More than ever, the medical field needs committed people passionate about helping others. The passion for helping others regain their health and saving their lives makes it one of the most respected professions. The job of a healthcare professional requires them to have a strong sense of morality.

Indeed, the medical field offers a meaningful profession with many opportunities. But at the same time, it holds a strong appeal for those interested in helping others because only such people can understand the true meaning of their work.

So if you’re interested in pursuing a healthcare career, here’s what the medical field expects from you as a healthcare professional!

A Meaningful Profession

Behind every aspiring medical student, there’s a motivation that leads them to this path. A calling to help others, dedication and commitment to work hard, and the perseverance to help patients restore their health and vitality, often at personal cost, is what the medical field requires from you. No wonder why medics earned the title of “frontline warriors during the current pandemic.”

In some people, this passion for helping others and a strong feeling of empathy are innate, which is why they want to give back to society. While in others, this compassion may become their desire to enter the medical field.

The Feeling to Help Others Efficiently

The quality of life of people depends on their health. It dictates how we function in our everyday lives. What can be more rewarding than helping people restore their health? This is the sole objective of a healthcare professional. It is this objective that makes this profession so rewarding.

The medical field requires people with a passion for bringing relief to patients and are ready for an ongoing effort to treat illnesses successfully.

Taking Measures to Prevent Disease

Your work as a healthcare professional is not limited to treating the patients coming to your clinic but to take measures to eliminate illnesses and seek more improved treatment methods.

Research shows that healthcare professionals may not offer the quality care patients require if they’re not emotionally connected with them. Factors such as passion at work, engagement, and meaning of their profession prove to be protective factors in the medical profession, particularly in nursing, phlebotomy, etc.

Therefore, the medical field is in need of people who have a passion for being a part of the medical field to help society and provide them with better healthcare facilities.

Passionate to Improve the Quality of Life of Others

As an aspiring healthcare professional, you may have found your calling uniquely and want to contribute to society by providing innovative health practices and improved treatment methods. Other students may have different motivations than yours. Regardless of this motivation, medical institutes aim to facilitate medical aspirants to pursue their careers and practice their passion.

Whatever your professional sector of origin and your initial training, improving your skills to become a caregiver is always possible. Phlebotomy Career Training Institute is a leading medical health careers and certifications institute that helps facilitate the transition of individuals into the medical field, providing them with world-class training and stressing the importance of being compassionate and kind to others.

The Phlebotomy Career Training Institute of Healthcare offers passionate students a wide range of programs on medical health careers and world-class certifications, both online and in class, allowing them to rehearse their journey to becoming a healthcare professional in every possible way.

We focus on training students in small classrooms so they can have maximum interaction with their instructors. This ensures that each individual receives the required attention, can spend quality time with instructors and is fully prepared for a career in medicine.

Contact 888-410-6416 or visit the website to learn more about the courses we offer and to enroll in your desired field!

copyright 2023 PCT

Any nurse will agree that the risk of back injury in their profession is very real.  Floor nursing comes with its own set of stressors but lifting and pulling up patients in bed can cause serious harm to the lower back and spine.

According to the American Journal of Critical Care over 38% of nursing staff across the United States suffered debilitating back injuries in 2003.  The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that nurses in private industry took approximately 20,000 days off from work throughout the United States due to back and other related work injuries.  If these statistics aren’t staggering enough the BLS also reported that nurses have a 104 chance out of 10,000 to experience a work-related injury.  These statistics indicate that nursing related injuries are the highest of most other professions with Women’s MMA being excluded.

No nurse wants to be sidelined from their profession due to agonizing back pain and immobility, which is why this topic is so important for nurses.  Nurses must take great care in practicing lifting hygiene.

Injuries related to improper lifting

Improper lifting of heavy patients increases intra-abdominal pressure which can translate into the risk of prolapsed internal genitals and lower spine injury.   Add to this milieu medications such as NSAID’s and poor dietary habits and you have the perfect storm for the beginnings of osteoporosis.  Common injuries found among nurses include lower back strain, L4 and L5 herniations and sciatic nerve damage.

As teachers and care givers nurses provide the best advice to their patients but rarely listen to their own advice.  Nurses should pay close attention to the red flags when they begin to feel lower back pain.  An easy method is to use the SOCRATES pain tool.  This addresses eight features of pain which are, Site, Onset, Characteristic, Radiation, Associated factors, Timing, Exacerbating Factors and Severity.  Many nurses are familiar with the OLD CARTS method which is also applicable.

