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Career Snapshots
Seminar
Highlights Health Care Careers
Programs
offer entry-level careers in one year or less
According to the Wisconsin
Department of Workforce Development, the health services industry is one
of the state's 30 fastest growing industries. A number of entry-level
careers in the health industry require one year or less of college. Madison
Area Technical College (MATC) is presenting a Career Snapshots seminar
that focuses on these careers on Tuesday, September 18 from 6-8 pm at
the MATC Truax campus, 3550 Anderson Street. This free seminar will focus
on the Dental Assistant, Optometric Technician and Surgical Technician
programs.
The health care industry is booming for a number of reasons, beginning
with the increased age of the general population. As the median age of
our nation increases, so does the demand for technicians to handle optometric,
dental and health needs.
At the seminar, MATC alumni will discuss their real life work experiences
in medical settings, including doctor's offices and hospitals. Hands-on
activities will provide visitors a chance to view the human eye magnified
10 to 25 times its normal size; mix a dental filling; participate in a
mock surgery; assist in handling surgical instruments; and learn more
about MATC's career counseling resources.
The demand for optometric technicians has been on the rise. In the last
year, MATC's Job Placement Office received more than 100 job placement
requests. The aging population and the large number of office employees
using computers on a daily basis has increased the demand for optometric
examinations and services. Optometric technicians are crucial members
of the vision care team. The clinical experience MATC students receive
in this program helps prepare them for the real life demands of the career.
The demand for dental assistants is at an all time high, and the need
for trained assistants is expected to increase. The dental assistants
duties include assisting with procedures chairside, office asepsis, taking,
processing and mounting dental x-rays, laboratory procedures, and receptionist
duties. Dental assistant students gain clinical experience in MATC clinical
facilities as well as at general specialty dental offices.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of surgical technologist
is slated to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through
the year 2008 as the volume of surgery increases. The number of surgical
procedures is expected to rise as the population grows and ages. Technological
advances such as fiber optics and laser technology also will permit surgical
procedures to be performed. Hospitals will continue to be the primary
employer of new surgical technologists, although much faster employment
growth is expected in offices and clinics of physicians, including ambulatory
surgical centers. MATC students participate in clinic practice as well
as extensive classroom and laboratory settings.
Career Snapshots is a series of seminars presented by MATC that allows
attendees to participate in an interactive program focusing on a particular
field. Whether changing careers or exploring different career options,
community members of all ages are encouraged to attend. Reservations are
not required but are requested and can be made by going to Career
Snapshots online and registering.
MATC is one of the largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System's
16 colleges and provides training in more than 100 career programs. It
awards associate degrees, vocational diplomas and certificates, and offers
non-degree courses.
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Last
Modified:
February 8, 2002
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