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Becoming a Clerical Health Care Worker

Clerical Health Care Workers perform administrative tasks in a medical setting. Their responsibilities include responding phone calls and other queries, scheduling appointments, acting as a liaison between patients, doctors, and other staff, maintaining privacy and confidential medical report, keeping medical record with accuracy, guiding patients for proper treatment or preventive cure, helping for insurance reimbursement, assisting patients on rehabilitative exercises and diet control etc. In addition, these professionals oversee the overall organization of their unit and ensure it runs smoothly.

Clerical Health Care Workers can work at variety of healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, home care centers, rehabilitation centers, doctor’s offices, group medical practices at clinics etc. They are employed in different types of positions such as administrative support worker, medical coder, medical records clerk, medical transcriptionist so on and so forth.

Educational Requirements

In order to become a Clerical Health Care Worker, the aspiring candidates need to hold at least a high school diploma. However, the students can pursue associate degree program in health, office administration or related field to find out better job opportunities. These professionals can get training either on-the-job or through vocational programs.

Clerical Health Care Workers study the coursework in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, medical billing and coding etc.

Certification

While working as a Medical Coder, Clerical Health Care Workers need to obtain a certification from American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), the Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC) or the Professional Association of Health Care Coding Specialists (PAHCS).

Skill Set

Apart from holding an academic qualification, Clerical Health Care Workers possess variety skills such as empathy towards patient, ability to be detail-oriented and work with compassion, high medical ethics, crisis management and problem solving abilities, highly-organized and efficient to record the data accurately, maintaining privacy and confidential report of the patient, managing multiple task at a time, effective communications and interpersonal skills, knowledge of basic computer operations etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Clerical Health Care Worker remains excellent in USA. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 22 per cent from 2012 to 2022. The average annual salary of a Clerical Health Care Worker was $34,970 in May 2013.

Becoming a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

Certified Substance Abuse Counselors help people to overcome and conquer dependencies on substances such as alcohol and various drugs like narcotics, cocaine, heroin etc. Their responsibilities include maintaining patients’ medical history, evaluating their mental and physical health, determining a proper treatment and recovery program, assessing patient’s progress, organizing counseling program on lifestyle changes and prevention of substance abuse etc.

In addition, these professionals offer moral support to the drug addicted persons and their family members as the recovery period is quite challenging. They also collaborate with doctors, psychologists, social workers and other professionals to provide other necessary services.

Certified Substance Abuse Counselors conduct both one-on-one and group counseling sessions. They work in many different settings such as public and private hospitals, community health centers, mental health centers, detention centers, rehabilitation centers, educational institutions, research centers, NGOs etc. They can also open their own private practices.

Education Requirements

To become a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, educational requirement differs from a high school diploma to a master’s degree depending on the working environment. However, these professionals holding a high school diploma need to take training on the job.

At degree level, the course work includes pharmacology, psychology, addiction studies, behavioral science or related majors. During master’s program, the students spend time with patients at clinics.

Licensure and Certification

Since most states of USA require a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor to be licensed, the aspiring candidates have to obtain a License after passing a required examination. The Association for Addictions Professionals (NAADAC) offers variety of certifications to these professionals.

Skill Set

Apart from academic knowledge, Certified Substance Abuse Counselors possess wide range of skills such as analytical and decision making abilities, effective communication and interpersonal skills, ability to maintain privacy and confidentiality, understanding patients’ emotions, tolerance for patients’ response with violence in some cases etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor remains excellent across the USA. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 31 per cent during 2012-2022. The average annual salary of an Addictions Counselors was $38,620 in 2013.

Becoming a Hospital Laboratory Technician

Hospital Laboratory Technicians conduct lab test of human body fluids, tissues, cells and other substances for diagnosis and treatment of a variety of diseases. Their responsibilities include analyzing the chemical constituents of body fluids such as urine, blood and stool samples, determining the function of immune system, confirming safe blood transfusion, identifying infective microorganisms, evaluating hormone levels, detecting abnormalities for a specific health problem, reporting the findings to physicians and maintaining the detailed records of patients. They use biomedical instruments and technology as well as manual techniques for the lab test.

These skilled professionals work at variety of public and private settings such as public health laboratories, clinical laboratories, forensic and law enforcement laboratories, pharmaceutical or chemical industries, research and educational institutions etc. They may have to work in night shifts and even during weekend.

Educational Requirements

To become a Hospital Laboratory Technician, the aspiring candidates need to complete a two-year associate degree in medical laboratory technology. The syllabus in this program includes microbiology, hematology, immunology, psychology, chemistry, clinical laboratory practices etc. The students can pursue a degree program in a related field for better employment opportunities.

