All over the country, medical assistants are getting hired in medical facilities. Nursing homes, medical offices, hospitals - the list goes on and on. Are you ready for a stable and well paying career in the health care field? Read on the see what the Bureau of Labor Statistics has to say about this career.

Nature of the work

Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner’s specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators. Medical assistants should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician. (Physician assistants are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.)

Administrative medical assistants update and file patients’ medical records, fill out insurance forms, and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services. They also perform tasks less specific to medical settings, such as answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing and bookkeeping.

Clinical medical assistants have various duties, depending on State law. Some common tasks include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. As directed by a physician, they might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications, authorize drug refills, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Medical assistants also may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.

Ophthalmic medical assistants, optometric assistants, and podiatric medical assistants are examples of specialized assistants who have additional duties. Ophthalmic medical assistants help ophthalmologists provide eye care. They conduct diagnostic tests, measure and record vision, and test eye muscle function. They apply eye dressings and also show patients how to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses. Under the direction of the physician, ophthalmic medical assistants may administer eye medications. They also maintain optical and surgical instruments and may assist the ophthalmologist in surgery. Optometric assistants also help provide eye care, working with optometrists. They provide chair-side assistance, instruct patients about contact lens use and care, conduct preliminary tests on patients, and otherwise provide assistance while working directly with an optometrist. Podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop x rays, and assist podiatrists in surgery.

Work environment. Medical assistants work in well-lighted, clean environments. They constantly interact with other people and may have to handle several responsibilities at once. Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week. However, medical assistants may work part time, evenings, or weekends.

Job Outlook

Employment is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2008–18 decade. Job opportunities should be excellent, particularly for those with formal training or experience, and certification.

Employment change. Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 34 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the healthcare industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population, there will be an increased need for all healthcare workers. The increasing prevalence of certain conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, also will increase demand for healthcare services and medical assistants. Increasing use of medical assistants to allow doctors to care for more patients will further stimulate job growth.

Helping to drive job growth is the increasing number of group practices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities that need a high proportion of support personnel, particularly medical assistants who can handle both administrative and clinical duties. In addition, medical assistants work mostly in primary care, a consistently growing sector of the healthcare industry.

Job prospects. Jobseekers who want to work as a medical assistant should find excellent job prospects. Medical assistants are projected to account for a very large number of new jobs, and many other opportunities will come from the need to replace workers leaving the occupation. Medical assistants with formal training or experience—particularly those with certification—should have the best job opportunities, since employers generally prefer to hire these workers.

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We live in an information age. Nowhere is this more evident than in the field of medicine. Folks who have a degree in managing health information can be assured of a stable and well paying career. The folks at ECPI University have put together an outstanding program that will lead you to a degree in Health Information Management.

Here are some program details from their web site:

“The Health Information Management Program will prepare graduates to demonstrate proficiency in the arena of health data management.

Students can:

Gain the experience necessary to ensure adequate and complete medical records.
Participate in cost effective information processing.
Learn coding skills as well as the regulatory processes and revenue cycles which impact health care facilities.
In 1.5 years, you can earn your Associate of Applied Science Degree - Health Information Management. Graduates will be prepared to ensure the availability of accurate health data through the application of healthcare technologies such as the electronic health record.

The program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Management that teaches each student to be a competent health information technician.

Graduates of this program will be skilled in the management of health data. Students will learn to ensure adequate and complete medical records, and they will be able to participate in cost-effective information processing. They will learn proficient coding skills as well as an understanding of the regulatory process and the revenue cycle. Students will learn to participate in maintaining health care data integrity through implementation of technology, such as electronic health records.

Students will learn about using information systems in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital or doctor’s office. They will learn to maintain adequate and complete medical records, and they will be able to do so while respecting patient privacy. Students learn about medical terminology and human anatomy so that they may understand and record medical information accurately. They will learn to be skilled liaisons among clinicians, regulators, and patients, and they will be able to apply current technologies in doing so. Students learn about functioning as an integral part of the healthcare team.

Health Information Management (HIM) professionals use a wide spectrum of health information technologies and concepts. Some individuals may choose to work with electronic health records. Graduates may also find employment maintaining physical control of medical records, auditing medical records, providing quality assurance in recordkeeping, and working to ensure compliance with all laws regarding creation, maintenance, and use of medical records. Agencies that coordinate disease and implant registries will also want to hire health information management professionals.

Requirements for Typical Employment Opportunities (i.e., background checks, drug screening, security clearances.)
Requirements may vary depending on employer. Students will generally need to pass a background check, credit check, drug screening, and Mantoux test for tuberculosis. Students must be able to comply with all federal regulations on access, use, and release of all medical information.

