Why medical assistant is a great career choice

Posted on January 19, 2011 by admin

It is generally acknowledged that the future seems promising for anyone who chooses medical assisting as a career, and it is also an occupation that calls for a desire to help others, love of learning and flexibility. In addition, according to projections by the U.S. Department of Labor it is one of 8 specialties in the health care field that is growing rapidly and should continue to do so.

What You Should Know
Typically, schools in the United States that offer courses for medical assistants provide hands-on experience in working with patients, along with training in the classroom that they will apply on a daily basis in the future. This means that students can launch their careers in a relatively short amount of time and feel fully qualified for the job when they do. Also, a number of programs even include an internship that enables them to feel confident as they begin their new careers.

What You Will Learn
The extent of training for medical assistants varies from state to state and from one school to another as well. In general, students are trained in techniques that include patient care, pharmacology, electrocardiography, health sciences, laboratory procedures, therapeutic care and endocrinology. This, along with classes in medical insurance and bookkeeping, prepares them to deal with their employer’s medical and administrative needs in a professional manner.

Flexibility on the Job
A majority of medical assistants are employed full-time and work 40 hours a week. However, some medical facilities are open in the evening and on week ends to meet their patients’ needs, and you will be able to create a flexible schedule that fits in well with your private life. Depending on the policy followed where you are employed, you may also be able to work on a part-time basis, if you prefer.

Opportunities for Advancement
Once you become certified as a medical assistant, your key to advancement will be completing additional training. For example, you might assume the role of office manager if you have good organizational skills, or become a nurse if you find that you enjoy working with patients. In either case, you will have to assume more responsibility, but your income will increase as well.

Helping Others
As a medical assistant, you will find that your job has meaning and purpose because you help fill the physical, mental and social needs of your patents. Since your daily goal will be to make their lives better in some way, you will also be making a significant contribution to the welfare of the community.

This article was contributed by Sierra Miller from JobDescriptions.net, the complete job description resource. Learn more about the medical assisting profession from her full medical assistant job description.

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Biology and chemistry bachelor’s degree holders may have futures as forensic scientists

Posted on January 17, 2011 by admin

Avid fans of crime shows may harbor fantasies of a dramatic lifestyle as a criminal investigator. They may also be attracted to the more scientific side of the work - the work in the laboratory. Forensic Science

You have seen the process depicted on television. Concerned law enforcement agents bring blood samples, hair or weapons to a lab. A scientist examines the evidence carefully, pieces his or her conclusions together within moments and delivers a simple key to cracking the crime. The process seems effortless.

Of course, these are just fictional representations of scientific work. If you are a student who is serious about working in a criminal lab, you may have gathered by now that the process of analysis is far from effortless. Laboratory work is time-intensive and unpredictable. The hours may be irregular and long.  However, you most likely have enough passion for scientific problem solving to want to be a clinical lab technologist, science technician or forensic scientist.

Forensic scientists use technical science to solve legal problems, according to a special Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report on the professionals. Their main task is to analyze evidence to apprehend criminals and advance a case to conclusion. They accomplish this with DNA analysis, fingerprinting and weapon identification. They may use toxicology to analyze fluids and body tissues for drug content. These professionals may also be called upon to testify in court.

Current students need to make choices in their course selection if they want to work in a crime lab eventually. Future forensic scientists often need to take biology, physics and chemistry classes. They may major in these subjects or in forensic science, according to the BLS, although it is not necessary.

Beginning forensic scientists eventually choose a specialization. They may pursue master’s degrees and doctorates by enrolling in graduate programs in forensic science. Such students might find that their professors are directors of crime labs.

One such example is Dr. Sarah Kerrigan, the director of a new crime lab at a Texas-based university. Kerrigan also organizes the school’s graduate forensic science program, reports KBTX.com. The new criminal lab, which opened last March, is expected to handle at least 5,000 cases a year, according to the news outlet. Forensic science students may work as undergraduates in such on-campus laboratories.

With careful choices in crafting your coursework, you could learn how to solve crimes and prepare for a career as a forensic investigator.

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Supplementing your bachelor’s degree with language classes may open career options

Posted on January 13, 2011 by admin

Chances are you took language classes in high school, but haven’t had the opportunity to utilize your skills since then. Perhaps you never had a chance to travel widely, or maybe you are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in which a new language is not relevant.

However, those many hours spent in French or Spanish classes need not go to waste. Many college students choose to get foreign language citations. A little additional commitment to improving your fluency in a language other than English can expand your career options.

