Back To School

[Jeanne]

Well, I went and spoke with a councilor at "The Salter School" about taking the "Medical Assistant" program. I know the Medical field is BOOMING, so I thought that program would be good for me. I would be learning to work in a doctors office, taking blood pressure, learning to draw blood, medical terminology, etc.

My biggest concern is, the classes are 4 nights a week, Monday thru Thursday 5:30 to 9:30. And, I will also be working full time Monday thru Friday 7:30 to 4:00. Man, I will be TIRED!!! And, I will have to sell a lot of my Geckos.

I thought of a couple questions that I need to ask the councilor, the most important one which I can't believe I didn't think about when I was there with her, "What is the starting salary", and also, part of the class is actually working 180 hours in the field. How the heck will I do that while working full time as well?

Well, I will keep you all informed on what I am going to do.

 

[nwheat]

That sounds very interesting, Jeanne! It would certainly be difficult while you were actually in the program and working, but that's only for a relatively short time. Then you'd go back to a more normal work schedule, probably with really good pay and a job that you enjoy! Good luck with your decision!

 

[Jeanne]

Thanks Nancy. Does anyone here work in the Medical field? I would like to know what the demand is like for Medical Assistants?

 

[nwheat]

Try looking on monster.com or something like that to see how many job openings you can find in your area. That would be an important thing to know. Does the school that you are thinking about have a placement program? I would want to know the details - like do they guarantee placement, etc.

While driving to the vet this morning, I had another thought...
Have you considered a vet tech program? I'm not sure how the salaries would compare, but a lot of the responsibilities are similar - except the patients aren't human! The community college where I teach has a good vet tech program. The schedule may be more flexible as well.

 

[Jeanne]

Try looking on monster.com or something like that to see how many job openings you can find in your area. That would be an important thing to know. Does the school that you are thinking about have a placement program? I would want to know the details - like do they guarantee placement, etc.

While driving to the vet this morning, I had another thought...
Have you considered a vet tech program? I'm not sure how the salaries would compare, but a lot of the responsibilities are similar - except the patients aren't human! The community college where I teach has a good vet tech program. The schedule may be more flexible as well.

Ohhhhhhhh! You know, I would LOVE to be a Vet Tech, I honestly didn't think there was such a job. I thought it was a Vet or nothing. I am going to do some research right now on it!

 

[Jeanne]

I just spoke with the people at the School, they said a Medical Assistant position starts at $12 - $15 an hour (YUCK) and, for the internship I would have to work in a doctors office during the day once a week, so I would have to miss work, which I can't do.

So, I told them "Thank You" very much but I will have to pass for now. I need to look into more schools and different programs, etc.

 

[marula]

i'm so happy for you jeanne! a new adventure and a good opportunity!

 

[biggiy05]

I just spoke with the people at the School, they said a Medical Assistant position starts at $12 - $15 an hour (YUCK) and, for the internship I would have to work in a doctors office during the day once a week, so I would have to miss work, which I can't do.

So, I told them "Thank You" very much but I will have to pass for now. I need to look into more schools and different programs, etc.

That's the problem with working a full time job and going to school in the medical field. It's a time demanding job when you're in school. Nursing students have it even harder because they have to put in anywhere from 4-16 hours a week in at hospitals for the hands on training. The closer you get to the final test for the national council the more time you spend with face glued to the books.

The medical field always needs more people and it's a job that can't be out sourced or replaced with a A.I. which is why I chose the fields I did. I'm switching from paramedic firefighter then becoming an ER nurse to ER nurse then firefighter and paramedic because that $30 an hour is way too hard to pass up.

Are there any other schools around you that offer a more flexible schedule? What about an online course?

