Hot Health Care Careers For 2013

The health care industry projects 32 million new jobs by 2018.

Allied Schools Online Medical Career Training | alliedschools.com | 888.501.7686

Hot Health Care Careers to Train for in 2013

Are you Ready?

10 of the 20 fastest growing occupations are in Health Care (BLS)The fact is that the demand for health care workers, at all levels of education and training, will continue to grow by leaps and bounds. As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the health care industry provided more than 14 million jobs for wage and salary workers in 2008 alone. The BLS also predicts that through the year 2018, the field will generate more than 3 million new jobs, which is the largest increase of all industries.

The “Energizer Bunny” of Hiring

According to an article posted July 2011 by CNNMoney.com, “The health care field is one of the few industries that sustained steady growth through the recession, adding jobs every month for the last eight years. And that growth should continue.” In fact, according to the article, health care hiring rose by 14,000 jobs in June 2011 alone, while other industries dramatically slowed.

Why does the employment rate in this field continue to surge?

According to the BLS, here are some key reasons why so many of the oc-cupations projected to grow the quickest in our economy are in the health care industry.

• In recent years, the number of people in elderly age groups, many whose medical needs are greater than average, has been climbing at a more rapid rate than the total population in recent years.

• In recent years, the number of people in elderly age groups, many whose medical needs are greater than average, hDue to ongoing advances in medical technology, people are living longer and the recovery rate for those who are ill or injured is constantly on the rise.

• In recent years, the number of people in elderly age groups, many whose medical needs are greater than average, hSince the percentage of the population in older age groups is currently growing faster than the total population, employment will rise in home healthcare, nursing and residential care due to more families looking for long-term facilities to care for their loved ones.

As a result of the escalating amount of activity in this industry, there will be a chronic need for workers in all capacities, including administrative support jobs that are vital to maintaining the smooth operation of medical facilities.

Experience Leads to Advancement

Just as in most vocations, earnings correlate with one’s job responsibilities as well as the degree of training and/or education he or she has achieved. While those working in professional occupations such as doctors, surgeons


and registered nurses must have a higher degree of education and training in a specialized area, most workers who choose to enter the medical field have positions that actually require less than four years of college education. Ex-perience, especially when enhanced by additional training, paves the way for service workers to ultimately move on to higher-level jobs.

Salaries and wages on the upswing

The average earnings of non-supervisory workers in most areas of the health care industry are reported to be high-er, overall, than average for all jobs in the private sector. In fact, according to findings by the BLS, it’s estimated that wage and salary employment in the healthcare field will experience an increase of 22 percent through the year 2018 - a figure that is double that of all other industries combined!

Where Will I work?

Here is a brief breakdown of the types of work environments where a healthcare worker might be employed:

• Hospitals• Nursing and residential care facilities (i.e. convalescent homes)• Health practitioner offices (i.e. dentists, doctors, chiropractors, optometrists, podiatrists, dietitians, physical therapists)

• Home (a patient’s home for nursing care or as an option for medical coders and the like)

According to the BLS, the industry is comprised of close to 596,000 medical establishments, with offices of doc-tors, dentists and other health practitioners making up the majority of this total. Interestingly, statistics show that while hospitals make up a mere 1 percent of the all medical facilities, they employ some 35 percent of workers industry-wide.

Employment options worth exploring

Among the most popular vocations in the field are medical assistants, medical transcriptionists, medical coders, medical billers and pharmacy technicians. In fact, you can train for these five health care careers online, fast. Read on to learm more and see which one is right for you!


Medical TranscriptionSince the quality of patient medical records has a direct correlation to the success of any medical practice, there continues to be a universal calling for skilled workers to perform this vital role. The transcriptionist listens to doctor notes (usually through a digital tape recorder or Dictaphone) and carefully transcribes, or duplicates, this information into a patient’s records.

What qualities do I need to be successful as a Transcriptionist?

• You should be a proficient typist, especially since how much you earn is dependent on your production• Accuracy is paramount - there is no room for error in something as important as keeping a patient’s medical records

• Familiarity with medical terms• Time management skills (since you will be working with deadlines)

The joy of flexibility

By far, one of the biggest draws of this particular occupation is the flexibility. While the majority of medical transcriptionists work a typical 40-hour week, pay is largely determined on a worker’s output, either “per line” or by the hour. As for location, transcriptionists either work in an office setting or from home. Some are self-employed, contracting their work out as they choose.

