Steps to Becoming a Dialysis Technician

Healthcareers.net — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:23:48 GMT

It only takes 3 easy steps to get on your way to pursuing a career in dialysis technology. What you should do is: (1) learn the ins and outs of what a dialysis technician does day-to-day, (2) learn about the responsibilities, and (3) research finding a quality dialysis technology training program that is close to you. Let us help get you started. Below if the necessary information with further explanation:

1. The Job and/or Traits of Dialysis Technician

Of all the healthcare professionals involved, the dialysis technician works the closest with a kidney dialysis patient. Their job is to perform a variety of healthcare functions that help these patients cope with kidney failure. Unique traits for the dialysis technician are as follows:

Understands instructions given by registered nurse and/or a physician.
Enjoys working directly with patients
Communicates effectively and has a warm, comforting personality.
Performs function accurately, as errors could be harmful to the patient.
Handles self and responsibilities well in a faced-paced environment.

These traits can be honed by quality dialysis technician training.

2. The responsibilities of the Dialysis Technician

Some of the daily job responsibilities of the dialysis technician include:

Understanding doctor's orders and patient medications
Explaining prescriptions to patients
Preparing patients for procedures
Setting up dialysis equipment
Documenting clinical findings
Monitoring patients during and after treatments
Administering patient medication

These responsibilities can be learned in a quality dialysis technology program.

3. The Quality Dialysis Technology Program

Schools near you are offering quality training in dialysis technology. While the curriculum within this quality training program may vary, some of the important topics you could learn are:

Dialysis systems and equipment
Infectious diseases
Anatomy and physiology
Fluid and electrolyte balance and management
Hematologic aspects and blood chemistries

By completing your dialysis technology training program, you will be that much closer to pursuing a career in the healthcare industry. Complete your research so you know if this could be the path for you and enroll in a quality program today!

Interview with a Fitness Trainer

Danny Goldin — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:19:00 GMT

Stacy Berman is a certified fitness trainer and founder of Stacy's Bootcamp in the New York City area. Stacy took a moment to answer some questions about the life of a fitness trainer.

CareerBuilder: What is the best part about your job?

Stacy Berman: The best part of my job is that I help people reach their goals. It is motivating for me to see people get to where they feel and look great. I help people build strength and confidence that reach far beyond the physical realm. That, to me, is very fulfilling.

CB: What are the challenges of your job?

SB: The hardest part of my job is getting people to realize what they are capable of. It is hard when I know they can do something when they don't know it yet. On a side note, I train all my clients outdoors in Central Park, so the winter is a bit of a challenge, too.

CB: What's it like working as a fitness trainer in a big city like New York?

SB: Because I work for myself, and work outdoors, I have a different perception of what an athletic trainer in New York City is. I don't have to deal with corporate nonsense that some might experience while working in big-name gyms. I get to be outside all day, which is something most people in New York City cannot say, ever. With Central Park as my office, and with my clients being the amazing and motivated people they are, I might be one of the luckiest people living their dreams.

CB: What is a common problem you have to help solve for your patients?

SB: A common problem I help my clients with is correcting their eating habits. It is so surprising, but most people don't know what they should be eating to live optimally. They think because they eat granola or salad that they are being healthy. They never take into account the amount of alcohol they consume or how much water they drink. There are so many factors that go into proper nutrition, so that is one of the biggest problems we have to overcome.

CB: What are the most important skills to possess for someone in your position?

SB: Patience and knowledge are the most important skills to possess. First you need knowledge of the body, how it works and how to apply that to training programs. Once you have that, patience is a necessity! For the amount of silly things people do -- like going out drinking the evening before, sleeping only four hours, then showing up to train without eating breakfast -- you need to be able to take a deep breath and work them out.

CB: What qualities make for successful patients?

SB: Qualities that make for a successful client are motivation, determination, consistency and will power. Sometimes beginners are the best because, even though they are out of shape, they really want it. The quality that is most important is consistency. As long as they are consistent and come to train, I can work them out enough to make a difference.

Allied Health Career Paths for Entry Level Personnel

HealthCareers.net — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:07:54 GMT

There are a variety of entry-level opportunities in the healthcare industry. Below is a comprehensive list of some of those positions, as well as a quick explanation of each one.

