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Becoming an EMS Worker

EMS (Emergency medical services) workers provide immediate pre-hospital medical care to the sick or injured patients during emergency situations such as natural disasters, accidents, in-home health failures etc. Their responsibilities include responding to emergency calls, assessing patients’ condition, lifting patients and equipment, administering oxygen, providing out-of-hospital acute medical care, transporting patients to medical facilities, using backboards for safe transport, reporting their observations on patients’ health status to the medical staff, offering emotional support to patients and their family members so on and so forth.

EMS Workers work at different environments such as trauma care centers, ambulance services, fire service, government agencies, public or private hospitals, charity service etc. They have to work round the clock in shift wise including weekends and holidays. These professionals are feared to be injured by mentally unstable or combative patients.

Educational Requirements

To qualify for the position of an EMS Worker, the aspiring candidates have to a complete a two-year associate’s degree and a basic training program in the field of EMS management. The training program, which takes around one year to complete, is offered by various community colleges. The syllabus includes EMS administration, field equipment, disaster management, pharmacology, patient assessments and emergency care.

Certification and Licensure

Since an EMS Worker requires to be licensed in all the states, the aspiring candidates have to earn an exam-based License. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) offers exam- based certification to these professionals.

Skill Set               

In addition to clinical knowledge, EMS Workers posses varieties of traits such as a great deal of knowledge in life support, ability to act quickly and accurately, excellent crisis management skills, strong critical thinking skills, empathy towards patients, good listening abilities, effective communications and interpersonal skills, ability to work under strenuous and stressful situation, high level of physical fitness for continuous bending, lifting, and kneeling etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for an EMS Worker 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% during 2012-2022. The average annual salary of an EMS Worker was $31,020 in May 2013.

Becoming a Dialysis Assistant

Dialysis Assistants help patients with kidney failure or renal disease. These skilled professionals purify a patient’s blood through dialysis equipment, which is designed to filter waste or excess water from human body. Their responsibilities include taking blood pressure of patients, checking their weight, administering local anesthesia, maintaining patient records, calculating fluid removal rate, measuring blood flow rate, preparing the water solution, conducting water testing. maintaining dialysis equipment, reporting the findings to concerned nurses and physicians etc. In addition, they handle administrative tasks as well as act as a link between patients and the service providers during and after dialysis treatments.

Dialysis Assistants are employed at varieties of health care settings such as public and private hospitals, clinics, dialysis centers, kidney hospital, outpatient centers, home health care agencies, long-term care facilities etc. They work full time and may require working at night, weekend, or holiday schedules.

Educational Requirements

To qualify for the position of a Dialysis Assistant, the applicants need to hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Additionally, the students need to complete a state approved dialysis technician training program from a community college, technical school, or hospital. The training program can be completed in less than a year. The course work includes hemodialysis machine operation, vascular access, patient care, ethics, medical terminology, drug overdose, plasmaphoresis etc. Students may also acquire clinical training through job-training programs.

Certification and Licensure

Since a Dialysis Assistants requires to be licensed in many states, the aspiring candidates need to earn exam-based licensure. These professionals can obtain certification from the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT) or the National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO).

Skill Set

In addition to clinical knowledge, Dialysis Assistants possess various skills, such as ability to monitor a patient’s vital signs, and keeping an eye out for complications; high level of attention to detail; ability to work for long duration in standing position; empathy and compassion towards patients; ability to work under pressure situation; good at dexterity; ability to operate complex equipment; pleasant communication and interpersonal skills; computer skills etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Dialysis Assistant 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 29% during 2012-2022. The average annual salary of a Dialysis Assistant was $35,600 in 2014.

Becoming an EKG Assistant

EKG Assistants use electrocardiogram (EKG) machine to diagnose cardiovascular problems of patients. They also perform stress tests, where a patient walks on a treadmill and the heart’s activity is observed. These skilled professionals help physicians for analysis of electrical impulses transmitted by a patient’s heart as well as treatment of various heart diseases. Their responsibilities include attaching electrodes to a patient’s body, recording EKG readings, providing EKG test report to concerned physicians, maintaining EKG equipment, explaining procedures to patients, monitoring patients’ blood pressure and positioning patients during the test so on and so forth.

EKG Assistants work at various environments such as hospitals, physician’s offices, medical laboratories, private cardiology clinics, outpatient clinics, cardiac rehabilitation facilities etc. Most of their work times are spent by standing. They work full time and may require working overnight, evenings or weekends.

