How Long Does It Take to Become a Clinical Chemist

As clinical chemists their work is to conduct investigative tests on the patient’s blood and body fluids and convey their findings to the specialist doctor who draws his own conclusions to suggest a cure. They are employed wherever there is a laboratory for conducting tests, as in the universities, pharmaceutical industries and pathology centers. The work is interesting and has its own benefits.

How long does it take to become a clinical chemist? It involves studying for an undergraduate program of four years followed by a year of internship training for a total of about five years. If you are eager to be a clinical chemist, here’s what you can do…

Time Required for Undergraduate Education

Register for the undergraduate degree in laboratory science. This 4-year program has a syllabus that covers large parts of chemistry, biology with microbiology, physiology and of course anatomy. Certain sections of hematology that includes immunology may also be added.

Time Required for an Internship

Finish that one year of internship. You do not get paid here but as an intern you get the chance to work with other established clinical chemists while watching them perform diagnostic tests on the patient’s blood and body fluids. As an intern you get the chance to watch and report live data analysis of the patient’s findings. Decide if you want to specialize. Most clinical chemists choose to remain as general chemists. A few do go to learn more on areas like blood banking, urinalysis, immunology and even studying toxins in the body.

Clinical Chemist Certification

After you get your degree, you are an authorized clinical chemist. You will have to pass through two exams – The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certifies you as a Medical Technologist and The National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) endorses you as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. Decide on the state you want to settle and work as a clinical chemist. Some states have a law that you should first seek a license to practice as a clinical chemist. They may first ask you to go through their own exam before granting permission to work as a clinical chemist.

Career Life as a Clinical Chemist

You are now ready to look for a job as a clinical chemist. You can begin slowly by making yourself known to the recruiting centers of the hospitals and laboratories in the pharmaceutical industries. Please do not forget that a clinical chemist is called by a number of names. Look thoroughly for the description of the job while seeking a place as a clinical chemist.

The salaries are high and the promise for rise as a clinical chemist is good. He has an important role in defending lives. His analysis and judgment is critical to the treatment the patient gets from the main physician. Following a career of such a high scale as saving lives can be very gratifying. But it has its own downside as well. A clinical chemist is not that person who masters his skill and knowledge once and for all and be done with training. As in every other field he has to be fully prepared for the changes and advances, especially in this field. Advancements in laboratory equipment and its use will demand a new commitment on the part of the clinical chemist each day. He should be willing to recognize his career means a lifetime of learning, if that should even be a bad thing at all.

Pros and Cons of Being a Clinical Chemist

There are many careers paths to choose from within the health care industry; in recent years, one of the most popular is a clinical chemist. The clinical chemist career originated in the late 19th century and has been gradually more accepted and admired ever since.

A clinical chemist is employed within the pathology department; and is normally concerned with the examination of bodily fluids. They will utilize chemical tests to observe and research blood, urine, examine all types of tissue, study DNA, and other enzymes. Biochemical testing, such as those associated with serum or blood plasma are also performed by a clinical chemist.

All of this testing is completed within the pathology laboratory. Currently, many laboratories make use of automated equipment, such as a centrifuge, to assist in the proper examination as well as to ensure quality control in clinical testing.

The Pros of Being a Clinical Chemist

Although it is a popular career choice, as with all other professions, there are pros and cons of being a clinical chemist.

• This career has a high salary attached to it; ranging from $40,000 to $100,000; depending on the amount of education you have chosen.

• There are many career options are available; such as a research scientist, a college professor or a public speaker.

• The enjoyment and prestige in knowing that you have the ability to assist a physician with an early diagnosis and play a role in saving lives of a patient.

The Cons of Being a Clinical Chemist

There are a few disadvantages to think about as well when contemplating becoming a clinical chemist. A few of them include the following:

• The cost of a college education for an associate’s, bachelors, and most definitely a doctoral degree can be overwhelmingly expensive.

• Safety in the workplace is a major concern due to its nature of health-threatening substances such as blood and blood products.

