While they may not be as popular as the surgeons that most TV shows and movies are fond of featuring, anesthesiologists definitely belong to the top roster of the medical world’s doctors and specialists. An anesthesiologist career is one of the top-paying professions in the medical field today and certainly one of the most rewarding careers in the world. Not that that should matter or anything like that.

What is an Anesthesiologist?

Well, they may not often be the most dominant and noticeable people inside the surgery room, but believe it or not, anesthesiologists are as important as the surgeons in the success of every surgery and operation. As an anesthesiologist, you would be playing a lead role in ensuring the safety and survival of the patient before, during and after surgical procedure. As most medical practitioners would know, an anesthesiologist career is one that would be dedicated to guiding one’s patient through the dreadful process of a surgery, often through long hours of dedication and concentration.

Of course, the primary task of an anesthesiologist is the administration of anesthetics (local, general or regional) to the patient in preparation for surgery. Aside from this, however, it is also an anesthesiologist’s task to manage and supervise the patient’s vital signs during surgery. An anesthesiologist has the capacity to terminate an operation if it proves to be detrimental to the patient’s safety. Responsibility does not end with the surgery; it will be the anesthesiologist’s duty to guide a patient through his or her recovery until the time of hospital discharge.

Anesthesiologist Salary

As mentioned in the previous paragraphs, an anesthesiologist career is one of the top-paying careers today. An anesthesiologist’s salary could climb up to $300,000 a year, which is much higher than those of general physicians’. This, indeed, would be definitely worth all those years of training and studying and, well, more training.

A vital part of your anesthesiologist career is starting it right through the proper selection of the medical school for your education. Aspiring medical students should try to choose an accredited college or university for their degree and as much as possible and go for the schools with better training facilities.

How to Become an Anesthesiologist

Like other medical professions, an anesthesiologist career requires a long and intensive training and education. If you’ve decided to pursue an anesthesiologist career, you need to take a four-year pre-medicine undergraduate program at an accredited school. Studying a pre-med program demands you to be intimate with science-based subjects like biology, psychology, chemistry, anatomy, among others.

After an undergraduate program, you have to pass the Medical College Admissions Test, or the MCAT, in order to enter medical school where your training as an anesthesiologist would begin. Med school typically lasts four years, which is followed by enrollment into a residency program for another four years. Residency could be followed with another year of training through a fellowship program which will let you pursue a specialization.

You just have to remember, though, that an anesthesiologist’s education doesn’t stop at school – it is continuous as you need to keep yourself updated in the recent developments in anesthetics technology and in surgical procedures.

There is a steady demand for anesthesiologists in the country today and the healthcare industry continues to expand and develop. You could start your anesthesiologist career in hospitals, surgical hubs or through private practices. Aside from these opportunity options, you could also opt for a career as a member of the medical academe. Or, if you’re more inclined to action and combat service, the military is also another option for you to practice your profession.

February 21, 2012 at 3:33 pm | No comment

A day in the life of an emergency medicine career is generally fast-paced and pressure-laden and calls for someone who can make time-sensitive decisions during critical emergency situations. If hospitals are battlefields, emergency physicians are the soldiers at the front, the ones who see the immediate and first stages of the action. You’ll be dealing with life and death here and, often, the decision whether the war could be won (that is, if the patient reaches the ICU or unfortunately expires at the ER room), lies on your hands.

What is Emergency Medicine?

An emergency medicine career will lead you to a job with flexible hours but one that demands intensive training and teamwork coupled with leadership skills. Nonetheless, it is also one of the most rewarding jobs in the professional field. Well, are you up to the challenge of taking care of patients whose reasons for being rushed into the hospital could vary from suicidal acts to poisoning to accidents? Think you could handle the pressure? Yes? Well, congratulations! A career to be spent on saving people’s lives at the right moment and at the right time might indeed be the perfect career for you.

Okay, for starters, emergency medicine is actually a pretty much new field in the medical community though it is, undoubtedly, one of the fastest expanding. It is also one of the most promising fields today in terms of opportunities and rewards. Indeed, employment opportunities are piping up, the market is not so that highly-competitive so you’ll surely find a job relatively easily, and the salary is comparatively high. Of course, the adrenaline rush and the heroic overtones (from saving someone’s live from immediate threat) are also bonuses that make an emergency medicine career one of the most interesting career paths today.

