Aberdeen has many well-known aspects, not only is it a uniquely positioned and naturally beautiful ‘Granite City’, but it has also given us Annie Lennox and Thomas Blake Grover – the guy who founded Mitsubishi with money acquired from selling illegal gunpowder to Japanese rebels. When it comes to jobs in Aberdeen, it is perhaps best known for its contributions to the oil industry and the success of which it rests upon. So what does ‘The Silver City with the Golden Sands’ have to offer for those seeking work?The latest news in the oil capital of Europe is the merger of specialist technology company, Return to Scene (R2S), merging with Cerberus International. This move sees not only great financial investment for R2S, but also a new accessibility to global markets as far reaching as Singapore, Atlanta and Baghdad.In contrast to the city’s involvement in the automotive industry and oil drilling, Aberdeen is also home to over 2,000,000 squared metres worth of green space, so for those with career interests of a more environmental nature it remains very appealing in comparison to other major cities. The largest green area, Hazlehead Park, stretches over 180 hectares and includes woodland and many leisure facilities including two golf courses and football pitches.Education in Aberdeen has been in the news most recently due to the council’s proposals to cut 200 classroom assistant jobs. Although this is not yet certain to happen, schools in Aberdeen are still advertising jobs for teachers and admin staff and are proving their importance in terms of the city’s employment. Aberdeen is also home to two colleges; Aberdeen College and the Scottish Agricultural College, as well as two well regarded universities; the University of Aberdeen and The Robert Gordon University.Other big employers in Aberdeen are based in the science and research industry. The Macaulay Institute is well known for its research into landscape, soil, water conservation and climate change – and is the largest interdisciplinary research organisation of its kind in Europe. The Rowett Research Institute is a research centre for studies into food and nutrition and is situated at the College of Life Sciences and Medicine.Retail is also a big part of the city economy, with Union Street, George Street and The Mall Aberdeen being popular shopping destinations. There is also a new retail centre near completion at Union Square at a cost of £250 million. The development is set to employ 100 thousand in 2009.–Sarah Maple writing about Jobs in Scotland Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Medical coding is the process of assigning standardized numerical medical codes to patient medical charts. This coded information is used to ensure that insurance companies, government organizations, such as Medicare, and patients alike all receive accurate billing statements for medical services performed. Medical coders perform the work of converting diagnostic and medical procedural information into simplified numerical codes that can be electronically processed for payment by third party payers – Insurance companies and Medicare, for example. The process of medical coding requires an attention to detail to ensure accuracy of billing records. Because of the large dollar amounts involved, medical coding is a highly regulated and tightly supervised activity. Medical coding is also subject to frequent and rigorous audits to ensure accuracy in the medical billing process as there are literally billions of dollars at stake. In many ways, medical coding is a much more scrutinized activity than, say medical transcription.Medical Coding work is typically performed in hospitals or clinics, although we are beginning to see some of these medical coding and medical billing jobs migrate to work at home positions. Medical coders generally begin with a transcribed patient medical record and transform procedures and diagnoses etc. into numerical codes. This takes a great deal of expertise in medical terminology and the associated medical codes. Of course this requires medical coding training. Medical billing takes the coded output produced by the coder and submits it for reimbursement to insurance companies, Medicare, or the patient. Many times a single person will perform both the medical coding and the medical billing functions. This is particularly true in smaller clinical settings. In large, high volume healthcare operations, medical coders and medical billers are often separate and specialized functions. Of the two, medical coders generally enjoy a higher income and require more specialized training.Medical coders are in high demand and the opportunities in the career field of medical coding are outstanding. Medical coders work in hospitals and clinics and other healthcare providers across the country. Coders play a vital role in the health information management cycle. Medical coders are specialists in medical billing and the coding of medical records and medical charts for Medicare and insurance reimbursement. Increasingly, the medical coding industry is taking advantage of the rapid advances in online medical coding technology. More and more, medical coding is performed online over the internet. As Medical Coding Online catches on as a concept, we will likely see many of the medical coding jobs and medical billing jobs that have traditionally been offered exclusively in hospitals and other healthcare settings begin to migrate to home based work at home jobs as online medical coding brings flexibility to the industry. The work at home employee model has worked very well for the medical transcription industry and will also likely begin to gain traction in the medical coding industry as online medical coding becomes more prevalent.–Christopher Dunn has over 15 years of experience in operations and training in the medical coding and medical trancription industries. More information on the medical coding career can be found at: Medical-Coding-Online.comSource: http://www.articletrader.com

