Health Careers

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Health Careers You

• Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center

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• Are you determined?
• Do you like to help people?
• Do you want a steady job close to home?
• Do you want to make a difference?
• Do you want to have a steady income to provide
  for your family?

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If you answered yes to any of these questions
A Health Career may be for
YOU!
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Health Career Overview

• Our nation is suffering a serious shortage of
  critical aspects of the health care system.
  (Nurses, primary care physicians, others)
• Shortages will only get worse with the
  approaching retirement of the baby boomers and we
  are living longer.
• Shortages result in increased costs and poorer
  quality of care. (I.e., unnecessary deaths)
• You can be a part of the solution!

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ENDLESS Opportunities Near YOUR Home
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The Nursing Shortage Nationwide

• More than one million new and replacement nurses
  will be needed by 2012 (U.S. Bureau of Labor
  Statistics, 2002)
• In 2000, 30 states had shortages of RNs by
  2020, 44 states are expected to have shortages of
  RNs (HRSA)

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Impact of a Nursing Shortage

• Multiple studies have shown that, in the hospital
  setting
• Higher levels of nurse staffing and
• Higher levels of nursing education
• are associated with better patient outcomes (ie,
  fewer deaths)
• Having more nurses in hospitals could save
  thousands of lives each year.
• A JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of
  Healthcare Organizations) review of 1609 patient
  deaths found that low nursing staff levels were a
  contributing factor in 24 of the cases.

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Impact of a Primary Care Physician Shortage

• The greater the number of primary care physicians
  per capita
• the higher the quality of care delivered
• the less Medicare money is spent
• These benefits are not seen on a population basis
  with increased numbers of specialist physicians.

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Louisiana Peculiarities

• We have large numbers of RNs and LPNs
• We have disproportionately more LPNs than RNs
• We have relatively few NPs and very few nurse
  midwives
• We graduate a large number of physicians per
  capita
• There is still a serious shortage of physicians,
  especially primary care physicians

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• The next slide contains information concerning
  Louisiana
• Louisiana spends
• the MOST money on healthcare and
• has the WORST outcomes.

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Medicare spending and qualityMore money does not
mean higher quality care
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• The next slide contains information concerning
  Louisiana
• Louisiana has more
• general/family physicians than some, and still
  ranks LAST in the COUNTRY for QUALITY of care.

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GPs and qualityThe more general/family
physicians, the better the health quality rank
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A closer at a few health
careers
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Registered Nurse (RN)

• Growth in Demand 1.8 (LA)
• Number of jobs to be filled this year in LA
  1310
• Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there is
  an expected growth of 21-35 through 2010,
  adding to the problem is that many nurses (both
  in practice and in educational settings) are
  nearing retirement.
• Starting salaries 44,100 (LA Average)

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Registered Nurse Duties

• Provide patient care, Treatment and education.
• Understand, administer and evaluate effects of
  wide range of medicines on patients.
• Operate and interpret intricate life saving
  equipment.
• Supervising other nursing staff
• Record keeping
• May specialize in any number of clinical fields
• Individuals with masters or doctoral degrees may
  serve as nurse faculty members or go on to
  advanced practice nursing.

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Where Do RNs Work

• Public Health
• Infection Control
• Obstetrics
• Pediatrics
• Emergency
• Rehabilitation

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Requirements for a RN

• Training Required
• Completion of an accredited 2- or 4-year college
  degree program
• Pass the National Council Licensure
• Licensure by the Louisiana Board of Nursing
  renewal required and continuing education course
  work

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Schools in SW LA for RN

• Louisiana State University- Eunice
• McNeese State University
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette

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Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

• Growth and demand 1.2 (LA)
• Number of jobs to be filled this year in LA - 620
• United States Department of Labor, Bureau of
  Labor Statistics reports that there is an
  expected growth of 10-20 through 2010 in this
  area of nursing due to the aging population
  nursing schools are expected to graduate more
  LPNs than in the past to keep up with the demand.
  
• Starting salaries 26,290 (LA average)

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Licensed Practical Nurse Duties

• Answer patient calls and provide direct patient
  care
• Give injections, take vital signs, perform basic
  diagnostic tests, observe patients, dress wounds
  and therapeutic treatment
• Assist with rehabilitation
• Work under the supervision of physicians and
  registered nurses other duties may include
  catheterization, collection of samples for
  testing, perform routine laboratory procedures,
  record food and fluid intake and output
• Where state laws permit, administer medications
  and start intravenous fluids
• May provide prevention and wellness instructions
  to patients and families
• May specialize in specific areas of medicine.

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Where do LPNs work?

• General practice
• Surgery/recovery
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics
• Psychiatry
• Geriatrics
• An LPN can get credit for 12 semester credit
  hours in a 2-year or 4-year nursing degree
  program after completing general coursework.

