Wonderlic Health Care Career Test Prep

Many people find careers in healthcare to be extremely rewarding. Luckily, there are various options available to those interested in healthcare. Many careers in healthcare require some sort of certification, degree, or diploma from an academic institution, many of which demand some version of the Wonderlic Test as part of the entry requirements. Below is a list of various healthcare career options:

• Pharmacy Technician
• Medical Assistant
• Nursing (LPN & CNA)
• Dental Hygienist
• Massage Therapist
• Respiratory Therapist
• Ultrasound Technician
• Radiation Therapist
• Physical Therapist Assistant
• Medical Billing
• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Fitness Trainer
• Surgical Technician
• Interested in One of These Careers? 

Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy technician (may be known as a pharmacy tech, pharm tech, pharmaceutical technician, pharmacist technician, etc.) is supervised by a licensed pharmacist and works in settings such as pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, etc. Pharmacy technician duties include distributing prescription medications and instructing patients on how to properly use various medications. The tasks of a pharmacy technician may also include administrative work in a pharmacy, such as going over prescriptions from doctors’ offices as well as insurance companies to make sure that patients receive the correct medications and that prescriptions are covered by the insurance. Pharmacy technician training and certification is required in order to work in such a position. For admission to pharmacy technician schools, those interested will most likely need to take the Wonderlic Test.

Medical Assistant

A medical assistant may perform both administrative and clinical tasks to assist medical doctors as well as other healthcare professionals. Medical assisting includes everyday clinical duties, such as assessing vital signs, administering medications and injections, recording patient information, preparing and handling medical instruments and supplies, and collecting and preparing specimens for lab testing. To become a certified medical assistant (CMA), one needs to undergo CMA training. In order to be admitted to medical assistant schools, prospective students often need to take the Wonderlic Test.

Nursing (LPN & CNA)

Nurses differ from other healthcare providers by their training, scope of practice, and approach to patient care. There are several different fields in which nurses may specialize as well as different levels of training. The following are types of vocational nurses:

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - An LPN (also known as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, or LVN, in some states) provides care for patients under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. An LPN is a step below a registered nurse (which requires, at minimum, a two-year associate’s degree). LPN training generally takes one year. LPN programs often require prospective students to take the Wonderlic Test for admission purposes 
  
  
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - A CNA usually works in a hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation center. They aid patients who cannot take care of themselves — such as elderly, chronically ill, or rehabilitation patients — with everyday tasks. A nursing assistant must undergo CNA training in order to work in such a position. Those interested in CNA programs will most likely be required to take the Wonderlic Test in order to be admitted.

Dental Hygienist

A registered dental hygienist, or RDH, provides preventive oral health care. Dental hygienists usually focus on oral hygiene techniques. Additionally, a dental hygienist provides therapeutic treatments for oral diseases and preserves healthy oral tissues. The scope of practice of dental hygienists may vary from place to place. In most places, an RDH works for a dentist.

Hygienists generally perform dental cleanings, complete deep cleanings for patients with a periodontal disease, take prescribed radiographs, perform dental sealants, administer fluoride, and instruct patients on oral hygiene.

Students in dental hygienist programs may obtain an associate’s degree, certificate, bachelor’s degree, and/or up to (and including) a master’s degree. In order to be admitted to a dental hygienist school, prospective students may need to take the Wonderlic Test.

Massage Therapist

A massage therapist, or a registered massage therapist (RMT) in Canada, manipulates soft tissues of the body via touch when treating clients. In addition to relieving pain, massage therapy can help clients recover from injuries, relieve stress and increase relaxation, improve circulation, and contribute to the overall well-being of clients. A massage therapist may create a personalized treatment plan for his or her clients.

Massage therapists are able to specialize in various massage types (i.e., deep tissue, Swedish, etc.). Becoming a licensed masseuse varies by different legal jurisdiction, though most places in the U.S. and Canada require massage therapists to have some sort of relevant licensing, certification, and/or diploma. Those interested in massage therapy training may be required to take the Wonderlic Test in order to enter a massage therapy program.

Respiratory Therapist

A registered respiratory therapist (RRT) is a healthcare provider who works under the supervision of a doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. Though respiratory therapists generally work in intensive care units and operating rooms, they also practice in outpatient clinics.

Those who work in respiratory therapy specialize in cardiology and pulmonology. In a hospital setting, a respiratory therapy technician is often responsible for starting and maintaining life support for patients in the ICU and emergency room.

Those who practice respiratory therapy in outpatient settings usually work as educators in asthma clinics, sleep-disorder clinics, and pediatric clinics. They also act as clinical providers in catheterization labs and cardiology clinics.

