HEALTH CARE CAREERS
Ten top choices
for
San Antonio
by KAREN KOLIVOSKY
Malana Parrish knew there had to be something better out there. After graduating from high school, she had worked as a bartender for 13 years.
Then one Sunday morning, she saw an article in the newspaper on the field of surgical technology. She got on the Internet that day to learn more and was at a health care school's open house for prospective students later that week.
Today, after completing prerequisite courses and a year-long training program, she is a surgical technologist, working alongside surgeons in an operating room at Northeast Baptist Hospital.
Parrish, a graduate of the Baptist School of Health Professions, says the training program was "the best experience of my life."
"I wish I had begun this journey 13 years ago," she says. "It's even better than I hoped it would be."
Parrish's job entails preparing the operating room for surgeries, ensuring that supplies and instruments are in place and assisting surgeons during procedures. From caring for patients to interacting with other staff, she says the job is a perfect fit for her. She's even become a morning person, reporting for work at 6:30 a.m., a schedule that allows her to spend more time with her husband.
She funded her training with a work agreement with the Baptist Health System in which she received financial assistance in exchange for a two-year commitment to work for Baptist.
Like Parrish, thousands of San Antonians begin training for careers in health care each year. Competition for school entry can be stiff, especially for nursing programs. But those who successfully complete their training enjoy careers where demand is great and job growth is expected to continue. In addition, many jobs offer ample opportunity for ongoing career development.
Several venues in San Antonio offer training for health care careers. Diploma programs such as the San Antonio School of Medical and Dental Assistants can take from nine to 13 months to complete training. Many of the programs at the Baptist School of Health Professions take one to two years to complete.
Schools within the Alamo Community College system, including San Antonio College and St. Philip's College, offer associate's degrees in a variety of health care professions. The University of the Incarnate Word has a School of Nursing that allows students to pursue bachelor's or master's degrees, as does the UTHSCSA School of Nursing. Other institutions also offer entry-level health care career training in a variety of fields. Most schools offer financial aid services to students who qualify, helping them find ways to pay for their education and training.
One resource for identifying careers and local educational institutions is CareerInfoNet.org, a Web site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. The site features job information specific to Texas, including profiles of occupations and information on education requirements.
Here's a look at 10 of San Antonio's top health care careers that require a bachelor's degree or less to enter the field, along with some of the local training opportunities available. Salaries listed are a general range provided by national and state labor statistics and may vary, depending on employer and employee education and experience.
Dental Assistant
Dental assistants work under the direction of a dentist, preparing equipment and supplies.
They also provide basic patient care and lab work, along with clerical duties from scheduling to billing.
Salary range in Texas: $19,100 to $39,700.
Projected growth nationally from 2004-2014: 43 percent.
Most common training level: Training programs of approximately one year or less; associate's degree.
Education venues in San Antonio: San Antonio College, San Antonio College of Medical
and Dental Assistants.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists work directly with patients, providing dental care services such as teeth cleaning,
application of fluoride and oral exams of patients' teeth, mouth, head and neck, as well as taking X-rays
for dentists to use in diagnosing and evaluating a patient's dental health.
Salary range in Texas: $40,600 to $86,200.
Projected growth nationally from 2004-2014: 43 percent.
Most common training level: Associate's degree, bachelor's degree.
Education venues in San Antonio: University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
This involves producing ultrasonic recordings of patients' internal organs. Physicians use these images
to observe and diagnose medical conditions affecting these organs.
Salary range in Texas: $43,700 to $75,600.
Projected growth nationally from 2004-2014: 35 percent.
Most common training level: Associate's degree.
Education venues in San Antonio: Baptist Health System School of Health Professions, St. Philip's College.
Medical Assistant
This career combines administrative duties with basic clinical patient care. Medical assistants most often work in a physician's office, hospital or outpatient clinics. Duties range from scheduling patients and maintaining medical records to preparing a patient for examination and sterilizing instruments.
Salary range in Texas: $15,500 to $32,300.
Projected growth nationally from 2004-2014: 52 percent.
Most common training level: Training programs of one year or less.
Education venues in San Antonio: Hallmark College of Technology, San Antonio College, San Antonio College of Medical and Dental Assistants.
Pharmacy Technician
Working under the supervision of a pharmacist, pharmacy techs perform duties including preparing and dispensing medications; measuring, mixing, packaging, storing and labeling drugs; and keeping patient records and medication inventory.
Salary range in Texas: $19,500 to $35,300.
Projected growth nationally from 2004-2014: 29 percent.
Most common training level: Training programs of one year or less.
Education venues in San Antonio: National Institute of Technology, Northwest Vista College, San Antonio College of Medical and Dental Assistants, Southern Careers Institute.
Physical Therapist Assistant
These individuals help physical therapists develop and carry out patient treatment plans that help patients regain muscle function and strength. They generally work directly with patients in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures, under the supervision of a physical therapist in settings such as hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, sports-medicine facilities or nursing homes.
Salary range in Texas: $30,500 to $60,900.
Projected growth nationally from 2004-2014: 44 percent.
Most common training level: Associate's degree.
Education venues in San Antonio: St. Philip's College.
Physician Assistant
Physician assistants work directly with patients to provide the health care services that a physician typically provides, including physical exams, treatment and counsel. They work under the supervision of a physician.
Salary range in Texas: $57,000 to $105,100.
Projected growth nationally from 2004-2014: 50 percent.
Most common training level: Bachelor's degree.
Education venues in San Antonio: University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio.
Radiologic Technician
Also known as an X-ray technician, this person takes X-ray images and CAT scans of patients to help physicians diagnose the presence of disease or injury.
Salary range in Texas: $31,500 to $62,500.
Projected growth nationally from 2004-2014: 23 percent.
Most common training level: Associate's degree.
Education venues in San Antonio: Baptist School of Health Professions, St. Philip's College.
Registered Nurse
RNs are a key part of a patient's treatment team, providing care to the sick or injured by assessment of a patient's condition, helping to develop and carry out treatment plans and monitoring patient progress.
Salary range in Texas: $30,500 to $100,000.
Projected growth nationally from 2004-2014: 29 percent.
Most common training level: Associate's degree, bachelor's degree.
Education venues in San Antonio: Baptist School of Health Professions, San Antonio College, St. Philip's College, University of the Incarnate Word, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio School of Nursing.
Surgical Technologist
This job involves assisting surgical teams in the operating room during surgeries. Duties may include preparing and transporting patients; setting up operating room supplies, equipment and lighting; and providing other support to the surgical team during procedures.
Salary range in Texas: $25,200 to $48,000.
Projected growth nationally from 2004-2014: 30 percent.
Most common training level: Training programs of approximately one year or less.
Education venues in San Antonio: Baptist School of Health Professions, St. Philip's College.
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