9781422276655

• 9 Get Started Now While in high school, you can take steps that can help prepare you for a career in this field. For starters, enrolling in science, math, and communications classes will help you gain the skills needed to talk knowledgeably with medical professionals, to accurately calculate prescrip- tions, and to communicate clearly with patients. Now is also a good time to volunteer or seek part-time work in a medical setting. Even if you can only work a few hours on the weekends or a couple of months during the summer, the time you spend answering phones in a medical clinic, helping out at a vet clinic, or volunteer- ing in a nursing home will give you a competitive edge. Not only will you gain valuable work experience in your field but the professional contacts you make while working can often help you find a permanent position after you finish high school. Is a Health Care Career Right for You? Ask yourself the following questions to see if the careers in this book might be right for you. • Do I enjoy helping others? • Can I handle pressure? • Am I a problem solver? • Am I a team player who can take direction from others? • Am I a conscientious worker? • Am I good with details? • Do I have solid math skills? • Am I emotionally stable enough to handle life-and-death situations? • If I want to provide patient care, can I handle the sight of blood and other bodily fluids? • Am I dependable? (I’ve only missed very few days of school or work.) • Can I get along with different personalities? • Do I like variety in my work? • Do I enjoy science? Introduction