Health Insurance Companies In Florida

Florida health insurance companies provide plans for a range of incomes and coverage types.

Florida health insurance companies are part of an enormous industry. According to the Florida Hospital Association, in 2009 alone, the residents of Florida spent 10.8 million days in hospitals, and they and their insurers paid $37 billion in medical fees. The FHA estimates that in 2010, independent health-care providers cover nearly nine million Floridians, while another 3.7 million are uninsured. For the uninsured, the Florida Cares program, run by a consortium of Floridian health-care companies, helps provide access to health care.

Coventry Health Care of Florida

Coventry Health Care of Florida provides health insurance plans for companies and individuals. Health Maintenance Organization plans cover care provided by participating doctors. Preferred Provider Organization plans allow policyholders to choose any doctor for any reason. Coventry Point of Service Plans provide flexibility by permitting policyholders to choose the level of coverage. Consumer-directed Health Plans is a customizable platform through which clients build individual policies from all of Coventry's options. Coventry also provides special plans for those receiving Medicare, and optional programs for prescription programs.

Coventry Healthcare of Florida

1340 Concord Terrace

Sunrise, FL 33323

866-847-8235

chcflorida.coventryhealthcare.com

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida

The Florida branch of national insurance provider Blue Cross Blue Shield has seven health insurance plans. These plans are Temporary; Hospital Surgical Plus; HSA-Compatible; Health Plans with Dental Benefits; Predictable Cost; Lower Premium; and Value Plan. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida also provides prescription relief insurance in partnership with select pharmacies. In partnership with the Cover Florida program, Blue Cross Blue Shield helps uninsured Floridians gain access to health care. All Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are available to both families and individuals.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida

4800 Deerwood Campus Pkwy

Jacksonville, FL 32246

877-465-1125

bcbsfl.com

Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida

The Humana One health insurance company provides policies to residents of Florida through its Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida subsidiary. Humana plans for individuals fall into four categories. These categories are short-term plans, co-pay plans, plans that cover 100 percent of costs after a deductible is met, and plans that can be used in tandem with a Health Savings Account. Policies designed for use with an HSA have deductibles of $1,500 to $5,950 for individuals and $3,000 to $11,900 for families in 2010. The company has a dozen locations in Florida.

Humana Health Insurance of Gainesville & Ocala

17350 S.E. 109th Terrace Rd, Unit 4

Summerfield, FL 34491

352-347-8149

humana-one.com

Tags: Blue Cross, Blue Cross Blue, Blue Shield, Cross Blue, Cross Blue Shield

Ultrasound Technician Programs Near Savannah Georgia

Sonography is used in prenatal, kidney, spleen, gallbladder and heart assessment.

Ultrasound technicians and diagnostic medical sonographers are highly skilled in imaging technology and work with doctors and nurses in assessing a patient's health status. According to the 2010-2011 edition of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, job growth in diagnostic medical sonography is expected to surpass than the national average, and employment outlook is favorable. Several schools in the Savannah, Georgia area offer programs in sonography and radiologic technology.

Armstrong Atlantic State University

Armstrong Atlantic State University's sonography program is housed in the College of Health Professions within the Department of Radiologic Sciences. Completion of a program in radiologic sciences leads to a bachelor's degree with emphasis in radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, sonography or cardiovascular interventional sciences. The sonography program is competitive, with only 10 students accepted per entering class. Alternate tracks are available through the Non-RT, Special Option and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate programs for career-changing students interested in ultrasound. Graduates of the sonography program are eligible to take an exam for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) national certificate.

Armstrong Atlantic State University

Department of Radiologic Science

11935 Abercorn Street

Savannah, GA 31419

912-344-2802

armstrong.edu

Ogeechee Technical College

Located approximately 60 miles from Savannah in Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College offers a diploma in diagnostic medical sonography. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Students are eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examination upon completion of the program to become credentialed sonographers. Other imaging science programs offered by OTC include computed tomography, echocardiography, imaging science services assistant and radiologic technology.

Ogeechee Technical College

1 Joseph E Kennedy Blvd

Statesboro, GA 30458

(912) 681-5500

ogeecheetech.edu

Technical College of the Lowcountry

Technical College of the Lowcountry does not have a diagnostic medical sonography program per se, but awards an associate of health science to students who complete their six-semester program in radiologic technology. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and must pass the exam to become a certified radiologic technician. The college states that "with additional preparation and education, radiographers are offered advancement opportunities in areas such as Mammography, Computerized Tomography, Magnetic Resonance, Sonography, Nuclear Medicine, Management, Supervision and/or Education, and Research." The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). TCL is located about 45 miles from Savannah in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Technical College of the Lowcountry

921 Ribaut Road

Beaufort, SC 29901

800-768-8252

TDD Line (for hearing impaired): 843-470-8387

tcl.edu

Tags: Technical College, sonography program, American Registry, Armstrong Atlantic, Armstrong Atlantic State, Atlantic State, Atlantic State University

Is Doing Medical Transcription At Home A Legitimate Job

A medical transcriptionist listens to tape recordings that doctors make and transcribes the recordings into reports. Many medical transcriptionists work in hospitals, doctors' offices, transcription service offices and in their own homes. Medical transcription can be a legitimate work-at-home job. However, many scams use the offer of medical transcription at home as bait. It's not difficult to learn the difference.

Training

Medical transcription work is not easy. It's a demanding job that requires training from certain schools, and you often need experience before landing a job. Typically, employers hire transcriptionists who completed a course in medical transcription from a vocational school or a community college. Courses you can expect to take to earn your degree in medical transcription are anatomy, medical terminology and health care documentation. Some programs offer on-the-job experience.

Certification

To further your marketability as a medical transcriptionist, you can become certified as a registered medical transcriptionist (RMT) or as a certified medical transcriptionist (CMT). To become an RMT, you need to pass the AHDI level-1 registered medical transcription exam. To become a CMT, you need at least two years of acute care experience and to pass a certification exam.

Jobs

Once you've been educated in medical transcription, you'll know what "discomfort anterior to the lateral malleolus" means, says Lynn Shniper, an economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You'll also know the names of muscles and bones and spell the names of prescription drugs. Once you've studied and learned medical terminology, you can get a job as a medical transcriptionist because ample job openings, including ones to work at home, exist.

Scams

If you don't have training in medical transcription but are tempted to answer an ad you see that guarantees you'll earn $500 a week working from home as a medical transcriptionist, don't believe it. This type of work-at-home scam is quite common. The way the medical transcription scam typically works is to advertise a high-paying transcription job for a medical company. This company, you learn, uses special software that you must purchase. The software is typically expensive. After you buy it, you find out that there is no medical company associated with the software, so the software you bought is useless.

Earnings

Trained medical transcriptionists are in high demand, according to Bankrate. Transcriptionists listen to tape recordings on a headset and use a foot pedal to pause or rewind the tape when needed. While listening to the tape, transcriptionists type the text into word-processing software. The typed transcript is reviewed by the health care professional who dictated it, and after edits the document goes into a patient's permanent medical file. At first, medical transcriptionists earn around $10 an hour. This can go up to $20 or more per hour.

Tags: medical transcriptionist, medical transcription, medical transcription, medical transcriptionists, become need, health care

What Is Staphylococcus Infection

Staphylococcus, or staph, infections range from mild to life-threatening. Certain life events, chronic diseases and lifestyle choices can increase your likelihood of getting a staph infection, but everyday precautions can lessen the chance of getting one.

Staphylococcus: A Common Bacteria

More than 30 different staphylococcus bacteria can cause infections in people, and the illnesses caused by staph infections range from minor to deadly.

According to MedicineNet.com, Staphylococcus aureus infections are the most common. Staphylococcus bacteria are normally found on the skin and in the nose. It's possible for anyone to contract a staph infection, though people with conditions that weaken their immune system, such as diabetes, are at greater risk. Also at greater risk are people with vascular disease, cancer or lung disease, those who use intravenous drugs, and people with a skin disorder or skin injury. A surgical incision, being a wound to the skin, is a potential site for a staph infection.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, once found only among hospital patients, are more difficult to treat because the bacteria are resistant to many antibiotics. Because of MRSA's resistance to some antibiotics, it is often called a "superbug," but there are antibiotics that will conquer it.