Entry Level Employment Opportunities By Job Title and/or Industry
Graduates will be prepared to demonstrate proficiency in health data management, information policy, information systems, administration and clinical work flow. These graduates will not only function as a bridge between clinicians, payers, regulators, patients, consumers, and technology but will also function as part of that team in a variety of settings. Jobs may be found working for health departments, insurance carriers, medical supply companies, healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturers, disease and implant registries, and physician practices. HIM professionals will be in demand anywhere there is a medical record.

Physical Requirements
Requirements may vary depending on employer. Most positions involve working in an office environment. Generally, someone working in this field must be able to work at a computer for extended periods of time, and he or she may be required to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally.

Certifications Recommended for Entry Level Career.
Certifications are not required for completion of this program but are encouraged. ECPI University provides vouchers allowing students to take certification exams at a greatly reduced cost. The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification is recommended for entry-level HIM applicants.

Program Specific Academic Policies

A detailed record of students’ attendance is maintained by the instructors and becomes a part of their permanent records. Every absence from class, no matter what the reason, is recorded and counted as such by the instructor, beginning with the first day of class. It is sometimes necessary for the school to give employment recommendations for a student. The employer often takes attendance into consideration.”

The time is now to get started. Click here to get free information headed your way.

A generally acknowledged fact is that when you earn a degree in a particular field, your ability to earn greater income is strengthened. In the exciting field of Emergency Medical Services this is especially true. There are a lot of folks who hold certificates for the various Emergency Medical Technician levels. Having a degree in EMS puts you head and shoulders above the crowd. In the Southeast part of the country, Keiser Career College has put together a great program designed to help you achieve your career goals.

Here is what they have to say about their program:

“Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services

Description
Emergency Medical Services is an Associate of Science Degree program which encompasses two occupational opportunities, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic. Most students complete this program in units; starting with the EMT-B Diploma Program, then proceeding to the Paramedic Diploma program, and finally completing the additional general education courses required for the Associates Degree in Emergency Medical Services.  In addition, The Associate of Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services program is designed for certified, professionally employed paramedics who want to pursue a degree.  A degree will be awarded upon successful completion of the program.

Objectives
Emergency Medical Services is a new and rapidly changing field. As this area continues to upgrade and expand, there will be an increasing demand for trained personnel, especially at the advanced and associate degree levels. Paramedics with an A.S. degree are more marketable for educational and supervisory positions. Because the EMS field is broad, students completing this program may work in a variety of different fields such as industrial, safety, ambulance (private and public), fire, and emergency room. After successful completion of this program, the student will be capable of performing the following functions at the minimum entry level:

• Recognize the nature and seriousness of the patient’s condition or extent of injuries to assess the requirements for emergency medical care
• Administer appropriate emergency medical care based on assessment findings of the patients condition
• Lift, move, position, and otherwise handle the patient to minimize discomfort and prevent further injury
• Perform safely and effectively the expectations of the job description

Prerequisites

• Have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
• Pass the entrance examination
• Current BLS Certification for Healthcare Providers
• The student entering the EMS A.S degree program must have a current/valid Florida State EMT-Basic Certificate awarded by a Florida Bureau of Emergency Medical Services approved institution or have completed an approved program and be eligible for the state certification exam, which must be successfully passed during Phase I of the Program, EMS 2610 and EMS 2610L.
• Students who currently work in the field as a paramedic and wish to obtain a degree must hold current/valid Florida State EMT-P certificate and may be able to obtain credit for these classes toward the EMS A.S. degree.

Course Outline
To receive an Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services, students must complete 53.0 credit hours in their major and 24.0 credit hours in General Education courses for a total of 77.0 credit hours.  This Degree program can be completed in 24 months for full-time day students.”

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Being a registered nurse provides someone with a great career that is stable with lots of opportunity to work in different areas. The next natural step in the career is obtaining a degree. The folks at Loyola University New Orleans have an online program that can help you reach your career goals.

Here is what they have to say about their programs:

“To be admitted into the nursing program, a student must be a registered nurse with a current license to practice in the United States. The student must complete the regular university admissions process and may complete an online application through the Office of Professional and Continuing Studies. A student who does not complete the admissions process prior to registration can enroll as a transient student for one semester by presenting the Registered Nurse license at registration. Upon admission to the university, all students must complete a criminal background check through certified background.com.

