• Obstetricians and gynecologist

Obstetricians and gynecologists (ob/gyns) are specialists whose focus is

women’s health. They are responsible for general medical care for women, but
also provide care related to pregnancy and the reproductive system. Like general
practitioners, ob/gyns are concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment of general health problems, but they focus on ailments specific to the
female anatomy, such as breast and cervical cancer, urinary tract and pelvic
disorders, and hormonal disorders. Ob/gyns also specialize in childbirth, treating
and counseling women throughout their pregnancy, from giving prenatal
diagnoses to delivery and postpartum care. Ob/gyns track the health of, and
treat, both mother and fetus as the pregnancy progresses.

Social worker

Child, family, and school social workers provide social services and assistance to
improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families
and to maximize the family well-being and academic functioning of children.
Some social workers assist single parents, arrange adoptions, or help find foster
homes for neglected, abandoned, or abused children. In schools, they address
such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy and advise
teachers on how to cope with problem students. Increasingly, school social
workers are teaching workshops to an entire class.

Some social workers specialize in services for senior citizens, running support
groups for family caregivers or for the adult children of aging parents, advising
elderly people or family members about choices in areas such as housing,
transportation, and long-term care, and coordinating and monitoring these
services. Through employee assistance programs, they may help workers cope
with job-related pressures or with personal problems that affect the quality of
their work. Child, family, and school social workers typically work for individual
and family services agencies, schools, or State or local governments. These
social workers may be known as child welfare social workers, family services
social workers, child protective services social workers, occupational social
workers, or gerontology social workers.

Clinical pathologist

According to information given by the ASCP "pathologists are problem-solvers,

fascinated by the process of disease and eager to unlock medical mysteries.
They make it possible to apply scientific advances to improve the accuracy and
efficiency of medical diagnosis and treatment and play a particularly important
role in preventive medicine by ruling out diseases or detecting them early."

According to the ASIP "In clinical hematology, for example, pathologists review
all abnormal blood smears. They may also obtain bone marrow samples from
patients. In examining the smears and microscopic sections from these sources,
the pathologist may encounter problems as diverse as identification of malarial
parasites, investigation of causes of anemia, detection of blood-borne infections,
or definitive diagnosis of malignant diseases such as leukemia.

In most hospital settings the pathologist in charge of the blood bank functions as
an immunohematologist, who is in charge of procurement and processing of
blood and blood products. In clinical chemistry, the pathologist supervises the
technical staff in performance of tests to determine the concentration of organic
and inorganic substances in body fluids. Toxicology is often part of the clinical
chemistry service, involving the pathologist in therapeutic drug monitoring and
detection of illicit drugs and poisons. Testing for immune reactions and allergies
is a growing area of laboratory activity.

Other areas of concern to the clinical pathologist are the development of

comprehensive information systems and the maintenance of quality control and
quality assurance procedures."

Clinical psychologist

Clinical psychologists most often work in counseling centers, independent or

group practices, hospitals, or clinics. They help mentally and emotionally
disturbed clients adjust to life and may help medical and surgical patients deal
with illnesses or injuries. Some clinical psychologists work in physical
rehabilitation settings, treating patients with spinal cord injuries, chronic pain or
illness, stroke, arthritis, and neurological conditions. Others help people deal with
times of personal crisis, such as divorce or the death of a loved one.

Clinical psychologists often interview patients and give diagnostic tests. They
may provide individual, family, or group psychotherapy, and design and
implement behavior modification programs. Some clinical psychologists
collaborate with physicians and other specialists to develop and implement
treatment and intervention programs that patients can understand and comply
with. Other clinical psychologists work in universities and medical schools, where
they train graduate students in the delivery of mental health and behavioral
medicine services. Some administer community mental health programs.

Areas of specialization within clinical psychology include health psychology,

neuropsychology, and geropsychology. Health psychologists promote good
health through health maintenance counseling programs designed to help people
achieve goals, such as to stop smoking or lose weight. Neuropsychologists study
the relation between the brain and behavior. They often work in stroke and head
injury programs. Geropsychologists deal with the special problems faced by the
elderly. The emergence and growth of these specialties reflects the increasing
participation of psychologists in providing direct services to special patient
populations.
Often, clinical psychologists will consult with other medical personnel regarding
the best treatment for patients, especially treatment that includes medications.
Clinical psychologists generally are not permitted to prescribe medications to
treat patients; only psychiatrists and other medical doctors may prescribe
medications. However, one State, New Mexico, has passed legislation allowing
clinical psychologists who undergo additional training to prescribe medication,
and similar proposals have been made in additional States.

Paramedics

People's lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of
emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, EMTs with additional
advanced training to perform more difficult pre-hospital medical procedures.
Incidents as varied as automobile accidents, heart attacks, drownings, childbirth,
and gunshot wounds all require immediate medical attention. EMTs and
paramedics provide this vital attention as they care for and transport the sick or
injured to a medical facility.