The majority of MRSA infections occur among people who have recently undergone an invasive medical treatment such as surgery, but MRSA infections are also showing up that were acquired outside of hospitals. MRSA outbreaks have been reported in gyms, schools and day-care facilities.

Illnesses Caused by Staph Infections

A staph infection on the skin often causes a red, pus-filled area, such as a boil or abscess. It can lead to development of impetigo (causing crusting of the skin), cellulitis (infection of the connective tissue beneath the skin), mastitis (breast inflammation), or scalded skin syndrome--when a protein released by the bacteria causes the layers of the skin to loosen from each other, allowing blisters and sloughing of the skin to occur.

If the bacteria enter the bloodstream, sepsis can occur, causing high or low body temperature, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing rate and abnormal white blood cell count. If any two of those symptoms exist, the patient is diagnosed with sepsis. Sepsis is potentially life-threatening because it can lead to shock and collapse of the circulatory system. Staph infections can also attack the lungs, causing an abscess to form within the lung; attack the valves of the heart, possibly leading to heart failure; or attack the bones, leading to severe inflammation.

Staphylococcus aureus growing in conditions of little or no oxygen secrete a toxin that causes toxic shock syndrome, first described in women using highly-absorbent tampons.

Eating foods contaminated with toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus brings on a food poisoning that lasts one to three days but ordinarily resolves on its own.

Treatment Options

Depending on the location and severity of the infection, staph infections can be treated with application of an antibiotic ointment, oral antibiotics, intravenous antibiotics, surgical draining of an abscess or a combination of these treatments. Laboratory testing may be done to determine which antibiotics are most effective for the particular bacteria causing the infection.

Preventative Steps You Can Take

Since staphylococcus bacteria are so common and cause such a variety of illnesses, certain precautions are a wise idea in warding off infection.

Pay attention to burns, scrapes and cuts, and treat them with topical antibiotics.

Good hygiene practices are effective in preventing many kinds of illnesses, including staph infections. Practice thorough hand-washing and shower soon after participating in any contact sport.

Wipe down lockers, benches and other locker room contact surfaces before using them.

Avoid skin-to-skin contact or sharing personal items such as towels with someone who might have a staph infection.

Careful food handling and preparation helps avoid staphylococcus food poisoning.

Tampons should be changed regularly or alternated with pads in order to avoid toxic shock.

Tags: staph infection, Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA infections, people with, staph infections, food poisoning, greater risk

Radiology Tech Salary Information

X-ray is the first imaging technique a radiologic technician learns.

A radiology tech, also known as a radiologic technologist or technician, uses technical machinery to construct images of the inside of the human body. She may use technologies such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT), depending upon her experience. Usually employed in a hospital or other medical facility, her salary will reflect her experience and vary according to several other factors.

Average Pay

In the survey of American salaries published in 2008, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics placed the median annual salary for a radiologic technician at $52,210. Some practitioners will earn less, while others can earn considerably more. Each individual salary will be augmented differently by the package of benefits an employer offers.

Pay by Location

The state in which a technician practices is a factor in determining his salary. A survey by salary comparison website PayScale, conducted in December 2010, found that California offered the greatest salary range -- from $35,000 to $75,000 -- while Texas offered the smallest -- $39,149 to $50,980.

Pay by Employer

Most radiologic technicians work for hospitals. PayScale placed the average salary for these individuals between $31,315 and $50,480. Some technicians do work in the private sector, for a private medical practice or a company. PayScale found the upper level of average pay for these employers to be $51,883 and $43,909 respectively.

Pay by Experience

The most influential factor in determining a radiologic technician's salary expectations is her experience. With more years in the field she is likely to master more techniques and thus make herself more attractive to employers. PayScale found that for those with between 10 and 19 years of experience the average salary was between $75,987 and $90,000.

Training

To become a radiologic technician able to use X-ray machinery, an individual must complete a course that typically lasts between 21 and 24 months. Both medical schools and hospitals offer such courses. Good high school grades, particularly in math and science, are key factors in acceptance into a course. Technicians generally undertake training in other imaging techniques after securing an employment position.

Certification

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists allows individuals who have graduated from an ARRT-approved training program to voluntarily register themselves with the organization. The ARRT is recognized by the industry as a leading standard bearer and many employers will look for this certification among potential employees.

Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for radiologic technicians will rise by 17 percent through to the year 2018. Those technicians experienced in different techniques of image generation are likely to attain the best salary packages, particularly if they are willing to work in rural or low-income areas as these locations typically struggle to attract qualified medical staff.

Tags: radiologic technician, average salary, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, factor determining, found that, Labor Statistics

Continuing Education For Medical Doctors

Continuing Education for Medical Doctors

With new ideas in medicine being discovered every day, it is absolutely necessary for medical doctors to continue their education throughout their careers. There are many tools doctors use to stay abreast of the current research and developments, such as online programs, seminars, webinars and medical journals. Continuing education for doctors is so imperative that several states require a certain number of hours or credits of such education annually.

Continuing Education Units

A physician's specialty will indicate the requirement for continuing education credits. While general physicians will always have room for growth, more specialized professions require a more in-depth study of current advancements. Surgical specialties often require hands-on training, especially when new surgical procedures are discovered. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) governs the requirements for each area of business in the United States, including continuing education units for physicians. A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) consists of 10 hours of participation in an accredited Continuing Medical Education program.

International Association for Continuing Education & Training

The ANSI then gives the administration of the CEU to the International Association for Continuing Education & Training (IACET). The job of IACET is to communicate with organizations to establish and educate professional, capable sponsors to provide educational opportunities. The main purpose of the CEU is to supply a permanent record of completed additional education.

Overview of Options

A vast array of organizations provides numerous options, ranging from written medical journals to multi-week online courses. While there are many alternatives available, two of the most commonly used programs are the American Medical Association and Discovery Health. Both offer convenient online courses and detailed video presentations. Because of the size and diversity of the companies, they offer a more diverse array of courses, all aimed at improving a physician's knowledge of his specialty and utilizing the knowledge he already possesses more efficiently.

American Medical Association

The American Medical Association (AMA) offers a variety of resources that cultivate higher knowledge for any specialty. Effectively completing the Continuing Medical Education courses earns credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award, the most widely accepted credential identifying medical achievement. Along the personal accolades associated with receiving this certificate, it is also granted by the AMA is accepted by licensing boards in 36 states in lieu of Continuing Medical Education requirements for license renewal.

Discovery Health Continuing Medical Education

Discovery Health Continuing Medical Education (CME) offers a diverse selection of programs to learn about new advances in medicine and earn free CME credit. They go beyond journal articles and lecture productions and offer online programs consisting of videos and study materials, as well as podcasts and free games for credits. The curricula offered range from the health connection between pets and people to improving a low sexual desire in women to metastatic colon cancer care.

Time Frame

Since continuing education is important both for a physician's career and for the patients she sees, the curriculum must fit into a physician's busy lifestyle. The time frame varies with the path of education chosen; some are as brief as a few hours, while others last a few months. More specialized practices can require more lengthy, hands-on material that takes longer to complete. Regardless of the time it takes to complete, continuing her education is one of the most rewarding professional accomplishments a physician can achieve.

Tags: Continuing Medical, Continuing Medical Education, Medical Education, Continuing Education, American Medical

Grants For Promoting Physical Activity & Wellness

Tap into federal and state grants meant to help promote physical fitness.

In response to the rising rate of obesity in Americans, the federal government, corporations and health advocacy organizations have developed grant funding to help schools, community organizations, youth groups and child care providers find ways to promote physical fitness in their communities.

Grants for Schools

K-12 schools should begin by tapping into funding from a variety of sources including the federal and state government and their local educational agency (LEA). In addition to these sources, school administrators should also research grants awarded by health and wellness organizations like the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) and physical education groups like the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).

