allied health professions
DESCRIPTION
ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS. Judith L Miller, MS, LGC April 2010. History. Explosion of scientific knowledge T he “Age of Biology” Sophisticated and complex medical diagnostics and treatments Result: increased need for expertly trained health care personnel Trends today in medical care - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Explosion of scientific knowledge ◦ The “Age of Biology”◦ Sophisticated and complex medical diagnostics and
treatments
Result: increased need for expertly trained health care personnel
Trends today in medical care◦ Increasing costs◦ Treatment of patients in ambulatory facilities◦ Need for most efficacious and least costly care
History
Health professionals other than physicians◦ 200 different careers◦ 80 different professions
Expertly trained in specialized area◦ Can provide excellent care (advice, help)◦ Cost less than care provided by an MD
Allied Health Professions: AHP
Two broad categories:◦ Technicians and Assistants
Typically only up to 2 years education Supervision required
◦ **Therapists and Technologists Require graduate education
Categories of AH Professionals
Job descriptions are quite specialized
Practitioners are highly trained and considered experts in their field
Work in the AHP:◦ Typically, involves direct or indirect patient care◦ After time (after the person gains and
demonstrates expertise) non-traditional jobs are often possible.
“Therapy and Technology” AHPs
Exercise Science (athletic
trainer, kinesiologist)
Cytotechnology
Dietetics
Nuclear Medicine
Technology
Speech-Language
pathology
Genetic Counselor
Radiologic technologist
Surgical technologist
Physical Therapy
Partial list of AHP Areas /Careers
What is Genetic Counseling?
“Helping individuals and families understand how genetics affects their health and lives.”
Who are Genetic Counselors?
Health professionals with◦Specialized graduate degrees ◦Knowledge of medical genetics◦Counseling skills◦Expertise in genetic testing
Genetics Professionals Medical or Clinical Geneticist
◦ MD, Primary care residency plus fellowship or residency in Genetics
◦ Medical Genetics – a Medical Specialty◦ Diagnose and Treat
PhD Geneticist◦ Research
Genetic Counselor◦ MS degree◦ Work with patients, consult, order and
interpret genetic tests
What Do Genetic Counselors Do?
Provide information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders, and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions
Investigate the disorder or condition, interpret test results and information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence, and review available options with the family
•Serve as patient advocates
•Serve as educators and as a resource
• for other health care professionals • for the general public
Many Career Paths:CLINICAL
Prenatal/Preconception◦ Work with pregnant women, couples
planning a pregnancy, couples at risk for having a baby with a genetic condition
Pediatric◦ Help parents, families, children,
teenagers who have, or are at risk for, genetic conditions such as sickle cell disease, deafness, mental retardation, birth defects
Career Paths: Clinical cont.
Adult◦Counsel people with medical and genetic conditions, or a family history of a condition such as cancer, Huntington disease, Alzheimer disease
Cancer Genetics
More Career Paths Public Health
◦ Raise awareness of genetics◦ Improve access to services◦ Outreach services◦ Determine public policy
Education◦ Teach in genetic counseling programs,
selected programs in colleges and universities Research
◦ Serve as liaison between research lab and patients
◦ Explore unanswered questions in genetic counseling
More Career Paths
Consulting◦Private Practice
Have increased autonomy and flexibility ◦Internet Companies (Direct to
Consumer counseling and testing) Develop online products related to genetics
◦Pharmaceuticals Act as corporate resource for genetics expertise
◦Industry/Laboratory Act as a liaison between diagnostic labs,
referring physicians, and patients
With Permission: http://scollege.com/aajantoapr2003/2003Feb16MyDesk.jpg
With Permission:http://www.csusm.edu/academic_affairs/
Rewards of Genetic Counseling:
Helping others
Privilege to work closely with individuals and families on sensitive personal matters
Continuing education required
Being an expert in your field
Reduce Health Disparities ◦ Special need to provide genetic counseling services
to African-American, Hispanic and other under served communities
With Permission: http://sitemaker.umich.edu/healthdisparities/files/introhands.jpg
Rewards Become a genetic counselor in two years
after finishing college The average salary for a genetic counselor
in IL with 0.5 to 2.5 years experience was reported as $52,225 in 2009
Job Satisfaction Combination of genetics and working with
people Intellectual challenges of the field Rewards associated with helping people Opportunities for personal growth
S
The Downside… Can be emotionally draining
Rapid advances in field means constant work to keep current
In some cases little chance to advance professionally
Jobs vary widely◦ Physicians run the health care world***◦ Autonomy vs little autonomy
To become a Genetic Counselor Master’s Degree in Genetic Counseling
◦ Currently about 30 programs in US
Graduate programs are intense◦ Course work ◦ Clinical rotations◦ Thesis
Pass certification exam, maintain certification and skills
Be open to relocation
If You are Interested in Genetic Counseling…
Learn about the field: ◦ Read about
Human genome research and ethical dilemmas Treatments and tests for genetic conditions
◦ Obtain / Investigate Information from the National Society of Genetic Counselors Genetic counseling internships
Gain experience working with people◦ Volunteer—rape crisis, pregnancy counseling, Special
Olympics◦ Be a teaching and/or research assistant◦ Take on leadership roles
Obtain recommendations
With permission: http://www.tcc.fl.edu/dept/studentserv/images/counseling.jpg
Develop these skills:◦ Interpersonal communication skills◦ Computer literacy◦ Writing skills◦ Ability to express yourself clearly (to give presentations)◦ Interviewing skills
Course work◦ Molecular biology, chemistry, statistics, research◦ Consider psychology, physiology, ethics, human
development, anatomy
…or any Allied Health Profession