Emergency Medicine Salary

Jobs in an emergency medicine career could yield salaries that often lie in the middle range of all medical career salary rankings. For example, as an emergency physician, you could be earning less than a surgeon but your salary could be higher than that of a general physician’s or a pediatrician’s.

It is interesting to note that how much you’ll earn could depend much on the type of employment that you choose; that is, whether you will work at a hospital or with an independent contractor. Generally, most independent contractors would earn much because they can avoid the employer’s deduction, but this employment, of course, also has its advantages and disadvantages.

To maximize the opportunities coming your way, it would be wise to network with other medical professionals as most job openings would be listed on open advertisements.

How to Acquire a Degree in Emergency Medicine

Well, most undergraduate universities and medical schools in the country offer course works and programs for those who are interested in pursuing a career on this field. A minimum of 3 years in undergraduate courses is a requirement for admission medical school. Although there is no specific undergraduate degree required for a medical school admission, it would be wiser to opt for the science-based undergraduate programs like pre-medicine and biology-related courses. The coursework at medical school would pretty much lean towards science subjects such as biology, chemistry, psychology and anatomy, among others.

Medical school will usually take up to 4 years, often divided into 2 phases – the first two years would be pre-clinical and the next two would be mainly clinical and hands-on training. Residency after med school is also a vital requirement for your training and may pave the way to your specialty, if you ever decide to pursue one. A emergency medicine practitioner could specialize in a path such as toxicology, dealing with emergency cases involving poison ingestion and excessive chemical exposure. Other specializations include ultrasounds and hyperbaric medicine.

February 15, 2012 at 3:33 pm | No comment

Neurology is all about the human body’s nervous system. The nervous system is composed of two parts – the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The spinal cord and brain belong to the central nervous system. The brain controls all the organs and systems in the body allowing humans to function properly while the spinal cord is composed of nerves that connects the brain to the body. On the other hand, the peripheral nervous system consists of neurons that carry electric impulses to the body. When the nervous system ceases to function properly, people seek the assistance of neurologists. They are doctors in the field of neurology. Their expertise is the nervous system.

A Neurologist career can either be in the form of a principal care provider or someone referred to as a specialist and consultant to other physicians. As a principal care provider, a neurologist will treat patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease to name a few. If functioning as a consultant, the neurologist will diagnose and treat a patient with a neurological disorder and then recommend actions for his primary physician, who is in charge of his overall healthcare.

What Do Neurologists Do?

Neurologists perform neurological examinations on a patient. Tests include an examination on the vision, coordination, strength, sensation and reflexes. Some tests also require detailed information about the patient’s cognitive abilities like speech and language as well as memory. The tests will aid the neurologist in determining if the patient is suffering from any neurological disease. Special tests that neurologists use in making a diagnosis include: computerized axial tomography (CAT scans), electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Other neurologists also use a spinal tap or lumbar puncture to obtain cerebrospinal fluid and EMG/NCV or electromyography and nerve conduction velocity testing to examine the muscles and nerves.

Although neurologists diagnose and treat neurological diseases, they do not perform surgical operations. They merely recommend what surgical treatment is necessary to a neurosurgeon. Aside from diagnosis and treatment, neurologists also prescribe medication for neurological disorders, advise their patients to seek other medical expert whenever necessary, and interpret the results of neurological examinations.

Neurologist Salary

Pursuing a career in neurology can also be financially rewarding. Recent studies reveal that the demand for neurologists is on the rise. There are also numerous career opportunities to choose from depending on one’s specialty. A neurologist can earn more than $200,000 in a year.

