Health Careers Therapeutic Services, Veterinary Medicine, and Vision Services.

Health CareersHealth Careers

Therapeutic Services, Therapeutic Services, Veterinary Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine, and

Vision Services Vision Services

Therapeutic CareersTherapeutic Careers

Occupational TherapistOccupational Therapist Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy

AssistantAssistant PharmacistPharmacist Pharmacy TechnicianPharmacy Technician Physical TherapistPhysical Therapist Physical Therapy Physical Therapy

AssistantAssistant Massage TherapistMassage Therapist AudiologistAudiologist Art, music, and dance Art, music, and dance

TherapistsTherapists

Recreational TherapistRecreational Therapist Recreational Therapy Recreational Therapy

AssistantAssistant Respiratory Therapist Respiratory Therapist Respiratory Therapy Respiratory Therapy

TechnicianTechnician Speech-Language Speech-Language

Therapist/PathologistTherapist/Pathologist Athletic TrainerAthletic Trainer PerfusionistPerfusionist Dialysis TechnicianDialysis Technician

Therapeutic ServicesTherapeutic Services

Use a variety of treatments to help Use a variety of treatments to help patients who are injured, physically patients who are injured, physically or mentally disabled, or emotionally or mentally disabled, or emotionally disturbeddisturbed

All treatment is directed toward All treatment is directed toward allowing patients to function at allowing patients to function at maximum capacitymaximum capacity

Occupational Therapist (OT)Occupational Therapist (OT)

Often work under the direction of a physiatrist Often work under the direction of a physiatrist (physician who specializes in physical medicine and (physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehab)rehab)

Help people with physical, developmental, mental, Help people with physical, developmental, mental, or emotional disabilities to overcome, correct, or or emotional disabilities to overcome, correct, or adjust to their particular problemsadjust to their particular problems

Use various activities to assist the patient in Use various activities to assist the patient in learning skills or ADLs, adapting job skills, or learning skills or ADLs, adapting job skills, or preparing for return to workpreparing for return to work

Teach patient how to use adaptive equipment, self-Teach patient how to use adaptive equipment, self-help aids, splints, and other similar deviceshelp aids, splints, and other similar devices

Direct treatment toward helping patients, acquire Direct treatment toward helping patients, acquire independence, regain lost functions, adapt to independence, regain lost functions, adapt to disabilities, and lead productive and satisfying livesdisabilities, and lead productive and satisfying lives

Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy AssistantsAssistants

Work under the guidance of occupational Work under the guidance of occupational therapiststherapists

Help carry out programs of prescribed Help carry out programs of prescribed treatmenttreatment

Direct patients in arts and crafts projects, Direct patients in arts and crafts projects, recreation, or social eventsrecreation, or social events

Teach and help patients carry out Teach and help patients carry out rehabilitation activities and exercisesrehabilitation activities and exercises

Use games to develop balance and Use games to develop balance and coordinationcoordination

Assist patients trying to master the ADLsAssist patients trying to master the ADLs Inform therapists of patients’ responses and Inform therapists of patients’ responses and

progressprogress

PharmacistsPharmacists

Dispense medications per written orders from Dispense medications per written orders from physicians, dentists, and other health car physicians, dentists, and other health car professionals authorized to prescribe medicationsprofessionals authorized to prescribe medications

Provide information on drugs and correct ways to Provide information on drugs and correct ways to use themuse them

Order and dispense other health care items such as Order and dispense other health care items such as surgical and sickroom suppliessurgical and sickroom supplies

Recommend nonprescription items to Recommend nonprescription items to customers/patientscustomers/patients

Ensure drug compatibilityEnsure drug compatibility Maintain records on medications dispensedMaintain records on medications dispensed Assess, plan, and monitor drug usageAssess, plan, and monitor drug usage Can work for drug manufacturers and assist in Can work for drug manufacturers and assist in

researching, manufacturing, and selling drugsresearching, manufacturing, and selling drugs

