Author Archives: Sagar Satapathy

Becoming a Cytotechnologist

Leave a reply

Cytotechnologists focus on performing laboratory tasks involving cells and cellular complications. They use a microscope to examine the slides of human cells to figure out the exact nature of problem with the cells if any. They usually detect the cancerous, infectious and inflammatory cells. Cytotechnologists play a key role in identifying the complex diseases and help the patients recover.

These professionals specialize in the extraction and examination of human cells. They obtain cell specimens from various body parts, including lungs, veins and female reproductive tract, place them on slides and examine those microscopically. They are trained to mark the cellular changes.

Education Requirements:

  1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Bachelor’s degree programs in cytotechnology help the aspiring Cytotechnologists understand the cellular system and identify the diseases. The four-year degree programs include coursework in biology, cell biology, chemistry and human physiology as well as laboratory experience.
  2. Accreditation: After completing the bachelor’s degree program, the students must go for accreditation. According to the American Society for Cytotechnology, there are currently 48 programs nationwide that are accredited in cytotechnology. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) offer accreditation.
  3. Certification: In order to improve your employment prospects, obtain a certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP). The certification exam ask questions in eight different areas, including gynecological, respiratory system, lab operations etc.
  4. Licensure: Several states in the United States require the Cytotechnologists to possess a license. The students can obtain a license in order to boost their profile.

Salary & Job Outlook:

Job outlook for Cytotechnologists remains bright at least for the next two decades. These professionals are high in demand in the United States. The average annual salary for Cytotechnologists was $61,235 in 2012. Those in higher positions, can earn up to $71,261 per year.

Becoming a Biogerontologist

Leave a reply

The Biogerontologists exclusively work towards the well being of elderly people. They review the patients’ history and improve their standards of living by supporting their physical as well as emotional health. Many of them work directly with the senior citizens as caregivers or advocates. Others work in the field of medical research, academics and administration.

The role Biogerontologists play in the entire process, remains very crucial for the physical and emotional growth of the elderly people, as they explore ways to slow down or reverse the aging process and its negative consequences. They even dig deeper to understand the cells, organs and physical system of the body to find answers to the problems.

Education Requirements:

Biogerontologists typically hold bachelor’s degree in any scientific subjects that include genetics, microbiology, biology etc. They are also required to do maximum laboratory research during the four-year degree program.

After completing bachelor’s degree, they can go for a master’s degree followed by a Ph.D. to boost their career. Internship or work experience in a biogerontology research laboratory might serve as a big advantage for such professionals.

Working Conditions:

Most Biogerontologists get employment at laboratories in universities, colleges, pharmaceutical companies and research centers. In addition, they also work at social sectors, non-profit organizations, trusts etc.

Salary & Job Outlook:

As the number of senior citizens is on the rise in the United States, the job outlook for Biogerontologist remains good. They can earn between $60,000 to $100,000 in a year, depending on their nature of job and experience.

Becoming an Allied Dental Educator

Leave a reply

Allied Dental Educators train students to become Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists or Dental Laboratory Technicians. They remain on the forefront when it comes to oral health practice and dental science. As the dental technology keeps changing fast, they must stay up-to-date with new techniques and research information.

Apart from imparting classroom teaching, the Allied Dental Educators are also required to supervise students in a laboratory and clinical setting and train them on how to provide quality oral health care to patients. Some of them also help publishers develop new textbooks and other training, teaching and evaluation materials. Sometimes, they are entrusted with the task of consulting with the manufacturers about the design of dental equipments.

Education Requirements:

A four-year bachelor’s degree in any science discipline is must as the first step towards becoming an Allied Dental Educator. Coursework in physics, chemistry and biology will help the students get the exposure and skill set they need to do well in this profession. Full-time positions in dental hygiene programs generally require a graduate or doctoral degree. The Allied Dental Educators also need professional certification or licensure to get hired at a good salary.

Working Environments:

Whether it’s full time or part-time, the Allied Dental Educators get employment at community colleges, vocational schools, colleges, universities, health centers, dental schools and any other laboratories. They also work closely with organizations and committees, giving their best shots.

Salary & Job Outlook:

A full-time Allied Dental Educator can earn between $41,000 and $62,000 a year. The job outlook remains very bright for this profession. There are hundreds of vacant jobs in the United States that need to be filled over the next few years.

Becoming an Athletic Trainer

Leave a reply

The Athletic Trainers are qualified and trained to prevent, recognize, manage and rehabilitate injuries related to physical activities. They help the patients avoid expensive and cumbersome medical treatment with various techniques. These professionals generally deal with healthcare, but don’t use typical medical procedures. Apart from taking care of patients’ health, they also develop and prepare workout schedule, exercise routines and awareness programs for the patients. The American Medical Association (AMA) has recognized Athletic Trainers as Allied Health Care Professionals since 1990.