• The work hours may be extended if it is critical to provide immediate testing results.

Be Ready

Once you have decided to enter this career field, you will need to take many classes such as mathematics, statistics, chemistry, anatomy and physiology. You will also need to participate in an internship; this will provide hours of valuable experience and will be very appealing to prospective employers.

As previously stated, workplace safety is an ongoing issue in this profession; however, there are many universal precautions in place to prevent concern. For example, there are latex gloves, gowns, goggles and masks for all employees to wear during their working hours.

Overall, the health care industry has many high paying as well as fulfilling career choices, including clinical chemistry. Although it may require a few years of education to work in this field, many say it is well worth the effort that is required. The significance of all of the pros and cons of being a clinical chemist must be considered by each person before making the decision to pursue this professional career.

Clinical Chemist Education Requirements

To work in the field of clinical chemistry your educational requirements will depend on how far you want to go in your chosen career. Clearly you will need fewer qualifications to work at assistant level than you would to become a fully qualified medical technologist. You will therefore need to decide at what level you want to enter your chosen career field before determining your educational goals.

Educational Requirements to be a Clinical Chemist

To work as an assistant in a clinical chemistry laboratory you will need to have completed secondary education, with good grades in science subjects. The role of assistant will not include any direct chemical work.

At the next level is laboratory medical technician. You will need to have an associate degree in a relevant subject such as biochemistry, which usually involves undertaking the first two years of a full degree course in a recognized third level institution.

The next level is that of laboratory medical technologist. To qualify at this level you will have to complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree course majoring in a subject relevant to the career. Your major might be in biochemistry (perhaps the most relevant) but could also be biology, zoology, microbiology and so on. Most of these degree courses will include practical clinical laboratory experience. If you already have a degree in a non-related discipline, you may be able to use that degree as credit towards your medical laboratory degree.

Further Education

Once you have achieved your qualification as a laboratory medical technologist, you can reach higher career goals by further study in your chosen field by, for example, undertaking further study towards a Master’s degree. Experience in the field and demonstrated abilities will be key to promotion. As the use of computers and chip-driven machinery continues to grow apace, your career prospects will be enhanced by learning about these technologies. Secondary skills you may find useful will be abilities in number-crunching and statistical analysis as well as business management and presentation skills.

As there is no formal training required at the assistant level, to get work in this area you will need to apply directly to clinical laboratories or employment agents specializing in that field. To become a technician or technologist, there are hundreds of college institutions offering relevant courses. You can check online or in your local library for institutions offering courses in your area.

Clinical Chemist Duties

Clinical chemists are primarily concerned with matters relating to human health and the scientific uses of chemistry in the diagnosis, analysis, treatment and prevention of human health problems. To be successful in this area you will need good analytical skills and be attentive to detail. The clinical chemist’s roles may include tasks related to:

• Analyzing tissue and fluid samples
• Design and development of new drugs
• Clinical testing of drugs
• Analyzing results of clinical tests
• Preparing sales and marketing materials for various products
• Preparing training programs for students and junior staff
• Lecturing internally and externally
• Designing and monitoring laboratory and production procedures to ensure compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations.

How to Become a Radiographer

Radiographers in UK, Australia etc. are usually referred to as Radiologic Technologist in the US. Both undergo similar training courses and carry out identical tasks. Hence, throughout this article we shall refer to them collectively as radiographers only. Qualifying courses in radiography are at the degree level requiring 3-4 years for the graduation, although in the US there are courses varying from 1 year for certificate course, 2 years for associate degree and 4 years for bachelor’s degree. The two year associate degree is most prevalent in medical schools and universities. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radio Technology has granted accreditation for all three types of courses. Certificate course is also available for trained professional form other health occupations. A bachelor’s or, better, master’s degree is desirable for supervisory, administrative or teaching positions.

Step 1: Get a Radiographer Certification

Admission to radiography courses requires a minimum of high school diploma or equivalent with mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. Radiography programs provide both class room and clinical instruction in anatomy, physiology, patient care procedures, radiation physics, radiation protection, principles of imaging, medical terminology, positioning of patients, medical ethics, radiology and pathology.