Pharmacy TechniciansPharmacy Technicians

Work under the supervision of pharmacistsWork under the supervision of pharmacists Help prepare medications for dispensing to Help prepare medications for dispensing to

patientspatients Label medicationsLabel medications Perform inventories and order suppliesPerform inventories and order supplies Prepare intravenous solutionsPrepare intravenous solutions Destroy old medications following legal Destroy old medications following legal

requirementsrequirements Help maintain recordsHelp maintain records Perform other duties as directed by Perform other duties as directed by

pharmacistspharmacists

Physical Therapists (PT)Physical Therapists (PT) Often work under the direction of a physiatristOften work under the direction of a physiatrist Provide treatment to improve movement and Provide treatment to improve movement and

prevent or limit permanent disability of prevent or limit permanent disability of patients with disabling joint, bone, muscle, patients with disabling joint, bone, muscle, and/or nerve injuries or diseasesand/or nerve injuries or diseases

Administer treatments that my include Administer treatments that my include exercise, massage, and/or applications of heat, exercise, massage, and/or applications of heat, cold, water, light, electricity, or ultrasoundcold, water, light, electricity, or ultrasound

Assess the functional abilities of patients and Assess the functional abilities of patients and use this information to plan treatment use this information to plan treatment programsprograms

Promote health and prevent injuries by Promote health and prevent injuries by developing proper exercise programsdeveloping proper exercise programs

Teach patients correct use of musclesTeach patients correct use of muscles

Physical Therapist AssistantsPhysical Therapist Assistants Work under the supervision of physical Work under the supervision of physical

therapiststherapists Help carry out prescribed plans of treatmentHelp carry out prescribed plans of treatment Perform exercises and massagesPerform exercises and massages Administer applications of heat, cold, or waterAdminister applications of heat, cold, or water Assist patients to ambulate with canes, Assist patients to ambulate with canes,

crutches, or bracescrutches, or braces Provide ultrasound or electrical stimulation Provide ultrasound or electrical stimulation

treatmentstreatments Inform therapists of patients’ responses and Inform therapists of patients’ responses and

progressprogress Perform other duties, as directed by therapistsPerform other duties, as directed by therapists

Massage TherapistsMassage Therapists

Usually work under the supervision of Usually work under the supervision of physicians or physical therapistsphysicians or physical therapists

Use many variations of massage, body-work Use many variations of massage, body-work (manipulations or applications of pressure to (manipulations or applications of pressure to the muscles and bones of the body), and the muscles and bones of the body), and therapeutic tough to provide pain relief for therapeutic tough to provide pain relief for chronic conditions or inflammatory diseaseschronic conditions or inflammatory diseases

Improve lymphatic circulation to decrease Improve lymphatic circulation to decrease edemaedema

Relieve stress and tensionRelieve stress and tension

Recreational TherapistsRecreational Therapists

Use recreational and leisure activities as Use recreational and leisure activities as forms of treatment to minimize patients’ forms of treatment to minimize patients’ symptoms and improve physical, symptoms and improve physical, emotional, and mental well-beingemotional, and mental well-being

Organize activities such as athletic events, Organize activities such as athletic events, dances, arts and crafts, musical activities, dances, arts and crafts, musical activities, drama, field trips to shopping centers or drama, field trips to shopping centers or other places of interest, movies, or poetry other places of interest, movies, or poetry or book readingsor book readings

Direct all activities toward allowing the Direct all activities toward allowing the patient to gain independence, build self-patient to gain independence, build self-confidence, and relieve anxietyconfidence, and relieve anxiety

Recreational Therapy Recreational Therapy AssistantsAssistants

Work under the supervision of Work under the supervision of recreational therapists or other recreational therapists or other health care professionalshealth care professionals

Assist in carrying out the activities Assist in carrying out the activities planned by therapistsplanned by therapists

Arrange activities or eventsArrange activities or eventsNote and inform therapists of Note and inform therapists of

patients’ responses and progresspatients’ responses and progress

Respiratory Therapists (RT)Respiratory Therapists (RT)

Work under physicians’ orders to treat Work under physicians’ orders to treat patients with heart and lung diseasespatients with heart and lung diseases

Administer oxygen, gases, or Administer oxygen, gases, or medicationsmedications

Use exercise to improve breathingUse exercise to improve breathingMonitor ventilatorsMonitor ventilatorsPerform diagnostic respiratory function Perform diagnostic respiratory function

tests such as checking blood for tests such as checking blood for oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and measuring lung or breathing capacitiesmeasuring lung or breathing capacities

Respiratory Therapy Respiratory Therapy TechniciansTechnicians

Work under the supervision of Work under the supervision of respiratory therapiesrespiratory therapies

Administer oxygen and respiratory Administer oxygen and respiratory treatmentstreatments

