Anesthesiologist Assisting: The Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) is a specialty Physician Assistant that assists the anesthesiologist in developing and implementing the anesthesia care plan. AA postbaccalaureate certificate programs are generally two years in length and culminate in certification. Anesthesiologist Assistants typically earn $105K – $135k/yr for a 40-hr work week. Prerequisite requirements are similar to those of advanced practice nursing and pre-med programs, and candidates with work experience in the sciences might have transferable skills that are attractive to admissions representatives and employers. Local training programs do not exist. The individuals surveyed said that their organizations did not hire Anesthesiologist Assistants-they prefer Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (requires a Masters of Science in Nursing). Individuals interested in pursuing a career in Anesthesiology Assisting should consult the American Academy of Anesthesiologists’ Assistants (www.anesthetist.org) for further information. Individuals interested in a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist should first see the Registered Nurse occupational profile.

Art Therapy: Art Therapists are sometimes called experiential therapists. Through various art medias, Art Therapists help individuals access and express memories, trauma, and internal conflict. Art Therapists generally have a Master’s Degrees in Art Therapy, or a Master’s degree in Psychology, Counseling, and/or Art and have completed significant hours of clinical training in Art Therapy. Most people that enter this field are experienced with creating art-this is a difficult career to transition into for this reason. In addition to clinical and theoretical work, Art Therapy students document studio hours and pass a certifying exam to become registered art therapists. Art therapists are often self-employed, and may work as contractors in the hospital setting, most often with children or individuals coping with pain or end of life issues. Art Therapists may also work in clinical rehabilitation settings, schools, and behavioral therapy facilities. Art therapy earnings vary dramatically and range from approximately $25,000 to over $100,000 annually (for seasoned practitioners with a Ph.D in private practice). Income is typically $50k–80k in the Bay Area for individuals with an MFT and ART that work full time. There are occasionally job openings within the Kaiser network and within several small behavioral and rehabilitations centers for MFTs or other licensed mental health clinicians with Art Therapy. The only Northern California training program is located at Notre Dame De Namur College in Belmont. Because of the relatively low demand for Art Therapists, the relative instability of the occupation (25% or more Art Therapists are self-employed), relatively low wages and extensive entry requirements, this is not a recommended occupation. Interested clients should contact the American Art Therapy Association (www.arttherapy.org) for more information.

Athletic Training – Athletic trainers work with physician and physical therapists as part of a health care team. Athletic Trainers focus almost exclusively on the areas of physical activity and sports. Athletic trainers may provide education and hands on services such as injury prevention (assistance with stretching), injury assessment (at an athletic event when an injury occurs), and very basic treatment (wrapping an injured site, icing a muscle). Athletic trainers are not the fitness trainers that one might see at a typical gym (those individuals are considered to be recreation or fitness workers) and this is an extremely difficult career to enter due to the requirements (most individuals complete a bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years of post-bac professional curriculum) and the connections that are often required to get jobs. Athletic trainers occasionally work in hospital based rehabilitation clinics, private practice, for professional sports teams, and in sports medicine clinics. The prerequisites for athletic training programs are similar to the pre-requisites for medical school, and employed graduates typically earn less than $45k with 5 years of experience. This is not a recommended occupation because it is highly competitive, the educational requirements are high, and the wages are relatively low. SJSU has an Athletic Training Program. Clients interested in receiving more information on Athletic Training should contact National Athletic Trainers’ Association (www.nata.org).

Audiology: Employment of audiologists is expected to grow rapidly because the expanding population in older age groups, but the occupation is still relatively small, which is why it is considered to be a niche occupation at this time. Most audiologists work in healthcare facilities or educational services. A master’s degree in audiology is currently the standard credential. A clinical doctoral degree will be the new standard beginning 1/2007. This increases the time it takes for individuals with a baccalaureate degree to complete the educational training requirement for audiology from 2-4 years, making it an impractical choice for most clients. Because audiologists typically earn between $70,000 and $90,000 for full-time employment, this may be a career ladder occupation in unique situations (speech language pathology assistant, a program offered at Evergreen Valley College, would be the most logical first position though that program has been temporarily suspended). San Jose State, San Francisco State, and Cal State East Bay offer Master’s Degree Audiology programs. Clinical doctoral degrees are in development. UCSD currently offers the only California doctoral program. Interested clients should contact American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (www.asha.org) for more information.