Federal legislation protects the public from hazards of undue/unnecessary exposure to medical or dental radiation by ensuring that the operators of radiologic equipment are properly trained. In the US 41 out of 50 States require licensure for practicing radiologic technologists and technicians. American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) offers certification to radiographers.

To be eligible for certification the radiographers must graduate from an accredited program and pass the ARRT examination. For re-certification trained certificate holders must complete 24 hour continuing education every two years.

Step 2: Choose Areas of Specialization

The obligation for radiographers to be sensitive to patients’ physical and psychological needs is emphasized, along with requirement to pay attention to details, to follow the medical instructions, and to cooperate in a team. There are two distinct branches in radiography; diagnostic and therapeutic and the candidate must decide which discipline to follow.

Diagnostic radiographers work mainly within radiology and imaging departments in hospitals, but may also work with surgeries. Their job portfolio includes X-rays, ultra sound, MRI imaging, fluoroscopy, CT scanning and angiography.

In contrast, therapeutic radiographers work closely with doctors, nurses, physicists etc. on the oncology team in the treatment of cancer patients. The therapeutic radiographers are required to deliver doses of X-rays and other ionizing radiation to patients. They are usually involved with patient care right from initial referral stage, pre-treatment, planning process, and administration of treatment and post treatment review stages.

Step 3: Learn About Radiographer Pay Scale

With experience and additional training staff radiographers may advance to specialist tasks and can become radiologist assistant, supervisor, chief radiologic technologist an finally the department administrator or director. According to data from published reports of the National Occupational Information, radiographers working in medical and diagnostic laboratories get annual pay packet of $42000 to 55000. The average figure for hospital staff radiographers comes to $52500 per annum, while the corresponding figure for those working in outpatient care centers and doctors’ clinics come to $48500 to 50500 annually. With incidence of cancer and other diseases estimated to be on the rise, the demand for radiographers is expected to grow in future.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Radiographer

Radiography equipment makes it possible for doctors to diagnose a person’s body from the inside. Radiographers are trained professionals that have been taught how to use radiography equipment. Training for radiographers vary by the type of position that a person chooses within the field. How long does it take to become a radiographer? The amount of time needed to complete the training will vary depending on several dimensions.

Undergraduate Education

Formal radiographer programs could take anywhere from 1 to 4 years to complete. Most organizations that employ radiographers usually require them to be formally trained. Many radiographers obtain a 2 year associates degree in order to gain entry level employment within this field. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree are more in demand because they can be used as supervisors, in an administrative or teaching position. Radiographers that have a bachelor’s degree also receive a higher income.

There are some medical workers who are employed in health professions such as medical technology or nursing and they are able to complete a radiographer program within a year. This is because they already have education or training that is comparable with the instruction that a radiographer would need to work in the field.

Keep in mind that there isn’t a formal education requirement to become a radiographer. Some people can actually receive employment within this field without having a degree. Most people who take this route to become a radiographer usually are trained on the job by a more experienced employee. After training is complete, a radiographer can begin to work toward completing a one-year certification program.

Radiographers are also required to complete an assistant program after they have been certified. Radiographer assistants are advanced-level radiographers who are responsible for managing patient care and assisting radiologists with invasive and noninvasive procedures. Individuals that choose to work as an advanced-level radiographer will be required to have at least 2 or 3 years of work experience. They will also have to complete more educational coursework and obtain a license in order to work in the field of radiography.

Radiography Specialization

The field of radiography has different specializations and radiographers can work in a variety of settings. Each particular field such as nuclear medicine, ultra sound and radiation therapy are different areas of specialty for radiographers and require specific knowledge related to that particular area of interest. This means that a radiographer will more than likely have to receive further education to work within a unique area of radiography. Once again, the educational process for radiographers does take time and radiographers must be able to stay on top of their coursework to continue to advance within their careers.