Perform basic diagnostic testsPerform basic diagnostic testsClean and maintain equipmentClean and maintain equipmentNote and inform therapists of Note and inform therapists of

patients’ responses and progresspatients’ responses and progress

Speech-language TherapistsSpeech-language Therapists

Identify, evaluate, and treat patients Identify, evaluate, and treat patients with speech and language disorderswith speech and language disorders

Help patients communicate as Help patients communicate as effectively as possibleeffectively as possible

Teach patients to cope with the Teach patients to cope with the problems created by speech problems created by speech impairmentsimpairments

AudiologistsAudiologists

Provide care to individuals who have Provide care to individuals who have hearing impairmentshearing impairments

Test hearingTest hearingDiagnose hearing problemsDiagnose hearing problemsPrescribe treatment, which may Prescribe treatment, which may

include hearing aids, auditory training, include hearing aids, auditory training, or instruction in speech or lip readingor instruction in speech or lip reading

Test noise levels in workplacesTest noise levels in workplacesDevelop hearing protections programsDevelop hearing protections programs

Art, Music, and Dance Art, Music, and Dance TherapiesTherapies

Use the arts to help patients deal with Use the arts to help patients deal with social, physical, or emotional problemssocial, physical, or emotional problems

Usually work with individuals who are Usually work with individuals who are emotionally disturbed, mentally emotionally disturbed, mentally retarded, or physically disabledretarded, or physically disabled

May also work with adults and children May also work with adults and children who have no disabilities in an effort to who have no disabilities in an effort to promote physical and mental wellnesspromote physical and mental wellness

Athletic TrainersAthletic Trainers Frequently work under the guidance of a sports Frequently work under the guidance of a sports

medicine physicianmedicine physician Prevent and treat athletic injuriesPrevent and treat athletic injuries Provide rehabilitative services to athletesProvide rehabilitative services to athletes Teach proper nutritionTeach proper nutrition Assess the physical condition of athletesAssess the physical condition of athletes Give advice regarding a physical conditioning Give advice regarding a physical conditioning

program to increase strength and flexibility or correct program to increase strength and flexibility or correct weaknessesweaknesses

Apply braces, tape, or padding on players to protect Apply braces, tape, or padding on players to protect body partsbody parts

Treat minor injuriesTreat minor injuries Administer first aid for serious injuriesAdminister first aid for serious injuries Help carry out any rehabilitation treatment prescribed Help carry out any rehabilitation treatment prescribed

by sports medicine physicians or other therapistsby sports medicine physicians or other therapists

Dialysis TechniciansDialysis Technicians

Operate the kidney hemodialysis machines Operate the kidney hemodialysis machines used to treat patients with limited or no used to treat patients with limited or no kidney functionkidney function

Monitor the patient during the dialysis Monitor the patient during the dialysis procedureprocedure

Provide emergency care if the patient has Provide emergency care if the patient has abnormal reactions to the procedureabnormal reactions to the procedure

Provide emotional support for the patientProvide emotional support for the patient Teach proper nutrition (because many Teach proper nutrition (because many

patients must follow restricted diets)patients must follow restricted diets)

PerfusionistsPerfusionists

Extracorporeal circulation technologistsExtracorporeal circulation technologistsWork as members of open-heart surgical Work as members of open-heart surgical

teamsteamsOperate the heart-lung machines used Operate the heart-lung machines used

in coronary bypass surgeryin coronary bypass surgeryMay assist with research on heart May assist with research on heart

diseasediseaseAssist and monitor patients with artifical Assist and monitor patients with artifical

heartshearts

Veterinary Careers Veterinary Careers

Veterinarian (DVM)Veterinarian (DVM)Veterinary TechnicianVeterinary TechnicianVeterinary AssistantVeterinary Assistant

Veterinarians (DVM or VMD)Veterinarians (DVM or VMD)

Work to prevent, diagnose, and treat Work to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries in animalsdiseases and injuries in animals

Specialties include surgery, small Specialties include surgery, small animal care, livestock, fish and animal care, livestock, fish and wildlife, and researchwildlife, and research

Veterinary TechniciansVeterinary Technicians

Work under the supervision of Work under the supervision of veterinariansveterinarians

Assist with the handling and care of Assist with the handling and care of animalsanimals

Collect specimensCollect specimens Assist with surgeryAssist with surgery Perform laboratory testsPerform laboratory tests Take and develop X-raysTake and develop X-rays Administer prescribed treatmentsAdminister prescribed treatments Maintain recordsMaintain records

