Spotlight On... Therapeutic Services
In this issue, we will look at careers in demand within THERAPEUTIC SERVICES
CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant
Dental Hygienist
Registered Nurse
Physician Assistant
Also included-
- NE Metro 916 healthcare programming options
- 2021 Summer camp offerings
- For additional information students can make an appointment here
Direct Patient Care Pathway
Learn more about IN-DEMAND HEALTH CARE CAREERS in Minnesota with THIS TOOL. You will be able to see a snapshot of typical wages, current demand and level of educational investment. Check it out!
Student Name: Hilary Murphy Graduated From North: 2009
College/Post Secondary school:
1. Hamline University
Bachelors of Arts in Biology
Bachelors of Arts in World Religion
2. University of Northwestern
Bachelors of Science in Nursing
Career:
1.. Perianesthesia Critical Care RN
Mayo Clinic Hospital
(Phoenix, AZ)
2. Adult/Pediatric PACU RN
Mayo Clinic Saint Mary’s Hospital (Rochester, MN)
3, Cardiovascular Surgical Progressive Critical Care RN
Mayo Clinic Saint Mary’s Hospital (Rochester, MN)
3. Medical/Surgical PCA/Nursing Assistant
Woodwinds Hospital
(Woodbury, MN)
4. Nursing Assistant
Boutwell’s Landing Long Term Care (Oak Park Heights, MN)
Certifications/Licenses:
1. Registered Nurse Minnesota
2. Registered Nurse Arizona
3. Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification AHA
4. Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Certification AHA
5. Basic Life Support Certification AHA
Career Focus/Speciality:
As a Registered Nurse, I have chosen to focus in the field of critical care surgical services. I began my nursing career at Mayo Clinic Hospital caring for adult and pediatric patients after open heart surgeries. I have further transitioned my career into the perianesthesia department. This is where I help to prepare and recover patients from all types of surgeries. This has expanded by breadth of knowledge in caring for a diverse array of medical conditions and surgical procedures. Most recently, during the COVID pandemic, I worked in the Intensive Care Unit, helping care for very sick and dying patients. This is a level of nursing that is extremely challenging. I am very intrigued by it and plan to pursue my next transition of specializing my skills in the ICU. My ultimate goal is to become a Flight Nurse. A Flight Nurse helps to transport patients in emergency or acute trauma situations by helicopter or aircraft.
A teacher/coach/etc. that inspired you
I was very fortunate to have incredible teachers and coaches that I could look up to and admire. They helped me believe in my potential and helped challenge me to pursue my goals with tenacity, focus, and discipline. I learned valuable life skills from many of the teachers at North and particularly
from Mrs. Fini and Mr. Cahill, Cross Country and Track Coaches
Awards/Clubs/Volunteer at North
Cross Country, Nordic Skiing, Track & Field, National Honor Society, FCA
All Conference Honors, Captain Awards, Athena Award
Student Name: Sheng Lee Graduated From North: 2017
College: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Major: Biology
Career:
Pharmacy Technician and Future Pharmacist
During my first year in college, I got a job as a pharmacy technician. Throughout my work experience, I was inspired by several interactions I had with my patients. This played a big role in my decision to become a pharmacist.
In addition to working as a pharmacy technician, I joined the pre-pharmacy club at the U of M. Just recently, I applied to pharmacy school and was accepted. As a result I will be starting my first year as a pharmacy student in the fall of 2021.
Teacher that inspired me:
During my time at North, Mr. Dean inspired me with his teachings through biology. Taking his AP Biology course helped prepare me for college.
Activities/Clubs at North:
Band, Relay for Life
Student Name: Julia Colling Graduated From North: 2011
College:
1. Bachelor of Science in Dietetics & Nutrition from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
2. Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Augsburg University
Master’s Research:
Historical and Current Management of Hemophilia: A Focus on Inhibitor Development and Treatment in Severe Hemophilia A
Elective Rotation and Preceptorship:
Pediatric Endocrinology
Certifications/Licenses:
1. NCCPA Board Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C)
2. Minnesota Board of Medical Practice Licensed Physician Assistant
Career:
A certified physician assistant (PA-C) is a medical provider that works in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare professionals. They can diagnose and treat illness/disease, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient's principal healthcare provider. I am a PA-C working in the specialty of pediatric endocrinology. I diagnose and treat pediatric patients with diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency, and other hormone related diseases.