Depending on the nature of the emergency, EMTs and paramedics typically are
dispatched to the scene by a 911 operator and often work with police and fire
department personnel. Once they arrive, they determine the nature and extent of
the patient's condition while trying to ascertain whether the patient has
preexisting medical problems. Following strict rules and guidelines, they give
appropriate emergency care and, when necessary, transport the patient.

Some paramedics are trained to treat patients with minor injuries on the scene of
an accident or at their home without transporting them to a medical facility.
Emergency treatments for more complicated problems are carried out under the
direction of medical doctors by radio preceding or during transport.

EMTs and paramedics may use special equipment such as backboards to

immobilize patients before placing them on stretchers and securing them in the
ambulance for transport to a medical facility. Usually, one EMT or paramedic
drives while the other monitors the patient's vital signs and gives additional care
as needed. Some EMTs work as part of the flight crew of helicopters that
transport critically ill or injured patients to hospital trauma centers.

At the medical facility, EMTs and paramedics help transfer patients to the
emergency department, report their observations and actions to staff, and may
provide additional emergency treatment. After each run, EMTs and paramedics
replace used supplies and check equipment. If a transported patient had a
contagious disease, EMTs and paramedics decontaminate the interior of the
ambulance and report cases to the proper authorities.

Beyond these general duties, the specific responsibilities of EMTs and

paramedics depend on their level of qualification and training. To determine this,
the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) registers
emergency medical service (EMS) providers at four levels: First Responder,
EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic. Some states, however, do
their own certification and use numeric ratings from 1 to 4 to distinguish levels of
proficiency.

The lowest level -- First Responders -- are trained to provide basic emergency
medical care because they tend to be the first persons to arrive at the scene of
an incident. Many firefighters, police officers, and other emergency workers have
this level of training. The EMT-Basic, also known as EMT-1, represents the first
component of the emergency medical technician system. An EMT-1 is trained to
care for patients on accident scenes and on transport by ambulance to the
hospital under medical direction. The EMT-1 has the emergency skills to assess
a patient's condition and manage respiratory, cardiac, and trauma emergencies.

The EMT-Intermediate (EMT-2 and EMT-3) has more advanced training that
allows administration of intravenous fluids, use of manual defibrillators to give
lifesaving shocks to a stopped heart, and use of advanced airway techniques and
equipment to assist patients experiencing respiratory emergencies. EMT-
Paramedics (EMT-4) provide the most extensive pre-hospital care. In addition to
the procedures already described, paramedics may administer drugs orally and
intravenously, interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs), perform endotracheal
intubations, and use monitors and other complex equipment.

Ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologists diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries of the
eyes and related structures, and may perform eye surgery. Ophthalmologists
may perform a number of tasks including:

Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures
including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
Prescribe ophthalmologic treatments or therapies such as chemotherapy,
cryotherapy, and low vision therapy.

Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the

nature or extent of ocular disorders.

Perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal,

vitro-retinal, eye muscle, and oculoplastic surgeries.

Perform laser surgeries to alter, remove, reshape, or replace ocular tissue.

Develop treatment plans based on patients' histories and goals, the nature and
severity of disorders, and treatment risks and benefits.

Perform, order, or interpret the results of diagnostic or clinical tests.

Prescribe corrective lenses such as glasses and contact lenses.

Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic

conditions and to manage pain.

Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.

Document or evaluate patients' medical histories.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of health professionals to provide optimal

patient care.

Conduct clinical or laboratory-based research in ophthalmology.

Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.

Educate patients about maintenance and promotion of healthy vision.

Instruct interns, residents, or others in ophthalmologic procedures and

techniques.

Provide ophthalmic consultation to other medical professionals.

Refer patients for more specialized treatments when conditions exceed the
experience, expertise, or scope of practice of practitioner.

Patient lawyer

The legal system affects nearly every aspect of our society, from buying a home
to crossing the street. Lawyers form the backbone of this vital system, linking it to
society in numerous ways. For that reason, they hold positions of great
responsibility and are obligated to adhere to a strict code of ethics.

Lawyers, also called attorneys, act as both advocates and advisors in our
society. As advocates, they represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials
by presenting evidence and arguing in court to support their client. As advisors,
lawyers counsel their clients concerning their legal rights and obligations and
suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters. Whether
acting as an advocate or an advisor, all attorneys research the intent of laws and
judicial decisions and apply the law to the specific circumstances faced by their
client.

The more detailed aspects of a lawyer’s job depend upon his or her field of
specialization and position. Although all lawyers are licensed to represent parties
in court, some appear in court more frequently than others. Trial lawyers, who
specialize in trial work, must be able to think quickly and speak with ease and
authority. In addition, familiarity with courtroom rules and strategy is particularly
important in trial work. Still, trial lawyers spend the majority of their time outside
the courtroom, conducting research, interviewing clients and witnesses, and
handling other details in preparation for a trial.

Some lawyers concentrate in the growing field of intellectual property. These

lawyers help protect clients' claims to copyrights, art work under contract, product
designs, and computer programs. Lawyers are sometimes employed full-time by
a single client. If the client is a corporation, the lawyer is known as "house
counsel," and usually advises the company concerning legal issues related to its
business activities. These issues might involve patents, government regulations,
contracts with other companies, property interests, or collective bargaining
agreements with unions.

