What Do Epidemiologists Do? Epidemiologists are public health professionals who investigate disease patterns, causes, and injury in humans. Epidemiologists seek to reduce the occurrence and risk of negative health outcomes through research, community education, and health policy. Typically, epidemiologists conduct studies to collect and analyze data comprising of interviews, surveys, observations and bodily fluids in order to determine aspects of diseases and health problems. Epidemiologists manage public health programs, monitor …Read More
Health Policy Analysts
What Do Public Health Policy Analysts Do? Health policy analysts do research, make reports and manage health care policies and programs. You may work for government, educational institutions, research labs, hospitals, and different types of community agencies. You may also be called a health care planner, health promotion program officer, or health services researcher. Generally, health policy analysts: Gather and analyze statistical information and write reports. Develop health policies by …Read More
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
What Do Occupational Health and Safety Specialists Do? Occupational health and safety specialists inspect and evaluate workplace environments, equipment, and practices for compliance with corporate and government health and safety standards and regulations. Specialists inspect workplaces to ensure adherence to regulations on safety, health, and the environment. Additionally, they conduct training on a variety of topics. Examples of this profession include ergonomists and industrial or occupational hygienists. Occupational health and safety specialists …Read More
Biostatisticians
What Do Biostatisticians Do? Biostatisticians are trained to use statistical methods to analyze health care data to help understand the causes of diseases. Biostatisticians are included in the broader category of statisticians and are also part of a broader set of public health professions. To view a description of the public health field and a list of other public health professionals, click here. Biostatisticians also design surveys, questionnaires, and other …Read More
Public Health Professionals
What Do Public Health Professionals Do? Public health is a broad field covering diverse professions that include public health specific professionals such as epidemiologists to professionals that can focus on public health, such as a public health registered nurses, community health workers, health educators, and biostatisticians. To access specific public health professionals, click on any of the following links: Biostatistician Environmental Health Workers Epidemiologists Health Educators Health Policy Analysts Occupational …Read More
Athletic Trainers and Exercise Physiologists
What Do Athletic Trainers and Exercise Physiologists Do? Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility. Athletic trainers work with people of all ages and all skill levels, from children to professional athletes and soldiers to industrial workers. They are usually one of the …Read More
Audiologists
What Do Audiologists Do? Audiologists work with people who have hearing, balance, and related ear problems. They examine individuals of all ages, assess the nature and extent of problems, and help the individuals manage their hearing and ear problems. Using audiometers, computers, and other testing devices and advanced technology, audiologists evaluate and diagnose balance disorders, and they measure the loudness at which a person begins to hear sounds, the ability to …Read More
Cancer/Tumor Registrars
What Do Cancer/Tumor Registrars Do? Cancer/tumor registrars compile and maintain records of patients treated for cancer. They utilize a tumor registry data system that is used by physicians, government agencies, and researchers. Cancer/Tumor registrars review patient records to identify and compile patient data for use in cancer management programs and to comply with government regulations. They review and code information from patient medical records, such as demographic characteristics, history and …Read More
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
What Do Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Do? Cardiovascular technologists and technicians assist physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments. They may specialize in any of three areas of practice: invasive cardiology, echocardiography, and vascular technology. Cardiovascular technologists who specialize in invasive procedures are called cardiology technologists. They assist physicians with cardiac catheterization procedures in which a small tube, or catheter, is inserted in patients to …Read More
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
What Do Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Do Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice nurses who specialize in providing anesthesia and related care before and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures. They also provide pain management and emergency services. CRNAs develop individualized anesthetic care plans for each patient using a full range of anesthetic techniques, drugs, and technology. They also participate in preoperative patient education and assess and …Read More
Chiropractors
What Do Chiropractors Do? Chiropractors are licensed health professionals who diagnose and treat patients with problems related to the musculoskeletal system, which is made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation and other techniques to treat patients’ ailments, such as back or neck pain. Chiropractors focus on patients’ overall health. Many believe that misalignments of the spinal joints interfere with a person’s nervous system and can …Read More
Creative Arts Therapists
What Do Creative Arts Therapists Do? Creative arts therapists use active engagement in art, dance or movement, drama, and music as therapeutic approaches to address mental, emotional, developmental, and behavioral disorders of their clients. Creative arts therapists work with individuals of all ages who may have a variety of mental or physical health issues, including those who are temporarily or permanently disabled. Creative arts therapists, working with clients one-on-one or …Read More
