Monthly Archives: September 2011

The Truth Behind Healthcare Programs

Healthcare is one of few industries still looking to have a positive growth rate in the upcoming years. As the baby-boomer generation ages, the need for doctors and nurses only continues to grow. However, not everyone wants to spend the better half of their twenties in school, and for some doing so isn’t even an option.

Fortunately, doctors, surgeons, and nurses aren’t the only positions in healthcare with a high demand. Pharmacy technicians, medical billing and coding specialists, and radiation technicians are all needed, and are expected to have a continually growing need. Most of these programs only require a one or two year degree; however, before entering a program for any of these careers, students should be aware of what each program and profession has to offer:

Pharmacy Technician

As a pharmacy technician, you will assist a pharmacist in completing every day tasks. While you will help prepare medication for patients, you will also perform more office like functions such as filing and answering phone calls.

To become certified, you must complete at least an associates level degree, and pass your boards. You are also required to complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years, so keep that expense in mind when considering the field.

Medical Billing and Coding

As a medical billing and coding specialist you will help patients receive the coverage necessary for operations and procedures. You will have to complete a 2-year program to obtain the skills needed to become a coder, and after completing the educational requirements, you can expect a higher pay grade because of your specialized skill set.

Out of the three careers listed, medical billing and coding is one of the best to take online. Because you don’t need the hands on experience needed to prepare medication or take X-rays, earning your degree from an online university is acceptable. Coding careers also offer greater flexibility as you may work as a freelancer or for a company.

Radiation Technician

As a radiation tech, you will take X-rays of patients, and try to limit the radiation that they are exposed to during the procedure. To become a radiation tech, students must complete a two-year program and pass state boards.

Students should note that radiation technicians are on the lower end of the pay scale, and additional education is required if they desire to become a radiation therapy technician. Continuing education is also required of radiation tech to maintain certification.

For each of these programs, you can either obtain a degree online or through a traditional university. However, not every program that is listed is accredited, and that goes for both traditional and online programs. Always make sure that the program you are interested in is accredited before registering. Without accreditation, the board will not recognize your education and you will not be able to obtain certification.

Online Education (Teacher Education) Degree Program Options

Teaching is an essential part of society; it’s how the leaders and workers in many industries are able to step into their career. Education is utilized from grade school to college, which makes understanding how to teach others an important and needed skill. Teacher education degree programs can be completed online allowing students to step into the career of their choice.

Students that want to become a teacher have many training options to choose from. Online training offers students these main options, which include:

*Elementary Education

Degree programs prepare students to teach kindergarten through sixth grade. Although professionals only teach one grade, education encompasses the knowledge needed to teach at all levels. Most online colleges have students choose a concentration area like English or math. Students then proceed to complete their training while learning how to specifically teach in that area. Courses may include math for teachers, education technologies, and teaching techniques. The completed curriculum prepares students to become licensed in their chosen area.

*Secondary Education

Students that want to teach sixth to twelfth grade should enter a training program in this concentration. Like elementary education students choose a subject as a concentration. Online education is comprehensive and examines the theories and practices used to teach children and adolescents. Students work primarily through the content in their chosen field, which allows them to teach at all education levels in this category. All students take the same foundational courses and specialization courses are taken separately. Literacy, classroom management, and human development studies online are some common foundational courses.

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*Special Education

Students work through a specific curriculum that allows them to educate individuals that suffer from mental disabilities like autism. To become a special education teacher students are required to study online in leadership, developmental linguistics, learning procedures, course designs, and content strategies. Most programs for this category are offered online at the master’s degree level.

*Student Teaching Requirement

Students need to be aware that student teaching is required to gain licensure. For online learning this will incorporate students finding a school in their town that will allow them to student teach inside a classroom to gain experience. This is typically a semester long course, which requires students to record their teaching activities and work with the classroom’s teacher on improving their teaching abilities.

Elementary and secondary education teaching positions require students to have at least a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree prepares students to increase their teaching ability and knowledge on their subject. Students can also complete a master’s degree program to enter leadership roles in schools. Doctoral study is typically the route taken by students that want to become college professors. Students can complete associate degree programs in teaching, which prepare them to become teacher assistants.

Online education schools are a convenient way for students to enter careers as teachers. Students should research the schooling options for their chosen subject and begin training today. Enrollment in an accredited online school or college will give students the quality educational training they deserve. Agencies like the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) are approved to fully accredit qualifying education degree programs online.

 

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