Choma Career Developement

When people think of careers in the medical field, their minds usually register the most obvious profession: becoming a physician or a doctor. Though it is true that doctors are responsible for much of the success attributed to the medical field, not to be forgotten is the support staff composed of medical assistants who help in ensuring that everything in a medical procedure goes smoothly.

Medical assistants are not exactly nurses, contrary to popular belief, but they do share in doing similar tasks. There are a number of kinds of medical assistant careers, including but not limited to medical data assistants, nursing assistants, home health aides, caregivers, medical transcriptionists and medical billing clerks. Each job requires specialization of particular skills honed in medical assistant schools.
Reputable medical assistant schools are usually those also offering full doctorate degrees in their curriculum as well. Instructors are keen on imparting the most informative and instructive method of learning through on-the-job training. Medical assistant training is rigorous and intensive. There is much care given in attention to detail, as medical assistants are eventually put in charge of clerical but essential tasks. These include everyday errands such as collecting bodily fluid samples for testing, assessing vital signs, administering injections, and handling most medical supplies. They may also be in charge of tracking a patient’s history.

A few decades ago, medical assistants were almost always limited to clinics, but many now seek tenure with doctors employed in private practice as well as both private and public hospitals. Thanks to wider acceptance of their skills and capabilities, there are more employment opportunities for them.

A medical assistant salary can be from $17,000 to $57,000 annually, depending on experience. It goes without saying, of course, that the job is not an easy one. Experienced medical assistants with good reputations may even be allowed to take on other tasks like taking x-rays or administering local anaesthetics on patients. In the cosmetology industry, some medical assistants are licensed to perform non-surgical and non-invasive procedures. Despite this, majority of medical assistants in the country do still provide specialized support for physicians and surgeons.

Emergency medical technicians give first aid treatments to the injured and transport them to a medical facility for further care. EMT’s works as a member of the emergency medical team and responds to instructions given by medical dispatchers and drives an emergency vehicle to a specified location. They also monitor communication equipments to keep in contact with the dispatcher. Upon arrival to the location, they will remove all victims from the scene and move them into a much safer place. They also determine the nature and extent of the injury to establish a first aid procedure followed by a medical assistance basing on the examination of the victims and knowledge on emergency medical practice. Emergency medical technicians administer treatment at the site of the emergency in a specially equipped vehicle and perform activities like applying splints, administering oxygen, treating minor wounds and administering resuscitation. They also assist medical facilities in obtaining important information related to the patient’s vital statistics.

When looking at the job specification of the EMT, one may think how much they can earn in a month. Well, EMT’s are being paid in an hourly basis. A normal EMT staff will have an hourly salary of $14. But this number varies depending on the state, area and experience. When one goes for the higher EMT level and has a good record, they can be paid for more than $20 an hour. This is a great deal for a person in a month. This career is one of the best since their demand in a society is high. With this, a lot of people are considering taking this path as their future careers, they can choose tons of training and medical programs available in your state. The programs offered by the EMT schools offer a two year training and basic knowledge as their education to be a good EMT. Typically, this study program will give you a title diploma and a certificate as license to practice in a hospital and also an associate degree. These programs are offered in vocational or technical schools, community colleges and much more. The person will be spending more time in doing practices and days in laboratories in order to learn diagnostic procedures plus computer skills. To give you that confidence in doing your job, better take additional trainings. This is important to help you compete with those staffs and to be more professional. But the programs being offered may also vary on the kind of school where one has to take the program.

After one has studied for years and you lately realize that you are afraid in handling emergency patients in stressful situations, you can choose other options aside from working as an emergency medical team. One can choose to be a nurse and other health care worker careers. In the field of EMT, a person does not need to worry since this career is open everywhere. There are also hospitals that may require an EMT training and surely by taking the education that you need will never leave you unemployed.

The primary duty of a phlebotomist is to draw blood. They use equipments like needles, tourniquets, disposable containers, gauze and alcohol in fulfilling their responsibilities. Usually blood is drawn from a vein in a patient’s arm. These phlebotomists sometimes use other blood collection procedures to get things done. Phlebotomist then labels the specimens and transports it after it is withdrawn. Some phlebotomists also perform diagnostic tests on the blood and help to interpret the results.