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Requirements for a LPN

• Training Required
• Completion of an accredited program
• Pass the National Council Licensure
• Examination for licensed practical nurses
• Licensure by the Louisiana Board of Practical
  Nurse Examiners renewal required and continuing
  education course work

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Schools in SW LA for LPN

• L.T.C. Acadian Campus - Crowley
• L.T.C. Evangeline Campus - St. Martinville
• L.T.C. Charles B. Coreil Campus - Ville Platte
• L.T.C. Gulf Area Campus - Abbeville
• L.T.C. Lafayette Campus - Lafayette
• L.T.C. Morgan Smith Campus - Jennings
• L.T.C. Oakdale Campus - Oakdale
• L.T.C. Teche Area Campus - New Iberia
• Lafayette General School of Health Sciences -
  Lafayette
• SOWELA Technical Community College - Lake
  Charles

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Certified Nurse Assistant/Aide (CNA)

• Growth and demand 1.6 (LA)
• Number of jobs to be filled this year in LA - 820
• While projected numbers are not available, there
  is expected to be a growing demand especially in
  the nursing homes, rehabilitation and home health
  care sectors as the baby boomers age.
• Starting salaries 14,320 (LA average)

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CNA Duties

• Work under the direction of other health care
  professionals
• Help patients groom and feed themselves
• Participate in recreational and educational
  activities
• Take blood pressure, temperature and pulse
  reading
• Serve meals
• May perform housekeeping duties such as changing
  patient beds
• May provide basic first aid in an emergency
• Often the principle caregivers for the elderly
  and may have long and sustained contact with
  patients and families.

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Where do CNAs work?

• Various specialty areas in hospitals
• general care
• geriatrics
• rehabilitation
• A CNA can receive three hours of semester credit
  in LPN programs after validating
• clinical competencies.

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Requirements for a CNA

• Completion of an approved training course that
  includes the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act
  (OBRA 1987) Skill Standards as part of the
  competency-based curriculum
• Demonstration of clinical skills
• Written exam Registry through the Louisiana
  Department of Health and Hospitals for entry into
  the Louisiana Registry of Certified Nurse
  Assistants. To stay current, must work at least a
  24-hour shift over a two-year period

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Schools in SW LA for CNA

• L.T.C. Acadian Campus - Crowley
• L.T.C. Charles B. Coreil Campus - Ville Platte
• L.T.C. Evangeline Campus - St. Martinville
• L.T.C. Gulf Area Campus - Abbeville
• L.T.C. Morgan Smith Campus - Jennings
• L.T.C. Oakdale Campus - Oakdale
• L.T.C. T.H. Harris Campus - Opelousas
• L.T.C. Teche Area Campus - New Iberia
• Lafayette General School of Health Sciences -
  Lafayette
• SOWELA Technical Community College - Lake
  Charles
• (There are many other schools in LA-these are in
  our region)

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Respiratory Therapist

• Growth and demand 2.4 (LA)
• Total annual average openings in LA 820
• Starting salaries 31,790 (LA average)

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Respiratory Therapist Duties

• Deals with deficiencies and abnormalities of the
  lungs, heart and circulatory system
• Procedures involve the prevention, diagnosis,
  treatment, control, and rehabilitation of
  breathing disorders such as asthma and emphysema,
  as well as in the emergency care of cardiac
  failure, cerebral thrombosis, hemorrhage,
  embolism, and shock.

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Where do Respiratory Therapist work?

• Work with trauma victims and the critically ill.
• Patients include newborns, asthmatics, allergy
  sufferers, drowning victims, and cardiac
  patients.
• They must be quick to spot any change in a
  patients condition and must be ready to
  administer immediate lifesaving aid.

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Requirements for Respiratory Therapist

• Both two-year and four-year degree programs are
  available in respiratory care. Admittance into
  educational programs requires a high school
  diploma or the equivalent (GED).
• Following successful completion of a national
  exam after graduation, one becomes a respiratory
  therapist certified by the National Board for
  Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory
  Therapist (RRT).

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Schools in SW LA for Respiratory Therapist

• Louisiana State University - Eunice

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Physical Therapist

• Growth and demand 2.7 (LA)
• Number of jobs to be filled this year in LA 80
• Starting salaries 64,970 (LA average)

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Physical Therapist Duties

• Physical therapists work to rehabilitate
  individuals who have been physically disabled by
  disease or accident, or who are born with a
  physical handicap.
• PTs use a battery of scientific tools, including
  microwaves, ultrasound, cold, heat, electrical
  stimulation, exercise, infra-red and ultraviolet
  radiation, and mechanical devices to restore,
  maintain and improve the quality of life for the
  healthy as well as the handicapped.
• Physical therapists also work to prevent further
  disability.

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Where do Physical Therapist work?

• General, specialized or long-term care hospitals,
  rehabilitation or research centers, nursing
  homes, schools for handicapped children, health
  maintenance organizations, clinics, school
  systems, home health agencies, and in private
  practice.

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Requirements to be a Physical Therapist

• Must obtain a masters degree in physical therapy
  after completion of a bachelors degree. The
  program provides clinical experience and
  education in the direct care of patients in a
  health care facility.
• After finishing educational requirements,
  graduates must pass a state licensure
  examination.

