Allied Health Jobs and Future Prospects in Connecticut

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A career in healthcare industry brings with it several perks. It is financially rewarding and offers very good growth prospects. Healthcare professionals are respected and enjoy a good status in the society.

Usually careers in healthcare demand several years in college, expensive education and huge student debts. But do you know that there are several allied health jobs in Connecticut that do not require long-duration courses and do not burden you financially?

Jobs in allied health care are well paying, have less stressful working conditions and offer ample opportunities for growth and advancement in respective fields.

There are several factors behind the growth of healthcare industry in Connecticut. An aging baby boomer population, wider insurance coverage with Obamacare and increasing demand for home health care are a few of them.

Ensure you do not miss out on the opportunity and choose to get trained in a field that interests you. Let’s look at the exciting career choices you have in this field.

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians ensure that pharmacies function in an efficient and well-oiled manner. They are responsible for maintaining inventory of medicines, checking on the expiry dates of medicines and removing expired products, and helping physicians in carrying out their duties.

Pharmacy technicians also have to process prescriptions and mix and dispense medicines accordingly. They function under the supervision of pharmacists and also deal with worried and sick patients who come in.

One of the biggest challenges of this profession is that there are new developments in the field of pharmacy almost every day. You have to keep abreast with the changes and be aware of all relevant legal obligations and regulations.

Pharmacy technicians in CT have comfortable working conditions. If you are working in big hospitals or practices, you will also have to work in shifts. Most pharmacies remain open round-the-clock and see very hectic activity on busy days.

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics the median salary of this profession was $29,650 for 2013.

There are several allied health schools in Connecticut that offer pharmacy technician training programs including St. Vincent’s College, Penn Foster University and American Institute of Healthcare and Technology (AIHT).

Medical Assistant

Medical assistants perform a very important and critical supporting role to physicians. They ensure that physicians get all the help possible to carry out their responsibilities in the best possible manner. The median salary for the year 2013 was $29,610, and Connecticut is among the states that pay a salary higher than the average.

Medical assistants help practices and healthcare facilities function in an efficient manner. They take calls and fix up appointments. You will also handle mail and other communication.

Medical assistants are involved in direct patient care delivery. They carry out preliminary examination of patients, record vitals and enter information into patient health records.

Electronic health record management requires medical assistants to be familiar with computers and information systems. You will also be responsible for collating and filing information for insurance purposes.

The scope of work varies according to the size of facilities, and the specializations. Medical duties include phlebotomy, maintenance of required medical equipment, readying patients and rooms for surgical procedures, and helping out patients with handy information about their health and post-treatment care.

Many medical assistants pursue higher education and specialize in advanced fields like ophthalmology, oncology, cardiac care etc.

If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant you can pursue the short-duration training programs on offer at reputed institutes like Lincoln Technical Institute or Porter and Chester Institute.

You can also get trained at community colleges like Norwalk Community College, Capital Community College or Northwestern Connecticut Community College.

Phlebotomist

Phlebotomy is both an art as well as science. It is the art of drawing blood from veins for testing purposes, donation or transfusion.

Phlebotomy has been known to mankind for centuries, but the advances in science have made the procedure safe and hygienic as we now know it as.

A phlebotomist draws blood in the required quantity and stores and labels it properly. As a phlebotomist you will be responsible for the safe storage and transport of blood samples to testing laboratories. Wrong labeling can result in serious complications like faulty diagnosis and wrong treatment.

Phlebotomist training programs teach you to sterilize and maintain all testing equipment properly. You will also have to safely dispose of used syringes and needles, and other medical wastes. Accidental pricks can be dangerous, especially when you are dealing with patients suffering from highly infectious diseases. You also need to handle samples carefully in order to avoid contamination.

Another important aspect of a phlebotomists’ job is that he or she will be dealing with patients who are worried, skeptical and tensed. Good interpersonal skills will help you handle all kinds of situations well and put the patients in ease. As you gain experience you will gradually be more comfortable in your job and will be able to deal with the most difficult of patients – children, as well.

As per BLS, the median salary of phlebotomists for the year 2013 was $30,150.

Phlebotomist training programs are offered at several places in Connecticut. Goodwin College, American Red-Cross Occupational School, Academy of Medical Training and Manchester Community College are some of the institutes that you can check out.

Licensing and Certification

Licensing and certification requirements vary from state to state. Connecticut has recommended procedures that are easy to follow.

Pharmacy technicians need to take an exam for Certified Pharmacy Technician. Connecticut has certification exams for Clinical Medical Assistant and Certified Phlebotomy Technician. Students who have successfully completed their training programs are eligible to take these tests.

You can also get on the job training and take the exams, but a regulated course will help you have a better understanding of the subjects. Also, most employers prefer professionals who are formally trained. This is because they need not invest time and money to give them on the job training again.

Opt for a comprehensive training program at an established institute or college which will help you gain employment at a reputed facility.

Conclusion

Connecticut offers great employment and advancement potential to allied health professionals. Make your career in this fast growing field and enjoy the benefits that come along with it.