Medical Terminology Course
If you work in the medical field, you have probably had to take a medical terminology course. If you plan to get a job soon, and you have not yet worked in health care, you may find that you will be required by your new employer to take a medical terminology course soon after you are employed. The reason is quite simple. If you don’t understand the terminology, your job is going to be very difficult.
Most people who take a medical terminology course as a matter of employment work in medical administration, billing, or coding. All of these positions and careers demand that you know what you are reading about or dealing with on a daily basis. Depending on your job, and what you are expected to do, your medical terminology course may just be paid for by your employer. Even if you think you are already well versed in medical terminology, it might be in your best interest to take the course anyway and brush up.
A good medical terminology course may last for a few months to a year. It will all depend on where you go, and what you have to learn. You may take these courses at a local community college, or you may be able to find them online. If your employer is paying for you to take a medical terminology course, you may have no choice as to where you go for your course. They may just give you a schedule and tell you to make sure you are there for class.
If you have a choice, learning online might be a great option for you, especially if you have children and are working a full time job. This allows you the flexibility to do your courses when your schedule allows you some free time. For many moms, this time might be late in the evening. You may also be able to work at your own pace, though this is not always the case. If you have special considerations, consider taking your medical terminology course online so you can get the most out of what you are learning.
If you want to find a job in health care, make sure you take this type of course. It might be something you want to do even if you aren’t sure which direction you want to go. If you already a medical terminology course under your belt, you won’t need to take it again if you suddenly find a great job in a hospital. Don’t say you never will, but you just never know where life will take you.
Showing posts with label Hospital Informations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hospital Informations. Show all posts
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Physical Therapy Education
I think it's safe to say that we all want to find our niche. That one place in the world that suits us perfectly. Now I'm not trying to get your hopes up. After all, this is no easy task. It can take plenty of time, patience, research, and perseverance. Oh, and did I mention time? Yeah, you get the point. Our fortes can definitely play a part in this journey. What are YOU good at, and where does your ambition lie? Once you find this out, you'll be well on your way to contentment. Maybe you'd benefit from helping others. This is the path my cousin chose when he pursued his physical therapy education. He wanted more than anything to help people get back on their feet and move on with a healthy and happy life.
Choose carefully! Not every field is right for every individual. Take law enforcement for instance. I can't say that I would want to be a police officer in this world. There are too many rules stacked against you in my opinion. It's just not safe. Then there's a physical therapy education. I wouldn't pursue this field either. I have seen it first-hand with my cousin and it's definitely not up my alley. There is a great deal of struggle and emotions involved. You're suddenly in charge of helping someone to learn to walk again or use their arm, and they can and will certainly take the pain and anguish out on you. You're the one who's there after all.
You won't have any trouble finding a good school to acquire your physical therapy education in this country. American is all about education and selection. My cousin went to school for this particular field in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and now has a great job at their local hospital. In reality there are employment options for this field all over the nation. Trust me when I say that we can always use more ready and willing individuals in the medical field. But, you'd better do a quick job shadowing before you choose to pursue a physical therapy education further. This job is no picnic, but does have its rewards.
Choose carefully! Not every field is right for every individual. Take law enforcement for instance. I can't say that I would want to be a police officer in this world. There are too many rules stacked against you in my opinion. It's just not safe. Then there's a physical therapy education. I wouldn't pursue this field either. I have seen it first-hand with my cousin and it's definitely not up my alley. There is a great deal of struggle and emotions involved. You're suddenly in charge of helping someone to learn to walk again or use their arm, and they can and will certainly take the pain and anguish out on you. You're the one who's there after all.
You won't have any trouble finding a good school to acquire your physical therapy education in this country. American is all about education and selection. My cousin went to school for this particular field in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and now has a great job at their local hospital. In reality there are employment options for this field all over the nation. Trust me when I say that we can always use more ready and willing individuals in the medical field. But, you'd better do a quick job shadowing before you choose to pursue a physical therapy education further. This job is no picnic, but does have its rewards.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Takes care of these things, while Visiting the Hospital
Let's face it--chances are good that at at some point, someone you know and care about will become sick, making it necessary for you to visit them in the hospital. You'll rush to their side and want to do anything you can to help them recover as quick as possible.