Educational Requirements

To become an EKG Assistant, the aspiring candidates must have must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Additionally, the candidates have to complete 1 year certification program in the related areas. The candidates can pursue higher studies for better job prospects in this field. The course work includes medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, physics, pathology, diagnostic testing, EKG equipment operation, cardiovascular system function etc. EKG Assistants can also receive on-the-job training.

Certification and Licensure

Since an EKG Assistant requires to be licensed in many states, the aspiring candidates need to pass a licensing exam. National Health career Association offers exam-based certification to these professionals.

Skill Set               

In addition to moderate clinical knowledge, EKG Assistants possess variety of skills such as ability to operate and manipulate an EKG machine, strong attention to detail, high medical ethics, empathy towards patient, ability to work with compassion and accuracy, strong physical stamina for lifting and positioning the patients, tolerance for long and stressed working hours, pleasant communications and interpersonal skills, competent in computer operations etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for an EKG Assistant 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% from 2012 to 2022, higher than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of an EKG Assistant was $ $60,350 in May 2012.

Becoming a Dialysis Nurse

Dialysis Nurses are specially trained and educated to remove toxins and excess water of patients with kidney disease. They operate a hemodialysis machine that extracts blood from the patient, cleans it and return into the body. Their responsibilities include overseeing the dialysis treatment from start to finish, monitoring patient vital signs, communicating procedure details with patients and concerned doctors, reviewing the patients’ lab work, assessing the effectiveness of procedures, educating patients and the public about kidney problems, providing emotional support to patients and their family members etc.

Dialysis nurses work in varieties of settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers, transplant facilities, outpatient treatment centers, long-term care facilities, home health care agencies, hospice and palliative care services so on so forth. Since dialysis patients need round-the-clock care, nurses in these settings usually work in rotating shifts, covering all 24 hours. They may also be on phone call.

Educational Requirements

Dialysis Nurses must be a licensed RN (registered nurse) in their state of employment. To qualify for this position, the aspiring candidates must earn a two-year associate or a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing. Common course includes human anatomy, nephrology, pharmacology, nutrition, microbiology, physiology and psychology. However, the employers often prefer the candidates with clinical experience of caring dialysis patients.

Certification and Licensure

Since the practice of a Dialysis Nurse must be licensed in USA, the aspiring candidates have to complete an approved nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). These professionals can obtain exam-based certification from the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission.

Skill Set

Apart from clinical knowledge, Dialysis Nurses possess various traits, such as strong analytical skills, a good deal of patience, high medical ethics, detail oriented , sympathetic to patients, ability to remain calm under pressure, self-management skills, willingness to work as a part of team, pleasant communications and interpersonal skills , management and organization abilities, computer skills etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Dialysis Nurse 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 19% during 2012-2022. The average annual salary of a Dialysis Nurse was $65,470 in May 2012.

Becoming a Dental Office Manager

Dental Office Managers oversee the day-to-day non-medical activities in various dental care environments. They are mainly responsible for coordinating all the administrative duties such as making budget, administering billing process, scheduling appointments, hiring clerical staff, facilitating training to staff members, organizing staff meetings, managing the marketing and promotional programs, maintaining cordial relations with other organizations, handling payrolls and insurance claims etc. They work closely with the Dentist and other employees to facilitate them for effective performance while providing dental services. However, these professionals are not involved in treating patients.

Dental Office Managers work in various dental care settings such as public or private hospitals, clinics, dentist’s office, dental care facilities, insurance companies, group medical practices, etc. They usually work full time. They may be required to work in night shifts, even in the weekends if required.

Educational Requirements

To qualify for the position of a Dental Office Manager, the aspiring candidates have to earn at least a high school diploma and a one- year certificate program in dental office administration or healthcare-related field from an accredited institution. The job aspirants can also receive experiences on-the-job training.

The coursework in the certificate program covers dental terminology, dental charting, quantitative reasoning, dental insurance procedure, fiscal management, billing, human management, computer applications etc.

Certification and Licensure

Since Dental Office Managers are required to be licensed in many states of USA, the aspiring candidates need to pass the state licensure examination. The American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM) offers exam-based certification to these professionals.