For instance, these organizations have teamed up to create the ING Run For Something Better program that seeks to increase student's physical activity. According to AAHPERD, the program helps to "fight childhood obesity nationwide through the creation of school-based running programs... [which] improves self esteem, school performance and overall well being (reference 1)." The program will provide fifty $2,500 grants to schools that want to create or expand a school-based running program.

Schools should also look into the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. This office, which operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides funding to encourage physical fitness and healthy eating habits (reference 5).

Corporate Grants

There are a variety of physical fitness grants available from corporations and small businesses. Lowe's, Hasbro, CVS Caremark and Nike, Inc have all developed grant funding to help promote physical activity and physical fitness programs for children. Both schools and youth organizations should research the Lowe's Outdoor Playground Grant, the Hasbro Children's Fund, and Nike's Physical Activity Grants for Youth as potential sources for grant funds.

Professional Sports Organization Grants

Professional sports organizations also are a great source for physical activity grants. The National Football League (NFL), the National Dairy Council, in collaboration with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), have developed the Fuel Up to Play 60 program which awards up to $3,000 to help K-12 schools encourage 60 minutes of daily physical activity and healthy eating habits.

Physical Activity Research Grants

While many grants provide funds to implement physical fitness programs and activities, some grant awards focus on understanding the scientific relationship between physical activity and our bodies. Organizations like the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and companies like Coca Cola, have developed grant funding to better understand these issues.

Through the creation of the NASA's Space Physiology Research Grant, ACSM's Raymond and Rosalee Weiss Research Endowment and the Coca-Cola Company's Doctoral Student Grant on Behavior Research, these companies are helping researchers to better understand how exercise can impact the body.

Tags: physical fitness, have developed, developed grant, developed grant funding, grant funding, have developed grant, Physical Activity

Define Radiation Therapist

Radiation therapists have an essential role in the fight against cancer. Their skills are utilized in combination with surgery and chemotherapy to eliminate tumors, and sometimes radiation therapy is used as treatment on its own. Most radiation therapists are employed by hospitals and clinics.

Function

Radiation therapists are defined as health care workers who treat cancer using beams of high-energy radiation, administering therapy prescribed by radiation oncologists.

Initial Process

A radiation therapist initially pinpoints the exact location of the tumor using an x-ray machine or computed tomography. She does this so that, when radiation therapy begins, it is focused only on those abnormal cells.

Teamwork

Working with the radiation oncologist and a technician who calculates radiation dosages, the therapist creates a treatment plan for each client.

Communication

The radiation therapist then explains this plan to the patient, and he answers any questions the patient may have. She also discusses possible side effects.

Progress Evaluation

An important job duty includes observing the patient's progress throughout the treatment regimen and reporting changes to the physician.

Tags: radiation therapist, Radiation therapists, radiation therapy

Medical Office Assistant Salary

Medical office assitants help with doctors' offices.

Medical office assistants engage in many healthcare facilities day to day operations to see that they have successful operations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they "transcribe dictation, prepare correspondence, and assist physicians or medical scientists with reports, speeches, articles, and conference proceedings." Many of them go through some sort of training to learn medical terminology. (See Reference 6)

Experience

Salaries for medical office assistants vary based on their level of experience. Those with more experience generally earn those with less. Medical office assistants with less than a year of experience have a salary range of $23,500 to $33,000, while those with 20 plus years of experience have a range of $25,900 to $36,700 as of May 2010. Those with 10 to 19 years experience generally earn between $24,400 and $$36,600 according to PayScale.com.

Employer Type

A variety of companies hire medical office assistants to help them with their daily operations. Those that are self-employed have the largest variances with a reported salary range of $14,700 to $32,600. They also have some of the lowest salaries. According to PayScale, medical office assistants working for the federal government have a range of $29,000 to $35,800 while those at the state and local level may earn more with a reported range of $26,300 to $41,700 as of May 2010.

Company Size

Whether a company is large or small, they may employ the help of a medical office assistant. As of May 2010, those working for companies employing one to nine individuals have a salary range of $19,900 to $32,000, while those working for companies with 10 to 49 employees may earn slightly more with a range of $24,100 to $33,700, according to PayScale. Medical office assistants working for companies with 40 to 199 employees have the largest variance in incomes with a reported salary range of $22,400 to $40,300.

Health Care Setting

There are a variety of health care settings in which a medical office assistant may work. Those working I hospitals have some of the highest salaries with a reported salary range of $28,000 to $39,800. Those working in medical offices have a salary range of $23,800 to $34,400 and those working in health clinics have a range of $25,500 to $29,500 according to PayScale. As of May 2010, medical office assistants in physicians' offices have a reported salary range of $22,900 to $32,700.

Primary Responsibility

Medical office assistants have a variety of responsibilities associated with their jobs. Responsibilities include things from scheduling, handling reception and the phones, filing and data entry. Those primarily responsible for word processing and/or typing have a salary range of $24,600 to $40,600 according to PayScale. Medical office assistants primarily responsible for scheduling, reception/phones or customer service have similar salary ranges around $25,000 to about $35,000 as of May 2010.

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About Post Breast Cancer Jaw Pain

Breast cancer is a disease that primarily affects women, although men can get breast cancer as well. It typically originates in the glands or ducts of the breast (adrenocarcinoma) or the tissue of the breast (sarcoma). Breast cancer is usually treated with surgery, some combination of chemotherapy and radiation, and in certain cases other hormone or drug therapies. Certain drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer can have lingering adverse side effects, including jaw pain.

Post Breast Cancer Jaw Pain

Some of the chemotherapy agents used in the treatment of breast cancer can cause osteoporosis (bone loss). In order to prevent bone loss from occurring as a result of breast cancer treatments, many women are prescribed a bisphosphonate drug. These bisphosphonate drugs help prevent bone loss associated either with chemotherapy treatments or with metastatic breast cancer. Although bisphosphonates help prevent breast-cancer-related bone loss and degeneration, they may cause a condition called osteonecrosis.

Medicines That May Cause Osteonecrosis

According to BreastCancer.org, certain bisphosphonates that are often prescribed to women as a part of breast cancer treatment are more likely to cause osteonecrosis than others. These drugs include Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, Aredia, Zometa and Bonefos.

Osteonecrosis Definition

Osteonecrosis is the medical name for a condition that occurs when cells within the jawbone begin to die. It is a rare side effect of bisphosphonates and doctors are unsure why it happens to some women prescribed the drugs but not others. According to BreastCancer.org, most researchers believe the condition develops because the bisphosphonates cause the body to stop repairing minor jaw damage that happens during normal wear-and-tear or during dental procedures.

Symptoms of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Symptoms of jaw pain caused by osteonecrosis include jaw pain or a heavy feeling in the jaw; inflammation, redness or swelling of the gums; slow healing or an absence of healing in the gums after dental work; loose teeth; or the presence of visible bone in the mouth.

Treatment

Post breast cancer pain caused by osteonecrosis is generally treated with the use of a retainer, oral rinses or antibiotics. The majority of women do not experience this condition, and because it is rare, dentists may not be aware of the potential risk. Therefore, women who have taken a bisphosphonate as part of breast cancer treatment need to tell their dentist prior to any medical work, in order to avoid treatments that may worsen the condition.

Tags: breast cancer, bone loss, According BreastCancer, Breast cancer, breast cancer

Wisconsin Sonography Schools

Several schools in Wisconsin offer sonography training programs.

Sonography, also referred to as ultrasound, is the medical use of high frequency sound waves to create detailed computerized images of the human body for diagnostic purposes. According to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, there are seven accredited schools that offer training in diagnostic medical sonography. Graduates are thoroughly prepared to sit the national licensure examination directed by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center offers a full time 19-month program in diagnostic medical sonography. Candidates must hold a two-year credential in an allied health care field in order to be considered for admission. Prerequisite coursework in math, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, ethics, patient care and pathophysiology with a GPA of at least 3.0 is also required.

