My Career Blog

Start A New Career As A Pharmacy Technician

Apr22
2012 Written by admin

pharmacy technicianThe present economic crisis has left many people looking for jobs, and some have decided to start a new career as a pharmacy technician. The medical field is one area that has continued to grow despite the latest economic downturn. As a result, it is possible to find a job as a pharmacy technician.

A new job as a pharmacy technician will require some training. Every state has their own requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician, and the first step you should take to find out what the requirements are in your state.

The second step in order to make yourself as attractive to an employer as possible is to gain a national certification as a certified pharmacy technician. Certification is available from two sources. Both require passing an exam. The first is the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, and the second is Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians.

You can find a job as a pharmacy technician by looking in your local newspaper or by searching employment sites online.

Certification For Becoming A Pharmacy Technician

In the US, all 50 states require certification for becoming a pharmacy technician. A pharmacy technician performs a critical function in a pharmacy. It is their job to ensure that medications are properly supplied to patients as per their prescriptions. The only way to ensure that pharmacy technicians are competent to perform these tasks and the administrative duties which they are also expected to be able to do is to have some sort of uniform certification. And that’s where the CPhT or certified pharmacy technician certification comes in.

The certified pharmacy technician certification or CPhT can be obtained from either one of two sources.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) offers an exam called the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) offers a similar exam which is called the Certification of Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Upon passing either of these exams a new pharmacy technician will be given their CPhT certificate, with which they can gain a job anywhere in the country.

Pharmacy Tech Job Outlook

Between 2008 and 2018 employment of pharmacy techs is expected to experience an increase of 25%. This is much faster increase than is expected for all occupations.

As the population boom following World War II ages, the number of middle-aged and elderly people is rising quickly causing a commensurate rise in the need for prescription drugs.

As pharmacists who come a larger part of patient care, due to insurance companies trying to control costs, pharmacy techs are going to continue to be in demand.

There is currently a trend in pharmacies to have pharmacy techs perform functions such as answering phones and stocking shelves in addition to their normal duties. This has led to a decrease in employment pharmacy aides, however the greater job duties has led to an increase in job opportunities for pharmacy techs.

The pharmacy tech job outlook continues to be rosy.

Posted in Pharmacy Technician

Medical Billing and Coding: CPT Certifications Are Worthy To Receive

Apr21
2012 Written by admin

cpt codesCPT codes that are used everyday in the medical billing and coding jobs, can be looked up in either online dictionaries, or billing and coding books, that have been updated every year. Due to the nature of working in the medical field, physicians are using new codes that have replaced the older codes. The new codes have been reviewed and either modified or deleted. An astute medical biller and coder would be kept abreast and aware of any new changes in the process, so they can eliminate rejected or denied claims in the future. This is very important, and means a great deal to the overall revenue of the medical office.

The billing and coding books that are available are the CPT, ICD-9, HCPCS and RBRVS. These bibles, in the coding world, should be on every book case in a medical billing and coding office, as they will be of great resources, to a speedy claim reimbursement. In many cases these days, much different than in the past, the resources for the billing and coding processes are all available on line at various web sites.

Medical Billing And Coding Certification

A medical billing and coding certification, is a valuable acknowledgment of ones efforts and determination to learn the protocols and procedures of the medical billing and coding career. The position of the medical biller and coder is one that has great weight in the revenue department of an office. Knowing what codes to use, in an efficient and expedient manner is worth a great deal in any busy medical office. It would mean that the billing processes are handled as they are occur.

It is best, if one decides this career, to obtain their certification. As a certified representative of the career, one would have been taught all the necessary course requirements, enabling them to sit for the certification exams. Examinations for the American Academy of Professional Coders (CPC) would consist of questions related to the correct application of a CPT code. A CPC must obtain at least two years of coding experience prior to examination, and renewals must be taken every year. A Certified Coding Specialist must have knowledge in ICD-9 coding systems, as well as, medical terminology, pharmacology, and the various diseases and procedures that could be diagnosed. The candidate who holds this certificate of achievement is considered a worthy attribute to the personnel of any medical or healthcare office. Most hospitals prefer to hire their medical billing and coding staff with certifications.

Posted in Medical Billing And Coding - Tagged , ,

Respiratory Therapist: Why Not Choose A Solid Career In Respiratory Therapy

Apr19
2012 Written by admin

respiratory therapistWhen one is choosing careers in the medical field, often one that is very much needed is overlooked, as in the career as a registered respiratory therapist. One of the main reason it is overlooked is that to really become competitive in this field it is in ones best interest to follow through with a four year degree and a masters degree would be even better. The curriculum for this program is both demanding and stimulating. There are many subjects within the course of this program that would need to be mastered.

Courses You Will Take

The courses of mathematics, physiology, chemistry, pharmacology and physics would all need to be studied, as well as all the respiratory rehabilitation courses. Throughout the four years of the course many core courses would also need to be completed, before one is ready for the examinations that would grant one their practicing license.

Jobs And Working In The Field

The job, itself, is very demanding, especially if one works in an environment where there could be a shortage of therapists. Often there are interruptions and emergencies and one would need to have the skills to multitask and prioritize, which may be difficult in some cases. Procedures are vital in this career, since one would be dealing with the survival of ones patients. One would need to have a calm demeanor in the stressful situations, patients are already frightened and it certainly helps knowing that their respiratory therapist is handling their crisis, with ease.

The respiratory therapist will deal with the care of babies quite often, as well as the elderly, asthmatic and patients with emphysema. Those that are prone to asthmatic attacks usually flood the emergency rooms in the Spring and cold and flu seasons, so they can be kept very busy.

Traveling Respiratory Therapist Jobs

For those who enjoy traveling, there is a need for respiratory therapists out in the field. One would be working with a physician that is experienced in respiratory care. Usually one can work with the physician if they have obtained their associates or bachelors degree, depending on what the physician requires. With this type of position most often one would travel to various locations to assist patients in their treatments. Good record keeping and charting is essential as it lets the doctor know what has been performed and the progress, especially for those with long term respiratory diseases.

The good news about this career and all the time that is invested in ones education is that it does pay off with a handsome salary. It is noted in the Bureau of Labor and Statistics that California pays the highest salary for this career.

Posted in Respiratory Therapist - Tagged , ,