Blindness and Visual Impairment Professions: Orientation and Mobility Specialists and Visual Impairment Professionals help people with visual impairments in learning to adjust to their environments. There is a need for orientation and mobility specialists on a local and national level, in part due to the aging population, but the occupation is still small. Few accredited training programs exist on a local and national level. San Francisco State University has an orientation and mobility program offered at the master's level. If an individual has an interest in teaching (work experience in a teaching or training capacity is desirable but not required), a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (with a GPA of 2.67+), and has passed or can pass the CBEST exam, he/she is considered to be a competitive candidate for the SFSU O&M program. The program can be completed in as little as 3 semesters of full-time study and financial aid is available. There are employment opportunities for O&M and VI professionals at schools, rehabilitation agencies and in the VA system (the VA Palo Alto pays O&E and VI professionals $49k-79k depending on experience and degree earned (keep in mind the occupation/industry is small). O&M and VI professionals often work as independent contractors. For more information, contact Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, www.aerbvi.org.

Blood Bank Technology Specialists: All hospitals have blood banks or a blood supply on hand that must be catalogued and monitored. However, of the hospitals surveyed when compiling this resource manual, none indicated that they employed an individual with a specific Blood Bank Technology degree. Most used experienced lab personnel such as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist or had a hematologist/immunologist who ran their blood center. It is likely that the role or blood bank technology specialist has not taken off because only 13 programs exist nationwide, none of which are located in California. This is not a viable career choice for clients, though the Navigator has had a few inquiries about this career. For more information, contact American Society for Clinical Pathology, www.ascp.org.

Cardiovascular Technician (EKG techs): These individuals perform non-invasive cardiology tests using basic equipment. Training programs are available at vocational colleges, but jobs are not widely available. Several community colleges no longer offer EKG exclusively because graduates are not able to find employment in the Bay Area due to low turnover in the occupation (individuals interviewed suggested that the job is relatively low stress, non-invasive, and the technology is constantly evolving so incumbent workers have high job satisfaction) and lack of new job openings. Most EKG training programs are now lumped in with phlebotomy programs, and are called Lab Assistant programs. Most Lab Assistant graduates are employed as phlebotomists and don't perform EKG work. Moving from the position of Cardiovascular Technician (EKG Tech) to Cardiovascular Technologist would likely mean four additional years of school followed by hands on training and a lengthy certification process, making the career ladder move from EKG tech to Cardiovascular Technologist implausible for most. Thus, this is not a recommended career for clients. For more information, clients can contact the American Society of Echocardiography, www.asecho.org.

Cardiovascular Techonologist: Nearly all Cardiovascular Technologists are diagnostic medical sonographers (who are most often specialized radiologic technologists) who have completed additional training to gain a specialty in vascular ultrasound. Cardiovascular Technologists perform vascular ultrasounds and invasive cardiology tests such as cardiac catheterization. Cardiovascular Technologists are employed primarily at large medical facilities with catheter laboratories and at medical centers that perform open heart surgeries. Full-time Cardiovascular Techs are typically paid between $80k and $95k in the Bay Area. There are no accredited training programs in Northern California. Due to the lack of accessible training programs and the level of specialization required, this is not a career that is easily attained. For more information, clients can contact the Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals, www.sicp.com, or the Alliance for Cardiovascular Professionals, 757 497-1225.