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center

180 W Grange Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53207

414-747-4352

aurorahealthcare.org

Blackhawk Technical College

Blackhawk Technical College offers an associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography designed for students with previous training in a field related to patient care, such as radiography, physical therapy, nursing or respiratory therapy. This program consists of five semesters of theoretical and practical instruction in general sonography, cardiac and vascular ultrasound and various sonography subspecialties.

Blackhawk Technical College

6004 Prairie Road

Janesville, WI 53547

608-743-4571

blackhawk.edu

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Chippewa Valley Technical College offers a two-year associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography. This program is comprised of six semesters of coursework in medical terminology, patient care, anatomy and physiology, the physics and instrumentation of ultrasound and sonographic techniques for the abdomen, female reproductive system and cardiovascular system. Advanced placement is available to applicants who hold a two-year credential in an allied health field, such as radiography or nursing.

Chippewa Valley Technical College

620 W. Clairemont Avenue

Eau Claire, WI 54701

715-833-6430

cvtc.edu

Columbia College of Nursing

The Columbia College of Nursing offers an 18-month program in diagnostic medical sonography for graduates of two-year certificate or diploma programs in allied health care, such as nursing, medical technology or radiologic technology. Students receive both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training in obstetric and gynecological sonography, breast and abdominal ultrasound and vascular sonographic technology.

Columbia College of Nursing

2121 E. Newport Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53211

414-961-3945

columbia-stmarys.org

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College offers a two year associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography. This program consists of five semesters of coursework in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, patient care, medical ethics, sonographic physics and instrumentation, abdominal sonography, obstetric and gynecological ultrasound, cardiac and vascular sonography, sonographic scanning and hands-on training in a clinical setting. Students must maintain an average grade of at least "C" throughout the program.

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

2740 West Mason Street

Green Bay, WI 54307

715-675-3331

nwtc.edu

University of Wisconsin

The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography at the University of Wisconsin offers two 24-month training programs. The general diagnostic medical sonography concentration provides both theoretical and clinical training in abdominal, obstetric, gynecological and vascular ultrasound. The echocardiography or cardiac ultrasound concentration is designed for students who wish to receive thorough training in ultrasound for both adult and pediatric cardiovascular systems as well as vascular technology.

University of Wisconsin

School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

2870 University Avenue

Madison, WI 53705

608-263-9033

uwhealth.org

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare offers two full-time certificate programs in diagnostic medical sonography: a 20-month general and vascular concentration and an 18-month cardiac and vascular concentration. Both options consist of didactic and hands-on clinical instruction in the physics and instrumentation of sonography, human anatomy, physiology and pathology, in addition to specialized training in their respective concentration subjects.

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare

St. Francis School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

3237 South 16th Street

Milwaukee, WI 53215

414-647-5711

wfhealthcare.org

Tags: Technical College, diagnostic medical sonography, anatomy physiology, patient care, allied health

Use Answering Machines

Using a telephone answering machine is often a cheaper alternative to voicemail systems, especially for businesses. An answering machine plugs into a telephone and the wall and usually has a cassette tape or digital memory to retain messages. Buying an answering machine is a one-time purchase and does not require subscription to monthly services, unlike voicemail through a telephone company that could cost $7 to $10 per month.

Instructions

1. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of getting an answering machine. Be sure the model you want will allow you to check your messages when not at home or at the office. If frequent electricity loss happens in your area, you are probably better off not getting an answering machine because it cannot record messages without a power source.

2. Purchase an answering machine from your local electronics or superstore such as Wal-Mart or Target, or find one on the Internet. Be sure to check the box or product specifications to see how many messages the machine can hold.

3. Set up your answering machine with your phone in accordance with your product instructions. Typically you will need to plug one end of a telephone cord into the back or side of the answering machine. In addition, one end of an AC adapter will typically be placed into the appropriate end of the answering machine and the other into a wall outlet. This provides both power and a phone connection for an answering machine system.

4. Record your greeting as directed in your product instructions; this is what your callers will here when they call your residence or business and cannot reach you directly. It is a good idea to include in your greeting something along the lines of "Please leave a message after the beep."

5. Check your messages by pressing the play button on the actual answering machine unit, or by calling your home or business phone if your system allows remote message access. Typically you would wait for your greeting and then use the # or * key to enter your special pin code to check your answering machine messages from another phone. However, the specifics of using remote message checking vary per product, and will be noted in your answering machine instructional manual.

Tags: answering machine, your answering, your answering machine, your greeting, check your, getting answering, getting answering machine

Ways To Enlarge The Breasts In Women

Firm, large breasts are admired by men and desired by women. Women who aren't happy with the breasts nature gave them might look for ways to improve them through exercise, surgery or garment enhancements. Does this Spark an idea?

Breast Exercises

There are a number of exercises that you can do to help enlarge your breasts. Most breast exercises work to increase muscle mass under the chest, which helps to give the breast an uplifted and larger appearance. You can do a series of exercises that work the chest and shoulders.

A chest press helps to increase breast size. It can be done on special chest press machines at the gym or by using free weights. To use free weights to do a chest press, lie on your back and extend your arms out to the side holding, a 5- or 10-pound weight in each hand. Bring the weights up to meet at chest level in a circular movement.

The shoulder press is a complementary exercise that's good for building the pectoral muscles of the chest. To do a shoulder press, lift a heavier weight overhead. Return to the starting position. Do three sets of 12 each.

Garment Enhancements

Garment enhancements like "falsies" have always been the secret helper of the small-chested woman. Falsies have been made from material such as rolled up socks and tissue paper. Bra manufacturers have responded to women's desires to increase their breast size by developing brassieres with built-in padding and inserts that give a larger bust appearance.

The Wonder Bra from Victoria Secret created a sensation when it was introduced in the 1990s. It pushed up the breasts and added a bra size although it was a lightly-lined underwire bra. Since the Wonder Bra, bra manufacturers continue to create undergarments that flatter and enlarge with no more effort than putting on a bra.

Cosmetic Surgery

Breast enlargement through cosmetic surgery has been increasingly popular over the past few years, and is a very accepted means of enlarging breasts permanently. Breast implants are either saline or silicone.

Surgery allows you to pick your cup size and create the bust of your dreams under the hands of a skilled surgeon. Cosmetic surgery can be expensive and can leave permanent scars. A considerable length of time is required for healing after surgery. A number of women have had complications from surgery, including painful hardening of silicone implants.

Tags: chest press, breast size, exercises that, free weights, shoulder press

The Average Salary Of Editors In Missouri

Editors may get a reputation as being on the hunt for missing commas and misplaced periods, but they work hard to keep printed and electronic material looking its best and out of potential lawsuits. Around Missouri, editors scrutinize newspapers, magazines, websites, advertisements and television scrolls, ensuring the information the platforms convey is clear and error-free.

Facts

In May 2009, approximately 1,560 editors were at work in Missouri, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average salary for editors in Missouri was $42,730 per year, significantly under the national average for editors at $58,440, a difference of $15,710 per year on average.

Location

While the average editor salary came in at $42,730 per year, editors in Missouri earned all over the scale. At the lowest 10th percentile of salaries, Missouri editors took home approximately $19,960 per year. At the other end of the scale, the highest-paid 90th percentile of editors earned approximately $87,800 per year.

Considerations

Securing a salary as an editor in Missouri usually requires a bachelor's degree in English, journalism or communications, though on-the-job training in grammar, style and punctuation may be available. Editors also need to be able to harness the power of computers, as word processing programs offer assistance with editing, spelling and writing as well as digital publishing.

Outlook

Prospective editors in Missouri may find themselves being edited right out of a salary; the field is not expected to grow at all through 2018 and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a loss of approximately 400 jobs throughout the country. The BLS recommends nonprofit agencies and public relations departments as the best potential employers.