Licensure and Certification

Since the practice of a Hospital Laboratory Technician in most of the states of USA requires to be licensed, the aspiring candidates need to earn a license by passing the required examination. These professionals can obtain certification from the Board of Registry for the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Skill Set

Apart from technical knowledge, Hospital Laboratory Technicians should have an eye for detail. They should also have the ability to operate complex machinery equipments, physical strength to work long hours either in sitting or standing, an understanding of medical terminology, excellent communication and computer skills etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Hospital Laboratory 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 30% during the period of 2012-2022. The average annual salary of a Hospital Laboratory Technician was $40,990 in 2013.

Becoming a Cardiovascular Technician

Cardiovascular Technicians assist physicians to diagnose and treat heart disease and other vascular difficulties of the people. They operate variety of equipments to create images or conduct tests while diagnosing the cardiology conditions of the patients. Their responsibilities include scheduling appointments, reviewing patients’ medical records, monitoring patients’ vital signs such as heart rates, oxygen saturation, blood pressure etc, positioning the patient during the procedure, administering drugs, maintaining the equipments, counseling on lifestyle changes so on and so forth.

Cardiovascular Technicians often specialize in different areas of practice such as invasive cardiology, echocardiography, vascular technology, stress testing and electrocardiograms. These professionals work in variety of health care settings under the direct supervision of a physician according to their special areas. They can be employed in public and private hospitals, doctors’ offices, operating rooms, intensive care units, emergency wards, diagnostic laboratories, cardiac rehabilitation centers etc. Sometimes, they work for longer hours and may be on call during the night or weekends.

Educational Requirements

To qualify for the position of a Cardiovascular Technician, the aspiring candidates need to earn at least a 2-year associate’s degree in cardiovascular technology. Students can complete a 4-year degree program in cardiovascular technology or related field to find better job opportunities. However, some of these professionals are trained on the job.

The students cover the syllabus of cardiovascular anatomy, pathology, physiology, pharmacology, physics, electrocardiography, diagnostic testing etc.

Licensure & Certification

Since the practice of Cardiovascular Technician needs to be licensed in many states of USA, the aspiring candidates have to pass the licensing examination. These professionals can seek examination-based certification from American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

Skill Set

Apart from clinical knowledge, Cardiovascular Technicians possess various skills such as empathy towards patient, high medical ethics, attention to detail, maintaining calm and helpful during stressful situations, dexterity to perform procedures, ability to work for long hours even in irregular times, recording accurate report, 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 Cardiovascular Technician remains excellent in USA. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 30% from 2012 to 2022. The average annual salary of a Cardiovascular Technician was $52,070 in 2012.

Becoming a Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist

Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists manage the anesthesia aspects of patients undergoing surgery in chest including heart, lungs, mediastinum and related invasive procedures ranging from minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, and complex multi-stage aortic surgery.

Their key responsibility is to anesthetize patients for painless surgical procedure and perform a preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care of patients. Their other duties include analyzing patient’s medical history, evaluating vital signs of patients such as blood pressure, breathing, heart function, pulse rate, body temperature etc. to provide anesthesia accurately and managing postoperative pain.

In addition, Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists supervise the bypass heart-lung machine. These professionals also work with non-cardiac procedures like esophageal resection and all types of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Cardiac Anesthesiologists work at a variety of health care settings such as government and private hospitals, clinics, trauma centers etc. These professionals have to work even in evening, night and weekend shifts. They also have to perform emergency visits on call.

Educational Requirements

To qualify for the position of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist, the aspiring candidates must 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).

Prospective of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists cover the course work of human anatomy, biology, physics, organic chemistry, etc. with emphasizing on anesthesia, pain relief techniques and information on heart care.

Licensure and Certification

Since all the states of USA require a Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist 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 receive exam-based certification from the American Society of Anesthesiologists or the American Board of Anesthesiology.

Skill Set

Apart from the clinical knowledge, Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists possess variety of skills such as attention to detail, empathy towards patients, protecting patients’ confidentiality, tolerance for long and irregular working hours, maintaining calm during stressful situations, maintaining high medical ethics, understanding the spirit of team work, showing ability to perform duties with accuracy, possessing physical stamina for lifting and positioning the patients and equipments, displaying pleasant communications and interpersonal skills, having basic computer knowledge etc.

Salary & Job Outlook

Job outlook for the Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists remains excellent across the USA. According to the 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 Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists was $235,070 in May 2013.

Becoming a Cardiopulmonary Therapist

Cardiopulmonary Therapists help patients to get relieve or heal from a cardiac disorder and respiratory problems. They work with patients who have been diagnosed with asthma, angina, emphysema, heart attack, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other heart or lung diseases. Their responsibilities include developing treatment program, designing and monitoring an appropriate exercise program, educating the patients to lead a healthy lifestyle and reduce health risks etc.