For example, U.S. businessmen who can exhibit fluency in Mandarin may increase their chances of developing a close partnership with a Chinese energy magnate. Alternately, a military EMT in Iraq could draw on his knowledge of Iraqi Arabic to talk civilians through crises. A consultant who speaks Indonesian could help adapt a U.S.-based website for new consumer base in Jakarta, after interpreting local users’ feedback and preferences.

North Texas e-News recently described how social workers are using their Spanish fluency to communicate with Latino immigrants. Three social work graduate students – Lizette Flores, Alma Ramirez, and Marya Vargas – received scholarships from the Hogg Foundation that are intended to help them better serve the mental health needs of Hispanic communities in Texas.

English proficiency is a risk marker for depression in Latino immigrant communities, notes Dr. Margarita Alegría in the American Journal of Public Health. For many immigrants, however, being able to communicate easily in English upon arrival to the U.S. depends on a few factors- education, socioeconomic levels and access.

This is precisely where translators can step in and connect members of immigrant enclaves with the services that they may urgently need. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), translators usually work in a freelance capacity. They do not necessarily need to have majored in the language in which they specialize, and may hold anything from a high school diploma to a master’s degree.

If you are considering entering the translation profession, it is strongly encouraged that you first sharpen your skills by volunteering in the community. Moreover, supplementing your bachelor’s coursework with language classes may help you better serve diverse fields as an interpreter. Translators may work in finance, engineering, hospitals, publishing houses and the court system, the BLS website notes.

By expanding your language skills, you, too, can become a more versatile worker in the coming decade.

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Am I too old to go to college?

Posted on January 3, 2011 by admin

The turbulent economy has left many individuals questioning their career choices. Many older Americans have realized that their credentials are not enough to help them compete with recent college graduates. Fortunately, these professionals have many convenient options to upgrade their qualifications and increase their value to employers.

Mature GraduateHowever, some of you mature folks may worry that you’ll get a bunch of dirty looks if you choose to walk into a college classroom. You may imagine sitting next to a hungover 20-something who hasn’t washed his sweatpants since the last time he visited his parents, or envision yourself struggling to keep up with a professor.

News flash: online education has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few years. As a result, you may never have to set foot on campus at all in your pursuit of a degree.

Web-based degree programs are tailored to the individual, in that they may be completed on a student’s own time. As a result, you might be able to work toward a degree while you hold onto a full-time job or focus on finding a new position.

This learning option may also be ideal for individuals who have families. For example, stay-at-home moms can watch a video lecture or two while their kids are at school. Because online students are able to work at their own pace from anywhere with an internet connection, they will not have to worry about finding childcare during their evening classes or missing a soccer game.

In fact, taking an online course or two may help you better connect with your kids. Familiarizing yourself with the modern education system may enable you to help your children with their homework and monitor their progress.

Furthermore, young students who see their parents pursuing higher education during their adult years may be more likely to stay on top of their academics. In that vein, these individuals can be sure that they are serving as a good example for their kids.

Online classes can also serve as an avenue to your personal goals. Because these courses are becoming so widespread, they are now offered in a wide variety of subjects. As a result, you can choose whether you’d like to start pursuing a degree, or delve deeper into a subject of interest. Whichever route you pick, you’ll undoubtedly start on the path to a more fulfilling life.

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Online colleges could help you keep some of your New Year’s resolutions

Posted on December 31, 2010 by admin

The holidays are a time of year when many people look back on what they have or have not achieved over the past 12 months. In many cases, period of reflection encourages several individuals to set goals for themselves.

Sure, a lot of people commit to a workout routine or promise themselves that they’ll eat New Year 2011healthier this year. However, there is one thing you can decide to do that will provide both immediate satisfaction and long-term results – going back to school.

Some individuals may fear that a full-time degree program at a campus-based school will prove to be too much of a strain on their time and finances. Fortunately, many schools are reaching out to nontraditional students who have various commitments – whether they’re related to family, work or other personal responsibilities – by offering flexible scheduling and financial aid options.

In fact, many of these institutions are enabling degree seekers to take classes on their own time and at their own pace.

Nontraditional students – particularly those who hold full-time jobs – are often daunted by the prospect of spending hours in a classroom after a full day. However, individuals who choose to enroll in online classes will have the opportunity to spread their work around. They may choose to listen to a lecture during their lunch break, or come into the office early to do some homework.