Radiographers must be willing to sacrifice their time for a year in order to concentrate on their studies. This is an important characteristic to have for any person who desires to be employed within this field. Individuals who desire to become a radiographer must know how to work unsupervised, be able to follow written directions and understand everything about the nature of the work.

How Much Does a Radiographer Make

For individuals who are planning to pursue a career in radiography, there are various factors that will affect your salary and employment including the location of the job, level of education, experience and your employer.

Radiographer Salary

Salary estimates of radiology technicians are quite attractive. In the year 2008, the average salary of employees in the field of radiology in the US alone range from $16.87 to $36.04 every hour, which is also equivalent to $35,100 and up to $74,970 annually. For a field of profession that is looking forward to a strong growth, these numbers are important to take note when it comes to deciding your future career.

For professionals in this field who are planning to go ahead to higher positions like administrator, radiologic assistant, director or even beyond, the reward can be really high. You can start with your career in radiology as a radiologic technician after finishing your bachelor’s degree and completing certifications. Being certified in this field can actually let you achieve a good salary and stability. Pursuing higher education can of course lead to even more opportunities and higher salary rates.

Radiology Technician Job Outlook

While the number of people that retire in the US increase each year, the healthcare industry is experiencing an increase in health related jobs. According to statistics, medical fields that are part of radiology technology are said to experience an increased rate of growth around 14 to 19 percent in the next 8 years.

Employees who have specialized knowledge on multiple areas will normally have the best marketable skills for employment. The ability to carry out MRI scans and CT scans appear to be very appealing for employers who want to use different equipment. Also, with the consistent increase in the technology, equipment related to medicine are ever-advancing, meaning the demand of technicians that can operate and maintain these will increase. Presently, hospitals account for the majority of hired radiography technicians, followed by private companies, outpatient care centers, diagnostic laboratories, then military facilities.

A very significant factor that is frequently overlooked is the location of the job. People who are willing to transfer to different places usually have the greatest chances of getting the job in their particular field. Like with other jobs, there are places that are saturated and there are also places that are deficient in radiology technicians. According to surveys, the states with the largest number of employees in the field of radiology are Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, South Dakota and Rhode Island.

Pros And Cons Of Being a Radiographer

A radiographer is an allied health professional who uses a variety of imaging techniques to generate images of patients that can be used in diagnosis and treatment of disease. A radiology technician should not be confused with a radiology technologist. Both are similar in the sense that for either career, technical school training is required. However, technician programs last for around one and a half years while technologists may need a four year program. The job of a radiology technician is to prepare patients for a procedure, set up the equipment, take the x-ray and take the developed x-ray films to a radiology technologist or a doctor for interpretation. If you have a dream to pursue a career in the health profession, radiography could be it.

The Pros of Being a Radiographer

• The training is only 18 months so if you are lucky to find a job you can be promoted to a radiology technologist after a few years of experience and certification.

• A radiology technician works under the supervision of doctors and technologists therefore gains practical hands-on training and experience from professionals that you cannot easily find in any school.

• There are many job prospects because you can easily find over ten radiology technicians working in one laboratory in healthcare facilities like hospitals and diagnostic imaging clinics. According to statistics, jobs for radiology technicians are expected to rise by 15% by 2016.

• There is advancement in technologies hence making the job easier and minimizing the health dangers from radiation.

• The annual cost of college fees is approximately $15,000 which is so much less in comparison to other careers in the health profession.

• According to the American Society of Radiology Technologists, a starting salary of a radiologist technician may range from $35,000 and $40,000; this is higher than in other medical professions.

The Cons of Being a Radiology Technician

• One of the major cons of this career is the competition for the best jobs. This is mainly caused by lack of enough education.

• Another disadvantage of this career is the physical work you have to do, you may have to spend the whole day on your feet and even help lift patients who are unable to lift themselves.

• Being a radiology technician you are at a high risk of being exposed to radiation if you do not take proper precautions. This could lead to serious medical problems in the future.