Tags: editors Missouri, approximately year, best potential, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, Labor Statistics

Combine Winstrol With Progesterone For Women

A woman's ovaries naturally produce progesterone during pregnancy and each month during her menstrual cycle. Doctors can prescribe progesterone to lessen the chances of endometrial cancer in post-menopausal women. Additionally, menopausal and post-menopausal women can take progesterone as part of hormone replacement therapy to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, which may include night sweats, hot flashes, insomnia, migraines and depression. Winstrol is a synthetic hormone derived from testosterone. Doctors can prescribe it to treat hereditary angioedema, a congenital disorder that causes periodic and recurrent bouts of abdominal pain accompanied by swelling of the throat, mouth, lips and hands.

Instructions

1. Consult a physician before taking either product. Winstrol is classified as a Schedule III drug in the U.S., and is illegal to possess or purchase without a prescription. Inform your doctor if you suffer from heart disease, diabetes or kidney or liver disease as taking Winstrol may aggravate these conditions.

2. Assess your initial tolerance for Winstrol. RxList.com recommends that women suffering from hereditary angioedema individualize their dosage by starting with 2 mg of Winstrol, taken three times daily.

3. Decrease the dosage of Winstrol to a maintenance level over time. Once Winstrol has begun to control or eliminate the periodic bouts of swelling and abdominal pain, begin reducing the daily dosage by 2 mg daily over one- to three-month intervals to 2 mg daily. If you currently take the initial dosage of 6 mg per day, you should lower this to 4 mg per day after three months, and then lower it again to 2 mg daily after another three months has passed.

4. Assess the effects of the new lower dosage. Monitor your symptoms of hereditary angioedema to determine if the lower dosage is still managing to suppress the flare-ups of this illness. If you have suffered from airway blockage, you should pay close attention that these potentially life-threatening bouts of angioedema do not reoccur.

5. Reassess the dosage levels if symptoms persist. Contact a doctor if you experience symptoms of angioedema while on a lower dosage, and begin taking a higher dosage if indicated by your physician.

6. Consult your physician if you notice signs of virilization. Winstrol exerts androgenic properties that may cause or enhance the development of masculine characteristics. These may include altered libido, excess facial and body hair growth, acne, oily skin, male-pattern baldness and a deepened voice. Your doctor may opt to lower your dosage further to control these symptoms.

7. Begin taking progesterone once you have stabilized your dosage of Winstrol. If your doctor has prescribed progesterone to prevent endometrial cancer, take one dose of 200 mg at bedtime for 12 sequential days during each 28-day cycle. If you are taking progesterone to treat the effects of menopause, take one 400 mg dose at bedtime for 10 days of each 28-day cycle.

8. Continue to take Winstrol while taking progesterone. As these two drugs do not react to one another negatively, you may take them at the same time.

9. Continue taking these medications until your doctor directs you to stop.

Tags: hereditary angioedema, lower dosage, taking progesterone, your doctor, 28-day cycle, abdominal pain

Usa Travel Requirements For Permanent Resident Card

As long as they respect the time limitations, green card holders can travel the world freely.

A legal permanent resident, or green card holder, is not as free to engage in extended travel as is an American citizen. Green card holders are subject to length limitations and in some cases are required to obtain special documentation before lengthy travel abroad. U.S. residency status is reserved for those intending to live in the United States, not visit a few months out of the year just to maintain status. For this reason there are strict regulations set in place to ensure that the system is not abused.

Travel Lengths

Green card holders, or legal permanent residents (LPRs), are allowed to leave the United States for travel or visitation purposes for lengths of stay that are under one year. This time is measured in continuous stays, not in cumulative. There is nothing unlawful about multiple trips outside of the country per year. No special paperwork or document is needed upon re-entry for a green card holder who has been absent from the country for less than a year. Those entering the United States as LPRs enter the same way as U.S. citizens do.

Re-entry Permits

Staying outside of the U.S. for periods between one to two years requires special permission from the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) in the form of a re-entry permit. You can file an I-131 application for re-entry permit online at the USCIS website (uscis.gov). The filing and biometrics fee total $385, as of 2010. The I-131 must be filed within the United States. You cannot leave while it is still pending, so make sure to file it before making your travel reservations.

Extended Stays Abroad

There are exceptions to the two-year rule, and that is through employment and education. LPRs are allowed to maintain their status if they are absent from the country for extended stays with proof of employment transfer or university subscription as long as there is significant proof and reason for return. Employment contracts outlining the duration and purpose of employment and university acceptance letters are required when applying for a re-entry permit.

Abandonment

LPRs who leave the country for longer than a year without obtaining a re-entry permit will likely be considered to have abandoned their status in the United States and lose their residency. In such cases they will appear in front of an immigration judge to review their case. Those who do find themselves outside of the United States for longer than one year without a permit should request a returning residence visa from the nearest U.S. consulate before returning to the United States, after which they can plead their status case.

Tags: United States, re-entry permit, card holders, green card, than year

Ultrasound Radiologist Schools

Ultrasound radiologist learn diagnostic medical sonography techniques during formal education.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, diagnostic medical sonographers, sometimes called ultrasound radiologists, in 2010 typically receive two to four years' formal training before entering the field. Additionally, some schools offer one-year certificate programs, which are designed for workers already employed in any one of the allied healthcare fields.

Cypress College

Cypress College offers an associate degree program and a certificate program in diagnostic medical sonography. Successful completion prepares students to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examination. Admission requirements include a high school diploma or GED; a minimum age of 17, a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher in all college classes taken, plus students must have transportation to and from affiliated hospitals. Prerequisite courses for this program include radiologic electronics, survey of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology and medical sonography theory. Cypress College has accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The program falls under the school's health science department.

Cypress College

9200 Valley View St.

Cypress, CA 90630

714-484-7000

cypresscollege.edu

Hillsborough Community College

Hillsborough Community College offers a diagnostic medical sonography program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Prerequisite courses for the program include freshman English, anatomy and physiology, college algebra and fundamentals of physics. The program is 24 months long and candidates with undergraduate or graduate degrees do not receive preference for admission. Core courses include basic sonography, human anatomy and physiology, sonographic scanning protocol and general psychology. This program is taught at the school's Dale Mabry campus. Hillsborough College's diagnostic medical sonography program also has accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Hillsborough Community College

4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33614

813-253-7231

hccfl.edu

John A. Logan College

Located in Carterville, Illinois, John A. Logan College offers a cardiac diagnostic medical sonography program. The 18-month program focuses on echocardiography sonography training. Echocardiography sonography evaluates the heart and its valves and blood vessels. The school only admits into the program seven students per year. The school is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Students receive clinical training at a number of clinical sites, including Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Carbondale Memorial, Heartland Regional Medical and St. Francis Medical Center.

John A. Logan College

700 Logan College Road

Carterville, IL 62918

618-985-3741

jalc.edu

Tags: Cypress College, diagnostic medical sonography, Logan College, Accreditation Allied, Accreditation Allied Health

Ultrasound Pictures Explained

Ultrasound imaging, or sonography, was developed during World War I to help ships track submarine movement. The first use of ultrasounds for medical purposes started in the 1950s. Ultrasounds are widely used and available at low cost in most markets and because ultrasound imaging does not use radiation it is the preferred choice for monitoring pregnant women and the unborn babies. Because of technological advancements, physicians are now able to make three-dimensional, four-dimensional and three-dimensional motion ultrasounds.

Explained

Sonar is an acronym for SOund Navigation And Ranging. According to Ehealthmd.com, "As sound passes through the body it produces echoes, which can identify distance, size and shape of objects inside." Ultrasounds are an important tool for diagnosing a number of conditions and evaluating organ damage after an illness. A special kind of ultrasound called Doppler ultrasound evaluates the blood velocity as it flows through a blood vessel, artery or vein in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck.