A minimum of 121 semester credit hours is required for the Bachelor of Science in nursing (B.S.N.) degree. No lower division nursing courses are taught at Loyola. Credit for lower division nursing (i.e., adult health, parent-child health, mental health) is awarded by validation of transfer credit for associate degree graduates or validation of advanced placement credit for diploma nursing school graduates. The last 30 credits hours must be completed from the Loyola University New Orleans curriculum.

RN-to-MSN Overview

The RN-to-MSN option is available to qualified students who plan to pursue a graduate degree at Loyola in the Health Care Systems Management program. In the RN-to-MSN option students receive both the BSN degree and MSN degree.

The RN-to-MSN option is available to qualified students who plan to pursue a graduate degree at Loyola in the Health Care Systems Management (HCSM) program. RN-to-MSN students who complete the HCSM program will receive both the BSN degree and MSN degree. The RN-to-MSN option allows students to substitute two MSN graduate-level nursing courses (6 semester credit hours) for lower level BSN undergraduate nursing courses. The benefit to the student is that 6 semester hours of MSN graduate course work are applied to the BSN degree, leaving fewer hours left to complete the MSN degree. Students who take graduate (700-level) nursing courses, while completing BSN curriculum requirements, pay graduate tuition for the 700-level courses.

Upon entry into the nursing program, students are asked to declare an intention to pursue either the BSN degree or the RN-to-MSN option.

BLEND Program (MSN Bridge)

An RN who has a non-nursing bachelor’s degree may enter Loyola’s MSN program without obtaining a BSN degree. The Blend program provides the RN the opportunity to enroll in the MSN Health Care Systems Management (HCSM) program. To be admitted to the M.S.N. program, the RN must complete Loyola’s Blend program which is comprised of two 3 credit courses (NURS 482 & NURS 483) that serve as prerequisites to 700-level (graduate) nursing courses. Blend courses are delivered online. For more information on the Blend program, call the nursing office at 504-865-2307.  All RNs who enter the BLEND program must submit all documents to complete the application for admission to the MSN program. Students are then provisionally admitted to Loyola’s M.S.N. program. The term “provisional” is used because admission to the BLEND sequence does not guarantee admission to the M.S.N. HSCM program. To be eligible for entry into the M.S.N. program, BLEND students must complete the required undergraduate BLEND sequence with a minimum grade of B in each course and meet all other stated admission requirements.”

Get on the path today by requesting free information here.

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It’s great that we have the internet. At no time in history has it been easier to find information about just about anything. This does however, cause a bit of an issue in terms of information overload. How do you make a choice when there are so many options?  The first step involves a bit of self reflection.

When considering a college, think about the following:

• What kind of learner are you? When you are in a traditional classroom environment, do you feel comfortable and at home? Do you enjoy all of the things related to a campus life? Would you consider yourself a social learner who craves study groups and interaction with other students?
• How computer savvy are you? Can you find way around new computer programs with ease? Do you have good, reliable, unlimited internet access? Do you have good word processing and spreadsheet software?
• Do you prefer working on your own? Are you confident in your ability to figure things out that may not be clear at the outset?
• What is your home situation? Are you in the position of having to work full time to support your family while you are taking classes? What kinds of other obligations do you have, such as clubs and organizations that require your time? Does your immediate family (and support system) endorse your decision to return to school?

When you honestly answer these questions to yourself you should be ready to choose just the right school for you.

Let us help you. Look at the careers and the schools that offer the training. Then send for the free information and get started down the path to your brand new career.

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I ran across an article listing five jobs that pay greater than $100,000 per year and was a bit surprised to see that one of the listings was for Massage Therapists. Well, knowing full well that we partner with some great schools who offer this training, I thought I’d let you know more about the profession. Here is what the Bureau of Labor Statistics has to say:

Nature of the work

Massage therapy is the practice of using touch to manipulate the soft-tissue muscles of the body. It is performed for a variety of reasons, including treating painful ailments, decompressing tired and overworked muscles, reducing stress, rehabilitating sports injuries, and promoting general health. Clients often seek massage for its medical benefit and for relaxation purposes, and there is a wide range of massage treatments available.

Massage therapists can specialize in more than 80 different types of massage, called modalities. Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, reflexology, acupressure, sports massage, and neuromuscular massage are just a few of the many approaches to massage therapy. Most massage therapists specialize in several modalities, which require different techniques. Some use exaggerated strokes ranging the length of a body part, while others use quick, percussion-like strokes with a cupped or closed hand. A massage can be as long as 2 hours or as short as 5 or 10 minutes. Usually, the type of massage given depends on the client’s needs and physical condition. For example, therapists may use special techniques for elderly clients that they would not use for athletes, and they would use approaches for clients with injuries that would not be appropriate for clients seeking relaxation. Also, some forms of massage are given solely to one type of client; for example, prenatal massage and infant massage are given to pregnant women and new mothers, respectively.

