Milford Montessori Home School Resource Guide

A career as an x-ray technician might be well worth looking into if you’re a techno-geek who wants to work in the health care setting. For years, the standard method of diagnosing disease and illnesses has been the x-ray machine. This age old machine is reliable, fast and efficient and doctors have always enjoyed being able to use the x-ray films as a standard tool for deciding on what therapy to use on their patients.

Radiology as a diagnostic tool has been around for years. X-ray technicians prepare patients for the procedure, by informing the patient on what to expect during the process and answering questions the clients may have about the procedure. Before they perform the x-ray, technicians must perform their own mini physical assessment and make sure that there are no metallic objects found on the client as metallic objects have a tendency to disturb the results. They must also take it upon themselves to ask whether the client is expecting or is currently pregnant. Radiation beams are extremely dangerous on an unborn child.  X- ray technicians should also be careful when exposing themselves to radiation. They must always respect protocol and wear lead aprons as the material prevents radiation from being directly absorbed by the body. In many cases, x-ray technicians are highly at risk for developing certain types of cancer because of the nature of their work. It takes years for the side effects of radiation to develop, but the results are almost always fatal. Their job depends on their ability to stick to the protocol of strictly wearing lead aprons as the life they save could be theirs.

A career as an x-ray technician is challenging to say the least. Not everyone enjoys having so many technical details to memorize, but it’s always been all about personal preferences. The job of an x-ray technician is best suited to people who love to form interpersonal relationships with people.

There are many places where x-ray technicians can work in. They can work in public health centers, private owned diagnostic centers, physician’s clinic and hospitals. The highest paid x-ray technicians are those who work in the hospitals, but these technicians also run the risk of being called late at night to perform emergency x-ray procedures.

The salary for x-ray technicians is quite high due to the risks they put themselves through because of their jobs. However, there are a lot of factors that can affect an x-ray technician’s salary, these include the number of years he has worked, the type of facility he is working for and the educational level he has attained.

X-ray technician schools offer 2 educational pathways for those who are interested. The two year associate’s degree course is the standard educational requirement in order to obtain a certificate as an x-ray technician. The 4 year baccalaureate program is easily the most desirable educational attainment as the salary is exceptionally better and there is still room for much career growth as an administrator.

Nail technician’s clean, shapes and polishes the fingernails and toenails. They groom cuticles and apply massages to the hands and feet. A lot of nail technicians are good in nail arts and decorating their customers nails using glitters, ornaments and stencils. Nail technicians are also called as manicurists, pedicurist and nail artists. Nail technicians work at a manicurist table and chair across their clients. Their work includes the use of finger bowls, electric heaters, wet sanitizers, alcohol, nail sticks and files, cuticle instruments, nail polish and remover, creams, oils and so on.

A standard manicure procedure involves the removal of old polish, shaping nails, softening the cuticles and trimming it, cleansing and drying the nails, apply polish and hand lotion. Nail technicians should always follow a sanitary procedure at their stations following each manicure, like sanitizing instruments, discarding used materials and so on. Usually, manicures for men are more conservative than the women. This process is also similar but most men would prefer to have their nails cleaned or buffed only. Pedicures has also become one of the popular salon service and just like the manicure, it involves the use of a low stool and an ottoman for the clients feet.

Nail technicians also provide other services like the application of artificial nails. There are a number of techniques used depending on the individual’s preferences and nail characteristic. Some of these techniques are nail wrapping, nail tipping, nail dipping and sculpturing. Nail technicians also h in repairing broken nails and do fill-ins by using an artificial nail. Nail technicians also takes good care of new or sanitized instruments to prevent the spread of diseases. Because of the rapid grown of this industry, they have been aware of how viruses and fungus can spread. A lot of states have written and passed laws with the use of instruments. Nail technicians are also at risk of exposure to contagious diseases like athlete’s foot and ringworm that is why they need to use gloves. They must also learn how to distinguish diseases that can be treated in salons or those that requires medical attention.

The average nail technician salary may range from $27,000 to $36,000 a year. The employment opportunities for these nail technicians continue to grow three times as fast as the average occupations. With these, there has been a great demand for personal care services for both men and women. Nail technicians also makes an hourly rate of $15 to $20 plus the tips and benefits.

