Obtain Free Health Care In Tennessee

TennCare provides health care coverage to low-income children.

If you are a resident of Tennessee and need health care but cannot afford to pay for it, you may be eligible for TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program. Depending on your financial situation and the rules set by the state, you may qualify for free or low-cost health care. TennCare covers certain groups of Tennesseans with limited incomes and resources; some examples of covered groups include individuals under 21, pregnant women, Supplemental Security Income recipients and families with children. To be considered for free health care in Tennessee, submit an application to Tennessee's Department of Human Services.

Instructions

1. Use the office locator on the official DHS website to find the contact information of your local DHS office. DHS offices are located in each of Tennessee's 95 counties.

2. Obtain an application at the office or by calling the office and requesting that an application be mailed to you. Or download and print out an Application for Family Assistance Programs and Benefits from the DHS website.

3. Fill out the application as completely as you can. Expect to provide personal information about yourself and your family members. For example, you'll have to give DHS the Social Security Number and citizenship or other legal status of each person who is applying for health care benefits. You'll also need to enter information about each household member's income, resources (things you own, such as bank accounts) and household expenses.

4. Gather proof of your identity, citizenship or legal status, Tennessee residency, income and resources, so that DHS can verify the information on your application. DHS will notify you if further documentation or information is required. If you are not sure which forms of documentation are accepted by DHS, call 866-311-4287.

5. Mail, fax or bring your completed application to your local DHS office.

6. Wait 45 to 90 days to hear from DHS about whether you can get free health care through TennCare.

Tags: health care, free health, free health care, income resources, information about

Make A Brochure On Your Computer

Make a Brochure on Your Computer

Brochures are convenient for business marketing purposes and an easy, effective way to share information about products and events with the public. Brochures can also be a cost-effective way for small business owners to bring attention to their businesses. The good news is, if you have access to a computer and desktop publishing software, making a professional brochure customized to fit your needs is easy enough that almost anyone can do it without having a lot of desktop publishing experience.

Instructions

1. Choose the desktop publishing software you want to use to create your brochure. If you have Microsoft Word or OpenOffice Write, either one will do. The main thing you want is software that has a selection of brochure templates to work with. Serif PagePlus and Scribus (for PC and Mac) are free full-featured desktop publishing programs that have templates and all the tools you need for creating professional brochures on your computer.

2. Open your desktop publishing software, go to "File" and choose "New." Select the "Template" option and browse the brochure category until you find a brochure that matches the type of brochure you want to create in basic layout, whether it is two panel or three panel.

3. Select the placeholder images in the template and hit the "Delete" key on your computer keyboard. This will remove the template images from the brochure. Go to the "Insert" menu and select "Picture" to insert your own images into your brochure.

4. Left-click your mouse and drag it over the template text to select the text for deletion. Hit the "Delete" key and the template text will disappear. Type your own text in its place. If you want to change the font, select your text and then go to the "Font" menu and choose the font style you want to use from the drop-down menu.

5. Save your brochure for printing. If you plan to use the same brochure often, with minor changes, use the "Save As" command and save your brochure as a template you can use as a basis for new brochures. To print your brochure, purchase glossy paper from an office supply store. Glossy paper absorbs less ink and gives brochures a professionally designed and printed appearance.

Tags: desktop publishing, your brochure, desktop publishing software, publishing software, Brochure Your

About Medical Photographers

About Medical Photographers

Medical photography is a less often mentioned career that proves to be a very important one within the medical community. We generally see the work of medical photographers in medical pamphlets, science textbooks and perhaps in images on medical television shows. Images may also be used in scientific reports and journals and as a means of study among those in various healthcare professions. This style of art shows the human body in its most vulnerable form, as photographers capture internal and external images of the body, injuries, diseases and medical procedures.

Significance

Medical photographers not only need to be excellent at their craft, they also need to have a great deal of knowledge and understanding in science and medicine. Whether working in a hospital, clinical or forensic setting, a successful medical photographer will be able to produce images sufficient for study as well as use in medical articles and publications.

Features

Disciplines within medical illustration include clinical photography, medical art, graphic design and healthcare photos and videography. In addition to just taking pictures, medical photographers may also use technology, including photomicrography, computers and design software, in producing their images.

Function

Medical photographers may take photos of patients to help diagnose, track and record treatments. Some may take pictures or video of operations, which can be used for later medical instruction. Photomicrography may be used to show microscopic images in greater detail.

Considerations

Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) suggests that high school students interested in pursuing a career in medical photography should take classes in art, biology, chemistry, algebra, photography, drawing and design, English, history, graphic arts, printing, health occupations/medical professions education and computer illustration. Most often a bachelor's degree and extensive experience in photography is also required before pursuing medical photography as a career.

Considerations

Individuals may become certified in medical photography through the BioCommunications Association, which describes its organization as an international professional association of people working in the biological communications field. In order to become certified, one must successfully complete a written exam, a practical exam and a demonstration of competency.

Benefits

According to CBsalary.com, the U.S. National Average Salary for medical photography is $28,319, with a salary range of $23,400 to $39,339. However, the average salary for ophthalmic photographer is listed as $41,279. The average for scientific and biomedical photographers is $39,588. Some medical photographers also work on a freelance basis.

Tags: medical photography, medical photographers, About Medical, About Medical Photographers, become certified, Medical photographers, medical photographers also

Why Are My Breasts Sore After My Period

In addition to cramping, back pain, nausea, bloating and mood swings, many women also experience breast tenderness in the days surrounding their periods. Sore breasts can be confusing, especially when the soreness occurs after your period ends. Having a clear understanding of the changes that take place in your body throughout your menstrual cycle will help shed some light on why exactly you experience this tenderness.

Hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle may contribute to breast tenderness after your period.

Menstrual Cycle

Your menstrual cycle is your body's way of preparing for pregnancy. You calculate your menstrual period by counting the number of days from the first day of your period until the first day of the next period, which is usually about 28 days, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Part of your body's pregnancy preparation involves shifts in female hormones throughout the duration of your menstrual cycle.

Menstrual Cycle Stages

The American Pregnancy Association states that your menstrual cycle is divided into two stages; the follicular stage and the luteal stage. During the follicular stage--lasting from the first day of your menstrual period until ovulation---increasing levels of estrogen cause your uterine lining to thicken and an egg in one of your ovaries to mature. The luteal stage begins when your ovary releases the mature egg into your fallopian tube and lasts until the first day of your next period. During this stage of your menstrual cycle, the follicle that released the mature egg produces higher levels of progesterone, which prepares your uterus to receive and nurture the fertilized egg.

Menstrual Period

If the ripe egg released from your ovary does not get fertilized, your body's levels of progesterone and estrogen drop drastically; your body doesn't need high hormone levels to support your pregnancy since you didn't conceive. The unfertilized egg disintegrates and leaves your body in the monthly flow of blood that you know as your menstrual period. The beginning of this period also marks the beginning of your next menstrual cycle and the beginning of your body's preparations for pregnancy once again.

Estrogen

One of the key female hormones involved in your menstrual cycle is estrogen. During the follicular stage of your menstrual cycle, the levels of estrogen in your bloodstream increase daily until they trigger ovulation. Without accompanying high levels of progesterone to offset its effects, the estrogen dominates your body during the first half of your menstrual cycle. Since estrogen is the female hormone that causes breast development, the rising levels of this hormone in your body during the first half of your menstrual cycle often causes breast soreness or tenderness during and after your period.

Considerations

Experiencing breast tenderness after your period simply indicates that your body is producing adequate levels of the female hormone estrogen. If you experience excessive breast tenderness before, during and after your period, accompanied by recurrent miscarriage or the inability to get pregnant for more than a year, then you may be producing too little progesterone or too much estrogen. If you suspect your breast tenderness may be due to hormone imbalances, talk to your doctor about hormone testing.

