Allied health career opportunities have become a popular employment option for individuals who want to contribute to patient care without needing to complete a college degree or an extensive program of training and certification. In recent years, demand for unlicensed medical providers who are able to help perform routine activities has increased significantly as the number of people seeking care has risen and the prevalence of chronic diet and exercise related illnesses has grown. Today, individuals who work as assistants and technicians can be found in just about every healthcare department within facilities that range from large hospitals to small independently operated doctor’s offices and outpatient clinics. Those planning to work in cardiovascular care as the telemetry technician need to understand that this branch might be more challenging to enter and may require that applicants take steps to improve their resume. There are several important strategies that aspiring technicians can use in an effort to compete for the openings that become available in the telemetry department. The most obvious things that might catch the attention of facility directors are formal education, training, and certification. Historically, individuals needed little to no education beyond a high school diploma or GED in order to find work in this field, but recent quality improvement initiatives along with changes to reimbursement policies adopted by federal and private insurance agencies have made a college degree more important for unlicensed providers. An applicant can still secure employment with very little education, but might discover that an Associate’s Degree in an allied health field can go a long way in differentiating oneself from the competition. Most of the training required to prepare the new telemetry technician for the responsibilities associated with the position occurs in-house or through an independent educational institution in the area. There are very few college programs that are specifically geared toward this profession and most people will find that most of the ones that are out there offer certificates of completion that can be used to show an employer that an applicant understands the basics of the position. While it may be helpful to finish a program like this before submitting applicants to healthcare organizations in the area, it is highly advised that individuals contact administrators to make sure the credentials are recognized before attempting to enroll in classes or attend lectures. Ensuring that the credentials awarded are recognized can save a lot of time, effort, and frustration when attempting to advance one’s career in the specialty. Other than education and training, two of the best strategies for standing out from the crowd include a previous work position in which direct patient care was required and national certification through the National Healthcareer Association, Cardiovascular Credential International, or the Association of Critical Care Nurses. In general, a training program must be completed before seeking certification and this step may not be possible without first being hired by the department. Those who have worked in a general area of practice using titles such as nurse aide and medical assistant are often given preference in hiring because they can demonstrate that they understand the basics of providing high quality care and they often have a solid list of positive work references that will vouch for their strong work ethic. Education, training, and Telemetry Certification are important strategies for strengthening the resume and showing that an applicant possesses the technical knowledge and skills needed to become a productive employee, but no amount of credentialing can substitute for a poor attitude or a lack of the proper personality traits required to become successful in the department. Administrators know how important character qualities are and they will often pass over applicants who have formal credentials in favor of those who can show that they will make an excellent member of the team and are passionate about improving the lives of others. Applicants who are kind, compassionate, able to listen, and who are willing to receive instruction from others can often make up for technical deficiencies through education and training, but those who lack the proper personality may not be able to change their attitude. Readers who are determined to work in this specialty and who want to find out more about the cardiac care industry are well-advised to take a look at EKGTechnicianSalary.org where they will uncover facts about practice regulations throughout the United States along with details relating to several important industry topics. Those who take the time to become very familiar with this career path will find that employers value their passion for providing comprehensive care to the public. In addition, it is an excellent idea to begin networking with influential individuals in the profession by joining prominent local, state, and national industry organizations.
Related Articles -
telemetry certification, telemetry technician, cardiovascular care,
|