Medical Assisting Diploma

1. Doctorate Degree Masters Degree Bachelor of Science Associate Degree Diploma Certificate Continuing Education Certificate Shading = Patient Contact Healthcare Education & Career Pathway No Shading = Non-Patient Contact PharmD Doctor of Pharmacy Medical Doctor Doctor of Medicine Nursing Doctor of Philosophy Pharmaceutical Sciences Masters of Science Health Information Management Masters of Science Nursing Masters of Science Physical Therapy Master of Science Physician Assistant Masters Degree Health Information Technology Bachelor of Science Healthcare Administration Bachelor of Science Histotechnology Bachelor of Science Pharmaceutical Sciences Bachelor of Science Nursing Bachelor of Science Medical Technology Bachelor of Science EMS Bachelor of Science Medical Laboratory Technology Assoc. Applied Science Physical Therapy Assistant Assoc. Applied Science Therapeutic Massage Assoc. Applied Science Health Information Technology Assoc. Applied Science Cancer Information Management Assoc. Applied Science Pharmacy Technology Assoc. Applied Science Medical Assisting Assoc. Applied Science Histotechnology Assoc. Applied Science Registered Nurse Assoc. Degree Nursing EMS-Paramedic Assoc. Applied Science Pharmacy Technology Diploma Therapeutic Massage Diploma Practical Nurse Diploma Medical Assisting Diploma Medical Office Procedures Certificate Medical Office Procedures Certificate Medical Office Procedures Certificate Phlebotomy Certificate Nurse Aide II Paramedic Medication Aide Geriatric Aide Nurse Aide I Home Companion Aide Medical Office Administration Health Unit Coordinator Medical Office Administration Medical Office Administration Medication Aide Athletic Trainer Nurse Aide I EMT-Basic Nurse Aide I Transitioning Student

2. Occupation Summaries DOCTORATE DEGREE • Medical Doctor - Doctor of Medicine • Practices medicine and is concerned with maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and injury. • Nursing - Doctor of Philosophy • Provides foundation for leadership in professional nursing care • Works in areas of advanced practice specialization • PharmD – Doctor of Pharmacy • The doctor of pharmacy, PharmD, is the professional degree • required to practice pharmacy in the United States MASTERS DEGREE • Physician Assistant – Masters Degree • Takes medical histories • Examines and treats patients • Orders and analyzes lab tests and x-rays • Prescribes medication • Treats minor injuries • Nursing – Masters of Science • Advanced level nurse such as a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist • Nurse Midwife, or a Nurse Educator or Administrator • Entry-level degree for managers. It is also a prerequisite for doctorate • level nursing education • Masters in Physical Therapy • Helps patients, including accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions by providing services that restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities • Pharmaceutical Sciences – Masters of Science • Pharmaceutical scientists are actively involved in all aspects of drug • discovery, development, and production • Has specialized training in molecular biology, analytical • instrumentation, pharmacology, & biochemistry BACHELOR OF SCIENCE • EMS – Bachelor of Science • Recognizes, assesses, and manages medical emergencies in prehospital settings • Supervises ambulance personnel • Performs emergency surgical procedures • Supervises & manages crisis scenes • Registered Nursing – Bachelor of Science • Deals with the science and principles of nursing • Maintains a role away from the bedside while • applying critical thinking, professional skills, and knowledge to client outcomes and health care systems • Healthcare Administration – Bachelor of Science • Develops, plans, and manages health care operations and services within health care facilities and across health care systems • Medical Technology –Bachelor of Science • Performs diagnostic analytic tests on human • body fluids as well as other specimens • Works in clinical laboratories at hospitals, • doctor's offices, reference labs, and within the • biotechnology industry • Histotechnologist – Bachelor • of Science • Also known as histologic technologists or tissue technologists, prepares slices of body tissue for examination by pathologists • Performs complex procedures for processing body tissue and must make judgments concerning the quality of results • Health Information Management – Bachelor • of Science • Works with administrative and clinical staffs in health care facilities to provide the best possible information resources • Designs and maintains health information systems to collect, assess, and disseminate clinical and administrative data • Pharmaceutical Sciences – Bachelor • of Science • Works in technical positions in the pharmacy production, control, and development sectors of the pharmaceutical industry • Can work with drug research and development, pharmaceutical marketing or drug regulation ASSOCIATE DEGREE • EMS – Paramedic – Assoc. Degree • Recognizes, assesses, and manages medical emergencies in prehospital settings • Supervises ambulance personnel • Performs emergency surgical procedures • Supervises & manages crisis scenes • Registered Nurse – Assoc. Degree • Supervises nursing assistants & LPNs • Plans, directs, and provides patient care • Observes and records symptoms, reactions, and patient progress • Physical Therapy Assistant – • Assoc. Degree • Provides direct patient care for physical improvement • Works under supervision of physical therapists • Therapeutic Massage – Assoc. • Degree • Provides manipulation, methodical pressure, friction and kneading of the body for maintaining wellness or treating alterations of the body • Medical Assisting – Assoc. • Degree • Performs administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures in physicians’ offices, health maintenance organizations, health departments, and hospitals • Medical Laboratory • Technology – Assoc. Degree • Performs & analyzes lab tests on blood & other body fluids for use in diagnosis & treatment • Histotechnology – Assoc. • Degree • Prepares tissue samples for microscopic examination using various dyes & stains • Health Information • Technology – Assoc. Degree • Processes, analyzes, abstracts, compiles, maintains, manages & reports health information • Cancer Information • Management – Assoc. Degree • Analyzes health records • Compiles cancer date fro research • Abstracts & codes clinical data • Pharmacy Technology – • Assoc. Degree • Processes the prescriptions, prepares the prescriptions, and distributes the medication to patients DIPLOMA • Practical Nurse – Diploma • Provides nursing care to children and adults • Participates in assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care • Therapeutic Massage – Diploma • Provides manipulation, methodical pressure, friction and kneading of the body for maintaining wellness or treating alterations of the body • Pharmacy Technology – Diploma • Assists the pharmacist with all duties as they relate to customer/client care • Prepares oral & intravenous medications • Maintains patient records & medication inventory • Data entry • Performs dosing calculations • Medical Assisting – Diploma • Assists physicians in the examination and treatment of patients • Performs routine office tasks CERTIFICATE • Medical Office Procedures – Certificate • Assists health care facilities with scheduling, coding & processing insurance, & billing • Performs routine office tasks • Phlebotomy – Certificate • Collects and process blood and body fluids • Employed in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices & other health care settings CONTINUING EDUCATION CERTIFICATE • EMT-Basic • Recognizes a variety of medical emergencies • Provides efficient and prompt emergency care • Evaluates diagnostic signs • Determines extent of injury or illness • Athletic Trainer • Specializes in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity • Geriatric Aide • Offers personal care and assistance to elderly people who no longer have the health, strength, or resources to be completely self-sufficient • Medication Aide • Administers non-parenteral medications under direct supervision of a registered nurse • Nurse Aide II • Performs more complex skills than a NAI • Works under the direction of LPNs and RNs to assist with patient care • Paramedic • Recognizes, assesses, and manages medical emergencies in prehospital settings • Supervises ambulance personnel • Performs emergency surgical procedures • Supervises & manages crisis scenes • Medical Office Administration • Entry-level positions in physicians’ offices, ambulatory care centers and other medical environments • Jobs include transcriptionist, secretary, hospital unit secretary, records clerk, insurance form preparer, patient accounting clerk, and clinical technician • Health Unit Coordinator • Unit secretary or hospital ward clerk • Maintains clerical items & up-to-date records of patient procedures • Nurse Aide 1 • Provides personal care for patients, residents, or clients in a health care setting • Works under the direction of LPNs and RNs to assist with patient care • Home Companion Aide • Performs duties such as escorting patients, assisting with activities of daily living, and ordering and receiving supplies

3. Education & Career Pathway Personality Strengths ___ People would say I have lots of ideas ___ I like music, drama, or art classes ___ I like writing stories or poems ___ I can play a musical instrument ___ I like, or would like, to act in a drama ___ I am a creative person ___ Artistic You may enjoy things like art, music, & books & are likely to express your feelings easily. You often prefer to work in unstructured settings using your imagination & creativity. ___ I like to lead & persuade people ___ I like competitive events or challenges ___ I like to influence others ___ I have the ability to sell products, services, or ideas ___ I motivate others ___ I am results oriented ___ Enterprising You may like to influence or persuade people & lead or manage within an organization to achieve goals or economic gain. ___ I really want to help people ___ I like to teach others how to do things ___ I like to help others solve problems ___ I like to care for sick people ___ I like to give people information ___ I am an understanding & sympathetic person ___ Social You may like to work with people to enlighten, inform, train, or cure them. Socializing may or may not be fun for you, but you find reward in life through helping others. ___ I like for things to have order & structure ___ I like working with numbers or data ___ I like word processing or data input ___ I am accurate with numbers, data, & information ___ I like following rules & instructions ___ I have the ability to handle details ___ Conventional You may have clerical or numerical abilities & like to work with data, carry out tasks in detail, or follow through on others’ instructions. Keeping things organized is usually important to you. ___ I like to work with my hands ___ I like to work outdoors ___ I like to work on or with machines & equipment ___ I like to work with animals or plants ___ I am skilled in carpentry or building things ___ I am considered to be a practical person ___ Realistic You may have mechanical or athletic ability & prefer to work with objects, machines, tools, plants, or animals. You often like to find answers to problems by doing hands-on work instead of talking about solutions. ___ I like math &/or science classes ___ I like to find out what makes things “tick” ___ I like to solve technical problems ___ I have an interest in medical occupations ___ I am competent with computer applications or programming ___ I am inquisitive & curious by nature ___ Investigative When you have a problem, you are likely to analyze it & look at different ways to solve it using math or science. You may prefer to work by yourself. The Holland Code system, developed by Dr. John Holland, is widely used by career counselors & individuals to assist in determining personality traits used in career decision making. Holland’s theory explores six distinct personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, & Conventional. Knowing your Holland “type” can make sense of the relationship between personality strengths, occupational “types”, college