Interested in Becoming an Audiologist?
Audiologists are health care professionals who evaluate patients' hearing, ear problems and balance. While some audiologists work independently, many team up with other health care providers to measure, assess and diagnose auditory disorders. Fitting hearing aids and teaching patients how to cope with hearing loss are some of the many other job duties associated with this role.
Degrees in Audiology
Audiologists must be licensed in every state. Educational requirements for licensing are strict with most states requiring a master's degree. Several states require a doctorate degree (Au.D. degree), which can take about eight years of formal schooling.
Training to Work as an Audiologist
As you prepare for a career in audiology, check the licensing requirements for your state and ensure audiology programs have been accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology or the Accreditation Commission of Audiology Education. In addition, consider earning the following professional certifications:
- Certification by the American Board of Audiology
- Certificate of Clinical Competency in Audiology
Additional training in American Sign Language and business management could also prove beneficial for audiologists.
Interested in Becoming a Victim Advocate?
A victim advocate works in victim advocacy, dealing with victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and other areas of assault. These trained professionals provide assistance, food and shelter to the victims of violence and other crimes. They might also educate victims about the criminal justice system and accompany them to court dates.
Degrees for Victim Advocates
While some start out in volunteer roles, a bachelor's degree in social work or psychology can help accelerate job opportunities for victim advocates. Coursework should include criminal justice, law enforcement and interpersonal communication.
Victim Advocate Training
Many agencies that work with victims train volunteers to help in this role. To get prepared, gaining experience in any of the following areas can prove beneficial:
- Social work
- Counseling
- Psychology
- The criminal justice system
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts increased job growth in social assistance jobs like family violence advocate. Do you have what it takes to become a victim advocate?
Interested in Becoming a Medical Billing Specialist?
Medical billing specialists handle invoicing for physicians and health care providers. Becoming a medical billing specialist requires an understanding of medical terminology, insurance requirements, coding, patient privacy issues, and computer billing software. Medical billing specialists should also be detail-oriented and accurate.
Degrees for Medical Billing Specialist
While some medical billing specialist employers may require a high school diploma, most positions are available only to those who have earned a professional certification or an associate degree in medical billing. Coursework typically covers anatomy, biology, physiology, medical terminology, medical coding and computer billing software.
Preparing for Medical Billing Specialist Work
In addition to formal medical billing coursework, consider getting experience and training in the following areas:
- HIPAA - The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulates how patient health information is protected. Medical billing specialists must comply with the privacy and security rules spelled out in this act.
- Computer training - The tools of the medical billing trade are software based. With a move toward electronic medical records, computer skills are a must.
If you're looking for an entry-level position in the health care industry, becoming a medical billing specialist is an excellent first step. Many medical billing specialists advance into health care administration and management positions.
Interested in Becoming a Patient Advocate?
Patient advocates represent patients in response to health care and insurance providers and large health care institutions. They provide counseling and information to patients about their rights as well as intervene with health care providers as needed.
Degrees for Patient Advocate
While few accredited colleges offer patient advocacy degrees, patient advocates generally pursue associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctorate degrees in public health, social work, health care, or related medical fields and build their patient advocacy careers on this foundation.
Preparing for Patient Advocate Work
As you consider a career as a patient advocate, it is advantageous to get one-on-one experience with patients in a medical setting or specific training in some of the following ways:
- Volunteer at a health care facility
- Coordinate services for patients
- Get involved in health care reform efforts
- Train in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Not only must patient advocates have a solid understanding of the health care industry, insurance and patient rights, but they must also understand the laws, policies, regulations, practices and treatment options involved with managed health care programs.
Earn Your Degree Online in Health and Human Services
Accelerate your career with an online degree in health and human services. Find certificate, associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs in health care, counseling, social work, psychology and other human services to reach your goals.
Degrees in Health and Human Services
Most positions in health and human services require a minimum of a bachelor's degree to qualify for employment, but a master's or doctoral degree could prove beneficial when seeking career advancement. If you're ready to seek a purposeful career that touches the lives of others, choose an online degree program in health and human services from the list below.