Education Requirements:

  1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: It’s mandatory for the aspiring Athletic Trainers to obtain a four-year Bachelor’s degree in athletic training or sports science. You will learn the first aid procedures in the initial days followed by extensive training in other areas. Coursework in athletic training includes human anatomy, physiology, nutrition, exercise, physiotherapy, kinesiology, biomechanics, rehabilitation, health care administration etc.
  2. Accreditation: It’s important for the students to choose a degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Clinical training is an important aspect of the program, as it gives the students enough exposure to hands-on clinical education and experience.
  3. Internship: Although it’s not mandatory, but it’s essential to go for an internship program to boost your job prospects. Getting trained in an athletic training environment under the direct supervision of an experienced Athletic Trainer, may definitely serve the purpose.
  4. Licensing: Since several U.S. states requires Athletic Trainers to be licensed or registered, it is advisable to get the license from the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC). Once you get the license, you will be ready to work as an Athletic Trainers in all states.

Salary & Job Outlook: There are various segments for the Athletic Trainers. According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), professionals in Youth Sports and Professional Sports earn more than those Athletic Trainers working at schools, hospitals and government settings. The job outlook for this profession remains faster than average. The Athletic Trainers typically earn a salary of $35,000 to $75,000 per year.

Becoming a Medical Illustrator

Leave a reply

Medical Illustrators get extensive training in medicine, science, communication and technology to create visual materials, which help in keeping record and tracking the progress in medical and scientific operations. Their task is complex and risky, as they are responsible to provide accurate and useful visual message always. They belong to a small group of highly specialized professionals. According to the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI), only 1,200 Medical Illustrators are present in all of North America.

The Medical Illustrators translate complex medical and biological information into captivating images by using their skills, knowledge and competencies. People having genuine interest in illustration, biology, science and medicine, may choose this career as an option.

Education Requirements:

  1. Obtain Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-Medical Illustration: The pre-medical illustration programs may include biological, scientific and biomedical visualization. They help students prepare for graduate coursework. They are mostly related to human and animal anatomy, medical terminology and artistic techniques. These programs typically last for four years. The key subjects may include basic art design, digital drawing, human and animal biology, human physiology and developmental biology principles.
  2. Earn Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Illustration: After completing pre-medical program, the aspiring Medical Illustrators must go for a four-year bachelor’s degree program in medical illustration that combines traditional artistic methods with computer technology and biology. Students learn drawing, painting and digital creation of images of human and animal anatomy apart from 2D and 3D designs. Computer animation remains an integral part of the degree program.

Salary & Job Outlook: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for Medical Illustrators remain good, as that is expected to grow at 8% during the period of 2010-2020. The average annual salary of Medical Illustrators was $54,000 in May 2012.

Becoming a Forensic Toxicologist

Leave a reply

Forensic Toxicologists mainly work with law enforcement agencies and monitor the evidences found at crime scene. This profession keeps changing constantly with frequent developments and new technologies. The Forensic Toxicologists keep themselves updated with the changes and use their brain and expertise to determine the exact nature of the crime and present themselves in court cases.

Education Requirements:

  1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Forensic Toxicologists need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences such as Chemistry or Biology. They can also go for a degree in Forensic Science. Coursework in mathematics, medicine and pharmacology will serve as an extra advantage. The Bachelor’s Degree is just an entry level program. The aspiring Forensic Toxicologists are required to go for higher courses to reach the zenith of their career.
  2. Obtain a Master’s Degree: After completing Bachelor’s Degree, the aspiring Forensic Toxicologists can go for a Master’s Degree program in relevant field. Coursework in biochemistry and environmental toxicology, will give a tremendous boost to their career.
  3. Doctorate/Post Doctorate: A postdoctoral training arms the Forensic Toxicologists with hands-on experience in setting up a toxicology laboratory, coordinating with staff, prepare relevant applications and manage various projects. Apart from that, a certification from reputed institutes such as the American Board of Forensic Toxicology or the American Board of Clinical Chemistry or the American Board of Toxicology, is also very much desirable.

Salary & Job Outlook: The average salary for a Forensic Toxicologist is around $75,000 per year. Some experienced Toxicologists may earn up to $100,000 or more while newly hired professionals get $60,000 or so. The job outlook for this profession remains bright.

Becoming an Environmental Health Advocate

Leave a reply

Environmental Health Advocates have expertise in various fields such as social issues, political science, business, non-profit management, community activities, urban studies etc. They identify public health concerns, organize campaigns to spread awareness and educate the people about good health and protection of the environment. They work with other healthcare specialists to development programs and solutions to promote public awareness campaigns.

The public awareness campaigns may include, but not limited to tobacco use, drug abuse, excessive alcohol use, poor diet schedule and other activities that have adverse impact on one’s health as well the environment.

Education Requirements:

Environmental Health Advocates do not require high profile degree education. They need to be aware of the cause. Volunteer work in an organization, may make one qualify to get employment as the Environmental Health Advocate. However, a degree in Law along with Management course such as B.B.A. or M.B.A. can boost the profiles of such professionals.

In-depth knowledge in English, Science, Biology, Physics, Mathematics and other medical and scientific majors, will give extra advantage to the Environmental Health Advocates. They must also participate in public health improvement programs that include environmental engineering, community service, health camps, blood donation camps etc.

