School of Health Sciences
Occupations in the health care field continue to be among the fastest growing due to technological advances in patient care, increased demand for health care services, and the long-term care needs of an increasing elderly population.
Prescription for the Perfect Job
There are few careers where your day-to-day activities can impact so many people. Whether you become a registered nurse caring for newborns in a pediatric ward, or a paramedic making split-second decisions that could determine life or death, a career in health care is both challenging and rewarding. If you are a caring and compassionate person, a career in the health sciences field may be just for you.
Job Outlook
Health services will add over two million new jobs nationally in the next decade as demand for health care increases. Get help with job search strategies, employment readiness, interviewing and more at one of our four on-campus Career Centers.
Cardiovascular Technology
(Salary Range: $60,000 – $70,000)
If you’re captivated with the heart and interested in working side-by-side with cardiologists to diagnose and treat heart disease and vascular problems, this could be the right career for you. CVTs perform the following tasks:
- Assist in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease
- Assist with cardiac catheterization and balloon angioplasty procedures
- Work closely with the physician in caring for cardiac patients
Potential Careers:
- Cardiovascular Specialist
- Cardiovascular Technologist
Dental Hygiene
(Salary Range: $53,000 – $60,000)
Do you like to brighten people’s smiles? If so, dental hygiene may be the field for you. As a dental hygienist, you will be trained to help people maintain good oral health and prevent dental disease. Graduates will be prepared to:
- Examine teeth for diagnosis and treatment by the dentist
- Clean patients’ teeth using scaling/polishing equipment
- Perform protective and preventative dental treatments
Potential Careers:
- Dental Hygienist
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
(Salary Range: $60,000 – $70,000)
Besides providing doctors with images of many of the body’s internal organs, sonographers also provide expectant mothers with their first glimpse of an unborn child. If you are fascinated by the inner workings of the human body, this may be the career for you. Sonographers perform the following tasks:
- Analyze and present diagnostic data for interpretation and diagnosis
- Position the patient’s body for correct views on an ultrasound
- Perform sonograms and record data for interpretation
Potential Careers:
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Ultrasound Technologist
Health Information Technology
(Salary Range: $38,000 – $45,000)
Health information technicians manage patient information for physicians’ records and for insurance reimbursement purposes. Through the HIT program, you will be trained to organize and manage health information data. As a health information technician, you will:
- Code, categorize and manage patient information
- Ensure accuracy, accessibility and security of medical data
Potential Careers:
- Health Information Technician
- Medical Records Technician
Health Navigator
(Salary Range: $35,000 - $45,000)
You want to be part of a team that helps patients navigate their health care. We have the map you need. Health care has many twists and turns. This program will prepare you with the expertise and resources needed to help patients navigate their health care options and services they need. Graduates will be learn how to:
- Navigate the health care system
- Access the health needs of individuals
- Provide expertise and resources regarding health care services and insurance options
- Stay up-to-date on issues and trends in community health
Potential Careers:
- Health Navigator
- Community Health Worker
Nursing
(Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000)
Some consider nursing to be a calling—a job that picks you as much you pick it. Registered nurses assess patient health problems and needs, develop nursing care plans and provide care to patients who are injured or disabled. If you are a caring and compassionate person this may just be the career for you. Nurses:
- Assist patients in the rehabilitation to reach maximum levels of health
- Care for the physical and emotional well-being of their patients
- Coordinate and manage care with other health care providers
- Protect patients’ safety and personal rights
Potential Careers:
- Registered Nurse
Radiography
(Salary Range: $58,000 – $65,000)
An Associate in Science degree in Radiography prepares you to become a highly skilled professional in the safe and effective use of radiation to treat and evaluate patients. Radiographers perform the following tasks:
- Apply knowledge of human anatomy to position the patient’s body so that the correct areas can be x-rayed
- Produce quality x-rays for use in diagnosing and treating medical problems
Potential Careers:
- Radiographer
Respiratory Care
(Salary Range: $75,000 – $85,000)
This program prepares you to be an integral member of any medical team and serve as a life-support specialist who works to restore the heart and lung system to normal function. Respiratory therapists:
- Evaluate and treat patients’ breathing problems
- Sample blood to test the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
- Use a ventilator to pump pressurized air-oxygen mixes through a tube into patients’ lungs
Potential Careers:
- Respiratory Care Practitioner
- Respiratory Therapist
Valencia College provides equal opportunity for educational opportunities and employment to all. For more information, please visit valenciacollege.edu/equalopportunity