Fastest Growing Careers in Psychology

September 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Many people choose to major in psychology because it’s an interesting field, but some don’t know exactly what they want to do after graduation. The options for people with psychology degrees are expanding. Healthcare employment has more job security than many other fields. However, for those who are persistent, well-qualified and passionate, psychology careers are available.

Here are a few of the fastest growing positions found within the field of psychology.

A School Counselor

Those with child psychology coursework may enjoy working as a school counselor at a high school. Teens face many issues and problems that impact their mental and emotional health. A top-notch counselor can help teens make good choices that will lead to success, or learn how to overcome bad choices they’ve made in the past.

Forensic Psychologist

Because of the popularity of TV shows, movies and books that highlight forensic psychologists, this career option has soared. A forensic psychologist works within the courts on different issues such as child custody cases, allegations of child abuse, or even disputed insurance claims involving mental anguish. They work directly with lawyers and judges to explain the effects that the case has on the individuals involved. They ultimately give an inside look at what those involved in the case are experiencing on a personal level.

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

An I-O psychologist works in companies that want to increase worker productivity. This psychologist will sit with employees and discuss motivation, things that may be preventing them from achieving their fullest work potential and other work-related issues. Often, they will discover connections between job performance and mental health issues. This type of psychologist is also adept at tracking which employees would be great for promotions and for training other employees.

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How Has Technology Changed The Field of Psychology?

July 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Technology has altered the field of psychology in many ways. First of all, there are many new categories of psychology that relate to technology. Human factors, for example, deals with making technology more user-friendly for non-technical people.

Other new psychology fields have sprung up in response to the effects of technology, too. For example, Internet addiction disorder is a concern, and psychologists are trying to decide whether it belongs in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

Technology has changed the way we live our lives, which has obviously impacted the psychology department as well. People communicate online, which has changed relationships. People date online, too, which has certainly been discussed in many psychology offices!

The Internet has changed daily lives, and, the general thoughts and patterns of the modern mind. In other words: the self that grows out of daily tweets, emails, multi-tasking and so on, is different than the pre-historic self that gathered fruit and hunted for animals.

More importantly: there are lots of new technical tools being used for psychological research. For example, there is new imaging equipment that allows researchers to study the visual complexities of the brain.

For example: psychologists now know which parts of the brain are involve in memory. It’s possible to see where short term, long term and sensory information are stored.

Here’s another thing: software is being used to track emotional health and moods. So, people can track their feelings over a period of time, which may help researchers gather data. Technology and psychology are so intertwined, that some universities, such as MIT, are considering combining the disciplines.

 

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Filed Under: Anatomy of the Mind, General Tagged With: , ,

Choosing a Career As A Medical Assistant

June 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Many people dream of working in the medical field. Often they think of doctors and nurses, but do not think about the other great options that are available. Becoming a medical assistant is a great way to get into the field and determine if you want to advance any further.

There are many people who love being a medical assistant, and would not want to change it for the world. Being able to assist the doctors and nurses is rewarding, especially when they are able to help a patient recover and enjoy more health.

As a medical assistant, you can help patients feel comfortable, and answer some of their questions. You help with check-in and check out as needed, often taking vital signs, and discovering what symptoms that they have been having. It gives you a good idea if you want to become a nurse or a doctor, or if you prefer the position of assisting.

Being able to deal with the lower stress position is great for those who do not want stress but still want to be close to the medical field. Helping people take the tests that they need to or just getting their temperature or blood pressure.

You can help the doctor you work for simply by building positive relationships with the patients that come to see them. It is your face that becomes the face of what the medical practice means to them. Becoming a medical assistant is a great career possibility.

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How to Find Online Pediatric Courses

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Most people can’t deny they love babies. If you’re interested in beginning a career involving children, perhaps you will consider looking into the pediatric field. There are many different jobs in the pediatric field such as nurses, doctors, and other types of medical professionals. To get a pediatric degree you may attend a college or university, or even take online classes.