A teacher that inspired me:
I loved all of my North teachers! I am especially thankful for my running coaches, Ms. Fini and Mr. Cahill, for helping me believe that I could accomplish my goals--in both athletics and in life! I am also thankful for Ms. Murphy for helping me find my love for the sciences.
Awards/Clubs/Volunteer at North
#1 - CNA Certified Nursing Assistant
Snapshot:
CNA's perform duties such as helping patients dress, eat, groom or bathe. They serve meals, make beds, and escort patients to rooms. They may also check some vitals, such as temperature, pulse, or blood pressure. CNA's work under the supervision of nursing staff.
Median Wage: $16.05/hour in MN
Educational Investment: between 4-12 weeks
Find out more at the MN Department of Health or CNA
Contact Mrs Stanley bstanley@isd622.org for additional help
#2-Dental Hygienist
Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.
Median Wage: $36.08/Hr
Educational Investment:
2 years (Associate's Degree) - see Century College
or 4 years (Bachelor's Degree) - see UMN
Find out more: Dental Hygienist
Six steps to becoming a registered Dental Hygienist
What you can do now to prepare:
1. Take math, science classes in high school
2. Engage in a variety career exploration opportunities
3. Choose the type of educational investment you want
4. Select a couple of colleges, visit then apply
5. Apply for financial aid
#3- Registered Nurse
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
There is an incredibly wide range of avenues open to RN’s, with many training/education options. CHECK OUT THIS RESOURCE to learn more about types of nursing degrees and levels.
Median Wage: $36.08/Hr
Educational Investment:
There are several great educational paths to getting trained to be a nurse. NURSE JOURNAL walks you through all of the options.
What you can do now to prepare:
1. Take math, science, psychology, sociology, and child development classes in high school
2. Engage in a variety career exploration opportunities
3. Choose the type of educational investment you want
4. Select a couple of colleges, visit then apply
5. Apply for financial aid
#4-Physician Assistant
Physician assistants, also called PAs, are trained medical professionals who practice medicine under physician supervision. Generally, they provide physicals, order and interpret lab tests or x-rays, assist in surgery, diagnose and treat illnesses, set fractures, suture, treat minor injuries, prescribe and carry out therapy and prescribe some medications.
Median Wage: $62.73/hour
Educational Investment:
Master's Degree (two years post-graduate education after completing a four-year degree), so six years of rigorous education. Application to PA school is highly competitive. Look into PA programs you want to apply to as early as your freshman year in college. You'll typically need to complete at least two years of college coursework in basic and behavioral sciences before applying to a PA program, which is very similar to premedical studies.
Most students have a bachelor's degree (4-year) and about three years of health care experience before entering a program. Programs also require you to have 500-2,500 hours of direct care experience prior to PA school, so consider getting your CNA or EMT certification while you are in high school and track your hours.
Find out more:
What you can do now to prepare:
1. Choose classes in high school that support health sciences (see Prepare Now)
2. Engage in a variety career exploration opportunities.
3. Select a couple of colleges and request a visit with PA or pre-PA admissions reps.
NE Metro 916's Health Sciences Programs
There are plenty of classes and exploration opportunities you can do right now while you are in high school that will help you discover more about careers in Health Sciences. In addition to what we offer, you and also consider one of four programs of study at NE Metro 916 Career & Technical Education. Check it out!
Youth HealthCare Awareness Cohort
There are two FREE 5-week sessions available: June 2021 and September 2021.
Questions: akhmiri@culturalwellnesscenter.org
Send applications to sameerah.bilal-roby@wilder.org by April 1, 2021
Contact Mrs Stanley
Email: bstanley@isd622.org
Website: https://www.isd622.org/Page/15183
Phone: 651748-6086