Of course, pursuing a college degree over the internet does not necessarily need to get in the way of one’s professional responsibilities. Because most online colleges make their course materials available at any time, enrollees can decide to limit their study time to the weekends or evenings. Unlike traditional schools’ programs for working adults, these courses of study allow students to choose when and where they are going to hit the books.

The key to upholding any resolution is making reachable goals. Fortunately, online schools enable students to do just that by giving them options when they are designing their course loads. Whether you choose to take a survey class that can help you to better define your interests or study advanced topics in your area of expertise, you will be motivated by the knowledge that your efforts could contribute to your professional and personal development.

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What is a PhD and is it for me?

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Amy

Choosing to pursue a PhD is a big decision. There are so many questions that come up when determining whether or not to dedicate 3-6 years of your life studying a certain subject.

  • What can I do with a PhD?
  • What should I study?
  • How long will it take me in my particular field?
  • How much will it cost?
  • Will I be able to work at the same time?
  • Do I need to have a bachelor and/or a master’s degree?
  • What tests do I have to take to get into the program?

A PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy degree and is the highest academic degree a person can earn. A PhD will prepare you for a career in research or a career as a college professor. If you are highly self-motivated and enjoy researching topics in Science, Technology, or Liberal Arts fields, then a PhD could be then next step for you.

A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite to getting a PhD, and a master’s degree is not always required, but can help you get into a program, especially if the master’s is in the same subject as the research to be conducted in the PhD program. Also needed to enter a program; GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores for the general test as well as in the chosen specialty, recommendations from professors, and excellent grades.

Most PhD students are asked to student teach and/or perform research for their professors during their study of their chosen PhD specialty. This can allow the students to make a stipend, or small amount of money, while pursuing their PhD, allowing them to not work for the duration of their program. Some schools also provide housing.

All of this research and student teaching goes into the final “project” of a PhD, the dissertation. This is a large compilation of your research and conclusions in book-like form. The compilation of this book will also prepare you for your final written and oral exam on the specialty topic you have spent the last few years studying given by the dissertation committee of the school.

Purdue’s PhD page asks some hard questions and gives warnings to all prospective PhD students. Make sure that this is the right path for you, and remember that PhD programs vary by school, so the best information can be found at the source.

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10 Most Popular Degree programs in 2010

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Eric

So you know that you want to go back to school.  You also know that you want to stop having jobs and start a career.  What you don’t know is what type of degree program to choose.  Here is a list of 10 of the most popular degree programs chosen by students.  Many of these programs are offered by online colleges so you can complete the program on your schedule.  This option makes it convenient to go to school while working full time.

  1. Management/Business Administration – Business degrees are particularly popular among professionals who need a degree to in order to qualify for certain promotions.  Often times these students have some college experience and are going back to school to finish a degree they started previously.
  2. Medical Assisting – The health care industry is booming and shows no signs of stopping.  Many students are going to school to learn a trade and completing a Medical Assisting degree program is a great way to create new employment opportunities.
  3. Healthcare Administration – These programs are popular among current employees in the health care industry.  Completing a Healthcare Administration degree can open new opportunities in management to folks with experience in healthcare.
  4. Legal Studies – Another perpetually popular degree path.  These degrees prepare students for work in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science and Paralegal positions all of which are popular career choices.
  5. Business Information Technology – IT people keep the computers and networks that businesses depend on up and running.  These degree programs are popular with technophiles who are interested in computers, networking and other technology.
  6. Accounting – Graduating from an accounting program creates career opportunities in corporate accounting departments or as a personal tax accountant.
  7. Technical Management – Technical Managers run teams of developers, database administrators, network administrators and other technicians.  These degrees are popular among those individuals who are currently working in a technical capacity but need a degree to move up the chain of command.
  8. Graphic Design – Here’s one for the creative minds out there.  Are you an adept visual artist who wants to make a career out of your gifts?  A degree in graphic design will teach you how to ply your craft.  This degree path is a popular place to learn about the software and other tools you need to know in order to be a graphic design professional.
  9. Auto Body/Collision Repair – This is another degree that prepares you to be in demand.  Auto body and collision repair degrees are a popular choice because technicians are highly sought after and well paid.  If you are passionate about cars, this is a great way to make a living doing what you love.
  10. Health/Fitness – Programs focused on health and fitness are gaining in popularity.  Career opportunities include personal training, sports medicine/therapy and alternative medicine.  These programs are a great choice for students who are interested in sports or physical fitness.
Posted in Automotive & Vocational, Business, Choosing a College, Computers & IT, Criminal Justice & Legal, Graphic Design, Health Care & Medical, Online Education | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Most Valuable Undergrad College Degrees

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Amy

If how much you make after you graduate is a huge factor in your choice of major, it might be time to brush up on those math skills and look into a field in engineering. According to EngineersPayScale.com, the majority of the top ten degree programs by salary are in the engineering field. The below chart is from PayScale.com and lists the top ten college majors with the highest salaries, both straight out of college and after year of experience. Physics and economics are also listed in the top ten.