Certification and licensure are two basic requirements for phlebotomists from one state to another. Almost all phlebotomist hold a professional certificate in this field but some may also hold an associate or bachelor degree. Training programs offered by phlebotomist schools offer both classroom and clinical instructions. State licensing boards require phlebotomists to train under the supervision of a diagnostic technician. It is important for every phlebotomist to have a good communication skill that is very important in keeping patients calm and comfortable.

Phlebotomists work in doctors offices, physician’s offices and blood banks. Most of them work 40 hours a week for full time and 20 hours for those working as part time phlebotomist’s. The training that is required to become a phlebotomist varies. Most phlebotomist enters this career with a bachelor degree. An associate degree is required for them to be able to perform complex clinical testing procedures. Aspiring phlebotomists can receive training through many different training programs, vocation schools, colleges and certification programs. Some schools give certifications while other offer degrees like a bachelor or an associate degree. Other schools award a master’s degree that will enable them to do advanced work and in many cases opens up opportunities in having a job position as a laboratory manager or medical technologists. Admission requirements needed for the phlebotomy training varies from one program to another. These career minded schools offer theoretical instructions on subjects like microbiology, medical technology, chemistry,  management, business and computers. They are also taught on how to perform different procedures and tasks, how to operate different machinery, as well as how to handle, store and label the specimens. It is important for them to also learn the proper guidelines and all of protocols needed to be followed when it comes to withdrawing blood. After these students have completed the training program, certification is the next thing to do. Certification or licensure requirements differ from one state to another. Some states though out the United States require certification or licensure while others still do not.

Being a phlebotomist is an interesting job but the salary makes it all rewarding.  The phlebotomist salary depends on certain factors and these are the location of the work, the education, experience and the skills. In order to increase the salary, it is better to have a degree in this kind of career. Those with a degree can earn more than $19 an hour. Next is that those who are working in private clinics earn less compared to those working in hospitals.  Those working in private clinics can only earn $12 an hour while those in hospitals earn more than $15 an hour. Working in top paying states will also make you earn more and one will definitely have a lot of benefits.

Magnetic resonance imaging is essentially a safe and painless way to get diagnosed for a certain type of illness that lingers inside the body. It is basically a diagnostic exam used by radiologists to locate anomalies in the lungs brain bone or any other tissue found in the body. Unlike other diagnostic exams like CT scans and X-ray, the MRI is safe for patients because they will not be exposed to any type of harmful radiation. Unfortunately, since the machine does operate on magnetic principles, patients with metal implants in the body such as cardiac pacemakers and cochlear implants are not allowed inside the machine as the magnetic pulses may cause electronic malfunction.

MRI technicians are crucial healthcare personnel in the hospital and the need for them is rising- just like many other healthcare professions. MRI technicians have a lot of responsibilities that involve them, the patient, the machine and the radiologist they may work with. Since they are entering the healthcare territory, they need to constantly upgrade their skills in order to become better professionals. Technological advancements in the healthcare field have prompted many healthcare professionals to upgrade their skills so they don’t get left behind. As someone who works closely with people, the MRI technician’s interpersonal skills must be flawless as dealing with patients can be a very tiring task. The MRI machine is not only dark and cramped; it also emits very loud humming noises that may freak the patient out during the exam. It is the MRI technician’s lookout to keep the patient as comfortable as possible during the procedure as it takes 60-90 minutes to finish an entire exam. Once the exam is over, they need to show the results to the radiologist. Though MRI technicians know enough about the normal anatomical structures found in the scan, they are not allowed to interpret the scan in front of the patients. They can at least show the scan to the radiologist who can properly interpret the anomalies found in the film.

MRI technician schools are widely available in community colleges, technical schools or even online schools. Different states have different requirements for enrolling in a school so enrollees have to do their fair of research. Though all schools require only a high school diploma or equivalent in order for a student to enroll, some schools require their students to take CPR classes first.

