Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Dialysis technician - A promising medical career choice!

Earlier medical establishments used to conduct training for dialysis technicians within premises, but this trend is quickly losing its popularity now. Today most of the employers prefer candidates who have already been through a professional training program.

These training programs and courses are provided by medical institutes, vocational colleges, etc. Students are taught about handling and using dialysis equipment and the right way of taking care of patients who are going through treatment.

After going through dialysis technician training, candidates become eligible to work for dialysis facilities, ambulatory services, nursing homes, and long-term care units. These professionals are also known as renal dialysis or hemodialysis technicians.

These techs work with patients who are going through permanent or temporary kidney failure. They operate the machinery to remove waste material form patients’ blood. They are the ones who prepare patients for this medical procedure; monitor their treatment, and check their vital signs.


They have to set up, clean and maintain equipment involved in the procedure of dialysis. They have to create, and maintain patients’ medical records as well.

A training program meant for this medical occupation would prepare the students for employment at entry level in medical units specializing in the procedure of dialysis. Students get to learn about how to operate machinery, respond to the social and psychological issues of patients and provide right medical care.

As a part of the coursework included in the training, students have to learn medical terms, and study subjects related to physiology, anatomy, psychology, blood chemistry, renal functions, lab procedure, practicum, and principles of renal dialysis. All the states in the US demand certification such as proof of training before employing a candidate. Some states even demand candidates to go through written examination.

Typically, a patient who is getting this medical treatment is required to get dialysis done at least three times every week. Every procedure lasts for about 3 to 4 hours. The other type of treatment involves eight hours of treatment, conducted three times a week, while patient is sleeping. A dialysis technician may have to perform multiple treatments at a time. They generally have to work twelve hours in a shift, often involving night shifts.

As the medical industry is continue to grow, the employment rate for this occupation is only likely to increase in future. Lucrative wages are paid to dialysis technicians, especially those working in large metropolitan areas. The career outlook for this medical profession is bright and promising.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

The profiles of medical assistants has taken over the health care field!

If you like to help people and want a career in healthcare, then the profile of medical assistant is the right career choice for you. It is one of the fastest growing jobs in healthcare services. They are trained for preparing medical reports and performing administrative duties as well as clinical duties.

Certified medical assistant works in a physician's office or a hospital. They are responsible for physician's clerical work, billing, medical paperwork, keeping records, preparing patients for medical examinations and filling medical charts etc. They play a vital role in physician's office or the hospitals. Medical assistants have options to choose an area of speciality or just continue the general practice.

Medical Assistant Training can be either of one year or two year. After completing one-year program, you will receive a certificate or a diploma and a two-year program will result in an associate's degree. Candidate should be a high school graduate to pursue a career as a medical assistant.

The skills you will learn through these training programs include:

  • Medical Terminology
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Accounting
  • Administrative skills
  • Lab Techniques
  • First Aid
  • Medical Coding
  • Processing insurance forms

There are also some certain personality skills candidates should have to be a medical assistant:

1. Communication Skills - Candidate should be able to communicate with patients, listen well and ask questions related to the patient. They should be able communicate well with the physician also. Medical assistant performs office operations like front deskwork that needs good communication skills.

2. Analytical Skills – A certified medical assistant should have good analytical skills so that he or she can understand all the medical charts and diagnoses.

3. Computer Skills – In today's age of technology, most of the work is done on the computer. Therefore, the candidate should have a decent knowledge of computer and software.

4. Accounting Skills – Medical assistant are also responsible for the medical billing. So they should have accounting skills so that they can handle the billing.

5. Technical Skills – Medical assistant should have basic knowledge of medical equipment to take vital signs of patient or sterilizing equipment. Assistant also performs routine blood test, EKGs and other clinical test, so they should have technical knowledge.

6. Multi-Tasking Skills – Candidate should have multitasking skills to perform various tasks at the same time. They should be able to work under pressure and balance between different tasks.

Medical assistant enjoy a challenging career with a good salary. They work for long hours and help others. After years of practice and experience they can take their career to the next level. Being a medical assistant will lead you to many other opportunities in the medical field like Medical data assistant, Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Medical Billing Specialist etc.