So You Think You Want to Be A Doctor

Ira S. Rubin, M.D., Ph.D, F.A.A.P.

www.MiniMedicalSchool.com

There are over 200 healthcare jobswhich require different types and levels of education.

MANY different optionsAside from doctors (MD, DO) and nurses (RN)…

Technicians (ECG, surgical, x-ray, clinical lab, etc…)

Dentists (dental hygienist, dental lab technician, etc…)

Optometrists (ophthalmic lab tech, etc…)Sports medicine (trainer, physical therapist,

etc…)Emergency medicine (paramedic, EMT, etc…)

And many more! (genetic counselor, massage therapist, home care aide, nutritionist, speech pathologist, occupational therapy, etc…)

Education System

Residency – Life Experiences

Graduate ( 2 -4 but 1+)

College (0.5- 4)

High School (9-12)

Middle School (6-8)

Elementary School (k-5)

Preschool/Day Care

G.E.D.

Tech

Cert. Assoc

Cert.Maste

rsProf D.

Diploma

Bach

Ph.D.

Cert.Honor

.

Med School: 12 yrs for H.S. Diploma 4 yrs college 4 yrs med school 3 + residency Total is 23 + years

Healthcare Jobs: TechniciansHave you ever gotten an X-ray before?

• The person taking the X-ray was probably an X-ray technician

• Technicians are good at one particular task, like taking X-rays, checking your heart rate, or helping the doctors in surgery

• High School – certificate program

Healthcare Jobs: Emergency Medicine Technician

When you dial 911 because there’s an emergency, who comes to bring you to the hospital?

• You are usually brought to the hospital by EMTs (sometimes by a paramedic)

• An EMT is an emergency medical technician High School – EMT 6 month course High School – 2 year paramedic course

Healthcare Jobs: NursesWhat does a nurse do?What is the difference between a doctor

(physician or surgeon) and a nurse?

• CNA – certified nurse assistant• LPN- Licensed Practical Nurse• AND – Associates Degree Nurse• BSN – Bach. Science in Nursing• MSN – Masters Science in Nursing• APN – Advance Practicing Nurse

Healthcare Jobs: PharmacistWhat does a pharmacist do?

• Pharmacists work at pharmacies and hospitals

• They dispense all your prescriptions.

• They give you the medication you need to feel better and advise you about the medicine.

• 6 yr programs: Masters of Pharm or Pharm D.

Can you name different kinds of doctors and what they do?

Optometrist – treats your eyesDentist – treats your mouth and teethPodiatrist – treats your feet

Medical Doctor(M.D.) – Osteopath (D.O.) multiple specialties: pediatric, internal, etc.

Healthcare Jobs: Physicians & Surgeons

4 yrs college 4 yrs med school 3 + residency

What should parentsdo to prepare yourchild for a career in

Medicine (Healthcare)?

1. Explore your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Consider careers.2. If your child is strong in science and math, explore the healthcare

industry – consider all the options to find your field of interest.3. Study hard, your efforts and work will pay off – get the best grades

in the hardest subjects that you are capable to learning. This will allow you to excel in high school.

Junior High (Middle School)

Keep studying science and math!Take as many advanced classes (honors or advanced placement)

You want to experience healthcare using your 5 senses:

Taste, Touch, Sight, Smell and Hear!Try following an adult in healthcare for a couple

hours or a day, ask your personal physician or call around.

“Shadowing”Volunteer

Nursing Home, Hospital, Physician’s officeResearch in the summer

High School Students

Try to work in the field.Take a health professions class at your high

schoolTake extra curricular programs like Dr. Rubin’s

Mini Medical School

When in College: Take advantage of your college: study abroad,

medical mission, clubs and societies, do well academically, best to major in a subject you like.

Look up the prerequisite classes for the profession of your choice and take the classes on time and apply to the profession.

Have a backup plan.

Thank you!

You have a future in the field of Medicine!

www.MiniMedicalSchool.com