College for many is a time for working odd jobs. But it might be nicer to work a job with good pay and flexible hours.
medical transcription may fit the bill for some college students. It's a bit challenging to get started, as you need to get the education for the job first, adding to your school workload and expenses.
medical transcription is a great fit for some majors. If you're going into the medical field anyhow, the things you learn as a medical transcriptionist are quite relevant. But you may find it an interesting job choice even if it's not relevant to your long term goals.
Your first step is to decide if you can afford a quality medical transcription training program. They're not cheap, not if you want quality, not if you want to be able to get a job after graduating from the program. But the job will pay better than many of the classic jobs students work while in college.
The flexibility is wonderful for a student. You can work at your dorm or apartment if you like, although noisy roommates may be a little challenging to deal with. But you can schedule your work around your classes, the times you prefer to sleep and the times that you know things are going to be a bit noisy.
Most employers will want you to work at least 20 hours a week, rather like a typical part time job. But since you can schedule them yourself you can figure out which hours are the right ones for you.
This isn't a job I suggest you start training for too close to graduation unless you want to keep working it for a time after. Employers aren't going to want someone who will quit too quickly. But if you have a couple of years to go in college at least, it's probably going to be worth your time.
The pay can be quite good. It depends on you for most employers when you work from home. They'll pay you on production. You'll get a certain amount per line. $0.07 per line may not sound like much, but it can add up quickly as you build your skills. A good transcriptionist can earn more than $15 an hour that way. Beginners will often earn less.
The best part is that you probably already own much of what you need to be able to work. A computer with high speed internet access is a big part of it. The other thing you will need is a foot pedal control, but those are pretty easy to get. You may even get one as a part of your training program.
You may find it a bit more difficult to get some privacy to work. This is not work you can do with a party going on behind you, and you shouldn't do it with other people in the room. You'll be transcribing someone's private medical records. Privacy is mandatory. This makes medical transcription a better job if you can have your computer in a room where you can close the door.
Don't fool yourself. It's not easy work. If you choose to work as a medical transcriptionist, you will work hard. It's a job that takes a great deal of knowledge and attention to detail. You'll want to be more accurate in your transcription than you are in even your notes for class.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Medical Coding Schools - What to Look For and How to Become a Medical Coding Specialis
With the new Health Care bill passed, medical coding is expected to boom in the coming years. An already growing industry, medical coding schools through out the United States are maxing out their capacity. This guide will give you a basic rundown on how to get into this exciting field.
medical coding specialists work in doctor's offices, clinics and sometimes from home. The job entails submitting claims to insurance companies to make sure doctors are properly reimbursed for their services and costs. medical coding professionals tend to deal mostly with private insurance companies and the agencies of state and federal governments who pay medical claims such as Medicare. The medical coding department is also responsible for collecting co-payments from patients directly.
Now that you have a better understanding of what medical coding specialists are, the next step is to create a plan. The first thing to work out is do you have the time to go to school for medical coding. With most of us having to work a full time job, it can be real tough to juggle school, employment and family life. There is no point on going for this if you can't make a schedule that allows you to graduate in a reasonable amount of time. Even then, you will need to make sacrifices such as hanging out with friends and other activities to make sure you study and pass your tests.
The big factors in finding the right school are location and cost. The average price of schooling is around two thousand dollars. Keep in mind that there are some schools that will offer it cheaper and be sure to take advantage of federal aid. You can also take out a student loan at your local bank. If you decide to fit the bill yourself, make sure to ask about a payment plans. It's real tough to come up with money upfront in today's economy so this might be the way to go. Location is probably more of a concern as it adds to the burden of driving time. I would first look at all local community colleges and scout out their programs. The great thing about getting your certification from a community college is it provides a lot more credibility and they will have advisors on board to help you find employment after you've completed the program. Also, your teachers should be able to point you in the right direction. Another way to find schools is to look online. There are plenty of programs listed and online directories that can show you a detailed list of all the schools in your area. The last thing you can do is check out online schools. This is the best way to go if you don't have a lot of time. The downside to online school is that you have to be a self-starter and motivate yourself. It can be a lonely gig studying on your own. If you decide to go for online schooling, make sure to check the school is an accredited institution.
medical coding specialists work in doctor's offices, clinics and sometimes from home. The job entails submitting claims to insurance companies to make sure doctors are properly reimbursed for their services and costs. medical coding professionals tend to deal mostly with private insurance companies and the agencies of state and federal governments who pay medical claims such as Medicare. The medical coding department is also responsible for collecting co-payments from patients directly.
Now that you have a better understanding of what medical coding specialists are, the next step is to create a plan. The first thing to work out is do you have the time to go to school for medical coding. With most of us having to work a full time job, it can be real tough to juggle school, employment and family life. There is no point on going for this if you can't make a schedule that allows you to graduate in a reasonable amount of time. Even then, you will need to make sacrifices such as hanging out with friends and other activities to make sure you study and pass your tests.