How to Become a Neurologist

Like any other medical profession, being a neurologist requires discipline and perseverance. It demands long years of studying. It requires four years of undergraduate study of any pre-medicine or science based degree. After graduation, another four years is needed for medical school. When you are finished with medical school, you need to complete internship training and three years specialized training in movement disorder, stroke and epilepsy among others. They also need to pass the medical board examination and obtain certification in neurology in the state they intend to practice their profession. Aside from the educational requirement, neurologists must also be willing to work long hours and be ready to be on call twenty-four/seven. They need to possess outstanding communication skills, emotional maturity and empathy to be able to deal with patients effectively.

A career in neurology opens new doors that can be both rewarding and challenging. The work of a neurologist revolves around diagnosis and treatment of patients. Neurologists often work in hospitals and clinics. Some of them are engage in private practice and maintain their own private clinics. There are also those employed by different universities as teachers. Neurologists may also opt to specialize in other fields of neurology. This requires extra training. Other fields in neurology that can be pursued include geriatric neurology, pediatric neurology, neuroradiology, neurosurgery and clinical neurophysiology.

If you are seriously considering a career in neurology, then you must study hard to get good grades. Prepare to read everything and anything about the human brain and behavior. It also helps if you take subjects in psychology since neurology also deals with behavioral and cognitive disorders. You can also add subjects on biology, chemistry, pharmacology and anatomy. A permanent job in a healthcare setting or volunteer work is also advisable. This enables you to meet people in the field of neurology and gain experience from people with neurological disorders. Volunteer work can also help in your application to enter medical school.

February 9, 2012 at 3:33 pm | 1 comment

Are you interested in pursuing a career in oncology? If yes, you need to understand what oncology is. It is a branch of medicine dealing with cancer and tumors. It involves the diagnosis and treatment of cancer among patients as well as palliative care. Medical professionals who specialize in oncology are called oncologists. The diagnosis and treatment of cancer requires oncologists to review a patient’s medical history, location and stage of cancer as well as specific symptoms of the disease. Diagnosis is usually made through various tests such as blood tests, x-rays, biopsies, ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans.

What Do Oncologists Do?

As for the treatment, oncologists provide their patients with different options like hormone treatment, radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. However, the work of an oncologist does not end in cancer diagnosis and treatment. They are also required to monitor their patients after treatment and treat other issues associated with cancer like depression, pain, nausea and fatigue.

Aside from having an expertise in oncology, oncologists also need to develop good communication skills to allow them to empathize and work with their patients effectively. Cancer patients are going through a difficult process. They are experiencing mixed emotions so it is important to have a doctor whom they can not only depend for treatment but also inspire them to go on. Oncologists also need to advise their patients to observe preventive measures to fight cancer.

Oncologist Salary

Being an oncologist requires more than an expertise in oncology. Since they are dealing with persons diagnosed with cancer, oncologists must possess good personal skills. They must be able to empathize with their patients while remaining objective. They also need to be compassionate and always ready to make quick decisions. Oncology doctors are one of the highest paid professionals with an average annual salary ranging from $200,000 to more than $300,000.

How to Become an Oncologist

The first step in becoming an oncologist is graduating in college with a Bachelor’s degree in sciences or public health. After graduation, he must pass the Medical College Admission test and enroll in a medical school program. The test score must be submitted with an application to any medical school.

Upon admission, you are to attend and finish medical school. This takes another four years. The first two years in medical school involves classroom and laboratory education and includes courses on biochemistry, anatomy and pathology. The last two years are dedicated for rotations in various clinics and hospitals.

After graduating, a student is required to complete an internship and residency program. A residency program in the specialty you might choose usually lasts for another three to four years. When the residency program is completed, you take board certification as well as the licensure examinations for oncologists.

An oncologist also has to continuously update his or her license and be familiarized with new developments in the field of oncology by attending seminars and classes. It is also recommended to take fellowship programs to train you as certified specialist.

An oncologist can specialize in more than one area of oncology and treatment of cancer. He can combine two different treatments to cure a patient. Additional training in other methods of treatment can also be acquired. Career opportunities in oncology range from generalist positions to those with subspecialties in pediatric oncology, gynecological oncology, oncology surgeon and radiation oncology. The general oncologist treats patients diagnosed with cancer by creating a treatment plan which may include surgical and non surgical procedures. A gynecologic oncologist treats female patients only. They have usually completed training as gynecologist/obstetrician. Pediatric oncology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer affecting patients below eighteen years old. Oncology surgery involves the removal of cancer tumors through a surgical process while radiation oncology refers to the cancer treatment using technology that is similar to an x-ray.

