Tag Archives: Education

Becoming a Cardiac Monitor Technician

Leave a reply

Cardiac Monitor Technicians play a key role in analyzing patients’ heart rhythms and informing physicians or nurses regarding important physiological changes. Their responsibilities include preparing the patient’s records, monitoring physiological parameters of patients, maintaining records for the nursing unit assigned, verifying lead placement on patients, caring and maintaining of cardiac equipments, communicating with nursing staff and physicians regarding patients’ findings and assuming other activities from time to time as directed.

Cardiac Monitor Technicians work in both government and private medical settings. They are employed at hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician’s offices, medical laboratories, intensive care units, cardiac rehabilitation facilities etc. These professionals need to work even in weekends and night shifts, if required. They also have to perform duties on call.

Educational Requirements

To become a Cardiac Monitor Technician, the aspiring candidates must have to earn a high school diploma or a GED. After completing high school diploma, the candidates can join an accredited post-secondary program that combines classroom and training experience. The common course work includes anatomy, physiology, pathology, electrocardiography, diagnostic testing, ventricular rhythms, clinical practicum etc.

Certification

Cardiac Monitor Technicians need to pass a required examination to obtain a certification from American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

Skill Set

Besides the clinical knowledge, Cardiac Monitor Technicians possess wide range of skills such as dexterity to perform procedures, attention to detail, understanding the spirit of team work, tolerance for long working hours, empathy towards patient, high medical ethics, ability to perform duties with accuracy in time limitations, work with compassion, physical stamina for lifting and positioning the patients and equipments, pleasant communications and interpersonal skills, basic computer knowledge etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Cardiac Monitor Technician remains excellent in the USA. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 30% from 2012 to 2022, higher than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a Cardiac Monitor Technician was $31,207 in 2014.

Becoming an Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner

1 Reply

Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioners play a key role in providing oral healthcare services to diverse populations. Their responsibilities include cleaning and examining patients’ teeth and gums, checking for oral diseases, providing other preventative dental care and educating patients on how to maintain and improve oral hygiene. In some cases, they refer patients to consult with general dentists and specialists.

In addition, some of these experienced professionals teach aspiring dental hygienists or conduct research work to promote oral health science.

Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioners work collaboratively with dentists or independently. They are employed in variety of settings such as hospitals, dentists’ offices, long-term care facilities, educational institutions, research centers etc.

Educational Requirements

To become an Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner, the candidate must have to complete a master’s degree program in dental hygiene. Course work include health, pharmacology, health assessment, and dental emergency administration

Licensure

Since Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioners in USA require a licensure, the aspiring candidates need to pass both the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and any regional or state clinical examination. Following licensure, these professionals need work experience to pursue advanced study of dental hygiene.

Skill Set

Apart from clinical knowledge, Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioners possess wide range of skills such as dexterity, attention to detail, empathy towards patient, high medical ethics, management and clinical decision-making skills, ability to work in team spirit, effective communications and interpersonal skills, basic computer knowledge etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Dental Hygiene Practitioner remains excellent in the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this profession may witness a job growth rate of 30% from 2012 to 2022, higher than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a Dental Hygiene Practitioner was $70,210 in May 2012.

Becoming a Cardiac Anesthesiologist

Leave a reply

Cardiac Anesthesiologists administer anesthesia and manage its effects on patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery and related invasive procedures of the human chest. They are primarily responsible for dispensing pain relief drugs to the patients before, during and after surgery.

Cardiac Anesthesiologists review the patient’s medical history during surgical procedure. They oversee the vital signs and condition of the surgical patient such as body temperature, pulse, breathing, blood pressure etc. to administer anesthesia properly. They also ensure the patient’s safety throughout the operation and manage postoperative pain.

Cardiac Anesthesiologists are employed in both government and private health care settings such as hospitals, clinics, trauma centers etc. These professionals often work for long and irregular hours in stressful environments. They also have to perform emergency visits on call.