• Most radiology technicians report working overtime and they can be paged and called in to work while off-duty. This can be very stressful especially to the family of the technician

• Another disadvantage of being a radiology technician is that if you only have an associate’s degree then you must obtain 24 continued education credits every two years to maintain certification.

By looking at these cons and pros of being a radiology technician one can see that this career is both demanding and rewarding.

Radiographer Education Requirements

Radiology technicians, or radiographers are healthcare professionals who use medical imaging to diagnose medical problems, examine internal conditions, and recommend appropriate treatment options. They prepare patients for radiologic examination and also prevent unnecessary exposure to x-ray radiation. To become an accredited radiologic technician, you will need to have undergone accredited formal training.

When searching for radiologist technician institutions, look for programs that specialize in radiology and offer hands-on training with cutting edge medical technology. There are numerous pathways to entry into radiology profession offered in technical colleges and universities. Students willing to pursue this course may earn certificates, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in radiology as a requirement for employment in the U.S. There are different types of radiologist technicians programs offered at medical and health institutions.

Certificate Program

Radiologic certificates can be earned through programs offered at medical institutions and hospitals. Programs can be full time or part time depending on the institution and your schedule. The time required to complete a certificate program as a radiologist technician depends on the program. Generally, it takes 1-2 years to complete a certificate program. Students undergo both classroom and clinical training.

The training equips the student with the necessary technical knowledge and skills for entry level position in radiology technology. Individual certificates programs may between 6 to 18 months. Courses may include patient care, introduction to radiology equipment, biology of radiation and image processing. Before admission into a certificate program, the student must undergo training in computer information technology and basic courses such as anatomy and medical terminologies. A student must at least maintain 2.0 GPA in order to earn a certificate of completion.

Associate’s Degree Program

For students to be eligible for admission into this program they must have a high school diploma. Associate’s degree training in radiography generally takes two years to complete. The students undergo classroom instructions and clinical training. In addition, the program also incorporates general education in life science and health care communication courses. Students undergoing this program can be found in community colleges and technical institutions. Course work may include imaging procedure and analysis, radiation protection, patient care, cross-section anatomy and radiographic physics.

Bachelor’s Degree Program

Various technical colleges and universities offer Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science programs. To be eligible for admission a student must pass Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT). A student must also have a minimum cumulative grade point ratio (CGPR) of 2.50 from the previous institution and two letters of recommendation that attest to the student’s character and ability to prosper academically. To attain this degree the student must attend accredited 4-year training program in college or university. The programs equip students with knowledge and skills in diagnostics and imaging technology necessary for career in health facilities. Course work includes radiological imaging, specialized radiography procedures and pathology. After completion of the coursework, students look for a one year internship program and begin their careers as radiology technicians.

Licensure

In order for radiology technicians to practice their specialization, they must obtain state licensure. Requirements for licensure are determined by the states’ health boards, which basically include passing of a licensing exam. For specific requirements for licensure contact your states’ health board.

Certification and Other Qualifications

The America Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) usually offers voluntary certification for radiologic technicians to show competency in the occupation. In addition, numerous states use ARRT examinations for licensing purposes. Certification requirements include completing an accredited formal training and passing a primary certification examination. ARRT also offer a variety of programs in radiology technology such as sonography and cardiac intervention. Many employers prefer to hire ARRT certified radiologic technologists. ARRT certification requires 24 hours of continuous training every two years in order to maintain it.

How to Become an Optometrist

An Optometrist, also known as a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) specializes in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with eye illnesses other than major surgical procedures of the eye, or the so-called visions care. This means that minor eye surgeries like eye cleaning fall squarely on the domain of an Optometrist, while major eye procedures are sent to Ophthalmologists, who are Doctors of Medicine (M.D) specializing in ophthalmology. Some of the eye conditions that an Optometrist focuses on include; Nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, astigmatism, glaucoma, retinal diseases, cataracts, color blindness, and eye illnesses caused by diabetes and diabetes. An optometrist may prescribe contact lenses, eyeglasses, or eye medications such as vision therapy, eye drops, low-vision rehabilitation to name but a few.