If you are considering online college, you may want to begin at a search engine. You will usually find the most popular schools at the top of the list, but you may want to continue your research outside of search engines such as visiting pediatric businesses to obtain information about recommended schools. You will want to research many colleges individually and then compare their legitimacy and course layouts.

To find an online college course, you want to make sure it is valid. For each course you consider, you have to make sure the college offering the course is accredited.  To do this, you can contact the college or verify with the state department of education. If you attend a school that is not accredited, most businesses will not accept your degree as legitimate, so it is very important to attend an accredited school.

Compare online college courses against one another. If you’re looking to be a pediatric nurse, look for a course that will give you the best training and knowledge about children and will help you better care for them. Most courses will allow you to examine the layout of the class and will describe what you will be learning and how it will help you.

 

Filed Under: Disorders, General Psychology Tagged With: , ,

Choosing A Career in Medical Administration

June 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Everyone from the doctor to the patient appreciates a well run medical facility. One of the careers in the medical field that few people think about is the medical facility administrator.

The administrator is responsible for the entire organization. They make sure that each department is within budget, and they make sure that everything keeps running smoothly.

The position often pays very well, and takes a higher degree to obtain, but it is a great option for someone who wants to have a career in the medical field, but not have to work directly with patients when it comes to surgery or other invasive procedures. Being able to keep things running well is a talent that is appreciated by many hospitals and surgery centers.

If you are looking for a career that has a mean salary of $91,000 a year, then this is the field for you. Being able to manage the office, office staff, as well as the bookkeeping can ensure that you have a job that will pay you what you are worth. Of course, there are positions in Medical administration that pay more as you gain additional experience.

In California, there are some office administrators that are paid approximately $132,000 a year. For not having to actually give anyone a shot, cut them open, or participate in surgery, this is a great paying position, and worth getting the degree to work in the field. If you love working with an office staff, have great organizational skills, and love the medical field, then this is a career to consider.

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Which Prenatal Tests are Necessary?

June 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Many women have a bunch of different prenatal tests performed. However, not all of them are necessary. There are many reasons why a prenatal test is performed. They can identify:

  • health problems of the mother that can affect the baby
  • features of the baby (including gender)
  • health problems of the baby, including chromosomal disorders
  • other physical abnormalities, including heart problems

Such tests allow medical professionals to monitor the pregnancy week by week.

Here are prenatal tests that are recommended for you and your baby.

General

  • Blood test
  • Urine test
  • Rh factor testing: indicates if harmful antibodies will produce that will harm the baby
  • Ultrasound: performed throughout the entire pregnancy

First Trimester

  • Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): identifies chromosomal abnormalities
  • First trimester screen: identifies any other abnormalities

Second Trimester

  • Cordocentesis (Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling (PUBS)): examines fetal blood to detect abnormalities
  • Quad screen: blood test
  • Triple screen test (multiple marker screen): maternal blood testing for hormones and proteins

Third Trimester

  • Biophysical profile (BPP): an ultrasound and non-invasive test that determines fetal health
  • Glucose challenge screening & glucose tolerance test (NST): tests for gestational diabetes
  • Fetal non-stress test (NST): performed if the baby is overdue or not moving around as much as it should
  • Group B strep infection: tests for bacteria that cause infection

The tests are necessary in any pregnancy. There are many other prenatal tests available for prenatal care; however, they are only necessary if your doctor feels that you or your baby may need the test to determine another medical factor. Always consult your doctor if you have any concerns.

 

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Preparing For Surgery

June 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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When it comes to surgery, there are usually two different perspectives that people take. Some are looking forward to it because they are going to be getting rid of something that has been causing pain and discomfort. Other people are often afraid of what the outcome of surgery may be. This is especially true for those who are about to have someone that they love go through surgery.

When preparing for surgery, many people think about making sure to choose the surgeon, have their insurance in order, and have a time set up. Only a few people think about what they need to do to personally prepare themselves and their loved ones for surgery.

