Best Jobs for Technicians

There are many types of technicians employed in several different industries. Here we will focus on the most common types  and the best jobs for technicians as well.

Medical and clinical laboratory technicians work in a laboratory analyzing specimens. They carefully preserve the specimen, which is usually body fluids, cells, tissue, or other substances. Then they perform tests to analyze the composition and check for diseases.

These workers work in healthcare facilities and laborites. There will always be a high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of medical laboratory technologists is expected to grow by 11 percent between 2010 and 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment of medical laboratory technicians is expected to grow by 15 percent between 2010 and 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments. The best jobs for these technicians are found in laboratories. Often they go on to become scientists.

Dental laboratory technicians use impressions, or molds, of a patient’s teeth to create crowns, bridges, dentures, and other dental appliances. These appliances are fitted into the They work closely with dentists but have limited contact with patients. Often they spend many hours in the laboratory creating the dental appliances. Job growth right now for these workers is stagnant. These jobs aren't expected to grow very fast - only 6 percent in the next decade.

Medical records and health information technologists also work in the medical industry. These workers organize and manage health information data by verifying its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic systems. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, and to maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories. Job growth is quite rapid in these industries and will grow 21 percent over the next decade.

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists. They count out liquid medicine or tablets and ensure the right dosage. They typically work in grocery and drug stores.

Automotive service technicians work with mechanics. They inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks. Typically these technicians work in repair shops and handle many parts and tools. They often rotate tires and change oil and perform body work on cars.

Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on airplanes and helicopters. This work requires a special certification and many hours of training. They also inspect airplanes and helicopters as required by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Veterinary technicians work at a vet's office on animals. They work on dogs, cats, sheep, cows, pigs, and a variety of mammals. They may give vaccinations, cut toenails, give flea dips, provide grooming, walk dogs, and clean and dress wounds. They also assist with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries.

Radiologic technicians work in the medical industry. They perform diagnostic imaging examinations, such as x rays, on patients. Some work in doctors' offices, while others work in imaging clinics and hospitals.

Home Health Aide Jobs - The Good and the Bad

Home health aide jobs can be very rewarding. There are pros and cons to working this job. If you are a people-person and you enjoy caring for and nurturing others, this job will be great for you.

The duties of home health aides vary depending on whom they work for. Some patients are completely immobile and require constant care. Others can do a few things for themselves and only require some assistance and supervision. Still others only require home health aides to administer medication and cook meals.

Home health aides primarily help the ill, disabled, and the cognitively impaired. They may care for youth, adults, or the elderly. Typically these people travel to the person's home and care for them there.

Home health aides assist with activities of dialing living, or ADLs. ADLs are defined as "the things we normally do...such as feeding ourselves, bathing, dressing, grooming, work, homemaking, and leisure." While basic categories of ADLs have been suggested, what specifically constitutes a particular ADL in a particular environment for a particular person may vary.

The most common ADLs are personal hygiene and grooming, dressing and undressing, bathing, feeding, brushing teeth, functional transfers, bowel and bladder management, and ambulation.

Other ADLs that a home health aide may do include light housework, cooking, cleaning, administering medications, managing money, shopping for groceries, telephone usage, using technology, transporting patient to and from appointments, care of pets, health management, and community mobility.

The home health aide may purchase household supplies and run errands. They accompany the patient to doctor's appointments, administer medication, and bathe, dress, and feed the patient.

They apply ointments, dressings, and bandages, wrap the person for warmth, comb hair, shave, clip toenails, clean ears, gently wash the feet, apply warm and cold compresses.

The home health aide massages patients and applies liniment, rubs, and heat lamps to sore muscles. They attempt to keep the skin intact and prevent ulcerations and a breakdown of the skin.

Ambulating is an important part of their duties. The patient, if able, should get up from their bed or wheelchair and walk around. The home health aide may use a transfer belt to prevent injuries and to assist them to walk from one area to another.

The home health aide must also maintain meticulous records. Fluid intake and output, what the patient ate, medicines taken, and how long the patient slept should be recorded in a daily log of activities. When the doctor checks on the patient, these records will be an important record.

The aide must also purchase, plan, and serve meals if asked. This includes following all nutritional guidelines given by the doctor, especially if the person has diabetes or food allergies. Nutritious meals should be prepared and given in small bites to the patient so they can easily chew and swallow.

Simple range of motion exercises keep the patient's blood pumping and muscle tone. The home health aide will gently adduct limbs from the body and pay attention to signs of pain. They perform these exercises on the arms and legs on a regular basis.