The Landscape and Garden Blog
Mar
21
If the idea of working in a medical office alongside doctors and nurses appeals to you, you may want to consider a career as a medical assistant. These individuals will find positions available in a variety of settings, such as general practitioner offices, community clinics, and specialized medical practices. Some may go on to work in hospitals or home care settings.
A good place to start when considering this career is to contact a few medical assistant schools . They will be able to provide you with information about coursework, professional placement, and let you know if there are any certification or licensing requirements in your state.
You need to understand that you will be expected to do administrative tasks as well as clinical ones. If you’re not willing to learn medical coding and billing or to sit at the front desk to set appointments and fill out insurance forms, then this job may not be for you.
On the clinical side you will need to acquire a number of skills to deal directly with patients. You should be able to administer CPR , give injections, take vital signs and help with drawing blood. You may be called upon to assist in minor surgery, help set and remove casts, and perform basic laboratory procedures.
Once you have mastered all of this, as well as related administrative and clinical skills, you will be ready to work as a medical assistant in the health care field.
Mar
20
You may refer to your car as your wheels or your baby or your girl. For some reason or other, most cars end up having a female name or pronoun attached to them. Regardless of what you call it, one of the best ways to make your car stand out in a crowd is by customizing her wheels .
This is not to say that you should go all out and pimp your car with fancy features, customized paint jobs, and expensive accessories. Of course, if that happens to be your thing, then more power to you. There are numerous how-to websites and tv shows that can give you advice on that or you can join a local car club to meet up with others who share your passion. For the average car owner it is probably enough to switch out the rims — and probably more affordable given the current economic climate.
Lucky for you there are a plethora of custom rims to choose from. They come in different sizes, materials, and colors to match both the tires themselves and the body of the car. You’ll want to take your time when shopping for new rims. You can think of it as shopping for jewelry for your girlfriend or maybe buying new shoes for a night on the town.
Mar
16
In the age of digital maps and GPS apps on smart phones it may seem silly to think of teaching your kids about geography . You figure that they’d be better served mastering programming and other technological subjects. It would be a serious mistake to deny the importance of understanding one’s place in the physical world to a growing child. You need to give them a basic knowledge of geography as well as natural and physical sciences so that they can start to see where they fit in the world.
A great way to start this process is to buy simple tools and toys for your child when they are still young — before they head off to school. A
globe is a good starting investment. It will teach your kids not just that the world is round, but that the countries and cities of the world are separated by great distances and physical barriers like oceans and mountains. They may not be able to name countries, but they will have a sense of the enormity of the planet.
You should also consider purchasing a World Wall Map for older children. They make great wall decorations while providing countless opportunities for educating your kids. Besides teaching them the locations of counties, you can share odd facts about various countries, cities, and bodies of water that will eventually spark an interest in the history and culture of other places. That’s the true beauty of geography — it relates to government, history, culture, languages, social studies, business, and countless other fields of study.
Feb
27
Americans who find themselves injured or suffering from a debilitating illness that prevents them from working are usually eligible for benefits from the Social Security Administration — provided that they can prove their disability will permanently prevent them from returning to work. There are actually two different benefits offered: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability (SSD).
SSI is designed to help disabled workers who fall into low income brackets and do not have the work credits needed to qualify for SSD benefits. Unlike SSD, the funds for these benefits come from the Treasury Department, although the program is administered by SSA. Supplemental Security Income is also available to individuals over the age of 65 who meet specific income guidelines as well as those who are blind.
SSD benefits are available to anyone with work credits accumulated through the social security system. These individuals must prove they have enough work history and credits as well as prove the severity of their disability. There are certain conditions that will automatically qualify them for benefits. These are known as compassionate allowances. However, the worker will still have to prove they have enough work credits.
Anyone who has become disabled will want to consult with a social security disability lawyer in order to determine which benefits match their specific situation. The lawyer will also be able to guide them in preparing their claim to reduce the chances of it being denied.
Feb
18
While much of the hassle has gone out of filing taxes for those with fairly straightforward returns, there will always be individuals whose financial situation is more complicated or those who have experienced a major event in their life that changes their tax status. These people may find themselves hunting for obscure tax forms and instructions in order to complete their return by Tax Day .
Tax forms are obtainable directly from the IRS. Individuals can visit a local IRS office or call their hotline and have the appropriate forms and worksheets mailed to their home or office. It is also possible to find forms at other government offices, such as the post office or a state department of revenue. Libraries and some financial non-profit organizations also keep copies of more popular tax forms available.
However, this is the digital age. Most people have gotten used to being able to access things online. It is certainly possible to find tax forms online and print them and fill them out before sending them in with a tax return. It is also possible to get forms that can be filled out on the computer. Some of these will even do calculations while others are simply glorified typewriters.
It’s really not so important where to find a specific form, but that any return submitted to the IRS have all the necessary forms and worksheets to support it. Otherwise the taxpayer may find themselves facing an audit.
Feb
11
As part of the green movement to save the environment, many homeowners are investigating tax credits and rebates that are available for those who invest in home improvements designed to make their home more energy efficient. These programs range from credits for installing solar panels to rebates for using energy efficient appliances. There are even programs for installing better windows or using specific building materials and paints.
