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This article profiles two more healthcare careers you can qualify for with one year or less of training - medical assistants and physical/corrective therapy aides.
Duties: The job duties of medical assistants are often twofold, including both clinical and office responsibilities. Clinical duties vary depending upon your location, due to state regulations. They may include taking medical histories, recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for and assisting during exams. On the administrative side, your duties may also vary from office to office. Medical assistants may greet patients, handle phone calls, update and file medical records, schedule appointments, fill out insurance forms and billing, and arrange for hospital admissions. Most medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week. Outlook: This career is expected to grow much fasterthan most occupations due to a growing and aging population and many technological advances in medical treatment. Two-thirds of jobs are in physicians' offices, with the rest in hospitals, nursing homes, and offices of other health practitioners such as chiropractors, optometrists and podiatrists. Training: According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), "Most employers prefer to hire graduates of formal programs in medical assisting" as well as "experienced workers or certified applicants who have passed a national examination" indicating a recognized level of competency. Most training programs last either one year, resulting in a certificate or diploma, or two years, resulting in an associate degree. Earnings: In 1996, median annual earnings for medical assistants with less than two years experience ranged from $16,786 to $22,672. Those with 5+ years experience earned from $21,590 to 27,997. Duties: Physical therapy aides help the physical therapist provide treatment procedures to improve mobility, relieve pain, and minimize permanent physical disabilities in people with injuries or disease. Their patients may include accident victims, people with low back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, cerebral palsy, and other conditions. Some clinics specialize in treating sports injuries. Treatments delegated to PT aides and assistants may include exercises, massages, electrical stimulation, hot/cold packs, traction and ultrasound. They keep records of the patient's progress during treatment. PT aides need to have a moderate degree of strength to assist patients with their treatment. Repetitive bending and kneeling as well as constant standing are all part of this job. Aides may need to help lift patients at times. Most PT aides work in hospitals or offices of physical therapists. Others work in outpatient rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, doctors' offices and clinics and in patients' homes. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Medical Assistants & Physical Therapy Assistants in Career Planning is owned by Deborah Lapoint. Permission to republish Medical Assistants & Physical Therapy Assistants in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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