NS Career 3 Neurosurgeon

Neurosurgeon

What is a neurosurgeon?

1. A neurosurgeon is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system including congenital anomalies, trauma, tumors, vascular disorders, infections of the brain or spine, stroke, or degenerative diseases of the spine.

What tools do they use?

Scalpels 
Clamps 
Drill 
Brain tongs 
Skull lifters 

What do you need to do to become a neurosurgeon?

To become a neurosurgeon, one must first complete the basic requirements of becoming a physician: a bachelor's degree, preferably in pre-med or other related biological, physical or chemical science, plus four years of graduate school in an accredited medical school to obtain an M.D. or D.O. Degree. After completing medical school and successfully obtaining a medical degree, med school graduates must then gain acceptance into a neurosurgery residency training program. According the AMA's department of Graduate Medical Education, there are 99 accredited Neurosurgery residency training programs nationwide. The average length is seven years, with a few programs at six years and many requiring eight years of training. Due to the length of the training program, most programs only accept 1-3 residents each year. As you can see, if you are interested in becoming a physician specializing in neurological surgery, you have a long road ahead. Neurosurgery often attracts some of the best and the brightest of the medical field, due to the extremely challenging and dynamic nature of the field. Neurosurgeons most commonly operate on patients who are victims of trauma to the head, in addition to treating patients with cancerous or benign brain tumors that need to be surgically removed. However, there are a variety of other issues that are treated by neurosurgeons. New advancements and techniques are being developed to help neurosurgeons treat a number of neurological issues that can be traced to physiological abnormalities that can be repaired via surgery.

A daily routine for neurosurgeons 

Daily Tasks

The day of a neurosurgeon starts early, frequently between 5:30 and 7 am. The neurosurgeon's primary daily responsibility is to perform surgery to resolve problems with the nervous system, but there are a number of other tasks that must also be done. These include assessing and diagnosing patients as they come in to the hospital, an unpredictable task because emergency patients cannot be scheduled ahead of time. The neurosurgeon must also meet with the families of patients in surgery and update them on the situation with their family members, as well as keeping records, writing prescriptions and filling out paperwork.

Emergency Surgeries

The neurosurgeon's day might begin with a scheduled surgery to remove a brain tumor or repair some nerve damage, with other elective procedures scheduled for later in the day. However, the elective surgeries can suddenly be preempted by an unscheduled emergency surgery for a patient with an aneurysm or a stroke. The schedule of a neurosurgeon changes constantly to accommodate emergencies, and neurosurgeons are frequently called upon for consultations with other departments in the hospital.

Salary Range

Experience makes a big difference in neurosurgeons' salaries. A survey conducted in 2011 by Profiles found a median starting salary of $395,000 for neurological surgeons. After six years in practice, the average salary grew to $589,500.

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NS Career 2 Neurologist

Neurologist

What are neurologist?

A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating diseases that affect the human nervous system. It is a very prestigious and difficult medical specialty due to the complexity of the nervous system, which consists of the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves. Since the brain is the central command of the human body, the diseases affecting it have a significant negative impact on health and normal functioning. A neurologist is a doctor who is highly trained in recognizing the early symptoms of nervous dysfunction, establishing its cause, the exact location of the problem and its potential treatment. Neurologists are usually people who possess a detail-oriented way of reasoning and are very skilled at identifying the minor signs of neurological disorders. Unlike neurosurgeons, neurologists do not perform surgeries, but attempt to treat neurologic disease through medication, rehabilitation and physical therapy. However, neurosurgeons always consult neurologists before making any major surgical intervention on the brain, because neurologists usually have a deep understanding regarding the relationship between anatomical structure and brain function, which is very important for a full recovery.

What tools do they use?

Neurologists use specialised equipment including computerised axial tomography (CAT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electronencephalography (EEG). Others tools include molecular biology, electrophysiology and neuroimaging.

What is a typical day for a neurologist?

Neurologists work in hospitals, private practice or a combination of both. Some neurologists work 60+ hours a week which can include shift, weekend and on-call responsibilities.A typical day involves seeing patients and time spent doing paperwork. 

What is the salary range for this occupation?

earned a mean income of $217,000

How do you become a neurologists?

