LVN jobs and other rewarding medical jobs

If you are considering entering the healthcare profession, but do not have the ability to spend years in school and in debt, you should consider LVN jobs and medical biller jobs.  If you like hands-on patient care and shift work, consider careers as an LVN.  If you prefer working with patients on the phone and through mail and are detail-oriented, consider medical billing careers.  Both career paths require a short training period, are very rewarding, and allow for job flexibility.

 

Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs, also called licensed practical nurses or LPNs) provide compassionate care to a wide range of patients, from infants to senior citizens. For many vocational nurses, the most rewarding part of LVN jobs is the close contact with patients.

 

Working under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse, LVNs deliver much of the bedside care that hospital patients receive, from wound dressings to simple laboratory procedures. Much of the workday is spent assisting people with daily tasks like moving, dressing and bathing. Vocational nurses also answer questions from patients and family members and communicate these concerns to the healthcare team. Until recently, most LVNs worked in inpatient settings such as hospitals, extended care facilities, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers.  Now, a new sector of LVN jobs has been established in private doctors’ offices and ambulatory surgery centers.

 

To begin a career as a licensed vocational nurse, candidates must first complete a certificate program at a career center or community college. Training lasts about one year and covers nursing, biology and pharmacology.  Students also work under supervision in hospitals and other clinical settings to sharpen their skills. Unlike medical biller jobs, licensure is mandatory for LVNs. Upon graduation from an approved training program, candidates may apply to the state board of nursing. Once deemed eligible for licensure, they must next pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN).

 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the annual median salary for LVNs was $40,380 in May 2010. Eighty percent of LVNs earned between $29,680 and $56,010.  Salaries were generally highest in large, urban hospitals and below average in nursing homes.  The number of employed LVNs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, should increase by 22% between 2010 and 2020, which is more than the average growth for most occupations and a similar statistic to the predicted rate of growth for medical biller jobs. 

 

Medical billers review hospital and patient records, calculate charges, submit claims, and answer patient and insurance company questions regarding claims. A competent medical biller helps healthcare facilities navigate Medicare, Medicaid, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a set of rules regarding the privacy, confidentiality and sharing of personal health information.

 

Certified medical billers work in hospitals, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, rehabilitation facilities, and third party billing services such as consulting companies or insurance companies. Medical billing is a growing field that is open to anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent GED certificate. Medical billing courses can be completed in the classroom or online. When selecting a medical billing course, choose one offered by an accredited organization.

 

While state and federal laws don’t require certification to take a job in medical billing, in contrast to LVN jobs, most employers seek only certified applicants. A medical billing course from a respected school will ensure you are ready for the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist Exam. As of 2010, according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median annual compensation for medical biller jobs was $32,170.  Certified medical billers who work in private offices or for insurance companies can earn higher salaries than those who work in hospitals, public health or Medicaid settings. Employment for medical billers is expected to increase by 21 percent from 2010 to 2020.

 

 

In conclusion, if you want to find rewarding medical careers with short training requirements consider medical biller jobs or LVN jobs.