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Here is a general overview of associates degrees that you can apply for right now and soon be on your way to working in a new field that really interests you!

Respiratory Therapists

Lung problems are one of the most common ailments of the body. The number of people with lung problems is increasing due to the increasing environmental pollution that the world is experiencing. Once a person experiences difficulty in breathing and other lung problems, he should consult his doctor. If not treated, lung problems can cause complications with other parts of the body so diagnosis and treatment are very important. Doctors who specialize on pulmonary health work together with respiratory therapists.

Respiratory therapists are hired in hospitals to assess lung problems and care for the patients suffering from diseases concerning the lungs. They interview the patients and determine their medical history. Diagnostic tests are then administered. These tests can include the examination on the breathing of the patient as well as the concentration of the gases on the blood of the patient. The amount of gases in the blood can determine the blood’s acidity or the blood pH. The acidity of the blood is very delicate because a little change in pH can put a person’s life in danger. The amount of carbon dioxide can alter the pH of the blood by forming carbonic acid. Respiratory therapists also determine the lung capacity by allowing the patient to breathe into an apparatus that can determine the volume of oxygen inhaled and exhaled by the patient. The therapists compare the patient’s data to the standard one for his age, gender, height, and weight. This allows him to assess the lung condition of the patient and suggest the appropriate treatment. They should be knowledgeable with the treatments for lung diseases and problems. As soon as the official diagnosis for the lung problem is released, he should be able to determine the kind of treatment to be done. They also handle the equipment to be used for the treatment of lung problems and hence, should also be familiar on how to operate lung equipment.

Respiratory therapists are required to be present in the hospital for around 40 hours a week. They should check their patients every time and walk from room to room. They are also trained to work with pressurized gases.

Exceptional job growth is expected in this field. Associates degree and state licensure is required. Average salary: $52,200.

 

Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician

Heart problems affect many people worldwide. This is common due to an increasing inclination towards eating oily and fatty foods. These foods contain too much cholesterol which blocks the blood vessels and can cause heart attacks. Heart problems are common in obese people but there are also many cases in which the heart problem has been present since birth. The condition of people with heart problems are monitored by cardiologists and cardiovascular technologist and technician. Many people are not familiar with the latter because they are focused on the cardiologist. A cardiovascular technologist and technician is the one who aids the cardiologists in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease concerning the heart and the blood vessels. They explain the procedure to be done to the patients, review the patient’s medical history, and administer several tests. They also operate the equipment to be used for analysis of the patient’s heart condition.

The cardiovascular technologists have two general fields where that they practice – invasive cardiology and non-invasive cardiology. Cardiovascular technicians, on the other hand, analyze electrocardiograms and perform stress testing. Technologists who are in the field of invasive cardiology assist cardiologists on processes involving cardiac catheterization. In this process, a small tube called a cathether is inserted into a person’s artery to determine whether the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscles are blocked. Another procedure called balloon angioplasty is done to remove blockage on the blood vessels without surgery. Cardiovascular technologists prepare their patients before catheterization by cleaning the area where the tube will be inserted and administering anesthesia. They monitor the heart rate and blood pressure of the patients during the entire process.

Technologists who work with non-invasive technology use sound waves to diagnose heart problems. These procedures do not involve the insertion of tubes into the patient’s body. Diagnostic images of the heart and blood vessels are taken using ultrasound waves. The echoes collected then form the images that can be compared with the images taken from a healthy heart or blood vessels.

The work of a cardiovascular technologist and technician requires them to be on their feet most of the time. They assist the patients and the cardiologists in the analysis of the results, diagnosis of the problem, and treatment of the disease.

Get your associates degree and join a fast-growing healthcare profession with an average salary of $42,000.00 per year.

 

Surgical Technologist

Surgeries are very crucial because it deals with the survival or death of the person on the operating table. Surgeons should have the best skills and training when it comes to surgery. Aside from the surgeons and nurses and other medical specialists, surgical technologists are also present in the operating room. Surgical technology is an associate degree offered by community and junior colleges. Some programs are also offered by some universities and hospitals. To be a surgical technologist, you can enroll in an accredited institution that offers surgical technology training. Discussions and hands-on activities are included in the program. Courses in the program include medicine-related courses such as anatomy, physiology, healthcare, and medical terminologies. These courses are very important because they will be working in hospitals and assisting in surgeries. Most hospitals hire licensed surgical technologists to be sure that they are skilled and knowledgeable on the field.