Some states in the USA may require certification while employing Environmental Health Advocates. After getting work experience, you can appear in the written examination to earn the certification. Although it’s not mandatory, but Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in environment health science will enhance the job prospects and boost the earning potential.

Salary & Job Outlook:

The career outlook for Environmental Health Advocates remains bright and rewarding. They mostly get employment in non-profit sectors, social organizations and other health agencies. They are required to be flexible in terms of working hours and be ready to relocate whenever needed. People with philanthropic instinct, will prosper well in this profession. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the profession is expected to grow by 19% during the period 2012-22. The average annual salary of an Environmental Health Advocate was $48,790 in 2012.

Becoming a Dietetic Technician

Leave a reply

The Dietetic Technicians work with people to improve their health and fitness through nutritional planning and guidance. They also consult with the Dietitians to prepare diet schedule and food chart for the people suffering from obesity and other ailments. The Dietetic Technicians usually get employment at schools, day care centers, gyms, private clinics, government agencies and prisons.

These professionals are well trained to identify the problems people face in their day-to-day life when it comes to eating habits. They understand how the nutrition factors influence our health and what we should eat or drink to keep the body in balance mode. They prepare nutritious recipes that help people to overcome the resentment and accept the foods that are good for their health. Proper guidance and healthy eating habits help people reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other ailments. The Dietetic Technician plays a key role in making that happen.

Education Requirements:

An Associate’s Degree in health studies from an accredited institution is must to become a Dietetic Technician. The coursework generally includes general science, nutrition science and food service systems management. After that, you can enroll in a training program offered by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The program includes 450 hours of practical work in real environment.

The training will help the aspiring Dietetic Technicians learn the communication tricks while dealing with the patients and preparation of food chart to satisfy their needs as well as dietary requirements.

After the training, a certification is necessary to start working as the Dietetic Technician. You must pass a national examination conducted by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to get the certification.

Salary & Job Outlook:

The job outlook for Dietetic Technicians remains bright in the United States. Demand for this profession is expected to grow by 18% during the 2012-22 period. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of Dietetic Technicians was $26,260 in May 2012.

Becoming a Dental Hygienist

Leave a reply

Dental Hygienists provide educational, clinical, medical, research, administrative and therapeutic services on oral healthcare. They diagnose the patients’ oral tissues and overall health to determine the disease or other issues such as risk factors and offer preventive services. They also educate the patients on oral hygiene and preventive oral care. They generally work under the supervision of licensed Dentists. The Dental Hygienists get employment at dental clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.

Education Requirements:

  1. Earn an Undergraduate Degree: Dental Hygienists usually hold an Associate’s Degree. The two-year Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene programs can be availed at community colleges, vocational institutes or dental schools. The major courses in this degree program include oral pathology, dental science, radiology, pain management, periodontics, community dental health and pharmacology.
  2. Licensing: All states in the United States require Dental Hygienists to hold licenses. The Associate’s Degree, school transcripts and/or letters of recommendation are needed to qualify to sit in the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA), which has the final authority to grant the license.
  3. Career Advancement: A higher degree in Bachelor’s or Master’s will help the Dental Hygienists get further growth in their career. That might assist them go beyond the dental office and get a job in research and teaching.

Salary & Job Outlook: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary of a Dental Hygienist was $71,110 per year in 2013. The job outlook remains bright for this profession, as it is projected to grow at 33% during the period 2012-22.

Becoming a Health Information Manager

Leave a reply

The Health Information Managers are not just medical record holders. Rather, they observe the treatment and go deep while preparing the patients’ history. Whatever information they provide, those play a key role in the medication process, which eventually help the patients recover from illness. They put the test results, reports of X-rays, diagnosis and treatment plans together to build healthcare records, which is maintained electronically.

Health Information Manager organizes, analyzes and manages all health information and ensure its accuracy and appropriate disclosure so that not a single mistake occurs during the treatment or medication. Their recommendations also helps the patients in quick disbursal of medical reimbursements. The most important part of their job is to spend a lot of time working with computers and Internet to comply with federal requirements for electronic storage of patient information.

Education Requirements:

  1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management is very much essential for aspiring Health Information Managers. They are also required to take courses such as statistics and research methods, electronic health records and health information services management. Apart from this, good knowledge in some other topics like legal and ethical issues in medicine and privacy and security of health information may come in handy when they go for further studies.
  2. Obtain a Master’s Degree: After completing Bachelor’s Degree, it’s mandatory to enroll into a master’s degree program in Health Information Management for career advancement. Topics in master’s degree may include statistics, financial management, medical terminology and legal issues.
  3. Certification in Health Information Management: The aspiring Health Information Managers are required to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) examination conducted by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The certification from AHIMA gives a boost to the profile while looking for employment.

Salary & Job Outlook:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for Health Information Managers are expected to grow at 23% during the 2012-2022 period. The average salary for HIMs was $101,340 as of May 2013.