Many states require the nail technicians to be high school graduates. If one is interested in becoming a nail technician, they should consider taking health and anatomy classes. These glasses will give them the basic knowledge in understanding skin and nail conditions. Sine a lot of nail technicians are self employed nowadays, they must take business classes that can help them become successful. They should also take communication classes that will help them hone their speaking and delaing with the public. These will prepare the students for their future work.

It’s no secret that the industry of medicine has a number of rewarding careers. Although it’s demanding and challenging, ripping the rewards financially is something to look forward to. The satisfaction of helping the sick and needy is another reward that could be ripped in working as a phlebotomy technician. If you don’t fear blood but wanted a stable and rewarding career then the field of phlebotomy is worth digging into. A phlebotomy technician draws blood samples from patients and prepares the specimen for medical testing. Most people have fear in drawing out blood so it’s the responsibility of phlebotomy technicians to ease up and comfort the patient or donor. They should develop trust and confidence while drawing out blood. Here are other responsibilities of a phlebotomy technician:

·    Explaining procedures to the donor or the patient
·    Applying pressure bandages after blood is drawn from the donor.
·    Taking blood pressure and other basic pulse reading.
·    Update and keeping track of patients records.
·    Sterilizing and preparing equipments.
·    Sending samples to the laboratory for evaluation.

Phlebotomy technicians are assigned in hospitals or laboratories. Some are on call technicians who travel to the patient’s home to collect sample. You need to have the patience and stamina in working with this field since it is usually spend standing and walking. You should also be comfortable working and interacting with patients. Aspiring phlebotomy technicians could also be assigned during night shifts in large hospitals. You need to be versatile in pursuing this career. This career plays an important role in hospitals or other medical facilities.

If you decide to take on this career then you need to have a high school diploma. Classes in science and math would be an added advantage.  Phlebotomy technician career usually takes up to one year to complete. This could earn you a certificate or diploma. Classes in anatomy, physiology, blood and cell composition, sampling procedures and lab safety are covered on this course. Students will also be provided with hands on training giving them experience in handling or drawing out blood samples in reality. They would also learn various techniques such as venipuncture and butterfly techniques that are used for drawing blood samples for children and old people. Handling of laboratory equipments is also included in this program thus equipping the students with all the knowledge needed in performing the job. Certification is optional for phlebotomy technicians but most employers prefer to hire someone with credentials. You could take on certifications from the governing bodies of phlebotomy. If you pass the accreditation exam then you would earn the title Certified Phlebotomy technician or Registered Phlebotomy Technician. Certified Technicians are required to undergo continuous education to maintain their certifications. One could also increase their marketability by adding additional certification such as a Donor Phlebotomy Technician that allows them to work in blood collection centers.

There are countless opportunities in this field. You just need to gain experience and certifications to increase your paycheck and annual phlebotomy technician salary.  Salary should never be the primary reason for pursuing any career. Be sure to do your research and find out if a career as a phlebotomy tech is right for you. Check out your local vocational schools and become a phlebotomy technician. It’s never too late to train.

The field of surgical technology is now quickly expanding and keeping job growth
higher. If you are looking for a career in the field of healthcare, having a career as a surgical
technologist is a great choice. But what does a surgical technician do? The most common
answer to this question is that surgical technicians assist the surgeon during operation. In an
operation, a surgeon usually has four to five surgical technicians that keep the smooth running
of the operation.

Before choosing this career, the first step is to learn the duties and
responsibilities of surgical technicians. Surgical technicians are also called as operating room
technicians, are part of the operating room team and works under the supervision of the
surgeon. Before the surgery begins, the surgical technician helps in transporting the patient to
the operating room. Then, they will set up the room by arranging the surgical instruments,
liquids, drapes and dressings needed. It is important to double check all equipments if it is
functioning well. It is also a part of their job to assist the surgeon in putting on the gloves and
gown. Preparing the patient like shaving or waxing the incised area to remove any hair present
and disinfecting it after. During the intra-operative phase or the actual surgery, the surgical
technician passes the instruments needed by the surgeon. It is important for every surgical
technician to make sure that the field is sterile. They should also do some sponge and
instrument counts to make sure that all instruments and sponges are complete and nothing is
left inside the patient’s body. After the surgery, the surgical technician helps in transporting the
patient to the recovery room. Then, they will clean all the instruments and the room and
restock all supplies making it ready for the next operation.

