ACH - Technical School Riverside

Top Reasons to Work as a Massage Therapist

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:21 +0000

A career as a massage therapist can be very rewarding, both financially and psychologically. Practitioners of the art experience many benefits that they might not otherwise have if they were to choose a different path within the healthcare industry. First, there is the obvious satisfaction that comes with helping people. Many tout the amazing benefits of massage therapy in treating a person's physical ailments, and the number of satisfied clients grows every day. Alleviating another person's pain can be a very fulfilling experience for a massage therapist, and at the end of the day, this is what matters most to some people. Massage therapy can also be a lucrative business, if it is managed properly and if the technician has the necessary skills to achieve good results. If the client is well-satisfied with the quality of care he or she has received, word-of-mouth advertising becomes the number one method of increasing the number of clients, which in turn increases earnings potential. Highly successful massage therapists generate a high level of demand, and can thus charge very high fees for their services. Although generally not the norm, many factors can contribute to a potential salary in the six figures. The work of a massage therapist can be performed in a variety of settings, from a person's own home to a private office. There are even practitioners who work in shopping mall aisles or busy airports. For this reason, the flexibility of the job location is an added benefit since one can choose to work where one is most comfortable. Unlike many other career choices, a massage therapist has the option of being his or her own boss. If a person chooses not to work for someone else, then the practice can be set up in any conceivable way. The location of the business, the number of hours worked, the choice of clientele are all factors that will be under the control of the massage therapist, and are thus as flexible as he or she would like them to be. Within states that require licensing in order to perform massage therapy, there are minimum training and educational requirements one must achieve before receiving a license to practice. This is a benefit in some cases, because it reduces the amount of competition in the industry. However, if you do not want to invest the maximum amount of time and money into training, you may want to practice in an area that does not require licensing. In such a case, your business can be up and running in a matter of days or weeks. Even in states that govern the licensing requirements for a massage therapist, however, the training is not that long or costly compared to other careers within the healthcare industry. Even the most intense and comprehensive training programs should not take much longer than a year or so. After completing this training, you will have gained a broad-based knowledge of anatomy which will help you to perform more successful therapy sessions, which in turn will help increase your business. Look to becoming a massage therapist today by talking to your local massage and physical therapy aide program in your area today.

Is Becoming a Medical Assistant the Right Career For You?

admin — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:30:08 +0000

First, we need to understand a little of what medical assistants do - they perform administrative tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties vary from office to office depending on the location and size of the practice, as well as the practitioner’s particular speciality. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many kinds of different tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties, usually reporting to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area under the supervision of department managers or administrators. Medical assistants should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician. Administrative medical assistants update and file patients’ medical records, fill out insurance forms and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services. They also perform tasks less specific to medical settings, such as answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments and handling of bills and bookkeeping. Clinical medical assistants have various duties, depending on local law, some common tasks include taking medical histories and recording of vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination and assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies and sterilise medical equipment. Under direction of the physician they might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medication, authorise drug refills, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for X rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures and change dressings. Medical assistants also may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment and keep waiting rooms neat and clean. Medical assistants work in well-lit clean environments; they constantly interact with people and may have to handle more than one task at once. Most full time medical assistants work a forty hour week, however medical assistants can also be part time and be employed in the evening or at weekends. Formal training in medical assisting, while generally preferred, is not mandatory. Many medical assistants are trained on the job and usually only have to have a high school diploma or an equivalent. Recommended high school courses are; mathematics, health, biology, keyboard or computer skills, bookkeeping and general office skills. Volunteer type work in healthcare could well prove useful to job seekers. Medical assistants who are trained on the job, usually spend their first months attending training sessions and working closely with experienced colleagues. Medical assistants meet and deal with the public, it is expected therefore that a good dress code be employed, you are courteous and pleasant and that you can put a patient at ease and explain physicians’ instructions coherently, they must also respect the confidential nature of medical information. Clinical duties require a reasonable level of manual dexterity. Job seekers looking for a growing and stable career in the healthcare field should start by contacting a top medical assistant school in your area.

