Published June 30, 2012 | 
When looking for opportunities for a career, finding a job in the medical field could be a good option. The medical field is one of the most stable fields to start a career in. When most people think of the medical field, they think of doctors or nurses, but the truth is that there are so many more options for those seeking a job in this field. Becoming a pharmacy technician is just one of the options to consider for a person interested in a career in the medical field.
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in dispensing medication. They prepare and measure the medication and fill the prescriptions. Pharmacy technicians also package and label the medication and accept payment from customers. A pharmacy technician is the person in the pharmacy that is most likely to be interacting with customers, whether in person or on the phone.
Most pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies located in hospitals, grocery stores, or drug stores. They can work on a full-time schedule or a part-time one. Many pharmacies are open for twenty four hours a day, so some pharmacy technicians work at night or on the weekends.
Pharmacy technicians are required to have a high school diploma or a GED. Beyond that, the education required to become a pharmacy technician varies from state to state. Some states require that those hoping to become pharmacy technicians attend a course at a vocational school or a community college that usually lasts about one year or less and awards the student a certificate upon completion. Other states allow their pharmacy technicians to learn through on-the-job training.
Job prospects for future pharmacy technicians are extremely favorable. Job growth in this area is expected to grow by 32%, which is a great deal faster than the average for all occupations. This is due to both the fact that more prescription drugs are being used to fight disease and the fact that the elderly population is growing. Because of this, more pharmacy technicians are being hired than ever before. These new pharmacy technicians will make an average of $28,400 annually.
A person looking into becoming a pharmacy technician should excel in customer service. Previous retail experience is often an asset for those applying for pharmacy technician jobs. A pharmacy technician should be organized and detail oriented. For those who meet these criteria and aim to work in the medical field, becoming a pharmacy technician is an excellent choice.
Published June 29, 2012 | People looking for a recession proof job, interested in health care, need look no further than a surgical technician program. These specialized assistants help the surgeon during an operation. This career enjoys good pay, job security and satisfaction. Let’s take a look.
What is a surgical technician?
This is an excellent question and an even greater career that is worth a close look. The surgical technician is responsible for setting up the instrument pack for a surgeon, and then assisting them with the surgery. It is a highly specialized field and is resistant to economic changes.
How to Become a Surgical Technician?
There are degree and certificate courses in surgical technician training. Many students prefer to start out with the certificate program due to costs and time savings. Certificate programs teach the basics and can be completed in one year. Surgical technician schools are usually part of the community college systems. There are some basic prerequisites but, these vary depending on the school. The application process for surgical technician programs can be extensive. Waiting lists to get into the surgical technician classes is common.
Surgical Technician Employment
Surgical technicians are an integral part of operating teams across the nation. They are the ones that assist the surgeon during an operation. Their knowledge and skill are indispensable. Employment can be found in hospitals and out-patient surgery clinics. National averages place technicians with one year degrees between $25,000 and $35,000 per year. Those technicians with Associate’s Degrees can expect offers in the $40,000 to $75,000 per year. Employment opportunities are extensive in most areas. Surgical technician careers are associated with steady employment, lucrative salaries and long term job satisfaction.
What to Expect from a Surgical Technician Job
A Surgical technician job is not without difficulties. Technicians will spend long hours standing while assisting with surgery. They are required to be on call for emergencies. It is not unusual to be awakened at 2 am and have to go in and help with a surgical case. Weekends, nights and holidays have to be covered just like the weekdays. Outpatient surgical units do not do emergency surgery. Schedules are more stable, and holidays, weekends and nights are not required at most centers.
Technicians have to develop a positive rapport with the other staff. They are responsible for setting up the equipment pack prior to surgery. They must understand and predict what the surgeon will need to complete the operation. They interact with all members of the surgical team. They must be organized and detail oriented. Accuracy is the key to success.
Published June 28, 2012 | There are many people that love the idea of engaging in a helping career but hate the idea of spending nearly a decade studying to earn a medical degree. Fortunately, there are many healthcare careers that require less than a four year degree but provide an excellent opportunity for employment and earning. Among these careers is that of radiology technician, a field that allows an individual to work with those experiencing health related problems.
It’s important for any healthcare provider to have excellent skills in working with people. In the case of the radiation technician, there is close contact with patients, oftentimes in the midst of distressing circumstances. It’s important for the radiation professional to be able to communicate effectively and compassionately. While many individuals in this field of practice will serve their patients by taking x-ray images, others will serve in the area of radiation therapy. In each case, specialty skills are needed.
In order to pursue a career in radiology, an individual needs to obtain specialized training. It is possible to attend vocational institutions or community colleges that provide associate of applied sciences degree in radiation technology, with course work involving between two and four years of study time, depending on the specific program offered by the institution. Many students are able to use federal financial aid to assist in paying for their education at this level. Additional institution and community scholarships can assist a student in managing educational costs. Pre-requisites are often required in general education courses before a student is eligible to enroll in a radiology program of study.
Course work generally includes both academic and clinical studies. Clinical experience is an integral part of any health related profession. Upon completing the requirements for earning a radiology degree, a student may take national exams in order to obtain radiologic technologist certification. Career opportunities in the field of radiology are varied, and a student successfully completing the studies for obtaining certification should consult with the advisement department of their institution for assistance in arranging interviews, developing a resume, and preparing for finding a job. There are often radiology positions available in private practices and clinics. Public hospitals provide another interesting avenue for career options in the field. Many will find oncology related opportunities in radiation therapy.
Radiation technicians are able to earn a substantial income without having to pursue post-graduate studies. An associate of applied sciences degree provides the opportunity to become certified and employed in less than four years, allowing motivated students to move into the workforce quickly.