Tags: your body, your menstrual, your menstrual cycle, your period, after your, after your period

Die From Breast Cancer

The American Cancer Society says African-American women are more likely to die of breast cancer than any other racial or ethnic group.

Breast cancer can be fatal, especially if detected in its late stages and/or left untreated. The American Cancer Society estimates 40,170 women and 440 men will die of breast cancer in 2009. Only lung cancer causes more cancer deaths in American women.

Trends

Both the occurrence and death rate of breast cancer in American women has dropped significantly in the first decade of the 21st century. The Centers for Disease Control report that breast cancer incidence fell 2.2 percent per year from 1999 to 2005. The mortality rate dropped 1.8 percent each year from 1998 to 2005.

The mortality picture for men with breast cancer has remained nearly the same since 1975, although, according to ACS, the incidence of breast cancer in men rose about 1 percent per year between 1975 and 2004. Still, male breast cancer accounts for only 1 percent of all U.S. breast cancer cases.

Stage

Cancers are classified by a staging system (Stage I through Stage IV) which indicates how far cancer has spread in the body at the time of diagnosis. At what stage a breast cancer is diagnosed and treated plays a large part in whether or not a person will survive the disease.

The National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) statistics illustrate that the more advanced a patient's breast cancer at the time of diagnosis, the less likely it is that he or she will be alive five years later. For women with stage I (localized to the breast) have a 98.3 percent survival rate; stage II (spread to regional lymph nodes), 83.5 percent; stages III and IV (spread to distant areas of the body), 23.3 percent survival.

Age

Younger people do not necessarily fare better in their fight with breast cancer than older people. Because some breast cancers feed off the female hormones women produce in their younger years, women who are premenopausal can develop tumors that are more aggressive and less responsive to treatment than older women. ACS reports the five-year survival rate for women older than 40 is 89 percent, but for women younger than 40, it's 82 percent.

Very young women still have age on their side, however. NCI says only 1 percent of deaths in women age 20 to 34 are from breast cancer. The percentages increase as a woman gets older and peak just after the menopause transition years---accounting for 20.3 percent of deaths in women age 55 to 64.

Race

Mortality has either declined or remained steady among all racial and ethnic groups, but African-American women still have a much greater chance of dying from breast cancer than any other group. Their mortality rate is 36 percent higher than white women even though the incidence of breast cancer is higher in whites, reports ACS.

Socioeconomics

People who are poorer and/or lack health insurance are more likely to die from breast cancer, says ACS. The existence of additional illness, delays in diagnosis and substandard medical treatment all contribute to lower-income patients having lower survival rates.

Tags: breast cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer than, cancer than

How Much Is An Std Test

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, cover a wide range of conditions, some relatively mild and others much more dangerous. However, all of them must be addressed promptly. The one thing that many STDs have in common is the absence of symptoms, at least in the early stages of infection. So if you are sexually active and have had unprotected---or even protected---sex with one or more partners, you must be checked for the full range of STDs to ensure that you are disease-free and will pose no threat to your sexual partners.

Testing for STDs

Because there are so many STDs, there is no single test that can confirm that you are free of sexually transmitted infections. Testing procedures include blood tests, urinalysis and physical examination of your genitals and/or anus. Tests also include taking samples of tissue, cells, saliva and abnormal discharges for microscopic inspection. Almost none of these tests is done with a routine physical, so if you are concerned about the possibility of an STD, you must ask your doctor to authorize the necessary tests.

Included in the overall category of STDs are the following diseases and disorders: HIV/AIDS, chancroid, chlamydia, cytomegalovirus (CMV), genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, herpes, human papilloma virus (HPV), intestinal parasites, molluscum contagiosum, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), pubic lice, scabies, syphilis and trichomoniasis.

Cost of Testing

The cost of STD tests varies widely and depends to a large extent on what, if any, insurance coverage you have and where you have the testing done. If you are fortunate enough to have comprehensive health insurance, you will probably pay only a small copayment, if anything, for each test. For the uninsured, STD testing through your family doctor can be quite expensive, ranging from about $50 to $200 per test. For those who seek absolute anonymity and don't care to discuss such matters with the family doctor, there are private testing companies, but their services don't come cheap, and few, if any, accept health insurance. These private firms usually charge $50 to $150 per test, but some offer testing packages that cover between seven and ten different STDs and are priced at $300 to $400.

Free and Discounted Testing

If you really want to get tested and don't have insurance or the money to pay for these tests out of pocket, check out local health clinics, many of which offer free or sharply discounted testing. College students can often obtain free or low-cost STD tests through their college infirmary. Both Planned Parenthood and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer referral services to help you locate a low-cost testing center. To obtain a CDC referral to a testing center

near you, call the agency at (800) 232-4636; Planned Parenthood offers an online health center locator that can be accessed on the association's homepage at http://www.plannedparenthood.org/.

Tags: family doctor, health insurance, many STDs, Planned Parenthood, testing center

Mobile Spa Services Rules & Regulations

There could be a demand for mobile spa services.

With a growing awareness of health and alternative medicine, offering mobile-spa services can be a cost-effective business solution. It can also help you access a growing number of clientele who are unable to make use of the services of a regular spa, because they are recovering from illness or are bed-ridden.

Get Your Mobile Spa Moving

You might have considered purchasing a spacious van for your mobile spa (and even figured the cost of gas into the pricing of services), bought sufficiently portable equipment, and determined advertise to grow your client base, but there are other pressing concerns you would need to think of as well. Every state has its own regulations when it comes to mobile-spa services.

Observing the Rules

Here's what you need to know in a nutshell:

*Pay strict attention to hygiene. Ensure that all your equipment, including foot spas and hand-held implements are lined with disposable covers. Use only fresh, clean water in your foot spa and baths. As far as possible, bill disposable kits to your clients after use. Sterilize all manicure and pedicure equipment after each use.

*In some states, it is possible to offer mobile spa services only to clients who are bed-ridden or indisposed. Ensure that you are aware of all the regulations that apply in your state.

*Maintain a record of all your client visits, including the reasons for making the house call.

*As a trained cosmetologist, carry your license with you at all times, especially when making house calls.

*In some cases, appointments must be booked only through a registered premises.

*To prevent infections, do not re-use oils, soaps, lotions or personal care items.

Contact Relevant Authorities

Contact the board of cosmetology in your state for more information about starting your mobile-spa service. Ensure that you adhere to all the rules and regulations before you begin. You can contact people in the massage profession, private therapists and bigger spas that offer mobile-spa services on the side for more practical information.

Tags: Ensure that, mobile-spa services, making house, your client, your state

Ultrasound Technician Schools In Michigan

Ultrasound technicians typically study diagnostic medical sonography.

Students who wish to become ultrasound technicians should look for schools offering a program in diagnostic medical sonography (DMS), because this field of study teaches students operate equipment, read ultrasound images and interact with patients. Most students who graduate from a DMS program go on to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exam, which can greatly enhance their career opportunities. Several schools in Michigan offer DMS programs that take two to four years to complete.

Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University, located 15 minutes outside Grand Rapids, offers a bachelor's of science degree in diagnostic medical sonography. Each student chooses a concentration in general sonography or echocardiography, and there are also sub-specialties within these concentrations, such as abdominal or vascular sonography. Pediatric echocardiography is another sub-specialty, and GVSU is the only school in the U.S. that offers a bachelor's degree in this field.

Students complete a clinical component of the program that includes 1,680 contact hours with patients. The program has a good reputation for producing ARDMS-certified graduates; as of 2010, all students since 2007 were ARDMS-registered before graduation.

Grand Valley State University

1 North Campus Dr.

Allendale, MI 49401

616-331-5000

gvsu.edu

Sanford-Brown Institute

Located in Dearborn, 10 minutes from downtown Detroit, the Sanford-Brown Institute offers a diploma program for those who wish to gain entry-level employment as an ultrasound technician. The school's diagnostic medical sonography program includes the study of the abdomen, pelvis and superficial structures. Courses include anatomy, organ systems and physiology. The campus has an imaging laboratory for practice with the machines and equipment associated with this career, and an off-campus clinical course is also required.

