Are you looking for a stable career with continual innovation and variety? Do you enjoy working with people and have a knack for science and medicine? If so, you may want to consider becoming a Physicians Assistant. Every day, thousands of people have access to quality health care because there are Physicians Assistants (PAs) in their communities. Many physician assistants take jobs in rural communities that would otherwise be without a health care provider. As patient advocates and educators, PAs help people use the health care system more efficiently and effectively.
If you want to make a difference--and have a positive influence on health care in this country--the Physician Assistant profession is waiting for you.
What Does A Physicians Assistant Do?
Don't confuse physician assistants with medical assistants, who aren't qualified to do much more than take your blood pressure. Physician assistants do 80% of what doctors do--conduct exams, diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, even assist in surgery. While PAs are supervised by physicians, they have considerable independence. And while pay isn't quite as much as that of a doctor, it's far from sickly. Also, training is much shorter than it is for doctors--typically consisting of three years, post-bachelor's.
No surprise this is one of America's fastest-growing professions.
Physician assistants work wherever physicians or health care organizations employ them. They can be found in virtually all health care settings. Physicians Assistants work in hospitals, physicians' offices, HMOs, correctional institutions, military installations, VA medical centers, nursing homes, public health agencies, community clinics, research centers, urban/rural health clinics, health care education and administration offices, industrial medicine clinics, and even the White House.
Physician assistants can take medical histories, perform physical exams, order and interpret laboratory tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, counsel patients, assist in surgery, and set fractures.
Physician assistants are educated as generalists in medicine; all programs emphasize primary care. Although their education and credentialing are based on a primary care foundation, PAs can work in specialty fields, such as cardiovascular surgery, orthopedics, and emergency medicine. Most choose the primary care specialty areas of family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology.
Education & Training
Requirements have been ratcheted up. Today, the typical student admitted to the three-year training program has a pre-med bachelor's degree, plus a few years of experience as a nurse, paramedic, or emergency medical technician.
All States require that Physicians Assistants complete an accredited, formal education program and pass a National exam to obtain a license. PA programs usually last at least two or three years and are full time. Most programs are in schools of allied health, academic health centers, medical schools, or 4-year colleges; a few are in community colleges, the military, or hospitals. Many accredited PA programs have clinical teaching affiliations with medical schools. Most applicants to PA educational programs already have a bachelor's degree.
Some Physicians Assistants pursue additional education in a specialty such as surgery, neonatology, or emergency medicine. PA postgraduate educational programs are available in areas such as internal medicine, rural primary care, emergency medicine, surgery, pediatrics, neonatology, and occupational medicine. Candidates must be graduates of an accredited program and be certified.
As they attain greater clinical knowledge and experience, PAs can advance to added responsibilities and higher earnings. However, by the very nature of the profession, clinically practicing PAs always are supervised by physicians.
Career Outlook
Physicians and institutions are expected to employ more Physicians Assistants to provide primary care and to assist with medical and surgical procedures because PAs are cost-effective and productive members of the health care team. Physician assistants can relieve physicians of routine duties and procedures. Telemedicine--using technology to facilitate interactive consultations between physicians and physician assistants--also will expand the use of physician assistants. Job opportunities for PAs should be good, particularly in rural and inner city clinics, because those settings have difficulty attracting physicians.
Besides the traditional office-based setting, PAs should find a growing number of jobs in institutional settings such as hospitals, academic medical centers, public clinics, and prisons. Additional PAs may be needed to augment medical staffing in inpatient teaching hospital settings as the number of hours physician residents are permitted to work is reduced, encouraging hospitals to use PAs to supply some physician resident services. Opportunities will be best in States that allow PAs a wider scope of practice.
According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2004 the median salary for Physicians Assistants was $77,863.
A commitment to caring is the foundation of the physician assistant profession - and has been since the profession began. Whether it is running a rural health clinic in South Dakota or a community health center in Florida, caring for pediatric patients in New York or geriatric patients in Arizona, Physicians Assistants are making a difference.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Industrial Management - Online Study Programs
Operations of industrial production equipment and employees have to be managed to create a safe and productive work environment. To implement correct process and procedures in a managerial way professionals have to have a certain level of knowledge. Students interested in overseeing industrial technology can enter numerous study options in industrial management. Many online schools offer specific degree programs for this career field.