When discussing life insurance, the category of jobs considered ‘high risk’ can vary from broker to broker. There are, however, specific types of jobs that are listed more frequently. We can be quite certain that those who work in these occupations may need to pay significantly more for their life insurance premiums - or even acquire specialist advice. So what are these frequently listed ‘high risk’ jobs? And what exactly are the risks involved with them?It’s little surprise that miners feature under the term ‘high risk’ very often. In 2007, George Miller, the US chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, called for a legislation to increase miner safety. In his statement he highlighted that ‘mining fatalities occur at a rate more than seven times the average for all private industries’. Additionally, he pointed out the resurgence of Black Lung Disease, a condition that is caused by working with coal dust over long periods of time and that can cause fibrosis and inflammation within the lungs.Although it is statistically less safe to drive a car than it is to pilot a plane, aircraft pilots are considered ‘high risk’ for a number of reasons including the relationship between stress and pilot error. Robert J. Barish, a radiation specialist, has written in depth about the radiation risks to pilots. He states that airplane pilots and airline pilots should be regarded separately, for those who fly light aircraft endure little radiation whereas ‘airline flight crew members have for years been considered radiation workers’, with exposure to radiation even higher during high altitude and high latitude flights.Steeplejacks are considered ‘high risk’ also. This daring occupation involves making repairs to very high buildings including spires and chimneys. Typically, a steeplejack will scale the building by using a ladder, and will then have to set up a Bosun’s Chair in order to sit on and work from. A Bosun’s chair is a suspended plank that acts as a seat. Despite the fact that abseiling equipment is gradually replacing the traditional equipment, the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) claim that falling from height is still the most common kind of workplace fatality.Finally, oil rig workers also appear in the ‘high risk’ category frequently and therefore life insurance quotes for these workers are always high. Over the past few years, accidents on rigs and other safety issues have been highly publicised in the press, such as two deaths at the Shell owned Brent Bravo rig in 2003 due to a gas leak, and the BBC reported in 2005 that the shift work endured by rig workers significantly increases the risk of heart disease. It is the matter of working with flammable, pressurised materials in sometimes hostile environments that puts riggers firmly in the ‘high risk’ occupation category. –Visit Post Office® for life insurance quotes and to buy a simple, cost effective life insurance policy, offering you a way to pay off your mortgage or leave your family a cash sum when you die.Source: http://www.articletrader.com

The Medical Transcription ManagerMany practicing and aspiring medical transcriptionists inquire about the potential for career advancement to in the medical transcription industry. This is not only a valid question, but also a great goal. There are plenty of opportunities for advancement in the medical transcription industry. Good medical transcription managers are in short supply. The reality is that many medical transcriptionists would rather retain the flexibility of being their own boss and doing what they enjoy doing on a production basis. As a result, healthcare providers and medical transcription services often have difficulty attracting qualified medical transcriptionists to management level roles. Most medical transcriptionists have a tremendous amount of autonomy and many are reluctant to give it up to take on additional responsibility. A promotion to medical transcription manager is frankly not always appealing to many independent medical transcriptionists.However, there are many people who thrive on the challenges of working in a faster paced environment and in assuming higher levels of authority and responsibility within an organization. They see the benefits of advancing their medical transcription career and increasing their long term income potential as well as earning retirement benefits. A medical transcription management position can provide continued upward career mobility and result in a challenging and rewarding medical transcription career.There are several options available for anyone considering a career in medical transcription management. The interesting thing to note is that the options continue to grow as technology developments transform the industry.Medical Transcription Manager of Quality Assurance (QA)A medical transcription manager of QA does just what the title implies. He or she reviews the transcribed documents that come in from home based medical transcriptionists; evaluates them against a set of quality criteria; and edits them to ensure they meet the quality standards prescribed by the healthcare provider. Medical transcription QA experts look for errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar – often using sophisticated tools to assist them in this effort. They also look for important medical transcription errors in the transcribed documents that could lead to misinterpretations of the data by a physician or other health care provider. The medical transcription QA manager is highly regarded and is integral to the optimal flow of any transcription operation.Medical