A new career option--Medical Terminology.

 It is a tough decision to make regarding career change in this economic scenario at present. Many are there who opt to switch career getting impatient at a particular trend. This results in a shortage of skilled workers which are a matter of concerned for employers in particular fields. There are other factors such as corporate cost cutting, off shoring, layoffs and forced career switching that makes worker choices difficult. 

The trend of a fixed secure job with one employer throughout life seems to be over. A particular career path nowadays involves many turnovers, feedbacks, uncertainties etc. It is really hard to choose and follow a particular career path that brings satisfaction , stability and offers growth potential as well as enrichment. 

Some good opportunities to reduce uncertainty and enhance marketability quotient is to improve one's set of various skills. Some good education is needed to maintain licenses and get some certificates which boosts up one's biodata. Make those education effective and do the right training so that those can create more opportunities in the particular field and try adding feathers in the career cap. 

Now, the question is which industries offer maximum jobs stability and growth opportunities? 

Trends show that healthcare and related industries are hiring skilled workers in the last decade. Forbes magazine indicates that baby boomers looking towards healthcare in dusty between 2004 and 2014, 70% of the jobs in US will probably be in the health Care industry. Additionally career related to patient care will increase. There are demands for professionals keeping medical records, health information technicians, counselors, therapists as well as medical transcriptionists. 

Medical terminology involves some basic requirements for one entering into any health care related career. It needs skill to understand, pronounce, recognise and spell the basic medical terms, identify medical abbreviations, keywords as well as deciphering unfamiliar words using roots, suffixes and prefixes. Medical terminology courses are offered online, based on home study and instructed-led-formats . As medical technology is rapidly making advances interindustry they are for medical terminology is also gaining important to cope up with it. Even if medical record and health information technicians one has done courses on medical terminology in the past, to stay updated and forward one should again take up courses unit. 

Here is a list of 7 non traditional careers as provided by the department of labor database, which requires medical terminology.

1. Medical record and health information technicians-- General education is the basic requirement for this along with certain course work requirements for medical records for health information technicians. This includes courses on medical terminology, anatomy physiology, legal aspects of health information, coding and abstraction of data, statistics, database management, quality improvement methods and some basic knowledge on computer science.

2. Medical transcriptionists-- Medical transcriptionist should be able to understand accurately the dictated reports, should be able to understand the medical terms, anatomy, physiology, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology and treatment details. They must also know how to translate medical jargon and abbreviations into expanded forms. 

3. Surgery technologists -- Many communities, junior colleges, vocational schools, Universities, hospitals and military boards offer surgical training as formal program courses. In 2006 the has offered around 400 such programs, ranging between (9-24) month courses, providing certificates, diploma or some degrees. Such programs involved classroom education and supervise clinical experiments with results. Courses are offered on various subjects such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, professional ethics and medical terminology. 

Several other topic son which training is provided include the care and safety of patients while surgery, sterile techniques and surgical procedures. Training is also provided to students to sterilize instruments and to handle special drugs, solutions, supplies and equipment although mostly recruiters like to hire certified technologists. 

4. Occupational therapist Aides and assistances-- Around 130 accredited occupational therapist assistant programs where available in 2007. Courses for first year includes healthcare, basic medical terminology, anatomy and physiology. Second year courses include occupational therapy, mental health related courses on adult physical disabilities, gerontology and coursesonpediatrics. Students must acquire a 16 week of supervised field training in a clinic or community setting. 

5. Medical assistants-- Post secondary vocational institutions such as schools and junior colleges include certain medical assisting programs such as some one or two year diploma or certificate courses or maybe some degree courses. Courses include anatomy, physiology, medical terminology apart from typing, transcription, record keeping, accounting and insurance processing. Laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, the administration of medications, first aid training are imparted to students. They also learn office practices, patient relations, medical law and ethics. New models organization impart medical assistance programs and accredited programs with internships to gain practical knowledge in dispensaries, hospitals and other healthcare offices. 

6. Radiologic technology and technicians-- A committee known as the joint review committee on education in radiologic technology imparts formal training on this trend. It has a creditedaround600-700 radiography programs in 2007 that includes both classroom as well as laboratory instructions in anatomy, physiology, patient care techniques, imaging principles, medical terminology , patient positioning, medical ethics, radiobiology and pathology. 

7. Court Reporting -- Court reporting certification (CVR) candidates need to qualify a written spelling, punctuation , vocabulary, legal and medical terminology tests along with 3-5 minute dictation & transcription examinations for testing their speed, skill and accuracy A part from the above fields, if the individual understands medical terminology it will bean extra advantage. Lawyers, paralegals, legal secretaries and other legal professional handling cases include medical related problems which may be solved smoothly having a good knowledge on medical terminology. 

Medical terminology is an advantage for health insurance professionals and also for those working in medical billing and coding sectors. Most firms require certification in medical terminology for pharmacy professionals. Medical terminology is required by specialists and technicians of biology, dentistry, hospital administration and many others to talk to staffs , customers, co-workers and patients. Professional such as counselor, technicians & home-health care providers such as there pasts etc. can improve communication and patient-care services by reducing oversights and liability issues with a good knowledge of medical terminology. 

Medical terminology courses are immensely helpful to enhance one's skill set thereby uplifting the market value regarding career. It not only will create good career opportunities but will also increase accessibility in the healthcare industry. Thus, making good use of time and education will bring out fruitful employment chances that will make life smoother.