Ultrasound Scanner

Ultrasound scanners consists of a computer, an electronic display and a transducer. The transducer is responsible for sending short, inaudible, high frequency sound waves into the body. These sound waves interact with the body's tissues and return echoes back to the transducer. Once the echoes return, they are analyzed by the scanners on the computer. To create the image, the computer analyzes the echoes based on amplitude, frequency and how long the sound traveled from the target back to the transducer. The results are immediately seen on the scanner's electronic display. In order to make better contact with human skin and eliminate pockets of air, a clear water-based gel is applied to the body where the transducer makes contact. According to Radiologyinfo.org, in some ultrasound studies, the transducer is attached to a probe and inserted into a natural opening in the body. These exams include the transesophageal echocardiogram, in which the transducer is inserted into the esophagus to obtain images of the heart; transrectal ultrasound, in which the transducer is inserted into a man's rectum to view the prostate; and the transvaginal ultrasound, in which the transducer is inserted into a woman's vagina to view the uterus and ovaries.

Most ultrasound examinations are completed within 30 minutes to an hour.

In Practice

Because ultrasounds are not as effective diagnosing areas encased in bone or gas, they are usually reserved for diagnosing newborn brain scans; scanning the appendix for appendicitis; diagnosing cirrhosis of the liver and liver cysts; locating gallstones in the gallbladder or bile ducts; scanning the pancreas for cysts, tumors or pancreatitis; examining the eyes; scanning the kidneys for congenital defects; scanning the thyroid, breasts, spleen, testicles and ovaries; and the most well known use, scanning women during pregnancy for complications and fetal development.

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Learn Digital Radiography

Digital radiography is rapidly replacing X-ray technology.

Digital radiography is the new wave of X-ray imaging which uses digital imaging instead of traditional photographic film. This process also does away with the exposure to high radiation, and is currently being implemented in numerous hospitals, dentists offices and veterinary hospitals. Multiple universities currently provide classes for digital radiography, helpful seminars and private instruction for those seeking tutoring. College institutions and universities provide the best way to learn this craft beginning to be highly utilized by the medical radiology field.

Instructions

1. Select a college or university with a comprehensive radiology program that offers classes in digital radiography. Numerous colleges offer these classes, but some in more detail and scope than others (see Resources).

2. Sign up for digital radiography seminars and conferences. These may be available in your local area or check out the Radiography Society and Radiography Association for listings of services for professional radiologists and students.

3. Download videos and tutorials to see digital radiography being implemented in a real-world environment. These are the best tutorials next to school lab work and actual hands-on experience.

4. Apply for an internship, understudy or apprenticeship under an experienced radiologist who uses digital radiography systems. You may need to be at a specific college-hour level, or in graduate school to apply for an internship at some locations.

Tags: digital radiography, being implemented, classes digital, classes digital radiography, uses digital

Government Programs For Low Income People

Many families living on a low-income often struggle to provide their everyday needs. Families may not be able to provide adequate health care, afford decent and safe housing or pay for the cost of food for themselves and their children. Several federally run programs help low-income families and individuals by subsidizing the cost of their everyday living.

Medical Coverage

The Medicaid program is a federally funded health insurance program. Under Medicaid, recipients can receive a variety of medical services, such as routine doctor's visits, hospital care and nursing home care. They can also receive special needs services such as physical therapy or chemotherapy. To qualify for Medicaid, applicants must fit into a low-income category and have very few personal assets. However, not all low-income individuals qualify for Medicaid. The applicant must also meet medical criteria such as having a disability or being pregnant. Each state sets its qualifications for Medicaid. Individuals can apply through their state's Health and Human Services Department.

Housing Assistance

The housing choice voucher program commissioned by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) helps low-income families afford a home in the private sector, outside the housing assistance communities. Under the program, qualified families will have a portion of their rent paid directly to their landlord. The family can choose any home they wish as long as the landlord accepts housing vouchers and the property meets the sanitary housing conditions set forth by HUD. Each state sets the income limits for the housing vouchers in its area. Applicants can apply at their local Department of Housing and Urban Development office.

Food Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides low-income families with a debit card they can use to purchase food items at a participating grocery store. Any store-bought food items, such as vegetables, meats, cheeses and fruits, qualify for the program. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, an individual can receive up to $200 in benefits and each member of the family can receive another $150 monthly. To qualify, applicants must have limited personal resources and meet low-income standards. For example, the income for a family of four cannot exceed $ 2,389 in gross monthly income, according to the USDA. Families can apply for the program at their local Department of Health and Human Services.

Emergency Cash

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides families with cash they can use to cover the cost of everyday living. Qualified applicants will receive an electronics benefit card they can use to purchase items at a register or to remove cash from an ATM. The TANF program is meant to be an emergency assistance program and only provides help on a short-term basis. While TANF is a federally funded program, each state sets the qualification guidelines and benefit amounts for its residents. Applicants can apply at a Department of Health and Human Services office or the Office of Family Assistance in their state.

Tags: Department Housing, Health Human, Health Human Services, Human Services, low-income families, state sets, Applicants apply

Firm Sagging Breasts

Many women are concerned about the appearance of their breasts. If they have a small bosom, they want them to be bigger, and if their breasts are too large, they want them to be smaller. Saggy breasts are a concern to some women, too. Sometimes a woman’s breasts will start to droop with age, but the aging process is only one of the causes of this problem. Whatever the reason for this loss of firmness, women wish they could get their breasts looking youthful again. What can be done to firm sagging breasts? Here are some of the options. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Firm Sagging Breasts

1. ExerciseMany know that regular exercise equals firmness. Whether it be abs or breasts, the exercise you do should bring positive results. Daily exercise should be a part of every woman’s health care regimine. One of the exercises you can to firm the bust is push-ups. Another effective exercise is one that involves putting your hands in a prayer-like position with elbows pointing out. By repetitively pushing the hands against one another the pectoral muscles are strengthened. Exercise is one way to firm sagging breasts.

2. Improve Your PostureSitting up straight with shoulders back offers immediate results to the woman with sagging breasts. Just throw your shoulders back, sit tall and hold your head up high to get an idea of what I’m talking about. Sitting tall will instantly lift your breasts as well as your confidence.

3. Get breast implantsBreast implants are known to be an effective way to lift sagging breasts. The implants are placed beneath the breast tissue or beneath the pectoral muscle. The end result is lifted and fuller breasts.

4. Get breast lift surgeryBreast lift surgery is performed by eliminating stretched skin, lifting the bust and repositioning the nipples. Breast lift surgery is another option for the woman who would like to correct a sagging breast problem.

Tags: sagging breasts, their breasts, exercise should, firm sagging, Firm Sagging, firm sagging breasts, Firm Sagging Breasts

What Is A Strength In An Interview

Prepare a response ahead of time for a focused discussion of greatest strengths.

Employers use interviews to gauge the likelihood of how well candidates will perform in their companies. Prospective hires meet with one or more company representatives for discussions about qualifications, previous experience and skills they can contribute. Interviewers use questions to elicit information both directly and indirectly from candidates. Asking potential employees to describe their greatest strengths is a common interview question, so candidates should develop responses ahead of time to make a strong impression.

Definition

The strength question asks candidates to assess their work ethic, qualifications, professional approach and personality and determine what they consider to be their strongest asset. Employers may directly ask candidates, "What is your greatest strength?" Other questions pose the same query in a different way; for example, "Of which personality trait are you the most proud?" Responses provide insight into what employees bring to the table, but employers are also interested in the thought process in justifying selections and linking the strength to their workplace.

Strength Strategies

Interviewees should choose greatest strengths strategically. In all likelihood, job applicants may have many strengths that could be discussed to exemplify desirability as an employee. In preparing responses, the job applicant should think about the potential employer's needs and workplace culture. For applicants interviewing with a highly competitive law firm known for its professional aggression and cutthroat tactics, discussing inherent passion and empathy for fellow human beings might be a misstep. Compassion may indeed help an employee be a better attorney, but that employer probably wants candidates who describe their self-motivation, fearlessness, discipline or self-confidence as strengths.

Examples

Examples of strengths might include communication skills, industry knowledge, passion for the field, organization or problem solving aptitude. Applicants should provide concrete examples of how strengths benefited previous employers in the past. For example, if a job seeker's greatest strength is leadership then she might talk about managing a project involving 45 employees in several departments that doubled an employer's profits. When talking about industry expertise, applicants might explain that identifying and capitalizing on an untapped customer demographic helped expand a previous employer's company into a new territory.