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Radiologic Technologists

• Growth and demand 1.5 (LA)
• Number of jobs to be filled this year in LA 120
• Starting salaries 32,590 (LA average)

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Radiologic Technologists Duties

• Radiologic Technologists, or radiographers, use
  X-ray machines and other equipment to create
  images of the internal structures of the body.
• Assist the radiologist in the use of X-ray
  equipment and the fluoroscopic screen in the
  diagnostic imaging of such medical problems as
  broken bones, ulcers, tumors, and other
  illnesses.

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Where do Radiologic Technologists work?

• Most work in hospitals, but there are also
  positions in clinics, private physician's
  offices, the government, industry, public health
  facilities, laboratories, and in radiographic
  equipment sales.
• With further training and experience, registered
  technologists can become certified in radiation
  therapy technology, magnetic imaging, ultrasound
  or nuclear medicine technology.

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Requirements Radiologic Technologists

• Two-to four-year program in radiography. High
  school diploma or equivalent is needed to enter a
  program
• Hospitals, colleges, medical schools, and
  vocational/technical schools offer these
  programs. The four-year programs generally lead
  to a bachelors degree in radiologic technology.
• Graduating from an accredited program and
  successfully passing a qualifying exam are the
  requirements for certification as a radiographer.
  Certification by the American Registry of
  Radiologic Technologists is a prerequisite for
  obtaining highly skilled and specialized
  positions.

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Schools in SW LA for Radiologic Technologists

• McNeese State Unversity - Lake Charles
• LSUE - Eunice

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Pharmacists

• Growth and demand 1.9 (LA)
• Number of jobs to be filled this year in LA 180
• Starting salaries 66,150 (LA average)

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Pharmacists Duties

• Dispense prescription medications and provide a
  wide range of pharmaceutical care services
• Counsel patients on proper use of medications
  drug monitoring disease management
• Participate in multidisciplinary clinical care
  teams consult on drug utilization programs
  support health services research on outcomes of
  care provide drug information patient
  education formulary management

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Where do Pharmacists work?

• Retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, nursing
  home pharmacies government research
  laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturers
  instructors administrators
• Retail community pharmacists research drug
  manufacturing and sales specialties within
  hospital settings pharmaceutical writers and
  editors instruction

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Requirements to be a Pharmacists

• Only the Doctor of Pharmacy program (Pharm D) is
  accredited by the American Council of
  Pharmaceutical Education (ASPE) the Bachelor of
  Science Degree in Pharmacy is being phased out.
  The Pharm D program requires 4 years of
  professional course work after a 2 year
  pre-pharmacy program and an additional year of
  clinical studies.
• Requirements Graduation from an accredited
  program, completion of a prescribed number of
  hours of internship training and passing a state
  board licensing examination.

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Schools in LA for Pharmacists

• University of Louisiana - Monroe
• Xavier University Louisiana New Orleans

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What can YOU do NOW?

• Take extra Math and Science classes
• Be involved in your Health Academy at your school
  
• (if applicable)
• Use a Medical Dictionary and learn terms
• Learn as much anatomy as you can
• A great visual is BodyWorlds3 to help learn
  anatomy
• Look for scholarships and have a plan
• Often times there are programs to help those
• in the health field due to the severe shortage
• Join HOSA
• (Health Occupation Students of America)

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How can SWLAHEC help?

• Ahec of a Summer
• MASH
• Day with the Docs
• AmeriCorps

SWLAHEC at 1-800-435-2432 or 1-337-989-0001
www.swlahec.com
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Ahec of a Summer

• Available to High School students
• 2-3 weeks during the summer
• Rotate through different hospital/health
  facilities
• Earn high school credit
• Shadow various health fields

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M. A. S. H. Medical Applications of Science
for Health

• Available to High School students
• Take a biology lecture and lab
• Attend McNeese or UL Lafayette
• 11 day college course
• Earn College credit
• Experience College Life

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Day with the Docs

• Visit LSU Health Science Center School of
  Medicine in New Orleans
• 1 day
• Interact with medical students
• See medical school firsthand

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AmeriCorps

• Opportunity to serve your community
• Be exposed to the health field and diversity
• Help others
• Earn a living stipend
• Earn an education award (scholarship)
• Many new friends
• Explore SW Louisiana
• Receive great work experience
• in the field of health

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HOSAHealth Occupation Students of America

• Network with other students with similar interest
• Compete for medical test/procedure awards
• Travel across the country for national conference
• Help you in career decision making
• Give you a learning edge for future courses
  related to your field of interest
• Provide you with a clearer picture of your goal,
  and what will need to happen in order to achieve
  it
• www.hosa.org

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Other Resources to find Health Information

• Louisiana Health Careers Directory online at
  www.lahealthcareers.com.
• This is a list of health careers and job
  descriptions and average salaries.
• The Health Resource Services Administrations
  (HRSA) main website http//www.hrsa.gov/
• www.mclph.umn.edu/watersedge Outbreak at
  Watersedge is a public health discovery game.
  It walks you through public health.
• http//www.laworks.net/Youth_Portal/YP_Menu.asp
  
  NEW Louisiana youth works
  is a website for high school students to help
  them decide on a career. There are links such
  as preparing for a job, careers whats right
  for me, looking to further your education,
  decisions decisions and more resources. This
  is a great website for all students not just
  those interested in health careers.

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