As care givers it is important to also provide care to ourselves.  Taking time to evaluate aches and pains should be a daily requirement for nurses.  Nurses should ask themselves what they can do differently on their shift to lower their chances of injuring their back.

The key is to know when to recognize that there is a problem before the pain becomes too intense or causes long term damage.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), self-care is defined as “what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness.”

Let’s review some of the basics of nursing self-care.

1. Know when to rest
2. know when to ask for help (whether it is job related or personal)
3. know how to relax
4. know how to process stress, emotions and frustration
5. know how to lift, when to lift and when not to lift.
6. know when to say, No!

Don’t forget what stress can do to the body!  Stress hormones produce cortisol.  Cortisol also lowers the body’s ability to fight infections by lowering immunity.  Stress can also cause lipids to accumulate to in the arterioles which can lead to atherosclerosis.  Lowered immunity can also cause injured muscles to heal more slowly, thus making re-injury to the site lower to heal.

Basic proper lifting review.

• Stand with your feet about 2 feet or so apart
• Squat down, bending at the hips and knees only
• Keep your back straight.
• Slowly lift by straightening your hips and knees (not your back)
• Hold the load as close to your body as possible

Factors that can exacerbate back pain

Nurses work unceasingly.  They come to work when they are sick, tired, in pain or if their world is falling apart.  Nobel indeed.  But healthy?  Not so much.  If the hospital provides mental health days or sick days, take those days provided.  Many nurses forgo their sick time to earn more money for noble causes, such as daycare, school supplies and bills.  What they need to remember is that they, themselves are also a noble cause and must receive care as well.

To have a long fulfilling career in nursing, it is important that the nurse takes care of themselves. Good lifting techniques and proper attention to self-care can provide nurses with a longevity of helping others.

If you would like to learn more about Phlebotomy Career Training and the courses that are offered through our school please visit; https://pctedu.fusedash.com/

We are located at 28050 Ford Rd. Ste B

Dearborn, MI 48135

Our phone is: 734-762-3220

Fax: 734-762-1718

Whether you would like to take online classes or in person classes, we have the program for you.

Nancy Lydia Kimmel is a MSN Board Certified Nurse Practitioner in Michigan and teaches classes at Phlebotomy Career Training Center.

We’re referring to PCT’s IV Technician Certification, an entirely online certification that helps brief you on the legal aspects of intravenous insertion and flushing, the principles surrounding it, the safety precautions involved, hazards, and treatment. The course also reviews Occupational Health And Safety Administration (OSHA) protocols. It discusses in-depth the equipment involved in venipuncture and the physiology and psychology of a person who has been treated via IV.

The comprehensive course spans roughly 30 hours of instruction and 10 hours of practice sessions. Of course, since the course is online, these practice sessions are carried out with a camera and an intravenous mannequin arm. The arm mimics the structure of a real arm and is meant to be used to practice procedures in the presence of an instructor. The instructor then provides feedback regarding improvements and important considerations.

As one of the many fully online courses in PCT’s catalog, the IV Technician course is designed to accommodate the busy schedule of the working adult. You have six months from the date of purchase to complete the entire course, giving you ample time to finish the 40 hours of material. Students are also given a copy of the national IV Technician exam guide, and the course helps prepare them to take the exam. The web-based course is accessible via mobile, desktop, and tablet and is available to students 24/7.

The course is intended for individuals who’ve already been practicing as a  phlebotomist, medical assistant, registered nurse, LPN, NP, PA, MD, dental hygienist, dentist, EMT, Paramedic, or Fire Fighter, and also requires prior knowledge of patient care and venipuncture.

The material covered in the course is of particular benefit to nurses who form the frontline of healthcare. The precautions, hazards, and treatments discussed in the course help provide in-depth knowledge regarding critical aspects of care.

Upon successfully completing the course, students are also entitled to CEUs accredited by the National Telemetry Association through CAPCE. The credits serve to showcase that you’ve been putting in hours to keep your skills at the cutting edge and help further qualify you as a medical professional.

The IV Technician course is only one of the many courses PCT has on offer, including a 20 certification bundle, strictly for in-classroom students. If you’d like to know more about the IV Technician Certification course, or any of the other courses offered by PCT, consider visiting their website or dropping by their location in Dearborn, Michigan.

Here are some things you can expect as a telemetry technician working in the field:

1.      Your Extrovert Side Will Help You

Nobody wants to face a medical situation where they are admitted to the hospital or a clinic. All your patients will be different. However, they will all want to get out of the hospital as soon as possible. Your friendly nature will come into play in putting the patients’ minds at ease.