Counterpart

Interviewers who ask candidates to discuss their strengths frequently ask the notorious counterpart to that question: weaknesses. Employers want to hear a real weakness; bashfully owning up to being a "perfectionist" doesn't count. Potential employees might pick something that they're already working to improve. For example, job applicants might state that they haven't mastered a particular software program yet but are currently enrolled in a continuing education course to learn more.

Tags: greatest strengths, ahead time, applicants might, describe their, greatest strength

Understand The Side Effects Of Photodynamic Therapy

Understand the Side Effects of Photodynamic Therapy

An emerging treatment for those diagnosed with lung or esophageal cancer is photodynamic therapy. Patients who receive photodynamic therapy are usually given an injection of the photosensitive drug Photofrin™ followed up by a series of laser light treatments. The combination of these 2 methods creates a chemical reaction that is lethal to cancerous cells, but can also cause a variety of side effects. Before you begin treatment, it's important to understand exactly what these effects are and how you can combat them.

Instructions

1. Expect to stay mostly indoors for 4 to 6 weeks. The major side effect of photodynamic therapy is extreme sensitivity to natural or bright artificial lights. This sensitivity will begin immediately after you receive your first treatment of Photofrin™.

2. Stock up on fever reducers. One of the side effects of photodynamic therapy is high internal temperatures, brought on by your body trying to fight off infection.

3. Have a steady supply of prunes or prune juice waiting at home. Constipation, although rare, can often occur in patients undergoing photodynamic therapy.

4. Be prepared for mild swelling or inflammation around the tumor site after the procedure. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medication to alleviate any discomfort, though this side effect usually lasts for only 1 to 2 days.

5. Understand that exposure to sunlight may cause your skin to become mildly discolored. This side effect has been reported in patients who only spent a few minutes in direct sunlight.

6. Ask your doctor if it's possible to take over-the-counter remedies for nausea, which is one of the more commonly reported side effects of photodynamic therapy.

Tags: photodynamic therapy, photodynamic therapy, side effect, side effects, Effects Photodynamic

Should You Wear A Bra If You Have Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a condition in which men develop abnormally large breasts. Some refer to this condition as "man boobs" or "moobs." When men develop large breasts it is due to an excess in the growth of the breast tissue and not due to excess fat tissue.

Features

Gynecomastia can occur in one or both breasts. Frequently, the breasts will enlarge disproportionately. This condition may emerge during puberty but generally goes away. However, sometimes it doesn't and an adult male ends up having big breasts.

What Happens

Men have female hormones (estrogens) just as women have male hormones (androgens.) When there are too many estrogens in a man's body, or the body isn't using or responding to estrogen correctly, this may result in enlarged breasts. The Mayo Clinic explains that gynecomastia occurs when there is a decrease in testosterone levels compared with estrogen levels. Testosterone is the hormone that controls male physical characteristics such as body hair and muscle mass, whereas estrogen controls female traits, such as the growth of breasts.

Other Causes

Factors other than hormonally related issues that can result in enlarged breasts in men include kidney failure and dialysis; marijuana use; chemotherapy; use of anabolic steroids; hormone treatment for prostate cancer; chronic liver disease; medications such as cimetidine, metronidazole, ketoconazole and spironolactone; an overly active thyroid; tumors and genetic defects.

It's Up to You

Ultimately this is your choice, but wearing a bra can give you support and may make you feel more comfortable. It will also help conceal your breasts if that is your desire. According to Gynecoastiaguide.com, there are numerous products on the market for men with this condition. Some men opt for binding, which flattens their breasts, while others chose to layer their clothing to conceal their breasts. There is a "Frog Bra" or "The Bro," which is a sports bra and works well to support your breasts as well as conceal them. Some wear this bra or several bras at the same time underneath layered clothing to hide their breasts, although this sounds a bit cumbersome and not very comfortable.

Other Alternatives

Consider using an ace bandage, wrapping it around your breasts. This is an inexpensive method but not comfortable. Another suggestion is to cut off the legs of a pair of women's control top panty hose and make a hole in the crotch area through which you will stick your head. Pull the panty hose on over your head, slip your arms into the leg holes and you have devised a control top method for disguising your breasts.

Another Option

Other possibilities include using a neoprene device around your chest because it will flatten it. The disadvantage is that this material, which is thick and rubbery, doesn't breathe, and you may chafe and blister as well as sweat while wearing it.

Tags: your breasts, their breasts, around your, enlarged breasts, large breasts

Types Of Title Insurance Policies

Title insurance policies protect the homeowner and mortgage lender if the title to the property is found to be invalid or unenforceable.

When property is purchased, the homeowner and mortgage lender are invested in protecting their legal claims to the real property. A title insurance policy will cover the policyholder in the event there are defects in the property's title. Title insurance protects the insured against issues that do not show up during a title search and events that occurred prior to the purchase of the property that may compromise the homeowner's title.

Basic Owner's Policy

The Basic Owner's Policy assures purchasers that they own the title to the property and the title is free from all defects, liens and encumbrances, except those listed as exceptions or excluded from the policy's coverage. The liability limit of the owner's policy is the purchase price paid for the property. Typically, no additional premium is paid after the policy is issued and coverage lasts as long as the owner retains an interest in the property.

Lender's Policy

The Lender's Policy is issued to mortgage lenders. The policy protects lenders if their mortgage lien is not enforceable or valid. The monetary value of the policy is usually the equivalent of the loan amount provided to the borrower. The lender will be protected if the borrower is not the legal title owner of the property or if another entity has a priority lien on the property. The lender is protected until the mortgage has been paid in full.

Extended Owner's Policy

The Extended Owner's Policy provides coverage for incidences not included in the basic owner's policy. While the basic owner's policy covers events in the past that may affect the validity of the homeowner's title, the extended owner's policy protects the homeowner against title issues that may occur after the title insurance was purchased. Covered events include encumbrances, encroachments, or zoning violations that occur after the property has been purchased.

Tags: Owner Policy, property title, Basic Owner Policy, basic owner policy, Extended Owner, homeowner mortgage

Colposcopy Policies And Procedures

Colposcopy Policies and Procedures

Colposcopy helps screen patients for cervical cancer with a much higher accuracy rate than the standard Pap smear, which can give false positive results up to 80 percent of the time, according to a position paper by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Doctors perform colposcopies based on recognized indications for their use, and they must undergo comprehensive training while hopefully participating in an ongoing review and education process.

Description

The Mayo Clinic describes a colposcopy as a medical procedure to check for diseases of the cervix and vagina. If a patient's Pap smear has indicated possible trouble, the doctor may recommend this more thorough procedure. The doctor uses a speculum to open the vagina and observes the cervix through a lighted magnifying device known as a colposcope. The doctor then applies a weak solution of acetic acid to the patient's genital tract, then views the tissue through a green filter to check for abnormal-looking cells, according to the AAFP. If he sees possible abnormalities, he may remove tiny samples for further testing.

Indications

Along with double-checking an abnormal Pap smear, the AAFP states that normal reasons for performing a colposcopy include abnormal-looking genital tissues or cervix, possible rape or child abuse, elevated cervical cancer risk, or checkup following cancer treatment.

Training and Education

The AAFP discusses its educational methods regarding colposcopy and other procedures in its position paper. In association with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the academy has created and implemented a set of guidelines for helping hospital directors and residents conduct their training. The colposcopy course includes a wide range of materials from established family physicians. The academy also urges hospitals to use proctoring, or evaluation by a peer staff member, to ensure physician competence.

Availability

The AAFP believes that if the number of family doctors offering colposcopy increases, the rate of cervical cancer cases may drop as people gain readier access to preventive exams and early detection. Telecolposcopy now allows patients in remote areas to receive colposcopies by video. As described in a grant proposal to the National Cancer Institute, a doctor takes high-definition digital images of the cervix and then sends them to a colposcopist for review. This procedure currently sees use as a forensic tool in sexual assault cases in Williamson County, Texas, according to an article in the Austin American-Statesman.