A career in oncology is not an easy path to follow. It entails a lot of discipline, studying and hard work. Although oncologists are one of the highest paid in the medical profession, it is also one of the most stressful and demanding line of work. So before deciding on pursuing it, assess yourself if you are up to the demands and challenges of the job. It also helps to do volunteer work in the cancer wards of hospitals. This will give you a firsthand experience on how to deal with cancer patients.

February 5, 2012 at 3:15 pm | No comment

A pediatrician is a doctor engaged in the care of children. It provides both medical care and preventive health maintenance to children patients. Pediatricians treat babies from birth to age twenty one years. The work of a pediatrician aims to reduce the mortality rate among infants and children, foster healthy lifestyle and control infectious diseases. Aside from diagnosis and treatment of genetic defects, injuries, infections and organic diseases affecting children and young adults, pediatricians also work for the early detection, prevention and management of disorders in behavior, development and bodily functions.

What is a Pediatrician?

The field of pediatrics is considered to be a collaborative specialty because it requires pediatricians to work with other medical professionals to ensure the physical and emotional well being of children.

When a patient appears to be suffering from symptoms of a more serious health problem, the pediatrician will refer the patient to a specialist to efficiently address the problem. A pediatrician is also in charge of the growth and development of the child, monitoring his body systems as well as administering vaccinations.

The job of a pediatrician requires you to deal not only with the patient but also the parents or guardians. Patience, good communication skills and expertise in pediatrics are the qualifications a pediatrician should possess.

Pediatrician Salary

The salary of a pediatrician usually depends on a number of factors like place of employment, specialization, and years of experience. Generally, pediatricians earn over $100,000 annually. More experienced pediatricians earn more compared to inexperienced ones. Those who have specializations such as neonatology or pediatric cardiology also have higher salaries.

How to Become a Pediatrician

Becoming a pediatrician requires eleven to twelve years of studying after graduating from high school. A person desiring a career in pediatrics must enroll in a four year pre medicine undergraduate program from any reputable college or university. After graduating, another four years is spent for medical school.

An applicant is required to pass the Medical College Admission Test before he can be accepted in medical school. The four year education on Doctor of Osteopathy or Doctor of Medicine program focuses on the various healthcare and medical practices. The program includes courses in medical ethics, psychology, pharmacology, anatomy and pathology.

Another three years is required for an internship/residency program in pediatrics. Residency programs allow the student to experience hands on training under the guidance of licensed pediatricians. Additional years of residency are required in cases of specialized fields in pediatrics such as pediatric surgery. Before one can practice his profession, he needs to pass a medical licensure examination. After passing the examination, he can now apply for a medical license in the state he intends to practice.

There are many career opportunities in the field of pediatrics. Aside from those engaged in primary care of the needs of children, there are also those who specialize in other fields of pediatrics such as cardiology, adolescent medicine, emergency medicine, critical care medicine, endocrinology, neonatal or perinatal medicine, pulmonology and oncology among others. Pediatricians can work in public or private hospitals or maintain their own private practice. Others work in health maintenance organizations or in medical schools as lecturers or professors.

If you love children and want to pursue a career in pediatrics, then you need to prepare not only for the long years of education and training it requires but also for the long work hours the job demands. A typical pediatrician works for fifty four hours in a week and sees an average of ninety five patients. It requires you to be on call in case of emergencies involving your patients. If working in a hospital, aside from direct patient care, you might also be required to see patients admitted in the hospital as well as perform administrative work, giving medical advice over the telephone, doing paperwork and teaching new medical interns in the hospital.

Becoming a pediatrician or doctor for that matter entails a lot of hard work and responsibility. Although many people want to pursue a medical profession, it is a type of job not meant for every body. To succeed as a pediatrician, you need to study hard. Your scholastic record is one of the primary considerations of medical schools in accepting applicants. Furthermore, do not just settle for pediatrics alone. Expand your knowledge and expertise. Complete fellowship trainings on the various specialized fields on pediatrics as well as additional certificates on sports medicine, medical toxicology, neurodevelopmental disabilities and pediatric transplant hepatology.