One ongoing credit has been extended to apply to 2011. It provides a tax credit for those who install energy efficient retrofits on hot water equipment or HVAC systems. These energy tax credits, also known as 25c tax credits , have been in effect for several years. However, the amounts for 2011 have be reduced. Homeowners can deduct up to 10% of the costs associated with the improvement up to $500. There is also a lifetime cap, so that homeowners who have claimed 25c tax credits since 2005 are limited to a total of $500.
These credits apply to qualified improvements to central air conditioning, heat pumps, furnaces, and hot water boilers. There are credits for advanced main air circulating fans, natural gas and propane boilers as well as oil furnaces and oil hot water boilers. Homeowners can consult with their preferred heating Phoenix company to see which improvements will qualify for specific credits.
Jan
25
Back in the 19th century, the telephone slowly made its way into popular usage with a simple ring indicating that a call was incoming. No one could have imaged in that long ago era, that an entire industry would someday exist solely to support the customization of the sounds played for incoming telephone calls.
In the 1970s it became possible for manufacturers to create electronic ringtones for phones and in the 1990s that technology was adapted to cell phones. By 2003, the global ringtone market was worth between $2.5 and $3.5 billion in sales (USD).
This explosion was due to several factors. The first being the unprecedented adaptation of mobile phones around the world. The development of different technologies to record and transmit sound files also played a significant role. Lastly, the marketing strategy of getting customers to download free ringtones to introduce them to a new service was also pivotal. While some users would stubbornly stick to the free options, others would want to purchase the longer and higher quality ringtones. In some cases, individuals are willing to pay as much as $3 for a single sound file or music snippet to use on their phone.
Some analysts insist that the ringtone industry has peaked. Sales of $714 million in the US in 2007 were followed by a drop to $541 million in 2008. While some of that decline was due to the major economic recession being experienced at that time, there is some reason to believe that the drop was partly a result of the ability of users to create their own ringtones, which meant they no longer needed to purchase them.
Jan
16
It is a major endeavor to open a new dental practice. It is much more difficult than other types of businesses. This is not only because of the specialized building and zoning needs of any health care provider, but because of the specialized staff that must be found and hired as well as the extensive amount of equipment that has to be purchased and installed. It is easy to see why so many new dentists choose to join an existing practice rather than start their own. The costs are just too prohibitive to make opening a practice a practical decision for most.
Even if someone can find affordable office space that suits the projected needs of their practice, they have to staff the place. Although health care demands are rising dramatically, the number of qualified and experienced technicians and staff is not growing as fast. This can make it difficult to find dental technicians, medical billing staff, and even receptionists who are experienced with handling dental computer systems. Those that are available will require competitive salaries and benefit packages in order to accept employment.
By far, the dental equipment needed will be the most serious investment. It’s not just a dentist chair and a drill that are needed. Modern dental offices require x-rays, cameras, sterilization equipment and specialized computer systems that integrate with the medical equipment. This is where it becomes critical to have solid dental practice financing arranged from the start. Having the money to purchase all that equipment is just as important as choosing the right staff and location.
Dec
20
There are certain parts of the country where it’s a standing joke that someone is a “slash” as in “waiter slash actor” or “cab driver slash screenwriter.” The reality is that the internet has made it possible for everyone to become a slash. They can maintain their day job while working at home to build a career as a copywriter , graphic artist, or business consultant. In fact, the second careers that are made possible by the internet are only limited by the imaginations of the individual.
Copywriting seems to be a more popular option. It seems that almost everyone has a dream of being a professional writer and copywriting gives them a wealth of opportunities to exercise that skill for profit. They don’t have to finish a complete novel. Instead they can bid on specific freelance projects, either for direct marketing or websites. They need a little bit of talent, an understanding of the structure of writing, and the ability to connect with potential employers to bid on projects.
Luckily the internet is filled with blogs, websites, and organizations that offer advice on each step of the process. There are even online courses and programs that prepare people for careers as freelance copywriters or teach advanced skills for those who want to improve the quality of their work. Experts like katie yeakle share their years of experience by lecturing, teaching, and writing about techniques and strategies that will help new copywriters succeed.
Dec
15
Many people are drawn to the study of psychology as a way to help people. Those that choose to study forensic psychology are planning to apply those skills in support of the legal system. They find jobs working in victim assistance, law enforcement and corrections or working for social or human services and treatment facilities associated with the court system.
Many existing professionals within the criminal justice system seek out a forensic psychology graduate program as a way to obtain advanced skills necessary to move forward in their career or as a way to shift the focus of an existing career. Many are looking for programs that incorporate at least some online courses, if not a degree program that relies heavily on internet-based learning. These types of blended programs are ideal for working professionals who are only able to devote part of their time to degree study.
Students should look for accredited programs offered by universities, colleges and other professional schools. To practice forensic psychology, most will need skills in working with law enforcement and corrections officers, the ability to evaluate and develop programs for at risk populations or the skills needed to serve as expert witnesses within the courts. They should look for programs that offer a flexible schedule, expert faculty, and coursework that suits their chosen career path.
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