Cardiopulmonary Therapists work in variety of settings such as government and private hospitals, outpatient clinics, cardiac rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, medical laboratories etc. These professionals have to work even in night and weekend shifts. They also need to perform duties on call.

Educational Requirements

To become a Cardiopulmonary Therapist, aspiring candidates need to earn a doctoral degree from an accredited physical therapy program. The undergraduate syllabus covers the courses like anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, social science, mathematics, etc.

Licensure and Certification

Since the practice of a Cardiopulmonary Therapist in USA requires to be licensed, the aspiring candidates must have to pass a licensing examination. These professionals can obtain a certification from Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

Skill Set

Apart from the clinical knowledge, the Cardiopulmonary Therapist possess various skills such as empathy towards patient, high medical ethics, protecting patients’ confidentiality, attention to detail, dexterity to perform procedures, tolerance for long working hours, maintaining calm and helpful during stressful situations, understanding the spirit of team work, 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 Cardiopulmonary Therapist remains excellent in USA. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 36% from 2012 to 2022, higher than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a Cardiopulmonary Therapist was $79,860 in 2012.

Becoming a Cardiology Engineer

Cardiology Engineers play a key role in improving the quality and effective patient care as well as the technological mechanisms in the field of cardiovascular treatment and procedures. Their responsibilities include creating and modifying the diagnostic and surgical devices, testing necessary machinery, maintaining the records of biomedical equipments, designing rehabilitation aids, educating people to use biomedical machines etc. Some of these professionals also conduct research work with other scientists or analyze new medical procedures.

Cardiology Engineers work in collaboration with cardiac physicians, surgeons, medical scientists, engineers from other disciplines, such as mechanical engineering and electrical engineering etc. They are employed in hospitals and other clinical settings, manufacturing units, educational institutions, research centers, government regulatory agencies so on and so forth.

Educational Requirements

To become a Cardiology Engineer, the aspiring candidates have to earn a graduate degree in biomedical engineering from an accredited program. However, a degree in a different field of engineering or biology might qualify applicants to get on-the-job training in biomedical engineering.

Students can pursue advanced degrees such a Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Engineering (M.Eng) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in this field for better job opportunities.

Cardiology Engineers study biology, anatomy, mechanics, and pharmacology, cardiovascular system, cardiovascular ailments etc.

Licensure

Since the practice of Cardiology Engineer requires to be licensed, the aspiring candidates must have to pass a licensing examination. These professionals also need to obtain a certification.

Skill Set

Apart from the clinical knowledge, the Cardiology Engineer possess various skills such as attention to detail, dexterity to perform procedures, ability to think creatively in order to develop new tools and procedures, maintaining calm and helpful during stressful situations, tolerance for long working hours, high medical ethics, empathy towards patient, understanding the spirit of team work, 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 Cardiology Engineer remains excellent in USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 27% from 2012 to 2022, higher than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a Cardiology Engineer was $86,960 in May 2012.

Becoming a Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technician

Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technicians use electrocardiographic (ECG) equipments to monitor cardiac rhythms of patients and report the findings to the nursing staff. Their other duties include preparing and positioning the patients, monitoring cardiovascular data, analyzing physiological changes, documenting medical records, cleaning and maintaining cardiac equipments, playing as a liaison between patients and medical staffs so on and so forth.

Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technicians work in variety of medical settings such as government and private hospitals, cardiac rehabilitation facilities, physician’s offices, outpatient clinics, intensive care units, medical laboratories etc. These professionals need to work daytime, evening, night and weekend shifts. They also have to perform duties on call.

Educational Requirements

In order to become a Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technicians, the aspiring candidates must have to earn a high school diploma or a GED. Then, the candidates can join two-year associate’s degree programs to learn ECG and other cardiovascular technologies.

The students cover the course works like cardiac anatomy, physiology, pathology, electrocardiography, medical terminology, medical imaging, cardiovascular pharmacology, ventricular rhythms, echo interpretation etc.

Certification

To qualify for the position of Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technicians, the aspiring candidates need to earn an examination based certification from American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

Skill Set

Apart from the clinical knowledge, Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technicians possess various skills such as attention to detail, dexterity to perform procedures, protecting patients’ confidentiality and sensitive data, understanding the spirit of team work, tolerance for long working hours, empathy towards patient, high medical ethics, ability to perform duties with accuracy, maintaining calm and helpful during stressful situations, 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 Telemetry Monitor Technician remains excellent in the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 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 Telemetry Monitor Technician was $52,070 in May 2012.

Becoming a Cardiac Monitor Technician

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.