The IMBC Blog

Erie Healthcare Training: What Are My Options?

Made in PA

The healthcare sector is an exciting consideration when it comes to employment opportunities and options. Patient care is benefiting from improvements in technology, processes, and training of vital frontline staff.

Due to our aging population in the United States, it is predicted that employment within the healthcare sector will grow by 14% from 2018 to 2028. Healthcare accounts for nearly 11% of all jobs in the economy. So if you are thinking of a change, now is a great time to consider retraining for a career in healthcare. If you are just starting out in your work life, healthcare may be a great place to begin your journey.

If you are looking for healthcare training in Erie, one such place to consider is the Institute of Medical and Business Careers, which offers hands-on training. Keep reading to learn how you can train for a career in healthcare in Erie and join the expanding healthcare employment market. 

Pennsylvania Healthcare Training  

The Institute of Medical and Business Careers has two campuses in Pennsylvania: in Erie and Pittsburgh. The mission of the school is to equip students with real-life, practical skills to qualify them for their chosen career. 

Options for healthcare training in Erie include administrative, office-based roles as well as clinical patient-focused roles. 

Erie Healthcare Training for Administrative Roles

Perhaps you are a detail-orientated person who enjoys working with computers, files, and data? Then a program in Medical Records Technology or Medical Billing and Coding could be the perfect choice for you. 

Strong organizational skills are important for these roles. It is also critical to have a passion for accuracy. Both programs include office management and basic computer skills training, as well as preparation for the national certifications.  

Healthcare worker at desk.

Medical Office Administration Diploma 

If you enjoy helping others and multi-tasking in a busy environment, then training to become a Medical Office Administrator could be the right choice for you. You can undertake training online or on campus to qualify for this varied and interesting career path. Medical office administrators interact with patients, but they typically do not perform clinical work such as blood diagnostics (phlebotomy), etc. Instead, they focus on running a healthcare practice – from checking in and scheduling patients, to ensuring the office is well-stocked with supplies.

Students in this program learn a wide range of administrative and clerical skills. Excellent customer service is also very important. Additionally, students learn about maintaining the confidentiality of patient data and the importance of checking your work for accuracy.

It is possible to undertake medical office admin online training alongside on-campus training. Or you can study entirely online, depending on your individual needs.   

Medical Billing and Coding Diploma 

This program involves learning how to classify individual diagnoses and medical procedures. This is for billing and reimbursement processes so that doctors and hospitals get paid by insurance companies and patients are billed accurately. It is important to ensure that insurance companies are billed for the correct amounts and the hospital or doctor’s office receives the correct reimbursements. 

Students learn how to use medical terminology and reference codes. Courses also include training in medical billing software and how to complete and submit claims.  

Medical Records Technician

In Pittsburgh or Erie, healthcare training is available to become a Medical Records Technician. This is an Associate in Specialized Technology Degree. It takes a little longer to complete than the diploma courses (1.5 years rather than 9 months, for the typical student).

Graduates from these programs enjoy high job placement success at IMBC. This is a great choice if you are looking for a stable career. The courses will teach you skills that are in demand in the healthcare sector and necessary for the smooth and safe operation of a healthcare practice. 

Medical Records Technicians manage medical records and code diagnoses and procedures. This determines costs for many different healthcare settings. These include hospitals, physician’s offices, nursing homes, and clinics. 

This program also includes training in software for record-keeping and skills to help offices run efficiently. Students also learn how to manage electronic health records and how to store them securely.

Healthcare Training in Erie for Clinical Roles 

Perhaps you are looking for a more hands-on clinical role and would prefer not to be office-based. You might like to consider becoming a Medical Assisting Technician. This role does involve some administration. But Medical Assistants mainly help doctors and nurses in delivering care directly to patients.   

Clinical responsibilities could include taking vital signs and administering medications. Medical Assistants also take patient histories and help nurses and doctors during procedures. Medical Assistants work in a variety of settings. These include emergency ambulatory care centers, outpatient clinics, doctor’s offices, and hospitals.

Clerical responsibilities include scheduling patients’ appointments, taking telephone inquiries, and working at a desk. This is a varied role that offers a rewarding career in healthcare. Medical assistants help and support patients as they recover from their illness or injury. 

You could add phlebotomy to your skillset if you undertake the Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy diploma. Phlebotomists are trained to take blood for a variety of diagnostic tests. They also learn to safely manage the blood samples to ensure accurate diagnoses. This is a varied and versatile role with great career prospects. 

Erie, PA

Qualifications in Healthcare Training in Erie

For all programs offered at IMBC, students prepare to take seek certifications from the relevant professional body. This offers the chance to become qualified in your chosen career.

In some jobs and states, it is not essential to be nationally certified to secure employment. But the team at IMBC supports all students in seeking their certifications and the preparation for the exams, as well as the costs, are typically included in the program. This way you can demonstrate mastery of your chosen profession and show future employers that you are qualified.

Training for a Healthcare Career 

You might be a high school graduate or a working parent looking for a career change. Whatever your situation in life, there are a variety of options for Erie healthcare training. IMBC offers a range of programs. Some focus more on administrative career paths and others offer more patient-facing job roles. 

For healthcare training in Erie, Pennsylvania, find out more from the Institute of Medical and Business Careers. Take the next step towards a rewarding career change now!