Sanford-Brown Institute

5900 Mercury Dr.

Dearborn, MI 48126

877-257-6444

sbdearborn.com

Providence Hospital Allied Health School

Providence Hospital, located just north of Detroit in Southfield, offers its own Allied Health School with a program for diagnostic medical sonography. This full-time program includes classroom instruction and clinical training that is completed on a traditional 40-hour workweek schedule, Monday through Friday. The program takes 18 months to complete and starts in May of each year. Applicants must be practicing medical professionals, such as registered nurses or radiologic technicians, though individuals with bachelor's degrees in a related field may be considered.

Only four or five students are chosen each year for this selective program. Students who commit to work for the St. John Medical System for one year directly following their graduation and who pass a Pre-Employment Assessment Tool (PEAT) can have $2,400 of their $3,000 tuition waived.

Providence Hospital Allied Health School

16001 W. Nine Mile

Southfield, MI 48075

248-849-5385

Tags: diagnostic medical, medical sonography, Allied Health, Allied Health School, diagnostic medical sonography, Grand Valley, Grand Valley State

Different Types Of Health Insurance In Tennessee

Tennessee provides both public and private health care options. Almost all Tennessee residents are covered either by a public health care plan or a private plan. Public coverage allows people who couldn't otherwise afford it to get health care for themselves and their children. Private health plans require people to see doctors affiliated with the plan. High-risk persons--patients who have pre-existing conditions--can also get health care coverage in Tennessee.

Public Health Insurance

Tennessee offers public health insurance to residents who otherwise would not be able to afford insurance. Tennessee has several programs available for qualified persons. Cover Tennessee offers insurance for small business owners and employees, as well as individuals who cannot afford insurance on their own. Individuals covered by this program pay $37 to $109 per month as of July 2010, depending upon their medical history. There is no deductible, and prescriptions are not covered. This plan is an individual plan; an employee keeps the plan if he leaves a company that offers it.

As of 2010, Cover Tennessee is not accepting new applications because of budget restraints. However, CoverKids--a complementary program for people under age 18--is still operating. CoverKids covers preventative services for kids. Well-kid visits, such as appointments for vaccinations, are completely covered, and parents pay a small co-pay for all other visits. Dental health is also covered through this plan.

Access TN is a health insurance plan for people who cannot get coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Members are responsible for paying monthly premiums, although assistance is available for people who cannot afford health insurance.

Health Maintenance Organizations

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) cover all of a Tennessee resident's medical care in exchange for a monthly fee. This type of health insurance is common in Tennessee. Companies such as TennCare offer this type of plan. HMOs contract with particular doctor's offices; services are not covered at offices not affiliated with the HMO.

Preferred Provider Organization

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) are similar to HMOs in that they are affiliated with particular doctors. Unlike HMOs, PPOs allow patients to visit a doctor outside the network; patients pay a larger fee, but some services are still covered. PPOs are less common in Tennessee than HMOs are. USAccess is an example of a PPO that has affiliations with doctors in Tennessee.

Tags: health care, affiliated with, health insurance, afford health, afford insurance

About Grants For Skin Cancer Prevention

Skin cancer prevention grants come from private, corporate and government sources. Many are awarded for research projects to learn more about skin cancer or its prevention. Other grants are awarded to programs and organizations that educate the public about prevent skin cancer.

There are several ways to research potential grants. One of the best is through the Internet. Your local library is also an excellent resource. Some may even have guides specifically related to writing grants of all kinds.

Function

Grants are funds that never need to be repaid. These funds enable many not-for-profits to perform their basic mission of preventing skin cancer. Some grants are available for particular types of programs that educate the public about skin cancer and increase awareness. Other funds are available for research which will help prevent skin cancer by learning the ways to prevent it at a scientific level. The CDC provided $475,000 in funding to several states for skin cancer prevention for one year.

Time Frame

Most government grants have very specific deadlines for applications and funding payout. These deadlines are months to a year apart. Smaller foundations have less time between their application deadlines and their awarding of funds. There are also grants with rolling deadlines. This means that applications are received throughout the year. Some of those awards are also rolling with funds distributed all year long. Others have funds distributed several times a year.

The application deadlines and potential awards are key to those applying for grants so that they can plan their programs and projects based on that information. American Skin Foundation and SkinCancer.org both have deadlines in October, for example.

Types

Government grants can be found from the local to the national level. One of the best places to start your research is www.grants.gov.

The Foundation Center also enables you to research foundations that match the mission of skin cancer prevention. Be sure to use other key words that may provide funders which will support your cause. Search for cancer prevention in general. Search for health education and then make your proposal specifically about skin cancer prevention. The Skin Cancer Foundation is also a resource for information and potential funding.

When researching corporations, try to think of businesses that would consider skin cancer prevention key to their own mission. For example, a company that sells sun block may provide funding for skin cancer prevention. The Rite Aid Foundation for example provides health and wellness grants and has provided funding for skin cancer prevention in the past.

Misconceptions

Grants are not a perfect source of funding for a not-for-profit. They should not be considered a way to fix the bottom line of a failing budget. In fact, funders do not like to award grants to a foundation or organization that is failing. A grant's best function is to pay for specific programs or projects that could not be accomplished without outside funding. Although some grants do provide general operating support, those grants are occurring with less and less frequency.

Considerations

Often the organization donating funds wants to be publicly recognized for its grant award. If you create a proposal that incorporates publicity for the program you are suggesting you are increasing the potential of your grant being funded.

With skin cancers increasing in record numbers in the United States, funding for awareness and prevention is expected to increase as well.

Tags: cancer prevention, skin cancer prevention, skin cancer, about skin, about skin cancer, cancer prevention, skin cancer

List Of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Schools

There are several schools and options for diagnostic medical sonography. According to the Commission on Accreditation on Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), there are 168 accredited programs across the United States. Some programs offer diagnostic medical sonography diplomas and certificates, while others have bachelor's and master's degrees in the discipline. There are also online programs. All accredited programs take 1 to 4 years to complete.

Diploma Programs

There are 13 CAAHEP-accredited schools that offer diplomas in medical diagnostic sonography.

Baptist Medical Center

Bowling Green Technical College

Cox Health Systems

Greenville Technical College

John A. Logan College

Johnston Community College

Lancaster General College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Moore Norman Technology Center

New Hampshire Technical Institute

Northampton Community College

Ogeechee Technical College

Southwestern Community College

West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Certificate Programs

There are 72 CAAHEP-accredited schools that offer certificates in medical diagnostic sonography.

Alvin Community College

Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center

Boise State University

Bunker Hill Community College

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science

Chattanooga State Community College

College of DuPage

Collins Career Center--Chesapeake

Columbia St. Mary's

Crozer-Chester Medical Center (Keystone)

Cuyahoga Community College

Cypress College

Delgado Community College

Dona Ana Community College

George Washington University Medical Center

Grady Memorial Hospital

Harper College

Henry Ford Hospital

Hinds Community College--Jackson

Horry Georgetown Technical College

Houston Community College System

Hudson Valley Community College

Institute of Ultrasound Diagnostics

Itawamba Community College

Jackson Community College

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences

Lamar Institute of Technology-Beaumont

Loma Linda University

Lone Star College System--Cy Fair

Long Island University

Lorain County Community College

Louisiana State University

Mayo Clinic, Mayo School of Health Sciences

Merced College

Mercy Medical Center-Canton

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

Midland College

Misericordia University

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Palm Beach Community College

Providence Hospital and Medical Center

Rhode Island Hospital

Rochester Institute of Technology

Sanford Brown Institute--Atlanta

Sanford Brown Institute--Dallas

Sanford Brown Institute--Iselin

Sanford Brown Institute--Middleburg Heights

Southern Illinois University--Carbondale

Southside Regional Medical Center

St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center--Hartford

St. Louis Community College--St. Louis

St. Vincent's Medical Center

St. Luke's Hospital of Kansas City

Triton College

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences--Little Rock

University of California San Diego Medical Center

University of Colorado Hospital

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

University of Kansas Medical Center

University of Maryland Baltimore County

University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey--North

University of Wisconsin Hosp & Clinics

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Volunteer State Community College

Washburn University

Western Suffolk BOCES

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare--St Francis Hospital

Wyoming Valley Health Care System

Yale--New Haven Hospital

Associate's Programs

There are 85 CAAHEP-accredited schools that offer associate's in medical diagnostic sonography.