Dental Laboratory Technician – Tremendous growth was predicted in this occupation around the year 2000 due to the increase in the number of baby boomers and the demand for dental services, as well as the introduction of a new training program in the San Jose area. Unfortunately, the market was flooded quickly and new DLTs quickly discovered that few jobs were actually available. Because the wages are low, demand is low, and competition for jobs is stiff, this is not a recommended occupation for one-stop clients at this time. For more information, contact the National Association of Dental Laboratories 800 950-1150 www.nadl.org

Dietetics – Under the supervision of Registered Dietitians, Registered Technicians plan and produce meals based on established guidelines. Technicians may also provide basic patient education. Registered Dieticians and Nutritionists generally focus on patient education, institutional nutritional planning and may work in case management. RDs may also work in private industry at food companies. Dietetic Technicians earn approximately $15-$21/hr and Registered Dietiticians/Nutritionists generally earn $24-$32/hr. Dietetic Technicians may work per diem shifts and the job market is considered competitive. Merritt College has a certificate Dietetic Tech training program-the only Northern California community college to offer the Dietetic Tech program. RD/Nutritionist programs are offered at San Jose State, San Francisco State, UCSF, and Berkeley (these programs include graduate study). Contact the American Dietetic Association 800 877-1600 www.eatright.org

Electroneurodiagnostic Technology – Electroneurodiagnostic (END) Technologists measure and record electrical activity in the brain and nervous system. This is a small market occupation and no local training programs exist. The only California Community College END program is located at Orange Coast College. Click here for program information. Locally, physicians and respiratory therapists (sleep studies only) perform the diagnostic tests that END Techs are trained to perform. It is unclear at this time whether or not local health organizations would employ END Techs. For more information, contact the American Society of END Technologist 816 931-1120 www.aset.org

Genetic Counseling – Genetic Counselors provide information to individuals and families about the risk of occurrence for a particular genetic condition and provide information and support. Genetic Counselors work closely with patients and geneticists (a physician specialty). Genetic Counselors must complete a master's degree program to be competitive in the job market (several non-degree granting post-bacc programs are available but these are not recommended). Genetic Counseling is a small market occupation–a single hospital or clinic may employ 1-10 genetic counselors. Job openings exist-most often due to separation rather than growth- National Society of Genetic Counselors 610 872-7608 www.nsgc.org

Kinesthiotherapy – Kinesthiotherapy is a small industry and Kinesthiotherapists do not perform the same job functions as physical therapists. Individuals who pursue training in kinesthiotherapy are often planning careers in physical therapy, adaptive education, athletic training, or biomechanics research. Training is available at the bachelor's and master's degree level. Kinesthiotherapists are very rarely independent practitioners as their services are not frequently reimbursable by insurance. Kinesthiotherapists are most likely to be employed as recreational or fitness specialists in healthcare wellness programs, but job possibilities are limited and vacancies rare. Kinesthiotherapy is not a recommended career path for one-stop clients. Contact the American Kinesthiotherapy Association 800 296-2582 www.akta.org

Occupational Therapy – Occupational Therapists help patients improve their ability to perform tasks in their living and working environments. Employment is increasing faster than the average and training programs are considered to be difficult to access. A master’s degree or higher is required to be eligible for licensure as an Occupational Therapist. Occupational Therapists in the Bay Area are in moderate demand and can expect to earn approximately $65k-$85k/yr. Training programs are offered at the Dominican University of California (San Rafael), Samuel Merritt (Oakland), and San Jose State University. Individuals interested in Occupational Therapy should contact the American Occupational Therapy Association 301 652-2682 www.aota.org

Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician – Dispensing opticians fit eyeglasses and contact lenses that are ordered by ophthalmologists or optometrists. Dispensing opticians also prepare work orders that give ophthalmic laboratory technicians the information needed to grind and insert lenses into a frame. Most dispensing opticians receive training on the job or through apprenticeships lasting 2 + years. Opticians earn $13-$25/hr. The number of job openings is limited because the occupation is very small. No formal training programs are offered in the Bay Area. For these reasons, Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician is not a recommended option for one-stop clients. For more information, contact the Opticians Association of America 703 437-8780 www.opticians.org