Some patients will ask too many questions; others will not even say hello. However, it will be your duty to communicate with the patient and make them feel as comfortable as they can.

2.      You Will Need Lots of Strength

Your job will require you to cover long shifts at the hospital or a clinic. The patients might not be mindful of the fact that you have several other patients to cater to. In addition, some patients might need a reminder of what was diagnosed and communicated to them.

In addition to your skills as a telemetry technician, you will also need the strength and endurance to face all these challenges in the healthcare industry.

3.      You Will Never Stop Learning

As a monitoring technician, you will get opportunities to work alongside doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff members. You will constantly need to adapt to technological changes as well and keep yourself updated with the latest regulations and practices.

Telemetry training certification also requires a renewal every two years, and each time you will be learning something new.

4.      Your Job Will Save Lives

Your job as an electrocardiograph technician will require you to check a patient’s cardiac baseline changes, arrhythmias, and any other abnormalities. This means you will be the first to notice indications of heart disease or functionality problems.

Your monitoring technician skills will enable you to save lives every day, which will make the job worth every second of your time and effort.

5.      You Will Never Have a Boring Day at Work

After completing your telemetry training and getting certified by National Telemetry Association, you should expect your days to get better. The work is not only gratifying, but it will keep you on your toes. Not one day is similar to the other in the healthcare industry. So, you will be learning and growing each day without it getting repetitive and dull.

Need a Telemetry Certification?

Do you want to start your journey as a telemetry technician? Register for National Telemetry Association’s certification exams now and unlock the doors of better job opportunities with generous salary packages.

For every would-be phlebotomist and potential telemetry technician, having direct experience with the equipment and procedures involved in their duties is a must. While a good online course might give you all the theoretical knowledge that you need, practice is key in most fields of medicine and phlebotomy is no different.

It lets you experience a clinical environment

A phlebotomist has to adhere to just as many protocols as any medical professional. The process of taking, handling, and processing blood samples is a highly critical one, and thus one that requires the utmost care. Having firsthand experience with those protocols is essential to an individual’s confidence in their abilities, and it also helps them build connections between what they’ve learnt through their textbooks and practice. Working on this process with peers and supervisors helps tomorrow’s phlebotomists glean knowledge and experience from each other, helping improve the entire class’ familiarity with essential concepts and practices. Speaking of building upon concepts with your peers…

It helps you get in touch with hospitals and clinics

If you’ve gotten your certification online, you’ll find yourself jumping through several hoops to get your foot in the door when it comes to landing potential internship opportunities. Most on-ground programs will help connect you to opportunities, help you decide between them, and facilitate you in the process of applying. Training organizations have links with local hospitals and health care providers, and these links often prove beneficial to students. For example, did you know that Phlebotomy Career Training has a nationwide contract with Concentra? Contracts like these form the basis of a budding professional’s gateway to firsthand experience in hospitals and workplaces, so they’re definitely an advantage.

It’ll help you explore your options

Training organizations very rarely offer only a single course or program. Even ones that focus on one field within medicine (like the NTA) allow you to interface with others. While an online course may give you in-depth knowledge of that one domain, hands-on experience helps you understand the greater field of medicine and the part you’d like to play in it. For some, this might just mean knowing what they don’t want to pursue, but for others, it might just give them their next dose of inspiration.

For many reasons aside from these three major ones, hands-on experience is an essential step towards becoming a medical professional. If you’re an aspiring phlebotomist or telemetry technician and you’d like to know more about Phlebotomy Career Training, check out their website. If you’d just like some career advice, or you’d like to find out about educational or training opportunities near you, reach out to us here. The NAPTP has been assisting phlebotomists and telemetry technicians and professionals in their journey to get accredited for years, and we’re sure we could help you too.

28050 Ford Rd, Ste B

Dearborn, MI 48135

734-762-3220

Fax: 734-762-1718

Press Release:

Phlebotomy Career Training has announced on Wednesday that they have officially partnered with Castle Branch.  Mr. N’gganou head of marketing and development stated: “This is a giant step forward in helping our online and in person students secure their sensitive documents all in one place.”  Castle Branch is used by all major nursing schools and medical schools throughout the United States.

