The Medical The Medical IndustryIndustry

Opportunities for EmploymentOpportunities for Employment

Texas LEARNS

Copyright © Notice The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of TEA, for exceptions see the first page of this document.

The U.S. Health Care Industry

Information Management

Patient Care

Doctors’ Offices

Chiropractic Offices

Dental Offices

Vision Services

Clinics

Hospitals

Alternative Medicine

Day Surgery Centers

Outpatient Diagnostic Services

Rehabilitation Facilities

Emergency ResponsePatient Transport

Home Health Services Assisted Living Centers Nursing Homes Hospice Care

Adjunct ServicesPrimary Care

Laboratories

Pharmacies

Medical Equipment & Devices

Insurance Companies

Medicare & Medicaid

Insurance

Medicaid Medicare

Private

Benefits Determination

Government-Sponsored

Enrollment

Claims Processing

Coordinating Providers, Suppliers & Approved Pharmaceuticals Lists

Insurance CompaniesInsurance Companies

Insurance companies Insurance companies provide a key service provide a key service

in the health care in the health care industry and offer industry and offer

many job many job opportunities, opportunities,

including technical including technical positions using positions using

computer systems. computer systems.

Insurance Claims Clerks

Insurance Policy Processing Clerks

Medicare & MedicaidMedicare & Medicaid

Government-sponsored Government-sponsored services pay for many services pay for many

health services. health services. Personnel must process Personnel must process

paperwork and help paperwork and help clients. clients.

Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Database Administrators

Information Management

Private Office

Coding

Institution

Patient Reception & Scheduling

Filing Claims

Supply Ordering

Treatment and Lab Orders

Accounts Receivable

Home Office

Patient Medical Diagnosis & Treatment Records

Information ManagementInformation Management All health care services All health care services

and facilities require and facilities require clerical support staff—clerical support staff—

individuals who manage individuals who manage the flow of information the flow of information

between patients, between patients, doctors and other doctors and other

medical personnel, medical personnel, laboratories, laboratories,

pharmacies, and pharmacies, and insurance companies. insurance companies.

Medical Transcriptionists Medical Transcriptionists may work from home may work from home offices under contract offices under contract

with doctors or with doctors or institutions.institutions.

Medical Records & Health Information Technicians

Medical Secretaries

Medical Transcriptionists

Patient Care

Independent Offices and Facilities

Feeding

Institution-based

Hygiene

Collecting Samples

Assisting with procedures under the direction of doctors

Medication Administration

Patient Comfort

Monitoring Vital Signs

Patient CarePatient Care

In the past, nurses In the past, nurses performed almost all performed almost all

patient care functions to patient care functions to assist doctors in health assist doctors in health

care facilities. Today, care facilities. Today, there are many job there are many job categories provide categories provide

patient care support patient care support services.services.

Home Health Aides

Personal & Home Care Aides

Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants

Surgical Technologists

Patient CarePatient Care

All patient care jobs are in All patient care jobs are in high demand. The high demand. The

lowest-paid jobs require lowest-paid jobs require only a few months of only a few months of

training. Individuals can training. Individuals can move up to higher level move up to higher level

jobs with additional jobs with additional training and experience. training and experience.

Patient care positions Patient care positions are available in all are available in all

primary and adjunct care primary and adjunct care offices and facilities.offices and facilities.

Medical Assistants

Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses

Registered Nurses

Physician Assistants

Laboratory Services

Independent Facilities

Urinalysis

Hospital-based

Blood Tests

Cultures

Microscopic Cellular Analysis (Biopsies)

Analysis of Other Bodily

Fluids

Genetic Testing

LaboratoriesLaboratories

Most primary care facilities Most primary care facilities and adjunct services and adjunct services

require laboratory require laboratory services to perform tests services to perform tests

that doctors order. that doctors order. Independent labs Independent labs

perform these functions perform these functions and send reports back to and send reports back to doctors and institutions.doctors and institutions.

Medical & Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

Pharmacy Services

Independent

Over-the-Counter Medications

Hospital-based

Specialty

Patient Care Supplies

Home Test Kits

Wound Care

Orthopedic Equipment

Incontinence Supplies

Hygiene Supplies

Specialty Compounding

Prescriptions

Patient Education

Dosages

Interactions

Side Effects

PharmaciesPharmacies

Pharmacy personnel Pharmacy personnel maintain stocks of maintain stocks of

therapeutic therapeutic medications and fill medications and fill

prescriptions.prescriptions.

Additional jobs are Additional jobs are available in the sales available in the sales

of pharmaceuticals.of pharmaceuticals.

Pharmacy Aides

Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacists

Medical Equipment & Devices

Independent Manufacturers & Suppliers

Prosthetics

Institution-Based Maintenance/Repair

Durable Medical

Equipment Beds, Chairs, Tables

Patient Transport

Therapeutic Equipment

Diagnostic Equipment

Life Support & Monitoring Equipment

Surgical Instruments

Home Therapy

& Mobility Equipment

Medical Medical Equipment/DevicesEquipment/Devices

All medical facilities have All medical facilities have laboratory and/or laboratory and/or

healthcare equipment healthcare equipment that must be maintained that must be maintained

by trained technicians. by trained technicians. Some patients require Some patients require

personal medical personal medical supportive devices supportive devices

requiring fitting, requiring fitting, maintenance, and repair. maintenance, and repair.