A surgical technologist is tasked to prepare the operating room before an operation. He should see to it that the instruments to be used for surgery are sterile and arranged and the equipment to be used are all working. Also, he is tasked to interview the patients and get them ready for surgery. He should clean the area to be operated on and help the patient position himself on the operating room. He is also responsible for the administration of anesthesia and should check the vital signs of the patient during the operation. A surgical technologist also helps the operating team put on their gowns and gloves. He can also pass the surgical instruments and supplies to the surgeons. After the surgery, a surgical technologist takes care of the specimens to be analyzed in the laboratory. After the analysis, the specimens are handed to him for disposal. He is also tasked to care for the instruments and other equipment used in the operation.

During working hours, surgical technologists are required to stand for long periods of hours during operations. They must also be alert during operations and must constantly check the vital signs of the patient and notify the surgeon if he thinks that something is not normal. Because he assists in operations, he may stay in the hospital for hours beyond his regular working schedule.

The average salary for a surgical technologist is $42,000.00 per year.  The demand in this area is expected to grow at 25% over the next ten years.

 

Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical therapy helps a person who lost his ability to do several physical activities to gain his ability back. The inability to do several physical things may be caused by ailments or accidents. People who have suffered stroke or heart attacks could have lost their motor abilities due to the damage created on their brains and other body parts. Problems with the spinal column can also hamper the movement of a person because the spinal column contains the nerves that can help the person move and do physical activities.

To help these people, physical therapists and physical therapist assistant are employed. These people supervise the therapies done so that the person can gain his motor abilities back. Together, they assess the problem and the condition of the person and recommend the suitable type of therapy. When the physical therapist is not around, the assistant is in charge of the entire therapy session. He can provide instructions and other therapeutic methods. He is also responsible for taking note of the patient’s progress. He can consult the physical therapist if he thinks that the current therapy does not help improve the motor abilities of the patient. They can discuss this matter with the physician of the patient and reevaluate the medical condition and type of therapy for the patient. The physical therapist assistant is also in charge of preparing the materials and equipment for the therapy session.

The nature of the work of physical therapist assistants require them to have average strength because they will be assisting people with physical disability and will be required to help them stand up, sit down, and other physical activities. Some patients prefer to have the therapies done in their houses so there may be a need to adjust their schedules depending on the therapy schedule of his patient.

Having an associate degree before getting a license to become a physical therapist assistant is required by the law. They will be handling people with physical disabilities so expertise is a must. Courses on anatomy, physiology, and healthcare should be taught in schools providing programs on physical therapy. They can also undergo several clinical training programs to increase their chances to be hired.

Get your associates degree and join a fast-growing healthcare profession with an average salary of $42,000.00 per year.

 

Radiologic Technologists

The employment opportunities for people interested in diagnostic imaging is increasing due to the increasing popularity of the diagnostic procedure. Diagnostic imaging is a very great help in diagnosis of diseases because it can provide images of the body part with the problem and compare it with the image of that healthy body part. Various imaging procedure are done depending on the body part to be examined and the nature of the suspected disease.

Most hospitals perform this kind of technology and they hire radiologic technologists to perform the procedure. The imaging techniques that they perform include computed tomography scan or CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging or MRI, x-rays, and mammography. These provide several images that focus on a specific body organ and these can help the doctors determine the disease and the extent of damage on the organ. Radiologic technologists prepare the patients before the actual imaging process. They also explain how the procedure goes and instruct the patient to remove all materials from the body that can obstruct the waves that the imaging equipment generates to obtain the image. They also direct the body position of the patient to get a clear image of the part to be examined. They are also responsible for controlling the equipment and setting the appropriate parameters to obtain a good image. Care should be observed when handling equipment that emits radiation because this can cause health problems to the people exposed. Hence, the appropriate work attire should be worn by the radiologic technologists and their co-workers. The person to be examined should also protect other parts of his body that are not going to be examined. The technologists should properly care and maintain all the apparatus that he is using. He is also tasked to keep the records of the people who underwent diagnostic imaging.

In the work, technologists are often on their feet to assist patients in the body positions that they directed. Because of their work, they are often exposed to large amounts radiation so they should don protective suits. Some can also work part-time on different hospitals because their average working hours is 40 hours a week.