Associate Degrees in Health and Human Services
- Associate of Arts in Human Services
- Associate of Arts in Health Care Administration
- Associate of Arts in Health Care Administration—Medical Records
- Associate of Arts in Health Care Administration—Pharmacy Practice
- Associate of Arts in Psychology
Bachelor's Degrees in Health and Human Services
- Bachelor of Science in Human Services
- Bachelor of Science in Human Services/Management
- Bachelor of Science in Health Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Health Administration/Health Information Systems
- Bachelor of Science in Health Administration/Long-Term Care
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Master's Degrees in Health and Human Services
- Master of Science in Counseling/Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy
- Master of Health Administration
- Master of Health Administration/Education
- Master of Health Administration/Gerontology
- Master of Health Administration/Informatics
- Master of Science in Psychology
Doctoral Degrees in Health and Human Services
- Doctor of Health Administration
- Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Earn Your Online Degree in Health and Human Services
If you're interested in a field of work that assists and encourages the physically ill, poor, abused, aged and challenged members of our society, a career in health and human services could prove rewarding. From counseling to public health, opportunities exist for those who want to uplift and heal the public. Do you have what it takes?
Careers in Health & Human Services
Due to the aging baby-boomer generation, individuals with degrees in health and human services are in high demand. Are you ready to start a successful career in public service? Find a wide variety of careers in health and human services below.
Health Care
- Dietitian: Assist clients in attaining an optimum level of physical health through nutrition and diet.
- Healthcare Administration: Plan, coordinate and supervise different facets of health care.
- Healthcare Manager: Ensure the business of delivering healthcare to patients is appropriately planned, coordinated, and performed according to facility regulations.
- Healthcare Services Manager: Oversee the administration of various facets of health care and manage healthcare facilities.
- Laboratory Technician: Perform routine tests for diagnosing, treating and preventing disease in health care facilities.
- Medical Administrative Assistant: Perform administrative tasks such as filling out insurance paperwork, updating medical records and coordinating lab work and hospital admissions.
- Medical Billing Specialist: Handle invoicing for physicians and health care providers.
- Medical Insurance Coding Specialist: Employ coding systems to ensure physicians and health care facilities are reimbursed by Medicare and insurance companies.
- Medical Records Specialist: Maintain, organize and evaluate patients' medical records for accuracy and completeness.
- Occupational Therapist: Help patients suffering from physical, mental, emotional or developmental conditions learn how to perform tasks.
- Physical Therapist: Help patients with physical disabilities to improve flexibility, muscle strength and overall health.
- Radiation Therapist: Work with specialized machines to administer radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by radiologists.
- Radiology Technician: Operate X-ray equipment to produce pictures of broken bones, cancers, tumors and other diseases for medical diagnosis.
Human Services
- Case Manager: Tasked with helping improve the lives of others by managing their safety, development and progression.
- Child Advocate: Main support group for abandoned and abused children living in the custody of the child welfare system.
- Child Social Worker: Arrange and deliver personal, psychological or social services that protect children and families at risk.
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): Respond to emergency calls and provide care to injured or ill patients before transporting them off to the hospital.
- Geriatric Care Management: Coordinate elder care and provide support to families who care for aging relatives.
- Patient Advocate: Represent patients in response to healthcare, insurance providers and large healthcare institutions.
- Pharmaceutical Technician: Assist pharmacists in drugs stores, assisted-living centers, nursing homes and hospitals.
- Social Worker: Provide services to help disadvantaged people improve the quality of their lives.
- Speech Therapist: Work to overcome physical problems that impede the speech of their clients.
Psychology
- Clinician: Called on to offer professional counseling services to individuals or groups.
- Counselor: Help people understand the basis of their problems, phobias, fears, crises and anxieties while providing guidance on how to cope with and resolve them.
- Drug Counselor: Provide support and therapy to individuals recovering from alcohol or drug abuse.
- Family Counselor: Provide advice, guidance, therapy and support to families with emotional issues.
- Guidance Counselor: Provide educational, social and career counseling for students.
- Marriage Therapist: Applies "family systems" concepts to couples counseling to help husbands and wives resolve emotional conflicts affecting their marriage.
- School Counselor: Help students prepare for academic success by encouraging healthy interactions with peers, family and academics.
- Substance Abuse Counselor: Work with behavioral problems or other disorders that contribute to the overuse of drugs and alcohol in clients.
- Therapist: Help individuals struggling with depression, addictions and life challenges to discover new and healthy ways to deal with stress and anxieties.
- Youth Counselor: Helping children and teens work through social, family and personal challenges.
