An occupational health and safety technician could expect to have what salary in 2014?

Examine and analyze body fluids and cells.
Look for bacteria, parasites, and microorganisms.
Analyze chemical content of fluids.
Match blood type for transfusions.
Test for drug levels in blood that show how a patient is responding to treatment.
Prepare specimens for examination, count cells, look for abnormal blood cells and other abnormalities in body fluids.
Use microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment.
Use automated equipment and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously.
Analyze results and relay to physicians.
Perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests.
Examine blood and other body fluids.
Make cultures of body fluid and tissue samples to determine the presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites, or other microorganisms.
Type and crossmatch blood samples for transfusions and type tissue samples for kidney or other organ transplants.
Scientists in large laboratories generally specialize in clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, cytology, or blood banking.
Clinical chemistry specialists prepare specimens and analyze the chemical and hormonal contents of body fluids.
Microbiology specialists examine and identify bacteria and other microorganisms.

Massage therapists work in private offices, hospitals, drug treatment centers, and pain clinics, as well as nursing homes, hotels, spas, airports, and fitness centers.
Some have a home-based private practice or travel to clients' homes.
Those who are self-employed provide their own table or chair, sheets, pillows, and body lotions or oils.

Recreational therapists (RTs) are employed in therapeutic recreation (TR) services.
They plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses.
RTs use a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts, drama, music and dance, sports, games, and community reintegration field trips to help maintain or improve a patient's physical, social, and emotional well-being.

Employers maintain personnel records, doctors and hospitals set up a permanent file for every patient they treat.
File is most commonly known as the patient's health record or chart.
Includes the patient's medical history, results of physical examinations, results of X-ray and laboratory tests, diagnoses, treatment plans, doctors' orders and notes, and nurses' notes
Uses for health records
Provide background and documentation for insurance claims and Medicare reimbursement, legal actions, professional review of treatment.
Research and planning
Provide data for clinical studies, evaluations of benefits and costs of medical and surgical procedures, and assessments of community health needs.
Electronic health records (EHRs)
HIM professionals must:
Be familiar with EHR computer software, maintain EHR security, and analyze data to improve healthcare information.
Use EHR software to maintain data on patient safety, patterns of disease, disease treatment and outcomes, and conduct clinical research.

Organize and evaluate health records and data, for timeliness, completeness, accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance.
Organize and manage health information and data using various applications and databases and track patient outcomes for quality assessment.
Ensure health record and data quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic systems.
Organize, maintain, and disclose content considered part of the patient's electronic health record in accordance with healthcare requirements.
Ensure confidentiality and security of patient information and protect patients' health information from unauthorized access and use.
Interact with physicians and other healthcare professionals to maintain complete and accurate health information and records.
Health information technicians use various classification systems to code, categorize, and report patient information for insurance reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patients' medical and treatment histories.
These technicians are often referred to as coders.
Coders use
Classification software to assign clinical codes to each diagnosis and procedure, relying on knowledge of disease processes and multiple classification systems, such as CPT and ICD-10
Classification systems software to assign the patient to one of several hundred diagnosis-related groups (DRGs)
DRG determines the amount of Medicare or insurance reimbursement.
DRG validator
Perform quality review of records and data coded by the coding staff.

Perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly.
In small practices: usually handle both administrative and clinical duties and report directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner
In large practices: tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators
Administrative medical assistants
Update and file patients' medical records, fill out insurance forms, and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services.
Perform tasks less specific to medical settings, such as answering telephones, greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping.
Administrative medical assistants (continued)
Understand computer software in order to use electronic health records (EHRs).
Medical assistants who handle patient records must observe strict confidentiality requirements and only discuss patient confidential information with medical personnel who are involved in treating the patient.

Clinical medical assistants
Take medical histories.
Record vital signs.
Explain treatment procedures to patients.
Prepare patients for examinations.
Assist physicians during examinations.
Clinical medical assistants (continued)
Collect and prepare laboratory specimens, sometimes perform basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments.
Instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, and telephone prescriptions to pharmacy.
Clinical medical assistants (continued)
Draw blood, prepare patients for X-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings.
Arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment.
Keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.
Examples of specialized medical assistants
Ophthalmic medical assistants
Optometric assistants
Podiatric medical assistants
Employers may prefer to hire certified workers.
Certification indicates that a medical assistant meets certain standards of competence.
The certification process varies.
Examples of specialized medical assistants
Ophthalmic medical assistants
Optometric assistants
Podiatric medical assistants
Employers may prefer to hire certified workers.
Certification indicates that a medical assistant meets certain standards of competence.
The certification process varies.

Help care for physically or mentally ill, injured, disabled, or infirm individuals in hospitals, nursing care facilities, and mental health settings.
Commonly referred to as direct care workers due to their role in working with patients who need long-term care
Nursing assistants
Also known as nurse aides, certified nursing assistants, or geriatric aides
Trained professionals who support nursing staff in hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation clinics, and doctor offices
May help other medical staff by setting up equipment, storing and moving supplies, and assisting with procedures.
Nursing assistants (continued)
Provide hands-on care and perform routine tasks under supervision of nursing and medical staff.
Help patients eat, dress, and bathe; answer calls for help.

