Respiratory Therapy Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities: Respiratory Therapy Assistants help Respiratory Therapists treat patients who have heart and lung problems, or other health issues that affect breathing. Your primary role as a Respiratory Therapy Assistant is monitoring patients during treatment. You administer the correct dosage of medication and ensure that equipment works properly. You also keep records of each treatment session and document the patient’s progress.

Salary: $41,000- $50,000

Education: They must have a master’s degree and must get 2 years of training.

                                     

Medical Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities:

Medical assistants help physicians and nurses deliver patient care.  They schedule appointments; take blood pressures, respirations, temperatures; and perform other routine patient pre-examining procedures. Sometimes they help with office and clerical tasks.  Medical assistants work in hospitals, clinics, and private physician offices.

Average Salary:  $17,000 - $18,000

Educational Requirements:

Students should complete high school with courses in biology, physical science, office management, communications, and human relations.  Medical assistant training programs are provided by community colleges and for-profit technical training schools.  They may take between six months and two years to complete.

Reflection: I would not like to be a medical assistant because it seems more of a average job than an actual career. By looking at their yearly salary, we can assume that they are paid at minimum wage.
                                                       

Dental Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities:

Dental assistants help dentists provide dental care.  They often work in teams with dental hygienists and laboratory technicians.  They may work in health clinics, dental schools, nursing homes, and the military, but usually they work for dentists in private practice.  

Dental assistant duties include: 

• Helping patients patients feel comfortable during treatment.
• Taking and developing dental x-rays.
• Taking medical histories for patients.
• Sterilizing and preparing dental instruments and equipment.
• Instructing patients about dental health care to include brushing and flossing.
• Performing office management tasks.

Average Salary:  $14,000 - $25,000

Educational Requirements:

Dental assistants must have a high school diploma or GED certificate. 

They must receive additional training at a community college, vocational school, or dental school to learn their skills.  Length of programs varies between six months and one year.  To become certified, dental assistants must pass an examination from the Dental Assisting National Board.