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Health Service Integrity |
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Drew University Pre-Medical Society |
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Allied Health Professions |
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Many allied health professions give bachelors degrees in their particular field, however ALL of the allied health professions offer master degrees as well and sometimes doctorates. The following are some of the most popular allied health fields offering post-graduate degree programs: Chiropractic, Genetic Counselor, Health Administration, Health Advocacy, Health Communication, Nursing, Nurse Practitioner Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, and Public Health. There are other allied health professions in areas such as art therapy, audiology, medical technician, radiology and speech therapy. The requirements for admission are wide-ranging and variable among the allied health professions. A blanket statement encompassing all fields is not possible however a brief summary of each follows. |
A Mixture of Choice |
Chiropractic MedicineChiropractic physicians diagnose and treat patients whose health problems are associated with the body’s muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems, especially the spine. The chiropractic approach to healthcare is holistic, stressing the patient’s overall well being. Chiropractors use natural, drugless, non-surgical health treatments, and rely on the body's inherent recuperative abilities. When appropriate, they consult with and refer patients to other health practitioners.
There are sixteen chiropractic programs and institutions in the US accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education. At least 60 semester hours of undergraduate study leading to the bachelors degree is required, which includes courses in English, the social sciences or humanities, organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, physics, and psychology. One must earn a grade of C or better. A particular school may require additional courses )check with the specific program of interest). The average GPA of candidates selected for admission is 3.0, with a 2.5 or greater GPA in the sciences. Attributes of successful chiropractic students include the desire and patience to meet the needs of the sick, a rational thought process, a commitment to academic rigor, self-confidence, motivation and enthusiasm for the profession.
American Chiropractic Association Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research
Genetic CounselorGenetic counselors work as members of a health-care team, providing information and support to families that have members with birth defects or genetic disorders, or who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. They identify families at risk, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risk of recurrence, review available options with families and provide supportive counseling. They also serve as patient advocates, educators, administrators, researchers and resource people for health-care professionals and the public.
There are 24 genetic counseling training programs in the US. Each has either full or interim accreditation training involves two years of full-time study leading to the Master of Science degree. While the specifics of each program may differ slightly, the course prerequisites generally include the following: General Biology, Developmental Biology, Human Genetics, Molecular Genetics, Inorganic Chemistry, Statistics, and Introductory Psychology. Recommended courses include Physiology, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Cell Biology, Psychology of Personality, and fluency in a foreign language, particularly Spanish. On average the GPA should be 3.0 or better. One must have exposure to genetic counseling and experience in a counseling-based agency The GRE is also required.
American Board of Genetic Counseling National Society of Genetic Counselors Healthcare AdministrationHealthcare administrators contribute to the health of individuals and communities through their management of health services, institutions and systems. They are employed in a wide range of healthcare organizations including hospitals, managed care organizations, long term care and rehabilitation facilities, ambulatory care organizations, physician group practices, governments, and in companies that provide equipment and supplies to the health care industry. Positions are usually divided into line management positions in which the administrator is responsible for the delivery of specific services and the management of those who deliver them or staff positions such as analyst, consultant or network provider support specialist. Degrees are offered at bachelors, masters, and doctorate levels.
Most but not all graduate programs require the GRE of GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0. There is no prescribed undergraduate preparation.
Association of University Programs in Health Administration
Health AdvocacyThe health advocate promotes patients’ rights in our increasingly complex health care system. The underlying purpose of health advocacy as a profession is to help individuals and families to use health services effectively and to improve the overall delivery of these services. Many professional health advocates work as patient representatives in hospitals, nursing homes or other provider settings, but they can also be found working in a wide range of positions and health arenas. These are ombudsmen in the long term care system, as counselors in community health settings, as consumer advisors in managed care settings, as health educators and consumer health information specialists, as legislative analysts in advocacy organizations or government offices, and as organizers of movement to influence health policy.