Get your associates degree and join this interesting and fast-growing healthcare profession with an average salary of $52,000.00 per year.

 

Massage Therapist

 

Most people turn to massages after stressful and tiring events. Athletes often have massages after a game in order to cure muscle soreness. The muscle soreness caused by the deposition of lactic acid after a high-intensity physical activity is relieved by massaging the area to let the deposited acid to circulate. Some people undergo massages to rest and relax. These massages can also be used to cure ailments on specific parts of the body. The demand for massage therapists is increasing due to the growing popularity of the benefits of massages.

Many people want to become massage therapists to cater to the demands of most people. In order to be admitted to a massage therapy program, high school education is required. Training schools offer massage therapy programs and teach different kinds of massages. Courses in anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology are included in the training programs. These will help the person understand the basic things about the massage therapy and helps them apply their knowledge. Actual massages are also included in the course. After the program, the license can be obtained. Most employers hire licensed therapists so having a license increases a person’s chances of having a job.

A massage therapist uses touch to manipulate the muscles of the body. There are a variety of massages that a therapist can use on a person depending on the choice of the person and his health condition. Some popular types of massages include acupressure, reflexology, sports massage, and Swedish massage. These massages require different techniques. Some massages require soft and slow strokes while others require swift and hard strokes. It is important that the massage therapist knows the different massages for different people. Massages for athletes are different from the massages for those who just want to relax. Care should also be exercised when massaging a client with disability or injury as a certain stroke may aggravate their condition. It is important that before massage session, the massage therapist should determine the medical background of the client to know what type of massage is appropriate for them. Aside from the actual massage, other materials such as massage creams are needed for the massage session.

Get your associates degree and join a faster than average growing profession with an average salary of $47,000.00 per year.

 

 

Dental Hygienists

Dental hygiene is one of the most important things a person must observe. With all the food that we get into our mouths, it may become a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms. Once oral care is not practiced, the microorganisms can cause oral damage, specifically dental damage. The gums and teeth are very susceptible to bacterial damage. Gum diseases and teeth damage are the most common diseases that are encountered by most people and these are examined and cured by dental professionals.

Dentists and dental hygienists are the people trained to diagnose dental problems and recommend a way to cure them. Dentists take a Bachelor’s Degree in Dentistry and must first specialize before they get their license and start practicing. Dental hygienists, on the other hand, must have an associate degree before they can be licensed and practice.  To be admitted to a dental hygiene program, you are required to submit your high school diploma and college entrance test score. Dental hygiene programs train people who want to be dental hygienists through lectures and laboratory work on subjects such as anatomy, histology, microbiology, peridontology, physiology, and radiography. Knowledge on dental tools and the appropriate dental hygiene is also very important. These courses are necessary so that a person can become a good dental hygienist.

A dental hygienist is the one responsible for giving oral and dental care instructions to patients and they focus on preventive dental care. Patients are taught to select the right toothbrush and toothpastes and are also informed about the relationship of diet and oral and dental health. They are the ones who examine a patient’s gums and teeth and determine if there are any problems. In order to diagnose the problem, several dental tests are required. They also look at the dental records of the patient to know probable cause of the problem. They are also authorized to use several dental tools to examine and treat a patient’s gums and teeth problems. The can also clean teeth, administer fluoride, and apply sealants to prevent dental damage. A dentist, along with a dental hygienist, perform the diagnosis and treatment on the problem.

One of the fastest-growing occupations in the nation, dental hygienists provide routine dental services including cleaning teeth, taking X-rays and preventative care. Candidates must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass a written and clinical exam.

The average yearly salary is $58,000.00 per year.

 

 

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational therapy assistants help people with mental, emotional, and physical problems by providing rehabilitative services. They help people regain their ability to perform the activities they used to do before developing the problems they have presently. The most common problem that occupational therapy assistants attend to is physical disability. They often help people with physical disability thorough the administration of therapies that will help them cope up. Some therapists also tend to people with learning disabilities and teach them how to handle their disability. The therapies that these therapy assistants provide are in accordance with the instructions of occupational therapies. They administer activities that help people with physical activities to learn to be more independent and do things on their own. Activities include teaching the person the proper way of movement without straining their muscles and complicating their condition. The assistant watches over the therapy that a person is undergoing and records his progress. If he sees that the patient’s condition is not improving, he can consult the occupational therapist for a change in the therapy program. Assistants also prepare the materials and equipment to be used in a treatment and do other tasks such as paperwork and ordering of supplies needed in the therapy.