Registered respiratory therapists may also tend to the home oxygen needs of patients. Those interested in respiratory therapy must complete an associate’s degree or diploma in respiratory science. Radiation therapist schools often require prospective students to take the Wonderlic Test for entry to the program.

Ultrasound Technician

An ultrasound technician (may also be known as a sonographer, ultrasound tech, sonogram technician, or ultrasonographer) uses an ultrasonic imaging device to generate diagnostic images, videos, scans, and other diagnostic data.

Because of the importance of the sonographer’s diagnostic input, ultrasound technicians are required to possess knowledge of ultrasound physics, physiology, pathology, cross sectional anatomy, and communication.

Ultrasound technician training is required for those who wish to practice sonography and obtain professional certification in the field. Many ultrasound technician schools require the Wonderlic Test for admittance.

Radiation Therapist

A radiation therapist (may also be known as a radiology technician, radiologic technologist, radiographer, radiotherapist, radiographer, etc.) works in radiation oncology. The job of the radiology technician is to plan and provide radiation treatments to patients who suffer from cancer.

Though many countries, including Canada, require radiology technicians to have at least a bachelor’s degree, radiation therapists in the U.S. are required to possess at least an associate’s degree. However, many radiation therapists in the U.S. do have a bachelor’s degree and are often required to have completed further graduate or even postgraduate education.

In order for a radiology technician to be able to plan treatments in the U.S., he/she may need to become a Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD). Many radiation therapy programs require prospective students to take the Wonderlic Test prior to admission.

Physical Therapist Assistant

A physical therapist assistant (PTA) works under the auspices of a physical therapist. The physical therapist creates the patient care plans, and the physical therapy assistant executes the treatment and physical interventions necessary.

In the U.S., physical therapy schools train students under an associate of applied sciences curricula. These programs are specific to physical therapy assistants, as designed by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), and often require students to take the Wonderlic Test for admission purposes.

Medical Billing

Medical billing and coding is a very important part of the healthcare industry as it ensures insurance payments for medical care provided by healthcare professionals. Once a healthcare service is provided to a patient, the provider notes the services and submits this information to the medical biller and coder. The medical biller then needs to itemize the services that were provided using the appropriate coding. This forms a medical claim, which is then submitted to the patient or the patient’s insurance. Medical billing and coding schools are expected to provide students seeking certification with a theoretical grounding.

Those interested in medical billing and coding certification may be required to take the Wonderlic Test for entry into a medical billing and coding training program.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

An occupational therapist assistant (OTA) works under the supervision of an occupational therapist (OT). The responsibilities of an occupational therapist assistant include treating patients who struggle to perform regular daily activities because of injuries, illnesses, and/or disabilities.

The occupational therapy assistant assists patients with specific exercises that are part of a treatment plan developed by the occupational therapist. The OTA also educates patients on how to use certain equipment to make particular activities less difficult. Furthermore, the occupational therapy assistant may perform some administrative tasks, such as recording the progress of his or her patients.

In order to become a certified occupational therapy assistant, one must complete an associate’s degree from one of the many occupational therapy assistant schools accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Such programs generally take two years to complete and may require students to take the Wonderlic Test in order to be admitted.

Fitness Trainer

A fitness instructor may teach aerobics, yoga, etc. Other fitness jobs may involve writing books or manuals on fitness instruction, including on topics such as weight-loss and nutrition. Various fitness professions require different fitness certifications.

Fitness trainers evaluate those interested in exercise programs to determine a proper exercise plan for each individual. Fitness professionals may also assist those with chronic conditions and specific needs. Fitness certification must be kept up-to-date so that trainers can work as fitness instructors at certain gyms and health clubs. To become a certified trainer, many programs require applicants to take the Wonderlic Test.

Surgical Technician

A surgical technologist (or surgical tech, surgical technician, certified surgical technologist, surgery tech, scrub tech, etc.) works as part of a surgical team. The knowledge and skills of the surgical tech are in sterilization and aseptic techniques.

The responsibilities of the surgical technician include (but are not limited to) preparing the operating room for surgery, arranging surgical equipment and instruments, observing the patients and equipment during surgery, and maintaining sterile conditions.

Those interested in becoming a certified surgical technologist should look into surgical tech programs. Surgical technologist schools often require prospective students to take the Wonderlic Test prior to admission.

Interested in One of These Careers?

If you are interested in one of these career paths, you may come across the Wonderlic Test. Preparing in advance for the Wonderlic can help ensure your success on the test. Practice with our Wonderlic Prep Packs and receive:

• Completely online and interactive questions
• Clear answers and explanations
• Complete Wonderlic Study Guide
• Time Management Guide
• Helpful customer service
• Hundreds of Wonderlic sample questions