February 3, 2012 at 3:15 pm | No comment

A career in dermatology could definitely be one of the most glamorous careers that one could find in the medical profession. Well, dermatologists aren’t celebrities (though some would emerge from the pack every now and then and achieve such status, however momentary), but they’re certainly the physicians who would often brush elbows with the rich and the famous. Indeed, a dermatologist career is one of awesome compensation and loads of perks.

What is a Dermatologist?

Although they’re getting pretty much popular these days as ‘anti-aging’ experts and ‘cosmetic specialists’ (thanks to the barrage of advertisements of those age-defying creams and lotions that love to put ‘dermatologist-approved’ labels on their products), dermatologists are the professionals who had undergone rigorous training to address the human population’s concern and issues regarding skin, nails and hair care.

A dermatologist’s prime training is based on proper caring of the skin, hair, and nails as well as extensive knowledge on diseases and infections affecting these body parts – including cancers – and their treatments. A dermatologist is the right professional to diagnose possible diseases on your skin and conduct the necessary treatments and therapies to address such problems.

Aside from treating skin, nail and hair diseases, however, a dermatologist is also capable to conduct aesthetic enhancement and surgery procedures to improve one’s skin appearance. Often, this would include acne treatment, anti-aging procedures, botox injections, among others. Well, this is the part of a dermatologist career that lets them get in touch with the rich and the famous and is often one of the perks of the job.

Dermatologist Salary

Indeed, one of the other perks of a dermatologist’s job is that it is more flexible when it comes to schedules. Since most skin problems do not require immediate and emergency attention, dermatologists seldom, if not never, experience sudden calls for their service. A dermatologist has more control of his/her schedule and can decide on his/her office hours’ allocation. Of course, it does not even need mentioning that a dermatologist’s salary, like most physician jobs, is a handsome one and the median annual income in the United States is around $200,000.

How to Become a Dermatologist

So, are you interested on a dermatologist career? Well, if you are planning to pursue a career on dermatology, you have to be prepared on the demands of a medical school education. Like all medical doctor professions, getting a degree in dermatology requires long years of studying and training.

Basically, you have to enroll in a four-year undergraduate program with courses leaning more toward science subjects like chemistry, anatomy, human physiology, biology, among others. After earning your undergraduate program, you have to pass the Medical College Admission Test and enter into medical school where you have to complete four years of intense education and training. Once you graduate from medical school and obtain and M.D degree, you still have to spend at least three years on a residency program where you will practice your profession. It is important to note that the dermatology field is one of those fields whose residency houses are very few, so admissions are pretty much tight and difficult.

The road to a dermatologist career does not end after finishing your residency program. Of course, to be able to practice your profession, you still have to pass the for the United States Medical Licensing Examination. After that, you also have to pass the test given by the American Board of Dermatologist to get a Board Certification.

Okay, it’s pretty tough to go through medical school, but you know yourself what awaits you after you get your license to practice: a promising dermatologist career with a handsome-paying salary, flexible schedules and perks. Remember to choose accredited universities and head for the best one.

February 1, 2012 at 3:15 pm | No comment

Plastic surgery is considered to be the most glamorous in the field of medicine and plastic surgeons are one of the highest paid medical practitioners. This is due to its popularity among celebrities and well known individuals. Plastic surgery involves the restoration and correction of function and form of the different parts of the human body. It does not only involve cosmetic surgery but also the treatment of burns and other types of surgery such as microsurgery, reconstructive and hand surgery. Doctors who perform these kinds of surgeries are called plastic surgeons. They are engaged in the restructuring or remodeling of specific areas of the body in order to correct a medical defect or as a form of enhancement.

What is Plastic Surgery?

