Career Paths

Careers: Medical Collector

With the economy in the gutter, job security is on the forefront of everyone's mind. As a medical collector, you can rest assured as you’ll be making a secured living within one of the fastest growing industries. A career in medical collections is both challenging and gratifying, with new job opportunities opening around the clock. Each year, hundreds of new insurance companies and medical practices open for business, while existing practices prosper. This expansion has created a tremendous need for trained professionals.

The fastest and most beneficial path to a medical collector career is through schooling. While it is possible to enter the field without a degree, doing so will compromise your salary, opportunities and potential for growth. Attending a degree program will arm you with the knowledge and skills to increase your marketability

In school, you can expect to take classes in medical terminology, human anatomy, medical law and ethics, administrative operations and medical coding. Certification occurs in two or four years, depending on the degree program. A great program will train you in one or all of the major medical coding systems, including CPT, HCPCS and ICD-9-CM coding. Upon completion of the program, you'll be proficient in medical operations, administrative duties, and medical coding. Upon graduation, you'll be making anywhere from $33,763 to $40,253 a year. Master's degree holders can make as much as $55,000 a year!

Few careers offer the same amount of security, salary and personal satisfaction as medical collections. During your courses, you'll be trained to handle a myriad of clerical tasks and medical paperwork with confidence, precision and ease.

Careers: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Job Description:

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s) provide direct care to patients who are recovering from illness or injury under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses. LPN’s are responsible for monitoring patient’s vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, breathing, weight and overall health. LPN’s then inform doctors and registered nurses of patients’ recovery progress. LPN’s also performing routine injections, dress wounds, monitor catheters and administer medicine. Other responsibilities include assisting with personal hygiene, bathing, exercise and eating. Ultimately, LPN’s are responsible for keeping patients comfortable.

The majority of LPN’s work a standard 40-hour work week in hospitals or nursing facilities. Some LPN’s are required to work weekend or holidays. The LPN work environment is physically demanding with long periods of standing or walking. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2006, 26 percent of LPN’s worked in nursing homes, another 26 percent worked in hospitals while 12% worked in doctor’s offices. The remaining 36 percent performed a variety of services at residential care centers, outpatient care, community facilities, governmental agencies and home health services.

Education and Training:

All states require LPN’s to pass a state licensing exam. The training needed to pass this exam normally requires a high school diploma and completion of a one-year program at a career college or vocational school.

Salary:

The average annual income for an LPN in 2006 was $36,000 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Salary varies by location and working environment i.e. hospitals, nursing homes or doctor’s practice. The top 10 percent of LPN earned slightly over $50,000 per year

Career Advancement:

Most LPN’s look to become a registered nurse; there are numerous programs designed to assist this endeavor. Additionally, at some larger locations, such as hospitals or nursing homes, LPN’s can accumulate experience to become the charge nurse, responsible for a team of other LPN’s and medical assistants.

Job Outlook

The employment growth outlook for LPN’s is very good, with the career expanding about 14 percent between 2006 and 2016, which is above average as compared to other professions. The major factors affecting LPN employment is the aging demographic of the U.S., an increase in population and growing awareness of health-related issues.

Careers: Computer Support Specialist

Are your family’s techno-wiz and do your friends call you when they can’t get their computer working right? If you love helping your friends and family get their technological devices back on track, you might enjoy a career as a computer support specialist.

Computer support specialists work as technical support, helping people to get their computers, software and hardware pieces working correctly. There are many levels or degrees of computer support, from technical support specialists to help desk technicians. Technical support specialists typically work within an organization and assist with solving technical issues. Help desk technicians tend to work at call centers answering inquiries regarding the products of that company

All computer support specialists analyze problems, run diagnostics and work to resolve problems. They might analyze a system and look through diagnostic reports to see what’s wrong. Additionally, they often help install programs, help resolve software conflicts, clean up systems and repair software.

Training and Qualifications

Computer support specialists have a broad base of knowledge covering many different areas. They understand how computers, software and hardware work. They must be logical thinkers who can apply their problem solving abilities to a wide range of problems. Being organized, having great diagnostic skills and the ability to juggle multiple tasks is a plus if you want to work in this field. Additionally, good written and verbal communication skills are a plus.

Education

There are different levels of education required to enter the various positions available for a computer support specialists. Some companies require an associate’s degree, providing on-the-job training as needed. While others, require certification from a technical school or career college. Other companies may require four-year bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.

Related Majors

• Computer Information Technology
• Computer Science
• Computer Programming
• Network Administration

Related Careers

• Computer Information Technology Specialist
• Computer Scientist
• Computer Programmer
• Network Administrator

Compensation

How much you earn as a computer support specialist can vary. Working for a large company with a very active help desk and holding a higher degree boosts your earning potential. On average, you can expect to earn between $28,000 and $45,000 per year working in this field. Experience and continuing your education will help you earn more.