Educational Requirements

To become a Cardiac Anesthesiologist, aspiring candidates must have to earn a medical degree from an accredited medical school. In addition, they need to complete a four-year residency program in anesthesiology, and a one-year cardiothoracic anesthesiology fellowship, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

The coursework for Cardiac Anesthesiologists includes anatomy, biology, organic Chemistry, physics etc. with emphasizing on anesthesia, pain relief techniques and information on heart care.

Licensure and Certification

Since the practice of Cardiac Anesthesiologist in USA needs to be licensed, the aspiring candidates must have to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination after completing the medical degree program. These professionals can obtain certification from the American Society of Anesthesiologists or the American Board of Anesthesiology, after successfully completing required examination.

Skill Set

Besides the clinical knowledge, Cardiac Anesthesiologists possess various skills such as dedication to work in challenging situation, empathy towards patient, high medical ethics, ability to remain calm under pressure, work with compassion, pleasant communications and interpersonal skills, decision making and management abilities, physical stamina to work for long hours, computer skills etc.

Salary & Job Outlook

Job outlook for the Cardiac Anesthesiologists remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 24% from 2012 to 2022, higher than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a Cardiac Anesthesiologists was $235,070 in May 2013.

Becoming a CAT Scan Technician

Leave a reply

Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) Scan Technicians play a key role in providing accurate diagnostic images of the interior of the human body such as tissues, organs, bones etc through radiology technology for medical issues. They also perform other activities such as recording patient histories, preparing them for scans, protecting them from radiation exposure, maintaining equipments, consulting with physicians, interpreting a physician’s scanning instructions etc.

CAT Scan Technicians work at either government or private settings. They are employed at hospitals, doctor’s offices, home health agencies, radiography department, oncology center, rehabilitation centers, laboratories, accident and emergency wards, operating theaters etc.

Educational Requirements

To become a CAT Scan Technician, the aspiring candidates need to complete at least an associate degree program in radiography, approved by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. However, students can pursue a Bachelor’s degree or any higher degree related to the radiology field in order to get better job opportunities in this profession.

The common courses in radiology field include human anatomy, pathology, radiation physics, patient care etc.

Licensure and Certification

Since most states of the USA require a CAT Scan Technician to be licensed, the aspiring candidates need to pass a licensing exam and complete a state-approved training program. These professionals can obtain a certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Skills Set

Besides knowledge in patient care and radiation safety, CAT Scan Technicians possess wide range of skills such attention to detail, empathy towards patient, high medical ethics, physical stamina to work for long duration, ability to remain calm under pressure, work with compassion, maintain privacy, assisting the patients emotionally and physically, pleasant communications and interpersonal skills, basic computer knowledge etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a CAT Scan Technician remains excellent in USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 21% from 2012 to 2022, higher than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a CAT Scan Technician was $55,910 in May 2012.

Becoming an Athletic Scout

Leave a reply

Athletic Scouts play a key role in searching, evaluating and recruiting talented sportspersons to play for a particular team like school, college, university, amateur or professional sports team. They are responsible to determine if a sportsperson is skilled enough to play immediately for their team or needs training to grow his/her talent.

Accordingly, they communicate their findings to the authority such as coaches or general managers in order to sign up either promising or already established players for their organization. In some cases, they also act as assistant coaches.

Athletic Scouts work either independently or for organizations such as government and private High schools, Colleges, Universities, Amateur sports teams, Professional sports teams etc. They often work outdoors and spend much of their time in traveling small and big cities across the globe to find the best skilled and suited players. Due to extensive travel requirements and busy game schedules, these professionals have to work long or irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Educational Requirements

To become an Athletic Scout, the aspiring candidates need to hold at least a high school diploma, but one needs to complete a Bachelor’s degree program in sports management to work at college or senior level. The course works in degree program include athletic administration, sports psychology, sports law, statistics etc.

However, former players or coaches have always an advantage to get employment as an Athletic Scout in their respective fields.

Skill set

Athletic Scouts possess extensive knowledge of the game and wide range of skills such as ability to observe the talents of the sportspersons, mange and organize multitask activities, make tough decisions, work under pressure, solve problems, understand the requirements of the team and process of recruiting the players, effective communication and interpersonal skills etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for an Athletic Scout remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 15% during 2012-2022, higher than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of an Athletic Scout was $28,360 in May 2012.