Transcription SupervisorAnother important medical transcription manager is the Medical Transcription Supervisor. Medical transcription supervisors work either for a hospital or a medical transcription service provider. The role of the medical transcription supervisor is to manage a team of medical transcriptionists. The medical transcription supervisor is responsible for scheduling, hiring, firing, evaluating, and managing all medical transcriptionists as well as medical transcription workflows and ensuring compliance with medical transcription report turnaround requirements. The medical transcription supervisor also ensures that all medical transcription associates are equipped with a full complement of medical transcription equipment and medical transcription resources to perform their jobs as efficiently as possible. The transcription supervisor facilitates the development of the medical transcription staff by working with HR and training departments to see that medical transcription resources are aligned with peak workloads and that all MT specialty areas are properly staffed to meet turnaround requirements. The Medical Transcription Supervisor generally reports to a Medical Records Director of a hospital or possibly a director or vice president of a medical transcription service provider. A medical transcription supervisor often possesses a CMT (certified medical transcriptionist) credential from an certifying organization such as AHDI(Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity).Medical Transcription TrainerAnother important medical transcription management function is that of medical transcription trainer. MT trainers will train medical transcriptionists on new account types and specialty areas. Medical transcription account specific information will vary from client to client and each medical transcriptionist will require training on the account specifics, turnaround requirements, and special instructions relating to each medical transcription account they service. An MT trainer will be responsible for developing the talent pool of the oganization’s medical transcription staff and will work closely with the medical transcription supervisor to ensure that the staff is optimally deployed for maximum effectiveness in meeting the production needs of the department or organization. Cross training is also an essential function of the MT trainer. It is imperative that all members of a medical transcription staff are capable of shifting their focus at a moment’s notice to accommodate an urgent need resulting from either a new client startup or the absence of one or more key medical transcriptionists. A trainer may also monitor and recommend continuing education training opportunities to medical transcription associates throughout the year.Medical Transcription RecruiterThe medical transcription recruiter is increasingly one of the most important medical transcription managers in an organization. Their job is to continually develop and replenish the base of medical transcription talent within an organization. The medical transcription recruiter is constantly searching the country for qualified medical transcriptionists to add to department or company staff. Medical transcription recruiters run ads, conduct interviews, and work with other medical transcription managers to forecast future needs for medical transcriptionists. They are also responsible for identifying opportunities to increase retention among existing medical transcription associates.Medical Records DirectorThe Medical Records Director is typically a credentialed medical records specialist who oversees all aspects of the medical record production and archiving process. The medical records director will typically manage all medical transcription and medical coding supervisors and sometimes the medical billing functions of a healthcare organization. A medical records director will work with the medical transcription supervisor to ensure that all medical records documents are transcribed in accordance with contract requirements and that medical records are made available in a timely and professional manner to the healthcare professionals that need them. The secure electronic storage and delivery of medical records is a key function of the medical records director. This individual will need to continually search out best practices and evaluate new and innovative medical records technologies to ensure that the medical records department operates at peak productive capacity. The health and well being of thousands of patients depends on the quality production and timely dissemination of medical record information. The medical records director is also responsible to ensure that all processes, documentation, workflows, relationships, and systems are HIPAA compliant. A medical records director may possess one or more credentials or designations from a certifying organization such as AHDI, AHIMA, or AAPC. Credentials such as RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CPC, and CMT demonstrate a long term commitment to the medical records profession and are evidence of the medical records expertise developed by the medical records director over the years.Voice Recognition Medical Transcription SpecialistThe relatively recent emergence of voice recognition specialists and supervisors is a good example of how new career opportunities are created in response to significant technology advancements in the medical transcription industry. These are position that were not even on the radar screen a decade ago. As voice recognition technology gains a foothold in the medical transcription industry, more and more of the medical transcription workflow is going to be processed through a speech recognition engine. This will in no way eliminate the need for medical transcription, but it will transform the role of a growing subset of the transcription workforce. An increasing number of medical transcriptionists will use a speech recognition processed document as a starting point for their transciption activities. Speech recognition produced documents generally require significant editing. This editing process will be performed by medical transcrptionists whose role will change from traditional transcriptionist to medical language editor. The technology behind voice recognition processing is sufficiently different from traditional digital transcription that voice recognition supervisors will be required to manage these new processes.