Health Careers

There are many ways to be involved in health care beyond being a physician or nurse. Linfield has many graduates who have gone on to be successful practitioners in a variety of health care fields. Career opportunities in these fields are booming; almost all are projected to be growth industries for the next 10-20 years. Some preliminary information about a variety of health care career fields is listed below. For more information about health care career opportunities or to connect with alumni, visit Career Development in 010.

Dental Medicine
Medicine
Occupational Therapy
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Physician Assistant
Veterinary Medicine

Questions? Please stop by Academic Advising in Melrose 010.

Dental Medicine

Dentistry is the branch of health care science that is devoted to maintaining the health of the teeth, gums, and other soft tissues of the mouth. Dentists are scientists and clinicians that promote health through the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases and conditions. Individuals involved in the dental profession include those who provide patient care as well as those that conduct research, teach, and work in public and international health.

Many dentists are self-employed and own/operate their own practices. Some dentists practice as salaried employees for corporations that provide dental care or in health care organizations (HMOs). Others participate in dental education and dental research, working to improve health care nationally and internationally.

A brief list of clinical fields in dentistry:

General Dentistry - General dentists provide oral diagnostic, preventative, surgical care to restore damages or missing teeth, and treat diseases of the bone and soft tissues in the mouth. There are 58 dental schools in the United States that train students to become general dentists. Post doctoral education is not required to practice as a general dentist.
Dental Public Health - Individuals in dental public health are involved in developing policies and programs that affect the larger community. Advanced dental education is required.
Endodontics - Endodontists diagnose and treat diseases and injuries to the dental nerves and pulp and tissues that affect the vitality of teeth. Advanced dental education is required.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Specialist surgeons who treat the anatomical area of the mouth, jaws, face, and skull.
Orthodontics - Orthodontists treat malocclusion with the use of orthodontic wires or braces to realign the teeth and fix the occlusion.

For more information on the field of dentistry:
American Dental Education Association

Students considering a career in dentistry must complete a significant amount of prerequisite coursework and sit for the Dental Admission Testing Examination (DAT exam). Prerequisite coursework differs throughout the 58 accredited dental schools within the United States. Please review detailed information for each school prior to applying to ensure you have completed the appropriate courses.

Prerequisite coursework often includes the following:

BIOL 210-211: Principles of Biology
CHEM 210-211: General Chemistry
CHEM 321-322: Organic Chemistry
PHYS 210: Introduction to Mechanics
MATH 170-175: Calculus
BIOL 212-213: Human Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL 441: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Learn more about registering, preparing, and sitting for the DAT exam. To apply to dental school, all applicants must use the Dental School Application system: AADSAS

For advising regarding dental school prerequisites, preparation, application, and interview processes please contact Pre-Dentistry advisor Dr. John Syring at 503-883-2466 or jsyring@linfield.edu.

Medicine

Allopathic or Osteopathic Physician?

Physicians examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel their patients about illness, preventative health care, injuries, and disease. In the United States, physicians are licensed to diagnose, treat, prescribe, and perform surgery in all 50 states.

Physicians have one of two degrees - a M.D. or a D.O. Physicians who are trained in allopathic medical schools are awarded a M.D. degree. Physicians who are trained in osteopathic medical schools are awarded a D.O. degree. Physicians with either degree work in such specialties as surgery, general medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, emergency care and anesthesiology.

So what is the difference between the two?

In addition to using all of the tools and technology available to modern medicine, osteopaths believe in a holistic philosophy of healing and practice osteopathic manipulative medicine - a system of hands-on diagnosis and treatment which focuses on the musculoskeletal system. More than half of D.O.s practice in general medicine and family practice, though they are also located in any of the primary medical specialties as well.

Application process

Application to medical school is a very competitive process. Acceptance is based on, but not limited to, grade point average, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, letters of recommendation, and personal drive for a career in medicine. Only very qualified applicants are accepted and matriculate into medical school.

Application system: AMCAS for M.D.

AACOMAS for D.O.

Prerequisite coursework

Prerequisite coursework differs throughout the accredited medical schools within the United States. Please review detailed information for each school prior to applying to ensure you have completed the appropriate courses.

Prerequisite coursework often includes the following:
BIOL 210-211: Principles of Biology
CHEM 210-211: General Chemistry
CHEM 321-322: Organic Chemistry
PHYS 210-211: Introduction to Mechanics
MATH 170-175: Calculus
BIOL 400: Molecular Cell Biology

4 semesters of social science

For advising regarding medical school prerequisites, preparation, application, and interview processes please contact Dr. Tim Sullivan at 503-883-2782, tsulliva@linfield.edu, or stop by Murdock 228B.

