Certified Paraoptometric Assistant

Median Annual Income

$77,960

Projected Job Growth

+13 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.

Median Annual Income

$66,170

Projected Job Growth

+4 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary functions, lung capacity, and similar tests.

Median Annual Income

$84,470

Projected Job Growth

+15 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.

Median Annual Income

$73,410

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.

Median Annual Income

$60,610

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

Median Annual Income

$47,470

Projected Job Growth

+7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Median Annual Income

$47,470

Projected Job Growth

+7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Median Annual Income

$59,160

Projected Job Growth

+7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.

Median Annual Income

$42,000

Projected Job Growth

+15 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

Median Annual Income

$44,490

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Maintain a sterile field to provide support for physicians and nurses during endoscopy procedures. Prepare and maintain instruments and equipment. May obtain specimens.