Qualifications to Become a Medical Assistant

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:30:30 +0000

These days, medical assistants are in high demand. So, it is very much essential to know about the qualifications that one needs to have in order to become a medical assistant. Let us take a look at the various possible streams that a person can choose, or the various courses that a person can choose from in order to become a medical assistant. There are a number of training programs available to train people for the career of a medical assistant. These are mostly offered as training programs from the vocational schools. They can also be the vocational high schools, post secondary institutes or even colleges. There are two ways of getting these degrees. One is the way of getting training for a one year period or a six months period. This will give them a certificate of diploma in the field. If it is a two years course then they get a degree, which can be the associate degree for the person. These courses usually cover a few vital subjects needed to know. They can include the medical terms, which is the most important thing to learn. Apart from that they are also taught anatomy and physiology for the clinical knowledge. They are also trained in the transcription process, accounts, typing, record maintenance, and also the process involved in the insurance schemes. Medical assistants are also given a broad idea on the medications, the laboratory procedures, first aid procedures, medico legal issues, and the ethics to be followed, and much more. They also have practicum in the form of training programs or internships too. Few cases, more advanced procedures like injections usage is also taught. This is done only in the case of already well experienced people only. On gaining a certain level of experience in the field of work they can always improve their skills further. This way they can specialize in a very particular field, wherein they can expertise in it. This would help them to get in to greater perspectives in the field of medicine. In addition, there are minimum standards followed for the requirements of the medical assistant program. Individuals pursuing this career should have taken mathematics and biology to be prepared for this program. These fields of study would help individuals excel at a faster pace than students who have not successfully completed courses in math and biology. There are additional items that matter in the field of medical assisting. They include the aspect of cleanliness. The people who are getting trained in this field need to be well maintained in terms of cleanliness and neatness. They should be presentable to the patients in all aspects. They should be courteous to the people they are supposed to be dealing with. They must be able to maintain harmony in the place of work they are involved in. They should also be good at maintaining the confidential matters to themselves. Thus, the essential sills, finesse, training and experience and development in the field can go a long way in becoming a successful medical assistant. The medical assistant program is a highly desirable field to start your career in the right track today. Contact your local vocational college for more information on the exciting medical assistant career!

How to Become a Medical Assistant

admin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 16:00:38 +0000

At the preliminary stage it is crucial to understand the designation “Medical Assistant”. He/she is a degree certified individual capable of assisting doctors and nurses, physicians in their routine medical procedures. It is basically co-ordination of simple tasks assigned by the head and the chores require efficiency. Mostly you will find medical assistants working in hospitals or in medical clinics. The aura of this career choice lies in the versatility and availability of jobs wherever you are. The medical assistant career is a very stable one to consider. Looking into the diminishing economy these kinds of jobs are most likely to flourish and remain in the industry for a longer period of time. It is a known fact that the hospitals will never stop functioning as long there are people with various ailments. For change into the certified medical assistant role you need to complete a certificate from an accredited educational institution and then apply to the respective vacancies. There are many advantages of becoming a certified medical assistant. The job of a medical assistant calls in lots of stress and long hours of work. Even though it is a long hour work it gives satisfaction to the person that they have served the people suffering from pain. The opportunities available for the medical assistant are more than what the medical officers and the supervisors can get. They get good pay packages if the person is a certified assistant and has good practical knowledge. The certified medical assistants are always preferred over the non certified assistants because the law calls for the same and the certified persons are trained and have more practical skills. The medical assistants are always committed and sincere to their work. The medical assistant has the work of multi tasking. In addition to the medical job they have to take care of the daily administration jobs and maintaining the data about the ailments of the patients and related clerical works. The certified medical assistants are always updated with the latest news about the health care industry. In order to access this dream career you need to join the courses available in colleges and mostly in vocational ones. The duration may vary from one to two years but the degree or certificate is prima facie the most important and crux of this career. The synthesis of becoming medical assistant lies in the internship at accredited hospitals and clinics which provide the training required for getting certification. The training synopsis includes both medical and office training imparted at the assigned arena. The medical courseware includes anatomy and medical terminology in the training; handling of the record keeping procedures. Every student has to be capable of administering medications, first aid and other relevant requirements. After completing the educational criteria you need to create a stronger profile by procreating the licensing requirements offered by the government medical authorities of the respective region. The medical assistant program is a great path for individuals looking to get into the growing healthcare field in less than a year. For more information on this program, contact out to the best medical assistant school in Riverside for requirements and upcoming classes.