Nursing assistants (continued)
May help provide care by helping patients get out of bed and walk, escorting them to operating and examining rooms, or providing skin care.
Can be responsible for taking a patient's temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, or blood pressure.
Orderlies
Also known as hospital attendants or unlicensed assistive personnel
Work in a hospital and be responsible for the nonmedical care of patients and maintenance of order and cleanliness.
Transport patients to wards, assist housekeepers with changing bed linen, provide patients with meals, and clean equipment and wards.
Orderlies (continued)
Help patients with bathing and dressing or assist patients to get out of bed.
Assigned daily responsibilities based on operational needs of the hospital; these duties may differ from day to day.

Aides
Help people who are disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired.
Help older adults who may need assistance to live in their own homes or in residential facilities instead of in health facilities or institutions.
Help discharge hospital patients who have relatively short-term needs.
Aides (continued)
Provide light housekeeping and homemaking tasks, such as laundry, changing bed linens, shopping for food, and planning and preparing meals.
May help clients get out of bed, bathe, dress, and groom.
Provide instruction and psychological support to their clients.
Typically work for certified home health or hospice agencies that receive government funding and must comply with regulations.
Work under direct supervision of a medical professional, usually a nurse.
Keep records of services performed and of clients' condition and progress.
Report changes in the client's condition to the supervisor or case manager.

Also called homemakers, caregivers, companions, and personal attendants
Work for various public and private agencies that provide home care services.
Provide companionship to clients and help them with daily tasks.
Work in client's home, group home setting, or large care community.
Some aides are hired directly by the patient or the patient's family.
Supervised and assigned tasks directly by the patient or the patient's family
Provide instruction and psychological support to their clients.
They may advise families and patients on nutrition, cleanliness, and household tasks.
Aides may work with individuals who are developmentally or intellectually disabled.
Often called direct support professionals
May assist in implementing a behavior plan, teaching self-care skills, and providing employment support, as well as providing a range of other personal assistance services.
Personal care aides held 1.8 million jobs in 2014.
43% services

Psychiatric technicians
Also known as mental health technicians
Provide therapeutic care to patients who are mentally impaired or emotionally disabled.
Work with an interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, counselors, and therapists.
Lead patients in therapeutic and recreational activities.
Psychiatric technicians (continued)
Monitor vital signs; give medication.
Observe and record patient behavior; restrain violent patients.
Report symptoms that need professional attention.
Help admit and discharge patients.
Assist patients with activities of daily living
Psychiatric aides
Also known as mental health assistants or psychiatric nursing assistants
Care for mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed individuals under a team that may include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, counselors, and therapists.
Psychiatric aides (continued)
Help patients dress, bathe, and groom themselves, and eat.
Socialize with patients and lead them in educational and recreational activities.
Play cards or other games, watch television, or participate in group activities with patients.
Accompany patients to and from therapy and treatment.

Technicians and aides must be:
In good health and possess physical stamina, allowing them to lift, move, and sometimes restrain patients
Compassionate, patient, understanding, emotionally stable, and dependable, with a desire to help people
Able to work as a team, have good communication skills, and be willing to perform repetitive and routine tasks

Diagnose animal health problems, vaccinate against diseases, medicate animals suffering from infections or illnesses.
Treat and dress wounds, set fractures, perform surgery, and advise owners about animal feeding, behavior, and breeding.
Protect humans against diseases carried by animals.
Conduct clinical research on human and animal health problems.
Use medical equipment such as stethoscopes, surgical instruments, and diagnostic equipment, including radiographic and ultrasound equipment.
Veterinarians working in research use a full range of sophisticated laboratory equipment.
Companion animal veterinarians
Treat pets and generally work in private clinics, hospitals, and animal shelters.
Care for cats and dogs, but also treat pets, such as birds, ferrets, and rabbits.
Equine veterinarians
Diagnose and treat horses.
Food safety and inspection veterinarians
Employed by both state and federal governments
Inspect and test livestock and animal products for major animal diseases, provide vaccines to treat animals, enhance animal welfare.
Conduct research to improve animal health.
Enforce government food safety regulations.
Branches of the federal government that employ veterinarians:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Perform medical tests and treat and diagnose medical conditions and diseases in animals.
Perform laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts; assist with dental care, prepare tissue samples; take blood samples; and assist veterinarians with other tests.
Record case histories, develop X-rays, provide specialized nursing care, administer anesthesia, and assist with surgery.
Some technologists and technicians work in research facilities under the guidance of veterinarians or physicians.
Administer medications, prepare samples for laboratory examinations, or record information on an animal's genealogy, diet, weight, medications, and food intake.
Help with research projects in biomedical research, disaster preparedness, and food safety.

Animal care and service workers provide care for animals.
Feed, water, groom, bathe, and exercise pets and other nonfarm animals.
Clean, disinfect, and repair animal cages.
Play with animals, provide companionship, and observe behavioral changes that could indicate illness or injury.

Animal trainers
Train animals for riding, security, performance, obedience, or assisting people with disabilities.
Help animals become familiar with human voice and contact, and teach animals to respond to commands.
Nonfarm animal caretakers
Work with cats and dogs in animal shelters.
Kennel attendants
Care for pets while their owners are working or traveling.
Pet sitters
Look after animals while their owner is away.
Advantages of working as an animal caretaker:
Many jobs require little or no training.
Flexible work schedules
Suitable for people seeking a first job
Suitable for temporary or part-time work
Disadvantages of working as an animal caretaker:
Animals always need care; many facilities, such as kennels, zoos, animal shelters, and stables operate 24 hours per day.
Caretakers often work irregular hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Pet sitters often work weekends and holidays.

How much does Occupational Health and Safety earn?

What is occupational health technician?

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