Veterinary AssistantsVeterinary Assistants

Feed, bathe, and groom animalsFeed, bathe, and groom animalsExercise animalsExercise animalsPrepare animals for treatmentPrepare animals for treatmentAssist with examinationsAssist with examinationsClean and sanitize cages, Clean and sanitize cages,

examination tables, and surgical examination tables, and surgical areasareas

Maintain recordsMaintain records

Vision ServicesVision Services

Ophthalmologist (MD) Ophthalmologist (MD) Optometrist (OD)Optometrist (OD) Ophthalmic Medical TechnicianOphthalmic Medical Technician Ophthalmic Technician Ophthalmic Technician Ophthalmic AssistantOphthalmic Assistant OpticianOptician Ophthalmic Laboratory TechniciansOphthalmic Laboratory Technicians

OphthalmologistOphthalmologist

Medical doctor specializing in Medical doctor specializing in diseases and disorders of the eyesdiseases and disorders of the eyes

Diagnose and treat diseaseDiagnose and treat diseasePerform surgeryPerform surgeryCorrect vision problems or defectsCorrect vision problems or defects

OptometristOptometrist

Examine eyes for vision problems Examine eyes for vision problems and defectsand defects

Prescribe corrective lenses or eye Prescribe corrective lenses or eye exercisesexercises

Use drugs for diagnosis and/or Use drugs for diagnosis and/or treatment in some statestreatment in some states

Refer the patient to an Refer the patient to an ophthalmologist if eye disease is ophthalmologist if eye disease is present or if eye surgery is neededpresent or if eye surgery is needed

Ophthalmic Medical Ophthalmic Medical TechnologistsTechnologists

Work under the supervision of Work under the supervision of ophthalmologistsophthalmologists

Obtain patient histories Obtain patient histories Perform routine eye tests and measurementsPerform routine eye tests and measurements Fit patients for contactsFit patients for contacts Administer prescribed treatmentsAdminister prescribed treatments Assist with eye surgeryAssist with eye surgery Perform advanced diagnostic testsPerform advanced diagnostic tests Administer prescribed medicationsAdminister prescribed medications Perform advanced microbiological proceduresPerform advanced microbiological procedures Perform any tasks that ophthalmic Perform any tasks that ophthalmic

technicians or assistants performtechnicians or assistants perform

Ophthalmic TechniciansOphthalmic Technicians

Work under the supervision of ophthalmologists Work under the supervision of ophthalmologists and optometristsand optometrists

Prepare patients for examinationPrepare patients for examination Obtain medical historiesObtain medical histories Take ocular measurementsTake ocular measurements Administer basic vision testsAdminister basic vision tests Maintain ophthalmic and surgical instrumentsMaintain ophthalmic and surgical instruments Adjust glassesAdjust glasses Teach eye exercises Teach eye exercises Measure for contactsMeasure for contacts Instruct patients on the care and use of contactsInstruct patients on the care and use of contacts Perform receptionist dutiesPerform receptionist duties

Ophthalmic AssistantOphthalmic Assistant Work under the supervision of Work under the supervision of

ophthalmologists, optometrists, and/or ophthalmologists, optometrists, and/or ophthalmic technologists or techniciansophthalmic technologists or technicians

Prepare patients for examinationPrepare patients for examination Measure visual acuityMeasure visual acuity Perform receptionist dutiesPerform receptionist duties Help patients with frame selections and Help patients with frame selections and

fittingsfittings Order lensesOrder lenses Perform minor adjustments and repairs of Perform minor adjustments and repairs of

glassesglasses Teach proper care and use of contact lensesTeach proper care and use of contact lenses

OpticianOptician

Make and fit the eyeglasses or lenses Make and fit the eyeglasses or lenses prescribed by ophthalmologists and prescribed by ophthalmologists and optometristsoptometrists

Some specialize in contact lensesSome specialize in contact lenses

Ophthalmic Laboratory Ophthalmic Laboratory TechnicianTechnician

Obtain prescriptions from opticiansObtain prescriptions from opticiansCut, grind, finish, polish, and mount Cut, grind, finish, polish, and mount

the lenses use in eyeglasses, contact the lenses use in eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other optical instruments lenses, and other optical instruments such as telescopes and binocularssuch as telescopes and binoculars