CT (computed tomography) technologists are radiologic technicians who specialize in taking cross-sectional x-ray images of the tissues, bones, organs and blood vessels in an area of a patient’s body. The x-rays are used to create a three-dimensional image. The scans that a CT technologist produces help doctors diagnose and treat patients with internal diseases or injuries.

Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound equipment to direct sound waves into the body to produce an image or video used for detecting abnormalities in patients.

Magnetic resonance imaging technologists are specialized medical professionals who operate MRI machinery to create detailed pictures of internal body structures. They are responsible for preparing patients for their scans and safely using the equipment.

Nuclear medicine technologists assist physicians and work directly with patients to explain nuclear medicine procedures. They also administer and oversee nuclear medicine and radioactive procedures and substances.

Radiation therapists provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiologist according to established practices and standards. They review prescription and diagnosis, act as a liaison with physician and supportive care personnel, prepare equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices. They maintain records, reports, and files and may assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

Radiologic technologists work in medical settings and perform x-rays to assist physicians in diagnosing medical ailments. They prepare patients for procedures, adjust imaging equipment, position patients and shield them from excess radiation.

Ambulance drivers are responsible for transporting patients from an emergency situation to a hospital or other health facility. Many are required to have the requisite training to perform emergency medical procedures as part of the emergency medical team

Emergency management directors plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

EMT’s assess injuries, administer emergency medical care, and extricate trapped individuals. They transport injured and sick persons to medical facilities.

Paramedics are highly trained emergency medical technicians (EMT) who are responsible for providing care to accident victims. The paramedic profession combines and builds upon the skills of an EMT-Basic and an EMT-Intermediate.

Computer network architects design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. They perform network modeling, analysis, and planning and may also design network and computer security measures. Computer network architects are also researchers and may recommend new hardware and software.

Computer support specialists provide technical assistance, support and advice to users within the hospital. They are a troubleshooter who finds problems and provides technical support for hardware, software and systems. They respond to questions from users and run automatic diagnostics programs to resolve problems. Some specialists install, modify, clean and repair computer hardware and software. Computer support specialists may write training manuals and train computer users on how to use new computer hardware and software.

Computer systems analysts develop, test, expand or modify computer systems to improve efficiency and do new things. When problems occur, they review information and performance indicators to locate problems and correct errors by fixing codes. They also work with health care administrators to make sure you all agree on the best ways to solve problems and provide new technology to staff.

Computer and information systems managers design, install and support a hospital’s computer systems. They are responsible for local area networks, wide-area networks, network segments and Internet and intranet systems. They maintain network hardware and software, analyze problems and monitor networks to ensure they are available to users. Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate and implement network security measures and are responsible for maintaining network efficiency.

Health information managers handle patient records, a very important and confidential job. They play a part in the quality of a patient’s health care by organizing the medical data. They are also skilled in health care databases and database systems, as well as medical classification systems. HIMs have great knowledge of how financial information relates to clinical data, medical legal issues and security systems.

Information security analysts protect the security of the computer network. They plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security of networks and confidential information. They ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will keep digital files and vital electronic files safe and respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

Medical librarians are information specialists who provide assistance in finding medical documents. Clinical trials, medical treatments or procedures, as well as other pertinent information that applies to the medical industry are common documents sought after by these librarians. Medical librarians are specialized in using databases and reference materials to conduct research for medical information. They can work in medical school libraries, corporations, non-profit organizations or government agencies. Medical librarians commonly have training in the sciences, health or medicine.

Coders are administrative workers in the health care industry who review patient medical care files and assign codes to each procedure for insurance billing purposes. Coders may earn professional certification from an accredited medical coding organization.

Medical records technicians and health information technicians compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the health care system. They process, maintain, compile, and report patient information for health requirements and standards in a manner consistent with the health care industry’s numerical coding system.

Medical transcriptionists listen to voice recordings that physicians and other health care professionals make and convert them into written reports. They may also review and edit medical documents created using speech recognition technology. Transcriptionists interpret medical terminology and abbreviations in preparing patients’ medical histories, discharge summaries, and other documents.

Project managers direct the design and development of new application programs for specified projects. They modify and maintain existing applications to meet objectives. They also plan and analyze assigned projects, establish schedules and project parameters and set procedures.