Medical Equipment Preparers

Medical Appliance Technicians

Doctors’ Offices

Allergists

Anesthesiologists

Bariatric Specialists

Cardiologists

Dermatologists

Endocrinologists

Family Practice

Gastroenterologists

General Surgeons

Gerontologists

Gynecologists

Hematologists

Internal Medicine

Nephrologists

Neurologists

Obstetricians

Oncologists

Ophthalmologists

Orthopedists

Otolaryngologists

Pain Specialists

Pediatricians

Podiatrists

Psychiatrists

Pulmonologists

Radiologists

Surgeons

Urologists

Independent

Associate Group

Jobs in Doctor’s OfficesJobs in Doctor’s Offices

Medical Records & Health Information Technicians

Medical Secretaries

Medical Assistants

Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses

Registered Nurses

Physician Assistants

Chiropractic Offices

Chiropractors are not medical doctors, or “MDs.”

They have attended a college of chiropractic

medicine to receive certification.

Chiropractors work with bones, joints, and muscles

to treat patients for a variety of conditions.

Chiropractors’ offices work with patients in much the

same way as medical doctors’ offices.

Independent

Associate Group

Jobs in Chiropractic OfficesJobs in Chiropractic OfficesChiropractic offices employ Chiropractic offices employ

Chiropractor’s Chiropractor’s Assistants. These jobs Assistants. These jobs

are considered the same are considered the same as Medical Assistants as Medical Assistants

according to the Federal according to the Federal classification system. classification system.

However, there are However, there are some specific training some specific training

programs tailored to the programs tailored to the chiropractic profession.chiropractic profession.

Chiropractic Assistants / Chiropractic Assistants / Medical Assistants

Medical Records & Health Information Technicians

Medical Secretaries

Dental Offices

Dentists

Pediatric Dentists

Orthodontists

Periodontists

Independent

Associate Group

Jobs in Dental OfficesJobs in Dental OfficesPatient care in dental Patient care in dental

offices is unique. offices is unique. Personnel who assist Personnel who assist

dentists, perform dentists, perform cleanings, and take x-cleanings, and take x-

rays are integral to rays are integral to patient care. patient care.

Dental laboratory Dental laboratory technicians usually work technicians usually work

in separate facility to in separate facility to fabricate dental devices, fabricate dental devices,

such as crowns, such as crowns, dentures, etc.dentures, etc.

Dental Assistants

Dental Hygienists

Dental Laboratory Technicians

Medical Records & Health Information Technicians

Medical Secretaries

Vision Services

Optometrists are not medical doctors, or “MDs.”

Doctors of Optometry have attended school and are

certified to provided basic eye exams, some therapeutic treatment, and prescribe

corrective eyeglasses and contacts. Optometrists make referrals to ophthalmologists,

who are medical doctors, when they see conditions requiring a

higher level of care. Independent

Associate Group

Eyeglass/contact fabrication and fitting

Jobs in Vision ServicesJobs in Vision ServicesPatient care positions for Patient care positions for optometrist’s offices are optometrist’s offices are

similar to those in similar to those in doctor’s offices. doctor’s offices.

Optometric assistants Optometric assistants are classified as Medical are classified as Medical

Assistants by the Assistants by the Federal classification Federal classification

system. Additional system. Additional specialized jobs are specialized jobs are

available in laboratories available in laboratories that grind lenses, mount that grind lenses, mount

them in frames, and them in frames, and make contacts.make contacts.

Optometric Assistants / Optometric Assistants / Medical Assistants

Medical Records & Health Information Technicians

Medical Secretaries

Opticians, Dispensing

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Clinics

Reproductive Health

After-hours Care Evenings, weekends

Drug Cessation

Routine Wellness Work & Sports Physicals

Vaccinations

Acute Care Walk-in alternative for non-

emergency health care

Private

Public

Hospital-connected

School-connected

Dialysis

Jobs in ClinicsJobs in Clinics Medical Records &

Health Information Technicians

Medical Secretaries

Medical Assistants

Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses

Registered Nurses

Physician Assistants

Admitting

Emergency Room

Trauma Center

Outpatient Services

Diagnostic laboratory services

Wards

Cardiology

Intensive Care

Neurology

Obstetrics

Oncology

Orthopedics

Pulmonary

Pediatrics

Psychiatry

Radiology

Surgery

Hospitals

Private

Public

Veteran’s Administration

State Mental Health

Jobs in HospitalsJobs in Hospitals Medical Records &

Health Information Technicians

Medical Secretaries

Medical Transcriptionists

Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants

Surgical Technologists

Medical Assistants

Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses

Registered Nurses

Jobs in HospitalsJobs in Hospitals Medical & Clinical La

boratory Technicians

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

Pharmacy Aides

Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacists

Jobs in HospitalsJobs in Hospitals

Medical Equipment Preparers

Medical Appliance Technicians

Physical Therapist Aides

Physical Therapist Assistants

Physical Therapists

Jobs in HospitalsJobs in Hospitals

Radiologic Technologists

Radiologic Technicians

Cardiovascular Technologists & Technicians

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Respiratory Therapy Technicians

Respiratory Therapists

Alternative Medicine

Alternative Birthing Centers

Holistic Treatment for diseases, wellness, and therapy

Pain Management

Private

Alternative medicine includes a wide

range of specialty practices, each with

rigorous training a certification programs.