Plastic surgery is divided into two kinds – cosmetic and reconstructive. Cosmetic surgery involves enhancement of a part of the body. The common plastic surgeries are breast augmentation, buttock augmentation, rhinoplasty or nose job, tummy tucks and liposuction. Anti-aging cosmetic procedures like face lifts, collagen injections, cheek and brow lifts are also performed to reverse the signs of aging among patients. On the other hand, reconstructive plastic surgery corrects a medical defect or problem among patients due to traumatic accidents or birth defects. This includes skin grafting, tumor removal, scar repair, cleft palate surgery and otoplasty.

Plastic Surgeon Salary

Career opportunities in plastic surgery are endless. With the rising demand for cosmetic surgery as well as plastic surgery, being in this kind of profession can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding. Plastic surgeons can choose to maintain a public or private practice. By pursuing fellowship trainings, a plastic surgeon can specialize in various subfields of plastic surgery like hand, eyelid and craniofacial surgery, breast reconstruction and hair replacement. Plastic surgeons also need not worry about being on call since most of the procedures involved do not require immediate attention. Plastic surgeons also enjoy high income. Newly licensed plastic surgeons earn as much as one hundred thousand dollars or more in their first year on the job. This amount will even more increase as they gain experience and prominence in the years to come.

How to Become a Plastic Surgeon

The road to a plastic surgeon career is long and challenging. Like any other medical profession, it takes long years of education, training and hard work. The decision to become a plastic surgeon usually begins as early as high school. One must keep a good scholastic record in order to be admitted to reputable colleges and universities. An aspiring medical student needs a four year bachelor’s degree, preferably in science-based or biology-related. After graduating, you have to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test. This is a requirement before admission to medical schools. Another four years is spent in medical school.

The first two years is dedicated to medical training that involves subjects on histology, anatomy, medical ethics, psychology and pathology among others. On the other hand, the remaining two years is for clinical rotations. After finishing your medical degree, you need to complete a surgical residency program under a licensed physician. For plastic surgeon aspirants, you can either follow the independent model or the integrated model. The independent model requires a three year residency on general surgery and another three years for plastic surgery residency while the integrated model involves a six to seven year residency on all surgical training. Upon completion of residency, you need to pass the national board examinations and apply for certification. The certification is renewable every ten years.

Plastic surgery is often perceived as pure vanity. It is more than that. Despite its popularity as a tool to enhance areas of the body, it is also useful in helping people suffering from defects to live normal lives and regain their confidence.

January 27, 2012 at 3:15 pm | No comment

A social worker helps people in crisis by offering them counseling and guidance. They provide their services to children requiring foster homes, unemployed individuals and abandoned elderly people. They assist them to acquire financial support from the government, treatment or education.

What Do Social Workers Do?

Social workers provide counseling for their clients, either one-on-one or in a group. It is important to carefully assess clients to determine what their emotional distresses are. They also create strategies to treat the client. For these strategies to be successful, clients should be motivated to participate on their own.

A social worker is responsible for maintaining patient records. Since a social worker works with a client for a long time, it is important to keep records detailed and accurate. It is also their duty to guide patients in obtaining resources to assist themselves. They also refer clients to therapists, doctors and other health care professionals. Conducting social service programs is also part of a social worker’s duties. Examples of programs include nutrition education, reading skill classes, and work training programs. Aside from the patient, the social worker also includes the family in the management, educating families on ways to deal with their loved ones’ conditions.

Social Worker Salary

The average salary earned by social workers depends of their specialty area. Child, family and school social workers receive an average annual salary of $39,960. A mean wage of $46,300 per year is paid to medical and public health social workers. A mental health and substance abuse social workers earn a median yearly income of $38,200. The average annual salary of other social workers is $49,420.

How to Become a Social Worker

A social worker is required to have a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) to be able to practice. However, for better career opportunities, it is recommended to earn an advanced degree. For instance, to acquire a job in administration or social services policy, a master’s degree in social work is needed. A master’s degree equips social workers with knowledge to handle large caseloads, conduct clinical assessments, assume supervisory functions, and find innovative means of assembling social services. A master’s degree requires an individual to accomplish 900 hours of internship. A doctorate degree is required if one wishes to teach in colleges or universities.

Social workers can take on a number of different jobs. This depends on their area of specialty. A child, family and school social worker assists children and families to develop their roles socially and psychologically. Some social workers provide their service to the elderly population.