A gerontologist studies the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, psychological, and societal effects of the aging process on the human body. Gerontologists are health care professionals who specialize in working with elderly patients. They provide their services to people in nursing homes, senior citizen centers, and other similar facilities.

Home health and personal care aides monitor the condition of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and help them with daily living activities.

Medical assistants perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, and billing and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examinations and drawing blood.

Physician assistants provide health care services under a physician’s supervision. They perform tasks that are usually performed by doctors. They conduct physical exams and provide treatment, and counsel patients. Physician assistants may prescribe medications.

Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) plan, direct and coordinate the daily patient care activities in a clinical practice. CNSs ensure adherence to clinical policies, protocols, regulations and standards.

Informatics nurse specialists explore how technology, computers and research influence the practice of nursing.

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide care to sick, injured, recovering or disabled patients and may be supervised by a registered nurse. LPNs administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients’ charts. They also observe patients, note changes in a patients conditions and take basic vital signs like blood pressure and temperature . Providing care also may include dressing wounds, treating bedsores, sterilizing equipment and supplies.

A nurse administrator creates work schedules, gives performance reviews and develops work policies. Other job duties include keeping up established ethical and legal standards for job performance, attending administrative personnel meetings and developing new employee training. Most of the work of a nurse administrator is done in an office and not on the care floor, so an administrator has little or no direct contact with patients. A nurse administrator may work in a hospital, nursing home, private doctor’s office, home health care organization or urgent care facility. Nurse executives are the top leaders responsible for leading overall nursing operations.

Nurse anesthetists prepare and administer anesthesia, monitor patient’s vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. CRNAs may assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, physicians or dentists.

Nurse midwives diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process. Midwives may work independently or as part of a health care team. Nurse midwives may provide preventive care to women.

Nurse practitioners diagnose and treat both sudden and long-term conditions. They may do physical exams, physical therapy or order tests and therapies for patients. NPs order, perform or interpret results of blood tests, EKGs and X-rays. They use these tools, along with patient symptoms and medical history to develop the right diagnosis.

Nursing assistants provide basic care to patients under the direction of a nurse. Nursing assistants help patients eat and bathe. Nursing assistants may dress, groom or move patients. They give medications or treatments and answer patient calls, apply clean dressings or bandages under the direction of a nurse or physician.

Instructors teach about nursing in classrooms and clinical settings. Nursing instructors lead, develop and organize teaching programs. They keep informed about developments in the field of nursing and may collaborate with other faculty to address teaching and research issues.

Psychiatric mental health nursing is a specialty within nursing. Psychiatric mental health registered nurses work with individuals, families, groups, and communities, assessing their mental health needs. The PMHN develops a nursing diagnosis and plan of care, implements the nursing process, and evaluates it for effectiveness.

Registered nurses (R.N.s) care for sick and injured patients. Registered nurses will assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Registered nurses monitor and record patients’ conditions and report any changes to physicians. They maintain detailed reports, record vital signs, and order, interpret and evaluate tests to identify and assess patients’ conditions and work closely with patients and their families.

Academic pharmacists train future pharmacists and conduct research. They share pharmaceutical knowledge and information with other health care professionals and students. Academic pharmacists speak at industry events and contribute to science and education publications. They may have some direct contact with patients.

Clinical pharmacists practice in health care settings directly with health professionals and patients to ensure that the medications prescribed for patients contribute to the best possible health outcomes. They assess the status of the patient’s health problems and determine whether the prescribed medications are optimally meeting the patient’s needs and goals of care and consult with the patient’s physicians and other health care providers in selecting the medication therapy that best meets the patient’s needs and contributes effectively to the overall therapy goals. Clinical pharmacists also educate the patient on other important steps to improve or maintain health, such as exercise, diet, and preventive steps like immunization.

Medical science liaisons are involved with research and development, drug safety, regulatory affairs, and marketing and sales. They keep health care providers and researchers update on latest research, attend conferences, and present new product information to physicians.

Pharmacists are responsible for filling patients’ prescriptions with the correct medicines. They tell them about the medicines and how to use them. Pharmacists work with doctors on choosing the right medicines, making sure they will work with other medications taken by the patient and explaining side effects.

Pharmacy aides will receive, store and inventory pharmaceutical supplies or medications, check for outdated medications and notify the pharmacist when inventory levels are low. They may prepare prescription labels, answer customer calls and refer callers to the pharmacist. They may operate a cash register and accept prescriptions for filling.