There is only one masters degree program in the US, offered at Sarah Lawrence College. The program requires strong writing and analytical skills, undergraduate courses in biology and microeconomics, and evidence of motivation to work on behalf of consumers in social welfare or health care environments. Generally applicants have a strong background of community service or other volunteer work.
Sarah Lawrence College, Health Advocacy Program Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy Health CommunicationHealth communication is the practice of developing, delivering and evaluating health promotion and disease prevention strategies and campaigns, as well as disseminating information and participating in the implementation of health policy initiatives. The study of health communication includes theory and practice from such disciplines as communication, social marketing, negotiation, medicine, epidemiology and public health.
Undergraduate and individual backgrounds of students in the health communication program are varied. Most students are recent college graduates with backgrounds in liberal arts, communication, psychology and sociology. A two year full time program leads to the masters degree. The GRE or GMAT is the required entrance exam. Two such programs can be found at Emerson College and Tufts University School of Medicine.
Nurse PractitionerIn their primary care roles, nurse practitioners provide frontline basic health services and preventive care in primary and acute care centers. Among their clinical roles, nurse practitioners conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries, provide immunizations, manage high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic problems, order and interpret x-rays and other lab tests, and counsel patients on adopting healthy lifestyles. In emergency rooms, critical-care units, and other acute care departments they provide direct care for patients and ensure continuity of care by following patients within the hospital and post-discharge. They perform a variety of invasive therapeutic roles once reserved for medical residents. In all 50 states, a nurse practitioner can prescribe medications. Generally, in the Midwest states, they can prescribe independent of physician involvement. Some degree of involvement is required in other states.
A masters degree, the MSN, is required to practice as a nurse practitioner. The masters programs are two years of full time study One must first be a licensed RN (Registered Nurse) for entry into the program. Therefore, an individual would need to complete 1-2 years of course and clinical rotations to become an RN then proceed to the masters program. The GRE is necessary for entry into the masters program.
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners American College of Nurse Practitioners American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Occupational TherapyOccupational therapy uses everyday activities as the means of helping people to achieve independence. For the person with a physical disability, the first focus is on performing critical daily activities, such as dressing, grooming, bathing, and eating. Once these skills are mastered, the occupational therapy program is built around the skills needed to perform a person’s daily responsibilities, such as caring for a home and family, participating in education, or seeking and holding employment. The goals for a client with mental illness are also based on the ability to function independently. Depending on the employer or work setting, one may be doing one or more of the following activities: aiding the growth and development of premature babies, enhancing learning environments for physically challenged school children, adapting home environments for an injured worker, or conducting research to measure the effectiveness of treatment activities.
There are three types of programs, the bachelors degree, post baccalaureate certificate, and professional masters degree. Schools typically require course work concentrating on the biological and behavioral sciences, including biology, psychology, and sociology. Most programs also require volunteer or paid work experience with persons with disabilities. Depending on the school, other courses may be required. The GRE is the required entrance exam for masters programs.
American Occupational Therapy Association
PharmacyPharmacists have the responsibility for assuring appropriate use of medications. As medication experts, they are responsible for insuring that the information provided by a prescriber is complete, that the new medication and dose are appropriate for the patient’s condition, and that the patient understands the proper way to take the medication. Graduates of pharmacy schools may practice in a variety of settings. The majority provide care to patients in a community setting, in a chain drug store or managed care facility. Others find employment in hospitals, pharmaceutical sales, teaching or in research.
Professional education leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree takes four years. Some universities offer five year undergraduate programs leading to a bachelors degree but he majority of schools and colleges of pharmacy have moved to awarding the PharmD degree only. Entry into a program may require the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). The PCAT includes four sections: Quantitative Ability, Biology, Chemistry, and Reading Comprehension. Each section is scored in the range of 100-300 points. Undergraduate students may transfer to a pharmacy school at their third year. Required courses are generally the same as for medical school: 1 year biology, 1 year general chemistry, 1 year organic chemistry, 1 year physics, 1 semester calculus, and 1 semester statistics; 1 semester microbiology and 1 semester psychology are also required at some schools.
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