Five unique career options that might be perfect for you

Gina Smith — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:23:55 -0700

If you're having problems looking for a job that you can make into a career, or if you're in a career and want a change of direction to something better, then perhaps one of these five occupations might be the perfect fit for you.

Phlebotomist
Home Health Aide
Real Estate Agent
Forklift Driver
Respiratory Therapist

Let's look at each of these options individually.

Phlebotomist

You're probably wondering what this even is. A Phlebotomist is a medical laboratory technician whose job is to collect blood from patients and take it to the lab. Often they also assist in transporting other lab specimens, and are often involved with a patient or donor's medical data. Anyone who's interested in this kind of career needs excellent communicating skills and can take pressure, as they will have to deal with patients that need help getting through this procedure that may have a fear of blood. They also have to be sure to get blood drawn correctly, and make sure that the instruments are sterile.

Phlebotomy Training is available at most Universities and Community Colleges, and vary in length. Upon passage, you will receive your phlebotomy certification as well as a diploma. Most states do not have licensing requirements, but even so you should check with your state to see if it does. This job is in high demand, and the pay depends on experience and where you are working, but in general is between $12-13 an hour.

Home Health Aide

Home Health Aides are what they sound like. They are licensed healthcare professionals who offer health and living assistance to the infirmed and elderly from their own homes, as opposed to being placed in a nursing home. Like the other jobs, and indeed like most forms of nursing this is in very high demand, and once trained, you can choose between working for an agency or self-employment. You will need to be able to have great social skills, as well as an ability to stay cool under pressure if something should happen to your patients.

Home Health Aide Training is fairly simple. You will be required to pass an assessment exam before being supervised while taking care of patients in their homes. You will have to present ID and pass health exams as well as a criminal background check. Once your training is complete, your state will have you take a certification exam. Once you pass this, you will be a certified Home Health Care Aide. The pay is generally $10 an hour.

Real Estate Agent

People are starting to buy homes again, and that means there is a need for more licensed real estate agents. You can join this growing field and help people and companies find the property that they're looking for. This is another job where social skills are a must as you will be dealing with clients constantly. You will also need to be something of an expert in social media, as this is becoming an increasingly important avenue to find new buyers and sellers.

Training for this field varies from state to state, and qualifications vary between states, but training usually includes going through Transactions Courses at licensed real estate training Schools, or through most local Colleges. Be sure to do your job well, as most of your salary will come from commissions from successful sales. If you do well, you can make as much as $40-60,000 a year.

Forklift Driver

This easy and enjoyable job involves driving forklifts to transport goods around warehouses, construction sites, factories and even large home improvement stores. This is considered to be a hazardous occupation, however once you know the proper safety procedures, there is little danger. You need to be able to be aware of your surroundings constantly and keep in mind the different safety procedures.

Forklift Training is relatively easy. Many Community Colleges and even many construction companies offer Training classes, which will tell you how to run the machine, the maintenance for a forklift, and the standard safety regulations that your State requires before driving. Once you've taken this course and a couple of written tests, you will take a driving test. If you pass this, you will be a certified driver. This job pays well, starting at $15 an hour and going up as high as $20 for more experienced drivers.

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapists are licensed and certified healthcare professionals who help to treat and assist those who need assistance breathing. This is an intense job, requiring critical-thinking skills to assess many different situations to help people to breath better. This job is entirely supervised by a medical professional, even so a lot of responsibility is on the Therapist. You must be good with people, be able to handle intense situations and work well with others to take on this highly rewarding occupation.

Respiratory Therapy requires at least two years of training as a nurse, and then specialized training as a Respiratory Therapist, which can take at least a year in school. Then you must pass the Certified Respiratory Therapist Examination, which will give you your certification, and will allow you to pass the minimum requirements in this field in most states. Some require additional training or certification. The pay is worth it though, since you will make between $40-75,000 annually.

All these jobs are perfect for many people, and all are in high demand. So if you're stuck in a job you don't like, or are looking for a great career as your starting out in life, choose one of these jobs and enjoy the great future you'll have!

How do you become an EMT?

Gina Smith — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:01:02 -0700

Becoming an EMT, or Emergency Medical Technician is not as easy as taking a course, passing a test and jumping into an ambulance. Training must be taken from a state-certified course instructor or school.

Some community colleges offer EMT training. There are private companies that provide the training as well. Each course must be certified by the state. The applicant should ask if the course is state-certified. Prices for the courses will vary; private companies tend to charge more than a community college would.

The first step is to take course in the classroom. Anatomy, physiology and other subjects will be covered. This will not be at the same level as a doctor or nurse; the EMT needs a basic understanding of the human body and how it works. Once the classroom course is finished, the applicant must undergo an internship in the field. An internship with different departments in a hospital might also be required, depending on the state’s requirements.

Ask EMT’s working in the field to see what school, course or internship is the most respected. In the EMS field, the school an applicant goes to is important. Knowing who the instructors are will tell a potential employer what the applicant does/does not know and what their skills may be. While the most respected course may prove expensive, it could lead to employment over another applicant from a “lesser” course.

During the internship phase, the student will be required to write up a number of “runs,” or emergency calls. Each must be written carefully, as medical documentation is specific and detailed. The applicant will be taught that a “run form” is a legal document that could potentially be used in a courtroom.

EMT’s or Paramedics will evaluate the applicant’s skills at patient evaluation, splinting, patient management and more. If an applicant is reluctant or refuses to take charge of the patient or use the skills learned in class, he or she could fail the course.

In a hospital setting, nurses will evaluate the applicant’s skills. If the EMT has to start IV’s as part of his or her training, the state could require a set number to be performed. The evaluating nurse will initial beside a box which will certify the applicant has performed the skill successfully. The applicant could also be required to provide a specific write up on the patient according to skills learned in class.

Once the internship is complete, the applicant’s practical skills will be tested. Splinting, medical/trauma evaluation, CPR and more will be assessed as separate skills. The applicant must pass all of the skill testing successfully to be allowed to take the state written exam.

The state written exam will be performed by the certifying agency representative. In some states, this is the State Health Department. Other states may have other agencies that manage EMT certification. The test must be passed with a certain percentage to gain certification.

With certification in hand, the EMT can apply for work under his or her level. EMS, or Emergency Medical Services systems that handle emergencies exclusively is the pinnacle of EMT work. Private ambulances that provide medical transportation such as hospital-to-nursing home, nursing-home-to-treatment facility and others will hire EMT’s. If openings are not available in “EMS,” the EMT can gain skill experience by working for private companies while continuing his or her education. This is the most often used course of action for EMT’s.

Since each state has different requirements for EMT training and what an EMT is/is not allowed to do, the applicant should check with schools that provide training. Community colleges will have brochures outlining the type of skills and materials the applicant will be taught.

Sources: (http://paramedicandemttraining.com)

Education & Career Training

Five unique career options that might be perfect for you

How do you become an EMT?