Trying to find the right career path can be easy for some, and harder for others. When you aren’t sure of what to do, but know that you want to help people, you might want to consider a career in the healthcare industry. Even then, trying to find the right career within the healthcare field is a daunting task. There are many opportunities for you to embark upon, and it is your duty to determine which avenue within this profession you should choose.
Although very respected, needed and appreciated, nurses, doctors, and surgeons aren’t the only ones that make up the healthcare sector. Though these professionals are skilled in their area of expertise, they can’t do it alone. Yes, they are able to execute the task that they have been trained to do, but there is so much more to ensuring that a patient receives the proper care physically, mentally and even financially.
The Need for Administrators
Doctors, nurses, and surgeons need administrators to keep their patient’s charts organized. Physicians see so many patients that it might be difficult to remember what each patient’s situation is. That is why there must be someone that not only manages the care of the patients, but also the paperwork that is associated with them.
Nowadays, doctor’s charts are electronic. This means that an administrator must be comfortable with using a computer, must have a good understanding of medical coding, and must be somewhat familiar with certain types of software and processes. Applying for a position such as this requires more than a high school diploma.
You need to be prepared to seamlessly transition into the workforce from a student to a qualified healthcare worker.
The Growing Demand for HSA Workers
According to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024.” According to the numbers aforementioned, this growth spurt will result in roughly 2.3 million new jobs. Anyone wanting to claim any of these jobs needs to get started now on getting the proper education and training for it.
Health Services Administration (HSA) Career Options
What kinds of jobs are available to health care workers, and what sort of work do these jobs entail? Here is a list of healthcare occupations, along with a brief job description:
- Medical Receptionist – A healthcare receptionist serves as the buffer between patients and the healthcare practitioners. Receptionists help patients by scheduling appointments, greeting them, and making sure that their health records and insurance accounts are accurate and up to date.
- Medical Assistant – As a healthcare receptionist’s job responsibilities are specifically tied to the front desk, medical assistant’s duties could entail that of a receptionist and more! Depending on how large or small the practice is, medical assistants can also have a more hands-on approach in their tasks. In addition to getting the patients ready on paper, they may also assist in completing clinical preparatory tasks like taking vital signs and such.
- Health Information Technician – A health information technician’s duties revolve more around managing patient’s records on the back end. This means being knowledgeable about various classification systems and coding. This is needed in order to categorize a patient’s information for database registries, keeping track of prescription costs, and any possible reimbursement purposes.
- Medical Transcriptionist – Medical transcriptionists type dictations from physicians regarding details during and/or after examining or treating a patient. They are also called Medical Language Specialists. This position is also often mixed in with the responsibilities of a medical receptionist.
- Social Service Manager – The Social Service Manager’s role is more community oriented as it is directed toward educating people about healthcare services and providing support and aid to those who aren’t able to afford it.
Educational Requirements to Work in Healthcare
The healthcare industry is not a field to be taken lightly. When you choose this path, lives are on the line. That means that in this sector, processes and operations must be done flawlessly. However, Florida National University (FNU) understands that in order to execute perfection, you must first attain hands-on learning in order to achieve it. That is why FNU has composed a stellar HSA Bachelor of Science program to prepare students to be the best healthcare workers in the industry.
Two Challenges Most Students Face Today
FNU also understands the challenges that await those who wish to earn their degree, but have little time to do so. Going to college requires a serious amount of dedication, commitment, and hours. The latter is what tends to be considered the main hurdle for prospective students. Now, it is more possible than ever to obtain a bachelor’s degree in HSA with FNU online courses.
The Option of Online Studying
As with anything, there are pros and cons to online studying. Prospective students need to educate themselves on the good and bad points of studying online.
- Advantages – Students have the convenience of not only studying in the comfort of their own homes, but also anywhere that their laptop can go. Furthermore, students don’t have to worry about commuting or the expense of paying for tolls, gas, and parking.
- Disadvantages – Students must have a lot of discipline while working on their own schedule. If one is not disciplined in time management, it can be easy to fall behind.
Tips on Good Online Study Practices
Online studying doesn’t completely alienate a student from their professors and peers. Online courses have become sophisticated enough for students to virtually interact with their professors and classmates. They also have the flexibility to contact anyone enrolled in their course at any time verses the traditional 1-2 hour classroom time. For more tips on how to excel online, click here.
About FNU’s HSA Bachelor of Science Program
If you have a passion for helping people and you want to make a difference in patients’ lives, FNU’s HSA Bachelor of Science program is designed just for you! With our online capabilities, you no longer have to worry about not having enough time to commit to higher education. Start the enrollment process today and contact our campus NOW for more information!
