Jerome Said:

Best entry level medical fields that require only Associate degrees? ?

We Answered:

I would say medical assistant but you can look at this and lots of more medical careers at PureMedicalJobs.com good luck

Chris Said:

Anyone here familiar with clerical medical careers? I'm trying to choose what to study...?

We Answered:

I am currently teaching medical claims and billing and medical coding and have taught medical transcription in the past.

Of the three the medical coding course is probably your best bet as long as you have the aptitude for it. The industry is screaming for coders, specifically for hospital coders. I believe this is going to continue as the baby boomers age and are now hitting 65. This would probably be the most challenging of the three programs but would be your best bet for job outlook and good pay. Basically you read the patient's chart and extract the procedures and diagnoses related to patient care. Some people have the knack, others have to work harder for it.

Second choice would be medical claims and billing. Now that even though employers are really wanting experience some of my students upon graduating started working in the front office because they already knew about medical billing and coding. You may not earn as much as you like at first, but many people are currently overqualified for the jobs they have and are just grateful they have a job at this time. If you are offered the front office position, take it. You are getting paid for learning and if you are good, you will generally end up moving up eventually to do more of the billing and coding. Remember that they will be as interested in your attitude towards your work as the quality of your work. If you act like the job is beneath you, you most likely won't get very far.

Medical Transcription is a mixed bag. You really need to check your local area. Some doctors still use transcriptionist many have chosen instead to either use voice recognition software, use electronic medical records, which means they just type in the patient notes while the patient is there, and other doctors are having companies in other countries transcribe their reports and patient notes as it is less expensive for them and with the time difference, the reports can be on their desk in the morning. Research your area and find out what the job market is like. Overall, I would consider this the third choice unless there is HUGE need where you are living.

However, before you begin ANY of the three programs, do your homework. Do these programs offer an externship program? If not, big disadvantage. Also, check with local employers and find out which programs they prefer. Some employers won't hire graduates of certain programs.

More economical courses may include your local junior college, adult school or ROP programs.

And yes, I have heard some some employees get bonuses for denying patient claims and denying authorizations for care. However, those employees work for the insurance companies, NOT for the doctors or hospital. Most facilities are ethical, however, some are not. If you find yourself in a office where there is insurance fraud get out of there! Report it to an attorney and/or your local Insurance Commission or Department of Industrial Relations in California, etc. Cooperate with the authorities and protect your interests. And I personally don't ever sign any claims. Know that in certain instances you can be charged with fraud even if you didn't gain from it personally.

In brief, your best bet is to go into medical coding and get certified as soon as you can. Research your area to find out which one they want. Many want you to become a Certified Professional Coder.

Good luck!

Thelma Said:

Which medical career should I go in to? I am not sure on what to do but I know I want to be in the medical fi

We Answered:

Dental hygienist - good hours; more flexible than other fields.

Occupational therapist - intensive patient interaction.

Nurse practitioners & physician assistants - garner lots of respect & in high demand.

Nursing - vital to keeping hospitals & doctors' offices running. In high demand. Downside - the hours.

Consider interning or shadowing people in these jobs to get a clearer picture of what work is like.

Take an inventory of your personal strengths & weaknesses (e.g. academic interests, personality, physical stamina).

Personally - I think working as an occupational therapist, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant would be the most interesting because of the intensive patient contact.

Kathleen Said:

What careers in the medical field pays the highest and are highest in demand?

We Answered:

since you don't want to do anything that requires more than a 4 year degree: nursing, radiology, or dental hygenist.

demand and income vary by area. where I live in Houston, dental hygenists w/ a bachelors degree are in high demand and making $125k a year. Radiology techs are next and making almost as much as the dental hygenists. The nurses (RNs) are making $85k and up but they work a lot of OT and 12+ hour shifts that the radiology techs & dental hygenists don't have to work.

FWIW: the medical field is a calling. If you're only in it for the money, you're going to get burned out really fast. but then again, that's true of jobs.

Nicole Said:

Is a career in the medical field more in demand or a career in engineering?

We Answered:

They are both in high demand, but medical professions can't be outsourced as much as engineering positions can. Though both choices will probably lead to a career, I'd have to say that being a doctor would have higher job security than an engineer.

Kristin Said:

Is Medical technology and Dietetics careers that are in demand? What other careers are in demand?

We Answered:

Medical technologists ( clinical laboratory scientists) are hard to come by and are in demand. Working in the clinical lab setting is one that seems to be forgotten sometimes since they are behind the scenes.