2014 Top Vocational Medical Careers Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who is registered with a dental association within their country of practice. They are a trained member who works alongside dentists and other dental professionals in a team to provide full dental care. They have the training and education that focus and specialise in the prevention and treatment of oral health and disease. They can choose to work in a range of dental settings from private practice, specialists practices to public sector; and can also work in residential aged care facilities.^[1][2]

Dental hygienists have a specific scope of clinical procedures they provide to their patients. They offer preventative and educational services to promote and maintain good oral health. The use of therapeutic methods assists their patients in controlling oral disease, while providing tailored treatment plans that implement the importance of behavioral changes .^[3] In most jurisdictions, hygienists work for a dentist or dental specialist, and some are licensed to administer local anesthesia and perform dental radiography.^[4] The major role of a dental hygienist is to perform periodontal therapy which includes things such periodontal charting, periodontal debridement (scaling and root planing), prophylaxis (cleaning) for patients with periodontal disease. In addition dental hygienists are able to perform examinations, make diagnosis, take intraoral radiographs, dental sealants, administer fluoride, and provide patient specific oral hygiene instruction.^[5] They are also able to work at an orthodontic clinic and can perform many tasks there. Such as selecting and sizing of orthodontic bands for dental braces, the removal of orthodontic appliances and are able to make dental impressions for the construction of study casts and mouthguards.^[3]

Dental hygienists work together with other dental professionals, with a higher number working at general practices withdentists, Dental therapists and oral health therapists. A smaller number work at specialist practices alongside orthodontistsand periodontists. They help with the contribution of an interdisciplinary approach, aiming to provide optimum oral health care to their patients. Dental hygienists also offer expertise in their field and can provide a dental hygiene diagnosis, which is an integral component of the comprehensive dental diagnosis.^[6]

Other areas that relate to dentistry that dental hygienists can be involved in are:

• Research: They can carry out clinical studies and trials alongside specialists in teaching institutions.

• Professional Education: They are able to provide education by teaching and training dental hygiene students and dental assistants. They can also choose to present research at a variety of different events and seminars within their industry.

• Community health: They provide assistance and group talks in community dental clinics, residential care, hospitals and nursing homes. For example: helping clients that suffer from medical and mental disorders.

• Australian Defence Force: They are able to provide dental services with the Army, Navy and Air.

• Marketing and Sales: They can promote dental products and services through dental companies as a dental company representative.

2014 Vocational Medical Careers LVN

A licensed vocational nurse, commonly abbreviated “LVN,” is a medical professional who provides basic patient care in settings like hospitals, doctor’s offices, and long-term care facilities. In some places, the term “licensed practical nurse” is more commonly used; “state enrolled nurse” is also a synonym, particularly in the United Kingdom. No matter what he or she is called, this person has an important role in the medical community and is a valued part of many healthcare teams. The specifics of these nurses' jobs are usually limited by local law in terms of how extensively they can be involved in direct services, but the work they do is often essential to making sure that each patient gets prompt and efficient care.

Personal Hygiene Care

• An LVN may assist or provide total personal hygiene care, such as bathing, dressing and/or oral care, to a person who is either incapable of doing this himself or needs help. This person may be ill or recuperating and not up to par yet. The patient needing care may be a patient with dementia or is either mentally or physically challenged.

Patient Teaching

• This type of nurse will assist the patient in learning about his condition. The LVN will show the patient how to better care for himself through proper nourishment, diabetic care and personal hygiene, including good oral care and/or learning when and how to take medications correctly on a daily basis.
  
  

  Wound Care

  • An LVN performs dressing changes on those who need it. The nurse will carry out the specified treatment as the physician has ordered it. The LVN will record a descriptive detail of the dressing change. This would include the discomfort level of the patient, what the wound looks like and any noted drainage.

  Medications

  • An LVN will administer medications to patients who are unable to physically or mentally take them by themselves. The medications are given as prescribed by the patient's physician.

  Transcribing Doctor's Orders

  • An LVN is working under the direction of the registered nurse (RN) and/or primary care physician. This nurse is able to take physician's orders either written or verbally and process them accordingly.

  Tender Loving Care

  • The LVN is the person who will reassure and comfort the patient when family or friends are not available. This type of nurse will perform hands-on care and offer a good listening ear to the patient. A gentle touch and a kind, sympathetic heart are necessary ingredients for LVNs to possess.

  Documentation

  • It is essential that an LVN record details of anything pertinent pertaining to a patient's care, either physically or mentally. Anything provided by the LVN should be documented. This includes the patient's eating habits, sleeping habits and any physical or mental abnormalities.

Top Medical Job of 2014 CNA

A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, helps patients or clients with healthcare needs under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Also known as a Nursing Assistant (NA) a Patient Care Assistant (PCA) or a State Tested Nurse Aid (STNA), the individual who carries this title needs strong work ethic and ability, but issues of liability and legality prevent CNAs from performing certain procedures.

Role of the CNA

Your regular responsibilities as a nursing assistant will vary based on where you work or live. Nursing assistants can work in a wide variety of settings; nursing homes, hospitals, adult day care centers, personal homes and assisted living facilities all require nursing assistants to act as a helpful liaison between the RN or LPN and the patient. In many cases, the nursing assistant serves as the RN’s or LPN’s eyes and ears, and relays information between many patients and one or two RNs.

The nursing assistant fulfills basic quality-of-life needs for patients of any age, ethnicity or gender in residential nursing care facilities or outpatient clinics. Since nursing assistants have daily contact with patients, they are gatherers of vital information about the patients’ conditions, which they must then transmit to their supervisors. A CNA’s workload can become intense and fast-paced, but the human contact and ability to help those in medical need is a strong motivating factor. A desire to help people and compassion for patients can help a nurse’s assistant get through difficult days.

CNAs and the Nursing Industry

Because so many nurse’s aides want to move up into more involved medical careers, there is a high rate of turnover for CNA positions. This means it is fairly easy to find a job as a CNA, but many who start out in this career do not stay in it for life. The demand for CNAs is high, especially among those institutions that provide continuing care and assisted living for the elderly. Many health care facilities recognize the important role that a qualified and compassionate CNA can play in their quality of care offered. Additionally, a CNA can find support through organizations such as theNational Association of Health Care Assistants.

Part of the reason there is such high turnover in CNA jobs is that CNAs can relatively easily get the necessary education to become RNs. Taking classes online while continuing to work is easier than ever, and there are many associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree programs that CNAs can use to get qualified for better paying work in the medical industry.