Jobs in Alternative MedicineJobs in Alternative Medicine

Homeopathic Physicians

Accupuncturists

Midwives

Massage Therapists

Day Surgery Centers

Minor Surgical Procedures

(such as)

Ear Tubes

Biopsies

Cyst Excisions

Laparoscopic Surgery

Endoscopy

Colonoscopy

Private

Jobs in Day Surgery CentersJobs in Day Surgery Centers

Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants

Surgical Technologists

Medical Assistants

Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses

Registered Nurses

Medical Records & Health Information Technicians

Medical Secretaries

Medical Equipment Preparers

Medical Appliance Technicians

Outpatient Diagnostic

CentersSonograms

Mammograms

X-rays

CAT Scans & MRIs

Private

Hospital-connected

EKGs & EEGs

Jobs in Diagnostic ServicesJobs in Diagnostic Services

Medical Records & Health Information Technicians

Medical Secretaries

Medical Assistants

Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses

Registered Nurses

Jobs in Diagnostic ServicesJobs in Diagnostic Services

Radiologic Technologists

Radiologic Technicians

Cardiovascular Technologists & Technicians

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Medical Equipment Preparers

Medical Appliance Technicians

Rehabilitation Facilities &

Services

Therapy:

Physical

Speech

Cognitive

Drug Cessation

In-house in hospitals, residential centers, or within nursing homes

Out-patient public or private

Mental Health

Jobs in RehabilitationJobs in Rehabilitation

Medical Records & Health Information Technicians

Medical Secretaries

Medical Equipment Preparers

Medical Appliance Technicians

Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants

Medical Assistants

Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses

Registered Nurses

Jobs in RehabilitationJobs in Rehabilitation

Physical Therapist Aides

Physical Therapist Assistants

Physical Therapists

Massage Therapists

Occupational Therapist Assistants

Occupational Therapists

Jobs in Rehabilitation Jobs in Rehabilitation

Respiratory Therapy Technicians

Respiratory Therapists

Jobs in RehabilitationJobs in Rehabilitation

Psychiatric Technicians

Rehabilitation Counselors

Mental Health Counselors

Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers

Medical & Public Health Social Workers

Emergency Response

Patient Transport

Rapid Response by ambulance

Patient Transport to or between

health facilities

Resuscitation Stabilization

Vitals monitoring

Public – often connected to fire departments

Private

Jobs in Emergency Response Jobs in Emergency Response and Patient Transportand Patient Transport

Ambulance Drivers & Attendants

Emergency Medical Technicians

Nursing Homes

Semi-Independent

Livingvarying levels of

support for health, hygiene, cooking,

cleaning

In-Home Visits

medication administration

monitoring vital signs

personal hygiene

therapy

housekeeping

nutrition

Home Health

Services

24-Hour Complete

Care short-term for post-trauma or post-surgery

long-term for chronic, severe health problems and age-related

deterioration

Assisted Living

Facilities

End-of-Life Palliative

Care

Provides pain relief, personal hygiene, and counseling for patients and

families

Hospice Care

Jobs in Home Health, Assisted Jobs in Home Health, Assisted Living, Nursing Home, and Living, Nursing Home, and Hospice CareHospice Care Medical Records &

Health Information Technicians

Medical Secretaries

Medical Equipment Medical Equipment PreparersPreparers

Medical Appliance Medical Appliance TechniciansTechnicians

Home Health AidesHome Health Aides

Personal & Home Care Personal & Home Care AidesAides

Nursing Aides, Orderlies Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants& Attendants

Jobs in Home Health, Assisted Jobs in Home Health, Assisted Living, Nursing Home, and Living, Nursing Home, and Hospice CareHospice Care Medical AssistantsMedical Assistants

Licensed Practical & Licensed Practical & Licensed Licensed Vocational NursesVocational Nurses

Registered NursesRegistered Nurses

Respiratory Therapy Respiratory Therapy TechniciansTechnicians

Respiratory TherapistsRespiratory Therapists

Physical Therapist AidesPhysical Therapist Aides

Physical Therapist Physical Therapist AssistantsAssistants

Physical TherapistsPhysical Therapists

The Medical The Medical IndustryIndustry

A web of opportunityA web of opportunity

Texas LEARNS

Copyright © Notice The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of TEA, for exceptions see the first page of this document.