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Any position in the medical field is going to be extremely time consuming. Chances are, finding a job will not be very difficult though. That $12-$15/hour starting is about what I expected. Someone I know has been a medical assistant at my old doctor's office and she does not brag about her salary in any way... (and its not because she doesn't brag lol)

 

[pawsfoot]

I worked as a Vet Tech for 5 years. LOL. My ending salary was $9.50/hr. The Medical Assistant is a better job. I am a nurse now. Just a regular RN, but I am currently in school to become a Pediatric Oncology Nurse Practitioner. As a full time nurse I come out making $45,000 a year and that's working 3 days and 1 night shift every week. If you were going to go for an assistant position I think you should try to be a nurse. It is a good career and you work for very good pay. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[LadyGecko]

Jeanne-
I wish you the best of luck with what ever that you decide upon and hope that you will end up working with animals if that is your preference-I know it would be mine-LOL
it's got to be extremely hard to try and work full time and go to school too

Why do you have to sell most of your geckos??
If you don't mind me being nosy-is that you won't have any time for caring for them?
I only ask because -
maybe someone can help with "foster care " for them for you for a while and return them when you have more time??
I have read of many people in the gecko community helping out in this way and it might be an alternative to "out and out "selling them
just an idea
and

Good Luck

Sandy

 

[sacredcreatures]

Jeanne, Depending on were you live(big city or country town), the salary for both Medical Assistant and Vet Tech vary alot. Example: I am a Animal Health Tech which is a Vet Tech( different states call the job differently). In California 10 years ago I was making $15 a hour as a Vet Tech. I then moved to VA and they wanted to start me at $6.50 I am also trained as a Emergency Medical Tech and in California I started at $12 an hour with 6 month raises of about $1.00 and when I quit I was making $ 18.00 a hour. Here in VA at our local hospital they start EMT's at $8.00 an hour and you get yearly raises. Yes a Medical Assistant will get less than $10.00 no matter where you live to start. But it is a good job for future advances and you can change jobs in a hospital with very little training like X-ray Tech, Lab Tech, EMT ect. My EMT schooling was a year. My Vet Tech training was 3.5 years although you can start working for a Vet as a Vet Assistant where they train you and you can also go to school for becoming a Tech. But again the starting pay is alot less when not trained yet. Not sure now if schooling is less but I had to get a BA degree at the time to be a AHT. That was in 1980 when I went to school and I worked for three different Vets durin that time. And you can't get any higher than a Vet Tech unless you go to school to become a Vet. Keep in mind to be a Vet it takes longer than becoming a Human DR. But a Vet also learns about humans to become a Vet. I had started Vet school at the University Davis(UC Davis) in Northern California in 1984 But became very ill with double Pneumonia and missed so much I quit( big mistake) So think about this and I hope I helped you to understand how it works. Becoming a Medical Assistant is very easy but you can go further. Good luck with your decision and if you have any more questions let me know. Oh one more thing. Even though a Vet Tech doesn't have some other job you can train for to get higher in the trade except a Vet. There is many types of jobs a Vet Tech can do. In my case I have my own business as a Emergency Animal Health Specialist where I go to people's homes like a Pet sitter does and I do the treatments that normally the pet owner would have to take the animal to the Vet each day or every other day for. I do alot if different things in this business like IV treatments for long terms ill pets,diabetic curves, treatment for seizure animals, Paralyed pets, Massage, wound care giving antibiotics ect but one thing you must keep in mind is a animal must be under a Vets care and I must have his/her permission to do this in home care to help the owner. Another good thing about my service is I will also take the pet to my home so its under a care of a Vet Tech when the Vet doesn't keep animals overnight or if a Vet tech is not going to be there( its a $50.00 Fee for this but I get up every hour to every three hours to change IV's and give meds). I make anywhere from $25.00 an in home visit which can be as little as 20 mins to 1 and a half hour to $ 50.00 for a 3 hour visit( I give them a break when I stay longermost times especially for the elderly and handicap people) I have asked for as little as $15.00 for a visit and I also offer Pet Sitting for Pets with special needs, Training for problem animals, bathing, some grooming for cleaning up an animal( not breed specialty grooming), Pet walking and ER trips to the Vet( when the owner is unable to do it) and sometimes even Airport transportation among other things. I also do all animals, Companion, Large Animals(livestock) Exotic pets ect. And lastly I am a Wild life Rehabber so I do work to help our wildlife. So a Vet Tech job can be many different kinds of things. I prefer this so I can make my own hours and be my own boss, Plus my business can move with me when I move. Deb

 

[acpart]

Hi Jeanne,
My brother is a vet here in MA so I asked him about vet techs. He said that techs make $12-$18/hr. in this area and he thought the programs were 2-4 years. Mt. Ida college in Newton offers a program which would be a good place to get more info, but he also thought there was a program in northern MA either in place or about to open. Let me know if you have more specific questions and I'll ask him.


Aliza