In order to fully grasp the responsibilities that are handled by industrial manager's students need to obtain a certain level of industry knowledge. This includes not only understanding the engineering side but also the leadership side of being a manager. Students can enter programs that teach them both aspects of the field. Being a boss means being able to maintain all areas like:
* equipment
* mechanical production
* inventory
* staff
* budget
and more. These aspects are utilized together to work directly with employees and the industry. The skills obtained from schooling prepare students to manage production and design quality as well as maintain production equipment. Students should be prepared to study all of these areas and more when they enter an online study program.
Starting education can be overwhelming with the considerable amount of options available from online schools. To narrow down the choices students should figure out what type of degree they would like to complete. This decision can make the process easier because if students want a bachelor's degree they can specifically look for a bachelor's degree. Students can choose to enter an online program at the:
* associate's
* bachelor's
* master's
degree level.
Instruction varies from degree to degree but students will learn about the industry and how to become a leader. A higher degree program incorporates advanced techniques and procedures. Earning a graduate degree often times results in a higher annual salary, top-level careers, and more responsibilities.
It takes two years on average to finish an associate's degree. Online associate's degree programs are designed to help students learn specific skills in order to function cooperatively with staff and work properly with the industry's technology.
* Industrial leadership
* business law
* production analysis
and more are some courses students may take to learn central concepts. An industrial organization course explores the theories about free markets and how government policies influence those markets. Market structures and regulatory principles are topics that help students understand the overall theme of the course. Further education at the bachelor's or master's degree level presents more in depth study to prepare students for more responsibility.
Inside bachelor's degree programs students spend four years studying and gaining technical and leadership capabilities. The first two years of online study focus on engineering and the last two years focus on business. Engineering studies give students the necessary skills to understand how to use production equipment and technology. The business focus of this type of degree online teaches students the management skills required to oversee all procedures and employees. An industrial technology course explains to students the statistical analysis of production and the mechanical systems of engineering. Students interested in director and executive positions should consider continuing education and earning a master's degree.
In order to fully grasp the responsibilities that are handled by industrial manager's students need to obtain a certain level of industry knowledge. This includes not only understanding the engineering side but also the leadership side of being a manager. Students can enter programs that teach them both aspects of the field. Being a boss means being able to maintain all areas like:
* equipment
* mechanical production
* inventory
* staff
* budget
and more. These aspects are utilized together to work directly with employees and the industry. The skills obtained from schooling prepare students to manage production and design quality as well as maintain production equipment. Students should be prepared to study all of these areas and more when they enter an online study program.
Starting education can be overwhelming with the considerable amount of options available from online schools. To narrow down the choices students should figure out what type of degree they would like to complete. This decision can make the process easier because if students want a bachelor's degree they can specifically look for a bachelor's degree. Students can choose to enter an online program at the:
* associate's
* bachelor's
* master's
degree level.
Instruction varies from degree to degree but students will learn about the industry and how to become a leader. A higher degree program incorporates advanced techniques and procedures. Earning a graduate degree often times results in a higher annual salary, top-level careers, and more responsibilities.
It takes two years on average to finish an associate's degree. Online associate's degree programs are designed to help students learn specific skills in order to function cooperatively with staff and work properly with the industry's technology.
* Industrial leadership
* business law
* production analysis
and more are some courses students may take to learn central concepts. An industrial organization course explores the theories about free markets and how government policies influence those markets. Market structures and regulatory principles are topics that help students understand the overall theme of the course. Further education at the bachelor's or master's degree level presents more in depth study to prepare students for more responsibility.
Inside bachelor's degree programs students spend four years studying and gaining technical and leadership capabilities. The first two years of online study focus on engineering and the last two years focus on business. Engineering studies give students the necessary skills to understand how to use production equipment and technology. The business focus of this type of degree online teaches students the management skills required to oversee all procedures and employees. An industrial technology course explains to students the statistical analysis of production and the mechanical systems of engineering. Students interested in director and executive positions should consider continuing education and earning a master's degree.
Alamance Community College Offers Distance Learning, Dual Enrollment and Double Majors
A community college located in Graham, North Carolina in United States, Alamance Community College serves the Alamance County area. The two year public college is unique in providing facilities of distance learning, dual enrollment, and double major.
Brief History
On passing of legislation in 1963, the administration of this industrial education center was transferred to North Carolina State Board of Education, Department of College. Alamance Community College bought the Glenhope School in 1977 and renamed it as Burlington Campus of Technical Institute of Technology. In 1979 the Board of Trustees changed the name of the college to Technical College of Alamance. In 1988 the College was renamed as the Alamance College.
