The Health Care industry is one of the largest and fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy. This growth has been fueled by advances in technology and pharmacology as well as by the ageing population. The occupational specialties within the healthcare industry are too numerous to list. Martinsburg College has identified two of the most important specializations within this industry in which to provide training:
Medical Assisting
Pharmacy Technician
The demand for pharmaceutical services has exploded in recent times resulting in the significant expansion of pharmacies throughout the country. In order to support this growth, a relatively new occupational area, Pharmacy Technician, has evolved. Pharmacy technicians work under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and perform many pharmacy-related functions. They refer any questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians work in a wide variety of practice settings including community pharmacies, hospitals, the military, in-home health care settings, long term care facilities, mail service pharmacies, managed health care organizations, and educational programs.
In recent years, hospitals in the United States have identified the need for improved procedures for the sterilization of surgical instruments. Inadequately sterilized surgical instruments can result in infections and even death. The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM) has established standards for proper instrument sterilization procedures and created a certification and associated examination to demonstrated competencies in this area. Although certification is not currently required for employment in this field, there is legislation pending in most states with the intent of requiring such certification.
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