Benefits of Partnering with Castle Branch

The partnering of Phlebotomy Career Training and Castle Branch effectively puts the school on the map with other schools such as Michigan State University and Walden University to name a few.  Nancy Kimmel, Director of Admissions stated: “We require all of our students who are planning on doing their clinical externships through us to provide the school an exhaustive list of documents.  Some of these documents include their social security card, drivers’ licenses, health insurance cards and medical records such as drug screen results, TB skin tests and immunization titers.  No one feels comfortable sending these important and private documents through the United States mail.  We must also dedicate a special area for the students documents that is secure and locked, not to mention having one individual who must process them all.  With Castle Branch on board, students are now able to upload all their documents to a secure repository for a minimal fee.  The other great thing is that Castle Branch manages the students information and reaches out to them if they are missing any important documents.”

Accreditation

According to the Castle Branch website, the main purpose is to process background checks, drug screens and sensitive information which is required by colleges, universities, and nursing schools nationwide.  They are accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association which is considered the, “Gold Standard” for background screening.  Castle Branch is recognized as a consumer Reporting Agency.

Clinical Pipeline for Externships

According to Phlebotomy Career Training administrators, their affiliation with Castle Branch fills the gaps between clinical rotations and the instructors.  They stated that their overall purpose is to help gain visibility into their students attending clinical rotations and uncover those students who will make great employees.

From the information that has been gathered, Castle Branch will help with centralized reporting of student’s attendance at their clinical sites, enable instructors to track students progress and verify that students have submitted all their necessary documents to begin their clinical rotations.

Helping Students is the Key to their success

Nancy Kimmel states: “Castle Branch is our externship pipeline.  The task of managing students from across the United States is an almost impossible feat for the staff here at the school.  Most hospitals have stated that before they will accept on of our students, they must be first registered in the Castle Branch system.  This system allows students to also track their own progress.  Clinical staff can make notes in their progress which is then forwarded to our online instructors.  We want all of our students to know that clinicals is a necessary component of their studies and that they must take it very seriously.”

It appears that the partnership with Castle Branch is a step in the right direction for Phlebotomy Career Training.

Phlebotomy Career Training has been in operation since 2009 and serves both in persona and online students.  The programs that Phlebotomy Career Training offers include Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, Dialysis Technician, Electrocardiogram Technician and many more.  To find out more about the programs that they have to offer please visit: https://pctedu.fusedash.com/

Why PCT?
At phlebotomy career training, we understand that our students need to be up to date on cutting edge trends in the medical field, and with these uncertain times with COVID-19, we are pushing even further to educate our students on the proper protocols for dealing with infection control and donning and doffing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

As worldwide COVID-19 cases surge, and resurge, medical professionals are searching for ways to test, diagnose and refine the methods used to identify the COVID-19 Virus. Phlebotomists are at the forefront of this fight, as they are in close contact with infected patients, thus making the proper use of infection control procedures and PPE extra important during these trying times.

Infection Control and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Importance

As COVID-19 Infections continue to rise, and cases skyrocket globally, phlebotomists and other medical professionals are finding the need to “don and doff” medical protective wear properly of extreme importance. At Phlebotomy Career Training, our goal is to educate our students on not only the proper methods of infection control and donning and doffing PPE, but the concepts on why this process is necessary, and examples of what is correct and incorrect.

At , Our course is designed for teaching students and instructors about the proper methodology of infection control and donning and doffing PPE, as well as the etymology or “vital info” on the virus causing the worldwide pandemic, COVID-19, so our students are prepared to deal with the high volumes of cases. Due to the intensive nature of isolation rooms and the toll they take on hospitals, having staff that is well trained and efficient in these procedures is of the utmost importance to ensure the highest level of a patients and medical providers safety.

Hazardous Materials Handler Certification with a Specialization on COVID-19 and Infection Disease (CHMM)

The Hazardous Materials Handler Certification (CHMM Certified and Accredited) is now offered as part of the PCT Infection Control Course, with specialized information on the handling and disposal of hazardous materials and biological waste, with an emphasis on infectious diseases such as COVID-19. This course, now offered with all online classes, is designed to enhance our students knowledge and marketability when in the field or looking for employment opportunities in these uncertain times.

Contact us today for information on our online courses designed to meet students needs, no matter how busy or intense their personal life might be. At Phlebotomy Career Training, our programs are self-paced, self study with rapid completion options for students already in the medical field looking into cross training phlebotomy skills.

Visit us online at pctedu.fusedash.com/ to speak to an advisor and learn how phlebotomy career training can help you succeed with the best education by the highest quality instructors available!