Alvin Community College

Argosy University/Twin Cities Campus

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Athens Technical College

Austin Community College

Baker College of Auburn Hills

Baker College of Owosso

Bellevue Community College

Bergen Community College

Blackhawk Technical College

Broward College

BryanLGH College of Health Sciences

Bunker Hill Community College

Caldwell Comm College & Tech Institute

Cape Fear Community College

Central New Mexico Community College

Central Ohio Technical College-Newark

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Cincinnati State Technical Community College

College of Southern Nevada

Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus

Community College of Rhode Island

Cuyahoga Community College

Del Mar College

Delaware Technical and Community College--Wilmington

Delta College--University Center

El Centro College

El Paso Community College

Ferris State University

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences

Foothill College

Forsyth Technical Community College

GateWay Community College

Georgia Northwestern Technical College--Rome

Gloucester County College

Harper College

Harrisburg Area Community College-Harrisburg Campus

Hillsborough Community College

Hinds Community College

Institute of Allied Medical Professions

Jackson Community College

JFK Medical Center

John A. Logan College

Johnston Community College

Keiser University-Daytona

Keiser University-Fort Lauderdale

Kettering College of Medical Arts

Lackawanna College

Lamar Institute of Technology-Beaumont

Lancaster General College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Lansing Community College

Lone Star College System-Cy Fair

Lorain County Community College

Mercy College of Health Sciences

Miami Dade College

Middlesex Community College

Midland College

Montgomery County Community College--Takoma Park

Mountain State University

Nebraska Methodist College

New York University

Northampton Community College

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Oakland Community College--Southfield

Orange Coast College

Owens Community College

Palm Beach Community College

Pitt Community College

Saint Anthony Medical Center

Sanford Brown Institute

South Piedmont Community College

Southeast Technical Institute

Springfield Technical Community College

St. Catharine College

St. Cloud Technical College

St. Catherine University

Tacoma Community College

Tidewater Community College

Triton College

Tyler Junior College

University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College

University of Texas-Brownsville and Texas Southmost College

Valencia Community College

Wallace State College

West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Baccaulerette Programs

There are 24 CAAHEP-accredited schools that offer baccalaureates in medical diagnostic sonography.

Arkansas State University

Baptist Memorial College of Health Science

Boise State University

George Washington University Medical Center

Grand Valley State University

Kettering College of Medical Arts

Medical College of Georgia

Morehead State University

Mountain State University

Nova Southeastern University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rush University

Seattle University

Southern Illinois University

SUNY Downstate Medical Center

Thomas Jefferson University

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences--Little Rock

University of Arkansas- Fort Smith

University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, North

University of Missouri--Columbia

University of Nebraska Medical Center

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

University of Southern Indiana

University of Wisconsin Hosp & Clinics

Washburn University

Online Programs

There are three schools that offer CAAHEP-accredited programs in diagnostic medical sonography. They are Jackson Community College in Missouri, Montana State University in West Virginia and Washburn University in Kansas.

Tags: Community College, Medical Center, Technical College, State University, Health Sciences

What Concerns Face People Without Health Insurance

According to NCHS, aproximately 16.6 percent on Americans were without health insurance in 2008.

In June 2008, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reported that about 16.6 percent of Americans lacked health insurance. This estimate included U.S. residents under the age of 65. The percentage of adults without health insurance was higher than that of children. The survey showed that a large percentage of children were insured through state funded children's health programs. But children and adults who do not have health insurance face a number of concerns.

Undiagnosed Illness or Disease

People who lack health insurance are less likely to visit the doctor's office for routine exams.

People without health insurance are less likely to visit a doctor for routine health exams, health screenings or yearly check-ups. These individuals may not have a family doctor or trusted physician as their primary care provider. Many types of serious illness have few early warning signs or symptoms. Diseases such as breast and cervical cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure and many others are often diagnosed during regular health exams. By not receiving yearly check-ups, individuals without health insurance are less likely to have an early diagnosis of serious illness or disease, and are less likely to receive early treatment.

Untreated Illness

A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that patients without insurance delay seeking medical help, even in the occurrence of a life threatening illness. The study was conducted among 24 hospitals across the U.S., and included uninsured individuals who had recently survived a heart attack. A large majority of these patients put off seeking medical help at the onset of symptoms, due to the high cost of medical treatment and lack of insurance.

A survey on health in the U.S., conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (2009) demonstrates that the uninsured are less likely to seek needed medical treatment because of financial concerns.

Lack of Medical Supplies and Medications

People without insurance may skip medications.

According to a study conducted by the New Mexico Public Interest Research Group (NMPIRG), which evaluated 600 pharmacies in 35 cities throughout the state in 2006, uninsured consumers in Albuquerque pay 61.5 percent more for common prescription drugs than what the drug companies charge the federal government.

Because of the high cost of many prescription medications, uninsured individuals are more likely to attempt to "cut down" on needed prescriptions, or not use them at all. Individual reports show that uninsured people who have asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, HIV or AIDS, as well as many other chronic conditions, consistently skip medications or take less medication than prescribed in an effort to try to afford the drugs.

Loss of Property and Savings

A single medical problem can cost an uninsured person an entire life's savings.

In 2009, the CDC reported that more than $2.2 trillion is spent annually on health care in the U.S. The cost of medical treatment continues to rise, while the uninsured must pay out-of-pocket for all inpatient and outpatient treatments, medications, emergency room visits and other medical needs.

In 2009, the average cost of an emergency room visit was $2,500, according to ConsumerHealthRatings.com. An outpatient surgery for hernia removal, for example, cost between $6,000 and $13,000 in 2007. Outpatient gall bladder removal cost between $6,000 and $12,000. The same two surgeries, when performed as a part of inpatient care can cost up to $40,000. Most uninsured individuals simply cannot afford to become sick or injured.

Premature Death

The uninsured are 81 percent more likely to die prematurely.

A survey conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians found that the uninsured are 81 percent more likely to die prematurely than those who have health insurance. Lack of regular medical check-ups, lack of medications and failure to seek medical attention all contribute to the higher rate of mortality seen among uninsured individuals.

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When Should You Start Exercising After Smart Lipo

Smart Lipo is a laser-assisted procedure that ruptures fat cells. The fat can be then be drained out with traditional liposuction--a cosmetic procedure that gets rid of fat in a specific part of the body. Exercise is helpful for recovery and keeping off the removed fat. However, too much exercise too quickly can be harmful as well. Typically, most types of exercise will be safe within a month after surgery and light exercise is possible even sooner.

Determinations

The area in which you get Smart Lipo will determine how long it will be before you can exercise again. Breast reduction usually restricts one from doing light exercise for only three to five days after surgery. More intense exercise should not be done for three or four weeks. If you've had a tummy tuck, you should wait at least five days before light exercise and a minimum of three weeks before core training and higher intensity exercises.

Light Exercise

Once your physician gives you the green light, you can start doing light exercise. Low-impact aerobic exercise like cycling, swimming, aqua aerobics, bouncing on a rebounder and walking are appropriate activities.

