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.

6 Top Traits of a Veterinarian

Danny Goldin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:34:35 GMT

Veterinarians help to care for the health of pets, livestock and zoo animals by diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries that the animals suffer from.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job prospects in this field are great. This is largely a result of the fact that there are only 28 accredited schools of veterinary medicine in the United States, which limits the number of graduates; only about 2,500 students graduate each year.

For those aspiring to one day become a veterinarian, as well as current vets desiring to improve their practice, here are six of the most important traits for veterinarians:

1) Be committed to continuing education. "Medicine and surgery are constantly evolving," said Jeffrey Moll, a veterinarian in Wilmette, Ill. "New medications, diagnostic modalities, and surgical procedures are constantly being developed. The only constant in veterinary medicine, like life, is change. Being adaptable, willing to learn, and thinking outside the box is essential to the delivery of the best medical and surgical care."

2) Be gentle. "In my opinion, the most important trait for a veterinarian to possess is a kind and gentle nature," said Angela Martin, a veterinarian in Long Island, N.Y. "Patients and clients are calmed and comforted by a compassionate vet."

3) Have a sense of diagnosis. "The top trait a veterinarian needs is a great sense of diagnosis," said Sharon Sakson, a dog breeder from Trenton, N.J. "The best vet is not the one with the most updated machinery and equipment. It is the one who can listen to the owner's description of the problem, examine the dog, and be able to determine the issue at hand."

4) Be honest. "You don't have to know everything or be perfect all the time," said Dr. Jules Benson, a veterinarian in Philadelphia, Penn. "If you have the integrity to admit you do not have all the answers or that you made a misstep, the result is usually an increase in trust rather than the opposite."

5) Be a great listener. "No one knows their pet better than the owners, and I believe it is imperative that a veterinarian make the time to listen to the client," said Dr. Carmen Colitz, and veterinary ophthalmologist in Columbus, Ohio. "Sometimes it is difficult to understand what the client is trying to convey, so listening and asking appropriate questions help in getting to the problems that the pet may be having."

6) Be able to get creative. "It can be helpful if a vet is able to use analogies to the patient's own experiences when describing a pet's problem, or able to draw a picture to show how medication will help," said Mark T. Reilly, a veterinarian in Plympton, Mass. "As veterinarians, many of us get caught up in the facts and numbers, where I find most clients want to see the problem or feel the problem. By drawing pictures and explaining the problem with analogies, one can accomplish better communication."

Tips to Surviving a Long Shift

Danny Goldin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:38:08 GMT

While there are a seemingly limitless number of jobs in the United States with just as many different responsibilities, there is still a "standard" schedule that is thought of by most to be the 9-to-5, 40-hour work week. Still, it is not uncommon for workers to log 50- or 60-hour weeks, and some workers with extra busy schedules even peak at 80.

For those in the health care industry, however, 80-hour work weeks are routine. Schedules used to exceed even that and extend far past 100 hours, though in 2002, the 80-hour work limit went into effect for residencies. Even with that rule in implementation, shifts can at times seem to never end.

In case you have a long shift coming up, or plan to one day work in the health care industry and are wondering how you will get through the busy weeks, here are three tips to surviving a long shift:

1) Know that you are needed to help others. "I trained before the 80-hour work week [limit] for residents, so some weeks I was on call every other night, and other weeks I worked 132 hours," said Diane Radford, a surgical oncologist practicing in St. Louis with the St. Louis Cancer and Breast Institute. "What kept me going was the desire to do my best every day, the knowledge that I was using my talents to help others, and the edict 'primum non nocere,' which means 'above all, do no harm.' As healers, we have to remember that our primary goal is to serve, and to care for the sick. It is not about us; it is about the patients."

2) Implement methods that keep you awake. "I am a family physician who finished residency seven years ago. That was just before the 80-hour work rule went into effect, so I routinely worked 100-plus hours per week," said Deborah Gilboa, a family doctor who practices in Pittsburgh, Penn., at the Squirrel Hill Health Center. "I have a few tips to ensure that you never fall asleep. One, sleep with your pager in your hand. Two, if you are really not going to be able to sleep, eat. It tricks your body slightly into thinking it is day time, and will give you a cortisol burst. Three, if you are doing something mind-numbing -- like checking labs -- and are afraid you will fall asleep when you don't have time, set your phone alarm to go off every so often on a recurring basis."

3) Stock up on protein and carbohydrates. "When I have to do very long cardiac procedures, anything that produces a consistently high adrenaline level can cause your judgment to suffer, and this is a risk that must be avoided," said J. Deane Waldman, a professor of pediatrics and pathology at the University of New Mexico. "In order to stop this from occurring, you must withdraw temporarily and eat some healthy food, and get some protein and carbohydrates. This allows your heart rate to slow down and your hormone precursors to restore the protein and carbohydrates. If you don't do this and just 'tough it out,' you are more likely to make either technical or cognitive mistake."

Interview with a Surgical Assistant

Danny Goldin — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:06:40 GMT

Jenifer Silverman is a surgical assistant at Beth Israel Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Jenifer took a moment to answer some questions about the life of a surgical assistant.

What is your relationship with your patients like?

I have a good relationship with my patients. Some patients I only see once or twice, but others are repeats that I get along with really well. It's always nice to see some of those patients on the schedule. You start to get to know more about them and their interests and families, and they get to know a little bit about me, too. I work part-time and I have a couple of patients who request to come back when I am there, which is always nice.

What is your relationship with the surgeon(s) like?

I have a good working relationship with the surgeons I work with. I work mostly with a plastic surgeon, but I also do some per diem work in interventional radiology. They are all willing to teach and explain why they are doing certain procedures and why they use certain instruments or materials, such as suture type and size.

If you met someone who was thinking about becoming a surgical assistant and could give them one piece of advice about how to succeed on the job, what would it be?

It takes a lot of hard work to become a physician's assistant, but is very rewarding. Once you get a job, show up on time, listen, and watch how the surgeon likes things done. Try to anticipate the surgeon's next move so you can be ready when they need the next item. Find out what cases you will be working on ahead of time and read up on them. Each surgeon has their own personality and likes things done their own way. It can take some time for the surgeon to fully trust you and allow you to do things independently, such as suturing.

What kind of advancement might there be down the road from your current role?

The next step for me would be to go to medical school and become an MD. I now have to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. If I wanted to practice medicine without needing supervision, I would need to become an MD. The nice thing about being a physician's assistant is that I can move laterally into different specialties without going back to school, so I can go to a different field. If, however, I wanted to become the one in charge during the surgery, I would need to go back to medical school.

What skills have you learned along the path to your current position?

While in school, I learned certain surgical skills during my didactic curriculum. I then got to put them to use while in the clinical year. I went to Cornell's physician's assistant program that had a surgical focus, so during the first 10 months, I practiced many different types of suturing on pigs' feet. I also learned ways to help assist the surgeon. Then, during clinical year, I had six surgical rotations where I was able to put what I learned to use and assist different surgeons in many different settings and specialties.

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Tips to Surviving a Long Shift

Interview with a Surgical Assistant