Frequently Asked Questions


What characteristics should a person have to be successful in the health care field?

Important characteristics for success in health care work include caring about others, having integrity and being honest, being dependable, working well with others, being flexible and willing to adapt to changing conditions, being willing to learn, and striving to be cost conscious.


What important factors should a student consider when choosing a health care occupation?

Students should think about how much time they are willing to dedicate to their education, their natural abilities and talents, what type of work activities they most enjoy, their educational background, and their preferences for workplace environment and conditions.


How can I learn more about various health care occupations?

References such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook contain descriptions of hundreds of occupations. Most health care occupations have professional organizations that maintain Web sites and distribute publications with information about job responsibilities, educational and certification requirements, projected salaries, and more.


What is the difference between certification, registration, and licensure?

“Certification” is a general term that refers to the process of determining whether a person has met predetermined standards for an occupation. “Registration” means being placed on an official list after meeting certain educational and testing requirements. “Licensure” means that a person has been granted permission by an agency of the government to legally perform certain acts. Certification and registration are often, but not always, required to work legally. Licensure, if required for a profession, is never voluntary.


What is the best way to approach problem solving?

Approaching problems in an organized way works well. An effective process that can be applied to both personal and professional problems includes these five steps.

1. Identify the problem.

2. Gather information.

3. Create alternatives.

4. Choose an alternative and take action.

5. Evaluate and revise as needed.

 



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