Health Care Career Preparation Starts in High School

Considering a career in nursing? Browse your options

Preparing for a career in health can begin in high school. While you will probably not get on-the-job training, there are ways to hone your personal skills and develop a strong base of knowledge.

There are a number of fundamentals shared by almost everyone who wants to be involved in the health industry: from EKG technician to the physician who does stereotactic radiosurgery. All such occupations involve taking care of the human body in one way or another: and this means being capable of handling the emotional as well as physical aspects of treatment.

Here are eight concrete things you can do while in high school to get ready for a college education and career in health.

1. Become well versed in English so that peers and patients can communicate with you in a common language.It will be far easier to read, write, and interpret reports if you are familiar with the terms.

2.With the growing Hispanic population, it is advisable to speak Spanish in order to learn what their needs are and to give instructions if need be. Knowing a language is far superior to having an interpreter.

3. Take biology class seriously. Learn where the organs lie, what their functions are, and the basics of what happens when organs fail. There’s a lot to be had when studying other animals too. Biology may be the single most important subject you will ever study because it lays the groundwork for advanced studies.

4. Anyone that will be handling medication or chemicals cannot avoid taking chemistry class. Yes, it can be tough: but learn the basics now and you’ll understand when your college professor discusses why a free radical can change the structure and application of a treatment modality.

5. Have a working relationship with numbers. Just about everything in health care is dependant on measurements of one kind or another, figuring out distance, dosages, BMI, ratios and times will depend on it. Become independent of calculators so you will be able to determine the data in lieu of a malfunctioning machine.

6. Volunteer you time or get a part-time job in a hospital or nursing home. Healthcare is a profession where patient contact is demanded in more than 90% of the vocations. You had better learn if you have the personality to work with the sick, elderly, children, intransigent, and families of all the aforementioned. If you intend on working in a profession that reports to others, can you take direction? Will you abide by sometimes frustrating and nonsensical institutional rules? Get to know yourself and if the perceived status of your chosen endeavor is one worth having.

7. Attend career days, often held at hospitals. Speak to individuals who are already in the field you may enter. Ask them about what they like and dislike regarding the job; and if they would do it again.

8. Go to the websites of professional societies. There you will find the issues that involve members, news about legislation and pertinent information to help make your career decision.

Below is a table published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which outlines the fields in healthcare with the biggest growth potential. We suggest you visit their site.

Occupation	2006 employment		Projected 2016 employment		Change, 2006-2016
	#	% distrib.	#	% distrib.	#	%
Total, all occupations	86,500	100.00	121,900	100.00	35,400	40.9
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists	4,347	5.03	7,330	6.01	2,983	68.6
Medical equipment repairers	167	0.19	258	0.21	91	54.6
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians	564	0.65	872	0.71	308	54.6
Health educators	811	0.94	1,140	0.94	329	40.5
Registered nurses	7,075	8.18	9,941	8.16	2,866	40.5
Surgical technologists	535	0.62	752	0.62	217	40.5
Physicians and surgeons	764	0.88	1,074	0.88	310	40.5
Medical transcriptionists	214	0.25	301	0.25	87	40.5
Medical equipment preparers	568	0.66	797	0.65	230	40.5
Dietitians and nutritionists	141	0.16	198	0.16	57	40.5
Medical and health services managers	2,735	3.16	3,843	3.15	1,108	40.5
Medical and public health social workers	523	0.60	735	0.60	212	40.5
Radiologic technologists and technicians	380	0.44	534	0.44	154	40.5
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians	5,985	6.92	8,410	6.90	2,424	40.5
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics	505	0.58	710	0.58	205	40.5
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other	218	0.25	307	0.25	88	40.5
Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other	689	0.80	969	0.79	279	40.5
Pharmacists	70	0.08	99	0.08	29	40.5
Pharmacy technicians	177	0.21	249	0.20	72	40.5
Physician assistants	116	0.13	163	0.13	47	40.5
Respiratory therapists	95	0.11	134	0.11	39	40.5
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists	401	0.46	563	0.46	162	40.5