The nine most annoying phrases in your inbox

A passive-aggressive query tops the table of irritating things people say on email.

New HMRC Spotlight on umbrella companies 'does not go far enough'

Brolly avoidance guide is launched to approval, but bosses say it's not rocket science.

Tax office taking longer to take your phone call

HMRC's five-minute response target almost missed, and its 10-minute wait volume almost exceeded.

Contractors' Questions: Should I accept LinkedIn invitations from people I don’t know?

Saying ‘yes’ to strangers is a sure-fire way to expand your professional network.

Digital tax account documents ‘provide clarity’

VAT-registered companies handed fresh guidance on what to do from April 2019.

Great Entry Level Careers in Healthcare That Don’t Require a College Degree

Are you getting ready to embark on a college career? Or maybe you feel you’re at a dead-end job and you need something better? There is no doubt the healthcare field is something that is trending when it comes to some of the hottest jobs out there. Most offer great advancements for those who showcase the right talent.

If you don’t feel like you’re cut out to be a nurse, doctor or physician’s assistant, you don’t have to spend years and thousands of dollars on your education to gain a great entry-level career in healthcare. Here are just a few careers that don’t necessarily require a degree and courses that can be completed in a rather short amount of time:

Medical Assistant

Do you have an interest in working directly with patients in a clinical setting, but don’t want to be a nurse? Being a medical assistant is a great way to get your foot in the door in a doctor’s office without having to have years of professional training. Most medical assistant programs are certificates and can be completed in less than 24 months. Many trade schools and community colleges offer medical assistant programs. You’ll learn some of the basic fundamentals of working in a medical office, including how to:

• Take patient vital signs
• Prep patients for an examination by the doctor
• Assist the doctor with a medical procedure
• Carry out an ECG, and learning the fundamentals of how to read an electrocardiogram
• Perform some diagnostic testing
• Remove sutures and change dressings
• Give injections of certain medications
• Sterilize medical equipment

There are many roles that the MA plays in the clinical setting. You can find a job in a medical office, hospital or clinic, but keep in mind that at each facility, your job role may be slightly different. Medical assistants are also trained to work in the front office as well—answering phone calls, filing patient charts away properly and addressing patient related issues as they arise in the clinical setting.

Certified Nursing Assistant or Aid

Another clinical position in the medical field that does not involve a college degree is a certified nursing assistant or CNA. Typically this is a certificate program that is offered at a community college or tech center. You are taught all of the fundamentals of taking care of patients who need nursing assistant care. Similar to a medical assistant, you will also be trained to identify medical conditions, how to care for patients who may be unable to care for themselves.  One of the fundamentals is being able to address a patient’s ADLs or activities for daily living, such as bathing, dressing and taking care of their basic needs. After you achieve your certificate, you’ll need to become state certified. From there, you can work in a nursing home, hospital setting or directly at the patient’s home.

Phlebotomist

If you enjoy the direct contact with patients and want to work in a clinical setting, drawing blood may be a career for you. A phlebotomist is trained through a local community college or private technical center. You’ll learn the basic fundamentals of blood, blood drawing and understanding how venipuncture works. Finger and heel pricks may also be part of the training. The main goal of a phlebotomist is to successfully collect the blood and send it off the lab for diagnostic results and prepare the patient for transfusions, donations or research purposes.

Ultrasound Technician

Becoming an ultrasound technician is a rewarding career if you want to venture into the medical field. Courses range from just a few months at a technical center to achieve a certificate in the field. Here you will learn all of the basic fundamentals and familiarities with the machine and how to prep the patient. It’s basic and good if you are wishing to get in on the ground floor of this career. Ultrasound technology advances all the way to getting an associates or bachelors degree in the field. You’ll train to learn more advancements in the field and to be able to work more independently on a variety of machines in different clinical specialty settings.

If you’re looking to get into the clinical medical field, there are many opportunities to do so. You can mix and match your skill set, so your resume will be more attractive to potential employers.