Job Outlook for Massage Therapists

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:01:50 +0000

One is hard-pressed to find a career within the medical field that does not have a bright and promising future with good employment prospects as well as high earnings potential. This is no exception for a career as a massage therapist. In fact, the growth in that particular industry is higher than in many others for a variety of reasons. The phenomenal and rapid growth of the healthcare industry is a given fact in today's culture. Not only do more and more people rely on professional healthcare for issues they might have ignored a generation ago, but the population as a whole is aging rapidly. This is because of a longer lifespan and the aging of the so-called Baby Boom generation. High demand for healthcare translates to increased demand for even non-traditional forms of healing, such as massage therapy. Therefore, there is a strong potential for steady growth in that field, which results in great employment prospects. As more research is performed on the benefits of massage therapy, its use as a form of rehabilitation for medical injuries is growing. While at one time, the necessity of the industry was called into question, now is has garnered widespread acceptance within the medical community. As a result, some insurance companies will now cover the cost of private sessions. This leads to a higher demand for services, which in turn increases the job prospects for massage therapists. Nowadays, massage therapists can be found in numerous, sometimes unexpected settings, such as fitness centers and resorts. Nursing homes and hospitals may employ them, and you can always find them in private homes or offices. Some businesses now hire on-call massage therapists to visit a workplace and offer stress-relieving massages to busy employees while on the job. With such a wide array of settings available, the potential for finding employment within the industry has grown exponentially, allowing for greater job security. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2010 that the mean annual salary earned by a massage therapist is $39,770. When evaluated against the minimal level of training which is required to practice, this rate alone is fairly high. However, this amount is far from the peak level of income which can be attained, as some massage therapists can earn over a $100,000 per year. The salaries of massage therapists are affected by a number of different factors, foremost among them being the setting of the practice. A practitioner working for an upscale spa in an elite neighborhood in a large city will obviously earn more per session hour than a small-town private practitioner in a small office setting. Plus, as with any business, strategic advertising and marketing can make or break a career. Earnings for a massage therapist are also impacted by the level of initial training achieved as well as the amount of on-the-job experience. An employer is likely to pay higher wages to a practitioner who has completed a more advanced study program. Likewise, the number of years of experience in the field performing actual hands-on massages will impact salary.

Contact the experts in massage therapy programs in your area for more information on this exciting career opportunity!

Salaries for Massage Therapists

admin — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:53:49 +0000

Massage therapists not only have flexible hours and rewarding careers helping clients feel better, but, they can also make a good living. By reading on you can get an insight into how much you can earn as a massage therapist, some of the tools you will need to start a massage business and how long it typically takes to build a successful massage business. Massage therapy salaries will vary depending on person’s experience, practice location or business proprietorship, there are massage practitioners who have made more than one hundred and eighty thousand united states dollars a year and more, there are also massage therapists who scrape by month by month. In between, there are a broad range of folks, including full timers, part timers and entrepreneurs with multiple head count employees. Massage therapists earn a comparable annual income to other health care support workers. According to the United States bureau of labour statistics, today’s massage therapists ….

Charge an average sixty dollars per hour for one hour of massage.
Reasonable billing range of between twenty five and one hundred United States dollars for massage therapy services.
Earn an average wage of forty two United States dollars per hour for all massage related work including tips
Earn an average annual income of nearly thirty thousand United States dollars including tips for around fifteen hours of massage per week.
Earn between thirty seven thousand and sixty thousand United States dollars per year with the top ten per cent earning sixty six thousand and higher for full time massage work.

If you want to become a massage therapist purely on the dollar value, thing will probably not unfold for you. If it is your heart pushing you into massage therapy you will have a phenomenal career as you have to have it in you to help people and this should be your main motivation. The tools you will need to start your own massage therapy business effect your salary, being prepared with the right equipment is an important part of starting up a massage therapy business. Depending on the massage practice you choose there are some tangible items you may need to purchase or lease that can influence your overall net income, you will need for example a massage table or chair, multiple sets of sheets and aromatherapy oils or lotion. Other massage therapy business cost also affect your annual income like; advertising and marketing, association dues and fees, health insurance, laundry services, liability insurance and room or space rent. Of course, your desire to help others is an inspirational tool that is very helpful when joining the massage therapy community – this dedication will help you a lot in giving you a rewarding career when working with clients. Your level of success in massage will depend on your skills, your ambition, your ability to network and your ability to market yourself. Enjoying the fruits of a thriving massage therapy practice can take anything from a few months to a few years, though some do take even longer. Becoming a massage therapist is a rewarding career for any individual interested in helping others decrease anxiety, enhance sleep quality, and improve concentration while reducing fatigue so that you positively impact their daily lives. Contact an accredited massage therapy school today for more information on this exciting opportunity.

