Become a Dental Assistant
A Dental Assistant is an important part of any dental health team. They assist Dentists in many capacities and provide support to the patients. Some of a dental assistant’s duties may include developing oral and maxillofacial x-rays, assisting Dentists with cleanings and other dental procedures, making impressions of teeth and patient teaching. Some even take vital signs before, during and after complicated dental procedures that require sedation. The procedures a dental assistant are allowed to perform vary from state to state based on regulations in a specific state.
A dental assistant also helps out with administrative duties including scheduling patient appointments, handling insurance verification, answering phone calls, maintaining patient information and other needs around the office. What a dental assistant is required to do will vary by office. Some dental assistants work as a personal assistant to a dentist in smaller offices.
Dental assistants are often in charge of infection control procedures, which are regulated by OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These regulations lay out strict guidelines for infection control within a dental office. These include making sure staff is using proper hand washing techniques, ensuring that soap and anti-bacterial hand sanitizer are available near all sinks, proper disposal of bio-hazardous waste, proper sanitization of all equipment used in direct patient contact and other infection control measures.
A dental assistant is a very important job within a dental office. Responsible and well-trained individuals are key to the success of any practice. These examples do not entirely encompass the scope of a dental assistant’s duties, which may be more or less depending on the office.
In some states a college degree is not required to become a dental assistant, In these states two years of on the job training fulfill the experience required. Other states require the completion of a vocational program that takes less than two years. However, most states do require a two-year associates degree before a student is eligible to sit for the CDA, Certified Dental Assistant, exam. These states will not allow someone to work as a dental assistant without successful completion of an associates degree from an accredited school and an acceptable score on the CDA exam. It is important to know your state requirements prior to applying to a dental assistant program. It is also very important to know a school’s accreditation status. The American Dental Assistant Association keeps an updated list of accredited programs.
Once you have chosen a college or vocational program to attend it is important to follow their admission procedures. Do not be disappointed if there is a waiting list. Often there are prerequisites to entering the programs. These need to be fulfilled before admission into the program will be granted. Dental assistant programs can take two to three years to complete. A small portion of the programs is devoted to clinical experience where a student will perform duties learned in class in a real world dental setting. Becoming a dental assistant requires just as much hard work and persistence as any another program.
When you have successfully completed the program you are eligible to sit for the CDA exam. Some states allow students who have graduated but not taken their exam to work as a dental assistant on a probationary basis. This expires if they have not taken the exam within three to six months of graduation. Passing the exam will certify with the state that you are eligible to work as a dental assistant. To maintain this certification you must participate in Continuing Education courses. Often these courses are seminars on new procedures and improvements to the old ones. There are also additional certifications available to enhance your skills as a dental assistant. Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are available for dental assistants. An advanced degree is required to teach in a dental assistant program.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics job opportunities for dental assistants are expected to increase 29% in the next ten years. It is one of the fastest growing professions. This is due to an aging population, which require more dental care, and a high job turn over rate. Like some other professions that have fallen out of popularity dental assistants are retiring faster than new graduates can be hired. This job explosion paves the way for incoming students to choose from a variety of different opportunities and will in turn drive up the average pay for a dental assistant.
In 2006 the median pay for a dental assistant was $14.53 an hour. This is expected to increase as the demand increases. The earning potential for a dental assistant is near $20 per hour. Benefits can vary in the different employment settings but most offices offer benefits and reimbursement for continuing education. For those dental assistants that choose to further their education with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree teaching positions are also expected to increase on the coming years.
Working in a dental office is not the only place a dental assistant can find work. Anywhere there are people there is a demand for dental assistants. States often hire them to perform routine dental care for prisoners incarcerated in state facilities. The government recruits them to serve in the military and provide service to the men and women of the military. Some private facilities like nursing homes will employ a dental assistant to help maintain the daily dental health of patients.
Top Health Care Careers
There are hundreds and perhaps thousands of different medical careers available. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there will be an estimated three million more jobs added to the medical field by the year 2016. The following five careers are considered the “hottest” or top jobs in the field right now, based on job growth, number of jobs, compensation, and the quality of the work.
1. Nurses currently make up the largest percentage of the medical workforce. There are currently over 2.5 million registered nurses with more being added all the time. There are nursing jobs for anyone from high school graduates to advanced college graduates. Registered nurses can work in any field and any specialty from pediatrics, general practice, psychiatry, neo-natal, surgery, even hospice care. The hours can be long when you are first starting out but overall compensation is adequate.
2. MRI Technicians could easily be the hottest health care career. MRI techs earn good salaries and are in high demand. While training is necessary, online radiology schools can help with this process. The person who becomes and MRI Technician will be happy with their career choice. Hospitals and clinics are extremely flexible with scheduling and provide excellent benefits. There is also a high level of stability with this career, people will always need your expertise.
3. Medical technologists are the ones who work in labs analyzing blood samples, drug levels, and tissue samples. They are similarly responsible for providing documentation of their findings to the primary physician. Most technologists are required to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology and can work in a variety of medical facilities or labs.