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Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists (OTs) are trained health care practitioners who help patients reach physical independence in all aspects of their every day lives. Those skills could include anything - from using a computer, to walking up stairs, to everyday personal activities (showering, dressing, etc.), depending on the patient and their abilities. Occupational treatments usually include customized treatments to help patients with daily activities, comprehensive home and job site evaluation and recommendations, performance assessment, and adaptive equipment training and usage.

Occupational Therapists work in hospitals, private clinics, and community settings (schools, work place, and social services organizations). Many practice as private practitioners, setting their own hours and work schedule.

To become a licensed Occupational Therapist, students must complete an accredited post-baccalaureate entry level master's (MOT) or doctoral (DOT) degree. Both degrees are currently route of entry to the profession. These programs may require from 2 to 4 years to complete.

More information on the field of Occupational Therapy
American Occupational Therapy Association

Students considering a career in occupational therapy must complete specified prerequisite coursework, obtain internships or similar experiences shadowing licensed OT, and take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Prerequisites for entry into an accredited OT program may vary across universities. Please review detailed information for each school prior to applying to ensure you have completed appropriate prerequisites.

Prerequisite coursework often includes the following:

BIOL 210, CHEM 210, PHYS 210: Principles of Biology, General Chemistry, or Intro to Mechanics depending on the program
BIOL 212-213: Human Anatomy and Physiology with labs
MATH 140: Introduction to Statistics
PSYC 101: Survey of Psychology
PSYC 155: Life Span Developmental Psychology
PSYC 381: Abnormal Psychology
SOCL 101 or ANTH 111: Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology
Other courses as specified by program

Prepare in advance with information on registering, preparing and sitting for the GRE.

To apply to occupational therapy programs, all applicants may use the common application to apply to OT Programs. See individual programs for more details about applying as some allow individual applications to schools. For a list of accredited masters level programs in OT. For a list of accredited doctoral level programs in OT.

For advising regarding occupational therapy prerequisites, preparation, application, and interview processes please contact Dr. Lee Bakner at 503-883-2578 or lbakner@linfield.edu.

Pharmacy

Pharmacists are licensed professionals that provide information about medications to patients and health care providers. They are medication experts, protecting public health through the safe distribution of medicine for health care prevention and disease treatment. They are responsible for monitoring patient health to maximize their response to medications.

Pharmacists work directly with patients in a variety of settings. 60% of pharmacists work in independent or retail community pharmacies counseling patients on the use of prescription and over the counter pharmaceuticals. Pharmacists also work in hospitals, nursing homes, private companies, health care organizations, and colleges or universities.

To be a licensed pharmacist, students must complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, which takes about 4 years to complete. Some pharmacy programs accept students after 2-3 years of college-level prerequisite coursework but many students complete an undergraduate degree prior to enrolling. Pharmacy training covers pharmaceutical treatment of patients, developing and managing pharmaceutical distribution systems, pharmacy management, promoting public health, providing drug information and education, pharmacology, and pharmaceutical chemistry.

For more information on the field of Pharmacy:
The Association of American Colleges of Pharmacy

Students considering a career in pharmacy must complete a significant amount of prerequisite coursework and sit for the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Prerequisite coursework differs throughout the accredited pharmacy schools within the United States. Please review detailed information for each school prior to applying to ensure you have completed the appropriate courses.

Learn more about registering, preparing, and sitting for the PCAT exam.
To apply to pharmacy school, all applicants must use the Pharmacy College Application system: PharmCAS

For advising regarding pharmacy school prerequisites, preparation, application, and interview processes please contact Dr. Chad Tillberg at 503-883-2221, ctillbe@linfield.edu, or stop by Murdock 230.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapists are health care practitioners who use physical methods to assess, diagnose, and treat injuries, disabilities, or diseases that affect human movement. These modalities can include manual manipulation, traction, exercise, massage, and hot/cold therapies. PTs work closely with patients to restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Patients could include accident victims, athletes, and individuals with low back pain, bone fractures, head injuries, arthritis and individuals recovering from surgical operations.

Many physical therapists practice in clinics, hospitals and private clinics. These spaces are usually specially equipped with machines and spaces for therapy practice. The practice of a physical therapist can be very physically challenging because therapy often requires that PTs kneel, stoop, crouch, lift, and stand for long periods of time. Physical therapists often lift and move heavy objects during their daily practice.

