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In the last few years, with the increase in medical technology, many insurance companies and healthcare agencies are offering different insurance policies. In fact, if we look at the current scenario, the ratio of people opting for medical and health insurance has increased drastically. Today insurance companies and health care agencies require maintaining more highly detailed records of services provided to patients, and this in turn has resulted increase in the demand for medical billing and coding professionals and specialists. Adding to this, in recent times numerous issues in relation to fraud insurance claims has forced many insurance companies and the government spend more time and money controlling abusive practices, and medical necessity issues. And because of this, many hospitals, pharmacies, and other providers are also started hiring medical billing and coding professionals.

No doubt, today the whole medical billing and coding career field has emerged as one of the most inspiring career options in healthcare industry. It is one of its own kinds of profession that let you work a specialist where you may be one of the esteemed members of the team alongside physicians and other healthcare professionals. In fact, as a medical coder or biller, your job responsibilities may primarily include assigning alphanumeric codes to specific medical procedures, mentioned under a system of medical coding that is basically used in an entire health care system- starting from insurance firms, doctor's offices, and hospitals to various federal agencies. Essentially, you could be the key healthcare professional playing a major role in translating medical records into standardized numeric codes used to bill third-party payers or respective patients.

However, one key point that you must understand is that in medical coding and billing, there are comparatively two discrete categories of coders:

Outpatient Coders - They generally perform coding for physicians offices, clinics, and hospital emergency rooms.

Inpatient Coders-They usually conduct coding in most important hospitals.

Apart from this, if we talk in terms of salary, this is one of the few professions in the healthcare industry that even let you enjoy a decent salary. As per the recent Salary.com reports built from HR data, the middle 50 percent of medical billers and coders can easily earn between $35,999 and $44,562. Moreover, if you are working as medical coder and biller in large organizations like nursing care facilities and hospitals then your earning may slightly be more than those employed by physicians.

Nevertheless, there are some essential factors that at times influence the medical billing and coding salary. For instance- your geographic location can play a major part in your level of compensation. In areas where the local economy is thriving and the cost of living is higher then your salary may be higher. Adding to this, your work setting can be the yet another factor that may make a big difference. Whether you work in a private practice or any another kind of establishment, your medical billing and coding salary can easily get affected.

Certainly, Medical Coder and Biller as a profession have a very exciting role that combine the best of management skills and along with medical knowledge. Though, working as a Medical Coder and Biller, you may require handling some of the major responsibilities, but the rewards that you can enjoy is beyond the comparison of any other profession.

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Phlebotomy is a medical term primarily used to describe the act of drawing blood from a vein and the professionals who are trained to collect blood in a clinical setting are known as phlebotomists or phlebotomy technicians.

Overview

Phlebotomy technicians are important members of the health care team who usually work with physicians, laboratory staff, nurses and patients. They are healthcare professionals who are trained to obtain blood samples from patients. Generally, defined as phlebotomists, at times their responsibility also revolves around taking finger-prick hemoglobin tests, which doesn't involve using a needle. Their primary role is not just confined to collect blood for accurate and reliable laboratory testing. In fact, their responsibility also includes venipuncture or capillary collection.

Moreover, they may even be expected to perform medically related routine laboratory responsibilities as well as some clerical tasks. They may even require performing other duties such as the collection of donor blood, bleeding time tests, therapeutic phlebotomies or specimen preparation. They act as life guardians with their services at the blood banks encouraging blood donation campaigns. They also monitor blood pressure and pulse in different conditions like blood transfusions or blood donation at the blood banks.

Employment Scope

Phlebotomy technicians are mainly employed in hospital and clinic settings, but at times they may also require performing their duties in private home care and the insurance industry or research institutes or nursing homes. Adding to this, these days many private clinics and laboratories are also recruiting phlebotomy technicians. However, today if we look at the job prospect of phlebotomy technicians then as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the opportunities are further expected to grow by 14% between 2006 and 2016. This increase is expected because of the frequent invention of new types of medical tests and growth of the population.

Salary Outlook

In terms of salary, phlebotomy technicians can earn a decent salary in comparison to any technician who works in heath care industry. Usually the normal salary of phlebotomist varies from $21,356 to $25,779. Nevertheless, as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, phlebotomists can earn from $18,720 to $25,168, with a median salary of $21,944. Though certification is not a major requirement of employment for phlebotomy technicians, but it may help them in increasing their earning. These days, there are several national organizations, including the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Sciences (NAACS), offer certifying examinations. Apart from this, the salary levels may also be affected depending upon the occupational setting (hospitals, blood banks, and private laboratories), experience and state/area of residence.

Requirements to Become Phlebotomy Technician

Becoming a phlebotomy technician usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent and three month or more of specialized training, either on-the-job or through a formalized health care program. Today there are many universities and schools that offer Phlebotomy Technician programs. During these programs, a student learns how to draw blood and how to cooperate with patients. Once a student completes the programs, he or may choose to become certified professionals. These days, certifications are available from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the American Association of Medical Personnel (AAMP). In terms of phlebotomy training, it generally includes venipuncture, record keeping, and sample safety.

Certainly, working as a phlebotomy technician is an outstanding career opportunity if you are looking to move into a different health care career. The rewards are plentiful and the in long-standing profession you may find great satisfaction in helping other people who might in desperate need of your medical support.

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