Vitamin IV Therapy is the new wave, but what you don’t know can hurt you

Professor Kimmel wants everyone who is currently using IV vitamin therapy or considering it to be well informed.  Many people have stated that they feel amazing upon receiving vitamin IV therapy.  Professor Kimmel states; “Dose the average consumer really understand the risks involved with intravenous fluids?”  Professor Kimmel wants to alert Americans that they should do their due diligence when deciding whether or not to get vitamin infusions, because it can be dangerous when performed by non-licensed personnel.

The number of non-licensed health care workers performing clinical skills only performed by licensed medical professionals is continually widening due to shortages in the medical work force.  Hospitals are notorious for placing advanced medical tasks in the hands of those without the education and credentials so as to save money.  When it comes to the average consumer, they are typically not aware of what skills can or cannot be performed by a non-licensed professional versus a registered nurse or physician.  Professor Kimmel expressed her concern for the American people who have vitamin infusion therapy performed by unlicensed personnel.  Professor Kimmel stated: “Any type of IV infusion must be first ordered by a physician and then administered by a registered nurse, paramedic or physician assistant.   Although some medical assistants have been known to start IV’s, they are usually done in the emergency room under the supervision of a nurse.  Therefore, consumers must be aware what the qualifications are of the person starting their vitamin infusion.  Complications such as extravasation and infiltration.  The difference between these is that extravasation is caused by a vesicant fluid that causes tissue damage, whereas infiltration is caused by non-vesicant fluid which causes edema and fluid buildup under the skin.”

Writing this article required quite a bit of research in the field of infusion.  There is a great deal of critical thinking involved in choosing the needle gauge, drip rate and tubing diameter.  The medical professional must also consider the age of the patient, diameter of the vein and the patient’s medical condition.  Professor Kimmel states: “Not taking the diameter of the agio catheter into consideration based upon the patient’s veins can cause rupture of the vein and perhaps phlebitis or necrosis of the underlying skin.  This constitutes a medical emergency.   The person performing the infusion must watch their patient closely during their infusion to make sure that they are not experiencing any heart related issues such as palpitations or chest pain.  This can be caused from fluid volume overload.

Based upon Professor Kimmel’s concerns it is evident that there is a lot of risk associated with something as simple as a vitamin infusion.  According to several of the vitamin infusion spas, the actually process is only thirty minutes from start to finish.  They stated that they did not have any complications associated with their clients and most of their clients are regular customers.

Professor Kimmel states: “The medical aspects of starting an IV requires in-depth knowledge of the anatomy of the vein and the circulatory system.  The practitioner must know that permanent damage can occur to a nerve when starting an IV in the hand.  But there is much more to the specialization of vitamin infusion.  The fluids themselves can be toxic if the patient has not first had blood work completed.  There are certain vitamins that are water soluble and those that are not.  If a patient receives too much of a particular vitamin it can cause renal failure.”

The vitamins that Professor Kimmel was referring to are the fat-soluble vitamins which are vitamins D, E, A and K.  Each of these can be toxic in even small amounts.  These vitamins are not typically transfused during an infusion due to their lethality at high concentration.  Most of the vitamins infused consist of water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin B, C, glutathione and many other combinations.

When medication such as a vitamin is administered via intravenous infusion the vitamin bypasses the first pass effect of being metabolized by the liver.  Both dietary forms of folate and cobalamin exert their beneficial effects by being metabolized via the liver thus promoting gut health.  Vitamin B 12 is also called cobalamin.  This is found in foods such as red meat, chicken and dairy products.  Folate or Vitamin B9 is a natural vitamin found in green leafy vegetables.  Folic acid is the manmade form of the vitamin, though they both have the same effect.

Our intestinal bacteria synthesize both vitamins.  The upper intestinal bacteria produce folate while cobalamin requires a luminal binding protein whereas folate does not.  Administration of Vitamin B 12 or hydroxocobalamin is rapidly excreted in the urine when administered, nullifying is nutritional effects.

The importance of monitory blood values such as hematocrit, reticulocyte count, Vitamin B12, folate and iron will let the medical practitioner know if vitamin therapy is even necessary.  Patients with impaired renal function could suffer levels of toxicity if not carefully monitored.  This can happen at even low dosages.

Vitamin B12 depends on the presence of sufficient intrinsic factor and calcium ions.  Vitamin B12 is bound to the intrinsic factor during transit through the stomach.  Then separation occurs in the terminal ileum in the presence of calcium.  Vitamin B12 then enters the mucosal cell for absorption.

Professor Kimmel stated: “Patients with early Leber’s disease which is a type of hereditary optic nerve atrophy, can suffer immediate optic atrophy when administered Vitamin B12.”

