Archive for the 'fitness and health' Category

Consider A Career As A Phlebotomist

Posted in fitness and health on February 23rd, 2012
by Derek Castillo

Phlebotomy schools give students the training necessary to become a medical professional that can draw and collect blood from patients. This training includes specialized coursework which generally is carried out when the student receives his or her phlebotomy certification. Those who work in this profession earn a considerable income, job prospects being superb. For anyone who is wanting to work with the healthcare industry than phlebotomy training is an excellent way to get started.

When it comes to the common phlebotomy technician salary, four factors are important variables: geographic location, education, job location, and the demand. To land a position as a technician it is not required to be certified however it’s becoming a lot more hard to find employment for those who are not certified. In U . S ., the median salary of a phlebotomist is just a little short of $29,000 per year. Areas such as New York, Mississippi, and West Virginia offer higher salaries which range from $38,000-$44,000 per year. Considering the current economic conditions we are experiencing in this country, various parts of the U.S. experience different effects.

Areas where you can expect to earn a median salary would be in states like Texas, California, New Mexico, Indiana, and Oklahoma. Most other states offer salaries ranging between $31,000 and $37,000 per year except for the three states mentioned previously. Geography also plays a role whereas supply and demand often dictate available jobs in one region versus another.

Except for Louisiana and California, states do not require that a phlebotomist be certified in order to draw blood from patients or animals. Both these states require that anyone in the health profession who is not certified as a doctor, nurse, or clinical laboratory scientist must be certified in phlebotomy in order to draw blood from patients. As a rule, without getting a certification there is little chance that you’ll be able to get a well-paying job within this profession.

There are lots of ways to find phlebotomy courses since they are offered at many different schools to include: trade schools, vocational schools, community college, along with some four-year institutions. You may also find phlebotomy programs by searching online. School courses vary in length from school to school. Some are very short and require only four months of education. Other schools can take as long as a year to complete the course. Trade schools and vocational schools usually have the shortest courses and also the cheapest.

The average cost to take a phlebotomy course can vary anywhere between $1500 and $3000. The price tag usually covers the fee for the certification exam. Courses cover various topics that have to do with the required knowledge a phlebotomist needs to have. These include human anatomy, basic first aid, blood-drawing techniques, biohazard issues, and many other related topics.

If you have chosen to go into this health profession, now is a good time because jobs are increasing sought after. Based on the salary and the short amount of time required for training, you can be well on your way to becoming a certified phlebotomist right away. Feel free to check out other articles on this topic in order to get you on your new career path.

About the Author:
Check our resources for information on phlebotomy schools and phlebotomy certification exam.

Your Kid’s Diet Can Benefit From These Seven Fantastic Foods

Posted in fitness and health on February 22nd, 2012
by Brian Derflinger

We invite you to check this list out if you are looking for seven great foods you can feed your kid, with an added bonus - why these foods are so full of wholesome goodness.

Oatmeal. A fabulous breakfast food, full of B vitamins, iron, zinc and calcium. Oatmeal is an old-time favorite that provides your kids with energy through fiber and carbohydrate content. Turn your child into Super Kid by mixing his/her oatmeal with berries and honey - your child will be bounding with energy before you know it!

Yogurt. To quote the great Emeril Lagasse, it’s time to kick it up a notch with some yogurt for your kid…BAM! A great source of calcium, yogurt is easier to digest than regular milk, and the cultures (check the label to make sure they’re in there!) are very beneficial to good colon health. Watch it on the sugar content though. A great idea is to buy plain yogurt and sweeten it yourself with fresh fruit!

Broccoli. It is one of the best vegetables for anyone, especially growing kids. It has loads of calcium, potassium, beta-carotene and a wide variety of the B vitamins. If your child is not a fan of plain vegetables include broccoli in a casserole or put a little shredded cheese on top to add flavor.

Protein. When talking about protein, it applies to children of all ages. Let’s get straight to the point - your child needs protein without the shadow of a doubt. How you’re going to give it to them can vary widely, according to your preferences. Some great ideas for protein include beans (if mixed with grain, they make a complete serving), soy products (e.g. tofu), legumes, eggs, fish, poultry or other forms of lean meat.

Whole Grains. Whole grains provide the utmost in nutrition. The vitamin, mineral and fiber content of whole grain products like whole wheat bread and brown rice is a gargantuan improvement over white rice and Wonder Bread. Keep your eyes out for the following buzzwords - Intact, Unbleached, Ground and the all-time favorite Whole.

Nut Butters. Nut butters, particularly peanut butter, are the real fast food for children, not Mickey Dee’s. Kids need fat (it’s a good fat if it doesn’t have hydrogenated oils mixed in it) and they need the protein. Try spreading almond or sunflower seed butter on crackers, toast or celery sticks for a quick and nutritious snack.

Fresh Fruit. As a mother of three, I like feeding my kids cantaloupe instead of ordinary melon. Each succulent bite of fresh fruit is packed with calcium, precious little snippets of B vitamins, Vitamin C and trace minerals. Any in season fresh fruit is sure to be packed with healthy goodness!

About the Author:
Discover the secrets to get boyfriend back.