The big factors in finding the right school are location and cost. The average price of schooling is around two thousand dollars. Keep in mind that there are some schools that will offer it cheaper and be sure to take advantage of federal aid. You can also take out a student loan at your local bank. If you decide to fit the bill yourself, make sure to ask about a payment plans. It's real tough to come up with money upfront in today's economy so this might be the way to go. Location is probably more of a concern as it adds to the burden of driving time. I would first look at all local community colleges and scout out their programs. The great thing about getting your certification from a community college is it provides a lot more credibility and they will have advisors on board to help you find employment after you've completed the program. Also, your teachers should be able to point you in the right direction. Another way to find schools is to look online. There are plenty of programs listed and online directories that can show you a detailed list of all the schools in your area. The last thing you can do is check out online schools. This is the best way to go if you don't have a lot of time. The downside to online school is that you have to be a self-starter and motivate yourself. It can be a lonely gig studying on your own. If you decide to go for online schooling, make sure to check the school is an accredited institution.
Medical Degree Courses in the Czech Republic
In any country around the world there is always a higher demand for doctors, vets and dentists than supply. These noble, rewarding professions are however, amongst the hardest to train for.
The lack of medical degree graduates is not due to the number of students capable or willing to gain relevant qualifications but a bottleneck in the academic system prevents students from taking degrees because of a lack of places or because the academic requirements are set too high. In some cases capable students do not have the relevant 'A' Levels to progress directly to a medical degree and although this is a setback for many students there is no need for it to be the final word. If the Universities in your country are unable to provide you with a place on a degree course you may still be able to study for the same qualification abroad.
English medical Degree Courses
The Czech Republic is world renowned for its academic excellence and the widespread ability of the general population to speak English. Their Universities provide an excellent opportunity for students from other countries to study medical degree courses in English.
A number of their Universities run courses which are taught in English, over the course of six years and in some cases, where the relevant experience can be demonstrated it is possible to gain the degree in five years.
Degree Course Entry Requirements
Candidates with 'A' level qualifications in Chemistry, Biology and Physics, wishing to study medical degree courses in the Czech Republic are subject to an initial written exam. This is moderated by senior members of the faculties from the Universities offering admissions. If a student has a related 'A' Level such as Mathematics instead of one of the sciences and wishes to apply, they must prove in an interview situation that they can demonstrate satisfactory knowledge. These exams are held twice per year, once in June and again in August/September. Some colleges also offer a two week intensive revision course for students to prepare.
Czech Universities offering medical Degrees to International Students
Currently two Universities in the Czech Republic are admitting international students for medical degree courses. The Charles University, in Prague is one of the top universities in the Czech Republic and the Masaryk University in Brno is one of the most modern.
As part of the degree you will need to learn conversational Czech, to be enable you to consult with patients during work experience in the Czech Republic.
Students without any of the relevant 'A' Levels can still study for medical degrees by taking a foundation course, which is typically a year long and is equivalent to the first year of a degree course.
British General medical Council Recognition
Graduates from these universities will be endorsed by the British General medical Council provided they are E.U. citizens. These qualifications are also recognised in the U.S.A, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
If you would like to study medicine or dentistry and have found it difficult to secure a place in a university in your own country, it is possible to study abroad, so why not take a look at studying for your medical degree in one of the most picturesque countries in the world with a reputed history for academic excellence.
The lack of medical degree graduates is not due to the number of students capable or willing to gain relevant qualifications but a bottleneck in the academic system prevents students from taking degrees because of a lack of places or because the academic requirements are set too high. In some cases capable students do not have the relevant 'A' Levels to progress directly to a medical degree and although this is a setback for many students there is no need for it to be the final word. If the Universities in your country are unable to provide you with a place on a degree course you may still be able to study for the same qualification abroad.
English medical Degree Courses
The Czech Republic is world renowned for its academic excellence and the widespread ability of the general population to speak English. Their Universities provide an excellent opportunity for students from other countries to study medical degree courses in English.
A number of their Universities run courses which are taught in English, over the course of six years and in some cases, where the relevant experience can be demonstrated it is possible to gain the degree in five years.
Degree Course Entry Requirements
Candidates with 'A' level qualifications in Chemistry, Biology and Physics, wishing to study medical degree courses in the Czech Republic are subject to an initial written exam. This is moderated by senior members of the faculties from the Universities offering admissions. If a student has a related 'A' Level such as Mathematics instead of one of the sciences and wishes to apply, they must prove in an interview situation that they can demonstrate satisfactory knowledge. These exams are held twice per year, once in June and again in August/September. Some colleges also offer a two week intensive revision course for students to prepare.
