacies. Most attend community colleges or vocation-technical schools where they earn associate's degrees. Pharmacy technicians make between $9 and $11 dollars an hour.

Respiratory Therapists work with physicians to treat and care for patients with pulmonary disorders, such as asthma or emphysema. They must complete a formal training program that can be a 4-year bachelor's degree or 2-year associate's degree. The median salary for respiratory therapists is almost $37,680 a year.

Physical Therapists work with people who have been disabled by illness or accident. Treatment may include exercise, massage, the application of heat, and other techniques. There are both undergraduate and graduate degrees for physical therapists who earn a median salary $54,810 a year.

Surgical Technologists prepare operating rooms for surgery, assist during operations, and carry out post-operative procedures. Training programs vary from 9 to 24 months. Salaries range from $20,490 to $40,310 a year.

Genetic Counselors provide information and support to people with birth defects or genetic disorders, or those who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. A master's degree is required and the course work includes medical genetics, counseling, and hands-on experience in the field. The salary ranges from $35,000 at entry level to $75,000 for an experienced counselor.

Public Health Program Specialists identify those at risk of a specified health problem. They also implement and evaluate interventions to prevent such health problems. Many colleges and universities award a bachelor's degree in public health; most advanced positions require a master's degree. Public health professionals' salaries vary by specialty, experience, geographic location, and level of education. Average salary for all specialties is $70,700.

Speech-language Pathologists assess and treat those with speech, language, voice and fluency disorders. They may also work with people who have oral motor problems causing eating and swallowing difficulties. They use written and oral tests as well as special instruments to diagnose the nature and extent of impairment, and to record and analyze speech, language and swallowing irregularities. Many also perform research related to speech and language problems. Salaries range from $37,670 to $62,500 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). There is a shortage in this profession.

For further information about health careers and financial aid, contact the following organization:

HRSA Bureau of Health Professions
Parklawn Room 8A-09
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857
301-443-2100
kidscareers@hrsa.gov

http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/kidscareers

Information provided by http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/kidscareers

 

There is a shortage in the area of Speech-language Pathologists

• Speech-language pathologists assess and treat those with speech, language, voice and fluency disorders. They may also work with people who have oral motor problems causing eating and swallowing difficulties.
• They use written and oral tests as well as special instruments to diagnose the nature and extent of impairment, and to record and analyze speech, language and swallowing irregularities.
• Many also perform research related to speech and language problems. Salaries range from $37,670 to $62,500 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)