Muscogee Career Choices

Phlebotomists has an extremely high risk on being exposed to certain blood diseases that is why their level of expertise is important to their own safety since they are exposed to the fluid samples they draw.  With the direction of a physician or any other licensed health care professionals, the duties of the phlebotomists include collecting samples of blood and fluids from the patients. Before the collection, it is the duty of the phlebotomists to make sure that the instruments used for the collection and the environment is sterile.

After the collection of the samples, the phlebotomists will place the proper labeling on the container with the important information for identification and must also complete the paperwork to keep track of the samples through the whole analysis and diagnosis until its proper disposal. Any mistakes in the duty of the phlebotomists will lead to a misdiagnosis to fatal contamination.  Other duty of the phlebotomists includes conducting home visits. They are also responsible for the transportation of blood and fluid samples from one location to the other. In other cases, the duty of the phlebotomists will include being responsible in performing certain functions to process blood for analysis by the health care professionals like physicians. Phlebotomists that work in laboratories have also the additional responsibility of ensuring that the samples taken are correctly analyzed by following quality control and safety precautions to avoid contamination to occur during the whole process.

In becoming a phlebotomist, having a phlebotomist training and education is the first step to take. After completing the training program, the certification exam is another step in becoming certified phlebotomists. This exam is given by an accrediting body of the state like the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians. They offer a comprehensive exam that test on all areas of phlebotomy. This knowledge also includes areas on anatomy and physiology, the circulatory system and different tests and procedures. Hands on training are also an important asset after the certification that can be done in any hospitals and clinics. Depending on the State, certification may or may not be required. But having a certification is mostly recommended by health care employers. This will prove that one has taken up all the trainings before completing the process of having a certification.

Phlebotomy training is achieved by passing and completing a one year vocational program which is offered by technical schools or community colleges. A lot of community colleges also offer an associate degree in phlebotomy. In becoming a certified phlebotomist, some states also require licensing and registration to make sure that they are competent in doing the job. A certified phlebotomist will be receiving an annual phlebotomy technician salary of $20,000 to $50,000 and still increases depending on the demand of services. As the demand increases, more facilities will hire additional phlebotomists. The duty and services provided by phlebotomists are usually scheduled rather than being performed under emergency situations. Phlebotomists usually have the benefit of shift hours which is a great benefit which is not usually found in any other medical professions.

When a person’s kidneys are shot down, nephrologists (a doctor who specializes in kidneys) will often prescribe hemodialysis treatments as a last resort to make the patient’s kidneys stable again. Kidneys are extremely vital organs in the body since they detoxify the body from excess fluid and wastes. When they start to fail because of a disease, the wastes in our body accumulate, making our blood pressure levels increase. The body also retains fluid, giving patients a puffy looking appearance; some even have a hard time urinating because of kidney failure.

Hemodialysis works by allowing the blood flow through a machine where the excess fluid and wastes are removed inside the machine. Once the machine is done from removing these unwanted elements from the body, clean blood is allowed to flow back into the body. While going through treatments, patients may notice personnel who constantly checks their vital signs and overall well being. This person is a technician who has passed the hemodialysis technician training. He is an extremely competent person who knows all about how the machine works and ensures that a patient’s safety is maintained at all times.

Hemodialysis technicians are healthcare professionals who know how to operate the hemodialysis machine. As a hemodialysis technician, you will only have to work during office hours in order finish your job. As kidney failure patients only require a specific schedule to get their dialysis done (usually mornings or afternoons), you won’t have to suffer like most healthcare professionals who need to work during the night shifts. A dialysis technician can work during office hours and return to his family at night, making this a wonderful healthcare option for people who want to actually sleep in their beds t night.

As a dialysis technician, you need to have a strong background in healthcare. Communication is vital as a dialysis technician because you want your patients to be able to trust you with specific information. You also want your patients to be comfortable during the entire procedure because a sudden or slight change in their vital signs could compromise the entire procedure.

Finding a dialysis technician training program that works for you is a good idea to start your career with. While some clinics offer on the site hemodialysis technician trainings, those who graduate from a school, complete with a hemodialysis technician certificate are more attractive employees that many employers would like to hire. Some employers even offer educational reimbursement if you are hired in their companies. In order to enroll in a training program, you need to have a high school diploma or equivalent and have strong backgrounds in math and science. In the field of healthcare, these two subjects are a must because they are the main components of our daily work. If you struggle with any of these subjects, you will have a hard time working. The subjects in the training program will also cover broader topics in science including anatomy and physiology which requires a steadfast love for the meticulous and the details.