As a registered nurse, I see many people in this situation every day. Oh sure, their intentions are usually good. They come to support, grieve and fight for those that they love--but nothing can and will make a nurse crazier (and possibly slow down the recovery of the patient) than breaking a few simple ground rules. What are they? I'm glad you asked! Nurses are never happier than seeing the patients we have invested ourselves in get better and go home to happy and functional lives. To hopefully speed up the process and increase the chances of a good outcome, here are ten things you should and shouldn't do when visiting the hospital.
1. Please, please, please! I am begging you--DO NOT bring children (especially small children) to the hospital, unless it is absolutely necessary! Don't underestimate the sincerity of this plea! Nothing haunts me like the vision of little junior playing on grandma's hospital room floor! Where do sick people go? To the hospital. What do sick people have? GERMS! Yeah, if there is a germ on this planet it will most likely be found in a hospital--especially on the floors. Not only do little-ones not have the immune systems that you and I have, but they are more prone to picking up nasty bugs because they like to put everything in their mouths, lick their fingers, stick their fingers in their eyes...you get my drift.
2. Please don't bring outside food, snacks or drinks in to the patient without first clearing it with the nursing staff. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get Uncle Bob's sugar under control and finding the family has been sneaking in Snicker bars and 2-liters of Pepsi! What about Mom? Suppose she just had a cardiac bypass, but her family brought her a big-ol' hamburger because she was craving it "SO BAD"? Let's talk about the stroke patient who has been having trouble swallowing. The doctor has written an order for soft foods, but the family brings him in his favorite homemade meatloaf (to boost his spirits) and feeds him on the sly. Not only can this person choke, but if even a little of this goes down the wrong pipe he or she can end up with pneumonia. Trust me, this isn't a case of the nurses being mean or too strict--it's a matter of caring about what happens to the patient.
3. Don't use the patient's bathroom. Because of certain privacy issues, it's not always common knowledge all of the things that are wrong with your loved one. Perhaps they have a really nasty virus that you can easily pick up from using their toilet. You certainly don't want to end up in the bed down the hall! On the flip side, if their immune system is weakened for any reason, you could just as easily infect them.
4. Check with the nurse to make sure the patient can receive flowers. Nothing is a bigger shame than to see a big, beautiful (and expensive) floral arrangement sitting on the counter at the nurses station because the patient is unable to have it in their room. Certain conditions--headaches or certain respiratory problems for example--can be made much worse by smells or allergens. This is a good reason to also think about what perfumes or scented lotions you're wearing before visiting.
5. No pets. It doesn't matter how much Mom misses Fluffy, Fido or little Pickles, please don't bring pets to the hospital. There are many reasons for this: infection, allergens, risk of injury, etc. Instead, it might be a better idea to take a few gorgeous pictures of poochie or kitty to sit by the patients bed.
6. Try to keep the noise level down. I know that being around family and friends can make for a good time (no matter where you are), but there really are people in adjoining rooms (and what about your loved one too?) who don't feel good. Trust me, no one wants to be the jerk nurse who has to walk in and ask you to quiet down. Enjoy yourselves, but try to be considerate.
7. If it's time for medications or procedures, please be polite and offer to step out of the room. This just makes things more comfortable for everyone involved. Wouldn't you want the same consideration during one of the most vulnerable times of your life?
8. Try to observe visiting hours. It's not lost on the staff that are are times when it's necessary to visit late at night. But if Grandma is only in for a night or two for a toe infection, do you really don't need to visit at 2:00 in the morning? Not only is it impolite, but it's a matter of security. We don't know who you are when you come traipsing into the unit in the middle of the night!
