Colorado Community College System

Health Science Career Cluster

Health Science Pathways• All Health Science Careers are organized

into 5 pathways– Therapeutic Services– Diagnostic Services– Health Informatics– Support Services– Biotechnology Research and Development

Therapeutic ServicesMaintain or change the health status of the patient over time

– Nursing• Nursing Aide• Licensed Practical

Nurse• Registered Nurse

– Rehabilitation Counselor

– Occupational Therapy Assistant

– Speech Language Pathologist

– Surgical Technologist

– Pharmacist– Psychologist– Massage Therapist– Dentist– Acupuncturist– Recreational Therapist– Wellness Coach– Social Worker– Orthotist/Prosthetist– Mortician

Diagnostic ServicesCreate a picture of patient health at a single point of time

– Magnetic Resonance Technologist

– Nutritionist/Dietitian– Respiratory Therapist– Mammographer– Exercise Physiologist– Genetic Counselor– Computer Tomography

Technologist– Blood Bank Technician

– Opthalmic• Assistant• Technician• Technologist

– Physical Therapist– Phlebotomist– Histotechnician– Neurodiagnostic

Technologist– Cytotechnologist

Health InformaticsProvide functions that support and document patient care

– Admitting Clerk– Cancer Registrar– Epidemiologist– Unit Coordinator– Medical Information

Technologist– Medical Illustrator– Health Information

Technician– Healthcare

Administrator

– Data Quality Manager– Clinical Coder– Certified Compliance

Technician– Patient Advocates– Medical Librarian– Ethicist– Health Educator– Information Privacy

Officer– Ethicist

Support ServicesProvide a therapeutic environment for the delivery of healthcare

– Transport Technician– Materials Manager– Biomedical/Clinical

Engineer– Dietary Aide– Industrial Hygienist– Maintenance Engineer– Environmental

Services Facilities Manager

– Interpreter

– Dietary Manager– Central Services

Technician– Clinical Simulator

Technician– Healthcare

Administrator– Biomedical/Clinical

Technician– Central Service

Manager

Biotechnology Research and Development

Use scientific and technical advancements to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic abilities in healthcare

– Biochemist– Toxicologist– Pharmacologist– Geneticist– Cell Biologist– Bioinformatics Scientist– Laboratory Assistant-

Genetics– Laboratory Technician

– Microbiologist– Quality Assurance

Technician– Medical Editor/Writer– Clinical Data

Management Associate/Consultant

– Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

– Clinical Trials Monitor

Educational Requirements• High School Diploma with On-the-Job Training

– Dental Assistant* – Home Health Aide*– Medical Assistant*

*may require a certification in some states

• Certification – Specialized Training (must pass a Certification Exam)– Nurse Aide– Pharmacy Technician– Phlebotomist– EMT

Associate’s Degree• Associate’s Degree

– 2 - year program• Registered Nurse• Dental Hygienist• Respiratory Therapist• Occupational Therapy Assistant• Surgical Technologist• Physical Therapist Assistant• Radiologic Technologist• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer• Medical/Clinical Laboratory Technicians

*many of the above careers require a license

Bachelor’s Degree• Bachelor’s Degree

– 4 - year program• Athletic Trainer• Dietitian and Nutritionist• Medical/Clinical Laboratory Technologists• Occupational Health and Safety Specialist• Recreational Therapist• Biomedical Engineer• Information Systems Manager• Health Data Analyst

Master’s Degree• Master’s Degree

– Bachelor’s Degree + 1 to 6 - year program• Healthcare Administrator• Mental Health Therapist• Speech-Language Pathologist• Physical Therapist• Occupational Therapist• Epidemiologist• Medical Library Technician• Genetic Counselor• Physician Assistant

Doctoral Degree• Doctoral Degree

– Bachelor’s Degree + 5 or more years• Dentist• Physicians• Psychologist• Surgeon• Veterinarian• Anesthesiologist• Medical Scientists• Optometrists• Pharmacists

Professional Organizations• HOSA is a leadership organization for

students interested in pursuing a career in the health care field.– Visit us online at www.hosa.org or

www.hosa.cccs.edu

SKILLS REQUIRED OF ALL HEALTHCARE WORKERS

Appearance and Hygiene• Dress according to the facility’s dress code• Jewelry kept to a minimum• Wear name badge• Clean and appropriate shoes• Clean hair• Bathe daily• Clean teeth and good breath• Use deodorant• Hair off of collar• No perfume, cologne, or aftershave.• Conservative makeup• No stubble

Behavior• Calm and courteous• Listen• Monitor patients• Perform tasks efficiently and carefully• No gossip about patients or coworkers• No offensive language• Watch for hazardous situations• Follow all safety procedures

Personal Characteristics of a Healthcare Worker

• Empathy• Honesty• Dependability• Willingness to

Learn• Patience• Acceptance of

Criticism

• Enthusiasm• Self-Motivated• Tact • Competence• Responsibility/

Accountability• Discretion• Team Player

Body Language• Make eye contact with patients• Main eye contact as you converse with patients• Smile• Keep an open stance• Give your full attention to one patient at a time• Keep hands away from your mouth when

speaking• Sit or stand at eye level with patients as you

converse

Maintain Confidentiality• Maintaining confidentially of patient care and

medical records is critical.• Medical records contain private information that

must not be shared with people who are not involved in the patient’s care.

• Patients sign a confidentiality form before receiving treatment. This is a legally binding form that promises that the medical facility will protect patient information.

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK IN THE

HEALTHCARE FIELD?