Over the years, the healthcare job market has seen an incredible boom with its’ numerous openings for various healthcare positions. Even in these tough economic times, the healthcare industry is still managing to get by. One of the few job openings that never seem to be filled is the nursing profession. With the population of the elderly growing, the need for young, exuberant nurses almost seems quite palpable. Nursing is more than just a job to pay the bills; it is a highly rewarding career that offers job security and satisfaction at the same time.

There are several nursing opportunities available in the job market, each opportunity offers a different setting, salary and responsibility. But before you find what these nursing opportunities are, you’ll have to know the different educational paths you can take in order to become a nurse. The higher your educational attainment will be the better your chances will become in gaining job security and fast promotions.

A typical high school graduate with a diploma or equivalent can earn their associates degree in nursing by enrolling in a school with a nursing program. It typically takes two years to obtain an associates degree. If you’re aiming for a diploma, you’ll have to add one more year in that educational goal of yours. A bachelors of science in nursing takes four years to achieve. The main difference between the educational paths is that graduates with a bachelors’ degree in nursing can be promoted to the supervisory levels. Those who only have diplomas or associates degrees are called technical nurses and are restricted to several nursing paths.

In school, you will tackle a lot of health related subjects. The most prominent of which include psychiatric nursing, medical and surgical nursing, maternal and child nursing, pharmacology and basic anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, psychology and social science. In order to survive nursing school, you must have a good memory and possess a keen eye for details. As far as lessons go, memory is all you need to pass. In the clinical area, you should be extremely cautious in providing care. Not only will you have to apply every theory you’ve ever learned in class, you must show genuine care and respect for everyone around you.

After graduating, you will take the Nursing Licensure Exam (NCLEX), which consists of 75-265 nursing based questions strategically adapted to your cognitive level. Different states have different educational requirements for taking the NCLEX. To check the requirements for your state, you can log in to www.ncsbn.org <http://www.ncsbn.org> for further details.

The starting point for any registered nurse is to work as a staff nurse. Staff nurses usually earn around $45,500 a year. Nurses who work in specialty area like the operating room or intensive care unit earn higher hourly rates than the nurses who work in the wards. Salary can also depend on the bed capacity of the hospital. The more patients the hospital caters to, the higher the nurses salary and nurse- patient ratio will be.

What is Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a diagnostic device that provides images inside our body. Ultrasound produces two-dimensional ultrasonic recordings of internal organs, for use by physician in diagnosis of disease and study of malfunction of organs. Obstetric ultrasound is used in detecting and examining pregnancies. This is just an example of an ultrasound.

Who operates the ultrasound device?

Personnels who operate this device are called ultrasound technicians. Ultrasound technicians or also known as sonographer uses ultrasound equipments to take readings for specific areas of the body for diagnosis as requested by the physicians. The ultrasound technician then interprets the result to the physician to come up with a diagnosis. Certain conditions requires sonography such as pregnancy and cancer. Sonographers must be in good physical conditions in order to position patients during the examination. Prior to the procedure, the technician instructs and assist the client proper positioning to provide comfort and for physical examination. The technician should be good at operating computers and machines because a single mistake in operating and interpreting results is crucial. The technician also keeps the client’s records for further use. The technician should keep the device in good and working condition. If problems occur, the technician is the one to repair the device. Ultrasound technicians could also specialize in their field, such as obstetrics, abdominal, and neurosonography.

Training and Certification

Just like any other diagnostic specialists, ultrasound technician courses or trainings are offered in universities, college, or even in hospitals. There are also vocational programs offered which gives trainees certificates once they are done. Bachelor’s degree are given at universities for a 4 year training. The Armed Forces also offer training courses for ultrasound technician because this is also helpful in their field. Continuous education and trainings are provided for the technician to be updated to the latest improvements of the device and because of the modern technology.

Salaries and Bonuses

In line with this expertise, an Ultrasound technician could have an average salary of $4 – $6 per month ($53,000 – $58,000 annually). Also employers offer other benefits for outstanding sonographers which includes housing and health benefits. Also, the salaries vary in different factors such as experience, education, and place of work. For example, sonographers who work in physician’s offices or private departments receive higher salary than those who work in general hospital.
Unlike the xray technicians, sonographers doesn’t have health hazards n their work field because it does not include radiation in the procedure.