Strength Training

Two to four weeks after surgery is when most people can start to use exercise machines or free weights. Strength training is important for staying strong, preventing osteoporosis and for maintaining good posture. One to two sets of 10 to 12 exercises is enough to begin with. Use light weights and stop if you feel pain or disorientation.

Higher Intensity Exercise

You should wait for at least three weeks before trying to do moderate or high-impact aerobic activity. Jogging, step aerobics and jump roping are examples of high-intensity aerobic activities that burn more calories in less time. Doing these activities will speed your fitness progress, but you should still consult your doctor before attempting them after your surgery. A woman might not get her full stamina back after some procedures such as breast augmentation and face lifts for three months, so keep that in mind and don't push yourself too hard.

Nutrition

Exercise is just one of the ways in which you need to keep off the weight and recover from Smart Lipo. It is a common misconception that after Smart Lipo surgery you will not be able to put on excess fat in the treated areas because some of the fat cells were removed and adults do not normally produce more fat cells. However, you can still get larger if you eat too many calories. There are plenty of books you can buy to teach you about nutrition, or you can seek the advice of a registered dietitian or nutritionist.

Tags: Smart Lipo, after surgery, light exercise, doing light, doing light exercise, five days, four weeks

Use Lidoderm

Lidoderm is a prescription local anesthetic worn as a skin patch to ease nerve pain. Lidoderm temporarily numbs feeling in the sensitive skin to relieve burning and aching. The medication is applied directly to the affected skin with an adhesive patch. As with any medication, you should talk to a doctor about the pain relief benefits and potential side effects of Lidoderm before using the product. Side effects may include burning, swelling and blistering. Severe allergic reactions are rare, but may include hives, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and irregular heartbeat.

The patch slowly releases the anesthetic lidocaine.

Instructions

1. Follow the doctor's directions when using Lipoderm patches. This usually means no more than 3 patches should be worn at a time for no more than 12 hours per day.

2. Peel off the backing on the patch and gently place on the affected area of skin. For smaller areas, cut a patch with scissors to conserve your supply of Lidoderm.

3. Wash hands thoroughly after applying a Lidoderm patch.

4. Talk to your doctor if the pain gets worse or does not improve.

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North Carolina Highrisk Health Insurance Plan

Finding and keeping an affordable health insurance plan can be difficult for people in the U.S. who have pre-existing conditions. As of 2010, more than 30 states have organized their own high-risk insurance programs, which allow residents to buy insurance even though they have had previous health problems. North Carolina's pool is named Inclusive Health and went into effect on January 1, 2009.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Inclusive Health, you must have been a resident of North Carolina for a minimum of 30 days. You must also meet one or more additional eligibility criteria: you must have received a rejection or refusal notice from an insurance company for a medical reason; you are eligible for or currently have HIPAA group health insurance coverage; you are eligible for the federal health coverage tax credit; you've been diagnosed with a high-risk condition, regardless of whether or not you have been rejected yet by an insurance company; or you've been offered health insurance at rates higher than those offered by the program. People who have already had at least 18 months of prior continuous health insurance coverage can join the North Carolina Health Insurance Risk Pool without going through a waiting period, even if they have a pre-existing condition.

Premiums

Premiums for NCHIRP are based on household income, age, gender and whether or not you use tobacco. The program has a premium cap of 175 percent, which means you cannot be charged more than 175 percent of what a healthy person would be charged by an insurance company. Monthly premiums also depend on what kind of deductible you choose. High-deductible plans generally result in lower monthly premiums.

Benefits

All NCHIRP policies are PPO plans and feature benefits for inpatient and outpatient hospital services, chiropractic care, office visits, prescription drug benefits, nicotine replacement therapy, surgery and vaccinations. Routine dental care is not covered, although removal of impacted teeth may qualify as a covered health service. All plans cover 80 percent of treatment received inside the PPO network and 50 percent of those gained outside, except for the high-deductible HDHP 5000 plan, which cover 100 percent of both in-network and out-of-network services.

Renewability

Inclusive Health plans are renewable for as long as you continue to pay your monthly premiums. However, if you stop paying and the policy is cancelled, you have to wait at least 12 months before you are eligible to rejoin.

Tags: North Carolina, Inclusive Health, insurance company, cover percent, have been

Income Limits For Ahcccs Eligibility

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) provides free or low-cost health care to low-income residents of the state. This health program represents the state's Medicaid program, funded by state and federal money. Each April 1, the state adjusts the income eligibility levels for AHCCCS, which vary according to several factors.

Eligibility

AHCCCS offers health insurance for families with children who are under 19 years old and who meet income and eligibility requirements. For those who qualify, there are no monthly premiums. Applicants must be Arizona residents as well as U.S. citizens or qualified immigrants. In addition, applicants who qualify for unemployment or Social Security benefits must apply for them.

Income Limits by Family Size

In 2011, for a family of five, the monthly income limit is $2,150, before taxes. For a family of four, the limit is $1,838. For a family of three, the limit is $1,526. For a family of two, the limit is $1,215. For a family of one, the limit is $903. For larger families, the income limit is $2,150 for the first five members and $311 for each additional member.

Unearned and In-Kind Income

The program counts unearned as well as earned income. Unearned income includes benefits such as unemployment, Social Security disability, Supplemental Security Income, pensions and all other kinds of income that do not come directly from wages. The AHCCCS also counts in-kind payments when figuring income. In-kind payments include food, shelter and other items that can be converted to cash.

Children's Income

The program has various rules about counting income from children, depending on their age, marital status, living arrangements, and status as a dependent of an eligible adult. The easiest method to calculate the income guidelines for household members is to use the matrices included in the AHCCCS Eligibility Policy Manual, available online.

KidsCare

A low-premium health insurance program known as KidsCare is available to families who exceed the income limits. Some children qualify for AHCCCS insurance if they are under the age of 21 and, as of their 18th birthday, were in the state's foster care program.

Tags: limit family, family limit, health insurance, income eligibility, income limit, Income Limits

Pros & Cons Of Breast Implants

Breast implants are the most effective way to increase your bust and one of the most popular forms of plastic surgery. Breast implants are available in many different sizes and shapes. They consist of saline or silicone. Women who choose silicone breast implants need to be at least 22 years old. Consult with a plastic surgeon to determine the type, size and dangers associated with breast implant surgery.

Appearance

A major advantage of breast implants is the effect on your appearance. If one breast is slightly larger than the other, breast implants can make your breasts the same size, giving your body a more proportional shape. Breast implants may be an option for women who've suffered from breast cancer.

If you have small breasts, implants may help your clothes fit better. This is because some articles of women's clothing are designed for women with an average to full bust size.

Confidence

One of the biggest benefits women gain from breast implants is confidence. Breast implants are known to make some women feel more feminine. In other instances, breast implants may make you feel sexier, or help you draw more attention from the opposite sex.

In some cases, breast implants can subconsciously make a woman feel more beautiful. A woman with breast implants may walk taller, with improved posture.

Cost

The cost of breast implant surgery varies from surgeon to surgeon, and from region to region. The average cost of surgeon fees for breast augmentation can range from $3,000 to $4,000. This cost doesn't include the costs for the implants, anesthesia, medication and other associated costs.

The cost of anesthesia, and breast augmentation, usually costs more in larger, affluent areas. Cost shouldn't be a determining factor in whether or not you get breast implants. Avoid "cheap" surgeons who may offer a lower price, but may cut back on quality and care.

In most instances, your insurance will not cover the cost of breast augmentation, or any fees associated with getting breast implants. If you have complications as a result of breast augmentation, it's unlikely your insurance will cover the expense. However, if you require breast implants because of reconstructive surgery or breast trauma, your insurance may cover the cost of breast augmentation.