Skill Set               

Dental Office Managers possess varieties of skills such as resource management abilities, critical thinking and decision making abilities, time management skills, administrative abilities, understanding of dental policies and procedures, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to perform multi-task activities, willingness to maintain cordial relationship with staff members and other organizations, computer skills etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Dental Office Manager 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 10% from 2012 to 2022. The average annual salary of a Dental Office Manager was ranging from $30,400 to $61,000 in 2014.

Becoming a Dental Assistant

Dental Assistants play a key role in dental care settings by performing varieties of tasks, ranging from patient care to administrative and laboratory duties. They assist the Dentists while providing dental treatment to the patients of all age groups. Their responsibilities include preparing patients; examining rooms for dental procedures; handing required instruments to dentists during procedures; sterilizing instruments; taking and exposing x-rays; providing CPR, first aid and adjunctive services in emergency situation; providing patient education and post-operative instructions for proper dental hygiene and nutritional intake; maintaining records of dental treatments; and performing other duties assigned to them.

Dental Assistants may work in different environments such as hospitals, private dental offices, group practices, armed services, dental manufacturing companies, educational institutions etc. However, they work under direct supervision of dentists and may work closely with dental hygienists in their working environments.

Educational Requirements

To become a Dental Assistant, the aspiring candidates have to earn at least a high school diploma, certificate or an associate degree programs before completing the dental assisting programs, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Dental assisting programs usually take 9 to 11 months to complete. The programs include classroom and laboratory work in which students learn about teeth, gums, jaws, dental science and other areas that dentists work on and the instruments that dentists use. The students also gain some practical experiences through these programs. .

Certification and Licensure

Since a Dental Assistant requires to be licensed in most of the states, the aspiring candidates need to pass the Licensure examination. To obtain professional certification, the Dental Assistants have to pass the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Skill Set               

Dental Assistant possess various skills such as high level of attention to detail; ability to work well in a team-oriented environment, excellent organizational skills, good listening abilities, efficient in manual dexterity, instruments management abilities, pleasant communication and interpersonal activities, competent in computer skills etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Dental Assistant 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 25% from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a Dental Assistant was $34,500 in May 2012.

Becoming a Clinical Specialist

Clinical Specialists perform medical as well as administrative duties in various healthcare settings. They provide direct patient care, which includes administering diagnostic tests, providing treatments and medications, observing recovery process, offering patient consultations etc. They may specialize in care for certain groups of people, such as children, pregnant women, or patients with mental health disorders. Their administrative responsibilities include staff supervision and updating patient records. Some of these professionals may conduct research work in the field of medication and health care.

Clinical Specialist may work independently or in collaboration with physicians in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, nursing homes, community health centers, rehabilitation facilities, research centers etc. They usually work full time. They may be required to work in evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

Educational Requirements

To become a Clinical Specialist, the aspiring candidates must have to earn Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) program from an accredited institution. The syllabus includes anatomy, biology, epidemiology, physiology, physical assessment and diagnostic reasoning, pharmacology, ethics, patient care etc.

The students may also pursue master’s degree or PhD in nursing for better job prospects at higher level of this profession.

Certification and Licensure

Since a Clinical Specialist needs to be licensed in all states, the candidates must first pass the National Council Licensure Examination, (NCLEX-RN). These professionals can obtain certifications from various organizations, including the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board etc.

Skill Set               

Apart from clinical knowledge, the Clinical Specialists possess wide range of traits such as high level of attention to detail, empathy towards patients, clinical problem solving and decision making abilities, excellent leadership quality, effectively counseling abilities, understanding of regulations, competent in computer skills, pleasant communication and interpersonal skills, etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Clinical Specialist 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 31% during 2012-2022. The average annual salary of a Clinical Specialist was $96,460 in May 2012.

Becoming a Clinical Veterinarian

Clinical Veterinarians play a key role in the healthcare of various animals, including pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals, birds etc. Their primary duties include diagnosing injuries, infections, fractures and diseases of animals; dressing wounds; administering vaccinations and medications and performing surgeries. They also interact with animal owners and offer advice on treatments and feeding practices for animals. In addition, they use their knowledge and skills to protect humans against diseases carried by animals. Some of these professionals conduct clinical research on both human and animal health problems.

Clinical Veterinarians are employed in various settings such as animal hospitals, animal care facilities, educational institutions, research facilities etc. They may practice in groups or solo. They often work long hours and take turns being on call for evening, night, or weekend hours according to their responsibilities.

Educational Requirements

To become a Clinical Veterinarian, the aspiring candidates must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree from a 4-year program at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. After earning their DVM, Clinical Veterinarians complete internships to obtain experience.