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician-OLTs make prescription eyeglass or contact lenses. Ophthalmic laboratory technicians cut, grind and finish lenses according to orders written by dispensing opticians, optometrists, or ophthalmologists. Technicians most often use automated equipment to make lenses, which has reduced the number of available jobs. Most OLTs are trained in apprenticeships. Formal training programs are not offered in the Bay Area. OLT is a small occupation and demand is very low. OLTs may make $9-$18/hr. This is not a recommended career choice for one-stop clients. For more information, contact the Optical Laboratories Association 703 359-2830 www.ola-labs.org

Orthoptist – An orthoptist is an eye muscle specialist who works in conjunction with an ophthalmologist. Orthoptists evaluate vision and eye alignment using tools and examination techniques. Orthoptics is considered to be an intellectually challenging field and training is offered at the post-baccalaureate level. Orthoptists earn approximately $70k-110k+ per year. This is an incredibly small occupation and job vacancies exist (most training programs accept fewer than 10 students per year due to the intensity of the training and the lack of preceptors) and the only training program in California is based out of Children's Hospital Los Angeles. For more information, contact the American Orthoptic Council 608 233-5383 www.orthoptics.org

Orthotist and Prosthetists - Orthotists and Prosthetists work directly with the physician and representatives of other allied health professions as well as with patients. Orthotists design and fit devices to individuals who have disabling conditions of the limbs and spine. Prosthetists design and fits devices for individuals who have partial or total absence of a limb. Only a small number of job vacancies exist in these occupations. O&P professionals have a 4-year bachelor's degree and then complete post-bacc work to earn certification. The only O&P training program in California is located at Cal State Dominguez Hills. For more information, contact the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association. 571 431-0876 www.aopanet.org

Pathologists’ Assisting – Pathologists' Assistants assist with autopsies and in the examination, dissection, and processing of tissues. Training programs are approximately 2 years long and culminate in a master's degree. Most Pathologist Assistants earn $75k-105k per year. This is a small occupation and few job vacancies exist. For more information, contact the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants 800 532-AAPA www.pathologistsassistant.org

Perfusionist – Perfusionists operate circulation and autotransfusion equipment during medical situations where it is necessary to support or temporarily replace the patient’s circulatory or respiratory function.  Perfusion training is offered at the post-bacc level. This is a small occupation and there are no training programs in California. For more information, contact the American Association of Extra-Corporeal Technologists 703 435-8556 www.amsect.org

Physical Therapy – Physical Therapists work with a variety of patient populations-including individuals recovering from illness or an accident, athletes, and individuals with disabilities. PTs most often focus on building or recovering strength and mobility, relieving pain, and preventing or limiting further injury or disability. PTs most often work in the hospital and clinic setting, but job opportunities are also available at sports facilities, home health agencies, occupational health/ergonomics and in education and academic research. Physical Therapists are in-demand by many Bay Area employers. A minimum of a master's degree is currently required for licensing. Starting Physical Therapists usually earn $65k-$90k. That figure is expected to rise as demand increases. PT training programs are highly competitive and extensive prerequisites are required. For more information, contact the American Physical Therapy Association 703 684-2782 www.apta.org

Physician Assistant – PAs practice medicine under the supervision and direction of Medical Doctors. PAs maintain a patient caseload, most often in general or family practice environments. The employment of PAs is expected to rise significantly within the next five years. Education is offered most often at the graduate level. PAs earn approximately $70k-$120k/year, depending on experience. For more information, contact the American Academy of Physician Assistant 703 836-2272 www.aapa.org

Speech-language Pathology – Speech-language Pathologists, also called speech therapists, assess, diagnose, treat speech, swallowing, and other related disorders. They work with assistive technology equipment and use advanced assessment tools. SLPs are licensed professionals, and a minimum of a masters degree is required to practice in California. There is demand for qualified SLPs, particularly in the assisted living environment. Locally, training is offered at San Francisco State and San Jose State. For more information, contact the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 800 694-9130 www.asha.org