Infection

Anytime you undergo surgery, you face the risk of an infection. When you have breast implant surgery, infection can occur around the area of incision, around the implant and in rare cases, in the implant itself.

If infection is detected in or around the breast implant area, it may be necessary to completely remove the breast implants. This removal may last three or four months, while the infection clears. Breast implants can be reinserted after your infection clears up.

Health Considerations

Other health risks associated with breast augmentation surgery include leakage, skin wrinkling, anesthesia, and change in nipple sensitivity and breastfeeding. Breast implants make it more difficult for doctors to locate tumors and other abnormalities. Getting a mammogram is more difficult when you have breast implants.

Though it doesn't happen often, anesthesiologists can make mistakes when administering anesthesia.

Calcification can occur, which causes pain and hardening of the implants. Additionally, you run the risk of your implants leaking or rupturing. Leakage or rupturing of your breast implants can be a life-threatening medical emergency.

After your breast augmentation, you'll be required to take a break from your normal activities. You may need painkillers and other medicine to reduce pain and discomfort.

Tags: breast augmentation, breast implants, breast implant, associated with, breast implant surgery

What Are Your Chances Of Getting A Job With An Online Degree

What Are Your Chances of Getting a Job With an Online Degree?

Many people rely on online degree programs to obtain their education, but many students question whether an online degree will be recognized by an employer. The answer is "yes" if you know address employers' concerns about online education.

Types of Degrees

Many traditional universities now offer degrees both on and offline. Online degrees require just as much work as their offline counterparts, and both online and offline students receive the same degree from these universities.

Misconceptions

Many employers believe that online students lack the necessary social skills for the job. However, online students work with people from all over the world in their online classrooms, which provides them with both group work experience and global communication skills.

Benefits

According to Online-Education.com, online students learn to use the latest Microsoft applications as well as skills such as remote conferencing, online research and Web 2.0 social networking-skills which are needed daily in modern business settings.

Considerations

According to Onveon.com, online students can further persuade potential employers of their value by pointing out that many work cultures promote online education as a means of further training employees once they're hired. Online students are ahead of the curve; they already know take advantage of the online educational environment.

Potential

Despite some employers' misgivings, 85 percent of employers today accept online degrees, according to Onveon.com.

Tags: online students, Your Chances Getting, Chances Getting, Chances Getting With, Getting With, Getting With Online, online degree

What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Canavan Disease

Canavan disease is a degenerative brain disorder that turns the brain's white matter into porous, spongy tissue filled with fluid. Even in infancy, its signs and symptoms are perceivable.

History

Canavan disease was named for Myrtelle Canavan, who discovered it in 1931.

Significance

According to the Genetics Home Reference website (GHR), Canavan disease is most common in Ashkenazi Jews, where it is estimated to impact as many as 1 in 6,400 people. The GHR claims the incidence rate outside this population is unknown.

Symptoms

The National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association (NTSAD) reports that poor head control is an early sign of the disease. Other signs include inability to perform age-appropriate motor tasks, a lack of visual attentiveness and poor muscle tone.

Effects

Disease progression is marked by blindness, seizures, muscle weakness and feeding problems. According to the NTSAD, most children born with Canavan disease die as infants.

Considerations

Prenatal screening determines if parents have the gene known to cause Canavan disease. Because the gene is recessive, both parents must carry it for a child to be affected. Even in this situation, the chance of the child having the disease is only 1 in 4, NTSAD says.

Tags: Canavan disease, Canavan disease

Do Nipples Hurt When Breasts Are Growing

There are two times when a healthy woman experiences breast growth. The first time is when she enters puberty. The release of female hormones at this time cause the breasts to develop. The second time is when she becomes pregnant and the breasts begin to produce milk. Breast growth causes the breasts, nipples and sometime the surrounding tissue to become sensitive to the touch. The area may itch and develop stretch marks as the breasts expand, and the nipples can hurt.

Puberty causes changes, some of which can be painful

Puberty

The onset of puberty can begin as early as age 7 or 8. The development of breast buds is one of the first signs of impending puberty. The tissue in the breasts begin to swell, and the nipples begin to expand. This can cause the nipples to become tender to the touch, and they may ache. A good bra can help to prevent rubbing and chafing of the tender nipples.

Time Frame

Breast development will continue through out puberty until full maturity is reached at around age 17 or 18. The itching, aching and painful nipples associated with puberty usually only last for the first year.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy causes the breasts to grow as they begin to prepare for milk production. This can result in an increase in breast size by up to two cup sizes along with burning, tingling or throbbing pain in the breasts and nipples. First-time mothers tend to have more pronounced nipple and breast pain than women having subsequent pregnancies.

Considerations

Nipple pain due to pregnancy is typically most pronounced during the first trimester and typically disappears during the second or third trimester. Although it is unusual, some pregnant women experience engorgement of the drainage ducts that lead from the milk glands to the nipple. This can cause the nipples to remain painfully erect.

Treatment

The best way to treat sore or aching nipples due to breast growth is to wear proper-fitting bras. This will help to support the breasts and prevent painful chafing of the nipple against your outer clothing. Some women find relief by soaking in a warm tub or by applying a warm washcloth over their nipples.

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Weight Loss & Insulin

People who take insulin to manage their blood sugar are often plagued by unwanted weight gain. Although insulin can cause your body to store extra glucose as fat, you can make changes to your diet and lifestyle in order to keep your weight in check.

Measuring tape

What Is Insulin?

Insulin is a hormone that is made by groups of islet cells, which are located in the pancreas. Insulin helps cells throughout the body absorb and use the glucose (sugar) that remains after the body's digestive system breaks down food. The glucose is then used for energy.

Significance

Without insulin, our bodies would essentially be in a constant state of starvation. Insulin provides cells with the energy they need--glucose--to perform vital functions. Without the assistance of insulin, cells would be unable to access the calories that are found in glucose.

Insulin Deficiancies and Resistance

People who are deficient in insulin are classified with Type 1 Diabetes. Insulin deficiencies are treated with replacement insulin via shots or pumps. People who suffer from Type 2 Diabetes, the more common type of diabetes, become resistant to insulin. This means that although the levels of insulin in their blood streams are normal or even above average, their body is unable to use it. Insulin resistance is treated using medication, a careful diet and, in some cases, insulin shots.

Weight Gain

The Mayo Clinic says that insulin and weight gain go hand in hand. While insulin therapy works to keep diabetes under control, the unfortunate side effect is that the abundance of glucose in the body winds up being converted to fat.

Lifestyles Changes

Prior to taking insulin you may have been able to eat a large amount of food without gaining weight, because your body didn't use the food as it should have. But now that you are on insulin, your body is able to get what it needs from food, so you should not have to eat as much. Taking insulin as directed, watching your calorie consumption, eating a well-balanced diet and keeping physically active can help you maintain your current weight and even help you lose weight.

Medication Choices

If you find that eating a well-balanced diet and incorporating daily physical activity does not prevent weight gain, speak to your physician about other diabetes medications. Some diabetes medications are able to promote weight loss and may also allow you to reduce the amount of insulin you take.

Precautions

Don't be tempted to skip meals or insulin doses to lose weight. Neglecting to eat properly or take your insulin can cause hypoglycemia, which is an extremely low level of blood sugar. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can result in dizziness, convulsions and loss of consciousness. Early signs include sweating, anxiety, tremors, hunger, headaches and cloudy vision.

Tags: your body, blood sugar, diabetes medications, eating well-balanced, eating well-balanced diet

Difference Of Imrt & Igrt

IGRT is a tool to enhance IMRT.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a type of therapy used to treat cancerous tumors. This therapy is used alone or in conjunction with other traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, and is particularly effective in the treatment of tumors in the brain or other areas where surgery is not a first option. Image guided radiotherapy (IGRT) is a companion to IMRT and is used for guiding the IMRT to the target area.

