Explore nine different health care careers across medical, therapy, and diagnostic professions. Research education requirements, interview professionals to earn this merit badge.
Requirements
1. Physicians and Specialists
Diagnosing, Hearing, and Whole-Person Care
Choose 3Select three of the professions from Group 1 listed below which interest you, then complete the following:
Group 1:
- Allopathic physician (MD)—all specialties
- Osteopathic physician (DO)—all specialties
- Podiatrist (DPM)
- Chiropractor (DC)
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Psychologist (PhD or PsyD)
- Optometrist (OD)
- Audiologist (AudD)
2. Nursing, Pharmacy, and Emergency Care
Bedside Care and Fast Decisions
Choose 3Select three of the professions from Group 2 listed below which interest you, then complete the following:
Group 2:
- Physician Assistant (PA)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN)
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Pharmacist (PharmD)
- Pharmacy Technician
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Paramedic
3. Rehabilitation and Daily Living
Recovery, Communication, and Movement
Choose 3Select three of the professions from Group 3 listed below which interest you, then complete the following:
Group 3:
- Physical Therapist (DPT)
- Occupational Therapist (OT)
- Orthotist/Prosthetist
- Medical Appliance Technician
- Respiratory Therapist (RT)
- Medical Assistant
- Dietitian (RD)
- Speech-Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist) (SLP)
4. Labs, Imaging, and Medical Technology
Testing, Imaging, and Behind-the-Scenes Care
Choose 3Select three of the professions from Group 4 listed below which interest you, then complete the following:
Group 4:
- Biomedical Engineer (BME)
- Medical Technologist
- Phlebotomist
- Radiology Technologist
- Sonographer
- Medical Records Specialist
- Cytopathologist
- Histotechnologist
5. Career Exploration
Making the Most of a Workplace Visit
Choose 1Select one career from any of the lists in Requirements 1, 2, 3, or 4 and arrange to visit that professional at their workplace. Discuss with your counselor the following:6. Medical Ethics
The Physician's Oath
Discuss with your counselor your understanding of the meaning of the Physician’s Oath.7. Privacy and Trust
Confidentiality and HIPAA
Describe the role of confidentiality between a patient and the health care provider. What is HIPAA?8. Medical Innovation
Recent Medical Breakthroughs
Identify a medical advancement or discovery that has been in the news recently. Discuss with your counselor how this can affect patient care.9. Service in the Community
Volunteer in Health Care
With your parent or guardian’s and counselor’s approval, serve as a volunteer at a health-related event or facility in your community (e.g. blood drive, health fair, blood pressure screening event). Report to your counselor what you did and learned from the experience.