Campus
Campus of this public two year community college serves large town having population in the range of 50,000 despite having a rural setting. Campus is located 4 miles from Burlington and 30 miles from Greensboro.
Programs Offered
Programs offered include associate degrees and degrees in communications and journalism, biological and biomedical science, health and clinical science, education, security and protective services, personal and culinary services etc. Popular majors are health profession, business, marketing, construction trade, liberal arts, computer and information, security and protective services. Visual and performing art is another wing of courses offered by the college.
Unique Features
Distance learning, double major, and dual enrollment makes the study option in the college unique. In addition the college offers ESL, internship, weekend colleges and independent study facilities. Learning center, reduced course load, and study skills assistance and tutoring makes the course plan interesting for students.
Admission
Open admission policy is followed by the college. However secondary school GPA, rank, and records, admission test scores and TOEFL scores are also important. Dual credit and advanced placements are accepted admission credits. Transfer students are not ignored. However one should learn about the specific datelines for applications either for admission or for financial assistance from the college notice board or online by visiting the university or college directory on the state university website.
Accreditation
Alamance Community College was accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1969.
Student Services and Financial Aids
Alamance College offers remedial services, academic and career counseling, PT cost defraying employment, and career placement and on campus day care services. Financial assistance includes federal, state, local, and institutional grants, scholarships and student loan aids. Extensive undergraduate morning or evening classes are also available. Details of the assistances offered can be seen on the state university website.
Brief History
On passing of legislation in 1963, the administration of this industrial education center was transferred to North Carolina State Board of Education, Department of College. Alamance Community College bought the Glenhope School in 1977 and renamed it as Burlington Campus of Technical Institute of Technology. In 1979 the Board of Trustees changed the name of the college to Technical College of Alamance. In 1988 the College was renamed as the Alamance College.
Campus
Campus of this public two year community college serves large town having population in the range of 50,000 despite having a rural setting. Campus is located 4 miles from Burlington and 30 miles from Greensboro.
Programs Offered
Programs offered include associate degrees and degrees in communications and journalism, biological and biomedical science, health and clinical science, education, security and protective services, personal and culinary services etc. Popular majors are health profession, business, marketing, construction trade, liberal arts, computer and information, security and protective services. Visual and performing art is another wing of courses offered by the college.
Unique Features
Distance learning, double major, and dual enrollment makes the study option in the college unique. In addition the college offers ESL, internship, weekend colleges and independent study facilities. Learning center, reduced course load, and study skills assistance and tutoring makes the course plan interesting for students.
Admission
Open admission policy is followed by the college. However secondary school GPA, rank, and records, admission test scores and TOEFL scores are also important. Dual credit and advanced placements are accepted admission credits. Transfer students are not ignored. However one should learn about the specific datelines for applications either for admission or for financial assistance from the college notice board or online by visiting the university or college directory on the state university website.
Accreditation
Alamance Community College was accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1969.
Student Services and Financial Aids
Alamance College offers remedial services, academic and career counseling, PT cost defraying employment, and career placement and on campus day care services. Financial assistance includes federal, state, local, and institutional grants, scholarships and student loan aids. Extensive undergraduate morning or evening classes are also available. Details of the assistances offered can be seen on the state university website.
Elijah McCoy, The Industrial Revolution, and Me
My first 18 years were spent in Kistler, West Virginia, one of numerous neighborhoods dependent upon the coal mining, steel and railroad industries. Like all coal communities, Kistler was scattered along the narrow Appalachian valley wherever the terrain allowed, sharing the sparse space between creek and mountains with the railway system. Trains chugging within sixty feet of my bedroom window wove their way through each day's living. At night when sleep eluded me, I welcomed the distant warning whistle as it broke through the thick blackness surrounding my comfort. Flexing crossties provided a muffled, thud-like baseline for the rhythm created by shifting couplings, spikes hitting strikeplates and wheels rubbing rails. This became my favorite lullaby. I often would drift off before the music and streaking silhouette faded around the bend. This mechanical symphony would not have been possible were it not for the efforts of one man in faithful pursuit of a soothing solution to his own restlessness.