Therapy assistants need to have a high degree of strength and patience. They will be helping people with disabilities in their therapy and it involves lifting them up or helping them get back to their bed or wheelchair. They should also be patient since they will be dealing with people who cannot do many things on their own and who will be needing help most of the time. They have to deal with the different personalities of these people and understand their needs. Most of their patients have suffered stroke and heart attack so they have to be careful in dealing with them. Therapy assistants have to undergo associate degree programs before they can get their license. These programs teach anatomy, physiology, and basic healthcare to their students. They also can work either part time or full time depending on their agreement with their employers.

This is another field expecting huge job growth; 30% over the next decade. Average salary is $48.000, but those working in home health care and nursing facilities earn over $50,000.

 

Licensed Practice/Vocational Nurse

Healthcare providers are some of the most in-demand people in the world. Most people study nursing in order to be hired in high-paying jobs locally or abroad. For those who are for associate degrees, they can study practical or vocational nursing. Vocational programs are available in vocational schools but are also offered in community colleges. Some hospitals also have training programs for vocational nursing. To qualify for a vocational training program, schools require high school diploma although there are several schools that accept people who do not have the requirements. The program offers lectures on basic nursing and healthcare. They also have courses in anatomy, physiology, and first aid. After finishing the program, he can get his license by taking exams on several categories. By passing the exam, he can then be a licensed practice/vocational nurse.

In the workplace, the licensed practice/vocational nurse is expected to attend to people who are sick or disabled. They are responsible for checking the vital signs of the patient and to give injections and to check on his injuries. They should dress assisting them in bathing, dressing up, and other things that have to do with personal hygiene. They should also aid them with physical activities like standing, walking, and moving around. Vocational nurses can also help their patients in eating. They should also always check the hospital schedule of the patient to know whether they are scheduled for tests or operations. Whenever a medication has been administered to a patient, it is the duty of the licensed practice/vocational nurse to check on his condition every time and to observe any adverse reactions to the medication. When their patient is conscious, they can ask them how they are feeling to determine whether they are feeling well or not. They can also teach the patient’s family members how to perform some basic nursing tasks.

The work of nurses, whether they are registered or vocational nurses, is very stressful and tiring. Nurses have to be awake even on late hours of the night to check on the vital signs of the patients. Nurses should be patient and should have good work ethics to provide good healthcare.

Forty two percent of all people entering the nursing profession are still doing it with an associates degree in nursing.  The average yearly salary is $55,000.00 per year.

 

 

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Most diseases are diagnosed through the aid of diagnostic images. These images include x-ray imaging and magnetic resonance imaging or MRI. These types of imaging use radiation and radio waves in order to obtain the image. Another type of imaging is known as sonography and this type of imaging uses sound waves. Although commonly used in obstetrics to examine the development of the fetus during pregnancy, this procedure is becoming a popular alternative to the types of imaging that uses radiation in the diagnosis of diseases.

Sonography is done by a diagnostic medical sonographer. They operate the equipment that generates sound waves into the specific part of the body and collects the echoes formed. Before starting, they explain the procedures to the patients and apply a gel that can enhance the transmission of the sound waves.  They direct the movements of the patient in order to have good and clear images of the body parts concerned. For the transmission of sound waves in a beam that is cone- or rectangle-shaped beam, transducers are used. The echoes generate an image that is recorded by the diagnostic medical sonographer. The sonographic techniques may vary depending on the area that will be examined. These images are then compared to the images of the same part of the body that is perfectly healthy. Sonographers examine these images and determine the possible problems. They also review the medical history of the patient before giving their analysis of the ailment. Usually, they select the images that give the best resolution and submit them to the patient’s physician.

Additionally, a diagnostic medical sonographer keeps the records and images generated from the patients in case they will be used in the future. Equipment handling and maintenance are also their responsibility. For sonographers who have been in the field for many years, they can manage the department handling diagnostic imaging in hospitals. They can also specialize in a particular field of sonography. Sonography have various areas such as abdominal sonography, breast sonography, cardiac sonography, neurosonography, and obstetric and gyecologic sonography. They analyze images from the specific area where they specialize and perform evaluation to be submitted to the attending physician.

Get your associates degree and join a fast-growing healthcare profession with an average salary of $62,000.00 per year.