Contractor body develops training proposal into ‘bold’ skills strategy

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Hammond homes in on pensions tax relief

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Taxman pays 41,000 people to be HMRC informers

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Contractors, get ready to put Fintech to work for you

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Search starts for best self-employed traders

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Contractors reassured over housing market slowdown

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Contractors reassured over housing market slowdown

Far less ‘bumping’ for those on contract income multiples via considerate lenders -- CMME.

Economic Monthly Review – July 2018

Brief overview of the economic landscape and a background into the current market.

Taxman tops IR35 blanket decision league table

Revenue ranked an unenviable first by the almost four in 10 contractors to be IR35-assessed as a group.

Poker tournament winner with a criminal past loses it all to HMRC

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Clothing and Equipment Needs for Security Guards or Police Officers

Many workplaces have unique safety needs and it’s necessary to dress and equip personnel with the proper attire or equipment. This is particularly true if you’re working as a security guard or police officer. You need to be properly dressed and equipped to be able to do your job safely and efficiently.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at two of the basic things that are necessary for your safety: wearing the right clothing and carrying the most relevant equipment.

Wearing the Right Clothing

The clothing you may need to wear includes a uniform, belt, boots, and a bullet-proof vest.

1. A highly-visible and easy-to-identify uniform: Your clothing will act as a deterrent if you are patrolling a compound. It should be obvious to anyone who sees you that you are wearing a uniform. Besides smart-looking jacket, shirt, and pants, this should also include a cap and a badge. If someone who is trespassing doesn’t recognize that you’re in charge of security, they are not likely to heed any warnings you issue. This is especially important if you are working in the defense industry and can only allow authorized people into a certain area.
2. A belt: Besides acting as an accessory and making the uniform look sharper, a belt is useful for attaching your keys or a small piece of equipment you need for your job.
3. A pair of boots: Generally speaking, unless you have a job where you sit at a desk, boots will be necessary. They will offer comfort and support if you are on your feet for long periods and they will protect your feet from rough terrain and soggy ground if you need to patrol a property. You’ll be able to find some of the best military boots for sale at Galls.com in addition to other tactical footwear.
4. A bulletproof vest: If the assignment happens to involve some kind of physical risk, then you should have a bullet-proof vest to protect you from gunfire. A bulletproof vest can also offer you protection if someone is using some other kind of projectile, like a knife, a dart, or a ninja star.

Carrying the Most Relevant Equipment

Equipment relevant to your assignment may include communication devices, defensive equipment, a flashlight, a digital camera, and pen and paper.

1. Communication devices: If you are just doing something routine like checking identity cards at a desk, door or gate, then all you’ll probably need is some communication equipment in case there are problems. While a walkie-talkie is one option, a better one is a mobile phone because it will allow you to speed dial your supervisor if someone insists that they should be let into the building or premises despite lacking the right credentials.
2. Defensive equipment: Depending on the nature of your assignment, you may or may not need some kind of defensive equipment. If you are patrolling an area where people could break-in, then a handgun, taser, baton, or, at the very least, pepper spray, will be necessary.
3. A flashlight: A flashlight will be useful if you have to work at night. However, it can also be helpful if you have a daylight shift because it will come in handy if you need to check out suspicious sounds you hear in a poorly lit area.
4. A digital camera: Although the area that you may be patrolling could have surveillance systems installed, it’s still a good idea to have a digital camera with you to record any unusual events, like suspicious people, or items, or vehicles.
5. Pen and paper: A small notebook and pen could prove handy. Although there are electronic means to record information, sometimes it’s just more convenient to manually scribble down a to-do list, record new instructions you receive, or make a note of any observations you want to remember.

In conclusion, as a police officer or security guard, you will need the right clothing and equipment to do your job well. Make sure that you have everything that you need when you go on duty.

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ContractorUK readers, your final call to action

The biggest threat to your livelihood? Probably. And you’ve just a few hours to fight it.

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Government told how to make contract work 'good'

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Don't hike stamp duty premium on buy-to-lets, Hammond urged

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ContractorUK launches Fantasy Football League 2018/19

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