Tag Archives: Career

Becoming an Allopathic Physician

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Allopathic Physicians (M.D.) are the most sought-after healthcare professionals in the United States. They examine patients, diagnose their health issues, dig deeper into the medical histories and perform tests before prescribing proper treatment and medicines to cure their injury and disease. They counsel patients about illness, injuries and other peventive healthcare issues. They also conduct medical tests and get involved in research and teaching too.

The Allopathic Physicians have various specialties to choose from. They include Anesthesiology, Family and general medicine, General internal medicine, General pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry and Surgery.

Working Conditions: The Allopathic Physicians work in hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare settings, clinical settings, private organizations, Universities, public agencies, research laboratories etc. They also prefer freelance teaching, but most Allopathic Physicians are seen opting for private practice.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: To become an Allopathic Physician, a bachelor’s degree in general science with coursework in Chemistry, Physics, Microbiology and Anatomy is the first step of academic requirements. The course duration is four years. Some experience in laboratory work, may come in handy and boost their profile. Apart from college/graduate school certificates, the aspiring Allopathic Physicians must get good scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in order to get enrolled into a bachelor’s degree program.

2. Residency Program: After getting the Medical Degree, the students will have to go for residency programs to get experience at clinical settings. These programs may last from three to eight years.

Salary & Job Outlook:

The job outlook for the Allopathic Physicians remain excellent, as it is expected to grow at 18% during the period of 2012-22. They can earn in the range of $150,000 – $300,000. The average annual salary is $183,940 for family and general practice doctors and $235,070 for anesthesiologists.

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

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Nurse Practitioners provide care to patients of all ages and ensure their physical fitness and well being. They perform critical physical examinations and treat illness and injuries apart from providing immunization and care. They also manage the patients’ blood pressure, diabetes, depression and other chronic ailments. It is the responsibility of Nurse Practitioners to handle the reports of X-Rays and EKGs as well as other laboratory tests. They also educate and counsel patients and their families regarding healthy living.

Nurse Practitioners work in clinics, offices, care facilities, hospitals besides providing personal services at home. Their work places also include college campuses, non-profit organizations and government agencies.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn an Undergraduate Degree in Nursing. It’s mandatory for aspiring Nurse Practitioners to go for an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. The under-graduate degree program usually takes two years to complete.

2. Get a Bachelor’s Degree. A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing is the next level when it comes to education requirements to become a Nurse Practitioner. The four-year program may consist of various subjects such as pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, pediatric nursing and community health.

3. Licensure: A license from the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is must for Nurse Practitioners to get employment in the United States. They must be proficient in Problem solving, decision making, written and oral communication skills.

Salary & Job Outlook: The career outlook for Nurse Practitioners remains excellent. In 2013, the average salary of Nurse Practitioners was $92,670 per year. Top Nurse Practitioners may earn up to $126,250 per year.

Becoming a Forensic Odontologist

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Forensic Odontologists use their expertise to help identify the bite marks on individuals and figure out the repercussions while prescribing treatments. They are capable of identifying human remains that cannot be identified through face recognition. They also identify bodies in case of mass casualties, such as plane crash, road mishap and natural disasters. The Forensic Odontologists also determine the source of bite marks to prove any suspected assault or abuse. They further estimate the age of skeletal remains, using their knowledge and expertise.

Apart from these tests, the Forensic Odontologists write detailed reports explaining the the events and suggested actions. They must be prepared to testify in the court and justify their findings. They usually work as regular Dentists at hospitals, medical facilities and law enforcement agencies.

Education Requirements:

A Forensic Odontologist must earn a Doctor of Dental Science (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree followed by extensive training in forensic odontology. Hands-on experience will be an advantage for the professionals.

They must do coursework in various subjects such as Biochemistry, Histology, Human Anatomy, Oral Surgery, Neuroscience, Physiology etc. A certification program from the American Board of Forensic Odontology or the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, may be desired by various states in the U.S.

Salary & Job Outlook:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for Forensic Odontologist may grow by 16% – greater than the average during the period of 2012-22. Their average annual salary is around $150,000 – $185,000, which is considered high in the field of healthcare.

Becoming a Surgical Technologist

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Surgical Technologists play an important role in the operating room by teaming up with Surgeons, Anesthesiologist and Circulating Nurse. They work under the direct supervision of the Surgeon, but fulfill the primary requirements before a surgery. They prepare the operating room by setting up sterile surgical instruments, equipment and supplies, such as drapes, gowns, gloves, suction tubing etc. The Surgical Technologists also assemble the sterile equipment to ensure its smooth functioning.