Czech Universities offering medical Degrees to International Students
Currently two Universities in the Czech Republic are admitting international students for medical degree courses. The Charles University, in Prague is one of the top universities in the Czech Republic and the Masaryk University in Brno is one of the most modern.
As part of the degree you will need to learn conversational Czech, to be enable you to consult with patients during work experience in the Czech Republic.
Students without any of the relevant 'A' Levels can still study for medical degrees by taking a foundation course, which is typically a year long and is equivalent to the first year of a degree course.
British General medical Council Recognition
Graduates from these universities will be endorsed by the British General medical Council provided they are E.U. citizens. These qualifications are also recognised in the U.S.A, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
If you would like to study medicine or dentistry and have found it difficult to secure a place in a university in your own country, it is possible to study abroad, so why not take a look at studying for your medical degree in one of the most picturesque countries in the world with a reputed history for academic excellence.
Medical Alert Systems - Who Needs Them?
Baby boomers aren't the grannies and granddads of the past. Today's retirees continue to be active long after retirement age. They aren't sitting home alone waiting to die. They are fiercely independent and have no interest in moving into retirement communities or nursing homes. This means that a wide range of the aging population is now living independent lives than we have seen in years past.
Do all elderly people need medical alert systems? Not necessarily. That doesn't mean that they couldn't all benefit from having them around just that not everyone over the age of 65 actually needs the extra security that a personal emergency response system provides.
People at greater risk or in greater need of these systems are those who have underlying health risks, take a large amount of prescription medications, have mobility issues, or live alone are the people who face a greater need for the "insurance" provided by medical alerts for seniors.
It isn't enough just to have medical alert systems. There are other things you need to do in order to protect yourself from possible falls, slips, or trips. Here are a few suggestions that will help limit your dependence on others while also decreasing your risk from injury due to falls or poor health.
1) Simplify your life, home, and lawn. Low maintenance is a wonderful thing to people who are aging. Not only will it allow you plenty of time to enjoy those dream vacations and holidays but it will also ensure that you are less likely to trip over things that are out of place or simply in the way. Get rid of things you don't need. Eliminate clutter in the house or on the lawn. Sell or store bulky furniture that poses problems for mobility within the house. This is a time in your life when less things to dust, manage, and maneuver around mean more time to focus on other things.
2) Exercise. This does more than help keep you from packing on the pounds once you retire. Regular exercise will help you maintain a better sense of balance and coordination. These two things alone will help you avoid falls, slips, and give you better reflexes so you can right yourself before you hit the ground.
3) Reduce prescription meds that aren't absolutely necessary. The more medications you take regularly, the greater the risks of interactions or side effects that may impact balance and lead to falls. Find out if all the prescriptions you take are absolutely necessary and what alternatives you might consider when it comes to diet and activity or even lifestyle changes that might deliver the same results.
The odds are good that while you may not need medical alert systems just yet you could benefit. Either way it's insurance well worth having as you age and the potential for falls and other health problems grow.
Do all elderly people need medical alert systems? Not necessarily. That doesn't mean that they couldn't all benefit from having them around just that not everyone over the age of 65 actually needs the extra security that a personal emergency response system provides.
People at greater risk or in greater need of these systems are those who have underlying health risks, take a large amount of prescription medications, have mobility issues, or live alone are the people who face a greater need for the "insurance" provided by medical alerts for seniors.
It isn't enough just to have medical alert systems. There are other things you need to do in order to protect yourself from possible falls, slips, or trips. Here are a few suggestions that will help limit your dependence on others while also decreasing your risk from injury due to falls or poor health.
1) Simplify your life, home, and lawn. Low maintenance is a wonderful thing to people who are aging. Not only will it allow you plenty of time to enjoy those dream vacations and holidays but it will also ensure that you are less likely to trip over things that are out of place or simply in the way. Get rid of things you don't need. Eliminate clutter in the house or on the lawn. Sell or store bulky furniture that poses problems for mobility within the house. This is a time in your life when less things to dust, manage, and maneuver around mean more time to focus on other things.
2) Exercise. This does more than help keep you from packing on the pounds once you retire. Regular exercise will help you maintain a better sense of balance and coordination. These two things alone will help you avoid falls, slips, and give you better reflexes so you can right yourself before you hit the ground.
3) Reduce prescription meds that aren't absolutely necessary. The more medications you take regularly, the greater the risks of interactions or side effects that may impact balance and lead to falls. Find out if all the prescriptions you take are absolutely necessary and what alternatives you might consider when it comes to diet and activity or even lifestyle changes that might deliver the same results.
The odds are good that while you may not need medical alert systems just yet you could benefit. Either way it's insurance well worth having as you age and the potential for falls and other health problems grow.