Education is important to many employers as they need highly competent individuals to operate the machines. The level of education you have is important because it will show the career path you are most likely to take. It takes only two years to accomplish an associates degree, but the salary for these holders is considerably less. Add another two years and you will have a bachelors’ degree and a possible job in an administrative position.  The average salary MRI technicians earn in a year is around $50,000 to $55,000.

Once you graduate, you will have to pass a certification exam from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Many states do not require certification from their MRI technologists, but a good employer always learns to appreciate those who have made the extra effort to prove their worth.

The operating room is not a place for those with a weak stomach. Beneath the whitewashed walls, the smell of chemicals and the bright operating lights is a body that is incised, cut, sutured and suctioned. Though the images you see in the operating room can be quite graphic, rest assured that nothing unsafe happens in the table as long as it is under the careful watch of a surgical technician. The surgeon may earn the fame and the glory for successful operations, but it is the surgical technician who is credited for making sure that the operation goes smoothly.

Surgical technicians ensure that the surgical area is prepped and ready before, during and after the operation. They are the keepers of order in the operating room. When a patient arrives at the dressing area, they are the ones who dress the patient and oftentimes, they are the ones who spot something that the ward nurses may have missed before endorsing the patient. The surgical technician ensures that all the materials used for the operation are complete, sterile and ready to be replaced in case the surgeon drops it.

If you are considering taking up a course to become a surgical technician, you must have a love for books, research and studying because that’s exactly what’s going to take up most of your time. A surgical technician needs to be knowledgeable about medical conditions, pharmacological reactions, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and even math. The best lessons are not in the books, but it the actual operating field.

In the operating room, the surgical technician can either join the sterile field to work directly under the surgeon. He needs to be physically fit in order to retract tissues for the surgeon to gain better view of an organ. Another work for the surgical technician in the sterile field is to directly hand the surgeon the instruments needed for the operation. During the operation, he must actively anticipate the next step of the surgery and hand out the specific instrument needed. A circulating surgical technician is someone who works outside the sterile field and adds instruments into the table and helps keep a close watch on the sponges, forceps and needles used during the operation. He is also responsible for charting the progress and obtaining the vital signs of the patient.

When looking for a job as a surgical technician, your salary will be dependent on the amount of experience and credentials you have. Those who have graduated under schools that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and are Certified Surgical Technicians stand to earn better salary options. Another way to get ahead of the competition is to join trainings and seminars that are directly related to your field of interest. This shows potential employers that you are involved and are passionate about your career.

The demand for quality dental hygiene has expanded over the years. Whether it’s because the proliferation of chocolates has become quite prominent throughout the years or because many people are more conscious about their dental health, there can be no doubt that careers related to dental health are rapidly expanding to meet the demands of the consumers.

One such career related to dental health is that of a dental assistant. Dental assistants throughout the years are obscured in the background. They are the ones we see mixing compounds in the background while the Dentist examines our mouths. For most people, the dental assistants provide some sort of distraction to ease the tension we feel as the Dentist invades our personal space and comfort.

As a dental assistant, you will be exposed to different personalities and people. If you enjoy being around people, love science, have a good memory, have a knack for being organized, and are able to stand for long periods, then being a dental assistant might be the right job for you. Like everything else in the medical field, being a dental assistant means you have to be patient with people and their needs. Being able to work with children is a huge plus as calming them down and gaining their trust is a talent that very few people have.

If you want to become a dental assistant, you need to be aware of the things you need to do on a daily basis. Dental assistants are given very basic, but nevertheless important tasks to perform in a dental office. Before a client arrives, they are responsible for cleaning the office, and ensuring that all instruments are clean and sterile. They perform a complete inventory of the materials in the office and order supplies that are lacking. When a patient arrives, they are the ones who make sure that the dental records are complete and available. They open new profiles for new patients and answer questions like the prices for cleaning or tooth extraction and what the patients should expect while the dentist works with them. Once the dentist arrives, she is responsible for introducing the new patient and the questions the patient has about the procedure. When the dentist has finished reviewing the patient’s past history, the dental assistant shows the patient to the cleaning area and prepares him or her for the procedure. Some dental assistants with extensive trainings can perform basic teeth cleaning duties. If the patient requires finer procedures done, it is the dental assistant’s job to obtain x-ray plates and teeth molds.

