Top Healthcare Jobs to Apply for in 2013
In today's economy, knowing the right positions to train for is important. The healthcare field is one of the fastest growing areas to look into. With training for different types of jobs taking from six weeks to several years, understanding what each of these positions requires is imperative for you to make a decision. Here are some of the different positions with the education and the salary ranges.
Insurance and Medical Billing Coders. These are people who codeinsurance billingswith the proper ICD-10 codes for submission for payment. The median salary as of May 2010 was $32.350. Training includes medical terminology, ICD-9 and 10 codes, keyboarding skills and Medical Billing Software. This can take from 6 weeks to 1 year. Classes are available on line. Once completed, you can be certified to work in this field.
Certified Nurse Aide. These are people who handle day to day hands-on care. While not as intensely trained as a nurse, the CNA provides assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, meal preparation, and attire. They also can become certified to assist with medication management. CNAs can preform their duties either in an institution setting or at home. Many states offer on-the-job training and certification. Salary is dependent on experience and can run from minimum wage to $12.00 per hour.
Dental Hygienist. Dental hygienistsassist the dentistwith patient care. Similar to a nurse, they assist with a variety of tasks. While each state has their own rules regarding scope of practice, most assist with x-rays, cleaning and extractions. Training can take up to 2 years, including clinical practice. You must be licensed through your state.
Nursing. The are a variety of nurses including Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), Registered Nurses (RN), Bachelor's of Sciences Nurse (BSN) and Advanced Registered Nurse Practioner (ARNP) or Certified Nurse Practioner (CNP). These provide in-depth clinical analysis, monitoring and assist the doctor with ongoing medical care. Training can take from two years to eight years depending on the level you wish to achieve. There are some programs online, but most are for those who already have either their LPN, LVN or RN degrees.Prerequisites include: Anatomy & Physiology, Math, Biology, and Chemistry. Each state has it's own laws regarding what each level of nurse is allowed to do in their scope of practice. You must take a test for nursing administration in each to state to verify your knowledge and safe practice measures. Licenses are renewable every year. Salary ranges can be up to 6 figures, depending on educational level. This is the fastest growing area of healthcare.
While there are many employment opportunities available in the healthcare field, these are the fastest growing positions. Career opportunities are available in all states, and education is offered in a variety of methods. Understanding what each of these careers offers, the education required and the salary ranges will help you to choose the right healthcare profession for you.