When it is a minor surgery, there is likely to be worry or concern, but if the patient is likely to have complications, or it seems like they could be facing death, the emotional tension can be quite high. A patient can prepare themselves and their family for surgery by taking the time to discuss the worst and best case scenarios so that everyone at least feels like there is a plan in place.

Taking time together as a family can help calm down any anxiety that anyone is feeling. Some people like to meditate or pray together to help bring about a positive atmosphere prior to going under the knife.

When you are about to have surgery, make sure that you take the time to do whatever is needed for you and your loved ones to feel comforted about it if possible, it will help your healing.

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Staying Mentally and Physically Fit

June 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Your body will usually tell you when something has gone awry. The good news is that there are preventative measures to help maintain mental and physical fitness. In spite of some ongoing debates, that “fountain of youth” feeling is usually not too complicated to achieve.

One of the most important things to understand might be that some diets can be questionable in nature. Not every diet plan is effective for maintaining an ideal weight or shedding unwanted pounds. Just because we increase in size as we age doesn’t mean that our food portions should increase tremendously. Eating smaller portions of assorted proteins, legumes, grains and dairy up to five times a day may be helpful. For those seeking professional guidance, nutritionists and dietitians can be found easily via the Internet at Canada 411.

If you’ve made good friends with the sofa over the years, it might be time to break in that new set of tennis shoes your aunt bought last Christmas. She might be trying to tell you something and exercising is a crucial part of the puzzle when it comes to leading a healthier lifestyle. While you may drag your feet and sound like a locomotive initially, your body will thank you in the long run. Over time, muscles will start to look more defined and you’ll have more energy.

If your eyes are getting dark circles, there may be even more of a reason to sleep. Metabolism can be greatly affected by the absence of shut-eye. Additionally, many illnesses and diseases can be thwarted when people get the appropriate amount of rest. So, visit the Sandman soon.

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Bio Medical Technology

June 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Many advances are being made in the bio medical field with both humans and animals. A majority of the progress is made through animals first and then moves on to mankind. The reason for this, is because that is what the regulations require.

A woman who had lost her fingers due to a disease was able to get a bionic hand, that even had a built in iPod. It made it possible for her to be able to do all the things that she used to before she lost her fingers. A man, who was losing his sight, was able to have a telescopic lens installed in his eye and his sight was restored. It is amazing to see what progress has been made. Many of these advances were first made using animals. A cat that lost both her back feet had them replaced with bio mechanical ones. The same thing for a dog that lost its foot. The fur and skin started growing over it, which showed the potential of it to be able to become a more integrated part of the body. Eventually, the bionic foot would not be as noticeable because of the hair and skin that were growing over it.

The advancements in biomechanics and the medical field have proven to open up areas of the mind and body to new possibilities. Everything from being able to use your mind to control mechanical limbs, to being able to restore sight when it was destroyed.

Who knows what the future will bring in this field. People who are disabled or lose a limb in war may suddenly be able to have restoration that they never thought possible.

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Filed Under: General Psychology Tagged With: , ,

Choosing A Career In The Medical Field

June 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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The demand for good medical care is picking up. There is an increased need for surgeons, nurses, as well as a wide variety of doctors. Choosing a career in the medical field is sure to bring in good income, as well as keep you quite busy.

There are many things to think about when you consider working in the medical field. There is a great deal of education that you must complete before you can practice as a nurse or doctor. Depending on what your goals are, there are many different options available. Being able to work in a lab testing blood and urine is enough for some people. They feel that they are part of the field, but do not have to deal with surgery or other aspects of the medical industry.

Some people really love helping to determine what issues people are dealing with and focus on becoming ultrasound technicians, or physicians assistants.

Many people feel that they benefit a great deal from working in the medical field. They enjoy helping people and they often are well compensated. It can be hard when you work long hours, but for the most part, those that really truly enjoy it do not mind that extra shift now and again.

Being able to help people get back to the level of health that they enjoyed is rewarding. Many people feel that it is well worth the educational investment to become a doctor, nurse or other health practitioner in the medical field.

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