Should You Become a Massage Therapist?

admin — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:29:47 +0000

Before you can answer the question, you need to know a little, at least, about the different types of massages therapy treatments. For the purposes of this article, we’ll cover: trigger point therapy, swedish massage, deep tissue, and sport and reflexology techniques. A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may reduce referral pain in the neck. The neck, now acting as a satellite trigger point may then cause pain in the head. The pain may be sharp and intense or just a dull ache. Trigger point massage therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage, the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort. The results and benefits of trigger point massage are releasing constricted areas in the muscles thus alleviating pain; you can experience significant reduction in pain after just one massage. Receiving massage with trigger point on a regular basis can help, in a natural way, manage pain and stress from chronic injuries? Swedish massage is the modality that comes to mind when most people think about massage. As the best known type of bodywork performed today, one of the primary goals of the Swedish massages is to relax the entire body. This is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the same direction of the blood returning to the heart. Swedish massage goes beyond relaxation as Swedish massage is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility whilst easing tension. A study published in the New York Times, found that volunteers who received a forty five minute Swedish massage experienced significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as arginine vasopressin which is a hormone that can lead to increases in cortisol. The volunteers also had increases in the number of lymphocytes (white blood cells that are part of the immune system) and a boost in the cells that may help fight colds and the flu. Additional massage therapy techniques include circular pressure applied by the palms of the hand, firm kneading, and percussion type tapping, bending and stretching. Deep tissue massage therapy is similar to Swedish massage, but, the deeper pressure is beneficial in releasing chronic muscle tension. The focus here is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscle, bones and joints). A study published by the journal of alternative and complementary medicine found that people’s blood pressure fell after a single forty five to sixty minute session of deep tissue massage. Massage modalities like deep tissue reduce stress hormone levels and heart rate whilst boosting mood and relaxation by triggering the release of oxytocin and serotonin. The massage therapy program is rewarding for individuals interested in pursuing a career that is growing at a rapid rate. For more information on this exciting medical career opportunity, contact the best massage therapy school in your area today.

Job Outlook for Surgical Technology

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:47:28 +0000

A career in surgical technology really begins in high school by taking and passing courses in science and mathematics. In a formal college education environment, a career as a surgical technologist requires that you enroll in a program with a duration of nine months to two years. Individuals on a two-year schedule are eligible to receive a certificate or an associates degree. Hospital based surgical technology programs last from six months to one year and are for licensed practical nurses or other health based professionals with a medical related background. Certification is not always required but is accomplished by passing an examination after completion of the course. The best way to learn more about the rapidly growing field of surgical technology is to contact your local vocational college to ascertain what coursework is available. Classroom study and clinical experience constitute the surgical technology training programs; anatomy, microbiology, pharmacology, physiology, professional ethics and medical terminology are studied, as well as sterile techniques, surgical procedures and patient care and safety. Practical skills such as how to sterilize instruments, handle drugs and equipment and prevent and control infection are also studied. Individuals in surgical technology who are certified have a competitive edge over those who are not as most employers prefer certified professionals, re-certification is required every four years by retaking the exam or by accumulating continuing education credits. Advancement in surgical technology comes about from specialization in certain types of surgery, like open heart or gastrointestinal procedures. Circulating members of surgical technology are the “non sterile” part of a surgical team and perform tasks such as: recording information from the surgery, interviewing the patient and documenting their medical history, retrieving non sterile packages for physicians to retrieve the sterile contents inside and keeping them informed about the patient. First assistants in surgical technology help with more hands-on practices including putting in stitches, sponging, closing wounds, cauterizing bleeders and retracting. Some members of the surgical technology group become managers of hospital supply departments or move into medical insurance, supply companies or equipment manufacturing and supply. The job outlook in surgical technology is good with a twenty-five percent increase in jobs over the average growth rate of all professions. This figure comes about due to the increasing head of population living longer and thus demanding more operations, plus, the advances in technology such as laser technology and fiber optics also bring in new operating room procedures and thus more jobs in the operating room. It is highly recommended to consult with an accredited technical school that offers a robust surgical technology program for aspiring individuals looking to get started in a fast paced, exciting new career that has a promising future in the healthcare field.