–Christopher Dunn has been active in the medical transcription industry for over 15 years in both operations and training. For more information please visit the following websites:Medical-Transcription-Program.comMedical-Transcription-School.comSource: http://www.articletrader.com

There has been a lot of talk lately about the future of medical transcription. As the trends of off-shoring and voice recognition pick up steam and threaten to displace traditional medical transcription jobs in the US, what is to become of the profession? It is a logical question.The reality is that medical transcription jobs continue to enjoy high demand in the marketplace. In fact, they are a critical component of the most stable and rapidly growing segment of our economy. Healthcare! As the global economic recession deepens, healthcare may prove to be one of the only resilient segments of the US economy over the next 4 or 5 years.Every day it seems that there are new announcements of bankruptcies and layoffs affecting tens of thousands of people. When was the last time you heard about mass layoffs in the healthcare industry? You don’t and you never will - at least not for the next several decades as the baby boom population blossoms into full retirement and demands an extraordinary volume of healthcare services. The interesting thing to note - and a fact not readily discussed by many in the medical transcription industry is that the average age of active practicing medical transcriptionists is somewhere in the mid 40’s. That is the average. This means that a very large portion of the medical transcription population is poised to retire and exit the industry in the next 5 - 10 years.Guess what? Those medical transcription jobs don’t just go away. All of those medical transcriptionists will need to be replaced. What is more, these seasoned medical transcription practitioners are among the most productive asset the medical transcription industry has. They produce an output of medical reports that is sometimes 2 to 4 times the average production for new graduates who are just entering the career field. This means that the medical transcription industry will need not ONE, but possibly two or three new recent medical transcription school graduates to fill EACH of these positions.This spells job opportunity for prospective new students considering entering this fast growing career field.Unfortunately, it could also spell disaster for the healthcare industry if it doesn’t begin to take steps now to attract new talent into the industry. Some of this problem has already begun to materialize and regardless of what your opinion is on offshoring, the offshore production of some of the domestic US medical transcription workload has saved the industry and bought some precious time to find a more permanent solution to their acute personnel deficit. However, it will not continue to mitigate the deficit of trained medical transcriptionists in the US healthcare market indefinitely. Medical transcription jobs will have to be filled as older MT’s retire and exit the industry.Voice recognition has also played a role in mitigating the MT personnel deficit. And while voice recognition technology is finding a place in the medical transcription industry, it’s role has been to augment the transcription process by giving the medical transcriptionist a new and more favorable starting point for production. It has in no way delivered the silver bullet replacement for medical transcriptionists that some have been hailing for decades now. What we are now seeing and what we will continue to see as the adoption of the technology accelerates, is that the role of a growing subset of the medical transcriptionist community will be transformed. The work of transcripionists in the future will increasingly be that of editor; beginning with a document that has been processed through a speech recognition software engine.But in the end, the anticipated surge of baby boom retirees will simply be too large to ignore. It is a problem that requires a serious and relatively immediate solution. What is more, the aging population consumes an exponentially large portion of available healthcare services and resources. Which means, that as the aging population swells over the next decade, every facet of the healthcare industry will be strained - not the least of which is medical transcription and the production and maintenance of medical records. Medical records jobs will increase in both volume and importance over the next decade. Individuals who are adaptable and capable of stepping into new roles as the healthcare industry continues to morph will benefit substantially by training now for entry into the dynamic medical transcription industry.–Christopher L. Dunn holds an MBA from Brigham Young University and resides in Salem, Utah. He has been active in operating and training aspects of the medical transcription industry for the past 17 years.For more information on a home based career in medical transcription please visit more of the authors websites:Medical-Transcription-School.comMedical-Transcription-Program.comSource: http://www.articletrader.com