4. Dental hygienists are certified to clean, x-ray, and care for a patient’s teeth. They are essential to the medical community and are therefore in high demand. Hygienists are licensed in the state they practice. An associate’s degree is the minimum education required although some colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree as well.
5. Dietitians and nutritionists are among one of the fastest growing positions in the medical world. With an ever-increasing desire to maintain a level of health, it is the dietitian’s job to work with public and private institutions to improve their diet and create meal plans to meet this goal. They can work in nursing homes, schools, hospitals, or for private individuals. Both dietitians and nutritionists can receive a bachelor’s or master’s degree but actual certification procedures and requirements vary by state.
These are just a few careers that are available to those wanting to pursue a medical future. Careers in medicine are always growing in demand and the pay scales are rising to reflect that every year.
Health Care Careers In The Armed Forces
December 4, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
The military is a fantastic place to start a career in the medical field. They will pay for your schooling and all of your training. Not to mention the countless medical jobs available which directly reflect back to civilian life. There are many levels of certification and training, all of which will be useful and usable upon a military discharge.
First, you can receive a certification called the Expert Medical Field Badge. This is basically the first aid certificate of the military. In addition to this badge, that is available in all branches of service, each branch of the military has their own career opportunities. While many may be similar they are worth mentioning individually.
In the Army Medical Corps you will not only will you find careers in general medicine, nursing, or specialty medicine but you can also begin a career in veterinary medicine. Three areas of veterinary medicine are currently available: animal medicine, veterinary public health, and research and development. These projects can take you far abroad, treating the service animals of the US Army. The Army’s nursing program is unique in that they teach a more holistic approach to medicine and let the nurses’ judgment be the driving force of the medical team. There are a few specialties only available to outside contracted nurses, but for the most part it is an open field. Other specialties that can be pursued in the Army are Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapist among others.
The Navy Medical Services Corps currently places a high value on training Nurses. So they are offer specialties like ambulatory care, critical care, neurosurgery, and nursing psychiatry. Careers in specialties not directly related to treatment of patients can also be pursued in health care administration, which allows you to run and manage health care projects all over the world. Health care sciences will allow you to be on the forefront of emerging technology and research. Dental hygienists and dental assistants are also an ever-growing area of Navy medicine.
In addition to the physicians and dentists, the Air Force has a unique Biomedical unit. This can cover any career from Physiologist, Social Worker, Speech Pathology or even Public Health Officer. Any type of nursing position you can possibly imagine would be available as well. Perhaps you are a nurse midwife or a mental health nurse; there is a place for you with the Air Force. Administrative positions are always important to making sure a medical facility runs smoothly, and this is no exception. A position in health care administration could give you the opportunity to help a good medical team excel even more.
The options for health care careers in the armed services are as varied as they would be as a civilian. Many of these branches of service are in need of more medical support. Specialists, nurses and administrators are especially in high demand. If you are looking for a way to serve your country, gain an education, and be in the medical field then the military may be the right path for you.
Options And Steps To Become A Nurse
You have come to the decision that you want to beome a nurse; that is a very noble profession to pursue. But it is also one that requires some consideration as to what type of nurse you want to be as well as what it takes to achieve that. Being a nurse can range from being an LPN (Licensed Nursed Practitioner) in a hospital setting to an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner.
An LPN can obtain their education from a vocational school or a community college and is therefore perfect for someone just entering the field of medicine. This is a great way to get into the office and working with patients before you decide if pursuing more of an education is something of interest to you. In many states the LPN course completion is determined by classroom hours as well as clinical experience. After you pass the course, you merely have to take the state exam and pass that to be fully certified. This is the place to start if you are not completely sure about being a nurse, the tuition cost is lower, the amount of time is significantly less and there is less responsibility because most often you will work under a Registered Nurse (RN).
If you desire is to be an RN this requires a degree known as an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. It is a minimum of two years for completion and can be obtained at a community college or university. After you have finished the course you will work under supervision by a Graduated Nurse until you pass your state exam. The state exam is necessary to being able to work unsupervised.
Once you become an RN, if you wish, you can return to school for a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. This is occasionally available at a community college, but more commonly at a university. This degree will not only provide you with a higher income and more job opportunity, it allows you to work in a variety of specialty areas like Neo-Natal, Pediatrics, and Cosmetic Surgery among others.
A Master’s degree is the highest qualification offered in Nursing and provides the highest income and most job possibilities. It is normally only available through a major university. There are no restrictions on the facilities you can work in or the specialty fields you can pursue. Your options within the medical field are truly unlimited. With a master’s degree, you can teach, work in supervisory positions, administrative positions, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthesiologist. Also this is the first step into a Physician’s Assistant (PA) position.
With all of these degrees you can work in a hospital, doctor’s office, school, prison facility, nursing home, or anywhere else there is a need for nurses. There is always a need for qualified individuals and with so many diverse areas to work in; there is nothing to wait for.
Health Care Careers Always In Demand
December 1, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Medical jobs and health care careers are always in demand. Unemployment figures are reaching new highs and are expected to continue tracking upwards for the next few months. The tops ten hottest jobs were recently released and seven of the top ten jobs are health care careers.