What are Registered Respiratory Therapists? They are state-licensed and nationally registered Respiratory Care Practitioners. RRTs have taken and passed the the RRT examination given by the National Board of Respiratory Care. They can only take this exam once they have already passed the Certified Respiratory Therapist examination and of course, have finished the necessary education.

How does one become a Registered Respiratory Therapist? Aspiring registered respiratory therapist should get an associate degree and training. Programs are offered in post secondary level by colleges and universities, medical schools, vocational-technical schools and the Armed Forces. Most of the programs offered include an associate or bachelor’s degree as well as on-the-job trainings. Though not all of the associate level programs guarantee an entry to jobs as registered respiratory therapists.

The task of a respiratory therapist includes treating and caring for patients who has difficulty in breathing or has cardiopulmonary disorders. They are responsible for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic processes. They can also have supervisory tasks among respiratory therapy technicians. They help and work with doctors and other health care staff in developing or changing patient care plans. They also provide assistance and special care for patients confined in the Intensive-care Unit (ICU) of hospitals.

Respiratory therapists handle a variety of patients – from preemie babies who has underdeveloped lungs to elderly people with diseased or damaged lungs. They help patients with chronic asthma or emphysema and are also readily available for assistance during emergency situations such as heart attack, drowning and stroke. They also conduct interviews with patients or physical examinations and they are trained to determine the concentration of oxygen and other gases in the patient’s blood.

Respiratory therapists use a special medical equipment that measures the amount and flow of oxygen during inhalation and exhalation. They use this to evaluate a patient’s breathing to determine any problems. They take a sample from the arterial blood and place it in a gas analyzer to measure the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and blood pH levels. The results are then forwarded to a doctor for analysis and possible treatments.

Respiratory therapists use an oxygen mask or nasal cannula if the patient has difficulty breathing. They make sure that the oxygen level is at the prescribed level by the doctor. They can also independently connect patients to ventilators if in case the patients cannot breathe. They do this by connecting a tube to the patient’s windpipe or trachea and connect it to the ventilator, making sure that the rate and volume of the oxygen concentration entering the patient’s lungs is correct.

A Surgical Technician is also known as a surgical technologist or an operating room technician. You may have heard them referred to as “scrubs”. Surgical Technicians have many responsibilities as part of the operating room team. They prepare the room itself. They prepare the patient. And they even have duties in preparing the surgeon and other members of the team. They have to set up the surgical instruments and any equipment that will be used as well as check the equipment to verify that it is all in working order. The patient needs to be brought to the operating room, washed, and shaved to prepare for the incision. The surgical team will need gloves and gowns. While doing all these things, the Surgical Tech should be watching the patient’s vital statistics too.

During the surgery they might hold things, cut things, or count things. They also might be responsible for taking something to the lab or for discarding unnecessary things. They also might be used to help operate equipment. The Surgical Technician is most certainly a multi function member of the team.

Advancement can be obtained in this profession. With extra training or specialized education the Surgical Technician can become a surgical first assistant or a circulator. As a surgical first assistant the technician would carry out activities to assist the surgeon in having the safest operation that is possible. This could include aiding in exposure, controlling blood flow, and stopping or preventing a hemorrhage. The circulator is the only non sterile member of the operating room team. This person carries out duties that can only be done by someone who does not have to stay sterile. The circulator interviews the patient before surgery so that during the surgery he or she can answer any questions that the surgeon may have about the patient personally. They also keep the written record of the surgery as it progresses. In addition, the circulator is responsible for opening the sterile packaging of any items needed during surgery so that the sterile members of the team can reach in to get the sterile items out of the package. Surgical Technicians could also advance into management positions at the hospital or could go into positions in various services that may have a tie to surgeries or the equipment used in surgeries. As an example, they may work for insurance companies that have questions or concerns about the surgery.

Surgical Technicians can be employed in a variety of settings. They are, of course, usually employed at hospitals but can also work at centers for outpatient surgery. Some might work with physicians or dentists who do in office surgeries. On occasion there are those technicians who are able to work on special surgical teams. These teams perform surgery of a specialized type such as heart or liver transplants.