Step 1: Get Excellent Grades in High School

Knowing how to become an optometrist is the normally first step towards kicking off a career in optometry. The second step is not only finishing high school but most importantly, getting excellent grades in Math, English, physics, Biology, and sciences. This is because good grades in these subjects will immensely assist you in the optometry school.

Step 2: Get an Undergraduate Degree

The next step towards a career in optometry involves obtaining a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from a reputable institution, which should also focus on Biology, Math English and Physics, and Sciences. Other than excelling in these subjects, you should acquire an average of at least 3.0 GPA to be competitive in your applications to optometry schools.

Step 3: Get Into Optometry School

A typical optometry program from colleges accredited by the Association of Optometric Association (AOA) normally takes four years to complete. A few of the nineteen accredited colleges in USA, two in Canada and one in Puerto Rico, include: Ferris State University, Illinois College of Optometry, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and Pacific College of Optometry among others. However, even after attaining excellent grades in the preceding Bachelor of Science, one has to pass the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) in any of the accredited colleges in order to get an admission. The program normally takes four years after which one has an option of continuing to take a specialty in optometry by taking a one year residency. Alternatively, one can seek a license right after the four year optometry program instead of taking the one year specialty.

Step 4: Get Your Post-Graduate Certification

Optometry specializations include geriatrics, vision therapy, pediatrics, and contact lenses to name but a few. Getting a practicing license in optometry also require passing the state’s National Board of Examiners (NBEO) in Optometry exam.

Because of the long and stringent requirements that are needed before one can qualify to practice as an optometrist, the optometry field has remain largely uncharted, this combined with the expected rise in vision care needed in an aging population in our society means that demands for optometrists are going to rise. This is one of the most important steps that one ought to know in order to know how to become an optometrist.

How Long Does it Take to Become an Optometrist

Optometry is a potentially lucrative field. In the United States, it generally requires around eight years to become an optometrist. The time may be well worth it, however, as optometrists can expect to make around $100,000 a year, on average.

Undergraduate Education for Optometry

The first step in becoming an optometrist is to obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution. The time required for this stage can vary. Some are able to obtain a bachelor’s degree in three to five years, although four years is the expected time of completion. It can take longer than 4 years, but generally this occurs when double-majoring, poor planning, or switching majors.

Applying to Optometry School

After receiving a bachelor’s degree, you must then take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). This standardized test is required by all optometry schools in the United States. It covers the natural sciences, reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, and physics. Your scores will help determine how competitive your application to optometry school will be. Applying to these schools is very competitive, and around 65% of applicants are not accepted. There are only 20 optometry schools in the U.S. and Puerto Rico that are approved by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).

Completing Optometry School

If you are accepted to optometry school, you can expect to spend about 4 years studying. The course of study involves classroom courses along with practical applications of optometry. After completion of these 4 years you will obtain a Doctor of Optometry degree. You will not yet be ready to practice, though. All optometrists must take the National Board of Optometry exam and any necessary state licensing exams to be licensed to practice.

If well-planned and executed the entire training period for an optometrist can be around 8 years. This is assuming one can pass the required exams on the first attempt. Eight years may seem like a long period of preparation to some, but there are significant advantages that come with a career in optometry. One is the salary. The median income of optometrists in 1998 was $96,320. The outlook for job opportunities for optometrists is also very good. Due to the low number of applicants that are accepted to optometry school (and the limited number of schools), there is a perpetual demand for optometrists in the United States. It is expected that around 8,000 new positions will be created between 2008 and 2018. Having an optometry degree also provides one with an opportunity to start his or her own practice and be self-employed.

Challenges as an Optometrist

As long as you enjoy the work, the only downside to optometry is the investment of time and money required to earn a degree. Costs for optometry school are similar to that required for an undergraduate degree, but essentially this doubles the cost associated with your education (undergraduate degree + optometry degree). This investment may well be worth it due to the salary involved with practicing optometry. The course work and testing requirements are also rigorous, but again these hardships will pay dividends in a profitable and secure job for the future.