9781422276655

• Am I interested in how the body works? • Am I a quick thinker? • Will I be flexible about my work schedules? (Am I willing to work weekends or nights?) If you answered yes to most of these, then a health care career might be for you. Learn the Skills When people think about the medical profession, many mistakenly assume that most jobs re- quire years of advanced training. And while it’s certainly true that doctors, dentists, and simi- lar professionals require advanced degrees, many rewarding health care careers are available to high school graduates. In fact, a high school diploma is the highest educational milestone for more than half of the workers in nursing homes and residential care facilities, and for more than a quarter of all hospital workers. Of course, some jobs of interest to high school graduates do require specialized training. A pharmacy technician must learn how to accurately fill prescriptions, and an EMTmust know how to perform CPR. But, unlike college degree programs where you take a bit of everything, the training for these positions focuses on what you need to know to perform a specific job, and so the courses can often be completed quickly. Better yet, some employers provide on- the-job training and even pay for you to take courses at community colleges, technical schools, and trade schools. Hospitals and other large employers are often willing to pay for additional training, so you may even be able earn an associate’s degree in your profession on your boss’s dime. Depending on your interests, you can enroll in classes that lead to certificates in special- ties such as emergency medicine, dialysis, and medical technology. If your job requires training to become certified, be sure to look for a school that’s accred- ited by professional associations in your field. Stay clear of so-called diploma mills that hand out worthless diplomas and certificates without teaching students the skills they need to work in their chosen professions. The best way to avoid such pitfalls is to enroll in accredited schools and programs. Some other sites that can help you make smart choices include the following: • The Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs http://www.caahep.org • Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education http://www.cahiim.org • Accrediting Commission of the Career Schools and Colleges of Technology http://www. accsc.org

• Health Care & Science

10