Working as a Surgical Technician you can expect to earn at least $27,000 per year and as much as $54,000. The average surgical technician salary will vary due to common factors you would find in any job. Salary variables include job experience, job location, schooling and background as well as geographic location. There is a large difference from the starting surgical technician salary to the experienced veterans surgical technician salaries. Keep in mind that you can move up quickly with promotions allowing you to take on more job responsibilities that will in turn result in a higher annual salary.

Would you like to be an X-ray Technician? To get started you need to find a college or technical school that offers the coursework. You will be able to have an accredited certificate or an associate degree in about 2 years. The education is required by the federal government because of safety standards on radiation exposure. You could also get the formal training and a certificate through a hospital. In addition, almost every state will require for you to get a license to practice but each state will have its own licensing requirements.

Some of the courses you will encounter will be anatomy, physiology, radiation physics, medical terminology, positioning of patients, radiobiology, and pathology. If you would like to advance in the field of radiography, you might want to have a background in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Advancement might mean that you would have to go into more areas of diagnostic imaging like CT scanning, magnetic resonance, or mammography. You could go from being a technician to a radiologic technologist and then on to become a radiologic specialist.

To be a good X-ray Technician you have to pay close attention to the patient’s needs while carefully following the physician’s orders. You need to be detail oriented, mechanically able, and have good manual dexterity.

There are a lot of jobs available for X-ray Technicians. And most of those jobs (about 60% of them) are in hospitals. The other 40% of the jobs are in doctor’s offices, dental offices, diagnostic imaging centers, outpatient care centers, or medical and diagnostic laboratories. As a radiologic technologist you could have the potential to earn more than $74,000 per year. The median income for a radiologic technologist at a medical and diagnostic laboratory is about $55,000 per year. Apparently the highest paid radiologic technologists work at these medical and diagnostic laboratories.

So what exactly will the job involve? You, the X-ray Technician, will position the area of the body that needs the x-ray under the machine. The machine will then need to be positioned at the right angle and at the right height as per the physician’s instructions and any necessary lead shielding will be put in place. When the patient is prepared you will go behind a lead barrier wall or enclosure to adjust the equipment. And just about everyone has at some time had to have an x-ray for one reason or another. So likely, you are somewhat familiar with the patient viewpoint. You may remember how the particular part of your body was positioned and the lead shielding to protect certain parts of your body. Perhaps you remember the lead apron of the X-ray Tech and how that person went behind a particular wall to adjust the controls of the machinery. You may have wondered why it was so important for the X-ray Technician to be behind the wall or in the little room while you were being completely exposed to whatever radiation was in the room. This is because the X-ray Tech is exposed to more radiation over long periods of time while the patient will only be there briefly. So the extra protection is truly a necessity for the X-ray Tech.

It should be noted that as an X-ray Technician your job is to take the x-rays or pictures of the inside of a person’s body. It is not your job to interpret the results of those pictures. The radiologist or the physician should be the one to discuss the results with the patient.

Time is so limited in today’s fast paced society and finding the time to go back to school can be extremely difficult for anyone. If you are looking for the opportunity to better you financial situation in as little time as possible, there are great careers that can be learned with on the job training. One such career is that of an ekg technician.

An ekg technician is a cardiovascular technician that works under the supervision of a doctor or physician that runs cardiovascular tests on patients to diagnose problems related to the heart, such as an irregular heart beat. On the job training can be done in a short period of time with no prior schooling, other than a high school diploma or GED.

The only problem that can may make it hard for a qualified technician to find a job, is the fact that hospitals are now training RN’s and nursing assistants the skills of an ekg tech. In order to get a one of the many ekg technician jobs available on the market today, techs must take advanced training courses. These advanced training course can take a year to complete, and you will earn a certificate upon graduation.

Often times hospitals and physicians offices who employ ekg technicians will pay for the advanced schooling classes needed to become ekg certified. Upon earning your certification, an ekg tech will then be able to perform extra tests on patients such as stress tests and halter monitoring. These tests are cardiovascular tests that take extended periods of time to perform, usually as little as 24 hours. The patients are given portable monitors to wear, which after completion of the test period a physician will read a print out of the test results to diagnose the patients problems.

What is the expected ekg technician salary range? Due to the fact that this technical field requires little training, the expected yearly salary for an ekg tech is only expected to be around $24,000 per year. This is a starting salary and with extra training you can expect to see upwards of $30,000 per year. Finding technician jobs after certified is always easier than expecting to find an employer who will offer on the job training. If you schedule allows, taking the initiative to become certified before job hunting will increase your chances of job placement significantly.