January 25th, 2011 
jvremec
Paraprofessional Healthcare – Wide Range of Career Choices
Author: R Govindan
A healthcare paraprofessional performs specific medical tasks after clearing an institutional certificate exam. They do not require an occupational license to provide professional service. Healthcare paraprofessionals work directly under doctors and surgeons. An increase in aging population in the developed nations has pushed up the needs for the long term care.
Most medical training programs have open enrollment policy for course initiation any time of the year. The minimum applicant eligibility criteria do not vary largely among healthcare schools. A high school diploma or equivalent is the primary eligibility for most paraprofessional medical training program. Nursing assistant programs require the passing grades in the qualifying examinations. All sectors of the healthcare industry are said to grow rapidly over the next decade. Paraprofessional medical training program can work best for a career in healthcare.
Medical programs for paraprofessionals train them to actively participate in treatment plans. They are trained to handle medical equipments, participate in major surgeries and offer diagnosis. A lot of technicians constitute medical paraprofessionals. Healthcare schools provide paraprofessional career options like medical record specialists and dental hygienists. Medical technician and health information officer positions can be obtained after passing the paraprofessional healthcare training programs. Medical technicians can perform multiple functions in different fields. Radiology and scan technicians perform CAT scans and ultrasound procedures. Cardiovascular technicians are paraprofessionals who perform primary scans for the medical review. Emergency medical technicians work on emergency care with the ambulances. Surgical medical paraprofessionals work in the operating room providing essential services with surgeries. Most medical paraprofessionals are paid according to the hourly basis.
Medical training programs for paraprofessionals can be pursued in a minimum of four years. An additional specialized healthcare program can be taken up for one or two years after that. Medical programs that offer paraprofessional training can help you to pursue advanced healthcare education. Medical undergraduates while training to be doctors can earn with the paraprofessional certificate. There has been a significant rise in the demand for medical paraprofessionals around the world. The increase in employment opportunity is as high as thirty five percent in certain industry sectors.
Medical healthcare programs which offer paraprofessional certificate courses will also provide a career break for many of their students in the healthcare industry. The global healthcare market is considered as the cure-pill for the current financial turmoil.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/paraprofessional-healthcare-wide-range-of-career-choices-848744.html
About the Author
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is healthcare school offers extensive healthcare training and healthcare programs in California.
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Paraprofessional = Teacher Aide Certification?
I am a student in TX. I am needing to get a paraprofessional. How do I go about getting that? Is it the same as a Teacher Aide certification?
Not sure in TX. In SC and GA, a paraprofessional is the same thing as a teacher aide. Some places call it a teacher assistant (NC). To be highly qualified as a Parapro, you need to have either 48 or more college credit hours, or have taken and passed the assessment test that your state uses (Praxis Parapro in SC, GACE Parapro in GA, Work Keys in NC).
Are there any online programs to become a certified Paraprofessional?
How do I find local schools that do NOT require certification?
Passage of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 has generated tremendous interest in the standards for employment and training of paraprofessionals. This is often referred to as certification. The AFT has been the leading advocate for establishing state-level certification systems that meet a variety of criteria, outlined below.
A state level certification system should include the following:
•The requirement of a high school diploma or GED for entry-level positions;
•Guarantees of access to ongoing training, provided by school districts or state agencies, to enable paraprofessionals to meet certification/licensure standards and improve their skills as they advance;
•Definitions of specific competencies for paraprofessionals to achieve; and
•”Hold harmless” provisions for currently employed education paraprofessionals
What do paraprofessionals actually do?
Our school has several paraprofessionals. I don’t understand what their actual job description is because I see them doing a variety of things.
Are they supposed to assist below grade level students? Do whatever the teacher tells them to do? Teach? Work with students during small group instructional time? Do they lesson plan?
What’s their certification like? Are they the same level as the main teacher? Do they take over the class if the teacher becomes ill?
That varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, so there is no one conclusive answer to your question. You would need to look at the specific job descriptions for your district and school to get the answer for your area.
Sometimes they do most of the things you have described, sometimes they do only physical and personal care and portering. In many places they do no lesson planning, but carry out things planned by the teacher. They are under the direction and supervision of the teacher. I have never known a situation where they would take over the class – a substitute teacher is usually called in for that.
Their certification also varies. In some places only high school graduation, plus some first aid courses is required. In others the requirement may be more, but it is not the same a teacher training. They do not have the same level of responsibility for the class as the teacher.
They have various titles, including student assistant, support assistant, teacher assistant, teacher aide, etc.
I hope this is of some help.
How to become a school paraprofessional in Georgia.?
My wife is interested in becoming a teacher’s aide. What sort of associates degree would she need to obtain in order to receive the paraprofessional certification in Georgia. She really wants to become a teacher and figured she could start out being an aide and do night classes to become a teacher. So I guess I’m asking what would be the degree she needs to become an aide but also help towards becoming a teacher as well?
Both training and all day observation are required in order to be eligible /considered for a sub/para/ASP position. Observation dates cannot be changed. In addition, you will need to complete a second packet of paperwork once you have completed your first day of work. This paperwork is required to continue to work and to be paid.
Your driver’s license, social security card and proof of education are required. GED, high school diploma or transcripts, college or technical transcripts or degrees will be accepted. All 3 items listed above must be presented with the second packet of paperwork to remain eligible to substitute and work ASP.
To be eligible to become a paraprofessional in the Paulding County School system, the 2-part training must be completed in Paulding County. We do not accept other counties trainings. The Federal Law of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), requires paraprofessionals serving in an instructional capacity to satisfy one of the following:
1. An associate of arts degree OR
2. Two years of college i.e. (60 semester hours or 100 quarter hours of college) OR
3. Demonstrate, through a state or local academic assessment, knowledge of, and the ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and math (GACE assessment). Information at http://www.gapsc.com, then click on the GACE link.
Substitutes and After School Program (ASP) Workers are employed “on an as needed basis” and are not guaranteed employment with the school system for a certain period of time.
http://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/districtops/hr/sub_para_asp_training.php
What would be a good way to get experience working with children before becoming a special education teacher?
The majority of my work experience is working as a CNA (certified nursing assistant). I am interested in becoming a special education teacher, and have a bachelor’s degree in another area. How can I get experience prior to earning my certification?
I have applied to quite a few jobs as a paraprofessional- no luck, just yet. Any other suggestions?
Call up a school you like and go visit the Principal. To be hired, you have to go through the Admin. You can volunteer your time to work with Special Ed. Kids. If you are starting your certification, you can automatically work in a classroom since it is required for part of the process.
Don’t give up about being a teacher’s aide, try another school district. You can also sign up as a sub. teacher and request to sub for only Special Ed. kids.
There are different levels of Special Ed. teachers depending on which kids they teach. Lowest level will be kids in wheelchairs who need feeding and diaper changing up to Higher level Autistic, and Mentally Challenged. They are able to stay in a Resource room, or be in both Resource or Inclusion.
Figure out what type of Special Ed. teacher you want to be and go for it!
Good luck!