Perfusionist

Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical perfusionists operate circulation equipment during medical situations when it is necessary to temporarily and artificially replace the patient’s circulatory or respiratory functions.  This occurs during heart surgery and similar operations.  Perfusionists also control the temperature of patients during surgery.  Their duties include:

Operating heart-lung machines

Administering some types of anesthesia

Administering some types of medication

Average Salary:  $50,000

Educational Requirements:

A high school diploma with a strong background in biology and chemistry is required to be accepted in perfusionist training programs.  Admissions preference is given to students with college science work or experience in respiratory therapy and medical terminology.

Perfusionist training programs are given at academic health centers and medical schools and universities.  They emphasize hands-on, practical training.  Course length varies, but for the school to be recognized by the American Academy of Cardiac Perfusionists, the curriculum must include the supervised performance of 150 procedures to include 20 pediatric and infant cases.

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Student Success Statement

“Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.”

Matt Biondi

Olympic Gold Medal Winner,

World Record Holder

Reflection: what I think Matt Biodi is saying in this quote is that you should never give up. When you really want something, you will try and try your best to achieve it. No matter how many times you fail, if you keep working at it, you will get there. You should never give up because you never know how close you may be to reaching your goal.

Osteopathic Physician (D.O.)

Duties and Responsibilities:

Osteopathic physicians use accepted methods of diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases.  Although they practice in all branches of medicine and surgery like allopathic physicians (M.D.s), they differ by emphasizing the importance of the musculoskeletal system, holistic medicine, proper nutrition, and environmental factors in maintaining good health.  Osteopaths use a hands-on approach to medicine and frequently manipulate or palpate as part of diagnosis and treatment.  They work primarily in osteopathic hospitals or private practice, however many allopathic hospitals now accept osteopathic physicians as staff members.  The majority of osteopaths are general practitioners, family practitioners, or emergency medicine specialists.

Average Salary:  $110,000

Educational Requirements:

Students should take the most challenging high school courses (including AP or IB courses) available in science, math, and English.

After three or four years of college, prospective physicians must attend medical school.  Undergraduate requirements for admission to all medical schools include one year of basic chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one year of biology, and one year of physics.  Some medical schools also require course work in calculus, English, the humanities, or social science.

Medical school usually includes two years of additional study in both basic and clinical sciences and is followed by a year-long hospital internship.  Physicians who want to specialize must then undertake a three-year residency in their specialty.

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Student Success Statement

“The answers to these questions will determine your success or failure:

1.     Can people trust me to do what’s right? Yes I can be trusted to do what’s right

2.     Am I committed to doing my very best? Yes I am

3.     Do I treat people the way I want to be treated? Yes I do

If the answers to these questions are YES, there is no way you can fail.”

Lou Holtz

Reflection: I think this quote means that if we want to succeed in life, we need to have what it takes. We can’t just do whatever we want and expect to get everything. We need to be willing to work for it. But you also have to believe in yourself. Because if you work for it but you don’t believe in yourself, then most likely you won’t make it very far. If you work hard for it and believe in yourself, then you will reach you goal for sure.

Optometrist

Duties and Responsibilities:

Optometrists treat vision problems.  They treat vision problems by diagnosing the problem and then prescribing corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses, or vision therapy. Some optometrists specialize in industrial vision safety, treatment of vision related learning disabilities, and environmental vision care.  Unlike ophthalmologists they are not physicians and may not write medical prescriptions, treat diseases, or perform surgery. Most optometrists are self-employed, however many work for hospitals, government agencies, optical manufacturers, or universities.

Average Salary: $78,000

Educational Requirements:

Students interested in becoming an optometrist should take the most challenging high school courses (AP or IB) available in math, science, and English.  Before entering an optometry school at least two years of college in a pre-professional program is required.  Optometry school is four years in length.  After being awarded the degree of Doctor of Optometry, optometrists must pass state exams before starting to practice.

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Student Success Statement

“Never look to the ground for your next step. Greatness belongs to those who look to the horizon.”

Bud Greenspan

Reflection: I think this statement means that to achieve something is life; you have to keep your head held high. If just get disappointed and give up right away, then you are never going to get anywhere in life.

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Duties and Responsibilities:

Prosthetists design and make replacement limbs.  Orthotists work with patients that need extra support for their muscles, spine, or limbs.  Design, make, and fit apparatuses made of plastic, wood, leather, and metal that help stabilize, strengthen or replace body parts.  They also make and fit devices that help to align limbs that have grown in a crooked manner.

Both orthotists and prosthetists work closely with physicians.  Physicians may give a patient a prescription for an orthotic or prosthetic device.  Physicians also may call in and consult with an orthotist or prosthetist to plan and design a needed device.  Prosthetists and orthotists often use computers to design their apparatuses.

They may work in clinics or may own their own private business.

Average Salary:  $25,000 - $40,000

Educational Requirements:

Students should take challenging science, math, and English courses in high school.

Some colleges and universities offer bachelor degrees in orthotic and prosthetic programs.  These programs include courses in anatomy, physics, mathematics, mechanical drawing, and the use of materials used in the making of devices.  After a year of experience a person may apply for certification.

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Student Success Statement

“No student ever attains eminent success by simply doing what is required of him/her; it is the amount and excellence of what is over and above the required that determines the greatness of ultimate distinction.”

Charles Kendall Adams, American Historian

Reflection: I think this quote means that it’s not enough to just do what you’re told. You have to work extra hard and go above people’s expectations. For example, if a teacher tells you to write a one page essay, then you write two pages. It won’t hurt to do a little more. It can only help.

Optical Laboratory Technician

Duties and Responsibilities:

Optical laboratory technicians grind and fit eyeglass lenses into frames according to prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists.  Technicians set lens grinding machine so that lens blanks are ground and polished. They then fit the polished lenses into eyeglass frames and, depending upon where they work, fit the frames to the patients.  Some ophthalmic technicians work in optical laboratories or for optometrists or ophthalmologists.  Many work in retail stores that have optical departments.

Average Salary:  $15,000 - $20,000

Educational Requirements:

A high school diploma or GED certificate is needed to begin optical laboratory training.  Training programs last between six months and one year and are provided by vocational schools and community colleges.  Some retail store optical departments provide on-the-job training.

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Ophthalmologist

Duties and Responsibilities:

Ophthalmologists are physicians who specialize in the treatment of eye disorders and diseases.  They treat vision problems and write prescriptions for both pharmaceuticals and corrective eyeglass lenses.  When necessary, they perform eye surgery.  Most ophthalmologists are in private practice, however some are employed by hospitals or clinics, and others perform research.

Average Salary:  $90,000 - $150,000

Educational Requirements:

Only physicians may study to become ophthalmologists.  After completing medical school and an internship, an ophthalmologist must then complete a three to five year residency in an approved ophthalmology program.  After completing their residency program they must pass an examination to be certified.

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