Health Care Careers in 2 Years

Give your readers an essential guide to careers in ultrasound and sonography. Diagnostic medical sonographers perform ultrasound procedures that direct high-frequency sound waves into the body. The returning sound waves can be converted into an image of the body's internal structures. The most familiar use of ultrasound is in visualizing the fetus of a pregnant mother, but ultrasound has numerous medical applications. Many diagnostic medical sonographers specialize in particular areas of imaging, including neurosonography and musculoskeletal ultrasound. Sonographers can earn a good salary in this fulfilling career upon completion of a two-year program. Because ultrasounds are low-risk procedures that yield real-time images, sonography is an in-demand field with bright prospects for increased job growth.

Many veterinary jobs can be obtained with two years or fewer of training, in clinical practices, animal hospitals, zoos, aquariums, and wildlife research and rehabilitation. Careers described include animal care attendant, veterinary technician, veterinary receptionist, veterinary lab assistant, and kennel and shelter attendant, among related vocations. Sidebars illustrate the real-life experiences of a veterinary assistant, a wildlife technician, a veterinary technician, and an equine veterinary technician. Each job's activities, academic requirements, and certification and licensing requirements are explained in an easily accessible format. This handy guide offers details on applying for veterinary jobs, tips for interviewing, and strategies for career advancement.

Many people want a meaningful health care career, without the time and expense of eight years of training. This straightforward volume explores the field of allied dentistry, which can launch a rewarding career in two years or less. For dental assistant, dental hygienist, and dental laboratory technician, readers examine typical duties, personal characteristics needed for success, tools and technology used, and average salary. Required education, the job application process, and strategies for on-the-job success are clearly presented. Sidebars cover topics such as new trends in braces, using ultrasonics in dental hygiene, and actions that help students succeed, including job shadowing and mentoring.

Many students who are interested in a career in eye care do not realize the wide range of job opportunities available. Although optometrists and ophthalmologists obtain advanced degrees, most of the staff who support them require no more than two years of higher education. The jobs described in this handy resource include optician, ophthalmic laboratory and medical technician, ophthalmic photographer, medical equipment repairer, medical assistant, receptionist, insurance claims and policy processing clerk, and financial coordinator, among others. Job training and educational requirements are examined as well as job search strategies, creating a resume and cover letter, and preparing for an interview.

Mental health care is a challenging and rewarding field in which compassionate professionals provide patients with treatment that can help them heal and recover from mental illness. Therapists and other mental health workers treat a wide range of medical problems related to patients' emotional, psychological, and social health. This book describes several career paths that are personally fulfilling and essential for patient care, including psychiatric technicians, nursing assistants, medical assistants, orderlies, pharmacy technicians, and medical transcriptionists, among others. Some counselors, for instance, specialize in substance abuse treatment, and their expertise is in high demand because of the opioid crisis that is afflicting the nation.

Physicians rely on radiology technicians to provide the high-quality images produced by X-rays and other forms of imaging technology that are used to diagnose injuries and illnesses. This volume looks at the training it takes to earn certification as a radiology technician within two years and the imaging machines these in-demand professionals use on a daily basis. Working radiology technicians and related professionals offer suggestions on launching a career, education options in the field, and the job-hunting process. This book also examines such topics as networking in radiology, interview tips, building on job skills, and advancing in the field.

This indispensable volume explores the range of jobs and settings in which one can work in the nursing field with two years or less of training, including certified nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse, licensed visiting nurse, registered nurse, clinical nurse, cardiac care nurse, labor and delivery nurse, neonatal nurse, and pediatric nurse, among others. It examines each job's activities, academic needs, and certification and licensing requirements. Illuminating sidebars describe actual aspects of a nurse's work, such as that of a pediatric nurse and that of an army nurse. Practical tips for the job search, writing a resume, and interviewing are also presented.