The Surgical Technologists are shadows of the Surgeons who conduct surgery inside the operating room. They anticipate the needs of the surgeon by passing instruments and relevant assistance, including the supplies. While the Surgical Technologists generally work in operating rooms, they also work in clean and cool environment when they are not assisting in surgeries. Sometimes, they are exposed to communicable diseases and unpleasant odors, which they counter with utmost care.

Education Requirements:

A career in Surgical Technology, remains very challenging. A two-year degree is the most preferable degree for the aspirant Surgical Technicians. The program is known as

In addition, a certification program with courses in medical terminology, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, also comes in handy for the students. The certification program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Job Experience: Working as a Medical Assistant or Nursing Assistant, will help the aspirants to show their job experience while applying for the posts of Surgical Technologist. Although it’s not a mandatory requirement, some employers do prefer professionals with some job experience.

Salary & Job Outlook: Job outlook of Surgical Technologists is projected to grow by 30% from 2012 to 2022. The average annual wage for Surgical Technologists was $41,790 in May 2012.

Becoming an Occupational Therapist

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Occupational Therapists provide a helping hand to elderly people and disabled who are in need by assisting them in performing activities such as daily chores, personal activities and stuffs such as cooking, driving, eating, walking etc. The main goal of Occupational Therapists is to improve one’s ability to perform daily activities.

Working Environment: The Occupational Therapists generally work in hospital, research centers and clinical settings. They need to be flexible and patient, as they may be required to work in odd hours. On many occasions, they need to deal with clients, who are annoyed or frustrated.

Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree is must for prospective Occupational Therapists. They require education and training during the four-year degree program. The coursework may include Kinesiology, psychology, anthropology, biology and sociology. Apart from the regular education, students can also opt for certification courses to boost their profiles.

Some states in the United States require licensure while hiring Occupational Therapists. It is always better to make yourself prepared with a certification program rather than joining a job with a mere degree program. A Master’s Degree program in similar subjects can further boost the profiles of Occupational Therapists.

Salary & Job Outlook: The job outlook for Occupational Therapists remains excellent. The average annual salary of Occupational Therapists was $54,660.

Becoming a Medical Librarian

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Medical Librarians play a key role in the healthcare sector, as they help physicians, health professionals and researchers by keeping a tab on the recent happenings. They also work closely with patients and their family members to maintain the health record and conduct a research on those.

Medical Librarians are responsible for maintaining the resources in various formats, including paper and electronic methods. They also design and manage websites, blogs, online education programs and digital libraries to store medical record and information as well as resources. Medical Librarians are also helpful in fundraising, marketing, business and IT systems.

Working Conditions: Medical Librarians get employment at colleges, universities, clinical settings, healthcare organizations, hospitals, academic health centers, health libraries, research centers, biotechnology centers, health insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, government agencies etc.

Education Requirements:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: It’s mandatory for the aspirants to complete a bachelor’s degree in science, which includes Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, English and computer Technology. The duration of the program will be four years.

2. Get a Master’s Degree: The prospective Medical Librarians must have a Master of Library and Information Science degree with coursework in biology, medical sciences, medical terminology, computer science, education and management.

3. Doctorate: Some Medical Librarians go for Ph.D or Doctorate programs to add more credibility and stature to their profiles. They can also apply for membership in the Academy of Health Information Professionals.

Key Challenges:

1. Doing research
2. Managing information resources
3. Preparing catalog
4. Maintaining consumer health records
5. Providing health science information resources

Salary & Job Outlook:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of Medical Librarians is $55,690 per year. The projected job growth for this profession is 7% during the 2012-22 period.

Becoming a Chiropractor

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Chiropractic doctors diagnose and treat patients who face problems with muscular, nervous and skeletal systems of the body. They manipulate these parts to identify the issues and reduce pain and lower resistance to disease. They mostly use hands-on technique to adjust imbalances in patients’ skeletal system. They also work in collaboration with other health care professionals that treat the patients.

Chiropractic care primarily focuses on the relationship between the spine and function of the nervous system. The Chiropractors analyze the factors that affect the health. Those include exercise, eating habits, diet, sleep and hereditary issues.

Education Requirements: The aspiring Chiropractors must have a four-year bachelor’s degree program in chiropractic medicine. After completing the degree, they can enroll for a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree.

The D.C. has a vast curriculum and covers various courses such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology, Pathology, Public health, Physical, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, Gynecology and obstetrics, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Dermatology, Otolaryngology, Diagnostic imaging procedures, Psychology, Nutrition/dietetics, Biomechanics, Orthopedics, Neurology, Spinal analysis etc.

