Author Archives: healthcaremanagement

Becoming a Clerical Health Care Worker

Leave a reply

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 Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist

Leave a reply

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

Leave a reply

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

Leave a reply

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 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 Neurodiagnostic Technologist

Leave a reply

Neurodiagnostic Technologists review and analyze the patients’ nervous system to treat neurological ailments. Their experience and knowledge in neurophysiology help them identify normal and abnormal activities in the nervous systems of the body. They collect the data using electrical patterns and provide those to the physicians who treat ailments such as headaches, brain disorder, heart strokes and dizziness.

Key Responsibilities of Neurodiagnostic Technologists:

* Electroencephalograms (EEGs) being used to assess brain activity
* Intraoperative neuromonitoring, which tracks brain and nerve function
* Monitoring the disorders
* Perform Polysomnograms to diagnose sleep disorders and identify the real issues
* Find the electrical signals in nervous system.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists usually work in hospitals, clinical settings, physician’s office, epilepsy monitoring units, sleep disorder centers and research labs.

Education Requirements: The aspiring Neurodiagnostic Technologists must go for a high school diploma, which includes courses such as mathematics, science, biology, computer and language

courses. After completing high school diploma, they need to undergo a two-year degree program with coursework in physics or biology.

The aspiring Neurodiagnostic Technologists can opt for EEG Credentialing exam from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET).

Salary & Job Outlook: The career outlook for Neurodiagnostic Technologists remains very good. They earn around $44,200 per annum during the initial phase of their career. Experienced professionals may earn around $112,333 per year. The average annual salary for Neurodiagnostic Technologists was $65,226.

Becoming a Forensic Biologist

Leave a reply

Forensic Biologists visit the crime scenes, inspect the spots to garner evidences, which include blood, saliva and hair samples. They examine all evidences collected from the crime scenes to identify victims. That is the most important part of any criminal investigation process. They conduct the examination in a laboratory or any research facility. They are required to testify in courts as part of the investigation process.

The Forensic Biologists mostly work for the government agencies. They are also known as Forensic Science Technicians. They need to be flexible when it comes to working hours.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree in a forensic or natural science is must for aspiring Forensic Biologists. Coursework in mathematics, biology and chemistry helps them understand the techniques used in forensic labs. In addition, they are needed to learn forensic pathology, genetics, molecular biology and DNA analysis.

2. Obtain a Master’s Degree: A Master’s Degree in forensic biology boosts the profiles of aspiring Forensic Biologists. The coursework generally includes biotechnology, molecular biology and ethical issues in criminal investigations.

3. Certification: The American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) offers certification in molecular biology at two levels, Diplomate (D-ABC) and Fellow (F-ABC). Details are available on the website. Certification is necessary, as many states in the United States require that while hiring Forensic Biologists.

4. Work Experience: On-the-job training in forensic science may serve as an added advantage for aspiring Forensic Biologists. They are also advised to attend workshops on professional development, biochemistry and lab analysis methods. They can also opt for 6-12 months of DNA analysis training.

Salary & Career Outlook: The job outlook for a Forensic Biologist is not very good, as it remains below average. The projected job growth is 6% during the period of 2012-22. The average annual salary of a Forensic Biologist is $52,840 per year.

Becoming an Audiology Doctor (Audiologist)

Leave a reply

The Audiology Doctors are specialized in treating and balancing hearing related disorders. They focus on identifying and assessing hearing and balancing problems. They also help in rehabilitating persons with hearing and balance disorders. In addition, the Audiology Doctors work towards preventing hearing loss. They are trained to make use of technology in a better way.

The Audiology Doctors, commonly referred as Audiologists provide the following services at various clinical settings:

* Evaluate the hearing process
* Counsel patients and their family members
* Evaluate and treat balance disorders
* Help individuals with devices
* Assist the patients in bridging the communication gap and speech reading

Education Requirements:

1. High School Diploma: It’s better to opt for subjects such as Biology, Anatomy or Chemistry at the High School to gain first-hand knowledge about use of technology and human behavior.

2. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: A four-year bachelor’s degree program with coursework in Biology, Biochemistry, Communication Sciences or any related field, will be an added advantage.

3. Doctoral Degree: The Audiology Doctors or Audiologists must earn a doctoral degree (an AuD) accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) provides a listing of accredited schools offering an AuD program.

4. Licensure: Some states in the United States require a license while hiring the Audiologists. A current license in audiology or speech-language pathology will be very helpful for aspiring Audiology Doctors.

Working Conditions: Audiology Doctors or Audiologists work in health care settings, educational facilities, government agencies etc. They generally work for 40 to 50 hours in a week. They work with medical specialists, speech language pathologists, educators, engineers, scientists and other professionals.

Salary & Job Outlook: Job outlook for Audiology Doctors or Audiologists remains excellent at 34% for the period of 2012-22, which is much faster than average. The average annual salary for Audiologists was $69,720 per annum in 2012.

Becoming a Palliative Care Physician

Leave a reply

Palliative Care Physicians work hard to improve the functioning of body parts and improve the living conditions. They mainly focus on relieving the pain and other symptoms of serious and chronic illness. The Palliative Care Physicians work with patients and their family members to identify and alleviate physical and emotional pain and trauma associated with serious health conditions.

These professionals also spend time on family meetings and counseling process. They play as a strong link between the patients and family members and coordinate with the support groups and other service providers to ensure best services for them. The team where Palliative Care Physicians work, included nurses and social workers, pharmacists, massage therapists and nutritionists.

Key Challenges:

* Controlling pain, removing stress, addressing spiritual needs.
* Help the family members understand the patients’ conditions and treatment process.
* Improve communication between patients and care providers.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn a Medical Degree: The aspiring Palliative Care Physicians must earn a medical degree in any of the specialties: family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, anesthesiology, psychiatry and neurology, radiology or surgery.

2. Residency Program: After completing the medical degree, they may opt for residency programs to gain hands-on experience. They can also go for a one-year palliative medicine fellowship program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Working Conditions: The Palliative Care Physicians mostly work in hospitals, clinics, private nursing homes, government agencies, shelter homes etc. In some cases, they also offer services at patient’s home.

Salary & Job Outlook: Job outlook for the Palliative Care Physicians remain excellent. They earn in the range of $150,000 – $170,000 per year depending on experience and expertise.