Considerations

While the AAFP and the Mayo Clinic both state that a doctor may well order a colposcopy directly on the evidence of a Pap smear, Medical News Today quoted a series of studies from the British Medical Journal questioning the effectiveness of this policy. These studies, known collectively as the Trial of Management of Borderline and Other Low-grade Abnormal Smears, claimed to find no advantage in immediate colposcopy over normal surveillance over time, either medically or in terms of cost effectiveness.

Tags: cervical cancer, Colposcopy Policies, Colposcopy Policies Procedures, Mayo Clinic, Policies Procedures

Types Of Reproductive Health Services

Types of Reproductive Health Services

Types of reproductive services include sperm donation, egg donation, surrogacy services, sperm washing and genetic testing. These services have made the dreams of infertile parents longing for children come true.

Benefits of Genetic Testing

According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, genetic testing can prepare a family for prenatal and postnatal therapy for at-risk children when such testing is possible. It may also prepare a family for bearing and rearing a child with a disability.

Benefits of Sperm Donation and Artificial Insemination

Developed in 1953, sperm donation led the forefront of reproductive services. It has helped benefit families where the male's sperm count is low or non-existent. It has also served lesbian couples wishing to conceive.

Benefits of Surrogacy

The egg and sperm of the parents are fertilized and then implanted into the womb of a willing surrogate, allowing the newborn to have genes from both parents. Surrogacy is used when the mother is unable to conceive or carry on her own.

Benefits of Egg Donation

Egg donation provides mothers an opportunity to experience carrying their child to term when they no longer have eggs that can be used for reproduction. A donor egg is often inseminated with the natural father’s sperm.

Function of Sperm Washing

A potential father who is HIV positive may choose to have his sperm washed to rid it of the HIV virus so as not to pass HIV along to the child or mother in serodisconcordant couples.

Tags: genetic testing, Health Services, prepare family, Reproductive Health, Reproductive Health Services, reproductive services, sperm donation

Broken Sternum Symptoms

The sternum, also known as the breast bone, is located in the middle of the chest and together with the ribs forms the rib cage, which helps to protect the heart and lungs from external damage. A broken or fractured sternum, also known as a sternal fracture, is almost always caused by blunt-force trauma and occurs most often in motor vehicle accidents when a driver's chest forcefully strikes the steering wheel. Motor vehicle accidents account for 60 to 90 percent of all sternal fractures, according to eMedicine.com.

Symptoms Can Be Confusing

A fractured sternum can cause a number of symptoms, some of which can be mistaken for other conditions. The most noticeable symptom, according to FreeMD.com, is chest pain. Other symptoms may include bruising of the chest, a noticeable deformity of the chest, tenderness or swelling in the center of the chest, or difficulty breathing.

Chest Pain

The chest pain characteristic of a broken sternum radiates from the center of the chest. Movement may aggravate this pain, which also can be exacerbated by deep breathing. Get professional medical help as soon as possible if you suspect you've suffered a sternal fracture. Although in most cases, the damage is limited to the sternum itself, damage to the heart, coronary arteries or lungs is also possible in cases of extreme trauma.

Bruising and Inflammation

Bruising and/or inflammation of the chest in the area of the sternum almost certainly will follow any blunt force trauma to the chest. It is not necessarily indicative of a sternal fracture but is certainly a sign that you need to be examined by a medical professional so that a definitive diagnosis can be made.

Deformity or Crepitation

Less ambiguous is the appearance of a deformity of the chest after an auto accident or another similar injury to the chest. Such a symptom is a clear indication that serious damage was done to the sternum or related musculoskeletal structures. In some cases of sternal fracture, you may be able to hear the broken edges of the sternum rubbing against one another (crepitation), even if no external evidence of sternal deformity is present, according to eMedicine.com.

Breathing Difficulties

Difficult or painful breathing---particularly when taking a deep breath---is another sign of a possible sternal fracture. It is hardly conclusive, however, which again makes it important to get professional counsel after a chest injury that is followed by any of the symptoms enumerated here.

Tags: sternal fracture, according eMedicine, also known, center chest, deformity chest

New Jersey Insurance Regulations

All states regulate the insurance industry in order to protect consumers and provide access to coverage. In New Jersey, administering the laws and regulations pertaining to insurance is the responsibility of the Department of Insurance and Banking. The department seeks to educate consumers about the insurance industry as well as promote the industry's growth and financial stability, according to its website.

ICH

In 1992 New Jersey created the Individual Health Coverage Program (ICH) to give those without access to employer-based or government funded health care plans the option of purchasing health insurance for themselves or their families. You may purchase this insurance from approved private insurers regardless of your age or health status. However, there is a 12 month waiting period after you purchase during which pre-existing conditions are not covered.

Prompt Pay

New Jersey also has the Prompt Pay regulation, which requires companies issuing health and dental plans to pay "clean claims" within 30 days of a claim received electronically or 40 days for claims received in other ways. A clean claim is one that does not require any special treatment and for which the covered individual gave all of the information concerning the claim required by the insurer. An insurer who does not pay a clean claim within the time limit must pay interest on the amount of the claim at 10 percent a year.

CAIP

All commercial vehicles registered in New jersey must have automobile liability insurance. Owners of commercial vehicles may purchase insurance on their own, but New Jersey has established the Commercial Automobile Insurance Plan (CAIP) for those unable to obtain coverage in the private market. CAIP certifies qualified insurers to cover higher risk commercial vehicles.

Managed Care

Every person enrolled in a managed care plan has the right to file a complaint with the insurer concerning any aspect of his plan. The insurer must respond to the covered individual's complaint within 30 days of receiving the notice. If the individual is not satisfied with how the insurer responds to the complaint, she may appeal to the Office of Managed Care, a division of the Department of Banking and Insurance.

Tags: commercial vehicles, clean claim, covered individual, insurance industry, Managed Care

Nutrition Health Fair Ideas

Celebrate healthy living with a nutrition health fair.

Nutrition health fairs are educational and helpful events that get your community or your corporation's employees thinking about healthier living. Attendees gain valuable information for their well being. Focus on the idea of eating healthier foods to live a longer and better life. Offer a variety of ideas and information. Attendees should have hands-on experiences to remember later, instead of just a collection of brochures.

Demonstrations

Set up booths to show visitors prepare healthy meals. Have booths for nourishing, quick-fix meals that can be easily prepared after a long day. Also offer demonstrations on healthy after-school snacks for children. Many kids come home from school and want junk food, so show parents prepare healthy and good-tasting foods that kids will eat. Teach attendees add more fruits and vegetables into their diets. Texas A & M System's Agrilife Extension website suggests demonstrating prepare fruit and vegetable cups. Healthy modifications to normally high-calorie recipes will also be popular. Offer visitors samples or coupons.

Special Diets

High blood pressure, diabetes, and celiac disease are common disorders. Show attendees that they can enjoy good food even if they have these conditions. Set up displays showing meal ideas that help manage each disorder. Show salt-alternative seasonings and meals for those with hypertension. Distribute brochures on counting carbohydrates for diabetics. Give out a list of common gluten-free foods for those with celiac disease. Offer recipes to fit each diet and give information on modifying favorite foods. You may also want to include heart-healthy and lactose-intolerant diets.

Portion Control Displays

Portion-control games encourage health fair visitors to actively participate. "Set up a display with food models and household items to represent food portion sizes. Let participants try to match up foods with the appropriate serving size item," recommends the American Dietetic Association. Set out portions of common foods like apples, steak, chicken, and grains. Show participants where to find portion amounts on labels of foods such as pasta and baked goods. Texas A & M System's Agrilife Extension suggests a sugar display, saying, "for example, if a cup of cereal contains 4 teaspoons of sugar, display the cup of cereal in a container, and separately display a container with 4 teaspoons of sugar." Try portions of soft drinks, juices, condiments, and prepackaged foods. Educate attendees on the recommended daily allowance of sodium. Then show how much salt common items have in them.

Tags: Agrilife Extension, celiac disease, health fair, prepare healthy, sugar display