Becoming a neurologist involves many years of intense schooling. Those wanting to become a neurologist must first complete a bachelor's degree. Although there is no mandatory undergraduate degree needed to be accepted to medical school, it is always beneficial to major in a scientific field where one can satisfy the biology, chemistry, and physics prerequisites. Students can also choose to major in pre med which will offer them a degree that encompasses all necessary classes required to apply to medical school. It is highly competitive to gain acceptance into medical school, so it is imperative that prospective neurologists maintain a high grade point average during their undergraduate career, obtain excellent letters of recommendation, gain medical work experience, and receive an above average score on the MCAT which is the test prospective medical students need to take before applying to school.During medical school, students can expect to spend the first few years taking courses in such subjects as pharmacology, anatomy, and physiology. The last two years of medical school involve clinical rotations where students work in medical facilities under a licensed physician. There are mandatory rotations that a student must complete in different areas such as pediatrics and geriatrics.After graduating from medical school, those who would like to go into the field of neurology must then complete a one year internship gaining experience in many different areas of medicine. After the internship is finished, prospective neurologists go on to complete a three year residency where they will learn more about neurology, working with patients under the supervision of a licensed neurologist.It typically takes about 12 years to become a neurologist. 4 years are spent as an undergraduate working toward a bachelor's degree, and then another 4 years are spent in medical school. After medical school, graduates will then undertake a one year internship, followed by a 3 year residency program.The process to become a neurologist is lengthy. First, one must complete a bachelor's degree. Before graduating with their bachelor's degree, students will need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and apply to medical school. Medical school must then be completed, followed by an internship, and then a residency program. After all of these educational requirements have been met, prospective neurologists can take their state boards to become licensed and begin practicing as a neurologist.

NS Career 1 Cognitive Neuroscientist

Cognitive Neuroscientist

What is a cognitive neuroscientist?

Cognitive neuroscience is a relatively new field, and the coining of this term actually has a very short, yet interesting, history. In the 1970's, a small group of scientists and psychologists planned a dinner. Besides good food and banter, these dinner plans also included discussing how the brain enables the mind. Two attendants made a fateful decision to share a taxi to get to the dinner. It just so happens that these two gentlemen, Michael Gazzaniga and George Miller, were a neuroscientist and a cognitive psychologist. Cognitive neuroscience is an academic field concerned with the scientific study of biological substrates underlying cognition, with a specific focus on the neural substrates of mental processes. It addresses the questions of how psychological/cognitive functions are produced by neural circuits in the brain.

1. What tools do they use?

Absolutely critical to being able to understand brain function in children have been neuroimaging techniques, first EEG & ERPs, then fMRI, and more recently NIRS, MEG, & TMS that look at function and MRI, DTI, & MRS that look at structure, connectivity, and metabolism. Before functional neuroimaging techniques scientists were constrained to trying to understand function from dysfunction (i.e., trying to understand how the brain works from seeing what deficits occur when the brain is damaged or impaired). It is difficult to understate how important technological advances have been to the emerging field of developmental cognitive neuroscience.

What do you need to do to become an cognitive neuroscientist?

Because cognitive neuroscience is a vast mixture of several different disciplines, individuals interested in becoming cognitive neuroscientists may pursue a few different educational paths. A four year bachelor's degree is often the starting point for a cognitive neuroscientist. In fact, some cognitive neuroscientists may even have more than one bachelor's degree to start with.Psychology, neurology, neuropsychology, or psychiatry degrees are all good places to start. Pursuing a cognitive neuroscience career also usually requires advanced degrees as well. For instance, most will go on to earn their master's degrees and doctoral degrees. Besides a number of biology and psychology courses, future cognitive neuroscientists will also usually take several courses in mathematics and research methods.

What Does a Cognitive Neuroscientist Do?

A cognitive neuroscientist is primarily a researcher, on a quest to find out how our brains contribute to our cognitive function. These professionals might conduct research a few different ways.With today's technological boom, scientists and researchers are using computers more and more. A cognitive researcher is no exception. He might use computer simulations, for example, to test theories and hypotheses. A cognitive neuroscientist career might also involve monitoring a patient's brain activity with special equipment. A cognitive neuroscientist might also study and test samples of brain tissue, in order to better understand the mysteries of the human mind.

Where Do Cognitive Neuroscientists Work?