Top Reasons to Work as a Surgical Technologist

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:03:27 +0000

Surgical technologists also called surgical or operating room technicians, assist in surgical operations under the supervision of a surgeon. They are part of a team which also consists of anesthesiologists and nurses as well as, of course, a surgeon or surgeons. Before an operation, the surgical technologist help in preparing the operating room by setting out the surgical tools and equipment required and they will check that everything is in working order, they also help prepare the patient for surgery by; washing, shaving and disinfecting sites that will have incision. As you can see, the surgical technologist job is quite divers and diversity delivers both pride in doing a good job, and also rates high in job satisfaction. The surgical technologist will pass the surgical instruments and other sterilized supplies to the surgeon during an operation, they also monitor the patients’ vital signs and some operate sterilizers, lights or suction machines and help operate diagnostic equipment, they also perform the very responsible task of counting all the instruments; needles, sponges etc. both before starting the operation and just before the patient is sown up after surgery, this, to ensure that everything is accounted for and nothing has been left in the patient, again, a very responsible task or duty, after surgery the technologist could also help transfer the patient to the ward and he will restock the operating room. Surgical technologists work in clean, well lit and climatically controlled environment and most work a regular forty hour week, however, they can also be on call at night, weekends and vacation days on a rotation basis, this further reduces any feeling of monotony. Training programs for surgical technologists last for nine to twenty four months and take courses in; anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, professional ethics and medical terminology giving them a really high level of education. In order to maintain their certification technologists must earn sixty hours of approved continuing education over a four year period, or they must retake and pass the certification examination, this effectively adds to and updates their knowledge. Surgical technologists advance by specializing in a particular branch of surgery such as neurosurgery or open heart surgery. With additional training some technologists advance to first assistant, some surgical technologists manage central supply departments in hospitals or take positions with medical insurance companies and sterile supply service companies. Employment opportunities for surgical technologists are growing at twenty five per cent higher than the average for all occupations; this is expected to continue until at least 2018. The high rate of increase is brought about by increasing population numbers which are living longer producing an increase in the number of operations. In addition, new techniques or technological advances such as fiber optics and laser technology open up new opportunities and create new operating room techniques. Hospitals will continue to be the main employer of surgical technologists as they reduce the amount of nursing staff, however, because of better paying opportunities growth is expected in offices of physicians and in outpatient care centers giving rise to a strong career. Schedule a tour or contact a representative at the American College of Healthcare today to find out if surgical technology is the right move for you.

The Roles and Duties of a Surgical Technologist

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:51:50 +0000

Almost everyone is mighty familiar with the word “Scrubs”. It became famous by the medical comedy series from ABC Studios. Technically, a “scrub “technician or a surgical technologist is an allied health professional who work in a team. They provide surgical care to patients. To become a surgical technologist, one needs a high school diploma and needs to do an accredited program including theory and practical clinical training which could be available in Universities, hospitals, community colleges and vocational schools. The duration of the program may range from 1 to 2 Years. Once qualified a whole vista of opportunities open up for a surgical technician. He or she could opt to work in a variety of medical organizations, which include a General Hospital, Physicians offices, Outpatient care centres, Dental Clinics, and Specialty Hospitals. The duties and responsibilities of a surgical technologist spans over the three phases of patient care in the case of a surgery. The three phases are clearly demarcated as this involves a whole gamut of duties starting with the preparation of the operation room or the organizing the equipment that will be required during the surgery and making sure they are sterile. Make sure all the necessary supplies for the procedure are present and also checking on non sterile equipment. It help the surgeons and other team members prepare to enter the sterile area. It is advisable to begin the process of the surgery by removing the sterile drapes Here are some tips that will be helpful for each technologist. It is advisable to maintain a high level of sterility through the process of the surgery. Assisting the surgeon and his team during the surgery by passing the required equipments and supplies the procedure calls for. To prepare the medication that may be necessary during the procedure. Handling suction machines, lights and other equipment is the important to consider. Other thing you must consider is specimen care/disposal of specimens and dressing Application. In the postoperative phase it is necessary to maintain a high level of sterility in the room until the patient is prepared for transportation. This preparation involves collection of all equipments, and supplies and instruments used in the operative procedure and the undertaking the necessary, maintenance for them. Then only transport the patient safely back to the recovery room. Hence the main role of a surgical technician is in the Surgery and OR procedures. There is a role for the ST as the Circulating Surgical Technician. His or her duties involve prep and interview a patient before the surgical procedure. Open sterile instruments from their packing to hand to surgical assistants. Note down a written account of the surgical procedure. Manage specimens and organize for additional equipment or supplies needed during the procedure. To be successful as a surgical technologist, one has to evolve in his or her role and adapt to work with precision to detail accuracy and anticipate a number of activities. It is of utmost importance to develop a trait of staying calm and collected even under the most stressful situations. Performing smoothly in an emergency environment is a prerequisite. A sense of empathy to the patient, a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to the chosen profession and inherent need to be helpful and compassionate has to be a second nature of for a surgical technologist professional. If you're interested in a fast-paced, rewarding career as a surgical technologist, then contact us today at the American College of Healthcare.