Health Technologist and Technician Careers

Health Technologist and Technician CareersHealth Technologist and Technician CareersThose who want to work in the health field as health technologists and technicians have a variety of careers from which to choose. The occupations listed here all have very positive outlooks for the coming years. Learn about each of these career choices. Athletic Trainer Athletic trainers treat athletes and other individuals who have sustained injuries. They also teach people how to prevent them. They perform their job under the supervision of physicians. One must earn at least a bachelors degree to be an athletic trainer but the majority of people in this career have a masters degree. Forty-seven states require a license in order to practice. Athletic trainers earned a median annual salary of $41,340 in 2009. Dental Hygienist Dental hygienists provide preventative dental care and teach patients how to maintain good oral health. They usually work under dentists supervision. To work as a dental hygienist one must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school, earning, fruchtwein commonly, an associate degree. Dental hygienists, in 2009, earned a median annual salary of $67,340. EMT and Paramedic EMTs and paramedics administer on-site emergency care to ill or injured people. There are three levels of training for those who want to work in this field EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and Paramedic. To work as an EMT or paramedic one must be licensed. Paramedics earned a median annual salary of $30,000 in 2009. Lab Technician Lab technicians perform laboratory tests and procedures. They work under the supervision of a laboratory technologist or a laboratory manager. To work as a laboratory technician one must first earn an associate degree. Laboratory technicians are required by some states to be licensed. Median annual earnings of laboratory technicians were $36,030 in 2009. Lab Technologist Lab technologists perform complex tests that help other medical professi onals, such as physicians, detect, diagnose and treat disease. Aspiring laboratory technologists should earn a bachelors degree with a major in medical technology or one of the life sciences. Some states require laboratory technologists to be licensed. Laboratory technologists earned median annual wages of $55,140 in 2009. Licensed Practical Nurse Licensed Practical nurses care for patients who are sick, injured, convalescing or disabled. To work as a licensed practical nurse one must attend a state-approved year-long training program. After completion of a formal training program, an aspiring licensed practical nurse must pass the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX-PN. Median annual earnings oflicensed practical nurses were $39,820 in 2009. Nuclear Medicine Technologist Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals, radioactive drugs, to patients in order to treat or diagnose diseases. To become a nuclear medicine technologist one m ust complete a nuclear medicine technology program that can range from one to four yours. A license to practice is required in about half of all states in the U.S. and voluntary certification is also available. Nuclear medicine technologists earned a median annual salary of $67,910 in 2009. Pharmacy Technician Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with the preparation of prescription medications for customers. Their duties vary depending on the state in which they work. Pharmacy technicians have no formal training requirements but those who have received formal training are more desirable to employers. Pharmacy technicians earned a median annual salary of $28,070 in 2009. Radiologic Technologist and Technician Radiologic technologists and technicians perform diagnostic imaging examinations using x-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and mammography. Radiologic Technicians perform x-rays while radiologic technologists perform CT scans, MRIs, and mammography. Aspiring radiologic technologists or technicians must receive formal training in radiography. This training leads most often to an associate degree. Median annual earnings of radiologic technologists and technicians were $53,240 in 2009. Surgical Technologist Surgical technologists assist in surgery, working under the supervision of surgeons and registered nurses. One who wants to be a surgical technologist must complete a nine to 12-month formal training program. Surgical technologists earned an annual median salary of $39,400 in 2009. Ultrasound Technician Ultrasound technicians operate special equipment that uses sound waves to help diagnose patients ailments. Those who want to work as ultrasound technicians must attend a formal training program, earning either an associate or bachelors degree. Ultrasound technicians earned a median annual salary of $30,790 in 2009. Veterinary Technician and Technologist Veterinary technicians and technologists assist ve terinarians by conducting clinical and laboratory procedures in private clinics and animal hospitals. Some work in research facilities. To become a veterinary technician one must attend an accredited, two-year veterinary technology program at a community college. This will usually result in earning an associates degrees. Aspiring veterinary technologists must earn a bachelors degree by completing a four-year program. Veterinary technicians and technologists earned an annual median salary of $29,280 in 2009. SourcesBureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 EditionEmployment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online. Comparing Health Technology Careers Minimum EducationLicenseMedian SalaryAthletic TrainerBachelorsRequired in 47 states$41,340Dental HygienistAssociateRequired$67,340EMT and ParamedicSpecialized trainingRequired$30,000Lab TechnicianAssociateRequired by some states$36,030Lab TechnologistBachel orsRequired by some states$55,140Licensed Practical NurseOne-year training programNational licensure exam$39,820Nuclear Medicine TechnologistSpecialized training lasting 1-4 yearsRequired in about half of all states$67,910Pharmacy TechnicianNo formal trainingRegistration with state board of pharmacy required in most states$28,070Radiologic Technologist and TechnicianSpecialized training resulting in an associate degreeRequired by most states$53,240Surgical Technologist9-12 month training programnone$39,400Ultrasound TechnicianAssociatenone$30,790Veterinary TechnicianSpecialized training for 2 yearsnone$29,280Veterinary TechnologistBachelorsnone$29,280