When first starting their careers, cognitive neuroscientists will first usually complete a fellowship, which are very similar to internships. During a fellowship, a cognitive neuroscientist will work alongside experienced professionals in the field. Most cognitive neuroscience fellowships last a couple years. After completing their fellowships, cognitive neuroscientists are then able to look for permanent employment in a number of different facilities.

What type of salary do they earn?

The type of facility that a cognitive neuroscientist works in will also have an impact on how much he makes. For example, the median annual salary for biological scientists in 2010 was $71,310. Those that worked at educational institutes made less than that, however, with a median salary of $59,200. The same type of scientists working for pharmaceutical companies, on the other hand, made slightly more, with the median salary being $74,670.

What are some of the top schools for this career?

Stanford University 

Harvard University 

UCSD

Carneige Mellon University

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Respiratory Disease Asthma

Asthma 

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.

What the symptoms?

• Coughing, especially at night
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness, pain, or pressure

What are the different types of Asthma?

Allergies and Asthma

Allergies and asthma often go hand-in-hand. Allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever) is inflammation of the inside lining of the nose and is the single most common chronic allergic disease. In those with allergic rhinitis, increased sensitivity (allergy) to a substance causes your body’s immune cells to release histamines in response to contact with the allergens. Histamines, along with other chemicals, lead to allergy symptoms. The most common allergens enter the body through the airway.

Exercise-Induced Asthma

With exercise-induced asthma, airway narrowing peaks five to 20 minutes after exercise begins, making it difficult to catch your breath. You may have symptoms of an asthma attack with wheezing and coughing. Your doctor can tell you if you need use an asthma inhaler (bronchodilator) before exercise to prevent these uncomfortable asthma symptoms.

When you should you get tested for asthma?

• Your symptoms do not get better after you have followed your asthma action plan.
• You have new or worse trouble breathing.
• Your coughing and wheezing get worse.
• You cough up dark brown or bloody mucus (sputum).
• You have a new or higher fever.

Why does Asthma happen?

Some people have the disease and others don't is not known. People with asthma have airways that are more sensitive than normal.

Respiratory Career Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory Therapists 

What is a Respiratory Therapists?

The respiratory therapist treats people with health care issues affecting the cardiopulmonary system such as asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, cardiovascular disorders, and trauma.In the hospital setting, the respiratory therapist provides care and life support to patients in the emergency room, intensive care units, general hospital areas, the pulmonary diagnostics laboratory and other specialty areas such as rehabilitation. They use high-tech equipment and the latest medical procedures to help patients and may be employed in non-hospital environments as well.Patients receiving care from a respiratory therapist range in age from the premature infant to geriatrics. The respiratory professional is also involved in the diagnostic testing of infants, children and adults with underlying medical concerns including disease and sleep disorders.

What are the tools they use?

Ventilator

• Individuals in a coma and others with serious injury or illness are unable to breathe on their own. Instead a respiratory therapist connects them to a ventilator which breathes for the patient by pumping in and releasing oxygen from their lungs. Ventilators are usually computerized, which allow respiratory therapists to set the amount of pressure and type of air a patient requires for their specific needs.

Spirometer

• To measure a person's lung capacity a respiratory therapist uses a spirometer. The patient takes a breath and blows into the spirometer tube until they have exhaled all the air from their lungs. The machine records the amount of air released from the lungs as well as its intensity. This data is then compared by a respiratory therapist against the baseline for a person of the same age, sex and height. A major difference between the patient's blowing ability and the baseline can indicate diseases or injury in a person's lungs.

Blood Gas Analyzer

• The amount of oxygen in a patient's blood is generally 95 to 100 percent at sea-level elevations. Respiratory therapists can draw blood from a patient and use a blood gas analyzer to determine if a patient has the correct percentage of oxygen in their blood. Below 90 percent is considered low and is referred to as hypoxemia.

What do you need to do become a respiratory therapists?

Step 1: Earn an Associate's Degree

Many community and technical colleges offer associate's degree programs in respiratory therapy. Students may need to complete introductory college-level coursework in English, math, chemistry, anatomy and physiology before beginning a respiratory therapy program. Some programs also require that applicants demonstrate a commitment to the profession by showing documented volunteer or work experience hours in a respiratory healthcare setting.

Students should choose a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) to ensure that all requirements for licensure and certification are met. Coursework in an associate's degree program introduces students to theories and science of respiratory therapy and teaches clinical techniques for use with adults, children and infants. Students complete clinical rotations in various specialty areas to learn how to properly put their skills to work in real-life situations.

