Medical terminology: first step in a new professional career
In these days of economic uncertainty, career change is a hot topic. As baby boomers retire and leave the workforce, employers are concerned about a shortage of skilled workers. In addition, corporate cost cutting, offshoring, layoffs, and forced career changes leave many workers with difficult choices. Gone are the days of one job and one employer for life. Following a career path today can mean navigating many twists and turns, setbacks, back roads, and dead ends. Where is the roadmap to a new career that provides enrichment, stability, and growth potential?
One of the best ways to alleviate some of the uncertainty and increase your marketability quotient is to broaden your skill set. Since continuing education is often required to maintain licenses and certifications, make those education hours do double duty. The right training can mean more opportunities in your current field and serve as a springboard to a new career. But which industries offer the best chance for job stability and advancement?
The expansion of the healthcare and healthcare-related industries is predicted to require many additional skilled workers in the coming decade. According to Forbes magazine, “As wealthy baby boomers age, look at the health care industry… Between 2004 and 2014, seven of the 10 fastest-growing jobs in the US will be in the health care”. In addition to careers directly related to patient care, demand for support professionals such as medical records and health information technicians, therapists, counselors and medical transcriptionists will increase.
A basic requirement for entry into almost any healthcare-related career is a command of medical terminology. The ability to recognize, understand, spell, and pronounce basic medical terms, identify medical abbreviations, and decipher unfamiliar words using roots, suffixes, and prefixes is a necessary tool to perform well in any medical setting. Medical terminology courses are widely available online, at home, and in instructor-led formats. As medical technology advances rapidly, medical terminology evolves to keep up. To keep up with new terminology, consider taking the course again if you have taken it in the past.
The Department of Labor database lists seven non-traditional careers that require medical terminology:
medical transcriptionists – To accurately understand and transcribe dictated reports, medical transcriptionists must understand medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, and treatment evaluations. They must also be able to translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms.
Technicians in Medical Records and Health Information – In addition to general education, course requirements for medical records and health information technicians include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health information, health data standards, data coding and abstraction, statistics , database administration, quality improvement methods, and Computer Science.
Surgical Technologists – Surgical technologists receive their training in formal programs offered by community and community colleges, vocational schools, universities, hospitals, and the military. In 2006, the Commission for the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) recognized more than 400 accredited training programs. Programs last from 9 to 24 months and lead to a certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree. Programs provide classroom education and supervised clinical experience. Students take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, professional ethics, and medical terminology. Other topics covered include patient care and safety during surgery, sterile techniques, and surgical procedures. Students also learn to sterilize instruments; prevent and control infections; and handle medications, solutions, supplies, and special equipment. Most employers prefer to hire certified technologists.
Occupational therapist assistants and assistants – There were 126 accredited occupational therapist assistant programs in 2007. The first year of study typically includes an introduction to healthcare, basic medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology. In the second year, the courses are more rigorous and generally include occupational therapist courses in areas such as mental health, adult physical disabilities, gerontology, and pediatrics. Students must also complete 16 weeks of supervised fieldwork in a clinic or community setting.
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians – The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology accredits most formal training programs for the field. The committee accredited more than 600 radiography programs in 2007. The programs provide both classroom and clinical instruction in anatomy and physiology, patient care procedures, radiation physics, radiation protection, imaging principles, medical terminology, patient positioning , medical ethics, radiobiology, and pathology.
Medical Assistants – Post-secondary medical assistance programs are offered at vocational and technical high schools, post-secondary vocational schools, and community and junior colleges. Programs generally last 1 year and result in a certificate or diploma, or 2 years and result in an associate’s degree. Courses cover anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as typing, transcription, record keeping, bookkeeping, and insurance processing. Students learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, medication administration, and first aid. They also study office practices, patient relations, medical law, and ethics. There are several organizations that accredit medical assisting programs, and accredited programs often include an internship that provides hands-on experience in a doctor’s office, hospital, or other health care facility.
court reporters – Candidates for the first-level court reporter certification – the CVR – must pass a written test on spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, legal and medical terminology, and three 5-minute dictation and transcription exams that assess speed, accuracy, and the silence.
In addition to these fields, many other professionals can benefit from an understanding of medical terminology. Attorneys, paralegals, law clerks, and other legal professionals who handle cases involving medical issues are better able to litigate these cases when they understand the terminology used. Health insurance professionals, as well as those working in medical billing and coding charges, also benefit from a working knowledge of medical terminology.
Many agencies require certification in medical terminology for pharmacy technicians. Professionals and technicians in biology, dentistry, hospital administration, and many others must use medical terminology correctly to communicate with patients, staff, customers, and colleagues. Home health care therapists, technicians, counselors, and providers can improve communication, increase the quality of patient care, and reduce oversights and liability issues with a clear understanding of medical terminology.
A medical terminology course is a widely accessible means to broaden your skill set, increase your marketability, and increase opportunities for advancement in your current career while helping you chart a path to exciting work in the healthcare industry. Doubling the value of your time and education leads to a better job that will enrich your life.