Anesthesia Technology Assist trained anesthesiologists on surgery day by setting up equipment and keeping patients comfortable as well as have the daily responsibility of maintaining supplies.
Cardiovascular Technology Run testing equipment that will ultimately help doctors to detect and treat illnesses associated with the circulatory system.
Central Service and Sterile Processing Technology Using and maintaining sterilization equipment that sterilize surgical instruments in order to assist medical/surgical teams and protect patients.
Dental or Medical Assistant Perform necessary office tasks, promote health and wellness, and work alongside the dentist or doctor during exams or procedures.
Dialysis Technology Operate equipment used to treat kidney failure and help these patients as they cope with their disease.
Emergency Medical Services Professional/Paramedic Provide urgent medical attention to a patient while transporting them to a hospital.
Massage Therapy Using your own two hands to promote healing and prevent injury.
Medical Billing and Coding - Processing medical claim forms for payment.
Medical Laboratory Technician - Perform clinical tests that help physicians detect, diagnose and treat illnesses.
Pharmacy Technology Under the supervision of trained pharmacists, ensure patients receive their prescribed medications.
Polysomnography Polysomnography uses testing equipment that helps doctors diagnose and treat sleep disorders.
Practical Nursing Under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians, perform clinical tasks and keep patients comfortable.
Radiography, MRI or Sonography Using technology that provide internal body images which help doctors determine proper patient diagnosis and treatment.
Respiratory Therapy Provide respiratory care for patients suffering from breathing disorders.
Surgical Technology Working directly in the operating room with surgeons to help prepare patients for surgery.
Veterinary Assistant Assist veterinarians and/or veterinary technicians with the care of animals as well as provide administrative support to ensure the efficiency of a vet practice.
Veterinary Technology Take care of animals, administer testing and record findings in a clinic or lab setting.

One major advantage that these entry level allied health care career opportunities has is that you are able to prepare for the healthcare field, typically, in as little as two years.

Meanwhile, you won't know what kind of opportunities are out there until you look into allied health care training at a school near you today.

Working as a Travel Nurse

Danny Goldin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:57:35 GMT

The profession of registered nurses constitutes the vastest health care occupation, accounting for 2.6 million jobs in the health care industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Still, within that figure are a number of different levels and areas of expertise, with the job duties varying greatly from one registered nurse to the next.

According to the BLS, there are generally four different ways in which a registered nurse can be specialized: they may work with a particular type of treatment or setting, they may have expertise in certain health conditions, they may work exclusively with one or more organs or body system types, or they may combine two or more specialties to become even more specialized.

Across all of those areas of specialty, the general assumption is that, regardless of registered nurses' given responsibilities, they all practice in one place or city, or at most, a few different settings within the same region. That is not the case, however, for travel nurses.

What they do:

The travel nursing industry was created to help solve the problem of a nursing shortage across the United States. Nurses in this industry travel to various locations across the country, contracting work in the form of temporary, short-term positions.

Other than the fact that they are often on the move and filling new nursing positions in new cities, travel nurses are in every way the same as standard registered nurses; they constitute all types of nursing specialties, although there tend to be few travel nurses whose expertise lie in the highly specialized nursing practices.

Some registered nurses opt to become travel nurses because it tends to yield higher pay check than does a stationary job. Also, while most people prefer to be stationed in one city, some people appreciate the personal adventure that comes along with constantly shifting locations. Working as a travel nurse for a period of time can also demonstrate flexibility in a nurse's clinical practice, and thus look good on a nurse's résumé when they apply for a permanent position.

What they need:

The requirement to become a travel nurse is the same as the requirement to become a registered nurse. According to the BLS, the three typical educational paths toward becoming a registered nurse are an associate degree, a bachelor's degree, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. All other requirements vary based on the specialty that a travel nurse plans to practice.

What they earn:

The average salary of a travel nurse is $64,949, according to CBsalary.com. The 25^th and 75^th percentiles of salaries fall between $49,407 and $88,151, respectively.

Job outlook:

According to the BLS, overall job opportunities are excellent for registered nurses. While job prospects do vary based on geographic location, that does not present an issue for travel nurses, since they are always on the move, and hired in areas with particular need for nurses. There are also a number of different travel nursing companies, and their main function is to find open jobs across the country and place the travel nurses at destinations in need.

Physical Therapy Demand

HealthCareers.net — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:38:11 GMT

Health care reform, aging baby boomers, and technological advancements will continue to drive the demand for allied health careers, which are those professions that support physicians and dentists. Physical therapy is one of these areas which have an expected demand.

Health Care Reform

Physical therapists and assistants work with people who have movement dysfunction due to injury, trauma, surgery or disease. Health care reform, slated for 2014, will give access for physical therapy and other healthcare services to millions who may not currently have it. This will increase the demand for physical therapy services along with other allied health professions.

Aging Baby Boomers

Currently we are experiencing the first wave of baby boomers, now age 65. The largest majority of baby boomers are just 10 years behind. All of these folks are at an age (55 and older) where the risk of heart attack and stroke is greatest. For many who may experience such a health incident, physical therapists will be brought in for rehabilitation.

Technological Advancements

As technological advancements continue to help save more lives as well as help successfully treat more illnesses and disabilities than ever before, the need for rehabilitative care will increase. Meanwhile, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act will continue to guarantee students with disabilities have access to physical therapists.

Of course liking your career means a lot more than demand. So you may be interested to know that in 2006 the Wall Street Journal's CareerJournal.com stated "Physical Therapists have one of the eight Best Careers!" Also, the April 15, 2007 edition of Parade Magazine recognized Physical Therapy as a "hot job." And, both the Chicago Times and USNews have reported a high job level satisfaction for physical therapists. Thus, it may be a career that deserves looking into.

Top 5 Most Recent WM Articles

Steps to Becoming a Dialysis Technician

Interview with a Fitness Trainer

Allied Health Career Paths for Entry Level Personnel

Working as a Travel Nurse

Physical Therapy Demand