Other Health Professions
Listed below are introductory information and resources on a select number of health professions. This list is by no means exhaustive — in exploring the diverse array of career paths in the health care field, students are also encouraged to utilize the Explore Health Careers website, which provides detailed information on the broad range of health careers. Drexel students considering a career in health care are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Steinbright Career Development Center's pre-health advisor.
The constantly evolving and expanding health care field requires specialized administrative and management professionals to ensure the smooth function of health-related organizations. Health services administrators (HSAs) may work at the interface of patient care and the business side of medicine in private practices, clinics, hospitals, or the biotech/pharmaceutical/industrial sectors.
The College of Nursing and Health Professions at Drexel University offers a bachelor of science in health services administration and an accelerated dual degree, as well as a bachelor of science in health services administration with a master of public health degree from the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University.
Suggested Resources:
American College of Healthcare Executives – The organization has an online resource guide to explore careers in health care administration and management.
American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) of the American Hospital Association (AHA) – This organization provides information about educational opportunities, career development, and networking for professionals in the health care human resources field.
Nurses are found in nearly every health care setting. As part of a collaborative health care team, they play a central role by assisting physicians in providing patient care. Nurses have widely varying responsibilities, including but not limited to: performing patient exams and assessments, administering medications, wound care, patient education, and more. The traditional bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) takes four years to complete and prepares nurses to work in a host of public and private health care settings such as hospitals (including critical and emergency care), nursing care facilities, doctor's offices, and clinics. Nurses also have the opportunity to advance into graduate nursing programs for professions, including nurse anesthetist, nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialists, and more.
The College of Nursing and Health Professions at Drexel University offers a full-time educational program leading to the BSN. There are also opportunities for students to complete an accelerated second-degree BSN; often these second-degree programs are associated with graduate programs leading to a master of science in nursing and certification as a nurse practitioner. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (see below) has a directory of accelerated nursing programs.
Suggested Resources:
- American Nurses Association (ANA) – Advancing the nursing profession by representing the 3.6 million registered nurses in the United States (ANA, 2016)
- Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) – Leading professional nursing association in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) – National organization for undergraduate and graduate nursing education consisting of over 790 member nursing schools
- National League for Nursing (NLN) – First nursing membership organization in the United States dedicated to advancing the interests of the nursing profession
- International Council of Nurses (ICN) – Professional organization operated and governed by nurses across the world, representing more than 16 million nurses worldwide (ICN, 2015)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook – Career information, training and educational requirements, and job outlook for the nursing profession
Occupational therapists are state-licensed to assist people of all ages in accomplishing important tasks through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Occupational therapists teach patients self-care through both productive and leisure activities to enhance functionality, independence, and overall life satisfaction. Common occupational therapy practices include helping disabled youth in participating in school and social activities, helping people recovering from sudden accidents or injuries to regain motor skills, and providing support for older adults suffering from physical and cognitive changes (AOTA, 2016). State-licensed occupational therapists need to possess a master's degree in occupational therapy, which typically takes two years to obtain after undergraduate studies.
Suggested Resources:
- American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) – National professional association for occupational therapy practitioners and students
- American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) – Nonprofit organization supporting occupational therapy research and education
- Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) – Membership organization advancing the occupational therapy profession in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook – Career information, training and educational requirements, and job outlook for the occupational therapist profession
Optometrists are primary health care providers who focus specifically on the eye and associated structures. Optometrists are trained and licensed to manage eye diseases and conditions, correct vision problems by prescribing contact lenses and eyeglasses, prescribe medications, provide vision therapy, and more. Optometrists are doctors who have earned a doctor of optometry (OD) degree, which takes four years to complete after obtaining an undergraduate degree.
Suggested Resources:
- Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) – Academic leadership organization representing all accredited schools and colleges of optometry in the United States
- American Optometric Association (AOA) – Professional membership organization for optometrists and optometry students
- National Optometric Association (NOA) – Professional membership organization for minority and underrepresented optometrists throughout the United States
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook – Career information, training and educational requirements, and job outlook for the optometrist profession
Pharmacists are medication experts working in all health care environments where medications are utilized. Pharmacists distribute the drugs prescribed by a physician to the patient, while also providing vital information to the patient including medication usage, dosage, side-effects, and contraindications. Pharmacists work in a range of settings, including but not limited to: retail, hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, home health care facilities, and military. Pharmacists are also employed in industry settings, often working in research and development for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Pharmacists must earn a PharmD degree to legally practice, which takes four years after obtaining an undergraduate degree.
Suggested Resources:
- American Association of Colleges and Pharmacy (AACP) – Major national organization representing pharmacy education in the United States
- Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) – Leading membership network for pharmacists and pharmacy students in Pennsylvania
- American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) – Professional organization of over 10,000 members of pharmaceutical scientists
- American Pharmacists Association (APhA) – One of the largest and oldest associations of pharmacists in the United States, with more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists and pharmacy students
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook – Career information, training and educational requirements, and job outlook for the pharmacist profession
Physical therapists, often referred to as PTs, help patients improve range of motion and flexibility and manage pain through the use of exercises, therapies, and manual techniques. An integral component to a collaborative health care team, PTs help their patients regain form and function essential to everyday activities as well as sports and athletics. PTs often help patients recovering from sudden injury or accident, sports injury, surgeries, and chronic conditions. PTs generally consult with physicians and other health care providers to ensure the best care plan for their patients. In the United States, PTs need a doctor of physical therapy degree and state-licensing to practice, the former typically taking three years after undergraduate studies.
Suggested Resources:
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Professional organization of over 93,000 member physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy
- Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association representing physical therapists and the practice of physical therapy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- World Physiotherapy (WCPT) – International voice for physical therapists and their organizations
- Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) – Member-driven organization of physical therapy professionals and administrators
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook – Career information, training and educational requirements, and job outlook for the physical therapy profession
Physician assistants (or PAs) are nationally certified and state-licensed medical professionals. In the United States, PAs are allowed to prescribe medication in all 50 states. PAs are trained in accredited programs that generally take about two years (between 24–27 months) to complete after obtaining an undergraduate degree. Under the guidance of a doctor, a primary responsibility as a PA is to diagnose and treat patients; however, the degree of autonomy and scope or practice varies depending on state laws and the supervising physician. Specific job responsibilities of a physician assistant include, but are not limited to: taking medical histories, assisting in surgeries, performing patient examination and treatment, counseling patients, and prescribing medications.
Suggested Resources:
- American Academy of PAs (AAPA) – National professional society for physician assistants
- Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) – Constituent chapter of the AAPA, PSPA is a nonprofit organization representing PAs within Pennsylvania
- Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) – Independent accreditation agency for all PA programs in the United States
- Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) – National organization in the United States representing physician assistant educational programs
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook – Provides career information, training and educational requirements, and job outlook for the physician assistant profession
Podiatrists are doctors who provide specialized care and treatment of foot and ankle ailments such as fractures, sprains, infections, bunions, and foot and ankle deformities. Podiatrists usually work in private or group clinical practices, but can also work in hospitals and long-term health care facilities. Podiatrists must obtain a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) degree, which takes four years after completing an undergraduate degree, followed by a two- to four-year residency.
Suggested Resources:
- American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) – National membership network of nine podiatric schools and over 200 hospitals providing postdoctoral training in podiatric medicine
- American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) – Professional development organization comprised of approximately 15,000 U.S. podiatrists, focused on providing resources for foot and ankle health information
- Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association (PPMA) – Represents more than 875 podiatrists in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook – Provides career information, training and educational requirements, and job outlook for the podiatrist profession
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