Becoming a Body Therapist

Leave a reply

Body Therapists use natural healing techniques to recover from muscle and joint pain, stiffness, reduce stress and promote wellness by improving immunity of human beings. They help the patients with different techniques including acupressure, reflexology, massage therapy, cosmetic skin treatments etc. In addition, they also get involved in other duties such as billing, networking, marketing, and scheduling of treatment.

Body Therapists work in various government or private settings and NGOs. They are employed at doctors’ offices, chiropractors’ offices, cruise ships, spas, fitness centers, rehabilitation centers etc.

Educational Requirements

To become a Body Therapist, aspiring candidates need to obtain at least a diploma certificate in Massage therapy or related health fields. The students can go for Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees in Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy or related alternative health fields for better job opportunities.

These professionals learn the theory and practice of therapeutic massage and related body work topics, anatomy, kinesiology, physiology, pathology, ethics, business, law etc in their academic pursuance.

Certification and Licensure

Since most states in the USA require a Body Therapist to be licensed, the aspiring candidates need to pass a licensing exam and complete a state-approved training program. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) offer certification for these professionals.

Skill set

Besides the clinical knowledge, a Body Therapists possess various skills such as dexterity, motivating and convincing power, empathy towards patient, high medical ethics, pleasant communications and interpersonal skills, basic computer knowledge, high level of stamina to stand for long periods of time, ability to remain calm under pressure, etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Body Therapist remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 23% from 2012 to 2022, higher than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a Body Therapists was $40,350 in May 2012.

Becoming a Medical Fraud Investigator

Leave a reply

Medical Fraud Investigators play a key role in preventing the occurrence of financial fraud and the unlawful receipt of funds in health care sector. They are responsible to review and analyze suspicious medical claims filed by patients, medical personnel and insurance agencies.

Medical Fraud Investigators use a variety of tools to initiate investigations, identify suspects, collect the accurate data, secure evidences and develop cases for future action including referral to law enforcement, education, over payment recovery and other administrative actions in case of any medical fraud . They also serve as a witness in criminal and civil proceedings in connection to this malpractice.

Medical Fraud Investigators work at FBI, federal government and various private organizations.

Educational Requirements:

To become a Medical Fraud Investigator, the aspiring candidates need to hold a Bachelor’s degree related to criminal justice or health care.

The course work of Bachelor’s degree programs in health care administration includes health facilities operations, budgeting, medical billing and health care records while Criminal justice covers the area of policing strategies, judicial process, investigative techniques, crime prevention and crisis management.

Students can also go for a Master’s degree in related field or a Law degree to get better job opportunities in this field.

Certification and Licensure

Since most states of USA require a Medical Fraud Investigator to be licensed, the aspiring candidates need to pass a licensing exam and complete a state-approved training program. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) or the National Health Care Anti-Fraud offers certification which also requires passing an examination.

Skill set

Medical Fraud Investigators possess wide range of knowledge in various fields such as health laws finance, governing regulations and medical terminology. In addition they hold various traits such as analytical and problem solving capacity, expertise in investigation, effective communication and interpersonal skills, ability to remain calm under pressure, work without supervision, interpret laws and regulations, conduct interviews, computer skills etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Medical Fraud Investigator remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 3 percent from 2012 to 2022. The average annual salary of a Medical Fraud Investigator was $59,850 in 2012.

Becoming a Health Information Technician

Leave a reply

The Health Information Technicians organize and manage the medical record of patients in a health care institution. They ensure its accuracy, accessibility, security and proper entry into computer systems. Their responsibilities include entering, verifying and securing required data, retrieving records for patients and medical personnel, helping the patients for insurance claims etc. They also translate complex medical data into simple and lucid information for the common people.

Health Information Technicians work in government and private hospitals, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, rehabilitation centers etc. They work day, night and weekend shifts.

Educational Requirements

To become a Health Information Technician, the aspiring candidates need to hold at least a 2-year associate’s degree in health information technology or a related field. The common course work includes anatomy, medical coding, health statistics, physiology, database management and reimbursement procedures etc.