Elijah McCoy spent his first 15 years on a 160-acre farm in Canada near Lake Erie exploring his fascination with tools and machines before traveling to Scotland to study mechanical engineering. After becoming a master mechanic and engineer, he came to the United States and began working as a fireman/oilman for the Michigan Central Railroad. Although this position was vastly beneath his abilities, McCoy accepted the challenge of starting wherever he could. He was required to shovel coal at the rate of two tons per hour into intensely hot engines. There was little time for rest. He also had to lubricate the engines and freight cars by bending and reaching with an oil can. Despite this demeaning and exhausting work, he found the energy and resolve to work through a longstanding problem with steam engines.
In 1872, he developed the first automatic lubricator called the "Lubricator Cup." This self-regulating device utilized steam pressure from the engine to continuously oil moving parts. This eliminated the downtime caused by periodic equipment shutdowns that were necessary to prevent overheating and permit manual lubrication. McCoy's device was such a breakthrough, it became commonplace to ask for "The Real McCoy" when purchasing machinery.
With the addition of McCoy's automatic lubrication system, steam engines worldwide became more dependable and productive. This allowed steam-powered railway transportation to contribute significantly to America's economic, urban and social successes in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Since steam was also used in ships, mines, mills and factories, the Industrial Revolution gained considerable momentum from the accumulated economies.
With this in mind, compare the omission of Elijah McCoy's innovations from timelines highlighting significant events of the Industrial Revolution with the inclusion of Bessemer's steel-making process although competing processes were instituted in each of the next two decades. Elijah McCoy was a prolific inventor who improved his own inventions and received over 55 patents. When he perfected the graphite lubricator to accommodate locomotives fueled with superheated steam, he called it his greatest achievement because of the unique and complex problem it solved. It was 1915, 43 years after his original design and he was 72 years old.
Elijah McCoy's intellectual capital soothed the engines of the Industrial Revolution as they churned steadily, connecting communities to new opportunities, especially capitalistic endeavors. Ironically, Elijah McCoy's parents escaped enslavement by America via the Underground Railroad, yet McCoy returned and provided greater freedoms to generations of Americans by making "above ground" railroad transportation more viable. A transportation system allowing efficient movement of people, livestock, raw materials and finished goods continues to be the cornerstone of an effective infrastructure.
Elijah McCoy spent his first 15 years on a 160-acre farm in Canada near Lake Erie exploring his fascination with tools and machines before traveling to Scotland to study mechanical engineering. After becoming a master mechanic and engineer, he came to the United States and began working as a fireman/oilman for the Michigan Central Railroad. Although this position was vastly beneath his abilities, McCoy accepted the challenge of starting wherever he could. He was required to shovel coal at the rate of two tons per hour into intensely hot engines. There was little time for rest. He also had to lubricate the engines and freight cars by bending and reaching with an oil can. Despite this demeaning and exhausting work, he found the energy and resolve to work through a longstanding problem with steam engines.
In 1872, he developed the first automatic lubricator called the "Lubricator Cup." This self-regulating device utilized steam pressure from the engine to continuously oil moving parts. This eliminated the downtime caused by periodic equipment shutdowns that were necessary to prevent overheating and permit manual lubrication. McCoy's device was such a breakthrough, it became commonplace to ask for "The Real McCoy" when purchasing machinery.
With the addition of McCoy's automatic lubrication system, steam engines worldwide became more dependable and productive. This allowed steam-powered railway transportation to contribute significantly to America's economic, urban and social successes in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Since steam was also used in ships, mines, mills and factories, the Industrial Revolution gained considerable momentum from the accumulated economies.
With this in mind, compare the omission of Elijah McCoy's innovations from timelines highlighting significant events of the Industrial Revolution with the inclusion of Bessemer's steel-making process although competing processes were instituted in each of the next two decades. Elijah McCoy was a prolific inventor who improved his own inventions and received over 55 patents. When he perfected the graphite lubricator to accommodate locomotives fueled with superheated steam, he called it his greatest achievement because of the unique and complex problem it solved. It was 1915, 43 years after his original design and he was 72 years old.
Elijah McCoy's intellectual capital soothed the engines of the Industrial Revolution as they churned steadily, connecting communities to new opportunities, especially capitalistic endeavors. Ironically, Elijah McCoy's parents escaped enslavement by America via the Underground Railroad, yet McCoy returned and provided greater freedoms to generations of Americans by making "above ground" railroad transportation more viable. A transportation system allowing efficient movement of people, livestock, raw materials and finished goods continues to be the cornerstone of an effective infrastructure.
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