Degrees

Within the engineering field there are many different paths to be taken. If you were to go into design and development your tasks may include; designing buildings, highways, and transit systems, or developing ways to extract, process, and use raw materials. You could also go into the technology field. The other direction in Engineering is the testing, production, or maintenance route. This would allow you to supervise production, figure out problems with equipment and solve them, or manage projects by determining time and cost needed for that project to be completed.

The need for Engineers is expected to grow by 11 percent within this decade. The sub-categories expected to have the most growth are research and development and consulting services, according to the US Department of Labor. Also, the fast advances in technology along with competitiveness are expected to increase the need for Computer Engineers and others in related categories. The sustainability movement is also opening a lot of doors for engineer students.

Posted in Bachelors Degree, Choosing a College, College, Computers & IT, Engineering, Mathematics, Online Degrees, Science Education, Udegrees | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tips for staying focused in online classes

Posted on November 16, 2010 by Eric

For many working adults, the availability of online classes makes it possible to balance Women Looking at a Computerschool with work and family life.  However, a certain level of self-discipline is necessary so that you don’t fall behind in your coursework.  Here is a handful of tips to help keep you focused and on track in you online classes.

  1. Get organized.  Purchase a day planner or set up a calendar in Microsoft Outlook or with Google Calendars (www.google.com/calendar) to keep track of assignment due dates and other important dates.
  2. Set aside time each day for school work.  Schedule a designated time each day to get your school work done.  Be sure to mark it on your calendar and stick to it.  Use this time to keep up on reading assignments, interact with the class or team mates, or work on projects.  Getting a little done each day means you won’t have to burn your entire weekend getting caught up.
  3. Find a quiet place to study. Try to find a quiet place where you can complete your studies uninterrupted and free from distraction.  If you are studying at home, turn off the TV.  Coffee shops and local brew houses might seem like great places to study (refreshments, free Wi-Fi), however, they also offer plenty of distractions.  Quiet places like bookshops and libraries might be better choices.
  4. Take regular breaks. Fatigue and concentration are mortal enemies.  As you study, be sure to take a short break periodically.  Use this time to get up and move around.  Stretch.  Use the restroom.  Get a drink or a snack.  A little bit of active time (5 to 10 minutes every hour) can be a big help keeping you focused.
  5. Work together. While it can be difficult to establish relationships with classmates in an online setting, teaming up with one or more of them (either in person or virtually) can be a big help.  If you can swing it, a group study session can be a great opportunity to bounce ideas off of one another, collaborate on assignments and projects and even establish social relationships that extend beyond your classes.  At the end of the day, isn’t that what going to college is all about?
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Google Celebrates 115th Anniversary of the X-ray

Posted on November 8, 2010 by Amy

google.com home page
Today’s Google Doodle (see right) celebrates the 115th anniversary of the x-ray. They were first discovered in 1895, on accident, by a German scientist named Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen while he was experimenting with vacuum tubes. The “x” in the name came about because the radiation type he discovered was unknown, so he called it “x.” Read more about the x-ray here.

Careers involving the x-ray, such as Radiologic Technicians or Radiographers, are increasing. People in these positions prepare patients for their x-ray by explaining the procedure and removing any metal articles that may negatively affect the results. They also help to position the patient for the procedure and cover up certain areas to prevent unnecessary exposure to radiation. A Radiologic Technician can specialize in computed tomography, or CT Scans, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, which produces 3-D views of the area and requires the same precautions and setup as a regular x-ray. Occupations in this field have salaries ranging from $50,000 to $64,000 depending on the specific industry. Some examples of industries for this occupation are listed below (details can be found here):

-          General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

-          Office of Physicians

-          Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories

-          Outpatient Care Centers

-          Scientific Research and Development Services

-          Office Administrative Services

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