Lawyers increasingly use various forms of technology to perform their varied

tasks more efficiently. While all lawyers continue to use law libraries to prepare
cases, some supplement their search of conventional printed sources with
computer sources, such as the Internet and legal databases. Software is used to
search this legal literature automatically and to identify legal texts relevant to a
specific case. In litigation involving many supporting documents, lawyers may
use computers to organize and index material. Lawyers also use electronic filing,
videoconferencing, and voice-recognition technology to more effectively share
information with other parties involved in a case.

Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health

practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use.
They advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages,
interactions, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists also monitor the health
and progress of patients in response to drug therapy to ensure safe and effective
use of medication. Pharmacists must understand the use, clinical effects, and
composition of drugs,including their chemical, biological, and physical properties.
Compounding—the actual mixing of ingredients to form powders, tablets,
capsules, ointments, and solutions—is a small part of a pharmacist’s practice,
because most medicines are produced by pharmaceutical companies in a
standard dosage and drug delivery form. Traditionally, most pharmacists work in
a community setting, such as a retail drugstore, or in a healthcare facility, such
as a hospital, nursing home, mental health institution, or neighborhood health
clinic.

Pharmacists in community and retail pharmacies counsel patients and answer

questions about prescription drugs, including questions regarding possible side
effects or interactions among various drugs. They provide information about
over-the-counter drugs and make recommendations after talking with the patient.
They also may give advice about diet, exercise, or stress management, or about
durable medical equipment and home healthcare supplies. They also may
complete third-party insurance forms and other paperwork. Those who own or
manage community pharmacies may sell non-health-related merchandise, hire
and supervise personnel, and oversee the general operation of the pharmacy.
Some community pharmacists provide specialized services to help patients
manage conditions such as diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, or high blood
pressure. Some community pharmacists are also certified to administer
vaccinations.

Pharmacists in healthcare facilities dispense medications and advise the medical

staff on the selection and effects of drugs. They may make sterile solutions and
buy medical supplies. They also assess, plan, and monitor drug programs or
regimens. They counsel patients on the use of drugs while in the hospital, and on
their use at home when the patients are discharged. Pharmacists also may
evaluate drug use patterns and outcomes for patients in hospitals or managed
care organizations.

Pharmacists who work in home healthcare monitor drug therapy and prepare
infusions—solutions that are injected into patients—and other medications for
use in the home.

Some pharmacists specialize in specific drug therapy areas, such as intravenous

nutrition support, oncology (cancer), nuclear pharmacy (used for chemotherapy),
geriatric pharmacy, and psychopharmacotherapy (the treatment of mental
disorders with drugs).

Most pharmacists keep confidential computerized records of patients’ drug

therapies to ensure that harmful drug interactions do not occur. Pharmacists are
responsible for the accuracy of every prescription that is filled, but they often rely
upon pharmacy technicians and pharmacy aides to assist them in the dispensing
process. Thus, the pharmacist may delegate prescription-filling and
administrative tasks and supervise their completion. They also frequently
oversee pharmacy students serving as interns in preparation for graduation and
licensure.

Increasingly, pharmacists pursue nontraditional pharmacy work. Some are

involved in research for pharmaceutical manufacturers, developing new drugs
and therapies and testing their effects on people. Others work in marketing or
sales, providing expertise to clients on a drug’s use, effectiveness, and possible
side effects. Some pharmacists also work for health insurance companies,
developing pharmacy benefit packages and carrying out cost-benefit analyses on
certain drugs. Other pharmacists work for the government and pharmacy
associations. Finally, some pharmacists are employed full time or part time as
college faculty, teaching classes and performing research in a wide range of
areas.
Psychiatric technician

According to the Florida Area Health Education Centers: "Psychiatric technicians,

often called mental health technicians, have more formal training than aides.
Technicians participate in both the planning and implementing of individual
patient treatment plans. They may be responsible for admitting and interviewing
patients, record keeping, assisting in administration of medication, and
conducting therapy sessions.

Psychiatric technicians help patients with their personal hygiene, such as bathing
and keeping beds, clothing, and living areas clean and administer oral
medications and hypodermic injections, following physician's prescriptions and
hospital procedures. They take and record measures of patients' general physical
condition, such as pulse, temperature, and respiration, to provide daily
information and observe patients to detect behavior patterns and report
observations to medical staff.

They also issue medications from dispensary and maintains records in

accordance with specified procedures. These technicians lead prescribed
individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.
and intervene to restrain violent or potentially violent or suicidal patients by verbal
or physical means as required. They also contact patients' relatives by telephone
to arrange family conferences and complete initial admittance forms for new
patients.

There are a number of opportunities for specialization in a particular aspect of

mental health care. The psychiatric technician/aide may specialize in helping
mentally disturbed children. Others may work in drug and alcohol abuse or crisis
intervention. Another area of specialization is working in community mental
health. These technicians may be primarily concerned with parental
effectiveness, the elderly, or problems dealing with interpersonal relationships.
With additional training, they may work with mentally retarded people."