The students can pursue a Degree program or higher studies to get a better job opportunity in this field.

Consider Certification

Since many employers require professional certification, the aspiring Health information technicians can obtain it after successfully clearing an examination administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Skill Set

Besides the clinical knowledge, Health Information Technician possess various skills such a clear understanding of confidentiality, high medical ethics, ability to remain calm under pressure, work with compassion, maintain privacy, pleasant communications and interpersonal skills, management and organization abilities, computer skills etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Health Information Technician remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 22 % from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a Health Information Technician was $34,160 in May 2012.

Becoming an Athletic Director

Leave a reply

Athletic Directors oversee all aspects of the sports program in various educational institutions like Schools, Colleges and Universities. They provide guidance and direction to promote sports activities.

The key responsibilities of an Athletic Director are as follows:

  • Create and administer athletic programs for the institution
  • Prepare a budget and allocate spending on items like salaries of coach and other supporting staffs, team travel and equipment purchases etc.
  • Evaluate and hire the coach and other supporting staff
  • Monitor the team and players
  • Conduct an investigation or appoint investigators to review incidents of rules violations
  • Determine the schedule of games, practices and other facilities management
  • Communicate with school officials regarding athletic events and student athletes
  • Participate in revenue development planning and fundraising to promote sports and games

Educational Requirements

To become an Athletic Director, the aspiring candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree with a major of sport management, physical education, athletic training or in a related field.

However, students should obtain a master’s degree in a field like physical education, education administration or sports management or a PhD to get better job opportunities in this field.

Besides, a work experience in a sports related occupation is an advantage for Athletic Director aspirants.

Certification

In order to obtain a nationally recognized certification, the candidates need to fulfill the registration criteria and successfully complete five-year-course after serving for two years as an Athletic Administrator. The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association offers certification programs as a Registered Athletic Administrator, Certified Athletic Administrator or Certified Master Athletic Administrator.

Skills Set

Apart from academic knowledge, an Athletic Director possesses a wide range of skills including abilities to mange multitask activities, work under pressure, solve problems, make tough decisions, understand rules and regulations regarding fundraising, recruiting and athlete eligibility, effective communication and interpersonal skills, organization abilities, leadership quality so on and so forth.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for an Athletic Director remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 15% during 2010-2020. In 2012, the average annual salary of an Athletic Director was $86,490 and $100,000 at School and College level respectively.

Becoming an Animal Laboratory Attendant

Leave a reply

Animal Laboratory Attendants play a key role in the field of veterinary science and biomedical research. They look after the animals and equipments in a laboratory setting. Their responsibilities include examining animals in the lab for signs of illness, recording observations, administering medication, providing food and water, cleaning cages and lab equipments, assisting veterinarians with research in disease control and promoting the health of animals etc.

Animal Laboratory Attendants work in both public and private settings. They are employed at veterinary or medical schools, colleges, universities, government agencies, military labs, research institutions etc.

Educational Requirements

To become an Animal Laboratory Attendant, the aspiring candidates need to hold at least a High school diploma or any equivalent qualification. However, students can get better job opportunities in this field after completing a Bachelor or an Associate degree in Animal science, Biology, or a related subject.

The course work in Degree program includes Animal science, Anatomy, Genetics, Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Nutrition mathematics, and Communications.

Apprenticeship

Animal Laboratory Attendants can acquire training on the job during their college studies. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsors the apprenticeship program for these professionals.

Certification

Animal Laboratory Attendant aspirants need to meet minimum educational qualification and work experience to appear in the examination for certification, administered by American Association for Animal Laboratory Science (AAALS).

Skill set

Besides clinical knowledge, Animal Laboratory Attendants possess various skills such as a good understanding of animal care, adhering to research protocols, ability to work with compassion, basic computer knowledge. More importantly, these professionals need to have physically strong, as they have to lift and move the cages, control the animals.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for an Animal Laboratory Attendant remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 52% during 2010-2020. The average annual salary of an Animal Laboratory Attendant Technician was $30,290 in May 2012.