Forecast for job growth is higher than average

According to the BLS, job growth in this field is projected to be “above average” and is expected to increase by a rate of 14% in the ten-year period from 2006 to 2016. Most people who enter this field have completed a medical transcription training program. And while taking a test to obtain your Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) status isn’t required, there’s no doubt it can improve both your marketability and income potential.

Train for a medical transcription career

Allied’s Medical Transcription Program gives you precisely the instruction you need to get you well on your way to landing your first job. And since the courses are approved by American Health Data Institute (AHDI), you are assured top-notch education with hands-on training that will not only prepare you to enter the work force, but will give you the confidence to succeed. The curriculum also equips you with the knowledge you need to pass the RMT exam, giving you a professional edge in the industry.


Medical Coding

This is a position that is absolutely crucial to the financial success of any medical practice. Moreover, a coder’s efficiency is paramount to helping the doctor, dentist or other health practitioner be paid the correct amount for services rendered and that it is received in a timely manner.

Every procedure performed, and each patient diagnosis, needs to be assigned a code in order for the provider to be paid by an insurance company. With record growth anticipated in all aspects of the medical industry, there will most definitely be a heightened demand for skilled medical coders. So, it follows that since more and more claims are going to be processed, the need for workers to perform this key job will continue to increase.

What skills are most important for this occupation?

The most successful coders possess the following traits:

• Attention to detail• Should be comfortable working with computers and various types of software programs for medical coding • And billing

Do I need any special training?

To obtain a position in this field, you need to have a high school diploma and successfully complete a medical coding program. Just like medical transcriptionists, coders generally enjoy the same benefit of having flex-ibility.

As for work environment, there are several options - from being a part of a medical team in a practitioner’s office, outpatient clinic or hospital to

being on your own as an independent contractor.

What does the job entail?

Basically, the coder’s job is to collect information from the doctor, check medical charts for accuracy and com-pletion, and analyze data with the help of computer software. Using official ICD-9/ICD-10 coding guidelines, he or she will translate patient symptoms, treatments and diagnoses into codes and send the information to insurance companies so that the doctor can be compensated. Earn your certification and increase your income potential

According to recent PayScale data, medical coders earn anywhere from $27,000 to $40,000 or more, depending on training and experience. A Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) can make as much as $50,000 per year.

Online preparation for your medical coding career

Working as a medical coder can be an excellent stepping stone to other, possibly more lucrative positions in the industry. Allied Schools offers an online Medical Coding Program that will prepare you for your first job as a medical coder. Upon successful completion of the coursework, you will receive an official certificate which will give you a strong advantage in the job market.


Pharmacy Technician

Another solid career choice in the medical field that is experiencing a steady upward climb in employment is working as a pharmacy technician. In fact, according to the BLS, jobs in this sector are projected to grow by a whopping 32 percent through 2016. One of the reasons for this trend is an aging population with an increasing dependence on prescribed medications.

Pharmacy techs provide valuable assistance to licensed pharmacists by receiving and preparing prescription orders. They verify that the information is correct, retrieve the medication, and get it ready by counting, pouring, measuring, etc. Next, the technician prepares and affixes labels to the containers they have selected, then price and file the prescriptions.

Characteristics of successful pharmacy techs

The most important factors in regards to doing the job well are:• Having strong skills spelling and reading• Good customer service skills• The ability to spend long hours on your feet

Certification enhances job opportunities

Since some employers offer on-the-job training, it’s possible to become a pharmacy tech without earning a degree or becoming certified. However, your job opportunities, as well as chances of landing a job, will be better if you do receive formal training and certification.

Hours and earnings

Work schedules can vary, often including nights, weekends and holidays, and some facilities operate 24-hours-a-day, such as hospital pharmacies. While certified techs tend to earn more than those who have not been certi-fied, the median annual salary, according to the BLS, is close to $30,000 per year. If you become a pharmacy technician, you can enjoy working in meticulously organized, clean environment.

Open the door to your future with Allied’s comprehensive program

Allied Schools offers a self-paced, online Pharmacy Technician Program that covers vital topics from drug regu-lation, public safety and pharmaceutical terminology to abbreviations, calculations, and job protocol. The train-ing you receive will prepare you for a successful career in this field and pave the way for other job opportunities. With further education, pharmacy techs can work their way up to becoming licensed pharmacists.


Medical Assisting

We all know that our first impressions, more often than not, are lasting impressions. It’s no different in the medi-cal field. In fact, the feeling a prospective or established patient gets when they call or walk in the door, can actu-ally determine whether or not they will return.

So, since the medical staff is likely the first encounter a person will have when entering a medical facility, this is just one of many reasons they play such an important role in its success and reputation.

The multifaceted role of a medical assistant

In addition to meeting and greeting, the medical assistant performs a variety of essential tasks that keep the front and back offices of a medical facility running efficiently. And with the industry expected to provide some 3 mil-lion new jobs in the next decade (BLS), the need for more workers to oversee the daily operations of health care facilities across the country will, no doubt, continue to skyrocket.

In general, medical assistants with front and back office training are responsible for:

• Maintaining patient records• Scheduling appointments• Making and returning calls for physicians• Completing insurance forms• Billing• Coordinating patient care (i.e. arranging for hospital admissions, scheduled surgeries & lab tests) • Prepare patients for examinations• Administer medications as directed by a physician• And more

Earnings vary with skill level and location

As in all the jobs listed in this section, education and training enhance a person’s marketability and income poten-tial. And in order to perform back office medical assisting, proper training is required. Experience and geograph-ic location will determine your salary.

Prepare for your medical assisting career

Allied Schools offers a self-paced, online Medical Assisting Program that is designed to equip you with the confidence you need to succeed working in the front and back offices of a medical facility. The comprehensive program even includes a medical assisting externship.

In addition to becoming a highly skilled and respected professional, who is virtually indispensible in the smooth operations of a doctor’s office, hospital or outpatient clinic, you will have completed the first step towards build-ing your medical assisting career in a rewarding and rapidly growing field.



Medical Billing

Medical billers play a vital role in the medical industry

Medical billing is a hot choice for your medical career. Why? Because from hospitals to doctors’ offices, every health care provider needs to get paid for their services. That’s where the vital services of a professional medical biller come in. Could that be you? Read on and find out!

Flexibility and options for your new career

As a professional medical biller, you have the option to work in many different settings. Any health care organization that provides medical services will have a need for medical billing services. Grow your ca-reer in physician offices, hospitals, clinics, outpatient surgery centers, rehabilitation centers, and much more. Additionally, you can realize increased career opportunities if you diversify your skills - learn medi-cal coding or electronic health management.

With enough experience, you could even branch out on your own and develop your own medical billing company. Your clients don’t even have to be local. Since you can work with any physician in the coun-try, you can solicit clients from Anchorage to Miami - the potential is huge.

Medical billers handle a variety of important duties

• Manage patient data - demographic and incurred charges • Prepare insurance claims• Follow up on unpaid claims• Post payments• Bill patients for deductibles and co-insurance • And more

Positive career outlook with solid earning potential

Rest assured you’ve made a good choice in joining the health care industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs in the medical field is expected to grow by 27% through 2014. An increase in the number of medical transactions will create a greater medical billing need.

Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, such as geographic location, number of hours worked, etc. However, the facts show that medical billers can earn a solid income. It’s a great way to join the healthcare industry in a non-clinical type career. And as a medical biller you’ll provide significant contributions to physicians everywhere!

Get ready for your medical billing career

The success of your future medical billing career starts with choosing the right education. You need a solid foundation of relevant, up-to-date knowledge that will carry over into your career. When you choose Allied, you receive a comprehensive set of materials that not only teach you how to perform vital medical billing duties, but prepare you for the Certified Medical Biller Specialist® (CMBS) exam. What could be better?

Take the first step towards your new health care career

Are you ready to take action? Today’s economy provides an abundance of opportunities to grow your career in new and exciting ways. Plus, with convenient online learning, you can build your skill level at your own pace, according to your schedule.

Stake your claim in today’s growing health care industry! Contact Allied Schools at (888) 501-7686 or visit www.alliedschools.com to request complimentary training information. A solid foundation of knowledge and a career in an industry that needs you could be the fresh start you’re looking for.



Documents

Hot Health Care Careers For 2013