Another career opportunity includes policymakers and social work planners. They tackle certain issues such as homelessness, poverty, child abuse, substance abuse and violence. There are also social workers that centers on medical and public health.

They offer psychosocial assistance to individuals with acute, terminal and chronic infirmities. Not only do they coordinate with the patients, but they also involve caregivers and families in the process. With issues related to substance abuse; mental health and substance abuse social workers provide assistance. They render services such as social rehabilitation, outreach, individual and group therapy and crisis intervention.

Important Skills for a Social Worker

As a social worker, one should have skills in recognizing stressors and stressful conditions. Another tip is to apply any knowledge learned in assisting patients. It can really help alleviate the anxiety felt by the client. A social worker should empathize with the feelings of the patient. Don’t be too ambitious. It’s admirable for a social worker to take on a lot of cases. However, if these cases are not addressed efficiently, then it isn’t really admirable. It wouldn’t just cause stress to the clients, but to the social worker himself. Being a social worker is an emotionally demanding job. Make sure to share any problem with someone you consider trustworthy. It can get rid of an immense amount of stress.

January 25, 2012 at 3:03 pm | No comment

A rehabilitation counselor involves working with people suffering from physical, mental or emotional disabilities. These people are assisted to become more independent at home and in the workplace. Rehabilitation counselors establish the support and training needed by patients to overcome their disabilities. They are often found working in schools, public agencies and medical facilities.

What Do Rehabilitation Counselors Do?

Rehabilitation counselors assist their clients handle personal, occupational and social changes of their handicaps by counseling. They determine the strong and weak points in an individual. Assessment is achieved by talking with family, friends, occupational therapists, psychologists, physicians and employers. A rehabilitation counselor will also manage medical treatment, occupational education as well as appointment of jobs. They also have the duty to create a rehabilitation program fitting for the client. This involves training to cultivate the skills needed for their job. They aim to make the client become more self-sufficient.

Rehabilitation Counselor Salary

As of 2008, the median annual income of rehabilitation counselors is $30,930. The lowest average salary per annum is $30,930. On the other hand, the mean annual wage is $56,550. Rehabilitation counselors working in the state government earn a median yearly salary of $45,350. An average income of $38,800 is earned by those employed in the local government. Those working in vocational rehabilitation services earn a mean of $29,060 every year. On the other hand, an average of $28,290 is made of rehabilitation counselors in individual and family services. Rehabilitation counselors working in residential mental health, mental retardation and substance facilities earn a median of $25,950 per annum.

How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor

A rehabilitation counselor requires a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, rehabilitation services or other related fields. The focus of which includes counseling skills, theories and techniques; medical and psychosocial facet of disabilities; environmental, group and individual assessment, technological adaptation, rehabilitation planning, case management, aspects of psychiatric rehabilitation, work adjustment, vocational evaluation, career counseling and job improvement and appointment.

These degrees will provide an individual with the foundation to broaden knowledge in rehabilitation counseling. Although there are some fresh graduates that get employed for this job, it is still advised to continue education. For instance, if one takes a master’s degree in psychology, he/she will be equipped with the knowledge that can make him/ her be a more efficient rehabilitation counselor.

In addition, acquiring additional education offers better career opportunities and higher earnings. Even if the demand for this type of career is increasing, certification has not been standardized. There are some states and countries that simply require a degree in psychology and counseling to be able to practice legally. There are also others that require rehabilitation counselors to pass a licensure examination.

There are a number of career opportunities for rehabilitation counselors. State rehabilitation programs are in dire need of rehabilitation counselors.
Requirements include a master’s degree in special education, rehabilitation counseling or other associated fields; and eligibility to take the certification exam. With college disability specialists/ counselors; their main roles include addressing the needs of handicapped students. The services provided are computer access, liaison, counseling, referral services, equipment loan, notetakers and in-service awareness programs.