9. Try to choose one family member to be the contact person. Imagine with me this scenario: nurse enters patient's room to give medications, but has to stop half-way through to answer phone. Family member wants an update, nurse happily gives one. Nurse re-enters patient's room to finish med pass, also tries to take patient to bathroom. Has to either return patient to bed or leave patient unattended in bathroom because there is another call. A different family member wants the same update. Nurse complies and then returns to room to help clean patient up (or whatever). Nurse quickly becomes frustrated because she can't care for the patient properly after being called to the phone by yet another family member wanting the same update. Multiply this by eight or nine patients and you can see what a difficult position the nurse is in. Of course you want to check on your loved one--no one doubts that! But the best idea is to choose one family member to be the contact/spokesperson. It will be that person's job to call for an update, and then pass on the info to the family. This makes it easier on everyone involved, and also makes it much easier to give our patients the care they need.
10. Last, but certainly not least! Appreciate your nurses! When you find yourself in a stressful, emotionally draining situation it's easy to take things or people for granted. It's also easy to snap at people. Please know that a nurse is a nurse for a reason. Nurses are human too, and can have good days and bad days. Overall, nurses are in this profession because they really do want to help. They spend their days caring for people in the most intimate ways that you can imagine. They are there with you in the trenches--and that's no small feat! They understand your stress because they are stressed themselves--but they are there because they care. Everything works smoother when we all choose to support and appreciate each other. Remembering the "golden rule" is always wise--"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
If and when you find yourself facing a loved one being hospitalized, your journey will be easier if you take these rules to heart. Not only for your benefit, but the patient will probably have a better recovery too--and isn't that what we're all after?
Veronica Baum is a freelance writer based in the Cleveland, OH area. Also a registered nurse, wife and mother of four.
My writing primarily deals with personal accounts of difficulty, abuse and health issues-and fabulous ways you can overcome them! I choose to focus on ways to improve your quality of life-and joy-while dealing with the everyday struggles of marriage, parenting and career.
How do you meet all of the demands in your world, while still satisfying that still, small voice in your gut telling you what you are called to do in this life? How do you get to the point of decision to not carry around old baggage anymore, leaving it at the nearest Goodwill drop-off instead? These are the issues my writing addresses. I've been there, and I've done that-now I want to share what I've learned. Inspiration, self-help, encouragement and hope are my main themes.
As a registered nurse, I see many people in this situation every day. Oh sure, their intentions are usually good. They come to support, grieve and fight for those that they love--but nothing can and will make a nurse crazier (and possibly slow down the recovery of the patient) than breaking a few simple ground rules. What are they? I'm glad you asked! Nurses are never happier than seeing the patients we have invested ourselves in get better and go home to happy and functional lives. To hopefully speed up the process and increase the chances of a good outcome, here are ten things you should and shouldn't do when visiting the hospital.
1. Please, please, please! I am begging you--DO NOT bring children (especially small children) to the hospital, unless it is absolutely necessary! Don't underestimate the sincerity of this plea! Nothing haunts me like the vision of little junior playing on grandma's hospital room floor! Where do sick people go? To the hospital. What do sick people have? GERMS! Yeah, if there is a germ on this planet it will most likely be found in a hospital--especially on the floors. Not only do little-ones not have the immune systems that you and I have, but they are more prone to picking up nasty bugs because they like to put everything in their mouths, lick their fingers, stick their fingers in their eyes...you get my drift.
2. Please don't bring outside food, snacks or drinks in to the patient without first clearing it with the nursing staff. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get Uncle Bob's sugar under control and finding the family has been sneaking in Snicker bars and 2-liters of Pepsi! What about Mom? Suppose she just had a cardiac bypass, but her family brought her a big-ol' hamburger because she was craving it "SO BAD"? Let's talk about the stroke patient who has been having trouble swallowing. The doctor has written an order for soft foods, but the family brings him in his favorite homemade meatloaf (to boost his spirits) and feeds him on the sly. Not only can this person choke, but if even a little of this goes down the wrong pipe he or she can end up with pneumonia. Trust me, this isn't a case of the nurses being mean or too strict--it's a matter of caring about what happens to the patient.
