Psychiatrist

                           Psychiatrist

Duties and Responsibilities: Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in the problems of mental illness.  As physicians, they are licensed to use a very wide variety of treatment and may write prescriptions.  Psychiatrists may work for the government, have their own private practice, or work in hospitals, clinics, or universities.  Their duties include:

         ·         Designing treatment programs.

         ·         Conducting psychotherapy sessions.

         ·         Prescribing potent mental illness drugs.

        ·         Supervising electrotherapy treatments.

       ·         Conducting research.

       ·         Leading a team of mental health care providers.

Average Salary:  $90,000 - $200,000

Educational Requirements: In addition to completing the requirements for a degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine, psychiatrists must complete an intensive three year residency in psychiatry.

Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement
"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in DETERMINATION."
                             Tommy Lasorda

Reflection: Give it your best and you can accomplish the impossible

Pharmacy Technician

                  Pharmacy Technician

Duties and Responsibilities: Pharmacy Technicians work in pharmacies under the direction of a pharmacist.  Their main responsibility is filling prescriptions according to doctors' orders for patients.  Technicians measure out correct amounts of medication from larger containers to prescription size containers.  In addition, they add drugs to intravenous solutions.  All of their prescription filling work is rechecked by a pharmacist before medications are dispensed to patients or customers.  Other duties of pharmacy technicians are:

         ·         Checking inventories and ordering supplies.

         ·         Receiving and checking in supplies.

         ·         Waiting  on customers.

         ·         Keeping pharmacy work areas clean.

         ·         Helping fill out insurance forms.

         ·         Pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and some large industrial complexes.

Average Salary:  $15,000 - $25,000

Educational Requirements: Students should take math, science (especially chemistry), and typing courses in high school.

A high school diploma is usually required to begin pharmacy technician training.  Two year courses leading to certificates are available at most community collages.  Six month programs are offered at privately operated schools.

Reflection: This is a great career cause it lets you have a medium size family and enjoy life.

Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
                     Henry David Thoreau

Reflection: "Live the life you had imagined" that quote speaks to you never think you can do less than what you're made of think you're rich and one day with hard work you will be.

Pharmacist

                                Pharmacist

Duties and Responsibilities: Pharmacists compound, or prepare, prescriptions written by physicians, dentists, and other practitioners.  They review these prescriptions to validate their accuracy and then prepare the medication.  This can involve weighing, measuring, and mixing drugs.  Once the compounds are prepared, pharmacists then dispense them to customers and patients.

Pharmacists answer patients' and customers' questions about the drugs they are taking and drugs which can be sold over the counter.  In some cases, pharmacists are responsible for taking inventory of the drugs on the shelves and ordering any which they are low on.

Pharmacists work in hospitals, clinics, health departments, universities, and grocery, drug, and discount stores.  Those who work in stores must be aware of the other health supplies available in the store so they do not direct customers in the wrong direction.

Average Salary:  $33,000 - $51,000

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

All pharmacists must graduate from a college of pharmacy.  Most pharmacy schools require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (P-CAT), and some require up to two years of pre-pharmacy education.  Other colleges will admit students directly from high school.

Normally it takes at least five years to earn a Pharmacy Degree.  To earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Pharm.D., requires at least six.  

Reflection: This is a great career cause it lets you have a medium size family and enjoy life.

Student Success Statement

Student Success Statement
"I will persist until I succeed"
                      Og Mandino 

Reflection: Unless you puke, faint, or die keep going and follow your dream. 

Perfusionist

                            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.