Pharmacy managers help ensure customers get the medicine they need and that it is properly filled following the doctors orders. Typically, a pharmacy manager oversees one particular store, but there are positions in which they manage multiple locations. Along with ensuring their pharmacy complies with federal and state regulations, pharmacy managers must ensure staff communicate clearly, effectively, and positively with customers. It is up to the pharmacy manager to instruct and monitor employees to ensure they are professional and courteous in all interactions. They must train their staff to prioritize orders and deliver them within the allotted time frames. Teaching staff how to effectively deal with doctors and medical practitioners is essential as well.

Pharmacy technicians receive prescriptions or refill requests and make sure information is complete and accurate. They might measure, count out, label and record the amounts and doses of medicines, and also make sure drugs are stored and secured correctly.

Athletic trainers help prevent injuries among athletes and help them recover from injuries. They are health care professionals that diagnose and treat injuries caused by stress to the musculoskeletal system. They are also trained to teach injury prevention methods to people who work in jobs that have a high demand of physical activity.

Audiologists have studied the science of hearing. They study, diagnose and treat hearing loss and balance disorders. They identify hearing problems and help people improve their hearing. Audiologists conduct ear exams, train clients in speech and lip reading, and teach people how to use hearing aids or other devices.

Creative art therapists use art, music and dance to assess and treat clients with emotional, cognitive, physical, and/or developmental needs and disorders. Creative arts therapy interventions can be designed to promote wellness, manage stress, improve physical functioning, alleviate pain, enhance memory and cognitive functioning, improve communication, and provide unique opportunities for interaction. Using their skills in evaluation and psychotherapy, they choose materials and interventions appropriate to their clients’ needs and design sessions to achieve therapeutic goals and objectives.

Music therapists are clinicians who treat medical conditions using various forms and genres of music to bring about health benefits. Music therapy may involve both playing and listening to music. Music therapists plan activities like song writing, music improvisation and receptive music listening.

Occupational therapists (OTs) use practical movement and exercise to rehabilitate patients with disabilities or injuries. Therapists may also design work or home environments to suit an individual’s needs, thereby enabling them to succeed in daily care activities and in the workplace.

Occupational therapy assistants assist occupational therapists in treating patients. They help patients improve their lives and perform daily tasks. They could help a person learn how to move from a bed to a wheelchair or help an injured worker re-learn how he can perform his job. OT assistants also make sure exercises are done correctly and provide assistance.

Orthotists and prosthetists make and fit devices that help people move. A certified prosthetists makes and fits devices that replace the arms or legs of patients who lost them through injury or disease. A certified orthotists designs and fits braces like surgical supports and corrective shoes. Both may use computers to create the devices and tools, like hammers, drills and saws, to manufacture prosthetics.

Physical therapist assistants assist the physical therapist in treating patients. They may help them exercise, apply hot or cold packs, or perform special ultrasound or electrical treatments. They may help patients increase their strength and assist in developing treatment plans or keep track of the patient’s progress.

Physical therapists assess patients and create plans to help them improve their movement, relieve pain and increase strength. They evaluate the effects of treatment and adjust to maximize the benefits. Physical therapists also test the patient’s strength, motor skills and functions, sensory perceptions, respiratory or circulatory efficiency and show patients how to perform the prescribed exercises and review progress. Physical therapists help decrease or prevent problems due to disease or injury.

Physical therapy aides clean and set up the treatment area, move patients and perform clerical duties.

Recreational therapists work with people who have physical, social or emotional disabilities. They help people by providing treatments and recreation activities to people who are ill or disabled. This helps them improve or maintain their physical, mental and emotional well-being. It also helps reduce depression, stress and anxiety.

Rehabilitation Counselors help disabled people who may have physical, mental or social disabilities. The goal is to help them get back to satisfying and productive lives. They might counsel patients about job training and help them find a job. They also may counsel them in adjusting to their new work environment.

Respiratory therapists work under a physician’s supervision to take care of patients with lung problems. The patients might have chronic asthma or have suffered a heart attack, stroke or other disease or illness.

Respiratory therapy technicians assist respiratory therapists with monitoring patients and performing diagnostic tests.

Speech pathologists assess, diagnose and treat disorders related to speech, fluency, language, cognitive-communication and voice. They work with people who have trouble producing speech sounds or who have speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering. The speech problems that they treat can be congenital, developmental or acquired due to a health problem or disorder.