Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Career Opportunities in the Healthcare Industry


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Healthcare is one of today's largest and fastest-growing industries. Job opportunities within this field are expected to grow at a high rate in the future. The healthcare field offers career opportunities for people with a variety of different skill sets, backgrounds, and experience levels. The top five jobs that are in demand within this growing industry include medical assistants, medical billers, registered nurses, healthcare managers, and pharmacy technicians.

1. Medical assistant.

Medical assistants are responsible for completing a variety of administrative and clinical tasks. They normally work in a physician's office or a clinic. The exact duties of medical assistants vary depending on their employer and state regulations. In some offices, they are more hands-on with patients. In others, they mostly provide back office support.

Common clinical duties include recording vital signs, writing down patient histories, and administering tests. Medical assistants play a very important role in helping medical offices run efficiently. In addition to select clinical tasks, they are responsible for recording and maintaining data, processing forms, making appointments, and bookkeeping.

While some medical assistants receive on the job training, most employers prefer candidates that have undergone some education and training. Local community colleges and vocational schools regularly offer affordable classes that prepare students for this career path.

2. Medical billing and coding.

Medical billing and coding specialists are responsible for processing insurance forms and creating invoices for medical offices. They submit documents to insurance companies and figure out whether the patient will have to make a co-payment. Most medical billers are required to go through training before getting hired. Many physicians work with more than twenty insurance companies, and medical billers have to be familiar with all of their rules and guidelines. Due to an increase in the number of patients seeking medical care on a regular basis, medical billing and coding is one of the top in-demand careers within the healthcare field.

3. Registered nursing.

Registered nurses make up the largest sector in the healthcare industry. They provide high-quality care to patients in a variety of settings. Registered nurses are needed at hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and even private homes. They record vital signs, assist with diagnosis and treatment, and provide support to physicians in a number of different ways. Educational requirements for registered nurses depend on their exact position and range from a diploma to an advanced degree.

4. Healthcare management and administration.

Healthcare managers ensure that medical offices and institutions run as smoothly as possible. In small offices, they oversee the entire business. In hospitals, they are usually in charge of one department. Depending on their employer, health managers can be responsible for following legal regulations, supervising employees, and hiring qualified medical professionals when needed. They must have a good understanding of business management, finance, and health administration.

5. Pharmacy Technicians.

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with a variety of tasks. Seventy-five percent of pharmacy technicians work in retail settings, although some work for mail-order pharmacies. Their exact duties depend on state regulations. Most include processing prescriptions, labeling medications, and managing patient data. They are usually responsible for receiving prescriptions from a patient or by phone and verifying that the information given is correct. In many pharmacies, they also fill prescriptions by putting the correct medication into containers and labeling them. While formal training is not required, it is highly recommended. Most employers look for candidates that have completed a training program or have practical experience.

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