A physical therapy assistant works directly with physical therapists to provide physician-directed rehabilitation and treatments to patients. The primary function of PTAs is to administer suggested treatments to the patient and carry out routine maintenance of their progress. In addition to physical therapists, the PTA also directly corresponds with physicians and nurses when conditions change or treatments require attention.

Skills:

Teamwork – Working as a PTA means establishing good relationships with each patient’s medical team. These connections not only help the patient’s recovery, but help the assistant grow their own medical based connections.

Listening and Observation – It is vital to listen and observe a patient to help their medical team and physical therapists create the best recovery plans.

Physical Strength and Overall Good Health – A PTA’s job encompasses rapid response times and an active nature that encourages their patients. They should be able to support an average male and female body, with additional emphasis on possible considerations such as obesity.

Knowledge of Current Testing Methods – Tests may be conducted under the care of a physical therapy assistant or in conjunction with the patient’s current physical therapist. In an assistance capacity, the PTA helps to administer the selected test and keeps the patient comfortable during their experience.

Education:

Anyone who wants to pursue a career in this field must have an associate degree in physical therapy assistance. It must come from a program that is currently accredited by a legally recognized program.

Additional Considerations:

To act as a physical therapy assistant, a person must be presently licensed by the proper state licensing agency. Licenses do expire after a selected period of time and costs for renewal vary based on various factors.

A pharmacy manager oversees the day-to-day tasks of the pharmacy operations and manages all staff within the department, ensuring that prescriptions are being filled, that staff members complete their assigned duties, and local, and federal procedures have been followed. The pharmacy manager reports directly to the operations manager, or they may work as the head of a pharmacy team. Depending on the location, the pharmacy manager may also need to pick up inventory items and be available to handle pharmacy emergencies.

The pharmacy manager closely monitors prescriptions, assuring that they have medications that are most likely to be prescribed. In addition to keeping prescription in stock, pharmacy managers complete a series of managerial tasks, including handling complaints, maintain contact with the doctor’s office, and assist with over-time for staff management.

Pharmacy Manager Duties and Responsibilities

• Pharmacy managers are typically required to notify the local board of any changes in pharmacist personnel.
• Review prescriptions in the health departments and be responsible for dispensing at health clinics.
• Pharmacy manager accepts responsibility for the operations of their clinic or pharmacy department in conformance with all statutes and regulations.
• Pharmacy managers administer immunizations to patients, following safety protocol.

Pharmacy Manager Training and Additional Education

Pharmacy managers will typically have a bachelors degree in a related field of study. Employers will require managers to have current pharmacy licenses in the state where they work, as each state has its licensing requirements. Pharmacy managers will have to have current immunization certification as well, which is a certification obtained after participants complete a training course.

Salary and Job Trajectory

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacists occupied more than 300,000 jobs in 2016. By the year 2026, the number is expected to grow 6 percent, which is exponentially faster than other fields.

A laboratory supervisor/manager in the medical field is responsible for overseeing day to day activities in the laboratory. This includes supervision of laboratory personnel, quality assurance, and overseeing the collection, analyzing and ultimate use of lab data. There are generally different levels of lab supervisor positions in the medical field, with some positions having considerably more responsibility in terms of overseeing laboratory personnel.

Education and Experience

As a laboratory supervisor/manager, you may be required to possess a specialized bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study. Your path to becoming a lab supervisor may include obtaining a bachelor’s in medical technology or an associate’s in clinical laboratory science. In addition to these education requirements, lab supervisors are often required to have a certain amount of work experience in an individual role—as much as two years in some cases.

Duties

Although the job of a laboratory supervisor is to oversee operations in the lab to some degree, it’s not necessarily your job to give orders. Instead, a lab supervisor should help coordinate the work of others while keeping a close eye on the progress of each individual team to suggest ways in which they can improve. If you see a process that could be done in a more efficient way to save time, it’s your job to make that suggestion and help the team implement it. In addition to this, you are also a source of knowledge for the people you work with. As an experienced laboratory supervisor, you should provide as much relevant knowledge to those around you as you can. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you don’t actually have authority over staff members.

Medical Technologist

A Medical Technologist, also sometimes known as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, performs clinical laboratory testing on bodily fluids and tissues, including urine, blood, cervical spinal fluid, and all types of bodily tissue samples in order to assist with diagnosis and treatment.

Core tasks and responsibilities of a Medical Technologist include:

• Performing tests of varying complexity in accordance with all state, federal, and other applicable regulations
• Reports and interprets test results
• Processing specimens and logs requisitions as needed
• Performing quality control testing
• Maintains automated chemistry, hematology, coagulation, and urinalysis instrumentation as required
• Working with physicians to analyze results and conduct difficult, non-routine tests
• Consult with medical laboratory technicians and phlebotomists as required
• Assist in orienting and mentoring new staff members
• Compliance with all applicable legal requirements, standards, and procedures

Required Qualifications

• Most entry-level positions will require a Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory technology, or a related field like biology or chemistry
• Some positions may accept an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, or experience as a replacement for a Bachelor’s degree
• A valid Medical Technology License in your state of residence
• Ability to communicate effectively through written and oral means
• Be able to establish and build cooperative working relationships with coworkers

The Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN, provides patients with the essential care they need during their stay in a hospital. LPNs also assist Registered Nurses and Doctors with maintaining records, facilitating efficient communication between different members of the care team, and helping patients’ families understand how to better care for their loved ones.

Core Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and revises care plans under the guidance of a Registered Nurse
• Manages care plans by administering care or by supervising nursing duties that are delegated to nursing assistants
• Regularly checks patients’ vital signs following established company policies or at the LPN’s discretion where needed
• Take measures to ensure patients’ comfort
• Create and maintain accurate records of care administered to patients
• Reporting significant findings or changes to the nurse in charge or physician
• Conduct daily rounds to ensure the standard of patient care
• Administering medications
• Collecting specimens for testing
• Maintaining a clean, safe, organized workspace

Education and Experience

• Some positions may require a college degree in nursing or a related field, or equivalent state certificate
• Some positions prefer previous experience working with a population being served in a nursing capacity
• A current LPN license in your state of residence

Exceptional written and oral communication skills are important – the LPN must be able to effectively communicate with team members, physicians, patients, and their families

The x-ray technician plays a pivotal role in the patient care process. They use top-of-the-line imaging technologies to map the inside of the human body, helping physicians to more accurately diagnose and treat a wide range of illness or injury.

As an x-ray technician, you would have the opportunity to work at the forefront of medical imaging technology, and take satisfaction in knowing that you are able to assist and support patients undergoing treatment.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Prepare patients for their radiological procedures
• Capture x-ray images following established protocols to ensure a high standard of patient care and safety
• Develop and process film
• Produce quality diagnostic images for physicians, while maintaining an acceptably low repeat rate
• Ensure imaging equipment stays in working order and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
• Log all completed radiological procedures
• Complete any associated paperwork accurately
• Assist in maintaining examination rooms
• Maintain stock of necessary office and radiological supplies

Education and Skills

• Positions require a high school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of a limited-scope/LMRT/NCT radiological course
• Have a working knowledge of anatomy and physiology sufficient for x-ray testing
• Possess a strong knowledge of relevant radiology equipment
• Be able to quickly position patients correctly for their imaging tests
• Possess skill in identifying and solving equipment problems