Nature of the Work

Radiology technicians are a vital part of health care teams across the U.S., and their services are in demand in a variety of medical settings. Radiology technicians also specialize in a number of areas under the umbrella of diagnostic imaging.

Radiologic technicians, sometimes referred to as radiographers, produce x-ray films (radiographs) of parts of the human body for use in diagnosing medical problems. They prepare patients for radiologic examinations by explaining the procedure, removing jewelry and other articles through which x rays cannot pass, and positioning patients so that the parts of the body can be appropriately radiographed. To prevent unnecessary exposure to radiation, these workers surround the exposed area with radiation protection devices, such as lead shields, or limit the size of the x-ray beam. Radiographers position radiographic equipment at the correct angle and height over the appropriate area of a patient’s body. Using instruments similar to a measuring tape they may measure the thickness of the section to be radiographed and set controls on the x-ray machine to produce radiographs of the appropriate density, detail, and contrast.

In addition to preparing patients and operating equipment, radiologic technologists and technicians keep patient records and adjust and maintain equipment. They also may prepare work schedules, evaluate purchases of equipment, or manage a radiology department.

Work Environment

Most full-time radiologic technologists and technicians work about 40 hours a week. They may, however, have evening, weekend, or on-call hours. Some radiologic technologists and technicians work part time for more than one employer; for those, travel to and from facilities must be considered. (continue reading…)

Radiology technicians are a vital part of health care teams across the U.S., and their services are in demand in a variety of medical settings. Radiology technicians also specialize in a number of areas under the umbrella of diagnostic imaging.

Before radiology tech students can take clinical courses or take their state’s radiology tech certification exam, becoming an radiology tech requires you to first complete your radiology tech general education requirements which can be completed online through a number of associates and bachelors health care degree programs.

Below you will find reviews of the best online health care schools and links to the programs that they offer. Request free information packets from these top online radiology technician schools to help you make the right decision. (continue reading…)

Pharmacy technicians assist licensed pharmacists in providing prescription drugs to patients by preparing, measuring, and labeling medications. Further, they deal with patient inquiries, and perform important clerical tasks at the pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians may work in retail pharmacies, or in hospitals and assisted living facilities. Educational and training requirements vary by employer. Some companies provide on-the-job training for technicians, while others require an associate’s degree or a certificate in a pharmacy technician program. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to increase by 32 percent between the years 2006 and 2016. This is well above the average job growth rate.

Job Description

Simply put, pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists fill prescriptions. A qualified pharmacy tech needs to know much more than how to count medication. As their role expands, pharmacy technician career opportunities increase, and the outlook for employment in the field is very strong. This means that now is an excellent time to become a pharmacy technician.

Pharmacy Technician Career Outlook

The need for pharmacy techs is increasing. Retailers are expanding their pharmaceutical services, and scientific advancements continue.

Job opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to be good, especially for those with previous experience, formal training, or certification. Job openings will result from employment growth, as well as the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. (continue reading…)

Medical Billing: Career Information

Medical billing is the practice of submitting claims to Insurance companies or the United States government, specifically Medicare in order to receive payment for services provided to a patient by a medical doctor or other licensed health care provider. Medical billers usually work away from the public eye in the claims processing office, or in the billing department of a medical office, clinic or hospital. Their work hours consist of forty regular office hours from Monday through Friday.

Medical billers not only review charge slips and track payments, they also analyze records to produce customized reports that show profitability or areas in need of improvement. Such reports are critical when decisions need to be made on renewing and negotiating contracts. They also advise physicians of fee structure changes, new coding practices, and ways to improve the office’s bottom line. Most medical billers also handle the offices dictation transcription. This saves the medical office money and allows the healthcare providers to comply with the strict HCFA rules, which mandate clarity of all Medicare claims.

The medical biller’s training is extensive because of the many responsibilities and duties involved. Those entering into this field should consider enrolling in a medical coding and billing training program that’s approved by the US Department of Education. This could be a vocational training institution in the local area or via a distance education course online.

Medical Billing Salary

There are many factors that may influence your medical billing and coding salary. Your geographic location, for instance, can play a big part in your level of compensation. In areas where the cost of living is higher and the local economy is thriving, medical coding salaries may be higher. (continue reading…)

Why Study Online?

If an online business degree is similar to a traditional campus-based degree, why study online? The answer is different for everyone, but for most it comes down to cost and convenience. Online business degree programs are often less expensive than their campus-based counterparts. Tuition is often lower, and travel costs are virtually non-existent.

The flexibility of an online business program also makes it easy for students to continue working while they earn their degree, avoiding that crucial break in their career to become a full time student. Online classes can usually be scheduled around regular work and family hours and completed whenever it is convenient for the student/professional. This means that students can work at their own pace and spend only as long as they need to on any one course topic.

For these reasons and many others, undergraduate and graduate students have begun enrolling in online colleges in greater numbers, adding further to the credibility of these institutions and expanding their alumni networks. According to studies by the Sloan Consortium, the percentage of students who have decided to take higher education courses online has more than doubled in the last five years, and continues to grow. There are now nearly 4 million students (nearly 25 percent of all students) enrolled in at least one online course. The benefits are undeniable, and students as well as professionals are doing all that they can to take advantage of the resources available to them in their career paths.

Accreditation

Attending an accredited online business degree program doesn’t guarantee that you will get a job after graduation, but it certainly increases your chances. Accreditation ensures that the education you receive meets acceptable standards of quality, and helps give that school credibility in the professional world with employers. Choosing an accredited program is also important if you want to be able to transfer credits or apply for grants, scholarships, and other types of financial aid, as government aid is often dependent on whether you are attending an accredited educational institution.

In the United States, there are two basics types of accreditation. The first is referred to as “institutional.” It applies to an entire institution. The second type of accreditation is known as “specialized” or “programmatic.” A specialized or programmatic accreditation applies to programs, schools, or departments that are part of an institution. (continue reading…)