Health Information and Communication

Biological Photographer

Work Activities

• Arranging lighting and subjects to be filmed or photographed
• Filming surgical or treatment procedures
• Photographing a patients condition
• Taking pictures for use in scientific journals and reports or for use in illustrating research results
• Developing and printing film

Career Specialties
Biological Photographers may specialize in one or several areas, including photomicrography (photographs taken through a microscope), ophthalmic photography (photographs of eye injuries and diseases), dental photography, autopsy/specimen photography, or cinematography.

Work Settings
The work settings of Biological Photographers vary according to specialty or particular assignment. Many work on free-lance assignments. Others may be employed by hospitals, medical schools, museums, libraries, colleges and universities, medical and pharmaceutical companies, advertising agencies, or research facilities.

Special Requirements
Becoming a Biological Photographer requires two to four years of training after high school. Some schools offer two- or four-year degrees in biological photography. Certification and registration are available through the Board of Registry of the Biological Photographic Association, Inc.

Educational Institutions
No program information is available.

Emergency Medical Dispatcher

Work Activities

• Answering 911 or emergency calls
• Determining the nature of the emergency, finding out how many victims are involved and whether or not anyone is trapped, and evaluating if responders are at risk for danger at the scene
• Allocating, or dispatching, the appropriate emergency services, such as police, fire, or ambulance
• Giving the caller instructions over the telephonesuch as how to remain calm, stop life-threatening bleeding, give cardio- pulmonary resuscitation, or deliver a babyuntil emergency service personnel arrive
• Coordinating management of disaster assistance or hazardous materials relief
• Maintaining detailed documentation of information received and services needed
• Monitoring locations of on-duty emergency services personnel through regular communications
• Operating highly sophisticated computer and telecommunications equipment

Career Specialties
Emergency Medical Dispatchers may be supervisors, and/or they may train other Dispatchers.

Work Settings
Emergency Medical Dispatchers work out of a dispatch center that is associated with either a sheriff's department or other law enforcement agency, or an independent city or county program. The work can be very stressful, as the Dispatcher must respond quickly and efficiently in life-threatening situations.

Special Requirements
Educational and training requirements vary, depending upon the employer. Certification is available, but is not currently mandatory. On-the-job training and/or additional course work may be required. An Emergency Medical Dispatcher must be able to speak clearly, remain calm in stressful situations, and learn to operate sophisticated telecommunications equipment. Dispatchers often are required to learn basic first aid procedures, so they may instruct callers who are waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.

Educational Institutions
No program information is available

Health Educator

Work Activities

• Diagnosing educational needs of clients to increase their knowledge, modify their attitudes, and change their unhealthy behaviors
• Researching, designing, presenting, and evaluating quality health education programs
• Writing educational materials, public information reports, grant proposals, and newsletters
• Using instructional equipment and media effectively
• Organizing community coalitions to address health concerns and issues
• Coordinating resources and identifying ways to accomplish school or community health objectives

Career Specialties
Health Educators may specialize according to a health concern, such as nutrition or a particular illness, or they may specialize by work setting, such as a school or hospital.

Community Health Educators focus on public health issues, with an emphasis on community involvement and diagnosis of related health concerns.

School and College Health Educators teach comprehensive school health education courses and often counsel students.

Patient and Family Health Educators work primarily in conjunction with other health care professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and dietitians who work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and public health departments.

Worksite Health Educators plan and manage health promotion programs in a variety of public and private work settings.

Work Settings
Health Educators work alone or with other health and human service professionals. Employment is available in many settings, including health departments, community organizations, corporations, hospitals, schools, and governmental agencies.

Special Requirements
National certification is available for Health Educators who pass a written examination. Special licensing is required for Health Educators who become classroom teachers. Academic preparation is available at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Health Information Personnel

• Directing and controlling activities of personnel in the health information department
• Planning and developing information systems for the efficient receipt, recording, storage, and retrieval of medical data
• Ensuring that confidentiality of records is safeguarded
• Developing in-service educational materials and conducting training of health information personnel
• Assisting the medical staff in evaluating the quality of health care
• Providing information for reimbursement by insurance companies or other third-party payers

Health Information Technicians provide assistance to Health Information Administrators by performing many technical activities within a health information department. The scope of their duties varies with the size and type of institution. In small facilities, a Health Information Technician may have full responsibility for the department and perform a variety of duties. In large institutions, they may perform fewer, specialized duties. Activities of Health Information Technicians may include:

• Transcribing and reviewing medical records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with requirements
• Coding symptoms, diseases, diagnoses, operations, and treatments according to a recognized classification system
• Posting codes on medical records to make retrieval easy
• Maintaining indices of medical records and specialized registries
• Compiling medical and census data and using it to prepare statistical reports
• Supervising file clerks and other clerical staff
• Releasing information to persons and agencies according to regulations

Utilization Review Coordinators, also called Quality Assurance Coordinators, analyze medical records to monitor admissions, inpatient status, treatment methods, and continued stays of patients within specified time periods and according to set standards. The coordinators attempt to determine if the health care facility is providing quality patient care and is maintaining efficient, proper use of health services.

Work Settings
In large hospitals, record-keeping activities are usually directed by a Health Information Administrator. In smaller facilities, experienced Health Information Technicians often manage the department and supervise medical record clerks.