3. Don't use the patient's bathroom. Because of certain privacy issues, it's not always common knowledge all of the things that are wrong with your loved one. Perhaps they have a really nasty virus that you can easily pick up from using their toilet. You certainly don't want to end up in the bed down the hall! On the flip side, if their immune system is weakened for any reason, you could just as easily infect them.
4. Check with the nurse to make sure the patient can receive flowers. Nothing is a bigger shame than to see a big, beautiful (and expensive) floral arrangement sitting on the counter at the nurses station because the patient is unable to have it in their room. Certain conditions--headaches or certain respiratory problems for example--can be made much worse by smells or allergens. This is a good reason to also think about what perfumes or scented lotions you're wearing before visiting.
5. No pets. It doesn't matter how much Mom misses Fluffy, Fido or little Pickles, please don't bring pets to the hospital. There are many reasons for this: infection, allergens, risk of injury, etc. Instead, it might be a better idea to take a few gorgeous pictures of poochie or kitty to sit by the patients bed.
6. Try to keep the noise level down. I know that being around family and friends can make for a good time (no matter where you are), but there really are people in adjoining rooms (and what about your loved one too?) who don't feel good. Trust me, no one wants to be the jerk nurse who has to walk in and ask you to quiet down. Enjoy yourselves, but try to be considerate.
7. If it's time for medications or procedures, please be polite and offer to step out of the room. This just makes things more comfortable for everyone involved. Wouldn't you want the same consideration during one of the most vulnerable times of your life?
8. Try to observe visiting hours. It's not lost on the staff that are are times when it's necessary to visit late at night. But if Grandma is only in for a night or two for a toe infection, do you really don't need to visit at 2:00 in the morning? Not only is it impolite, but it's a matter of security. We don't know who you are when you come traipsing into the unit in the middle of the night!
9. Try to choose one family member to be the contact person. Imagine with me this scenario: nurse enters patient's room to give medications, but has to stop half-way through to answer phone. Family member wants an update, nurse happily gives one. Nurse re-enters patient's room to finish med pass, also tries to take patient to bathroom. Has to either return patient to bed or leave patient unattended in bathroom because there is another call. A different family member wants the same update. Nurse complies and then returns to room to help clean patient up (or whatever). Nurse quickly becomes frustrated because she can't care for the patient properly after being called to the phone by yet another family member wanting the same update. Multiply this by eight or nine patients and you can see what a difficult position the nurse is in. Of course you want to check on your loved one--no one doubts that! But the best idea is to choose one family member to be the contact/spokesperson. It will be that person's job to call for an update, and then pass on the info to the family. This makes it easier on everyone involved, and also makes it much easier to give our patients the care they need.
10. Last, but certainly not least! Appreciate your nurses! When you find yourself in a stressful, emotionally draining situation it's easy to take things or people for granted. It's also easy to snap at people. Please know that a nurse is a nurse for a reason. Nurses are human too, and can have good days and bad days. Overall, nurses are in this profession because they really do want to help. They spend their days caring for people in the most intimate ways that you can imagine. They are there with you in the trenches--and that's no small feat! They understand your stress because they are stressed themselves--but they are there because they care. Everything works smoother when we all choose to support and appreciate each other. Remembering the "golden rule" is always wise--"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
If and when you find yourself facing a loved one being hospitalized, your journey will be easier if you take these rules to heart. Not only for your benefit, but the patient will probably have a better recovery too--and isn't that what we're all after?
Veronica Baum is a freelance writer based in the Cleveland, OH area. Also a registered nurse, wife and mother of four.
My writing primarily deals with personal accounts of difficulty, abuse and health issues-and fabulous ways you can overcome them! I choose to focus on ways to improve your quality of life-and joy-while dealing with the everyday struggles of marriage, parenting and career.