To become a licensed physical therapist, students must complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree at an accredited physical therapy school.

For more information on the field of Physical Therapy:
American Physical Therapy Association

Students considering a career in physical therapy must complete a significant amount of prerequisite coursework and sit for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Prerequisite coursework differs throughout the accredited physical therapy schools within the United States. Please review detailed information for each school prior to applying to ensure you have completed the appropriate courses.

Prerequisite coursework often includes the following:

BIOL 210-211: Principles of Biology
CHEM 210-211: General Chemistry
PHYS 210: Introduction to Mechanics
MATH 170-175: Calculus
MATH 140: Introduction to Statistics
BIOL 212-213: Human Anatomy and Physiology
PSYC 101: Survey of Psychology

Prepare in advance with information on registering, preparing and sitting for the GRE.

To apply to physical therapy programs, most applicants will use the Physical Therapy Centralized Application System: PTCAS.

For advising regarding physical therapy prerequisites, preparation, application, and interview processes please contact Greg Hill at 503-883-2386 or ghill@linfield.edu.

Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants (PAs) are trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative health care measures under the direction of a physician. As an important member of the health care team, PAs take medical histories, treat patients, order and interpret labs and x-rays, and prescribe medications. PAs work under the direction of a physician, but practice very independently. PAs work in almost all health care settings with physicians including family practice, surgical, emergency medicine, etc.

To become a licensed Physician Assistant, students must complete a degree from an accredited, formal education program. There are approximately 140 accredited PA programs in the United States, approximately 50% of these programs offer master degrees, while others offer certificate, bachelor and associate level PA degrees.

More information about Physician Assistant Studies can be found at:
American Academy of Physician Assistants

Students considering a career in physician assistant studies must complete a significant amount of prerequisite coursework and may also need to sit for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Prerequisite coursework differs throughout the accredited physician assistant schools within the United States. Please review detailed information for each school prior to applying to ensure you have completed the appropriate courses.

Prerequisite coursework often includes the following:

BIOL 210-211: Principles of Biology
CHEM 210-211: General Chemistry
CHEM 321: Organic Chemistry
MATH 140: Introduction to Statistics
BIOL 212-213: Human Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL 274 or BIOL 361: Introduction to Microbiology or General Microbiology
PSYC 101 or SOCL 101: Survey of Psychology or Fundamentals of Sociology

Prepare in advance with information on registering, preparing and sitting for the GRE.
To apply to physician assistant programs, all applicants must use the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants: CASPA.

For advising regarding physician assistant prerequisites, preparation, application, and interview processes please contact Dr. Sarah Coste at 503-883-2481, scoste@linfield.edu, or stop by Cook 116.

Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarians are best known for the healing and care of sick and injured animals and play a major role in the health care of pets, livestock, zoo, and laboratory animals. Some veterinarians, however, also study the common links between the diseases that humans and animals share. Examples of these connections include SARS, mad cow disease, West Nile Virus, and avian flu. Many veterinarians own their own private practice focusing a specialty population of patients, like livestock or companion pets. Veterinarians tend to work very lengthy hours, with a majority of licensed professionals completing 50+ hour work weeks on a regular basis.

To be a licensed veterinarian, students must graduate from an accredited college of veterinary medicine with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM). Applicants to veterinary programs are not required to have graduated with a bachelor's degree, but more than 85% of all applicants have completed their undergraduate degrees.

For more information on veterinary medicine:
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges

Students considering a career in veterinary medicine must complete a significant amount of prerequisite coursework and sit for an entrance examination. Depending on the veterinary college, students may be required to complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Prerequisite coursework differs throughout the 24 accredited dental schools within the United States. Please review detailed information for each school prior to applying to ensure you have completed the appropriate courses.

Prerequisite coursework often includes the following:

BIOL 210-211: Principles of Biology
BIOL 270: Genetics
BIOL 441: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
CHEM 210-211: General Chemistry
CHEM 321-322: Organic Chemistry
PHYS 210: Introduction to Mechanics
MATH 140: Intro to Statistics
MATH 170-175: Calculus

Register for the MCAT. Learn more information about the GRE.
To apply to veterinary school, all applicants must use the Veterinary Medicine Centralized Application system: VMCAS

For advising regarding veterinary school prerequisites, preparation, application, and interview processes please stop by Academic Advising in Melrose 010.