Health Information Personnel work in hospitals, clinics, extended health care facilities, large group medical practices, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and government agencies where working conditions vary.

Special Requirements
Certification of Health Information Personnel by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is required by some employers. To become an Accredited Record Technician (ART), an individual must complete a two-year program and pass a two-part examination given by the AHIMA. To become a Registered Record Administrator (RRA), an individual must complete a four-year program and pass a two-part examination given by the AHIMA. An individual is not eligible to sit for either examination until the educational requirements have been fulfilled.

Medical Illustrator

Work Activities

• Drawing accurate renderings of anatomical parts, surgical procedures, or microorganisms
• Drawing diagrams or schematic concepts
• Using modeling skills to design and sculpt artificial body parts
• Creating graphic and audiovisual aids
• Preparing artwork for publications
• Drawing illustrations to assist with medical research
• Producing three-dimensional teaching models and exhibits

Career Specialties
Some Medical Illustrators specialize in producing artwork for medical advertising or in illustrating specific subjects for medical specialties, such as plastic surgery or ophthalmology. The majority of these artists remain generalists and are skilled to handle a variety of assignments.

Work Settings
Medical Illustrators may be employed by medical schools and large medical centers that have teaching and research programs. Many may accept free-lance assignments or work exclusively on a free-lance basis. They also may work for hospitals, manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, publishing companies, advertising agencies, or companies specializing in medical illustration.

Special Requirements
To become a Medical Illustrator, specialized training is necessary in art and the biological sciences. Educational programs involve six or seven years of college-level work beyond high school. There are five bachelor degree and master degree programs in the United States, but these schools accept a limited number of students. A good academic record and a portfolio of your artwork are necessary. Most undergraduate students major in art with a minor emphasis in the sciences.

Educational Institutions
No program information is available.

Medical Secretary

Work Activities

• Taking hand or machine dictation
• Transcribing medical notes for patient records or research reports
• Writing and typing letters and memoranda
• Opening and sorting the mail
• Greeting patients and other visitors
• Receiving and placing phone calls
• Scheduling appointments for patients
• Maintaining records and time cards
• Filing correspondence, reports, and records
• Bookkeeping and billing patients

Career Specialties
Some Medical Secretaries are trained in specific areas of medicine. Their familiarity with the terminology may allow them to concentrate in ophthalmology, dermatology, pathology, or another specialty.

Work Settings
Medical Secretaries work alone or with other employees in a large office. These Secretaries are employed by physicians or other health care professionals, hospitals, clinics, local or state health departments, group medical practices, or medical research departments. They may supervise other clerical personnel and may be supervised by an office manager or nurse.

Special Requirements
Most employers require applicants to have a minimum typing speed of 50 to 60 words per minute and dictation skills of 80 words per minute. A knowledge of medical terminology is required. Other desired skills include competence in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Patient Representative

Work Activities

• Acting as an intermediary to hospital administration on behalf of patients and their families
• Collecting data about patient care problems and reporting information to appropriate departments
• Evaluating the level of patient satisfaction with the hospital experience and making suggestions for changes or improvements
• Investigating and directing inquiries and complaints to appropriate hospital staff
• Interpreting the hospital's philosophy, policies, procedures, and services to patients, their families, and visitors
• Helping to educate health care professionals of the need to humanize a patient's hospital experiences
• Participating in the hospital's risk management program to ensure better service

Career Specialties
Patient Representatives may work in specialized health care facilities, such as nursing homes, childrens hospitals, or specific-illness clinics. They also may work in public health programs that serve the elderly or disadvantaged.

Work Settings
Patient Representatives usually work in hospitals as part of the social services department. They have direct contact with patients and their families, hospital administration and staff, and visitors.

Special Requirements
While no special licensing or certification is required, many hospitals prefer applicants with a health or social services background. Educational requirements vary, depending on the hospital.

Educational Institutions
No program information is available.

Technical Writer

Programs in journalism provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to produce stories, news, advertising, and material for magazines, newspapers, technical publications, television, and radio.

Work Activities

• Researching a chosen or assigned topic by reading, observing, or interviewing
• Writing and rewriting for order, clarity, conciseness, terminology, and style
• Reviewing published materials and recommending changes
• Maintaining records and files of work and revisions
• Selecting illustrations to accompany material
• Assisting in the layout of material for a publication
• Coordinating the publication of material
• Writing speeches, articles, and public or employee relations news releases

Career Specialties
Technical Writers may specialize in particular fields, such as engineering, physical science, sociology, economics, mental health, agriculture, education, or medicine.

Work Settings
Technical Writers may work under the supervision of another writer, an editor, a publications director, or a company official. Some are self-employed and are responsible only to those for whom they contract to write.

Work settings vary with the particular assignment. Self-employed writers may work in their homes, in libraries, or in offices. Technical Writers who specialize in science or medicine may need to familiarize themselves with medical equipment, medical and surgical procedures, laboratory testing, and other aspects of hospital work and scientific research.

Special Requirements
Technical Writers must have a working knowledge of the technical field in which they work. Some course work in engineering, biology, chemistry, or other sciences increasingly is being required as a condition of employment.

Educational Institutions
No program information is available.