When it comes to which is better, oral vitamins or parenteral administration the jury is out, since there is no definitive data to determine which is best.  While obviously it is cheaper to simply take vitamins, the parenteral route offers faster and swifter administration to the desired site, but is it worth the risk?

Professor Kimmel states: “Typically, IV infusion of cobalamin occurs when a person does not have the proper absorptive mechanisms in their gut to process and use the vitamin.  While an infusion is faster, the typical route for those deficient in vitamin B12 is a intramuscular injection.  Deficiencies in Vitamin B12 can cause anemia, but excess concentrations can also be harmful.  While there are many other water-soluble vitamins and cocktails of vitamins infused in these clinics, it is important that customers familiarize themselves with the dangers associated with each.  The best advice is to seek your physician’s advice before just showing up at an IV infusion spa.  Don’t let them talk you into something that could actually be harmful, and above all make sure that the person who is starting the IV is a licensed medical professional.”

In closing, Professor Kimmel wants people to be aware of the dangers associated with IV vitamin infusion.   As presented in this press release the dangers and uses are presented and the consumer is left to determine if vitamin therapy would be beneficial versus taking vitamins the oral route.  However, being knowledgeable is the key to truly being healthy.

Medical Assistants

Medical assistants, also known as a “clinical assistants” or healthcare assistants, are an allied health professionals who support the work of physicians, physician assistants and other health professionals, usually in a clinical setting.

What do Medical Assistants do?

Medical Assistants (MA) perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

Medical Assistants Basic Qualifications

As a medical assistant, you may perform primarily office tasks, mostly clinical tasks, or a mixture of both. Here are a few of the most common skills:

• Good communication skills
• Medical knowledge
• Knowledge of safety and sanitation
• Computer skills
• Customer service skills

Benefits of Medical Assistant’s Career Advancements

Gaining the Benefits of medical assistant’s career advancements take quite a bit of time, energy, and determination to become a medical assistant. The career path is fairly short however it involves a lot of studying and practical experience. The benefits of embarking on a medical assistant career are varied but can enrich one’s life significantly. Here are some of the most notable ones:

• Financial Benefits: Medical assistant career is a fast track start to a financially stable life. Medical assistants earn substantially more than their peers in the retail, manufacturing and other service industry professions. In addition, as you add to your educational credentials and your practical experience, you will be rewarded with more responsibility and a salary boost with your expertise.
• Personal Enrichment: Most people – no matter where they start in the medical field– enter it to help people to some degree. In fact, being a medical assistant can be as personally rewarding in this regard as it is for a heart surgeon. In many cases, it is even more so as a medical assistant has far more daily contact with patients than a surgeon does.
• Esteem of Your Co-workers: Being a medical assistant takes a special kind of person. There are all sorts of unpalatable tasks that must be undertaken and accomplished. Still the best medical assistants will garner the respect of not only their peers but also of the nurses and doctors that they serve with. The prestige that comes from being able to handle various patient populations can change an entry-level medical assistant into a must-hire advanced candidate.
• Better Job Security: Advancing past the entry-level stages of a medical assistant position is also extremely valuable as it increases your value to the healthcare organization. Lower-level positions are far more likely to be eliminated in a down market. Similarly, more knowledgeable employees will almost always be retained over less educated ones.

Medical Assistant’s Career Advancements Opportunities

Medical assistants may find career advancement opportunities in many areas:

• Clinical team leader
• Lead medical assistant
• Medical office manager
• Clinical office manager
• Medical assistant instructor
• Medical records manager
• Healthcare administration
• Executive medical office secretary

Different Career Specialties in Medical Assisting Advancements

Choosing a specialty can be a wise choice for future career advancement opportunities. Some medical specialties require more knowledge and skills than others and may offer opportunities for better pay and extended responsibilities. Here is a peek at a few specialties that medical assistants commonly work in:

• Clinical Specialties:
• Podiatry: Podiatry is a medical area that focuses on injuries and medical conditions of the foot.
• EKG/Cardiology Technician: EKG focuses on diseases and conditions of the heart and cardiovascular system.
• Ophthalmology: Ophthalmology medical assistants provide a wide range of duties in caring for the eyes.
• Administrative Specialties:
• Medical Billing and Coding: Medical billers and coders are responsible for handling charge sheets and submitting them to insurance companies for reimbursement.
• Medical Administrative Assistant: Medical administrative assistants work closely with the management team, or administrator of, a hospital or medical facility.