Diagnostic Medicine Careers Lesson Plan for 11th Grade Students

Topic: Diagnostic Medicine

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will understand the different careers in the Diagnostic Medicine field including salaries, schools, certifications, etc.

Materials

• Handout with information on different careers in the Diagnostic Medicine field including salaries, schools, certifications, etc.
• Colored pencils/pens

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have ever seen a doctor for a physical or for any other reason.
• Ask them what questions the doctor asked them and what tests were performed.
• Ask them if they know what a doctor specializing in Diagnostic Medicine does and what their job responsibilities are.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the topic of Diagnostic Medicine careers and describe the various types of Diagnostic Medicine professionals, including:
• Physicians: Doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries.
• Pathologists: Doctors who analyze and interpret the results of diagnostic tests and tissue samples to help diagnose disease.
• Nurse practitioners: Registered nurses who have additional training and are qualified to provide primary health care, including diagnosing and treating diseases.
• Pharmacists: Professionals who dispense and manage medications and advise patients on their use.
• Explain that Diagnostic Medicine professionals must complete a minimum of four years of college and graduate school and then must pass a state licensing exam to be able to practice.
• Discuss the various types of schools and programs available to prepare students for careers in Diagnostic Medicine, including:
• Four-year colleges and universities: Offer bachelor's degrees in the various disciplines related to Diagnostic Medicine.
• Graduate schools: Offer master's and doctoral degrees in various disciplines related to Diagnostic Medicine.
• Discuss the various certification and licensing requirements for Diagnostic Medicine professionals, including:
• Physicians: Must be licensed by the state in which they practice and may be certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
• Pathologists: Must be certified by the American Board of Pathology.
• Nurse practitioners: Must be licensed by the state in which they practice and may be certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
• Pharmacists: Must be licensed by the state in which they practice and may be certified by the American Board of Pharmacy.

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a handout listing the various Diagnostic Medicine careers and related fields.
• Have each group discuss and identify the types of professionals they think would be most interested in each career.
• Have each group share their findings with the class.
• Have the class discuss the various certification and licensing requirements for each career.
• Have the class discuss the requirements for becoming a Diagnostic Medicine professional, including:
• A minimum of four years of college and graduate school.
• Passing a state licensing exam.
• Having the necessary certification or licensure.

Independent Practice

• Have students research a specific Diagnostic Medicine career that interests them.
• Have students create a presentation (e.g. poster, brochure, slide show) that includes:
• Information about the specific career.
• Salaries, average entry-level requirements, and potential for advancement.
• Requirements for certification or licensure.
• Schools or training programs that students can pursue.
• Have students present their findings to the class.

Closure

• Review the different Diagnostic Medicine careers that were presented by students.
• Ask students to reflect on which careers they found most interesting and why.
• Remind students of the variety of salaries, entry-level requirements, and training programs available.

Assessment

• Observe students during the guided and independent practice activities to assess their understanding of the material.
• Collect and review the worksheets and presentations created by students for accuracy and understanding.
• Administer a short quiz or test at the end of the lesson to assess student retention of the material.