The next step in having this profession is to have a surgical technician education.
Surgical technician education is important since it equips the person with all the skills and
knowledge regarding this profession. Surgical technician schools offer programs that can last for
9 months up to 2 years. Prior to admission to a surgical technician school, having a high school
diploma is their must requirement. When enrolled, students are taught in both theoretical and
clinical practices and trainings. The curriculum usually includes topics on anatomy to ethics.
They are also taught with the different uses of instruments and its proper sterilization. Some
preferred to have a certification after graduating from an accredited surgical technician school
and passing the certification exam. Like any other professions, surgical technicians should also
be responsible in attending continuing education to keep them up to date on certain issues and
topics for additional learning.

The surgical technician salary depends on the years of experience, the kind of health
institution, the location of the job, skills and position for the work. Surgical technicians working
in renowned hospitals earn more that those working in smaller hospitals. Surgical technicians
usually have a starting salary of $25,000 to $30,000 a year. But as a person works longer, the
salary also increases.

Medical assistants are considered as one of the most important members of the health care team in hospitals, clinics and other health institutions. They are responsible in a lot of different tasks from assisting the doctor while doing procedures or check-ups and they also do a lot of front desk responsibilities. Nowadays, having a career as a medical assistant will give better opportunities for a person. Most employers today are looking for graduates from an accredited or known program. Having a medical assistant education is being offered in different vocational high schools as well as post secondary schools. Some colleges or universities also provide these programs.

Postsecondary programs let a person obtain a diploma or certification after completing the one year training and those taking up a two year program will earn an associate degree. These medical assistant schools cover a wide range of trainings in certain areas like anatomy and physiology, medical terms, transcription, recording charts and even insurance dealings. These schools also provide practical learning on different laboratory methods and procedures like administering medications, giving first aid and the like. It is also important for these schools to help out and teach the students on proper communication skills, laws and ethics that come with the job. Some are also provided with internships that are needed before completing the requirement in an accredited program in order to expose the students on the clinical field and on the other hand will widen the knowledge and skills that they will have. It is not mandatory that one should take a formal training. But having this one will give better opportunities for a person when looking for a job. And most of these medical assistants have gained and mastered the skills through on the job trainings. So prior to admission in a medical assistant school, the basic requirement needed is by having a high school diploma. Subjects like math, computer, biology and etc are being taught in high school and all of these subjects are prerequisites for this career.

All medical assistants should look presentable- neat and well groomed at all times. They should also learn how to be polite to the client. Medical assistants should also learn how to communicate effectively to their patients and knows how to make them comfortable. Since these medical assistants are dealing with different kinds of people and working with different members of the health care team, he or she must know how to work well hand in hand with them.

The average Medical assistant salary depends on a lot of factors. The salary is higher in some areas where cost of living is also higher. Te said difference is not only seen from one state to another but also from one city within the same state to another. Next factor is the kind of employer where one is working. Salaries in clinics are lower than those who are working in hospitals. Level of education is also another factor that can affect the salary. Those who have training will receive a lower rate compared to those having an associate degree.

Accidents could happen anywhere. You could never predict the time and place. Super heroes only exist on comic books and cartoons but real life heroes who respond directly on emergencies are the Emergency Medical Technicians. If you have the passion of helping people in distress then this is a good career to pursue. The adrenaline and feeling of saving a persons life is indescribable. Emergency Medical Technician’s or EMT provides a vital role in taking care of the sick and injured while transporting into hospitals or medical facilities for extensive care. The life of the patient will depend on the level of competency and response time of the EMT and paramedics.

Enumerated below are the job responsibilities of Emergency Medical Technician’s:

·    Transports and administers first aid to the sick and injured person to a hospital or nearby medical facility.
·    Coordinates with paramedics and other medical emergency members
·    Maintain contact with dispatcher
·    Assist in retrieving the injured person from accident scenes.
·    Determines the level of injury to be able to apply the necessary first aid procedure
·    Constant communication with professional medical personnel to acquire instructions on further treatments while transporting
·    Record information regarding victim’s vital statistics while in emergency.
·    Maintains and replenish medical and first aid supplies for emergency vehicles.
·    Crowd control or protecting other valuables during emergency
·    Sanitize medical vehicle transporting patients with deadly diseases