Step 2: Complete the Examination to Become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)

The National Board for Respiratory Care administers the computer-based CRT test daily through testing centers located across the country. The organization offers a free online practice test to acquaint candidates with the format of the certification exam.

Step 3: Obtain a State License

Every state except Alaska regulates licensure for respiratory therapists. Many states require that professionals pass the NBRC exam and be certified as CRTs to qualify for state licensure. Some states require a higher level of certification, such as Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Step 4: Consider Obtaining Additional Certification

Many employers prefer or require respiratory therapists to have additional life support certifications. Respiratory therapists who want to work with children or infants should consider getting Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification and completing a Neonatal Resuscitation Program. All respiratory therapists should also consider earning Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications.

Salary Range

The annual salary for someone with the job title Registered Respiratory Therapist may vary depending on a number of factors including industry, company size, location, years of experience and level of education. Our team of Certified Compensation Professionals has analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to present this range of annual salaries for people with the job title Registered Respiratory Therapist in the United States.

Cardiac/Blood/Resp Disease Pulmonary Disease

Pulmonary Disease

What is pulmonary disease?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), and chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), among others, is a type of obstructive lung disease characterized by chronically poor airflow. It typically worsens over time. The main symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production.^[1] Most people with chronic bronchitis have COPD.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of pulmonary vascular disease vary according to several factors:

• The suddenness of the process affecting the pulmonary blood vessels
• Which pulmonary blood vessels are affected (where the pulmonary vascular disease is)
• How much of the pulmonary vascular system is affected

 Large pulmonary embolism blocking a large pulmonary artery can cause severe shortness of breath and chest pain. But a very small pulmonary embolism (blocking only a small blood vessel) may cause no noticeable symptoms.

Although symptoms of pulmonary vascular disease can vary widely, each of the causes of pulmonary vascular disease has a set of usual symptoms:

Pulmonary arterial hypertension: This most often causes slowly progressive shortness of breath. As the condition worsens, chest pain or fainting (syncope) with exertion can occur.

Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot to the lungs typically occurs suddenly. Shortness of breath, chest pain (often worse with deep breaths), and a rapid heart rate are common symptoms. Pulmonary embolism symptoms range from barely noticeable to severe, based on the size of the blood clot(s).

Pulmonary venous hypertension: This form of pulmonary vascular disease also causes shortness of breath, due to the congestive heart failure that's usually present. Shortness of breath may be worse while lying flat, when blood pressure is uncontrolled, or when extra fluid is present (edema).

Causes of pulmonary disease

Pulmonary vascular disease is divided into several categories:

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Increased blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries (carrying blood away from the heart to the lungs). Pulmonary arterial hypertension can be caused by lung disease,autoimmune disease, or heart failure. When there is no apparent cause, it's called idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pulmonary Venous Hypertension: Increased blood pressure in the pulmonary veins (carrying blood away from the lungs, to the heart). Pulmonary venous hypertension is most often caused by congestive heart failure. A damaged mitral valve in the heart (mitral stenosis ormitral regurgitation) may contribute to pulmonary venous hypertension.

Pulmonary Embolism: A blood clot breaks off from a deep vein (usually in the leg), travels into the right heart, and is pumped into the lungs. Rarely, the embolism can be a large bubble of air, or ball of fat, rather than a blood clot.

Chronic Thromboembolic Disease: In rare cases, a blood clot to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) is never reabsorbed by the body. Instead, a reaction occurs in which multiple small blood vessels in the lungs also become diseased. The process occurs slowly, and gradually affects a large part of the pulmonary arterial system.

When should you get tested for the disease?

The diagnosis of pulmonary vascular disease is usually made using one or more of the following tests:

Computed tomography (CT scan): A CT scanner takes multiple X-rays, and a computer constructs detailed images of the lungs and chest. CT scanning can usually detect a pulmonary embolism in a pulmonary artery. CT scans can also uncover problems affecting the lungs themselves.

Ventilation/perfusion scan (V/Q scan): This nuclear medicine test takes images of how well the lungs fill with air. Those images are compared to pictures of how well blood flows through the pulmonary blood vessels. Unmatched areas may suggest a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) is present.