Wilderness 911 - A Step-By-Step Guide For Medical Emergencies and Improvised Care in the Backcountry
"Wilderness 911: A Step-By-Step Guide For medical Emergencies And Improvised Care In The Backcountry" by Eric A. Weiss, M.D. is a great resource for medical emergencies when you are out in the backcountry and need to address an injury. The author, Eric Weiss, is Associate Director of Trauma and Emergency Medicine at Stanford University medical Center, medical editor for Backpacker Magazine, and author of "A Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness and Travel Medicine." With those credentials, you have a credible source, and I found this book to be full of practical advice that just might save your life when needed.
The first chapter starts out with the Three ABC's. Many people know airway, breathing, and circulation. However, in this book, Weiss gives Three ABC's. The A's are: Assess the scene, Airway (ensure an open airway), and Alert others. The B's are: Barriers (gloves, mask), Breathing (check for breathing and perform rescue breathing if necessary), Bleeding (stop bleeding). The C's are: Circulation (start CPR if the victim has no pulse), Cervical spine (prevent unnecessary movement of the head and neck), Cover and protect the victim from the environment. Excellent short chapter on what to do in an emergency.
After this first chapter, comes part two where Weiss focuses on treatment of specific illnesses and injuries. There are thirty-one chapters covering general topics such as: shock, head injuries, nosebleeds, chest injuries, back pain, fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains, wounds, burns, various bites, poisonous plants, altitude sickness, hypothermia, heat injuries, and plenty more.
The definitions, signs and symptoms, and treatments are written in clear easy to understand language. Reading this book is not going to make you a medical professional, but rather give you the basics to handle an emergency. With a book like this, you have to weigh how much to put in and what to leave out and still make it a book that people can keep with them. I have huge medical references on my shelves, but I'm not going to pack them into the woods with me. The paperback is a little over 200 pages and can be taken with you, or kept in a car or camper. I think Weiss did a good job of selecting what to put in and what to leave out. This book will help with many of the most common situations a person might find themselves in when an emergency happens on the trail or in camp while in the woods.
I think this book is a good reference for the bookshelf at home too. It's a good guide for diagnosing and treating problems on your own. My advice would be to read the book, just to have the general information in the back of your mind. I'm a firm believer in taking first aid classes periodically and reading books like this every so often. Then keep the book handy for when you might need it if an unfortunate emergency arises. Hopefully, you'll never need the information in this book. But if you do, you'll be glad you have it.
Alain Burrese, J.D. is a performance and personal development expert who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior's Edge. Alain combines his military, martial art, and Asian experiences with his business, law, and conflict resolution education into a powerful way of living with balance, honor, and integrity. He teaches how to use the Warrior's Edge to Take Action and Achieve Remarkable Results. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the DVDs Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles and reviews and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at
The first chapter starts out with the Three ABC's. Many people know airway, breathing, and circulation. However, in this book, Weiss gives Three ABC's. The A's are: Assess the scene, Airway (ensure an open airway), and Alert others. The B's are: Barriers (gloves, mask), Breathing (check for breathing and perform rescue breathing if necessary), Bleeding (stop bleeding). The C's are: Circulation (start CPR if the victim has no pulse), Cervical spine (prevent unnecessary movement of the head and neck), Cover and protect the victim from the environment. Excellent short chapter on what to do in an emergency.
After this first chapter, comes part two where Weiss focuses on treatment of specific illnesses and injuries. There are thirty-one chapters covering general topics such as: shock, head injuries, nosebleeds, chest injuries, back pain, fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains, wounds, burns, various bites, poisonous plants, altitude sickness, hypothermia, heat injuries, and plenty more.
The definitions, signs and symptoms, and treatments are written in clear easy to understand language. Reading this book is not going to make you a medical professional, but rather give you the basics to handle an emergency. With a book like this, you have to weigh how much to put in and what to leave out and still make it a book that people can keep with them. I have huge medical references on my shelves, but I'm not going to pack them into the woods with me. The paperback is a little over 200 pages and can be taken with you, or kept in a car or camper. I think Weiss did a good job of selecting what to put in and what to leave out. This book will help with many of the most common situations a person might find themselves in when an emergency happens on the trail or in camp while in the woods.
I think this book is a good reference for the bookshelf at home too. It's a good guide for diagnosing and treating problems on your own. My advice would be to read the book, just to have the general information in the back of your mind. I'm a firm believer in taking first aid classes periodically and reading books like this every so often. Then keep the book handy for when you might need it if an unfortunate emergency arises. Hopefully, you'll never need the information in this book. But if you do, you'll be glad you have it.
Alain Burrese, J.D. is a performance and personal development expert who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior's Edge. Alain combines his military, martial art, and Asian experiences with his business, law, and conflict resolution education into a powerful way of living with balance, honor, and integrity. He teaches how to use the Warrior's Edge to Take Action and Achieve Remarkable Results. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the DVDs Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles and reviews and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at
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