#1. Radiation Therapist - 2015 Median Pay: $80,220 per year ($38.57 per hour)
Radiation Therapist treat cancer patients by operating machines called linear accelerator, which delivers radiation therapy to patients. Here is a short video showing Radiation Therapist’ job duties:
Employment of Radiation Therapist is projected to grow 14 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than average average for all occupations. There were 16,600 jobs available in 2014; in 2024, there will be 18,900 Radiation Therapist working.
Education and license:
In 2014, there were about 120 accredited educational programs recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Here is the link for you to explore.
#2. Nuclear Medicine Technologist - 2015 Median Pay: $73,360 per year ($35.27 per hour)
Nuclear Medicine Technologist operates Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Computed Tomography (CT) and Nuclear Cardiology (NCT) scanners to detect tumors. They also prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients. Here is short video showing a Nuclear Medicine technologist perform job duties;
Employment of Nuclear Medicine Technologist is projected to grow 2 percent from 2014 to 2024, slower than average average for all occupations. There were 20,700 jobs available in 2014; in 2024, there will be 21,000 Nuclear Medicine Technologist working.
Education and license:
Certification is available from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) https://www.nmtcb.org/ . Here is the link for more information and list of schools.
https://www.arrt.org/Education/Educational-Programs
#3. Dental Hygienist - 2015 Median Pay: $72,330 per year ($34.77 per hour)
Dental hygienist, who typically remove tartar, plaque and stain from teeth, also examines patients for oral diseases, document patient care and treatment plan, take and develop dental X-rays etc. Below is a one minute video link showing a dental hygienist performing her job; you will get the idea of the job role after watching the video.
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than average average for all occupations. There were 200,500 jobs available in 2014; in 2024, there will be 237,900 dental hygienist working.
Education and license:
Every state needs a licence for a dental hygiene to work. In most states, you need to get an associate degree from an accredited program and then pass the licence test.
Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) which is a part of American Dental Association (ADA) has a list of all accredited programs. If you are planning to attend community college or a technical / career school, please refer to this site and verify school’s accreditation (very important)
#4. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (Ultrasound Tech) & Cardiovascular technologist - 2015 Median Pay: $63,630 per year ($30.59 per hour)
Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists are professionals who can take images or patient's organs and tissue with ultrasound machines. Here is a one minute video showing their day to day task.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: http://wpc.2a70.edgecastcdn.net/002A70/CareerVideos/29-2032.00.mp4
Cardiovascular technologist:
Job of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologist is projected to grow 24 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than average for all occupations. There were 112,700 jobs available in 2014; in 2024, there will be 140,200 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologist working.
Education and license:
Employers like to hire Diagnostic Medical Sonographers who are certified by The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography® (ARDMS®). Click the following link of ARDMS site which explains what to look for when you choose a school for to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
Please click the following link below for more information regarding certification and education relation related to Cardiovascular Technologist career.
Cardiovascular Credentialing International
http://www.cci-online.org/
#5. Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides - 2015 Median Pay: $58,120 per year ($27.94 per hour)
Occupational Therapy Assistants help patients perform therapeutic activities, such as stretches and other exercises. Here is a short video:
Employment of Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides is projected to grow 43 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than average average for all occupations. There were 41,900 jobs available in 2014; in 2024, there will be 58,700 occupational therapy assistant and aides working.
Education and License:
In 2014, there were more than 200 occupational therapy assistant programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, a branch of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Here is the link for approved schools:
#6. Radiologic and MRI Technologist - 2015 Median Pay: $58,120 per year ($27.94 per hour)
Radiologic technologists are expert operating different equipment using X-ray, CT scan and and mammography technology to diagnose patients. MRI technologists are expert in Magnetic resonance Imaging scanners. Below is video link showing job duties:
Employment of Radiologic technologists is projected to grow 10 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than average average for all occupations. There were 197,000 jobs available in 2014; in 2024, there will be 230,600 Radiologic Technologists working.
Education and License:
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredits programs in radiography. Completing an accredited program is required for licensure in some states. An associate’s degree is the most common educational requirement for radiologic and MRI technologists.
#7. Respiratory Therapist - 2015 Median Pay: $57,790 per year ($27.78 per hour)
One of the most critical job duties Respiratory Therapist has is to give emergency help to patients with heart attack, shocks and drowning. In general, Respiratory Therapist help patients who have trouble breathing. Here is a short video showing daily task:
Employment of Respiratory Therapist is projected to grow 12 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than average average for all occupations. There were 120,700 jobs available in 2014; in 2024, there will be 135,500 Respiratory Therapist working.
Education and License:
Prospective students need to obtain associate's degrees from schools accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (http://www.coarc.com/ ).
Respiratory therapists are licensed in all states except Alaska, although requirements vary by state. The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is the main certifying body for respiratory therapists. Here is the link: https://www.nbrc.org/Pages/default.aspx
#8. Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides - 2015 Median Pay: $42,980 per year ($20.66 per hour)
Physical therapist assistants help physical therapist provide care to patients. Under the direction and supervision of physical therapists, they treat patients through exercise, massage, gait and balance training, and other therapeutic interventions.
Employment of Physical therapist assistants and Aides is projected to grow 41 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than average average for all occupations. There were 78,700 jobs available in 2014; in 2024, there will be 110,700 Physical therapist assistants working.
Education and License:
ll states require physical therapist assistants to have an associate’s degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. There were more than 300 associate’s degree programs for physical therapist assistants accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education in 2015.
Here is the link for the approved schools;
http://www.capteonline.org/apta/directories/accreditedschools.aspx?type=PTA&navID=10737421960
Source: US Department of Labor https://www.dol.gov/
Source: US Department of Labor https://www.dol.gov/
