Healthcare Careers Research
Directions: Select a healthcare career of your choice from the examples provided below. You will then use that career to research the following information. You will examine the careers based on where you see yourself in the future as well as the facts that you will learn from your research. The goal of this research is to begin planning towards your future; It is closer than you think. Your explorations should include the following topics and will be contained in a written format to be turned in.
Career Name
History of the profession chosen (one paragraph)
Job description of selected career
Typical work environment(s)
Typical weekly/daily work hours for your career
How many years of education is required
Diploma/Degrees required (possible multiples)
Colleges/Universities that offer this career (minimum 3)
Tuition cost of those institutions chosen (including out of state)
Entry, median, and maximum level salary
For your career, list 3 job postings (with salaries) that you can be employed
Websites: www.bls.gov, www.careeronestop.org, www.explorehealthcareers.org, www.medicaljobs.org, (another site must be approved first). You will need to go to professional organizational sites as well as sites for higher education institutions such as www.uab.edu, www.ua.edu, or www.samford.edu. The project should include pictures that properly illustrate the profession and especially show the parts of the career that make it interesting to you the most. A cover/title sheet is required - a sample has been provided below for you to copy/paste. Effort and professionalism will affect your grade. If you wish to research a career not listed on the document, check with your instructor for approval before continuing.
***Extra credit will be considered for those that reach out to a college/university to begin networking, gather information, or scheduling an on campus visit.
Athletic Trainer
Audiologists
Chiropractors
Dental Assistants
Dental Hygienists
Dentist
Dietician & Nutritionist
EMT and Paramedics
Exercise Physiologist
Forensic Science Technician
Massage Therapist
Medical Assistant
Medical Coding
Nurse (RN/LPN)
Nurse Practitioner
Patient Care Technician/Nurse Aid
Occupational Therapist/Assistant
Optometrist
Orthotists and Prosthetists
Nurse Anesthetist
Pharmacist/Pharmacy technician
Phlebotomists
Physical Therapy Technician
Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical Therapist
Physician Assistant
Physicians (surgical/non-surgical)
Podiatrists
Psychologist<---
Psychiatrists
Radiologic and MRI Technologist
Recreational Therapists
Respiratory Therapists
Speech Language Pathologists
Sociologist
Surgical Assistant/Technologists
Veterinarian Assistants
Veterinarians
OTHER (non-medical)
Personal Trainer/Group Exercise Instructor
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Coach/Scout
Umpire/Referee
Career Name: Psychologist
History of the profession chosen:
Psychology is a field that focuses on understanding human behavior and mental processes. Its history as a profession dates back to ancient civilizations, where early philosophers and scholars explored questions about the mind and behavior. The modern discipline of psychology emerged in the late 19th century, with the establishment of experimental labs and the development of theories on various aspects of human psychology. Over the years, psychology has evolved into a diverse field, with different specializations and approaches.
Job description of selected career:
Psychologists are professionals who study human behavior, emotions, and mental processes. They apply their knowledge and skills to understand and improve the psychological well-being of individuals and communities. Psychologists assess and diagnose mental health disorders, conduct research, develop and implement treatment plans, and provide counseling and therapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups. They may specialize in various areas such as clinical, counseling, school, industrial-organizational, or forensic psychology, among others.
Typical work environment(s):
Psychologists can work in a variety of settings, including private practices, hospitals, schools, universities, research institutions, government agencies, and rehabilitation centers. They may also work in corporate settings, providing consultation and support for employees and organizations.
Typical weekly/daily work hours for your career:
The work hours for psychologists can vary depending on their specialty and work setting. Typical work hours may range from 40 to 50 hours per week, with some flexibility in scheduling to accommodate client needs. Psychologists who work in private practice may have more control over their work hours compared to those working in clinical or academic settings.
How many years of education is required:
To become a psychologist, a doctoral degree in psychology is typically required. This usually involves completing a Bachelor's degree (4 years), followed by a Master's degree (2-3 years), and finally a Doctoral degree (4-7 years). Some specialties, such as clinical psychology, may require additional post-doctoral training and licensure.
Diploma/Degrees required:
To become a psychologist, the minimum requirement is a doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in psychology. However, some positions may accept a Master's degree in psychology for certain roles, such as research or counseling. Additionally, psychologists must obtain a state license to practice.
Colleges/Universities that offer this career:
1. Stanford University (Stanford, CA)
2. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (Los Angeles, CA)
3. Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
Tuition cost of those institutions chosen (including out of state):
1. Stanford University: Tuition for the Ph.D. program in Psychology at Stanford University for the academic year 2021-2022 is approximately $58,725 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. International students have a higher tuition cost of approximately $62,200.
2. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): For the 2021-2022 academic year, the estimated tuition and fees for the Ph.D. program in Psychology at UCLA is approximately $13,240 for in-state students and $28,352 for out-of-state students.
3. Harvard University: The tuition for the Ph.D. program in Psychology at Harvard University for the 2021-2022 academic year is approximately $48,008. This does not include additional fees and living expenses.
Entry, median, and maximum level salary:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for psychologists was $82,180 as of May 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $45,380, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $137,690.
Job postings for psychologists:
1. Clinical Psychologist - Salary range: $70,000 - $110,000 per year
2. Research Psychologist - Salary range: $60,000 - $100,000 per year
3. School Psychologist - Salary range: $55,000 - $85,000 per year
Sources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov
- CareerOneStop: www.careeronestop.org
- ExploreHealthCareers.org: www.explorehealthcareers.org