Missouri State University – West Plains

128 Garfield, West Plains, MO, 65775

(417) 255-7255

Missouri State University-West Plains is the two-year, open-admission campus of the Missouri State University System. West Plains is a city of 12,000 located approximately 100 miles southeast of Springfield in southern Missouri. More than 2,200 students are enrolled in both part-time and full-time studies. Approximately 57 percent are traditional students. The average class size is 18.

http://www.wp.missouristate.edu/

Degree Programs Offered

  • Advanced Nursing
  • Health Information Management
  • Health Information Technology
  • Medical
  • Nursing
  • Office Support and Operations
  • Respiratory Therapy
  • Support Services

Careers

Administration
Health Information Technology
Medical Careers
Nursing
Support Services
Therapies and Rehabilitation

Chief Executives

Chief executive officers direct the hospital or health system and develop plans and policies to lead the organization. Chief executives also coordinate activities at the highest level of management with the help of managers and supervisors.

Salary

$100K

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Executive Secretaries

Executive secretaries provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing reports or handling requests for information. They also prepare correspondence, greet visitors, arrange conference calls and schedule meetings. Executive secretaries may also train or supervise lower-level clerical staff.

Salary

$40—60K

Education Required

High School diploma or equivalent

General and Operations Managers

General and operations managers plan, direct or coordinate the operations of an organization. They develop policies, manage operations and plan the use of material and human resources. They review financial statements and reports and may oversee staffing. An organization may also call this positions a chief operating officer or general manager.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

9.49%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Health Care Marketing Managers

Health care marketing managers work in the public relations, communications or policy creation departments of hospitals, health care organizations, biotech companies and federal health agencies.  They plan, direct or coordinate marketing policies and programs to determine the demand for services offered by a hospital.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

17.90%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Medical Secretaries

Medical secretaries perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Your duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts.

Salary

$25—40K

Job Growth

16.64%

Education Required

High School diploma or equivalent

Medical and Health Services Managers

Medical and health services managers plan, direct or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, or similar organizations. Through review and analysis, managers may help reduce risk and improve service.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

18.36%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Physician Liaisons

The position of a physician liaison is relatively new in the medical field, but very important in the changing landscape of medicine. These liaisons are primarily responsible for developing relationships with physicians in order to facilitate beneficial referring practices for both health care companies and patients. They work with primary care doctors and instruct them regarding cardiologists in their network to whom patients should be referred; develop ways to consolidate and increase referrals, implement strategies to reduce red tape in receiving referrals, and create reports based on their work; and build relationships with physicians and other health care leaders to develop new client accounts, maintain existing accounts and develop long term relationships with current and prospective clients/physicians.

Salary

$58K

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Computer Network Architects

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

1.42%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Computer Support Specialists

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.

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

9.01%

Education Required

Post secondary non-degree award or Associate's degree

Computer Systems Analysts

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

18.45%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Computer and Information Systems Managers

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.

Salary

$100K

Job Growth

18.36%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Health Information Managers

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

18.36%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Information Security Analysts

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

41.74%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Medical Librarians

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.

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

2.00%

Education Required

Master's Degree

Medical Records Coders

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.

Salary

$25—41K

Job Growth

11.51%

Education Required

Post secondary non-degree award or Associate's degree

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

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.

Salary

$25—41K

Job Growth

11.51%

Education Required

High School diploma or equivalent

Medical Transcriptionists

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.

Salary

$25—40K

Education Required

Post secondary non-degree award or Associate's degree

Project Managers IT

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

12.00%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Gerontologist

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

5.00%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Medical Assistants

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.

Salary

$25—41K

Job Growth

17.24%

Education Required

Post secondary non-degree award or Associate's degree

Physician Assistants

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

25.48%

Education Required

Master's Degree

Clinical Nurse Specialists

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

18.00%

Education Required

Master's Degree

Informatics Nurse Specialists

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

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

24.00%

Education Required

Master's Degree

Licensed Practical Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses

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.

Salary

$25—40K

Job Growth

7.81%

Education Required

Post secondary non-degree award or Associate's degree

Nurse Administrator/Nurse Executive

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

20.00%

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Nurse Anesthetists or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

7.44%

Education Required

Master's Degree

Nurse Midwives

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.

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

19.30%

Education Required

Master's Degree

Nurse Practitioners

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

27.93%

Education Required

Master's Degree

Nursing Assistants

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.

Salary

$25K

Job Growth

9.60%

Education Required

Postsecondary non-degree or equivalent

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

32.90%

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses

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.

Salary

$60—100K

Job Growth

26.00%

Education Required

Master's Degree

Registered Nurses

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.

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

15.81%

Education Required

Post secondary non-degree award or Associate's degree

Cooks, Institutions and Cafeterias

Cooks prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.

Salary

$25K

Job Growth

2.16%

Education Required

High School diploma or equivalent

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.

Salary

$25—41K

Job Growth

9.67%

Education Required

High School diploma or equivalent

First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers

Housekeeping and janitorial supervisors directly supervise and coordinate work activities of cleaning personnel in hotels, hospitals, offices, and other establishments.

Salary

$25—41K

Job Growth

10.43%

Education Required

High School diploma or equivalent

Food Service Managers

Food service managers are responsible for managing the operations of all food service activities. Food service managers must perform many job duties, including duties related to customer service, administration and management.

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

8.83%

Education Required

High School diploma or equivalent

Hospital Housekeeping Cleaners

Hospital housekeepers are responsible for sustaining a sterile environment by routinely clean patient rooms, nursing units, surgical areas, administrative offices, laboratory areas, waiting areas and public restrooms, as well as launder all hospital linen. Using various cleaning chemicals and disinfectants, housekeepers wipe equipment, clean furniture, polish floors and vacuum carpets. They make beds, empty trash and restock medical supplies. Housekeepers also collect dirty laundry from all patient areas and distribute the clean linen and hospital gowns back to the appropriate floors.

Salary

$25K

Job Growth

5.69%

Education Required

High School diploma or equivalent

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

Janitors keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. They perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. They may repair furnace and boiler, perform routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk.

Salary

$25K

Job Growth

9.69%

Education Required

High School diploma or equivalent

Respiratory Therapists

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.

Salary

$40—60K

Job Growth

27.54%

Education Required

Post secondary non-degree award or Associate's degree

Respiratory Therapy Technicians

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

Salary

$40—60K

Education Required

Post secondary non-degree award or Associate's degree

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