IMRT

Prior to the introduction of IMRT, radiation therapy involved not only the affected (cancerous) areas of a person, but also healthy tissue that was treated unnecessarily. This was due to the fact that, while effective, radiation was at the time not easily contained or directed. Of course, the goal was to treat just the tumor and so the IMRT was developed.

IMRT Limitations

Although vastly improved targeted treatment was now available, the IMRT was still limited and could only reach the general shape and surface areas of a tumor. The nooks, crannies and undulating surfaces were not fully covered because what was being treated was inside the patient and could not be seen. As the delivery method for IMRT got more precise, the need to closely track the tumor location became evident.

IGRT

With advances in radiation therapies came the introduction of IGRT. If IMRT is an effective delivery method for radiation therapy, then IGRT is an advanced method for accurately targeting that radiation. Between treatments a tumor may move slightly in response to the position of other organs or the patient's breathing. Using a computed tomography (CT) scan, the radiation oncologist is able to precisely pinpoint the tumor location immediately prior to treatment. In some instances, small pieces of gold can be placed at points along the edge of a tumor to help identify its shape and location. The imagery from the CT is uploaded to a computer system, and overlapped with previous scans, and the IGRT calculates any changes to the radiation therapy online.

Dose Painting IGRT

Another advance in the use of IGRT is the use of positron emission tomography (PET) to map 3D images of the functional images (the images of cells that show function rather than simple anatomical features) of cells. This imagery shows the benign and malignant areas of the tumor and surrounding tissues, and the IGRT can then "paint" the surface of the areas needing radiation prior to treatment.

IGRT Considerations

Although IGRT does not have any direct contact with the patient, it does have disadvantages. The process is time-consuming and requires a high level of skill. Additionally, the costs can be significant to the individual undergoing treatment. Although minimal, the extra dosages of radiation (in a CT or PET scan) needed to map a tumor are a consideration. Finally, errors in targeting are a possibility and must be guarded against.

Tags: radiation therapy, areas tumor, delivery method, does have, prior treatment, surface areas, therapy used

Fluoroscope History

Since the end of the 19th century, radiologists have used the fluoroscope to diagnose and treat medical diseases and conditions. The fluoroscope uses X-ray radiation to create images of the human body.

Discovery of X Rays

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a German physicist, discovered X rays in 1895.

Inventor

Thomas Alva Edison invented the fluoroscope in 1896.

Imaging

A fluoroscope targets a stream of radiation to a certain region of the human body for the purpose of detecting the body masses inside on a fluorescent screen. Bones show up as dark images and organs and tissues show up as lighter images on the screen.

Early Design

Early in the history of the fluoroscope, the medical doctor positioned the patient between the X-ray tube and the fluorescent screen. On the spots where radiation hit the screen, the screen would glow brightly. On the spots where radiation was absorbed or reflected, shadows were visible on the fluorescent screen.

Modern Design

In contemporary fluoroscopes, radiologists use a video camera system or a flat-panel detector to display X rays in a location removed from the source of X ray radiation.

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The Average Salary Of A Veterinary Radiologist

Veterinary radiologists specialize in designated fields of veterinary care.

Veterinary radiologists diagnose and treat animal disease and illness. They work with a wide range of animals, including domesticated animals and farm animals. They also provide animal owners with guidance on proper animal care, and some develop commercial animal products like food. Veterinary radiologists sometimes use roentgen rays and radioactive substances to diagnose and treat animals.

Average Salary

According to the Salary Expert, the average salary for veterinary radiologists as of June 2011 is about $100,000. The CB Salary website indicates a slightly lower number, at $97,404. According to CB Salary, the middle 50 percent earn between $61,076 and $137,692. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for veterinarians in general in 2008 was $79,050, with most earning between $61,370 and $104,110.

Location

The location where a veterinary radiologist works plays a part in determining his salary. According to the Salary Expert website, veterinary radiologists in Miami earn more than any other city listed, with an average salary of $181,121. Those in Houston earn $102,820; those in Atlanta earn $90,085; those in Chicago earn $105,164; those in Los Angeles earn $111,273; and those in Phoenix earn $83,364 on average.

Experience

Experience plays a role in how much a veterinary radiologist and veterinarian earns. According to PayScale as of May 2011, veterinarians with less than one year of experience earn between $39,950 and $77,765. Those with one to four years of experience earn between $45,169 and $85,213, while those with five to nine years of experience earn between $47,926 and $101,929. Veterinarians with 10 to 19 years of experience earn between $49,673 and $108,801, while those with more than 20 years of experience earn between $49,217 and $120,987.

Job Outlook

According to the BLS, the job outlook for veterinary radiologists and veterinarians in general is positive. The BLS reports an expected 33 percent increase in job opportunities for veterinarians between 2008 and 2018, which is a much higher rate than the national average. The limited number of accredited veterinary schools controls the number of graduates entering the work force each year, which keeps employment opportunities high. However, the limited number of schools also increases competition for acceptance.

Tags: earn between, experience earn, experience earn between, years experience earn, earn those, years experience

Life Of A Family Nurse Practitioner

Nurses are an important part of any family practice.

By going back to school, you can work as an advanced practice nurse in the field of family medicine. Many nurses with Master's degree choose to become nurse practitioners in this field, and in some states, you can even own your own practice with this level of education. Before entering a family nurse practitioner degree program, however, take some time to learn about the job and make sure that it is a right fit.

Work Setting

Family nurses at any education level are qualified to work in a wide variety of medical facilities. As a nurse practitioner in this area, you could get a job in a private practice, clinic, hospice, school, health center or any number of other medical settings. Demand in all areas is expected to increase over the next 10 years, and the more training you have as a nurse, the better candidate you'll be for any job opening. At some facilities, your hours may not be kind, as you'll be required to be on call or work long shifts.

Salary

In general, nurse practitioners make an average of $20,000 more per year than registered nurses who don't have a Master's degree. The amount you can expect to be paid as a family nurse practitioner depends on the employer. Family nurse practitioners who work in education, or for the federal government or non-profit organizations can expect to make the highest salaries, at between $63,000 and $94,000 per year.

Daily Tasks

Daily tasks as a family nurse practitioner will depend on the employer and the size of the facility. They could range from general nursing tasks, such as talking to patients and their families, helping patients prepare for treatment, and monitoring vital signs, to advanced tasks that can only be performed by those who have an advanced degree, such as prescribing medications and diagnosing medical conditions.

Patients

A family nurse practitioner works with patients in a non-emergency setting. Most of the patients will be older than two, but a nurse should be prepared to work with all age groups. Family nurse practitioners have the unique opportunity to "grow up" with their patients in many cases, working with the same people from the time they are children to when they are adults.

Education

To become a family nurse practitioner, you need a Master's of science in nursing. Upon completion of the program, you'll take a national certification test and follow your state's guidelines to receive a nurse practitioner license. In some states, you'll be required to complete continuing education to retain your license.

Tags: nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, nurse practitioners, family nurse, Family nurse

Get Certified As An Ekg Technician Online

Online schooling is becoming more and more popular because it allows individuals to keep their current job to continue paying their bills, but also go back to school during their free time to earn their degree. Returning to school for a degree, another degree, or even just professional certification can be a daunting time commitment, made easier by online programs. Health care programs are also becoming more popular as the demand for such professionals increases and the careers prove to have stable long-term opportunities.

Instructions

1. Research the career first. Many online programs are not entirely honest about what it will take to make it in your chosen career after completing a training program. Look at the programs offered in traditional training locations like community colleges so that you have something to compare online courses to. Look up job postings for the career and see what employers in your area are looking for. It may be acceptable in some places to only have a certificate when associate and bachelor degrees are available, but in other areas, employers might require a degree. Get a good feel for the field you're looking into so you'll be able to judge the online schools more accurately.