Massage therapists work by appointment. Before beginning a massage therapy session, therapists conduct an informal interview with the client to learn the person’s medical history and desired results from the massage. This interview gives therapists a chance to discuss which techniques could be beneficial to the client and which could be harmful. Because massage therapists tend to specialize in only a few areas of massage, customers will often be referred to or seek a therapist with a certain type of massage in mind. Based on the person’s goals, ailments, medical history, and stress-related or pain-related problem areas, a massage therapist will conclude whether a massage would be harmful and if not, move forward with the session. While giving the massage, therapists alter their approach or concentrate on areas of particular discomfort as necessary.

Many modalities of massage therapy use massage oils, lotions, or creams to massage and rub the client’s muscles. Most massage therapists, particularly those who are self-employed, supply their own table or chair, sheets, pillows, and body lotions or oils. Most modalities of massage require clients to be covered in a sheet or blanket and to be undressed or wear loose-fitting clothing. The therapist exposes only the body part being massaged. Some types of massage are done without oils or lotions and are performed with the client fully clothed.

Massage therapists must develop a rapport with their clients if repeat customers are to be secured. Because those who seek a therapist tend to make regular visits, developing a loyal clientele is an important part of becoming successful.

Work environment. Massage therapists work in an array of settings, both private and public: private offices, studios, hospitals, nursing homes, fitness centers, sports medicine facilities, airports, and shopping malls, for example. Some massage therapists also travel to clients’ homes or offices to provide a massage. It is common for full-time massage therapists to divide their time among several different settings, depending on the clients and locations scheduled.

Most massage therapists give massages in dimly lit settings. Using candles and/or incense is not uncommon. Ambient or other calm, soothing music is often played. The dim lighting, smells, and background noise are meant to put clients at ease. However, when visiting a client’s office, a massage therapist may not have those amenities. The working conditions depend heavily on a therapist’s location and what the client wants.

Because massage is physically demanding, massage therapists can succumb to injury if the proper technique is not used. Repetitive-motion problems and fatigue from standing for extended lengths of time are most common. These risks can be limited by the use of good techniques, proper spacing between sessions, exercise, and, in many cases, by the therapists themselves receiving a massage on a regular basis.

Because of the physical nature of the work and the time needed in between sessions, massage therapists typically work less than 40 hours per week. Most therapists who work 15 to 30 hours per week consider themselves to be full-time workers, because when time for travel, for setting up equipment, and for completing business functions, such as billing, are added, a massage therapist’s hours per week may very well be more than 40 hours. About 48 percent of all massage therapists worked part time and 19 percent had variable schedules in 2008.

Job Outlook

Employment of massage therapists is expected to grow faster than average. Opportunities should be available to those who complete formal training programs and pass a professionally recognized examination, but new massage therapists should expect to work only part time until they can build a client base of their own.

Employment change. Employment of massage therapists is expected to increase by 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment will grow as more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy.

Continued growth in the demand for massage services will lead to new openings for massage therapists. The number of spas, which employ a large number of therapists, has increased in recent years and will continue to do so. At the same time, there are an increasing number of massage clinic franchises, many of which offer massages cheaper than at spas and resorts, making them available to a wider range of customers. In addition, as an increasing number of States adopt licensing requirements and standards for therapists, the practice of massage is likely to be respected and accepted by more and more people.

Massage also offers specific benefits to particular groups of people, whose continued demand for massage services will lead to overall growth for the occupation. For example, as workplaces try to distinguish themselves as employee-friendly, providing professional in-office, seated massages for employees is becoming a popular on-the-job benefit. Older citizens in nursing homes or assisted-living facilities also are finding benefits from massage, such as increased energy levels and reduced health problems. Demand for massage therapy should grow among older age groups because they increasingly are enjoying longer, more active lives and persons aged 55 years and older are projected to be the most rapidly growing segment of the U.S. population over the next decade. However, demand for massage therapy is presently greatest among young adults, who lack the concerns about massage that previous generations had.

Job prospects. In States that regulate massage therapy, opportunities should be available to those who complete formal training programs and pass a professionally recognized examination. However, new massage therapists should expect to work only part time in spas, hotels, hospitals, physical therapy centers, and other businesses until they can build a client base of their own. Because referrals are a very important source of work for massage therapists, networking will increase the number of job opportunities. Joining a professional association also can help build strong contacts and further increase the likelihood of steady work.

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