Medical Professions Education
The health professions offer a varied and wide range of career opportunities. The Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) lists over two dozen accredited educational programs. Some of these careers include nurse practitioner, nurse, pharmacist, dietician, physical therapist, physicians assistant, medical lab & radiologic technologist and technician.
Job outlook for most allied health fields are from average to above average during the next ten years. A person can find work throughout the country. Working conditions are usually in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or home health. Many of the jobs require prolonged standing, lifting and emotional stress.
Educational requirements vary from each allied health field with training above high school level required. Most levels require one to seven years of higher education.
Starting salary average range is from $18,000 to $25,000 per year for one to two years of training. Salary will increase with more advanced education.
Northark Technical Center offers programs leading to various careers in the allied health care field. By enrolling in the secondary center on the north campus, the student does not pay tuition, and books are provided at no cost (provided on a loan basis). You will receive dual credit for high school and college courses.
North Arkansas College offers a number of programs, both certificate and degree (AAS), leading to a career in the health care field. The programs include Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B), Paramedic (EMT-P), Radiology Technician, Surgical Technician, and Medical Laboratory Technician. Related programs are Medical Coding Specialists, Medical Transcription, and Biomedical Technician.
Students should plan on taking a high school chemistry class during their junior year. The student must obtain a grade of “B” or better to enter the Anatomy and Physiology class. If the student does not obtain a “B” or better, he or she will be required to take a college level chemistry class.
Taking these courses will not automatically enroll students in one of the allied health care programs. However, students will have a jump start on the classes they will be required to take once they graduate from high school. During the 4th semester, opportunities will be provided for the students to take courses in a specialized area that will meet the needs of individual careers.
Northark looks forward to assisting students in getting a head start on a rewarding career in the health care field.