| Many allied medical professions such as the medical | | | | sonographers, opticians, radiologic technologists and |
| assistant are seeing a rise in growth as a result of | | | | many other related positions.With an increased |
| the current healthcare crisis in the United States. As | | | | number of physicians and nurses, competition will |
| major medical insurance companies try to cut their | | | | increase, and salaries will certainly go down (law of |
| costs an increasing number of procedures once | | | | supply and demand). However allied health care |
| performed by physician, nurses and other higher | | | | salaries are most likely to increase over the next few |
| trained healthcare professionals are now being done | | | | years. In fact, the quality will probably actually |
| by less costly allied health professionals. This would | | | | increase, since the motivation to become a physician |
| include the medical assistant, medical technologists | | | | or nurse will be an interest in the field, and desire to |
| and related positions. Of course this shift in patient | | | | help others, rather than just a way to get a |
| care has created a greater need for trained allied | | | | high-paying job and for those interested in other |
| care professionals. In the past most of these allied | | | | healthcare fields it is a good idea to investigate the |
| professionals were trained on the job by physicians, | | | | availability of jobs before you decide to enter any |
| nurses and other medical staff members. However | | | | field. You will be investing a considerable amount of |
| now more of these allied health care aids are now | | | | time and money in anticipation of getting a good |
| receiving additional training via internet based distance | | | | position upon completion of your training.Currently the |
| education programs or traditional training | | | | St. Augustine Medical Assistant School is providing an |
| programs.The current acceptance into medical, | | | | innovative distance education experience for students |
| nursing, and other schools in the health care field is | | | | who wish to learn healthcare basics via virtual online |
| often very competitive. For example, there are | | | | teach techniques. Additional information about these |
| probably 10-20 qualified applicants for every vacancy | | | | programs can be found on their website at training in |
| in medical school. Most nursing schools have 2-3 year | | | | medical assisting and many other related positions, |
| waiting periods (despite an alleged chronic shortage | | | | while generally preferred, is not always required. |
| of nurses). Many highly motivated and talented | | | | Some medical assistants and allied professionals are |
| people wind up going into other fields. Often are | | | | trained on the job, although this practice is less |
| career in a basic allied healthcare profession such as a | | | | common than in the past. Applicants usually need a |
| medical assistant is an excellent fit for these | | | | high school diploma or the equivalent. Recommended |
| students.The term 'allied health' is used to identify a | | | | high school courses include mathematics, health, |
| cluster of health professions and covers many | | | | biology, typing, bookkeeping, computers, and office |
| occupational titles, exclusive of physicians, nurses, and | | | | skills. Volunteer experience in the health care field also |
| a handful of others." Allied Healthcare jobs may | | | | is helpfulSince allied professionals deal with the public |
| include medical assistants, cardiovascular technologists | | | | they must be neat and well groomed and have a |
| and technicians, dental hygienists, diagnostic medical | | | | courteous, pleasant manner. |