Updated Nov. 1, 2021

You might not realize it, but medical coders are some of the most ever-present workers at any healthcare facility (especially hospitals). Medical coders wear a variety of hats, from reading through a patient’s medical records from their most recent appointment to admitting and discharging individuals, and applying coding rules and government regulations to complete the case. However, since most medical coders don't interact with patients directly, their work tends to go unnoticed at the clinic.

Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in dispensing medications to patients and customers. Under the supervision of a pharmacist, pharmacy technicians help fill orders, work with customers and manage payments from insurance companies. They help protect patient safety by providing quality service and understanding medication safety.

Pharmacy technicians work at hospitals, pharmacies, long-term care facilities, grocery stores and more. As a pharmacy technician, you can be part of the growing healthcare field and play an important role in improving people’s health without having to go to school for four years. A pharmacy technician is an entry-level health care job, so you don’t have to have any previous experience in healthcare to complete training and certification.

Updated May 18, 2022

A sterile processing technician is responsible for daily washing, sterilizing, cooling, assembling, packaging, and storing surgical and procedural instruments. Sterile processing technicians are vital to medical settings and are responsible for ensuring each and every surgical instrument is safe for future use. Sterile processing technicians often clean and sanitize operating rooms, tables, and equipment to keep patients and staff safe.

The job requires very specific characteristics in order to perform the duties correctly and ensure the safety of all involved. Read the following five characteristics of a sterile processing technician and see if it’s the right career for you.  

Updated Feb. 25, 2022

Terri Miller enrolled in PCC Institute for Health Professionals April 2015 for medical coding. She writes about her experience with PCC and where it has gotten her today.

Meet Terri Miller. She enrolled in the PCC Institute for Health Professionals to learn about medical coding. Having spent 20 years as a medical transcriptionist, she found her job becoming obsolete due to advances in medical technology. In her own words, she described her experience with PCC, the courses she took as part of our medical coding program, and how training in medical coding helped her stay in the healthcare field while keeping her career relevant.

Max Drewel was about to retire but wasn't done working. He found PCC's Pharm Tech program and after 30 years working in Insurance, switched careers completely.

Frank Brislawn enrolled in PCC during the Fall of 2015 for Phlebotomy. He writes about the role PCC played in his recent career success.

A sterile processing technician’s role involves daily sterilization of surgical instruments and medical supplies for reuse. The position is vital in keeping patients and medical staff safe, and requires a vigorous adherence to sterilization processes on a daily basis.

Here we will answer the five most common questions about this field and help guide you in making an informative decision. 

Updated May 6, 2022

For new high school graduates and midlife career-changers alike, starting a career in healthcare can be rewarding and competitive. However, certain fields and positions require unique certifications and training.

If you are considering starting a career in healthcare, you may want to take a realistic assessment of your lifestyle, career interests, and personality type to help guide you to the most fitting position. The following post will outline seven questions to ask yourself before starting a career in healthcare.

Have you considered a career in healthcare? Are you organized, efficient, detail-oriented, consistent in your work, and do you have a desire to play a vital role in a hospital or clinical setting? If so, Medical Coding may be the perfect career for you.

The following information will explore how to become a medical coder and start your healthcare career.

If you have ever considered starting a career in the healthcare field and enjoy working with people, consider becoming a patient access specialist. In this role, you will work directly with patients and their families—performing registration duties, medical billing submissions, insurance verification and authorization requests, and financial counseling—all while providing excellent customer service and ensuring compliance to regulatory agencies through adherence to strict patient safety policies.