Essentially the health care industry is recession proof. Medical jobs are always available for the right person. Many people will soon be looking for new jobs and medical jobs are a good place to start. Which medical careers are in demand? A person who is interested in working in health care is only limited by his or her own desire, and dedication, opportunities are plentiful.
Medical jobs and health care careers are available from entry level to health care administration and management. Some of the more popular choices include nursing, MRI technicians, Medical Sonagrahers, Medical Billing and Coding specialists, Dental Hygienists, Radiologists, Medical Assistants and Physical therapists. However there are many more and for the person seeking to enter the health care careers industry it may be a challenge to focus in on just one career choice.
Health Care is the fastest growing industry for jobseekers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Medical jobs are one of the most lucrative jobs today. You will be paid well in salary and will be rewarded for your dedication for helping people. Your medical job will have value and add a measure of security and stability to your career.
Educational requirements will vary form job to job. Many people possess the necessary skill sets to advance quickly to the health care industry. Online programs have greatly improved the opportunity for those wishing to pursue medical careers. Medical jobs are available in any state in the country. Medical jobs in Colorado, New York and Florida far outnumber potential candidates.
Many health care facilities will often assist in relocation for the right person. Investigate the various opportunites and you will agree the health care careers industry is wide open with opportunity, challenges and rewards.
How to Become A Physical Therapist
October 26, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
At the heart of a person desiring to become a physical therapist is a passion for helping people. Finding physical therapists jobs will not be difficult. On the other hand preparation to become a physical therapist will require additional education and determination to complete training. As a physical therapist you will help to rehabilitate patients injured in auto accidents, recovering from various surgeries, strokes and other medical traumas.
The Physical Therapist candidate should prepare for their formal education with a full load of science and anatomy classes. Becoming a physical therapist requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with many prospective employers demanding a Master Degree as a prerequisite for employment. Once enrolled in college, you will require a Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on anatomy, biology and physiology. Additionally, be prepared to take advanced math courses, and take psychology and social science courses as well. Physical therapy offers a multitude of specialized areas. You can choose to work in pediatrics, geriatrics and sports related injuries. The options are virtually endless. Upon graduation from your physical therapy program you will be requires to take licensing exams. As with all health care careers, the more education one possesses the better the opportunity for employment.
A physical therapist needs to be physically fit. As a physical therapist you will find yourself help people walk, and exercising who cannot do it for themselves. Essentially you become am exercise coach so being physically fit yourself will lend itself to making your work easier. You will have to communicate with patients and their families on a day-to-day, case by case basis, having people skills will be to your advantage.
Once licensed and trained expect physical therapist salaries to begin in the mid $50,000.00 a year range for persons entering the job market for physical therapy. Physical therapist jobs are available in hospitals and clinics. You may choose to work independently, however most graduates begin in the secure environment of a clinic or hospital. Once you gain experience, your salary will rise and so will your opportunities inside the field.
Chosen for the right reasons, a health care career, as a physical therapist will be very rewarding. You will have an eyewitness account of the progress of your patients and that will be very satisfying. Your work will have value and is important.
Become A Pharmacy Technician And Serve An Important Role
August 4, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
In any area of health care careers the support staff for a given health care profession plays a significant role. More and more everyday, doctors, radiologists, pharmacists and health care professionals continue to add support staff and this creates opportunities for persons wanting to enter the health care profession. An area that continues to explode in opportunity is pharmacy technicians.
Pharmacy technicians help licensed Pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Pharmacy technicians who work in retail pharmacies typically have a wide range of responsibilities, depending on individual state laws and regulations. Pharmacy technicians may receive written prescriptions from patients or from a doctor’s office fax. They are charged with the responsibility of making sure information is accurate in every detail.
Depending on the individual pharmacists may request that technicians, count pour , fill or mix a medication. Once the prescription is filled the pharmacist then verifies and checks before it is given to the patient. Pharmacy technicians may also serve in the role of a administrative assistant, cashier or just about anything else. In hospital or nursing home setting, the role of the pharmacy technician may be expanded to include delivery of medications after being checked by the pharmacist .Work schedules can be very flexible , but often mirror that of the pharmacist
Training
A number of pharmacy technicians receive on the job training, however as is the case with most health care careers and professions, prospective employers will favor those applicants with formal training and certification. A background in interpersonal skilles and customer service will strengthen the candidate’s position for hiring.
Formal training for pharmacy technicians includes classroom and laboratory work in a diverse number of areas, including medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy record keeping, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics. Technicians also are required to learn medication names, actions, uses, and doses.
Presently certification may not be necessary in most states, however as stated most pharmacists prefer candidates to be certified. Often pharmacists will hire and train with the condition that the certification be obtained over a prescribed amount of time. Pharmacy technicians are have the opportunity to advance and some become pharmacists themselves.
Job Opportunities
Excellent opportunities are expected for full-time and part-time work as a Pharmacy Technician, especially for technicians with formal training or previous experience. Job openings for pharmacy technicians will result from the aforementioned need for support staff and the expanding pharmaceutical industry . Salary ranges are dependent on location, certification and experience.
