Health Related Careers
There are many health professions for those seeking rewarding, fulfilling and satisfying careers. The following professions all require 2-4 years of graduate studies beyond college in the specific programs:
- Doctors of allopathic medicine (M.D.) and osteopathic medicine (D.O.) are physicians who use all the scientifically accepted methods of diagnosis and treatment to cure diseases.
- Dentists (D.D.S.) are concerned with the prevention of dental disease, its diagnosis and treatment.
- Physical therapists (P.T.) treat people to aid in the restoration of bodily functions, relieve pain or prevent permanent disability after a long-term illness or injury.
- Physician assistants (P.A.) examine patients, perform minor surgery, diagnose some health problems and suggest a course of treatment, under a physician’s supervision.
- Occupational therapists (O.T.) develop or restore the highest possible level of independence for an individual who is limited by physical injury or illness, a dysfunction a mental illness, a developmental or learning disability or an adverse environmental condition.
- Speech-language practitioners provides service to children and adults with speech and language pathology.
- Optometrists specialize in the examination, diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases and disorders of the visual system
- Podiatrists diagnose, treat and prevent disease of the feet by surgical, medical or physical means. Specialties within the field include podiatric sports medicine.
- Chiropractors manipulate the vertebrae of the spine and the body’s joints and muscles to alleviate certain maladies.
- The certified athletic trainer (A.T.C) specializes in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health personnel, the ATC functions as an integral member of the athletic health care team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, sport medicine clinics, professional sports programs, industrial settings and other health care environments.
For detailed information about each health professions, check the following websites:
http://www.aamc.org for medicine
http://www.ada.org for dentistry
http://www.avma.org for veterinary medicine
http://www.aaopt.org for optometry
http://www.apta.org for physical therapy
http://www.aapa.org for physician assistant
http://www.nata.org for athletic training
http://www.aota.org for occupational therapy