How do you meet all of the demands in your world, while still satisfying that still, small voice in your gut telling you what you are called to do in this life? How do you get to the point of decision to not carry around old baggage anymore, leaving it at the nearest Goodwill drop-off instead? These are the issues my writing addresses. I've been there, and I've done that-now I want to share what I've learned. Inspiration, self-help, encouragement and hope are my main themes.
Choosing the right veterinary hospital
Choosing the right veterinary hospital for you and your pet is almost as important as actually choosing your pet! It's a good idea to choose the hospital before you choose your new pet. That way if you have a sudden emergency, you will not have the added stress of picking a veterinary hospital on the spot. Start your search by asking family and friends for recommendations. Doing this helps you begin to narrow down the hospitals. Once you have done that, visit the hospitals that are on your list.
Here are some things to keep in mind during your visits to potential veterinary hospitals:
• Office hours: Be sure to notice if there are regular office hours and make sure that the hours work with your schedule. Also make sure you find out who covers the hospital when the veterinarian is not available.
• Professional staff: The attitude of the staff is very important when choosing a hospital. Take notice of how routine phone calls are handled. Find out if you can request appointments with specific veterinarians and most importantly, make sure that you feel comfortable talking to the entire staff.
• Services: Some hospitals offer services that others do not. Find out what kinds of services are offered at the hospital you're visiting.
• Emergency care: Not all veterinary hospitals handle emergencies, especially after hours. If the hospital doesn't handle during or after hour emergencies, find out if they have an affiliate hospital where they send their patients to in the case of an emergency.
• Fees and payment: Find out what types of payment the hospital accepts. Also, are payments required on the day of a visit, or can you use a payment plan?
• Professional affiliations: Find out if the veterinarians are part of any national veterinary associations.
• Facility: Take a tour of the hospital and make sure that it looks clean and orderly. Also, check for any foul odors.
Once you have made sure that the hospital facilities meet your standards and expectations, you want to make sure that you are comfortable with the veterinarian as well. You should be able to comfortably communicate with your pet's doctor. Make sure that you feel that you can ask questions and that the answers are clearly explained. Your relationship with your veterinarian is essential to your pet's health. Your pet cannot tell the doctor when something is not right, so you need to be able to.
Choosing the right veterinary hospital is an important step in choosing a new pet. Be sure to carefully choose your hospital. Be sure that your pet is going to be as important to the veterinarian as it is to you!
Here are some things to keep in mind during your visits to potential veterinary hospitals:
• Office hours: Be sure to notice if there are regular office hours and make sure that the hours work with your schedule. Also make sure you find out who covers the hospital when the veterinarian is not available.
• Professional staff: The attitude of the staff is very important when choosing a hospital. Take notice of how routine phone calls are handled. Find out if you can request appointments with specific veterinarians and most importantly, make sure that you feel comfortable talking to the entire staff.
• Services: Some hospitals offer services that others do not. Find out what kinds of services are offered at the hospital you're visiting.
• Emergency care: Not all veterinary hospitals handle emergencies, especially after hours. If the hospital doesn't handle during or after hour emergencies, find out if they have an affiliate hospital where they send their patients to in the case of an emergency.
• Fees and payment: Find out what types of payment the hospital accepts. Also, are payments required on the day of a visit, or can you use a payment plan?
• Professional affiliations: Find out if the veterinarians are part of any national veterinary associations.
• Facility: Take a tour of the hospital and make sure that it looks clean and orderly. Also, check for any foul odors.
Once you have made sure that the hospital facilities meet your standards and expectations, you want to make sure that you are comfortable with the veterinarian as well. You should be able to comfortably communicate with your pet's doctor. Make sure that you feel that you can ask questions and that the answers are clearly explained. Your relationship with your veterinarian is essential to your pet's health. Your pet cannot tell the doctor when something is not right, so you need to be able to.
Choosing the right veterinary hospital is an important step in choosing a new pet. Be sure to carefully choose your hospital. Be sure that your pet is going to be as important to the veterinarian as it is to you!
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