ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Judith L Miller, MS, LGC April 2010

Explosion of scientific knowledge ◦ The “Age of Biology”◦ Sophisticated and complex medical diagnostics and

treatments

Result: increased need for expertly trained health care personnel

Trends today in medical care◦ Increasing costs◦ Treatment of patients in ambulatory facilities◦ Need for most efficacious and least costly care

History

Health professionals other than physicians◦ 200 different careers◦ 80 different professions

Expertly trained in specialized area◦ Can provide excellent care (advice, help)◦ Cost less than care provided by an MD

Allied Health Professions: AHP

Two broad categories:◦ Technicians and Assistants

Typically only up to 2 years education Supervision required

◦ **Therapists and Technologists Require graduate education

Categories of AH Professionals

Job descriptions are quite specialized

Practitioners are highly trained and considered experts in their field

Work in the AHP:◦ Typically, involves direct or indirect patient care◦ After time (after the person gains and

demonstrates expertise) non-traditional jobs are often possible.

“Therapy and Technology” AHPs

Exercise Science (athletic

trainer, kinesiologist)

Cytotechnology

Dietetics

Nuclear Medicine

Technology

Speech-Language

pathology

Genetic Counselor

Radiologic technologist

Surgical technologist

Physical Therapy

Partial list of AHP Areas /Careers

What is Genetic Counseling?

“Helping individuals and families understand how genetics affects their health and lives.”

Who are Genetic Counselors?

Health professionals with◦Specialized graduate degrees ◦Knowledge of medical genetics◦Counseling skills◦Expertise in genetic testing

Genetics Professionals Medical or Clinical Geneticist

◦ MD, Primary care residency plus fellowship or residency in Genetics

◦ Medical Genetics – a Medical Specialty◦ Diagnose and Treat

PhD Geneticist◦ Research

Genetic Counselor◦ MS degree◦ Work with patients, consult, order and

interpret genetic tests

What Do Genetic Counselors Do?

Provide information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders, and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions

Investigate the disorder or condition, interpret test results and information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence, and review available options with the family

•Serve as patient advocates

•Serve as educators and as a resource

• for other health care professionals • for the general public

Many Career Paths:CLINICAL

Prenatal/Preconception◦ Work with pregnant women, couples

planning a pregnancy, couples at risk for having a baby with a genetic condition

Pediatric◦ Help parents, families, children,

teenagers who have, or are at risk for, genetic conditions such as sickle cell disease, deafness, mental retardation, birth defects

Career Paths: Clinical cont.

Adult◦Counsel people with medical and genetic conditions, or a family history of a condition such as cancer, Huntington disease, Alzheimer disease

Cancer Genetics

Clinics, hospitals, doctor’s practices

Academic centersIndependent practice

Where do we practice?

More Career Paths Public Health

◦ Raise awareness of genetics◦ Improve access to services◦ Outreach services◦ Determine public policy

Education◦ Teach in genetic counseling programs,

selected programs in colleges and universities Research

◦ Serve as liaison between research lab and patients

◦ Explore unanswered questions in genetic counseling

More Career Paths

Consulting◦Private Practice

Have increased autonomy and flexibility ◦Internet Companies (Direct to

Consumer counseling and testing) Develop online products related to genetics

◦Pharmaceuticals Act as corporate resource for genetics expertise

◦Industry/Laboratory Act as a liaison between diagnostic labs,

referring physicians, and patients

With Permission: http://scollege.com/aajantoapr2003/2003Feb16MyDesk.jpg

With Permission:http://www.csusm.edu/academic_affairs/

Rewards of Genetic Counseling:

Helping others

Privilege to work closely with individuals and families on sensitive personal matters

Continuing education required

Being an expert in your field

Reduce Health Disparities ◦ Special need to provide genetic counseling services

to African-American, Hispanic and other under served communities

With Permission: http://sitemaker.umich.edu/healthdisparities/files/introhands.jpg

Rewards Become a genetic counselor in two years

after finishing college The average salary for a genetic counselor

in IL with 0.5 to 2.5 years experience was reported as $52,225 in 2009

Job Satisfaction Combination of genetics and working with

people Intellectual challenges of the field Rewards associated with helping people Opportunities for personal growth

S

The Downside… Can be emotionally draining

Rapid advances in field means constant work to keep current

In some cases little chance to advance professionally

Jobs vary widely◦ Physicians run the health care world***◦ Autonomy vs little autonomy

To become a Genetic Counselor Master’s Degree in Genetic Counseling

◦ Currently about 30 programs in US

Graduate programs are intense◦ Course work ◦ Clinical rotations◦ Thesis

Pass certification exam, maintain certification and skills

Be open to relocation

If You are Interested in Genetic Counseling…

Learn about the field: ◦ Read about

Human genome research and ethical dilemmas Treatments and tests for genetic conditions

◦ Obtain / Investigate Information from the National Society of Genetic Counselors Genetic counseling internships

Gain experience working with people◦ Volunteer—rape crisis, pregnancy counseling, Special

Olympics◦ Be a teaching and/or research assistant◦ Take on leadership roles

Obtain recommendations

With permission: http://www.tcc.fl.edu/dept/studentserv/images/counseling.jpg

Develop these skills:◦ Interpersonal communication skills◦ Computer literacy◦ Writing skills◦ Ability to express yourself clearly (to give presentations)◦ Interviewing skills

Course work◦ Molecular biology, chemistry, statistics, research◦ Consider psychology, physiology, ethics, human

development, anatomy

…or any Allied Health Profession

Many more allied health professionals will be needed in the future

Job prospects good!

Job Outlook: