What Qualities Do Law Firms Look for in a Paralegal?

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Are you interested in becoming a paralegal? Do you have the qualities that your local law firm is looking for? If you don’t have all of the qualities, then it may be time to take a paralegal program at a vocational college. A paralegal program will help you build a solid foundation of qualities and skills that will help you land that entry-level paralegal job at your local law firm. Are you asking yourself, “What qualities do law firms look for in a paralegal?”

What Qualities Do Law Firms Look for in a Paralegal?

There are many qualities that a law firm is looking for in a paralegal. Some of the most sought-after qualities include loyalty, reliability, trustworthiness, responsibleness, self-discipline, efficiency, resourcefulness, patience, and ethics. With this set of qualities, you can become a highly sought-after candidate to become a paralegal at your local law firm.

Quality #1: Loyalty

Paralegals must be loyal to their law firm and clients. As a paralegal, you must be reliable and trustworthy. True loyalty is seen and not heard. Being loyal means sticking with your law firm in good times and bad. Not only does a law firm need loyal paralegals but clients need loyalty too. A law firm that is loyal to its clients will have a good reputation and increase their clientele.

Quality #2: Reliability

A paralegal must do what they say and say what they do. Not only are attorneys counting on you to do a good job but sometimes the client’s freedom is at stake. To be reliable, you should be consistent when completing tasks. You must also keep personal and important information confidential, not only for the case but because witnesses and clients count on your discretion.

Quality #3: Trustworthy

Trust is a quality that is earned, not given. Without trust, a paralegal can’t get the job done. Most clients and witnesses need to trust the paralegal in order to give them the full details of the case. Whether it is in trust law, civil law, corporate law or a criminal case, you are being trusted by the attorney to complete tasks thoroughly and on time to help win the case.

Quality #4: Responsible

As a paralegal, you will want to take responsibility for what you do and say. There are legal ramifications for lying or withholding information. You should take ownership of your actions and not say anything that will negatively affect a case. By being responsible, you need to be fair and honest in your dealings. A paralegal that is responsible for what they do will also show respect for their colleagues, clients and other legal staff. Ultimately, to be responsible, you must be accountable for your actions.

Quality #5: Self-Disciplined

Although you will be supervised by a senior paralegal or attorney, you are on your own most of the time, completing tasks and preparing for cases. You must be a self-starter and discipline yourself to do a good job without the need of close supervision. This way, the law firm can get more done and manage more clients. This quality in a paralegal is important for the entire firm to thrive.

Quality #6: Efficiency

There are never enough hours in the day or dollars to spend. A paralegal that is efficient and resourceful is an asset to any law firm. At a law firm, hours are charged to clients and clients want to know that their attorneys and paralegals are using their money wisely. Being efficient means spending money and time wisely, getting the most for your effort.

Quality #7: Resourcefulness

There are only so many resources that are available at a law firm. And, there is only so much time, so many people and a limited amount of supplies. A successful paralegal will know how much to use without wasting time, people or supplies. Those that are resourceful are good problem solvers and can think outside the box when problems need solutions. You should be resourceful and use everything you have to get the job done successfully.

Quality #8: Patience

An important quality for any paralegal is patience. A case takes time and witness can’t be coerced. You must be patient while successfully getting the job done. Finding the right statute or case law can take time to research, this is not something that should be rushed. You should take your time with your tasks, being efficient and resourceful. Your team’s attorneys will be happy you went the extra mile and were patient with your tasks.

Quality #9: Ethics

Maybe the most important quality for any paralegal is having good ethics and morals.  You must do what is good for the law firm and good for the client. Your code of conduct must be just and moral. Breaking the law and making decisions that can harm others is not only morally wrong but can also have legal ramifications. Make sure you understand the law and practice discretion when in doubt.

Final Thoughts

The demand for paralegals with the right qualities is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for paralegals and legal assistants is growing by 10 percent in the next decade. Paralegals are taking over the tasks that first year lawyers have completed in the past and that is increasing the demand for entry-level paralegals at law firms. The time is now to attend a vocational school and get the qualities that will help you start that new career as a paralegal.

Do you have the qualities law firms are looking for in a paralegal? Ready to learn more about becoming a paralegal or legal assistant? The Gwinnett Colleges & Institute diploma and degree programs in Paralegal Studies provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge and the legal skills necessary to perform many paralegal functions including research, writing, investigation, and interviewing.

Contact us today or complete the Request More Information form on the top of the page to take the next step towards your new career in the Paralegal Studies field.

What is a Career College?

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Are you graduating from high school or looking for a new career? Ready to start college? You have many options but attending a career college can give you the best opportunity to hop on the fast track to a new career. You could learn a new vocation and start earning in less than a year or two. However, are you asking yourself, “What is a Career College?”

What is a Career College?

A career college is an educational facility that allows you to learn a trade, technical or vocational skill. Career colleges focus on a specific job, like medical assisting or massage therapy, and create curriculum around that job with the help of industry experienced professionals and instructors. Career college courses focus on the necessary knowledge and skills you will need after graduation, starting an entry-level position at a local organization. Career colleges focus on your professional life and training you to start earning in under two years.

What Programs are Offered at a Career College?

Most career colleges offer associate degrees and diploma programs. Each program focuses on a specific vocation and prepares you to start working as an entry-level professional in the industry chosen.  Programs offered include business, computer operations, massage, medical specialists and assistants, nursing, paralegal, personal training and many other vocations.

Business/Office Administration – classes provide knowledge and practical skills to function as an office assistant or executive assistant. Curriculum focuses on Microsoft Office, accounting, light bookkeeping and office management.

Computer Operations – courses focus on various Microsoft Office applications relating to word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation creation. Some computer operations programs even prepare you to take certification exams on different computer programs and software.

Massage Therapy – courses focus on the different modalities of massage including Swedish, chair, and sports massage to name a few. Career college curriculum includes training around the scientific knowledge, manual skills, and mastery of business you need to become a professional massage therapist.

Medical Assistant – courses help you gain essential skills and training to achieve entry-level positions in this career field. Medical assistant programs focus on two curriculum objectives, providing training in both front and back office skills

Medical Billing and Coding – courses focus on insurance coding and processing, medical administrative procedures, and the regulatory requirements in the healthcare delivery system. Career college programs provide additional training in coding from the operative report and ICD-10 CM coding for long-term care.

Medical Office Assistant – courses help train you in general office skills, computer skills, medical office procedures, and medical insurance and coding procedures.

Nursing – career colleges can offer a variety of nursing programs for LPNs & RNs. Further program training can focus on the RN to BSN track allowing nurses more opportunity for leadership positions in medical facilities. Curriculum focuses on classroom theory, challenging assignments, skill labs, simulations, and clinical experiences to prepare you for an entry-level nursing position.

Paralegal – programs teach the technical and computer skills needed to assist law firms in managing cases in personal injury, criminal law, intellectual property, bankruptcy, immigration, family law and real estate.

Personal Training – coursework includes the science of the human body including anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathophysiology. You will work one-on-one with gym clientele to develop and implement individual exercise programs, track clients’ progress, and demonstrate the effectiveness of the individual training program.

How to Choose a Career College?

There are many different factors involved in choosing a career college. Does it fit your work/life balance, is it located in commuting distance, and is it accredited? Here are some of the factors you should consider when choosing a career college.

Personal Responsibilities

All of us have personal responsibilities. Do you take care of a family or elderly parent? A career college that offers evening classes can be helpful if you have daytime responsibilities. Especially if you need to keep a job by day to pay your bills while working toward a new career at night. Make sure you balance your work and life, so you don’t burn out. Once you graduate from a career college you will be well on your way to a more balanced work/life.

Location of College

There is probably a career college just around the corner. Make sure you understand the commute and how often you may need to go to the library, see faculty or attend lectures. The closer you career college, the more opportunity you will have to keep a balanced work/life and be able to manage personal responsibilities.

Accreditation or Licensing

It is important to attend a career college that is accredited. Only accredited schools can offer specific types of financial aid. Many certifications also require that school hours are completed at an accredited career college. Gwinnett Colleges & Institute are accredited by well known councils, commissions and licensures. Learn more here about Gwinnett’s licenses and accreditations.

Program Length

Many traditional colleges take four years to complete. They have you take electives and general education classes for the first two years. Career colleges focus on the second half of the education and only build vocational skills that will help you start working in an entry-level position. Some programs can even last less than one year for diplomas and certifications in massage, computers, office administration and other vocational programs. The quicker you get through the career college, the quicker you are ready to start earning.

Program Options

Does the career college offer the vocational program you are looking for? Make sure the type of program you are looking for is offered and the classes are relevant to the specialties you may be considering. College is a great place to figure out which specialty you would be interested in, so make sure your career college of choice has a wide variety of classes. An externship will also help you figure out what you want to do, while giving you a head start at networking for your next job after graduation.

Class Schedule Flexibility

Are you a morning person or want to take classes at night? Do you have the ability to access all the resources needed to succeed online? Make sure your career college is flexible and can meet your needs. Make sure you invest your time wisely to get the most of your career college experience.

Career Services Assistance

Most career colleges offer graduates career services. They will help you prepare for your first job interview, complete your resume and write thank you emails. Career Services are available to assist you throughout the career college and continues to offer you assistance beyond graduation.  While most career colleges do not guarantee employment, they provide you with continuous career services assistance upon graduation from your vocational program.

What are the Funding Options?

Most accredited colleges offer state and federal financial aid to students that qualify. Make sure to know when deadlines occur so you are eligible for FAFSA financial aid. Some career colleges also offer veterans benefits or local scholarship opportunities. When you register for classes at your career college, make sure to stop by the financial aid office to understand your options and how you can get assistance with paying for college.

Final Thoughts

Every student must consider many different factors when choosing the right career college. If you are looking for a career college that works with industry experienced instructors and creates curriculum with the help of local industry leaders, then attending Gwinnett Colleges & Institute may be the right decision for you. Start learning, start earning and get ready for a new and exciting career.

Because you are making the commitment to seek career-focused technical training and vocational education, we commit ourselves to providing you with exceptional customer service each step of the way.  Gwinnett Colleges & Institute is committed to providing you with information on the college financial aid for which you may qualify in addition to the other services we provide to our vocational college students. All of our vocational school instructors possess education or experience in the fields in which they teach which provides you with a quality learning experience.  

Contact Gwinnett Colleges & Institute today to learn more about taking classes to become an essential worker.

What Can I Do in an Office Administrator Role?

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Interested in learning more about the role of an office administrator? Some of your experience will come while on the job, but you will need to convey that you have the drive and persistence to complete whatever you take on. This can be illustrated by completing a degree in business technology. By completing a business technology degree program and gaining the skills to be an office administrator, you can prove that you are serious about the opportunity to work for a company that is hiring office administrators. You will also create the confidence needed to succeed in this role.

What Does an Office Administrator Do?

An office administrator performs many clerical duties that are essential for an office to run efficiently. An officer administrator’s role is at the center of the company. They work across a variety of different industries, from medical offices to insurance companies, real estate to engineering and everywhere in between. Some of the typical day-to-day activities an office administrator’s role includes:

  • Answering phones
  • Scheduling appointments
  • Updating calendars
  • Setting schedules
  • Creating and maintaining a filing system
  • Entering data into a computer
  • Greeting visitors
  • Responding to emails
  • Preparing documents
  • Coordinating project deliverables
  • Performing light bookkeeping
  • Drafting presentations, documents, and billing invoices
  • Sending and signing for deliveries

Other Office Administration Duties

The knowledge that an office administrator must have is often company and industry specific. For example, an office administrator that works for a real estate agent must be competent in geography and know a lot about different areas of the country; while the office administrator in an internet marketing firm may require basic knowledge of web design and social media. Some office administrators may even manage inventory or stockrooms.

Light Bookkeeping Duties

Office administrators may handle clerical duties, including data entry, sorting mail, and other functions necessary for the bookkeeping to operate efficiently. They must possess skills required to prepare invoices, handle company deposits, plan budgets, prepare financial reports, process payments, and submit tax forms.

Have the Right Hard Skills

Hard skills are those traits that an office administrator will need to be successful regardless of industry or role they work in. These hard skills include knowing how to write business correspondence, taking minutes, record management, filing systems, various computer applications, word processing, and email management.

Since every industry is different and may have their own process to complete these tasks, it may be possible to learn these on the job. However, having a basic understanding and ability to perform these skills is beneficial and can be learned during a business technology degree program.

Have the Right Soft Skills

The desirable soft skills to be successful as an office administrator include the ability to make decisions, and good communication skills, both written and verbal. It takes a special kind of person to succeed in the role of an office administrator. Assisting management in a business setting requires specific knowledge of the field, a combination of personal traits, and the ability to work well as a team member.

An office administrator must be conscientious and have a strong will to succeed. A successful office administrator takes their role in an office seriously. They have excellent organizational skills and have an orderly approach to business.

Individual Skills Required to be an Office Administrator

There are many different skills that will be required to ensure a person is successful in their role as an office administrator. The following is a list that can be applied to many different industries. However, specific businesses and industries have unique skills that will be learned on the job.

Skill #1: Communication

Much of what an office administrator does is speak with customers, colleagues and management. They must be well versed in writing and verbal communication. The ability to convey a message is imperative. Office administrators will also deal with customers, so it is important for them to communicate effectively with the customer to ensure a positive experience and create repeat customers.

Skill #2: Typing and Word Processing

An office administrator’s duties can include taking minutes or inputting data. They use Microsoft Office to write documents, memos and billing. Having typing skills is a must. A conscientious office administrator has excellent grammar and spelling skills and can interpret their manager’s notes, even if their handwriting is challenging to read.

Skill #3: People Skills

Being an office administrator can be the central contact for customers and employees within the company. They will interact with many different people throughout the day. Having people skills, and a positive attitude, will allow the office administrator to be a successful communicator.

Skill #4: Organization

Office administrators must stay organized and know where everything is at all times. Files should have a certain location on their desk depending on the file’s need. Office administrators that are in charge of scheduling appointments should know what times are available and have access to that information.

Skill #5: Teamwork & Collaboration

An office administrator is part of a team that manages the entirety of the office. Typically, the office administrator is the center of the office and is the go-to person for administrative help or clerical duties. An office administrator must be a team player in order to get the work completed on time and successfully. The office administrator should be willing to collaborate, work well with a team, and doesn’t quibble about small details that are counterproductive.

Skill #6: Customer Focused

The office administrator always possesses a pleasant demeanor when greeting clients. Since they represent the company and their manager, it’s essential to be customer focused. Professionalism is vital to the office administrator who must always possess a positive attitude in the office. Personal problems must stay at home.

Skill #7: Multitasking

An office administrator will be expected to handle many different tasks and duties. Being able to handle more than one task at a time is a good skill to have and will ensure that the office administrator is able to accomplish their goals and complete tasks on time. Multi-tasking is part of the job in any successful business. An office administrator who wants to succeed always keeps up to date with their skills and is willing to learn new procedures quickly.

Skill #8: Time Management Skills

In addition to having many tasks that need to be handled throughout the day, an office administrator will need to determine the priority of each task. The ability to do this will ensure that everything gets taken care of in a timely fashion.

Skill #9: Flexibility

An office administrator’s priorities may change throughout the day. The report that was due at the end of the week could get pushed up or someone might need tickets to an emergency business meeting. By being flexible, an office administrator will be able to change their priorities without getting unduly stressed or anxious about the situation.

Skill #10: Light Bookkeeping Knowledge

Office administrators may help with light bookkeeping including payroll, bank deposits and other bookkeeping tasks. Having some experience with bookkeeping will help increase an office administrators job options and give them an advantage over the competition. Having knowledge of QuickBooks and other bookkeeping software can also come in handy.

Skill #11: Work Independently

An office administrator must be a self-starter and know how to perform tasks autonomously. While an office administrator may be given certain tasks by coworkers or supervisors, they should be able to keep themselves busy without being told what to do.

Skill #12: Professionalism

An office administrator will interact with customers and office staff. They must be professional as they conduct business with others to gain their respect. Not only will the office administrator have a professional and positive attitude, but they must dress appropriately. Wearing appropriate clothing and practicing good hygiene will increase the respect others will have for the office administrator.

Skill #13: Reliability

A successful office administrator must possess a strong work ethic. They must be well-organized and be able to manage their time effectively to complete tasks on time. The office administrator must be reliable. A busy office doesn’t have time to deal with a person who is consistently late for work and makes excuses. Punctuality is an essential skill to assisting in an office.

Skill #14: Ability to Use Various Office Equipment

In addition to using a computer, many office administrators will be required to use copy machines, scanners, and fax machines. While this knowledge can be learned on the job, it may give a person a better chance of standing out from the competition if they are equipped with these skills beforehand.

Is There a Demand for Office Administrators?

Currently, there is a need for office administrators that have office skills in a variety of different industries and roles. The most demand is in the medical field. As the population grows older and lives longer, they will need medical care, and to meet the demand, more medical offices will be hiring medical office administrators. Medical facilities will need to be staffed with skilled individuals who can take on a variety of administrative tasks and keep the office running smoothly and efficiently. Other places that may see an increased demand for an office administrator include schools, legal offices, and government offices.

Why Attend a Vocational School’s Business Technology Degree Program?

Vocational schools offer business technology courses allowing you to gain essential skills and training to achieve entry-level positions in management, as computer operators, executive assistants, and in accounting offices. Business technology programs teach you the role of clerical and administrative duties. Vocational schools have small class sizes that offer one-on-one attention from industry experienced instructors. Obtaining a business technology degree from a vocational school will be the first step to starting your career as an office administrator.

What Will You Learn During a Business Technology Degree Program?

Students will have the opportunity to apply skills learned in business accounting, finance, Microsoft Office, information management, and other areas of business to add value in many types of offices.

Business Accounting: At smaller companies, office administrators may need to handle bookkeeping, manage payroll and drop off bank deposits. Have a knowledge in basic bookkeeping is important to managing an office.

Finance: An office administrator will need to be familiar with the concepts of cash flow, debt management, credit terms, revenue, taxation, depreciation, payroll, petty cash, and operational expenses.

Microsoft Office: As the premier business productivity software in the world, MS Office proficiency is an important skill. Microsoft Office programs learned during a business technology degree program include Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

Information Management: This is an important skill. An office administrator will need to be proficient in managing information and communications platforms such as messaging apps, Voice over Internet Protocol systems, email, content management systems, and cloud platforms.

General Business Practices: An office administrator will need to understand corporate structures, procurement, basic HR procedures, compliance, and legal correspondence. Depending on the industry an office administrator joins, there may be additional business practices learned while on the job.

Final Thoughts

For many people, the role of an office administrator is incredibly appealing. It gives them a chance to use a variety of different skills, work in different industries, and interact with different people. The job requires specific skills but also general knowledge, so it’s something that anyone with a desire to do can be successful at. If you are interested in playing a role in an office setting, have good communication skills and enjoy administrative tasks, becoming an office administrator may be the right career path for you.

Do you like to be the central person on a team or at an organization? Ready to become an office administrator? The Associate of Science Degree in Business Technology is designed to provide Gwinnett College students with the knowledge and practical skills to function in the ever-changing business world. Students will be exposed to concepts in accounting, business administration, finance, the legal system, and management. Additionally, students will acquire the practical skills necessary to function in today’s business world.

Contact us today to learn more about the Associate of Science Degree in Business Technology at Gwinnett Institute.

Providing Health Education to Patients: An LPN’s Guide

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Licensed practical nurses play a primary role in patient education. As liaisons between patients and their healthcare providers, they’re go-to sources of information about topics from medication to nutrition. Students in a vocational LPN program learn what they need to know about educating patients and their loved ones. Teaching skills begin with proven approaches, and these skills improve over time with practice.

Patient Education Approaches

Nurses use a variety of proven approaches to educate patients and their families. Individuals learn differently, so the best way to reach people is to choose teaching methods that best fit their preferred learning styles. An LPN should:

Identify and Overcome Barriers

Common barriers to education among patients include age-related comprehension, low literacy, sensory impairments, cultural sensitivities, generational bias, and financial concerns. Nurses set the stage for learning by removing or adapting to obstructions.

Determine How Patients Like to Learn

Each individual has a unique learning style, assessing how patients learn best and choosing the most appropriate teaching materials are paramount to their comprehension. Are they visual or auditory learners? Do they prefer hands-on learning, or do they understand health concepts better by reading? Teaching materials may include:

  • Books, brochures and pamphlets
  • Posters and charts
  • Audio and Video presentations
  • PowerPoint slides
  • Props and anatomical models
  • Role-playing and demonstrations
  • Individual and group classes
  • Interactive apps

Be Realistic

When it comes to health education, more isn’t always better. Too much information will easily overwhelm patients. Nurses should focus first on what patients must know, sharing essential health information and expanding on topics only when the fundamental concepts are clearly understood.

Be Flexible

Respecting patients’ physical, intellectual and emotional limits is critical. Teaching plans may require adjustments based on the patient’s health and their responses.

Educating Different Age Groups

Children, adults and seniors each have distinct learning needs.

Educating Children

Kids grow quickly. They become teachable as preschoolers, but techniques should evolve as they do. Children from three to six years old, for example, are motivated by curiosity but are still unable to make sense of their world. Teaching is best accomplished through sensory stimulation, permitting them to handle objects that are frightening, telling short stories, or using pictures and drawings to illustrate points.

School-age children are more realistic and objective. They respond to logic and analogies. Allowing them time to ask health questions and being honest with responses are essential to building trust.

Teens, while not yet adults, are capable of abstract and hypothetical thinking. They can build on past experiences and understand the consequences of their actions. The most effective way to reach adolescents is to make information applicable to their lives, using real-world examples that speak to their needs. Technology is an effective teaching tool for this group.

Educating Adults

Adults are autonomous and have a well-developed sense of cause and effect. But not all reach the same level of emotional maturity as they age. Differences in life experience and motivation affect how they learn.

Assessing adults’ intellectual capability, their learning style and their goals allows nurses to tailor their teaching plan. Framing what they teach as a way for patients to maintain their independence and live a “normal”life is especially effective.

Educating Seniors

Many people age 65 and older have some degree of cognitive decline. It could be as simple as impaired short-term memory or changes in their ability to think abstractly, but it affects teaching at a time when seniors are the most physically vulnerable.

Sensory impairments are also common in seniors, but the loss of eyesight and hearing can be countered with adaptive equipment. Nurses can improve seniors’ learning potential simply by ensuring they have their glasses on.

Older adults fatigue quickly, so they benefit from shorter, informal teaching sessions and consistent reinforcement. Approaches such as using visual aids and analogies are helpful.

Patient Health Education: Patients versus Family

Families play a critical role in health care management, loved ones are a patient’s support system. When working with patients and families, the most important consideration for nurses is to keep everyone on the same page. Family health education should cover these concepts:

  • What the patient needs and why
  • What is the family’s role in the treatment plan?
  • How and when to get help for their loved one
  • Helpful community resources to explore

Teaching a family how to care for patients can be a challenge, however, if negative group dynamics complicate the process, not every patient has a positive relationship with their family. Parents, sibling and adult children often feel obliged to care for a sick loved one, but while some are respectful of patient autonomy, others take an aggressive advocacy role.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996 strictly limits how personal health information can be shared without patients’ permission. When someone wants family or friends involved, they can consent to the sharing of data, but otherwise, a nurse’s hands are tied. The patient is always in the driver’s seat if they can legally make their own decisions.

Patient Education Topics

Doctors create the treatment plans for their patients, but they leave the details for nurses to clarify. Working one-on-one with patients, an LPN may be asked to teach patients about pre- and post-care instructions, medication safety, disease processes, and preventative medicine.

Pre- and Post-Care Instructions

Medical exams, lab work, diagnostics, and procedures all require pre- and post-care education. Nurses talk to patients about:

  • The purpose of tests and treatments
  • Preparations for procedures, such as fasting or taking medications
  • Potential side effects
  • Worrisome symptoms to report
  • Physical precautions and limitations
  • When to expect test results
  • Scheduled follow-up care

Medication Safety

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an estimated 18 million people misuse medications either intentionally or accidentally each year. Most drugs have at least some precautions, and it’s a nurse’s role to teach patients how to use them safely. Drug education topics include:

  • The purpose of medications
  • How to take them
  • When to take them and for how long
  • Dosage and storage cautions
  • Medication interactions
  • Potential side effects
  • Recommended therapeutic monitoring

Disease Processes

It’s a confusing time for patients when they’ve been diagnosed with an illness. Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and kidney failure, among others, require significant changes in lifestyle. Nurses teach patients how to live successfully with these disorders and manage their self-care.

Diabetes education, for example, encompasses:

  • How to monitor blood sugar at home
  • How to recognize the symptoms of hypo- and hyperglycemia
  • Dietary management of diabetes
  • Emergency treatment of insulin overdoses
  • Traveling as a diabetic
  • How to self-administer injections
  • Insulin pump use
  • Diabetic foot and eye care

Teaching for heart disease patients covers:

  • Symptom management
  • Emergency medication use
  • A heart-healthy diet
  • Safe ways to exercise
  • How to monitor blood pressure and heart rate at home
  • When to call the doctor

Important subjects for patients with renal failure include:

  • Dietary and fluid restrictions
  • The dialysis process
  • Shunt care
  • Medication safety

Preventive Medicine

Health professionals estimate that most of these diseases are preventable. Nurses help patients stay ahead of illness by practicing preventive care. Talking points include:

  • Immunizations
  • Nutrition
  • Home safety
  • Preventive screenings
  • Regular check-ups

Skills for Patient Education

There are many different skills that help nurses with patient health education. The most important include empathy, communication skills, generational awareness, and compassion.

Empathy

Empathy allows an LPN to put themselves in their patients’ shoes. It’s a critical part of evaluating how patients learn and how receptive they’ll be to teaching.

An empathetic nurse tries to see situations from both the patient’s and the family members’ point of view so they can better understand how each perceives their role in care. Empathy improves communication and gives an LPN greater insight into the type of education patients and families need.

Communication Skills

The foundation of teaching is communication. Nurses should be outgoing and comfortable with conversation while being familiar with therapeutic communication techniques from active listening to asking probing questions.

Generational Awareness

Educating patients requires generational awareness because people in different age groups respond to teaching differently.

Seniors, for example, are less likely to ask questions and more likely to disregard advice they don’t clearly understand. A simple, direct approach with consistent follow-up is best. Children, on the other hand, will ask questions until both parents and nurses are exhausted. Patience and reinforcement are the keys to success.

Compassion

Patients and families worried about health issues are under stress, they may be distracted and have difficulty learning new material. As educators, nurses must approach education with compassion, being willing to revisit topics as often as necessary to make their points.

This is especially critical when dealing with families who not only have a sick loved one to care for, but also have obligations of their own. Compassionate nurses see the situation from family members’ point of view, helping them understand how the patient’s illness is affecting them personally and how they can help.

Final Thoughts

Patient health education is the medical community’s most powerful treatment for disease. When patients, families and nurses work together, there’s nothing they can’t accomplish in the interest of better health. It’s a winning collaboration.

Do you enjoy educating others? Ready to become an LPN? The Practical Nursing program at Gwinnett Institute provides training to prepare college graduates to enter the nursing profession as an LPN.  Classroom theory, challenging assignments, skill labs, simulations, and clinical experiences help to prepare college graduates for an entry-level nursing position. 

After graduating from the Nursing diploma program and successfully passing the NCLEX-PN licensure exam, nursing students will further their career to become a licensed practical nurse. There is an overall need for LPNs in response to the aging baby boomer population.

*While Gwinnett Institute provides test preparation and review assistance to college students, it cannot guarantee any college student will be able to take or pass any type of licensure exam.  College students must be mindful throughout their entire training program that licensure is a prerequisite for employment as a nurse and to diligently prepare themselves to meet this important requirement.

Contact us today to learn more about becoming an LPN at Gwinnett Institute.

What are Nursing Leadership Skills?

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Nurses are natural managers. As patient advocates, they have a rightful place among leadership in the medical community. But it takes more than an education to lead others. Whether it’s managing one case or directing an entire facility, nurses need a wide range of practical and people skills to make the most of their leadership potential.

Why Become a Nurse?

Nursing is a noble profession dedicated to serving others. It’s hard work, but the benefits are worth it. Nurses help others, aid the community, work with a dedicated team and enjoy professional freedom.

Help People Live Build Better Lives

Wellness is the foundation of a healthy life. Nurses promote healthcare at both the personal and community levels to improve others’ well-being and allow them to thrive regardless of challenges. It’s a personally gratifying role.

Aid Their Communities During Crisis

As the global population grows, the potential for public health crisis increases. As the recent pandemic shows, areas with few frontline healthcare providers suffer the most. Whether it’s bringing information to the masses or providing direct care in a hospital or doctor’s office, nurses play a significant leadership role in their communities during emergencies.

Work with a Dedicated Team

No one likes to feel alone on the job, but that’s the reality for millions who don’t benefit from working with committed colleagues. Members of the healthcare team feel supported and valued.

Enjoy Professional Freedom

Nurses are professional caregivers. They work with a team, yet they practice autonomously. It’s a considerable responsibility, but the trade-off is professional freedom and a sense of personal accomplishment. Few careers that don’t require spending a decade in school offer as much independence.

What is Leadership?

Leadership is the ability to motivate people to work toward achieving a common goal. It’s part inspiration and part perspiration, and it’s as critical to a healthcare organization on the ground level as it is in upper management. Nurses are among the few healthcare providers that work in both, so leadership among nursing staff can make or break an institution’s success.

What Makes a Good Leader?

There are many qualities that make a leader, they include integrity, accountability, empathy, humility, resilience, vision, positivity and reach. With this set of leadership skills, a nurse can be a true leader in their community.

Quality #1: Integrity

Leaders with integrity are trustworthy and reliable. They hold themselves to the highest ethical standards, recognizing that they serve as examples of professional behavior. As educators, nurses who demonstrate integrity find it easier to build trust with their patients. Among staff, reliable leaders inspire confidence and loyalty.

Quality #2: Accountability

Accountability is the foundation of teamwork. An accountable leader includes others in decision-making, but as the person in authority, they accept responsibility for their decisions. They evaluate outcomes both good and bad, adjusting course accordingly and without regret. Associates can be creative without risking blame.

Quality #3: Empathy

Seeing things from others’ points of view is a necessary part of building constructive workplace relationships. An empathetic leader looks for the root causes of failure among staff and uses it to improve their team.

Empathy is also informative as it sheds light on the reasons for shifting morale and identifies barriers to success. Employees have more respect for empathetic leaders.

Quality #4: Humility

Humble leaders know they’re not always the smartest person in the room. They encourage collaboration, respect differences of opinion and genuinely seek out the best ideas regardless of their source. Humility creates a culture of acceptance that promotes teamwork.

Quality #5: Resilience

Resilience is the ability to maintain focus under pressure, it’s how a good leader finds a way to get the job done regardless of setbacks. A resilient nurse bounces back after challenges and learns from them, helping patients do the same. It’s a skill nurses need in all of their many possible roles.

Quality #6: Vision

Ships are easily lost in open water without navigation. Similarly, organizations without a mission are prone to fail. To succeed, organizations need to know where they are and where they’re going. Good leaders not only have this foresight; they know how to communicate it to others. For nurses, vision is how they manage patient care, harnessing team resources to achieve the best health outcomes possible.

Quality #7: Positivity

Positivity sends a strong signal to others, it’s both contagious and motivating. Conversely, negativity saps creativity and the willingness to seek solutions when problems seem insurmountable. Nothing motivates patients and staff more than enthusiasm.

Quality #8: Reach

Business leaders go out of their way to cultivate far-reaching relationships, it’s a way of becoming a part of an industry’s landscape. In healthcare, administrators use their reach to find the financial and intellectual resources required to solve organizational problems. Nurses do the same for their staff and patients, networking with a diverse range of providers who all bring something different to the table.

Who Do Nurses Lead?

Every nurse is a leader. As professionals, they direct nursing care for assigned patients and supervise paraprofessional staff, such as nursing assistants and dietary aides. Charge nurses have a more extensive role, managing other nurses with less experience and ensuring units run smoothly. At the administrative level, nurse leaders serve entire organizations as directors, vice presidents and nurse executives.

Leadership Skills for Nurses

Nurses need both general leadership qualities and specific skills that are indispensable in healthcare, such as critical thinking, communication, active listening, delegation, empowerment, goal setting, professionalism, and advocacy.

Skill #1: Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze facts and come to prudent conclusions. It’s how a nurse knows that a patient with acute chest pain needs medical attention before a patient with a chronic sinus headache. This need to prioritize becomes even more complex as patients need services in higher numbers, and staff competes for scarce resources. No skill is more valuable to nurses than critical thinking.

Skill #2: Communication

The quality of nursing care depends on good communication. From transcribing doctor’s orders to writing detailed notes describing patient care, accuracy is vitally important. But as a leadership skill, communication takes on new and unexpected dimensions.

Nurses spend more one-on-one time with people than any other healthcare provider, so they serve as liaisons between patients, families and other professionals on the healthcare team. The ability to read, write and speak confidently is a must.

Communication is also imperative among colleagues. While care is delivered 24/7, most nurses work 8- or 12-hour shifts, so as staff comes and goes, it’s easy for details to get lost in the shuffle. Accurate documentation and reports that pinpoint critical information are vital.

Communication also matters on a personal level. Without it, workplace relationships fade, and the networking that is so important for clinical leadership comes to a standstill. Nurturing connections with co-workers takes effort, but healthcare is a team sport.

Skill #3: Active Listening

Active listening is a therapeutic technique professionals use to clarify what patients are saying. By extension, it’s also a skill that enhances relationships among peers. The approach requires listeners to focus intently on verbal messages, paraphrasing them aloud to ensure the speaker’s intent is clear. Body language is also observed as a way to evaluate the nuances in conversation. Posture, gestures and facial expressions can speak louder than words.

Skill #4: Delegation

A busy nurse can’t meet the needs of patients without help, tasks that don’t require professional attention should be delegated to assistants and other qualified staff. Letting go of the reigns is hard for some nurses because they’re perfectionists at heart, but the best outcomes rely on teamwork.

With only limited time in a day, trusting others to do work on their behalf lets patients reap the benefits of attentive, comprehensive care. Delegation is an essential skill on a fast-paced nursing unit.

Skill #5: Empowerment

Craftsmen are only as capable as their tools. The best nurse in leadership positions empower excellence and independence in their staff by allowing them to use their judgment and expertise without micromanaging their efforts. The strategy pays off when staff become confident in their abilities and can be trusted to work with less supervision.

Skill #6: Goal Setting

Goals in nursing must be SMART; specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Why? Because each goal serves as the foundation for the next, only by giving them strict parameters can a nurse evaluate whether they’ve been met.

The same is true for nurse managers’ evaluation of their staff. The point of performance reviews isn’t to reprimand employees for failures; it’s to empower them to improve their performance by establishing clear benchmarks for them to meet. Goals are the pathway to success.

Skill #7: Professionalism

Nursing is a dynamic profession that requires consistent and confident leadership. Nurse leaders represent the field at every level, and as it evolves, they bear the responsibility for instituting systemic improvements within their organizations.

Nurse leaders set the standard for patient care, and they represent staff among the many executives in the healthcare community. Professionalism in dress, speech, and attitude is the skill that makes it possible.

Skill #8: Advocacy

A nurse’s primary role is that of patient advocate. It’s their responsibility to defend the rights and interests of those they serve, honoring their wishes whether or not they agree. In a healthcare setting, that can put nurses at odds with both patients’ families and facility administrators, but in a therapeutic relationship, the patient is always in the driver’s seat.

Final Thoughts

The good news for nursing students is that vocational programs teach more than practical skills, they help attendees develop the qualities necessary for leadership. As rising patient numbers create pressure on healthcare organizations to operate more efficiently, demand for nurses in leadership positions will rise. With the right blend of education and experience, today’s graduates will be well-prepared to take charge.

Are you a nurse that wants a leadership position in your healthcare facility? The RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing/RN-BSN program is designed to provide professionals currently licensed as registered nurses the flexibility of online study to build upon the knowledge gained through previous training and education. Gwinnett Institute’s online program will prepare licensed registered nurses to assume leadership positions in a variety of medical settings including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and various public and private health care agencies.

 

Contact us today to learn more about the Bachelor’s in Nursing degree program at Gwinnett Institute.

The Importance of Communication as a Hairstylist

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Hairstyling is a service profession. Clients want a relationship built on trust, so good communication is essential, it can make or break a hairstylist’s business. The ability to speak, write and listen effectively is what turns first-time customers into permanent clientele. Even a master with the shears knows, making personal connections with customers is the key to success.

The Importance of Communication for Hairstylists

Building rapport with clients through good communication is the foundation of customer service. It breeds success by increasing repeat business, enhancing relationships with colleagues, impressing managers, and boosting sales.

Increasing Repeat Customers

What clients want most from a hairstylist is a trusting relationship, a mutual give and take in which they feel free to share their needs while getting advice they can depend on. Why?

Personal appearance is important, but it’s also a sensitive topic. Only when clients feel comfortable discussing their looks will they accept honest, professional counsel. It takes time to cultivate that level of trust and build a loyal customer base, but it’s worth the effort. As a rule, return customers generate a third more revenue than first time customers.

Enhancing Relationships with Colleagues

Some hairstylists are independent, but most work in salons with colleagues that can either support or sabotage their success. In a group atmosphere, open communication ensures resources are equitably shared. When hairstylists support each other, it reduces workplace stress, improves client experiences and boosts the bottom line.

Impressing Managers

Whether a hairstylist is renting a booth or working for a company, wowing customers with excellent service makes the salon more profitable, and managers take note. Impressing supervisors can help hairstylists increase referrals, favorable time slots and better booths. With experience, a hairstylist who can clearly articulate their business goals may qualify for advancement.

Boosting Sales

Many people say they’ve made impulse purchases to thank a hairstylist for a great cut. It could be scheduling a color with their next trim or purchasing gift cards and personal products. It’s a golden opportunity to increase earnings.

Hairstylists who communicate clearly with their clients understand their styling needs and can confidently recommend shampoos, conditioners and appliances. Value-added product sales can boost a hairstylist’s income annually.

Communication Techniques for Hairstylists

Good communication is nuanced, and hairstyles differ, but they all share these distinct characteristics including active listening, open-ended questions, a positive attitude, affirming body language, open-mindedness, compassion, realism and flexibility.

Active Listening

The best communication begins with active listening, a technique professionals use to clarify what clients want, focusing attentively to what they say, and paraphrasing their comments. Paraphrasing the request, “I want a completely new look”by saying, “So, you’re looking for both a cut and color?”lets hairstylists get to the bottom of what a client really wants. In the hair business, results matter. Hair grows back, but clients are unlikely to return to hairstylists who make mistakes because they weren’t listening.

Open-Ended Questions

A closed-ended question elicits a short answer. It’s an essential communication tool, but it doesn’t encourage clients to elaborate on their wants. Open-ended questions create an opening to exploring broader topics, such as options for a whole new style.

Knowing where to start with a new client can be tough to pinpoint, and asking, “What do you have in mind today?”garners the hairstylist more information than a closed question such as “How much are we taking off?”A good rule of thumb is to discuss the big picture first and then narrow down the scope of questions to get the details.

A Positive Attitude

Hairstylists build customer confidence by setting a positive tone. A friendly demeanor and a warm welcome engages clients and encourages communication, the attitude is contagious.

It’s not always easy to smile through a tough day, but a client paying for services expects a positive experience. If they get it, they’re more likely to book again and feel confident referring friends.

Affirming Body Language

Non-verbal communication, or body language, can speak louder than words. Whether intentional or unconscious, the use of posture, facial expressions, gestures and eye movements offers insight into what someone is thinking.

Some researchers believe body language is more meaningful than verbal communication, so for beauty professionals, it pays to be mindful of it to avoid conveying negativity. For example, slouching suggests a hairstylist is disinterested in performing services, while smiling and making direct eye contact conveys enthusiasm. An upright posture and square shoulders suggest a hairstylist is confident in their work.

Open-Mindedness

Most customers walk into a hair salon with an idea of what they want, but sometimes it’s not the best aesthetic choice. Perhaps the client wants an unusual hair color or a cut that’s not a good fit for the shape of their face.

As a professional, a hairstylist needs to share their thoughts about requests and be honest about drawbacks. But ultimately, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the client is in the driver’s seat. Be open-minded about their choices.

Compassion

Compassion is seeing events from a client’s point of view. It helps hairstylists remedy the physical and emotional barriers that affect how they perform services, such as accessibility, medical conditions, and financial issues.

Accessibility – universal design, spaces and furnishings that accommodate people of all shapes, sizes and physical abilities, is widespread in healthcare facilities, but it’s just catching on in the hairstyling community. Some clients are still unable to get cuts in salons because of it. Clients in wheelchairs may not be able to transfer to a sink chair, and large clients may not fit comfortably in standard seating.

Medical Conditions – chemotherapy patients may have unrealistic hopes about a hairstylist’s ability to make their hair loss look better, while some clients with health concerns may have to defer services altogether.

Financial Issues – regular haircuts are out of reach financially for some clients, so requests for cuts that are easy to maintain are not unusual. It’s sometimes hard for people to admit they can’t afford the latest style if it needs a professional trim every six weeks to stay looking sharp.

The best way for a hairstylist to build an extensive client base and maintain a good reputation in the community is to approach these issues compassionately and strive to meet all clients’ needs.

Realism

There’s an adage in the service industry, always find a way to say yes. But occasionally, a client may have an unrealistic request. As the expert, it’s incumbent upon the hairstylist to perform only those services they’re competent doing and to ensure clients are informed when results can’t be guaranteed. Softening the bad news that someone doesn’t have the right type of hair for the latest Hollywood style with a positive suggestion helps.

Flexibility

Being familiar with a few primary styles of communication helps hairstylists react appropriately to clients of all types. A flexible approach makes it easier to get along with people who are challenging but pay a stylist’s salary.

Assertive communicators are confident and expressive. They know what they want, but they take responsibility for it. If they request a short cut, they won’t blame the hairstylist if they don’t like the result. If they’re already loyal clients, chances are, they’ll be back.

An aggressive client can be abrasive and intimidating. They’re self-important, and they’re not shy about expressing it, requesting quick service at peak times and demanding special accommodations. A little TLC keeps them happy.

Submissive communicators are quiet and apologetic. Their posture is stooped, and they rarely make eye contact. They believe their hairstylist’s suggestions are more important than their wants, and if they get a cut they’re not happy with, the hairstylist will never know. Communicating with submissive communicators should continue throughout the hair service to ensure both the client and the hairstylist are on the same page. Twisting, fidgeting and a blank facial expression suggest they’re unhappy.

Passive-aggressive customers are sweet but sarcastic. They may compliment and complain in the same sentence. Parlaying for advantages, such as discounts or extra services, they may suggest a hairstylist can “show appreciation”for a referral by offering them 10-percent off.

Like aggressive communicators, passive-aggressive clients expect deferential treatment, but once given, demands are likely to increase. Hairstylists should be respectful and accommodating but within professional boundaries.

Communicating with Social Media

Part of effective communication in the electronic age is creating a community on social media. Most customers today shop online for personal services, and without a digital presence, a hairstylist will be left behind.

Social media has a unique advantage over other forms of communication, it offers a multidimensional experience. Clients can review a hairstylist’s services, see photos of their work and read positive comments from other customers. Hairstylists can answer questions, book appointments, learn about potential clients and leave a trail of information that gives consumers a good feel of what to expect from a visit. Meanwhile, the entire community is tuned into what’s happening in real-time, and seeing others engaging generates excitement.

A social media presence also helps a hairstylist build customer loyalty. While happy customers appreciate a business’s services, loyal customer go out of their way to promote them. It requires regular communication to build that level of trust, but social media makes it easy. Hairstylists can contact individual clients with appointment reminders and promotional offers or reach out to the community with a special deal to fill downtime. It’s a win-win.

Final Thoughts

A successful hairstylist does more than cut hair, they make their customers look and feel amazing by understanding what they need. Excellent communication is as important as talent with scissors and comb.

Do you have the gift of gab? Enjoy watching YouTube videos on hair, beauty and wellness? Earning your diploma in Cosmetology may be the next step in your career? Gwinnett College offers a Cosmetology training program in Florida that prepares you to deliver high-quality beauty and hair services to both men and women. Gwinnett College offers a hands-on Cosmetology training program giving you the skills you need to start an exciting career and become a leader in the beauty industry.

Contact Gwinnett College today to learn more about becoming a hairstylist.

What Can I Do with a Medical Assistant Diploma?

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Medical assisting is a future-looking field. At a time when jobs are disappearing because of technology, the demand for frontline healthcare workers is skyrocketing. Americans are getting older, and as they do, they require more wellness services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for medical assistants is predicted to grow more than 23 percent from 2018 to 2028, and the role is expanding. What does a medical assistant do, where do they work, and what are the benefits of getting a diploma? Now is the perfect time to find out.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

Medical assistants are support specialists. From managing the schedule to assisting with treatments, they perform a broad range of clinical and administrative tasks that are an important part of every patient visit. Their responsibilities vary by setting but may include triaging calls, managing schedules, greeting patients, taking vital signs, preparing exam rooms, obtaining specimens, administering phlebotomy, performing diagnostics, assisting with procedures, ensuring infection control, providing patient education and managing referrals.

Triaging Calls

When patients phone their doctor to make an appointment or report troubling symptoms, they expect a knowledgeable, reassuring voice to address their needs. Medical assistants have the clinical and clerical expertise necessary to handle complex calls, responding to inquires or directing them to the most appropriate provider.

Managing the Schedule

Handling the schedule in a doctor’s office is surprisingly challenging. Appointments must meet a patient’s needs when both the right provider and the proper equipment is available, and slots need to be managed to accommodate emergencies. Medical assistants oversee practice resources so providers can be more productive. It’s a win for patients because they get the care they need promptly while the practice maintains a sound bottom line.

Greeting Patients

Medical assistants greet patients when they arrive, escorting them to exam rooms while performing routine clinical tasks. They review current symptoms, medication and allergy lists and demographic data as they help patients prepare physically and mentally for their exams. A friendly but professional approach makes patients feel welcomed and inspires confidence in their care. Medical assistants are ambassadors of first impressions.

Taking Vital Signs

Vital signs are measurements of basic bodily functions. There are four primary vital signs: blood pressure, temperature, respirations and heart rate, or pulse. Secondary vital signs include height, weight and peripheral oxygen saturation.

Taken before each visit, vital signs help doctors diagnose illness, track changes in condition and calculate drug dosages. It’s a technical skill medical assistants are trained for, using the latest equipment. Accuracy is a must.

Preparing Exam Rooms

Medical assistants keep exam rooms clean and well-stocked between appointments. When everything the doctor needs to perform exams is within arms-reach, visits are more efficient, doctors are more productive, and patients feel like their time is valued.

Obtaining Specimens

Medical assistants collect and preserve biological samples for lab tests. Careful sampling techniques are required to avoid contamination, and samples must be packaged as directed for shipment to outside labs, each laboratory has an independent protocol. Errors can result in specimen rejection and subsequent delays in care.

Phlebotomy

In-house blood testing is common in most modern healthcare practices, it saves patients’ time and money, speeds results and creates an additional source of revenue for the physician. As part of a vocational school’s medical assistant diploma program, students are taught phlebotomy, drawing blood from a vein with a needle. It’s a simple yet technical task that requires clinical judgment and good communication skills.

Performing Diagnostics

Diagnostic tests such as electrocardiograms once required a trip to the hospital, but now they can be performed in minutes before an exam. Medical assistants can do many tests independently under the supervision of licensed staff. They also help calibrate and maintain sensitive diagnostic equipment.

Assisting with Procedures

Medical assistants help with in-office surgical procedures. They set-up the proper equipment, hand the doctor instruments, collect tissue samples and provide emotional support for the patient. They also handle routine aftercare, such as applying simple dressings, and later, removing skin sutures or staples.

Ensuring Infection Control

Healthcare settings can harbor dangerous pathogens, so following infection control protocols is paramount. Medical assistants are responsible for sanitizing exam rooms and disinfecting equipment between uses, to keep patients safe. Weekly duties may include sterilizing instruments and linens used for surgical procedures.

Providing Patient Education

Medical assistants serve as liaisons between patients and their healthcare team. They can’t give medical advice, but they take an active role in patient education. They serve as a clinical resource for patients with general health questions, using their clinical savvy to teach topics from nutrition and heart health to immunizations and medication safety.

Managing Referrals

Seeing a specialist is costly, so most insurers require patients to get referrals from their regular doctor before seeing one. The process requires the timely exchange of a patient’s private health data between physicians as well as insurance preapproval, it can be complicated. Medical assistants have the clerical and clinical knowledge needed to do the job.

Where Do Medical Assistants Work?

After completing a medical assistant diploma program, graduates work a broad range of settings, including doctor’s offices, hospitals, urgent care clinics, long-term care facilities, laboratories, and insurance companies.

Doctor’s Offices

Over half of all medical assistants are employed in doctor’s offices. Cross-trained in both clinical and administrative functions, they can choose to work as either specialists or generalists. It’s a face-paced environment, and the work is always challenging. Graduates of medical assistant diploma programs can find employment with a general practitioner or a specialist in an area of interest. Popular specialties include obstetrics, pediatrics and cardiology.

Hospitals

Medical assistants working in hospitals are most likely to work in outpatient or records departments. In an emergency room or ambulatory surgery unit, they save nurses time by reviewing patients’ health information, collecting samples, caring for equipment and restocking supplies. In a records department, medical assistants help organize and store critical data.

Urgent Care Clinics

Urgent care clinics are changing the way healthcare is delivered in the United States. They ease the burden on emergency departments by handling non-life-threatening issues when patients can’t see their primary provider. The lower level of care they offer is an ideal match for a medical assistant’s versatile skills.

Long-Term Care Facilities

Medical assistants can’t provide direct patient care in long-term care centers, but they can fill ancillary positions such as unit clerks and physician liaisons. Responsibility may include updating medical records, ordering supplies and helping with billing.

Laboratories

Medical assistants are qualified for entry-level laboratory positions in doctor’s offices and hospitals, after graduating from a medical assistant diploma program. Responsibilities include processing samples, operating chemistry analyzers and calibrating equipment. With continuing education, medical assistants can become certified phlebotomists.

Insurance Companies

As more administrators realize the value of medical assistants, nontraditional opportunities are slowly growing. The same skills used in hospitals and private practices are transferable to business settings. Health insurers, equipment makers and billing agencies all need specialists with both clinical and clerical know-how. Duties could include fielding patient inquiries and reviewing claims.

Why Become a Medical Assistant?

Of the many careers available to choose from, why become a medical assistant? Because benefits like these are hard to beat. These benefits include a quick start, job security, a sense of purpose, everyday excitement, and feeling valued.

A Quick Start

Most jobs in healthcare require a college degree, but medical assisting is a quick-launch career. Students attending a vocational school diploma program can be trained in less than a year. For students who want to work in healthcare but can’t afford to be out of work for two or more years, becoming a medical assistant is an ideal option.

Job Security

Healthcare is widely available in the US, but as millions of Baby Boomers approach retirement age, the need for routine services is increasing. Getting care at an emergency room is expensive, so public health officials are trying to expand services at the primary care level, and that means more trained support staff will be required in the future.

While the future of jobs in other fields is uncertain, positions for medical assistants are projected to rise consistently in the coming decade. Students graduating with a diploma in medical assisting enjoy job security.

A Sense of Purpose

Jobs pay the bills, but careers bring fulfillment. As valued members of the healthcare team, medical assistants make a lasting difference in the lives of their patient. Few careers are as meaningful.