Salary & Job Outlook: The job outlook for Chiropractors remain good and is projected to grow at 15% during the period of 2012-2022. The average salary for Chiropractors is $66,160 per year. Some highly-paid Chiropractic professionals may earn up to $94,454 in a year.

Becoming an Animal Behaviorist

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Apart from skill set and training, the most important requirement to become an Animal Behaviorist is the love and affection for animals and pets. The Animal Behaviorists study the way animals behave and act and then determine the causes and effects. They also analyze change in their behavior. Their research includes domestic animals, fishes, birds, wild animals etc. Apart from the movement and behavior of the animals, these professionals also focus on hunting, mating, productions etc.

Working Environment: They work in universities, research facilities, zoos, animal training centers, pet product companies, pharmaceutical firms, animal welfare organizations etc. They are usually smart people, who can easily understand the animals and their requirements. There are two types of Animal Behaviorists. Some work as specialists, while others work as teachers at a university or college.

Education Requirements:

  1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: It is mandatory for the aspirants to complete a bachelor’s degree in life science such as zoology, biology or ecology if they want to become Animal Behaviorists. Coursework in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and psychology are the basic requirements for Animal Behaviorist programs. Animal Behavior topics include behavioral ecology, neuroendocrinology and animal cognition.

Those having a bachelor’s degree might get employment at zoos with various positions such as Zookeepers, Assistant Zoo Directors, Zoo Directors etc.

  1. Advanced Education: After completing a bachelor’s degree, the aspirants may go for a master’s degree in the relevant field and even go further to complete a PhD or Doctorate. During that period, they will learn about evolution, genetics, neurobiology and physiology along with wildlife conservation and attend seminars on animal behavioral pattern.

Salary & Job Outlook: The job outlook for Animal Behaviorists remains good, if not excellent. Animal behaviorists working in private companies typically earn more than researchers or those working for zoos and other non-profit organizations. The average salary of Animal Behaviorists was $35,000 to $90,000 in May 2012.

Becoming a Pharmacy Technician

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Pharmacy Technicians work under the direct supervision of licensed Pharmacists. They perform various kinds of functions related to pharmacy. They handles the queries on prescriptions, drug information and other health matters. Pharmacy Technicians work at community pharmacies, hospitals, military establishments, health care settings, care facilities and other organizations.

The job responsibilities of Pharmacy Technicians are no less than that of Pharmacists. They need to be flexible when it comes to working hours. They work in days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays etc, thanks to the demand of the job. As some hospital and retail pharmacies are open 24/7, the Pharmacy Technicians may work in different shifts too.

Education Requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is required for aspiring Pharmacy Technicians. The subjects may include biology, physics, chemistry etc. The Pharmacy Technicians generally learn on the job. Whatever education programs they join, that must have classroom and laboratory work. They can also go for Master’s Degree, Certificate, Associate Degree etc.

They can also prefer on-the-job training. Most states regulate pharmacy technicians, which means they may require to pass an exam or complete a formal education or training program. It is very much essential for the Pharmacy Technicians to learn about names of medicines, actions, uses, and doses.

Salary & Job Outlook: Job outlook for Pharmacy Technicians remains excellent in the United States. That is projected to grow 20 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all other occupations. The average annual salary for Pharmacy Technicians was $29,320 in May 2012.

Becoming a Medical Coder

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Medical Coders review detailed information about patient injuries, diseases and procedures by digging deep into the medical records and documents provided by the doctors and other healthcare service providers. They use the universal coding system to handle the reimburse claims made by hospitals and their physicians.

If you have a health policy, your medical insurance provider will get a bill from the hospital, which will contain a CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) code. There are over 9,800 CPT codes for various types of healthcare services provided by health care facilities. In addition, there are 14,000 International Classification of Diseases (ICDs). The Medical Coders spend time in reviewing the medical records and assigning these codes to the patients so that the health insurance providers are properly reimbursed. The Medical Coders are required to properly study the notes given by doctors and nurses before assigning the codes.

Education Requirements:

  1. Get a High School Diploma: High school diploma with subjects such as algebra, biology, chemistry and other computer skills is the first step of academic requirements for the aspiring Medical Coders.
  2. Get an Associate’s Degree: A degree in health information technology or similar course will be helpful for the Medical Coders to pursue their career ambitions. The college or university, which will provide the degree education, must be accredited with the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

The coursework must include anatomy, physiology, healthcare reimbursement, classification, coding systems, database security and management.

  1. Certification: Many states in the U.S. require Medical Coders to possess Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT) credentials. The exam is administered by American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Salary & Job Outlook: The job outlook for Medical Coders remains very good. According to AAPC, Medical Coders with certification earn more than the non-certified ones. The average annual salary of Medical Coders was $46,847 in 2013.