The Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs (ADGAP)—a sister organization of the AGS—is committed to advancing academic geriatrics programs and supporting academic geriatrics program directors to benefit and aid patient care, research, and teaching programs in geriatric medicine within accredited medical schools located in the U.S.
As a truly interdisciplinary field, there are plenty of pathways and career options in geriatrics. Different types of healthcare professionals go through different schooling, testing, and licensing processes. Explore the categories below to find out the variety of ways you can pursue an education in geriatrics and work toward improving the health of us all as we age.
A geriatrician is a physician who is specifically trained to evaluate and manage the unique healthcare needs and treatment preferences of older people. Geriatricians focus on maintaining well-being and independence based on high-quality, person-centered care. They diagnose and treat conditions that may commonly occur with age.
Nursing roles are diverse, ranging from delivering or overseeing direct care and coordinating case management to establishing nursing practice standards, developing quality assurance procedures, and directing complex nursing care systems. Nurses specializing in geriatrics are educated to understand and treat the often complex physical and mental health needs of older people. They try to help older men and women protect health and manage changes in mental and physical abilities.
Geriatric pharmacy specialists are those pharmacists that have special knowledge in the care of older adults. To become a pharmacist, you must obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Pharm.D. programs are typically 4 years in length and require 2-4 years of pre-requisite course material. While curriculums may differ, didactic experiences are offered early along introductory pharmacy practice experiential learning, with the final year being dedicated to advanced pharmacy practice experiential learning.
Social workers are health professionals committed to enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, groups, communities, and societies, with a particular focus on those who are most vulnerable. Social workers who specialize in gerontological social work value interprofessional, team-based, person-centered care in community-based and institutional settings. They have expertise in working with—and on behalf of—diverse older persons across individual, family, community, and societal spheres of influence.
All Physician Associates (PAs) must successfully complete a PA graduate program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Associate. Accredited graduate degree programs include classroom instruction, lab instruction, and clinical rotations. Most programs are about 26 months in duration and include at least 2,000 hours of clinical rotations.
Learn more about board certification organizations for the diverse array of professionals involved in geriatrics care.
The following healthcare disciplines have formalized geriatrics competencies approved by at least one national organization. Certification in these competencies varies by discipline. Some have formal certification pathways and some do not.
A geriatrician is an internal or family medicine physician who also has special expertise (and may be board-certified) in geriatrics. In addition to their special knowledge of health and well-being as we age, geriatricians are known for collaborating with interdisciplinary teams including nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, social workers, and many others who work together to coordinate complex care for older adults and caregivers.
Clinician educators are healthcare professionals who also work as educators in graduate health education programs. They have a unique role in the field, as they not only provide care to older adults but also work to train the next generation of professionals who will care for us all as we age. Clinician educators might work in academic and community hospitals, and serve as professors and program coordinators for trainees (the term for those pursuing a career in a health profession).
Physician or healthcare professional in their first year of practice after fellowship, residency, or post-graduate training.
In 2014, eight of the nation’s leading aging-focused organizations, including the AGS, formed an unprecedented partnership, the Leaders of Aging Organizations (LAO), to create a better public understanding of older adults’ needs and contributions to society—and subsequently to improve health and care for us all as we age.
Introductory rate available for new AGS members who are surgical or related medical specialists and/or GEMSSTAR recipients. Renewable for one year, then transitions into physician membership.
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With support from Humana Inc., one of the nation’s leading health and well-being companies, the AGS awarded the inaugural Humana Value-Based Care Research Awards to Austin J. Hilt, MPH, a medical student at Northeast Ohio Medical University, and Morteza Komeylian, MD, a Clinician Fellow at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
The five-year U13 Bench-to-Bedside conference grant is a cooperative effort between the National Institute on Aging and the American G
Whether you're a nurse, pharmacist, physician, physician assistant, social worker, or other type of healthcare professional, a career in geriatrics can take many forms, just as it can offer many rewards.
Clinicians are the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals whose main career focus is to see and treat patients. In geriatrics, being a clinician often involves working to coordinate care with an interprofessional team of colleagues.
Clinician Educators split their time between seeing patients and teaching in graduate health education programs.
They have a unique role in the field, as they not only provide care to older adults but also work to train the next generation of professionals who will care for us all as we age. Learn a personal story from an educator below.
Administrators are health professionals, often clinician educators or researchers, who also oversee a team of coworkers within their department or division. They help make decisions for their institutions while advocating for the needs of their team.
Learn about the multi-faceted role of an Administrator below.
Advocates are health professionals and other stakeholders who stay engaged with legislative rules and regulations that affect their work or the people they serve. Anyone can be an advocate for our health, independence, quality of life, and care as we age. Visit our Advocacy Center to see how you can show your support.
Read on to see how some advocates carry out their work.
Brienne Miner, MD, MHS is an Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine in Geriatrics at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT.
For the first time ever, the AGS has launched our very own geriatrics-branded emojis for your smartphone keyboard. We're now one of JUST TWO medical specialty societies with branded emoji all our own!
Learn more about accessing the emoji sticker pack below. Proceeds from your purchase benefit the AGS Health in Aging Foundation, which supports public and professional education for us all as we age.
Researchers are the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, scientists, social workers and other healthcare professionals whose career focus is finding evidence-based answers to the health and social issues that concern older adults.
A researcher may or may not also have a clinical practice. He or she often works in interdisciplinary teams, across many hospital and academic settings.
Read on to see how some researchers carry out their work.
Geriatrics is the healthcare specialty dedicated to supporting our health, safety, and independence as we age. Because geriatrics is so person-centered, different people may benefit from our expertise at different times. There’s no “rule,” but it’s generally best to start working with a geriatrics professional when:
The five-year U13 Bench-to-Bedside conference grant is a cooperative effort between the National Institute on Aging and the American Geriatrics Society.
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