Dental Assistants
What Do Dental Assistants Do? Dental assistants perform a wide array of clinical and administrative duties under the supervision of a dentist. They assist the dentist during dental examinations and treatments, such as preparing the patient, taking x-rays, sterilizing instruments, assisting with instruments and materials, and instructing patients about general and post-operative oral health care. Dental assistants may also have administrative duties, including scheduling appointments, maintaining patient files, and billing for services. …Read More
Dental Hygienists
What Do Dental Hygienists Do? Dental hygienists are licensed health professionals who provide preventive dental care, perform oral health assessments and teeth cleanings, apply cavity preventive agents to teeth, take and develop x-rays, and educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques. In some states, dental hygienists are allowed to place and carve filling materials, place temporary fillings and periodontal dressings, remove sutures, perform root planing, and smooth and polish metal …Read More
Dentists
What Do Dentists Do? Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and tissues in the mouth, along with giving advice and administering care to help prevent future dental problems. They provide oral health education and instruction on diet, brushing, flossing, and the use of fluorides. They remove tooth decay, fill cavities, examine x-rays, place protective sealants on children’s teeth, straighten teeth, extract or repair damaged teeth, and perform corrective surgery …Read More
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
What Do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Do? Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (DMSs), also known as ultrasonographers or sonographers, use special equipment that directs high frequency sound waves into a patient’s body to collect images for interpretation by physicians to assess and diagnose various medical conditions (procedures commonly known as ultrasounds, sonograms, or echocardiograms). This diagnostic medical procedure can be used to examine the abdomen, breasts, female reproductive system, prostate, heart, and …Read More
Dialysis Technicians
What Do Dialysis Technicians Do? Dialysis technicians operate dialysis machines that help sustain patients who have damaged kidneys. The machines remove waste and excess fluids from the blood of patients whose kidneys can no longer carry out those functions. Dialysis patients generally use a dialysis machine for about four hours, three times a week. Dialysis technicians are also referred to as renal dialysis technicians, hemodialysis technicians, and nephrology technicians. These …Read More
Dietitians and Nutritionists
What Do Dietitians and Nutritionists Do? Dietitians and nutritionists are experts in food and nutrition. They advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve specific health-related goals. Dietitians and nutritionists try to prevent health problems and aim to treat health problems by helping people develop better eating habits. They often work with patients who have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, eating disorders, …Read More
EMTs and Paramedics
What Do EMTs and Paramedics Do? Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics (EMTs with advanced training to perform more difficult pre-hospital medical procedures) provide vital care and attention at the scene of an emergency. In an emergency, EMTs and paramedics are dispatched to the scene usually by a 911 operator and often work with police and fire department personnel. Once they arrive, they determine the nature and extent of a …Read More
Environmental Health Workers
What Do Environmental Health Workers Do? Environmental health workers are responsible for carrying out measures for protecting public health, including administering and enforcing legislation related to environmental health and providing support to minimize health and safety hazards. Common duties of environmental health workers include collecting samples of water, soil, waste and animal matter; transporting and documenting samples; verifying code and regulatory compliance; investigating complaints; preparing and maintaining records; and other duties …Read More
Health Care Administrators and Medical and Health Services Managers
What Do Health Care Administrators and Medical and Health Services Managers Do? While healthcare administrators and healthcare managers share similar responsibilities, they do perform different tasks. Healthcare administrators oversee the staff of a medical facility. They may supervise and manage one department or the whole facility depending on the need and availability of administrators. Responsible for staffing and financial aspects of the medical facility in which they work, healthcare administrators …Read More
Health Educators
What Do Health Educators Do? Health educators teach people about behaviors that promote wellness and encourage people to make healthy decisions. Health educators promote and improve individuals’ and community health by identifying disease risk behaviors and developing programs that help people adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. Program development may include collecting and analyzing data to determine the scope of problems and the community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs and campaigns …Read More
Home Health Aides
What Do Home Health Aides Do? Home health aides work in the homes of people who need assistance in caring for themselves. They often help people who are disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired. They also help older adults who may need assistance or people recovering from an illness who may live alone or need more assistance than their families can provide. Home health aides usually work under the supervision of …Read More