majors, & career fields. The higher the Compatibility, the higher the chances are for career satisfaction. Check each item below that describes you, then add up the number of checks in each box & write the total beside the personality type beneath it. After writing your scores in the boxes beside the personality traits, circle the three that best describe you. Now, put a number one (1) by the personality trait that best describes you, a two (2) beside the next best descriptor, & a three (3) beside the next best descriptor. Write the first letter of each personality trait you chose, in order, in these spaces: ______ ______ ______ ; this indicates your “Holland Code.” You can use your personality strengths information/Holland Code to explore careers & college majors that fit well with your personality. This personality strengths tool is only intended to help you begin to understand how to match your personality with a career. Seek professional assistance from a career counselor in the Career Services Center to verify your results or to take on-line career assessments. PATIENT CONTACT NON-PATIENT CONTACT Cancer Information Management Assoc. Applied Science Conventional Investigative -- Enterprising &/or Social (based on job setting) Physical Therapy Assistant Assoc. Applied Science Social Realistic Conventional Medical Laboratory Technology Assoc. Applied Science Investigative Realistic Conventional EMS-Paramedic Assoc. Applied Science Social Realistic Investigative Histotechnology Assoc. Applied Science Realistic Conventional Investigative Medical Assisting Assoc. Applied Science Social Conventional Realistic Health Information Technology Assoc. Applied Science Conventional Investigative Registered Nurse Assoc. Degree Nursing Social Investigative Therapeutic Massage Assoc. AppliedScience Realistic Social Medical Assisting Diploma Social Conventional Realistic Therapeutic Massage Diploma Realistic Social Practical Nurse Diploma Social Investigative Pharmacy Technology Diploma Conventional Realistic Investigative Phlebotomy Certificate Realistic Conventional -- Social (based on job setting) Medical Office Procedures Certificate Conventional Nurse Aide II Social Realistic Conventional Medication Aide Social Realistic Conventional Paramedic Social Realistic Investigative Geriatric Aide Social Realistic Conventional Home Companion Aide Social Realistic Conventional EMT-Basic Social Realistic Investigative Nurse Aide I Social Realistic Conventional Health Unit Coordinator Conventional Medical Office Administration Conventional Athletic Trainer Social Realistic

4. Education & Career Pathway Skills & Interests NON-PATIENT CONTACT PATIENT CONTACT • Medical Laboratory • Technology • Assoc. Applied Science • Interest in science & hands-on work • Good technical & problem solving skills • Ability to work well with others • Registered Nurse • Assoc. Degree Nursing • Strong interpersonal skills • Good math & science skills • Strong critical thinking, problem solving, & communications skills • Self directed learner • Health Information Technology • Assoc. Applied Science • Interest in computers & health care, but not in patient care • Therapeutic Massage • Assoc. AppliedScience • Interest in working with & helping people • Good people skills • Cancer Information Management • Assoc. Applied Science • Computer skills • Math ability • Interest in computers • Research & health care • -- • Ability to work well with others • Interest in numbers, data, & problem-solving • (based on job setting) • Medical Assisting • Assoc. Applied Science • Ability to assist in procedures with patients under direction of the doctor • Coding records & scheduling appointments in office setting • Organized • Demonstrates good decision making skills • EMS-Paramedic • Assoc. Applied Science • Honesty & integrity • Decision making & critical thinking skills • Interest in working with & helping people • Physical Therapy Assistant • Assoc. Applied Science • Ability to work with people • Problem solving & communications skills • Good math & science skills • Histotechnology • Assoc. Applied Science • Attention to detail, works well alone & with others, good fine motor skills • Interest in science & hands-on work • Practical Nurse • Diploma • Strong interpersonal skills • Good math & science skills • Strong critical thinking, problem solving, & communications skills • Self directed learner • Medical Assisting • Diploma • Ability to assist in procedures with patients under direction of the doctor • Coding records & scheduling appointments in office setting • Organized • Demonstrates good decision making skills • Pharmacy Technology • Diploma • Interest in math & science • Detail oriented • Good communication & people skills • Therapeutic Massage • Diploma • Interest in working with & helping people • Good people skills • Phlebotomy • Certificate • Good hand-eye coordination • Good people skills • -- • Interest in working with & helping people • (based on job setting) • Medical Office Procedures • Certificate • Strong grammar & keyboarding skills • Strong computer skills • Nurse Aide II • Interest in working with people • Good communication skills • Ability to follow directions • Medication Aide • Interest in working with people • Good communication skills • Ability to follow directions • Paramedic • Honesty & integrity • Decision making & critical thinking skills • Interest in working with & helping people • Geriatric Aide • Interest in working with people • Good communication skills • Ability to follow directions • EMT-Basic • Honesty & integrity • Decision making & critical thinking skills • Interest in working with & helping people • Nurse Aide I • Interest in working with people • Good communication skills • Ability to follow directions • Medical Office • Administration • Good communication skills • Detail oriented • Good organizational skills • Health Unit • Coordinator • Good communication skills • Detail oriented • Good organizational skills • Athletic Trainer • Good communication skills • Interest is working with people • Home Companion Aide • Interest in working with people • Good communication skills • Ability to follow directions