Published June 26, 2012 | Paramedics and emergency medical technicians are a critical part of the emergency medicine system. Their knowledge, training and experience leads to the prompt action that saves lives every day. Since 9/11, the first responder role has also taken on an element of national defense. Thus, the skills of first responders must be top notch.
Training for emergency medical technicians varies somewhat by state. In general, there are three levels of training: EMT-Basic, EMT-intermediate, and Paramedic. Basic training includes basic first aid plus additional training with some of the more common tools of medical rescue. Intermediate training varies more by state, but it may require as much as 350 hours of additional training over basic training. Paramedic training typically requires a two year program which will yield an Associate’s degree. While basic and intermediate training focus on skills, paramedic training expands to include academic topics such as biology, anatomy and chemistry.
Paramedic employment has many requirements beyond the education and training. All levels require licensing by state agencies for employment. Most employers, whether private or public, require criminal background checks. Prior felony convictions constitute grounds for rejection of an application. Depending on the nature of the crime, misdemeanors may also provide grounds for the rejection of an application. Many employers require US citizenship. Almost all employers also require, and many test for, extraordinary physical fitness.
Despite the rigor of the job requirements, it remains popular. Future prospects for paramedics and emergency medical technicians are expected to keep pace with, but not outgrow, job growth in the overall economy. One trend slowing job growth in the occupation is generally increasing safety in both workplaces and on the highway. Another is population density. The quality of fire and paramedic coverage is often controlled by distance to the incident. As population density rises in cities, fewer paramedics are needed per capita.
For their level of education, paramedics have good opportunities for advancement. Many leave daily practice to become supervisors or managers, both in the public and private sector. Some also advance into union leadership.
Wages for paramedic employment vary significantly depending on education and location. The median wage nationally for paramedics was $14.10 in 2008, or about $28,000 per year. However, the spread of wages is much larger than for many other medical technician occupations, with the highest earners reaching over $23 per hour and nearly $50,000 annually.
Paramedics and emergency medical technicians are the first responders for any emergency, be it personal or national. Rigorous training and background checks make sure they are also the best responders.
Published June 26, 2012 | A radiologist is an important member of a patient’s medical team, ranking up there with the primary care physician.
When a patient’s primary care provider wants confirmation of his diagnostic suspicions of his patient’s illness, he refers the patient for diagnostic imaging tests. While a qualified radiologic technician may perform the actual tests, it is the radiologist’s job to interpret the test results and provide the original doctor with a diagnosis of the patient’s illness.
A radiologist must be very detail-oriented and 100 percent accurate with his diagnosis. If the radiologist makes the wrong diagnosis, then the primary doctor may prescribe the wrong treatment for the patient’s condition and could possibly put her in a life-threatening situation. Sometimes the radiologist may perform procedures, such as inserting drainage tubes in gall bladder patients or administering radiation treatments to cancer patients.
A radiologist is a physician who has completed four years each of medical school and a residency. After this, he may take another year of training in a specialty such as mammography or neuroradiology. Before he can practice, though, a radiologist must be licensed by a state to practice medicine and pass a board certification exam in radiology. Since radiologists are normally affiliated with hospitals, he must be credentialed by a hospital.
A radiologist must be very computer literate, since he will be working with computers and computerized equipment on a daily basis. A mechanical aptitude also is necessary to operate sophisticated imaging equipment.
Thanks to modern technology, a radiologist does not need to be physically located at the facility where the testing was done. Through computerization of images, a radiologist in California can read and interpret results of tests taken in another state. A radiologist could also work from home if his computer is connected to the test facility’s network.
The job outlook for radiologists is good, with the demand for radiologists to grow faster than average, by a minimum of 20 percent through 2020, the federal government says.
Radiologists earn very attractive salaries, with annual wages ranging between $268,000 and $494,000 before benefits, such as ample vacation are considered. In comparison, a general practitioner earns a salary between $138,000 and $223,000 annually. As with any job, a radiologist’s salary depends on education, specialty, experience, geographic location and the size and type of the medical facility he works for.
Published June 24, 2012 | A surgical assistant plays an important role in aiding a primary surgeon and ensuring the care of a patient. In some cases, these individuals may work in general surgery, and other times they may work in a specified field such as ophthalmology or trauma. While the exact duties can vary depending upon the types of medical procedures, there are some primary job duties of a surgical assistant.
One of the most integral aspects of this job is preparing the patient and operating room for surgery. This typically includes making sure equipment and tools are sterilized, and organizing equipment and tools so they are easily accessible before surgery begins. It’s also up to a surgical assistant to transport a patient to the correct room and place the patient in the necessary position. He will usually perform a briefing and explain to a patient exactly how the surgical procedure will go down. If the patient has any questions, it’s also his job to answer them to the best of his ability. He may also interact with family or friends of a patient and fill them in on the process.
Throughout the surgery process, it’s the responsibility of a surgical assistant to follow all orders of the main surgeon. This might include handing him tools, inserting drainage tubes and a variety of other tasks. Besides this, he may be required to perform additional sterilization on certain types of tools during the course of a surgery. In the event that something goes wrong, it’s also a surgical assistant’s job to help resuscitate a patient. Since the lives of a patient are in the hands of a surgeon and surgical assistant, he must be familiar with a number of safety protocols and be able to make quick decisions.
After each surgery is finished, he will usually be required to place dressings on a patient’s wounds and make sure that bleeding is under control. He will need to re-stock any supplies like bandages or other disposable items that were used during surgery. Along with this, it’s up to him to sterilize equipment and make sure that all sanitation standards are adhered to.
In addition to the technical aspects of this job, a surgical assistant may be required to perform various office duties. This is mainly for individuals who work in physician’s offices, and may include keeping track of patient information, answering telephone calls and sending faxes.