Technological support is also provided by rehabilitation counselors; which include assistive listening gadgets, adaptive computer technology, talking calculators, tactile maps of the campus and wheelchairs. Disabled students are assisted in acquiring information regarding their special care. Different kinds of disabilities can be catered to; for instance, sensorial disabilities, psychological disabilities, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

Important Skills for a Rehabilitation Counselor

If you are considering this type of career, you must be equipped with qualities of a good counselor. One must have compassion and patience. One should also be able to communicate well with clients, as well as other team members. A love of learning is always useful. Aside from a bachelor’s degree, it is highly recommended to take post graduate courses to better one’s knowledge in counseling.

January 23, 2012 at 3:03 pm | No comment

A psychiatrist is a physician that focuses on mental health and mental disorders. Some people mistaken psychiatrist for psychologists. Although these careers have some similarities, they are certain distinctions that separate the two. A career in psychiatry requires an individual to hold a medical degree; thus, they are licensed to prescribe drugs in treating psychological problems. Just like any doctor, psychiatrists treat their patients by conducting medical examinations and requesting diagnostic assessments.

What is a Psychiatrist?

The main responsibility of psychiatrists is to treat mental disorders. They perform assessments of the client’s symptom, determine its cause, and arrive at a fitting diagnosis. They communicate with their patients to understand their condition and to establish ways of addressing it. In order to treat their patients, psychiatrists prescribe medication and/ or therapy. It’s also their task to determine if these treatments are effective and if they are used properly.

There are a variety of specialty areas for psychiatrists. For instance, adult psychiatrist deals with adults who have mental disorders or are experiencing psychological concerns. Adolescent and child psychiatrists focus on treating children and teens. A geriatric psychiatrist practices psychiatry with the elderly. Another specialty area includes addiction psychiatry which attends to individuals with addiction or problems with substance abuse. Forensic psychiatry focuses on mentally-ill patients in the criminal justice system and courts. Neuropsychiatrists deal with mental illness related to problems in the nervous system. Organizational psychiatrists apply their practice in occupation-related mental disorders.

Psychiatrist Salary

The average annual salary of psychiatrist amounts to about $163,660. An average annual salary of $190,340 is made by psychiatrists who practice in outpatient centers. Those who work in offices get an average annual salary of $154,650. This is expected since education and training of psychiatrists require around ten years to be completed.

How to Become a Psychiatrist

First and foremost, any individual considering a career in psychiatry needs to attend undergraduate school. This allows an individual to be eligible for medical schools. A recommended course to take is psychology; however, they aren’t any certain majors specified. The undergraduate curriculum should include courses such Biology, Physics, Chemistry and even Humanities, English and Math.

Individuals who want to be a psychiatrist should then apply to medical school, which is completed in a period of four years. Students will be learning how to render medical examinations as well as how to give a proper diagnosis. The courses for psychiatry include anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and pathology.

As soon as one earns their medical degree, they will undergo residency training for a minimum of four years. Novice psychiatrists are offered compensated medical practice in health institutions. Their residencies include rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics and emergency medicine. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), psychiatrist must be able to pass a licensure examination before legally beginning their practice. Requirements for licensure and measures to maintain it may differ depending on the state. Reciprocity between states may be permitted in certain licenses. Registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration and a license in federal narcotics is also needed for psychiatrists to be able to prescribe drugs. An alternative for psychiatrists is to train in subspecialties such as neuropsychiatry or addiction psychiatry.

Majority of psychiatrists are employed in mental health clinics, hospitals, universities and government offices. There are also some that are self-employed. Around 60% of a psychiatrist’s time is spent on dealing with their patients. Other responsibilities of a psychiatrist involve consultation, teaching, administration and research. Due to increasing mental health awareness, it is expected that the demand for psychiatrists will increase mainly in subspecialty areas. The most popular subspecialties include geriatric psychiatry and child psychiatry. Since psychiatry is quite competitive, it is essential for students to attain high grades.

Important Skills for a Psychiatrist

If you are interested in a career in psychiatry, then remember that it is always important to respect patients. They may have mental problems but they still deserve to be treated with dignity. There’s no need to be afraid of mentally ill patients. Mental illness isn’t contagious. This career may be emotionally stressful so don’t forget to laugh.

January 21, 2012 at 3:02 pm | No comment