Working as a medical coder is one of the jobs that is dreamt by many. A lot of people want it as it is such a good one and it offers a decent payment. For those who are not fond of math, you might want to know if this job involves this subject, including algebra, before planning to take the job. So, does medical coding involve math like algebra?
The responsibilities of the medical coders include converting the information of the patients to standardized codes, which are used on documentation for healthcare insurance claims and for databases. There are a few skills that are needed to be a medical coder. These include strong keyboarding skills and strong reading skills. For those who are wondering about math skills, apparently this job requires a minimum of basic math.
As for algebra, actually, the one that needs it the most is medical biller. Unlike the medical coder, medical billers require intermediate math skills, including algebra as their jobs include maintaining all financial paperwork and electronic records relating to the treatments of the patients. Not only math skills like algebra, being a medical biller also requires accounting skills.
A lot of students want to work in healthcare as it is believed to be a noble job. However, most of them require them to be decent at math and chemistry. These two subjects are not easy for some people and can be challenging. Not only that, in fact, some people just have zero interest in them. If you are one of these people who would love to work in healthcare but you are not interested in math or chemistry, the good news is that there are a few career options in this field that do not require math or chemistry. Here is the list of some of these options:
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- Ultrasound technician
The sound waves are used by the ultrasound technician to examine the internal body structures and a developing fetus in the womb. If you want to be an ultrasound technician, you are required to have an associates or bachelor’s degree specifically in diagnostic medical sonography. Math usually is not needed for this job and even if it is needed, it is the basic one. Another good news is that chemistry is also not required at all, that’s why it is such a perfect option for those who hate both.
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- Radiology technologist
The radiologic technologists are in charge of helping perform imaging studies like X-ray’s, MRI’s, and CAT scans. The jobs of these people include preparing patients for these exams, performing exams, maintaining the equipment, and communicating with the physician that is in charge to review the results to make sure that the test is performed well. If you want to be a radiologic technologist, you are required either an associate or a bachelor’s degree in radiography from a traditional or online radiology tech program. While not all courses do not have a math prerequisite, the math is not usually a part of a radiography degree.
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- Medical social worker
Medical social workers refer to those who give support to the patients and their families. Not only that, their jobs include helping to coordinate care for patients with the hospital or practice in the place where they are working.
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- Medical secretary
The medical secretaries handle clerical work for the likes of clinics, hospitals, and any other medical facilities. Taking this job is quite easy as it does not need any specific degree. However, a degree is always preferred. You might want to get the certification courses to increase the chance of getting this job but the only requirement is a high school diploma or GED. Since the certification courses for medical secretaries usually do not include a math component, there is nothing to worry about.
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- Dental assistant
The dental assistant is in charge of helping the dental patients in the things where a clinical license is not required such as handing the dentist tools, reviewing the records, and preparing rooms for patients. Some people mix up dental assistants with dental hygienists while in fact they are two different things. While dental assistants do not perform clinical tasks, the dental hygienists do. There is no need for you to get an advanced education if you want to be a dental assistant and having a high school diploma or GED is enough. However, it does not mean that there is no one who wants to enter the field to complete the certification program. Nevertheless, these certification programs are nothing to worry about since they do not involve a math component.
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- Phlebotomist
The phlebotomists refer to medical employees that perform venipuncture. They take the blood from a vein or an artery. There might also be some other duties for them, depending on their certain job. If you want to become one, you are only required to get a high school diploma or GED. However, most of them will require completion of the phlebotomist certification program. It is such a rare case for these programs to include a math component.
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- Medical assistant
Medical assistant teams up with doctors to give support services where a medical license is not needed. They will take the histories of the patients, do basic tests such as blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate, and help doctors during procedures. Sometimes, they give medications as well.
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- Medical transcriptionist
Medical transcriptions are the ones who listen to the recordings of doctors dictating and then make the written version of these recordings. There is no need for you to get a certain degree if you want to be a medical transcriptionist. However, having a high school diploma or GED is important. Even though the requirements of becoming a medical transcriptionist does not include any further education, a certification from an accredited medical transcription training program is needed in some cases. For those who are not familiar with this certification, it usually takes 6 months for you to complete the training program and to get the certification. These programs are known to not have anything related to math.
AUTHOR BIO
On my daily job, I am a software engineer, programmer & computer technician. My passion is assembling PC hardware, studying Operating System and all things related to computers technology. I also love to make short films for YouTube as a producer. More at about me…
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