Pursuing this career path would require a high school diploma or an equivalent certification. Formal education and training is necessary to qualify for this course. Schools may offer an EMT certification or an associate degree. Education and training for EMT’s is done on a progressive level, which is the basic, intermediate, and paramedic. The first level works on the emergency skills of the student. This may include managing trauma, cardiac, and respiratory emergencies. It covers all the basic first aid for certain emergencies and situation.  It is then combined with hands on trainings to enhance the skills of the student. You need to pass a written and practical exam to be able to acquire an EMT basic certification. In the intermediate level, students are taught on more advance first aid skills such as using intravenous fluids, airway devices and medications. The training may vary from state to state. The most advance EMT is the paramedic level where the student is equipped with trainings in anatomy, advance medical skills and physiology. Same as the other levels, you need to pass a certification exam in order to reach it.

The earnings for an emergency medical technician may vary from the level of skill attained. The salary may range from $25,310 to $43,000 annually. More advance EMT’s gain more compared to entry-level graduates. The more skilled and certification you acquire, the greater your benefits and salary. Some EMT’s may earn more due to the geographical location and the employment setting. Better pass all the certification and strive hard for continuous study in order to improve your EMT level quickly.

It’s hard to find a good job especially in times of economic crisis. Choosing from a multitude of careers is confusing resulting in mind breakdowns. You need to consider a career that is highly marketable in the market. The job demand for this career should be in demand. Of course you should also consider the earnings and the level of difficulty the job brings. A field in health care would definitely give you a bright future. There are tons of careers to choose from but only a few offers good compensation. One field that is certainly rising in the job pool is a career as a massage therapist.

People nowadays find ways to relax and unwind. It is part of relieving oneself from stress and anxieties. There are many ways to relax, visiting a massage therapist would ease up your mind and body from the burdens of work. Massage offers countless benefits both physical and mentally. It’s no secret that people spend a lot of money just to get a massage. The benefit of getting a massage is priceless. These could only be performed a skilled and knowledgeable massage therapist.

Massage therapist oversees various kinds of body conditioning. Highly skilled masseurs often possessed knowledge in numerous types of massage techniques. It all depends on what the client wanted. They often administer a massage with the use of massage agents such as alcohol, lubricants, ointment and other substance to make the massage more efficient and soothing to the customer. They may also used certain equipments to aid them in effectively heal a specific part of the body.

Acquiring these skills and knowledge could be done by enrolling in massage therapy schools. You could only be a certified masseur if you have undergone a training program from certified schools. Before enrolling you need to prepare your high school diploma or an equivalent certification. You should endure 6 to 12 months of training for basic medical subjects, theory and practice of massage. Passing a licensure exam is highly significant, since most state require therapist to pass it in order to practice. The exams are easy to pass if you study and work hard. Advance training and certification could earn you the advantage of being hired easily by employers.

If you possessed the money and entrepreneur skills, you could start your own massage facility. This would entitle you to gain more cash although the responsibility would be higher. Compared to therapists who work on an hourly based, owners of facilities have the advantage of earning more and building a great number of clients. If you are still starting then you could always apply on institutes or be self employed. You should have sufficient clients before going self employed or the stability of your cash earnings would be fluctuating. You could earn $60 to $70 an hour from doing an hourly base massage. This does not include tips and extra pays from clients who achieved customer satisfaction. This would allow you to earn even a greater pay.

Criminal justice is a broad system comprising of several administrations or sectors such as a paralegal, and they all have one goal in mind: maintaining the peace and order in a civilized society. These sectors are involved in enforcing laws, judging the guilty and rehabilitating the accused through proper judgment. When the economy suffers, crime rate increases and society’s need for law enforcers is becoming more evident. The job growth for criminal justice careers is expected to rise by 25% throughout the course of the decade. Because information is easier to obtain with the use of World Wide Web, criminals are getting more refined in their tactics. Those who work in criminal justice careers need to be constantly aware of today’s advancing technologies and update their knowledge and skills regularly.

Just about anyone can enter a career in criminal justice. There are numerous positions available ranging from safe office jobs to dangerous undercover missions to on-site detective work. Trainings are often provided for anyone who wants to specialize, but those who want clerical jobs only need a fundamental background in criminal justice.