The syllabus in D.V.M. program includes animal nutrition, anatomy, pathology, parasitology, , embryology, vertebrates etc.

Certification and Licensure

Since a Clinical Veterinarian must be licensed in all 50 states of the USA, the candidates must have to complete a D.V.M and pass the North American Veterinary Board Examination, in order to earn a required license. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners offer certification to these professionals in an area of specialty, such as beef cattle, canines, avian, felines, equine exotic pets, etc.

Skill Set

Apart from the clinical knowledge, the aspiring candidates possess various skills such as ability to observe and make assessments from required demonstration; dexterity; high level of stamina to stand for long periods of time; pleasant communications and interpersonal skills; basic computer knowledge, etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Clinical Veterinarian 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 12% during 2012-2022. The average annual salary of a Clinical Veterinarian was $ 86,640 in 2012.

Becoming a Clinical Office Assistant

Clinical Office Assistants play a supporting role in performing administrative and clinical services in various health care settings. Their administrative responsibilities include attending telephone calls, responding to emails, registering patients, scheduling appointments, processing medical bills, recording patients’ medical history, assisting patients for insurance claims and other tasks native to the front office.

These professionals are also engaged in various clinical services. For instance, they take a patient’s weight, blood pressure and other vital signs. They also collect fluid samples and tissue specimens for laboratory testing. In some cases, they may assist health care providers, such as doctors, nurses and other medical staff in providing medical care to patients.

Clinical Office Assistants work in a variety of health care settings such as hospitals, clinics, and offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors as well as other health practitioners. They often work full-time.

Educational Requirements

To become a Clinical Office Assistant, the aspiring candidates need to complete a 2-year associate degree program. However, candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent can join the profession and learn through on-the-job training.

The course works include medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, coding and billing, laboratory procedures, medical office software applications etc. Besides, the students learn administrative tasks, such as typing and record keeping.

Certification

Though certification is not required to become a Clinical Office Assistant, many employers in the USA prefer certified job aspirants. The candidates can obtain certification from one of many professional associations, including the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Skill Set                               

Clinical Office Assistants possess a wide range of knowledge in medical terminology, information technology, and other skills such as high attention to detail, empathy towards patient and their family members, ability to work under pressure and emergency situation, pleasant communication and interpersonal skills, proficiency in computer operations etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Clinical Office Assistant 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 by 29% during 2012-2022, faster than the average for all occupations. The annual average salary of a Clinical Office Assistant was $29,370 in May 2012.

Becoming a Clinical Hypnotherapist

Clinical Hypnotherapists work with the subconscious mind of the people to treat physical and psychological ailments. They guide the patients to understand the exact problem, its causes, and how the hypnotherapy treatment could relieve them. They administer hypnotherapy alongside other techniques to resolve various issues such as stress management, behavior modification, pain control, eliminating phobias, recovery from substance abused and addicted problems etc. These professionals work directly with patients.

Clinical Hypnotherapists work mostly in social work or health care setting as counselors, psychologists, therapists or physicians. They are employed in variety of environments such as hospitals, mental health centers, community health centers, rehabilitation centers, private practices etc. They often work full time. However, they may be required to work in the evening or weekend depending on their responsibilities.

Educational Requirements

To become a Clinical Hypnotherapist, the aspiring candidates need to earn a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, therapy or other related discipline. The students can also pursue higher studies and hold a doctoral degree in related field for better job prospects. In addition, work experience is definitely an advantage for job aspirants.

Clinical Hypnotherapists study hypnotherapy techniques, behavioral science, addiction studies, pharmacology, psychology, counseling etc.

Certification and Licensure

Since the practice of a Clinical Hypnotherapist requires a license in USA, the aspiring candidates need to pass the licensing exam. The candidates can also obtain exam-based certification from the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH).

Skill Set

Clinical Hypnotherapists possess varieties of traits such as command in hypnosis techniques and psychotherapy, empathy towards patients, ability to work collaboratively with diverse professionals, strong motivational skills, a great deal of tolerance to occasional awkward behavior from clients, effective communication and interpersonal skills, competence in computer operations etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Clinical Hypnotherapists 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 by 18-31 per cent during 2012-2022. The average annual salary of a Clinical Hypnotherapists varies according to the primary profession. For instance, the annual median salary of a psychologist was $67,760 while a physician earned $176,530 in May 2012.