Career Study - Career & Education Options

The Field of Medical Assisting Continues to Grow

Recessions can be devastating to many career fields. But according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare opportunities are growing and new jobs are being created. One such career that's been getting a lot of attention lately is medical assisting. In case this is an area you’re considering, let’s take a closer look at medical assisting.

What is a medical assistant?

Medical assistants are highly trained healthcare providers who work in a doctor's offices, clinics, or hospitals. They may perform both clinical and administrative duties, and report directly to an office manager, physician, or other health care professional. Medical assistants in large practices or hospitals often specialize in a particular area, working under the supervision of department administrators.

Medical assistants are not doctors and do not treat patients. They should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician.

Licensed Practical Nursing - A Career with Growth Potential

L.P.N.'s work under the supervision of Doctors and RNs and provide basic bedside care. They take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. They also treat bedsores, prepare and give injections and enemas, apply dressings, give alcohol rubs and massages, apply ice packs and hot water bottles, and insert catheters.

Find an L.P.N school near you.

L.P.N's observe patients and report adverse reactions to medications or treatments. They collect samples from patients for testing, perform routine laboratory tests, feed them and record food and liquid intake and output. They help patients with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene, keep them comfortable, and care for their emotional needs.

In States where the law allows, they may administer prescribed medicines or start intravenous fluids. Some L.P.N.'s help deliver, care for, and feed infants. Some experienced L.P.N.'s supervise nursing assistants and aides. 

To become an L.P.N, you need the right education and training. This can be achieved by earning an L.P.N diploma from an accredited L.P.N program. These programs can be completed in 1 year and then it's time to begin your career! An L.P.N diploma is also a stepping stone to becoming an R.N.

Request info from an L.P.N school near you.

Majors in Healthcare - Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)

A certified nurse aide -- also known as a certified nursing assistant -- provides care for patients in hospitals, health care facilities, nursing homes, and mental health facilities. Nurse aides also assist doctors and nurses in a hospital or other medical facility. Some certified nurse aides provide care by visiting patients in their own homes on a regular basis. These health care professionals are also known as home health aides.

Certified nurse aides give hands-on care to patients as well as provide assistance to doctors and nurses during patient procedures and treatments. Some of the tasks that a certified nurse aide is required to do are help patients eat, dress, and bathe, as well as monitor a patient's pulse, temperature, respiration, and blood pressure.

Certified nurse aides who work in a nursing home or other type of residential care facility are usually the primary caregivers for their patients. As a result, certified nurse aides must be very compassionate and patient in nature.

Certified nurse aides also provide care in the home as well as the psychiatric ward or mental health facility, where they assist with care for patients who are mentally or emotionally disturbed. Individuals looking to become employed as a certified nurse aide can find employment wherever there are patients in need of care: hospitals, health care facilities, residential care facilities, and mental health facilities.

Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Programs

Certified nurse aides are not required to have a high school diploma, but they must pass a test to prove their competency in the field of health care. Individuals can train to become a certified nurse aide in programs offered by high schools, vocational-technical schools, nursing facilities, and community colleges. These programs provide education in:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Infection control
• Personal care for patients
• and Communication skills, among other related topics.

Certified Nurse Aide Jobs Outlook

As the population ages, there will be a rise in the demand for certified nurse aides (CNAs), particularly those interested in geriatrics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of certified nurse aides will increase by more than 28 percent by the year 2016.

Find a Certified Nurse Aide Program

An Associate's Degree In Nursing Is A Worthwhile Pursuit

The current nursing shortage makes now a great time for men and women to pursue a nursing degree. Whether you are a recent high school graduate or someone looking to change careers, a nursing degree can prepare you for a highly rewarding profession that offers long-term growth and diversity.

If you've decided on nursing as your career choice and wish to enter the field quickly, either a nursing diploma or an associate's degree in nursing will help you achieve that goal. Both credentials qualify graduates for entry-level nursing jobs, but each one offers distinct advantages that you should take into consideration.

Career Option: Dental Hygienist

In an earlier post, the 10 Best Jobs Requiring Two-Year Degrees was discussed. Number 2 on that list was Dental Hygienist so we'll spend a little time discussing that field today.

Dental Hygienists remove soft and hard deposits from teeth, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene, and provide other preventive dental care. They examine patients’ teeth and gums, recording the presence of diseases or abnormalities. Hygienists perform other advanced duties such as root planning as a periodontal therapy, or apply cavity-preventative agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants. In some States, hygienists are allowed to administer anesthetics, while in others they administer local anesthetics using syringes. Some States also allow hygienists to place and carve filling materials, temporary fillings, and periodontal dressings; remove sutures; and smooth and polish metal restorations.

Most dental hygiene programs grant an associate degree, although some also offer a certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree. A minimum of an associate degree or certificate in dental hygiene is generally required for practice in a private dental office. A bachelor’s or master’s degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.

The course curriculum includes laboratory, clinical, and classroom instruction in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, radiography, histology (the study of tissue structure), periodontology (the study of gum diseases), pathology, dental materials, clinical dental hygiene, and social and behavioral sciences. Dental hygienists must be licensed by the State in which they practice. Nearly all States require candidates to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school and pass both a written and clinical examination.

A few fast facts about a Dental Hygienist career...

• Dental Hygienists rank among the fastest growing careers with a projected job growth of 30% between now and 2016.
• More than half of Dental Hygienists work part-time, and flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this profession.
• In 2007, the median average wage for Dental Hygienists was $64,740.

If you are interested in learning more about training to become a Dental Hygienist. Find a school in your area here: http://career-study.com.

Cheers!