Getting proper education for dental assistants is very important. Schools approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation within the American Dental Association are a basic requirement that promising dental assistants should look for. Graduates from these schools should expect a better annual salary as they are qualified to become licensed dental assistants. The annual salary for dental assistants varies from state to state, depending on experience and education, they can earn about $32,000 annually.

The best career option for anyone looking for a stable job is to enter the field of healthcare. One such job that is currently hot on the healthcare market is in sonography. Those who specialize in sonograms are called ultrasound technicians or sonographers. Ultrasound technicians are highly skilled individuals that perform diagnostic exams on patients with the aid of an ultrasound machine. With the help of an instrument called a transducer, the sonographer uses sound waves to bounce off targeted organs in order to provide a real time view of a specific organ inside the body. Once the targeted organ has been found, they can take a picture of it for diagnostic purposes.

Ultrasonographers need a good eye for attention to detail as their findings will help doctors diagnose patients better. They need critical thinking skills during emergency situations and must be attentive to provide a comprehensive view of the patient’s body. Another important skill of an ultrasonographer is having strong interpersonal skills. They need to establish rapport quickly as they prepare a patient for the tests. Patients who are ill are often irritable and need to be coaxed into following instructions.

An ultrasound technologist earns a certificate by getting an education in schools accredited by the Commission on Accreditation on Allied Health Programs. The minimum requirement for entering a course is having a high school diploma or a GED certificate. A fast track course will take about a year to complete. Fast track courses are especially helpful for healthcare professionals who want to branch out into another field of healthcare. A two year course will result in an associate’s degree. A four year course in sonography will earn a bachelor’s degree with possible potential for administrative positions.

The more years you build up on your educational background, the higher you salary will be. Salaries for ultrasound technicians will depend on education, trainings and experience. While there are many opportunities for new graduates, those who have accumulated a year’s worth of experience will have better chances of finding an employer. Most employers prefer someone who has experience as they need little or no supervision while working. On the other hand, new graduates are easier to hire because they are willing to work during the hours where the experienced ultrasonographers would refuse.

Considering a career in radiology? Then you might be interested in becoming an x-Ray technician! The x-ray is one of the oldest and most non-invasive methods for diagnosing a patient’s medical condition or illness. X-ray technicians are indispensable members of the radiology team as they take images or plates of bones or organs with the aid of an x-ray machine. With their help, doctors and nurse practitioners can work together to find the proper treatment required by a patient.  X-ray technicians can work in hospitals, doctor’s clinics, nursing homes and even dental offices. He can even work in the field during emergency situations that require the immediate use of a portable x-ray machine.

It comes as no surprise that most x-ray technicians are actually men. Repeated exposure to the radiation without proper protective equipment can pose as a possible health hazard for those working in the radiology department. Women are not advised to spend too much time in the radiology department when they are expecting a child as the radiation poses a potential risk for the life she is carrying inside of her. Men are ideal x-ray technicians because of their capacity to carry heavy objects. Sometimes, the patients that are admitted are unable to move because of an accident that occurred, and it is the x-ray technician’s job to ensure that the patient is positioned properly.

An x-ray technician should have several working traits available to him as well. He needs to know how to deal with people who are uncooperative or hard to teach on a daily basis. Though most of his clients are quite compliant, there are times when he needs to exercise his restraint when a patient begins to reveal character flaws such as suddenly becoming irritable and obstinate. He should also be very ethical. Though an x-ray technician can read the films and be able to point out which patient has poor prognosis, he is not allowed in any way to divulge the information to anyone or anybody- not even the patient herself. Only the Physician can discuss the results of the patient on the x-ray. He cannot tell the patient even if the results on the x-ray are normal. An x-ray technician should have a good grasp of the medical terminologies used so he can communicate his findings accurately on the result.

In order to get a better than average salary, x-ray technicians can opt to further their education by enrolling in schools that offer additional trainings. They can then branch to other fields in the department such as learning how to perform sonograms, magnetic resonance imaging, and CT scans. The more equipment they can learn to master, the better their chances will be at earning a very stable income.