2. Research the programs. There are a lot of online schools available, but there are also a lot of scams on the Internet. EKG technicians should be eligible to sit for a certification exam upon completion of their training program, but that is only allowed if the training program is accredited. Do not assume that just because a school is offering an EKG technician training program, it is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology, or JRC-CVT. If you have doubts about their accreditation, or something seems amiss, contact the JRC-CVT to verify whether it is an approved school.

3. Complete the coursework at the rate assigned by your instructors. Some programs are self-paced and you can take as much time as needed to get through them, but other programs are as rigorous as a classroom setting with firm deadlines for your work and an allotted time in which you must complete the program. Know what you're getting into before you sign up and make sure it will work with your life.

You may also be able to choose a specialization outside of the standard studies, depending on the program you choose to enroll in. There are various specialties for EKG technicians, including noninvasive or invasive cardiovascular, noninvasive vascular, and other cutting-edge technologies that you should at least be aware of.

Tags: training program, becoming more, more popular, online programs, online schools, program accredited

North Sacramento Adult Education Schools

Many adults are going back to school to further their education.

There are several schools for adults seeking to further their education in the North Sacramento area. These schools have courses that range from the basics of the GED program to more complex courses, such as electronics, nursing, culinary arts and more. The schools offer the flexibility that the adult student needs because of working obligations and responsibilities.

Fremont School for Adults

The Fremont School for Adults gives learners over the age of 18 a chance to educate themselves with academics and life skills that they need in today's world. Education at the Fremont School for Adults takes place 181 days of the school's calendar year. It enrolls more than 3,500 students each year. Their course includes a High School Completion (H.S) program, an Adult Basic Education (ABE) program and a General Educational Development (GED) program.

Certain eligibility requirements are necessary to enroll in the school. The Fremont School for Adults allows it students to work at their individual paces. Individuals who are interested in registering should contact the Fremont School for Adults for prices and other details.

Fremont School for Adults

2420 N. Street

Sacramento, CA 95815

916-277-6620

scusd.edu/AdultEducation/Pages/FremontSchoolforAdults.aspx

Florin Technology Education Center

The Florin Technology Education Center is available for the adult student who is 18 or older. Classes range from the basics, such as citizenship and English as a Second Language, to the more complex courses of study, such as video, TV production and more.

This public education center has enabled the adult student the freedom of continuing his education while tending to his other responsibilities in life. Those who are interested in pricing or registration are encouraged to contact the school for more details.

Florin Technology Education Center

2401 Florin Road

Sacramento, CA 95822

916-433-2844

scusd.edu/AdultEducation/Pages/FlorinTechnology.aspx

Charles A. Jones Skills and Business Education Center

The Charles A. Jones Skills and Business Education Center for more than 40 years has been changing the lives of adults who are interested in continuing their education. It offers various programs of adult education study programs, which include health-related occupations, transportation, court reporting, culinary arts, electronics and office fields of study.

Anyone age 18 and older is eligible to attend the Charles A. Jones Skills and Business Education Center. Training takes place at the center during daytime and evening hours. Its classes start every six weeks, with graduations taking place in June and November. Orientation prior to enrolling is required. Financial assistance is available through various programs, such as the Pell Grant, GI Bill, the Sacramento Training Employment Program, as well as others. Prices vary depending on choice of course study.

Charles A. Jones Skills and Business Education Center

5451 Lemon Hill Ave.

Sacramento, CA 95824

9160-433-2600

caj.edu/

Tags: Fremont School, Fremont School Adults, School Adults, Business Education, Business Education Center, Charles Jones, Charles Jones Skills

The Salary Of Public Radio Announcers

Running the control room is expected of many radio announcers.

Although they do many of the same tasks, public radio announcers lag behind their commercial radio counterparts. Median hourly wages average $12.61 to $12.95, although the hosts of top-rated programs like National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" take home six-figure annual salaries. This disparity causes commentators to wonder how much of the listener's dollar benefits public radio programming. In their defense, the hosts cite their workload and popularity as sufficient justification.

Types

Public radio announcers must juggle multiple tasks. These include the announcement of basic station information, delivering summaries of news, weather and sports events, and interviewing guests for on-air programing. At smaller stations, announcers may also be expected to keep the equipment running and even sell advertising. As of May 2008, median hourly wages for radio and TV announcers averaged $12.61 to $12.95, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Features

Salaries remain low for most announcers, as shown by the ranges identified by the bureau. The middle 50 percent of all announcers earned between $9.05 and $20.31 per hour -- while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.45, according to the bureau. The highest 10 percent earned $36.42 and above. As a general rule, commercial radio broadcasting pays better than public radio, the bureau reports. Larger markets also pay better than smaller ones.

Significance

Personalities like Robert Siegel, the host of "All Things Considered" for National Public Radio (NPR), do much better. According to tax information posted by Josh Gerstein, a White House correspondent for Politico.com, Siegel earned $350,288 in 2007. Not far behind were "Morning Edition" hosts Renee Montagne and Steve Innkseep, at $322,160 and $331,242 per year, respectively. Gerstein questioned how NPR could justify such compensation when it was laying off employees and canceling programs to plug a $23 million budget hole.

Considerations

Average listeners have raised similar questions about NPR's pay scale. Elizabeth Doherty said that she had almost resumed her lapsed membership with station WAMU until reading that "Weekend Edition Saturday" host Scott Simon earned a $300,648 annual salary. Doherty questioned how Simon justified his salary in an entry posted by NPR ombudsman Alicia C. Shepard. In response, Simon replied that the show's popularity and audience supported his salary, as well as his own workload.

Geography

Another significant exception can be found in Germany, whose Inforadio public station is totally funded by taxes, according to newslab.org. Unlike the United States, salaries outpace commercial radio. For example, the station spent $4.5 million alone on part-timers' salaries. Instead of focusing on one host, the station rotates four of them who are on the air just one week per month while reporters must only file one story per day, newslab.org reported.

Tags: radio announcers, commercial radio, better than, hourly wages, National Public, National Public Radio

Education & Training In Developmental Disabilities

Physical therapists help developmentally disabled individuals work on their motor skills.

People with developmental disabilities have impairments in physical or mental functioning. These disabilities are chronic, life-long problems for the individual. Many career paths lead to work with the developmentally disabled. Education and training toward working with this population is essential for succeeding in this field.

Career Options

Those who want to work with the developmentally disabled can choose from a variety of career options. An interest in interacting with children could lead you to special education, pediatric nursing or school psychology. If you wish to work with developmentally disabled adults, consider occupational therapy, physical therapy or rehabilitation management positions. Social work is another field to consider, as social services professionals working with the developmentally disabled can find their work highly rewarding, according to SocialWorker.com.

Academic Training

Training varies, depending on the chosen career path. Becoming a special education teacher's aide or a certified nursing assistant requires completion of a certificate program. Many people who work with developmentally disabled populations hold bachelor's degrees in special education or developmental psychology. Graduate degrees are required for positions as a physical therapist, doctor or school psychologist.

Certification and Licensing

Licensing requirements for working with developmentally disabled individuals vary by state. For professional programs, such as physical therapy or occupational therapy, educational requirements must be met and a state-administered exam must be passed. Check with the state board that governs your profession to determine the appropriate licensing regulations for developmental disabilities work.

Time Frame

Certificate programs or associate's degree programs that allow you to work with developmentally disabled individuals, as an aide or assistant, take one or two years to complete. A four-year bachelor's degree from a college or university opens more career opportunities, allowing for greater advancement in the field. Graduate degree programs take an additional two to seven years beyond a bachelor's degree, and lead to specialized work as a developmental disabilities professional.

Considerations

Supplement your education and training by working with developmentally disabled people in a volunteer or employment setting. Gain as much experience as possible with different groups of disabled individuals, to demonstrate your ability to succeed in the field. Academic education is not enough to work well with the developmentally disabled. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, working with developmentally disabled individuals requires patience, compassion and strong communication skills.

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