Healthcare jobs are the fastest-growing in the country. Arkansas medical trade schools can prepare you for work in the field in as little as eight months.

By Gabby Hyman
RWM Columnist
January 30, 2007

It's really no secret: the personnel shortages within the healthcare industry will create the fastest-growing job group in America over the next decade. Positions are varied, and Arkansas-based medical trade schools can speed you into the field in as little as eight months, depending on your career choice. Local trade schools are currently offering diploma programs in medical insurance and coding, medical assisting, and pharmacy technician specialties.

Medical Billing and Coding
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of medical insurance and coding personnel will grow faster than the national average for all occupations through 2014. Candidates with formal vocational or technical training will have the inside track.

At one Arkansas-based medical trade school, you can earn a medical insurance and coding diploma in eight months, completing your training with an externship for a professional healthcare provider. Coding professionals record patient data for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, enabling accurate insurance billing.

Medical Assisting
Medical assisting will also be among the healthcare jobs predicted to grow faster, according to the BLS. Medical assistants combine clinical and administrative skills to keep medical offices running smoothly. Physicians will continue to rely more and more on assistants to handle patient record-keeping, as well as performing medical histories and taking vital signs. Graduates of diploma programs are qualified to take jobs with Arkansas physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, and laboratories in private practices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.

Pharmacy Technician
Another of the fastest-growing technical healthcare positions is the pharmacy technician. Openings will favor candidates with diplomas or certifications. Seven out of 10 pharmacy techs work in retail and clinic pharmacies, wholesale merchandisers and grocery stores. Local medical trade school programs can lead to a pharmacy technician diploma in eight months. Following the course of technical study, students complete their training with a 120-hour externship in a working pharmacy.

One Arkansas medical trade school currently provides students with a laptop computer to be used in pharmacy tech, medical assisting, and insurance coding programs. Successful graduates keep the computer.

Sources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Medical Insurance and Coding, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician

About the Author
Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.