An Associates degree in criminal justice only takes two years to complete. The graduate can quickly enter a clerical job or build his own career by opening his own office. Private investigators are notorious for opening their own offices so they can work for themselves. Oftentimes, a private investigators job can range from following a spouse suspected of cheating to going deep undercover to find out who’s been pilfering money from a company. Other jobs requiring only an Associates degree include homeland security jobs, working with a forensic team, enforcing juvenile justice, working in the courts and intelligence agencies. Most people use their associate’s degree as a stepping stone for entering the world of criminal justice. Once, they’ve earned enough experience, they continue their education for another 2 years to earn a Bachelors degree. A graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal justice or pursuing a paralegal bachelors degree will learn how to handle positions laden with greater responsibility and focus. Most graduates rise to become great leaders in the community and in their profession. Students who actively pursue a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice are specialized in a given field for advancement. Holders of a Masters degree can teach in various universities and conduct research. The highest educational attainment is a Doctoral Degree in Criminal justice. With this degree one is able to make a strong impact on society by conducting social researches in the field of criminal justice. As there are only a handful of graduates with a doctoral degree, the demand for them is quite strong.

There are some specialty areas in the field of criminal justice as well. These are areas that require previous experience in a certain field or study. An example would be an attorney specializing in criminal justice. The average paralegal salary will be determined on job placement and education. Lawyers can be private lawyers who protect or fight for their client’s rights in court or public defenders- attorneys who are appointed by the court for those who cannot afford the services of a lawyer.

Now that you have managed to get your children through high school  by means of homeschooling, now it is time for them to venture out on their own and think about furthering their education.  No matter what career they may want to pursue a decision has to be made as to whether to go on to a university or college or would it be better if they just enrolled  in a technical school.  Even though college is not for everyone,  we all know that a higher education gives you a better chance of landing a job, especially the way things are going in today’s world.

Since we all know that as adults we must work and so therefore it is imperative that  we  choose a career in something that you love and not just settle for working for a paycheck week to week.  So the question is, do you have a specific career goal in mind and do you want to learn as much as you can about that specific career so as to become an expert at it?   Your answer should be yes.

Also, how will furthering  your education fit into your lifestyle?  Will you be able to afford going off  perhaps a long-distance to learn your trade or would it be simpler if you  lived at home  and maybe took evening classes while holding down a part-time job?  If you chose to go off to a university or college  you’ll probably be spending quite a bit of money as it is quite more expensive than going to a technical school and it will take up at least four years to complete your schooling.  Often times students end up with a degree in an area that they own no longer interested in  and the job market may be slower  upon graduation, thus requiring even more training.

On the other hand, if you choose to go to a technical school  keep in mind that they are more focused on a specific trade or skill,  the duration is shorter, you have flexible scheduling, hands-on training, and a more relaxed atmosphere – not to mention that you can go there for a fraction of the cost of a college of university.  Also, the time spent there is quite a bit less than you would be spending in college.   They focus on preparing students to enter the workforce upon completion of the course.  In fact, in many technical schools, the classroom environment actually looks like the workplace including equipments and tools that resemble those that are used in that particular field. Some great technical courses include not only mechanically inclined jobs such as auto mechanics and hvac, but also include fast track careers such as surgical, veterinary and radiology technicians. A great living can be earned with just a short time spent in higher education courses. The average technician salary can vary, depending on the amount of time a student spends in school learning a particular skill or trade.

If your child does pursue a technical career, he or she may find that they can make a great living with just 1 to 4 years of schooling. Community colleges as well as vocational, technical and universities offer technical classes, but in most cases technical and vocational schools focus solely on the task at hand. If a student wants to learn the career skills of a radiology technician, then that is what they will learn. Technical schools offer very little to distract from the task at hand. With a degree or certificate an individual can expect much higher salaries than a person who only has a high school diploma. To give you an idea, a graduate with an associates degree in radiology can expect to see an average radiology tech salary of at least $30,000 per year starting. This salary will only increase with time and experience that will allow them to gain more work responsibilities and thus more pay.

Another advantage of going to a technical school is that you can take up an internship or externship  as well as an apprenticeship program which will give you some hands on experience in a real world setting.    So in short,  whichever route you decide to take, follow the demands of your personality.  If your main focus is that of specializing in your vocation and landing a job right away,  a trade or technical school would be by far the best answer for you.