Online health science associate degrees have a curriculum
that consists of general education, health science courses, and electives. The
specific types of courses, number of courses required, and number of courses
available to choose from vary by school. Students usually begin their education
with general courses and move on to major-specific courses as the degree
program advances. In the case of electives, they don't have to be related to
your major area, but choosing related electives may be beneficial if you know
what career you're interested in; it is especially beneficial if you are
planning to transfer to a higher degree and need certain courses to do so. A
few courses found in health science associate degrees can include:
Pardon Can I Do With an Online Associate Degree in Health
Science?
Many associate degrees in health science are designed for
transfer to a more advanced and specialized program, so there are not as many
work opportunities for those who graduate with a 2-year degree in the field.
However, there are some options readily available for graduates who want to
begin working right away. Some include a community health assistant, a patient
advocate, a home health aide, and an admitting clerk. Some programs offer
concentrations to choose from that allow students to begin learning skills that
will prepare them for specific careers; they include pharmacy technician,
medical administrative assistant, health information technician, healthcare
associate, and medical services technician, among others. The career
opportunities for health sciences expand once you earn a 4-year degree.
Begin a Career as a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants have a job that uniquely combines
administrative and clinical skills to help medical offices run smoothly. The
administrative tasks they perform can include setting up patient appointments,
talking to patients over the phone, recording patients' personal and medical
history, and entering that information for medical records. The clinical tasks
they perform can include drawing blood, helping patients get ready for
appointments or exams, measure vital signs, and prepare blood samples.
Medical assistants need at least a high school diploma and
on-the-job training, but it is very common for employers to require candidates
to earn a certificate or diploma from a post-secondary institution. These
programs can last about one year, but some individuals earn a 2-year degree
that includes sequences in anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology.
Accordings to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistants
have a median annual wage of $34,800 as of 2019.
Begin a Career as a Medical Records and Health Information
Technician
Medical records and health information technicians are more
commonly known as just health information technicians. They keep paper and
electronic medical records and files secure, up-to-date, and organized. They
usually work in hospitals, medical offices, or other healthcare facilities and
may collaborate with physicians and nurses to get accurate patient information.
Part of their job is entering patient information into a
health records database; this includes things like patient history,
medications, symptoms of illnesses, treatments, and exam and test results.
Because of new technology, most of their work is now done electronically
through special software. A few other tasks they may perform include reviewing
records to ensure they are accurate, keeping track of patient outcomes, and
assigning codes for insurance reimbursement.
Health information technicians need at least a certificate
or associate degree with classes in medical terminology, communication, anatomy
and physiology, and computer systems, among others. Because they are dealing
with private medical information, health information technicians must maintain
integrity and confidentiality and pay attention to detail to ensure information
is accurate. The BLS states that as of 2019, the annual median wage for medical
records and health information technicians is $42,630.
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