Everyday Excitement

The pace in a doctor’s office is energetic. Medical assistants stay busy, and there are new challenges to tackle every day, the job never gets boring.

Medical assistants can fulfill their passion for medicine by learning new things, the healthcare field is continually evolving, and staff are among the first to get a look at new developments in the industry. It’s an exciting time to work in medicine.

Feeling Valued

Medical assistants are part of a dedicated team of health specialists with a common goal, no one works alone, and members feel supported. Contributions don’t go unnoticed. And unlike other occupations, healthcare workers are appreciated by the community. It’s a good feeling.

Why Get a Medical Assistant Diploma?

Employers are legally accountable for their staff’s performance, and major insurers, including Medicare, require medical assistants to be formally trained for certain tasks, such as entering doctor’s orders in health records. Employers naturally give preference to applicants with a medical assistant diploma.

Many graduates build on their diploma with certifications from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or similar agencies. Others pursue separate certification as phlebotomists. In healthcare as in most professional fields, education is a springboard for professional growth and advancement. Each credential added to a resume makes a job applicant more attractive to potential employers.

Final Thoughts

The job outlook is bright for medical assistants because wherever healthcare professionals work, support specialists are needed. In less time than it takes to plan for the next round of holidays, students can complete a training program and be ready to earn. All that’s required to apply is enthusiasm for helping others and the desire to learn. Getting a medical assisting diploma is time well spent and an investment in the future.

Did learning what you can do with a medical assistant diploma interest you? Gwinnett Colleges & Institute offers medical assisting courses to gain essential skills and training. The core curriculum focuses on the medical assisting skills and training you will need to seek entry-level employment in physicians’ offices, clinics, hospitals, and other medical settings needing the services of associates trained in both front and back office medical assisting skills. These medical assisting courses will be the first step in starting a rewarding career.

How to Become a Virtual Administrative Assistant

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Are you a self-starter? Have you been furloughed, and need to find a job that you can do from home? Work from home employment is on the rise– even Twitter has said that their employees can work from home permanently. As working from home becomes mainstream, so to will virtual administrative assistants. Many administrative assistants have the opportunity to work remotely with services like Upwork, but recently many small and large companies and almost all employment sites have embraced virtual administrative assistants.

With the ease of high-speed Internet, video conferencing tools and document sharing apps, becoming a virtual administrative assistant has become easier than ever. Companies are embracing virtual workers not only due to the pandemic but also due to lower fixed costs and increased flexibility. So are you asking yourself, “What does a virtual administrative assistant do?”

What Does a Virtual Administrative Assistant Do?

Virtual administrative assistants perform routine clerical and administrative duties from a remote location. They can support a company, team or individual executive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, administrative assistants typically do the following:

  • Answer telephones and take messages or transfer calls
  • Manage email, blogging and social media
  • Manage travel arrangements
  • Schedule appointments and update event calendars
  • Prepare memos, invoices, or other reports
  • Edit and review documents
  • Maintain databases systems
  • Perform basic bookkeeping
  • Conduct research
  • Support teammates with project-based work

How to Become a Virtual Administrative Assistant

When you are ready to become a virtual administrative assistant, there are a few steps you should take to prepare yourself. Starting as an entry-level assistant can be tough without work experience. The way to bypass experience is with a diploma in administrative assisting from a vocational school. During an administrative assistant program, you will participate in an externship that will allow you to get real world experience to add to your resume. You will want to dedicate a home office space for working, and create profiles with different employment websites. These steps will help you become a virtual administrative assistant.

Step #1: Obtain a Diploma in Administrative Assisting

Vocational schools offer administrative assisting courses allowing you to gain essential skills and training to achieve entry-level positions. Administrative assisting programs teach you the basics of clerical and administrative duties. Classes include basic accounting, office administration skills, Microsoft Office, business math and English, and advanced keywording. Vocational schools have small class sizes that offer one-on-one attention from industry experienced instructors. Obtaining a diploma from a vocational school will be the first step to starting your career as a virtual administrative assistant.

Step #2: Create a Home Office

It will be important to find a place in your home where you can work distraction free. Find somewhere to comfortably set up a desk for your computer and office supplies—this place should be quiet in case you have to take a phone call or join a meeting. Make the space your own to improve productivity and reduce stress.

Step #3: Sign Up Profiles with Employment Websites

The most well-known freelance platform for virtual work is Upwork, however you don’t need to be a freelancer to be a virtual administrative assistant. With the current work at home model, many direct hires will allow you to work virtually.

Upwork – a competitive platform of projects and opportunities to work virtually. Upwork has a wide variety of talent and many different levels and pay scales. It is a platform that reaches around the world. This platform allows you to take tests to prove your knowledge in specific areas. After taking on a few projects, you will start to build a reputation that can open up new doors and opportunities. Freelancers have the tools they need to communicate with clients, using video chat, digital asset delivery and mobile phone access. All payments are held in escrow, so freelancers are paid on time. Using Upwork saves you the time of finding your own clients.

Employment Platforms – there are many different employment platforms that offer administrative assistants the ability to get hired for virtual work. The most common are Indeed, Glassdoor, and CareerBuilder. They offer opportunities for both in office and at home employment. Most employment platforms charge the employer a fee to use the service, so it is usually free for you to find a virtual job as an administrative assistant.

Social Media Job Platforms – one of the most important resources you can use is LinkedIn. LinkedIn offers you the ability to create a profile with everything that would go on a resume. You can get reviews from previous employers or colleagues. They can also attest to some of the skills you have mastered. The bigger your community, the more opportunities you will have to network and find virtual employment.

Benefits of Working from Home

There are many benefits to working remotely. The most cited by virtual workers is a better work/life balance. It is important to note that administrative assistant skills are transferable between industries. Also, working from home offers increased productivity and lower stress levels. These are only some of the most common benefits of working from home.

Better Work/Life Balance

We all hate to commute. As a virtual assistant, you can get out of bed and you’re already at work. You can manage children or elderly family members. You can take a walk in the middle of the day to take a break. When you are done working for the day, you are already at home so no sitting in traffic. Virtual work offers an important work/life balance, as long as you set strict boundaries between work and life. Make sure you set time aside for work and create a designated area for getting work done. Once you leave the workspace, focus on the life side of the balance.

Skills are Transferable Between Industries

Being a virtual administrative assistant is universal across most industries. Although each industry will have its own terminology and nuances, virtual administrative assistant skills are transferable. Whether you are responding to emails or doing any one of the many clerical duties you are tasked with, your work will be very similar regardless of what industry or company you work with.

Increased Productivity

There are many distractions at work, especially with the open floor office atmosphere. Someone is always on the phone or talking to a colleague. Working from home allows you to focus on your work and increase productivity. When you sit down in a home office, you are ready to work and won’t have the distractions and meetings that can bog you down. Working from home improves productivity and this is something your employer will also benefit from.

Lower Stress Levels

Not having a commute can reduce your stress levels, and many other aspects of virtual work can too. While working from home, you can create an atmosphere that is conducive for relaxation. Whether you improve the lighting, listen to Smooth Jazz or have your favorite tea available for a break, working from home can lower your stress level offering you a better mood when it is time to clock out for the day. Working from home can lower stress levels and allow you to look forward to starting work in the morning.

Final Thoughts

Whether you decide to become an independent contractor or full-time employee, becoming a virtual administrative assistant has many benefits. The steps are easy to take and they start with the knowledge of administrative assisting so you can break into the industry without prior work experience. If you are a self-starter, need little direction and can work productively from home, becoming a virtual administrative assistant may be the right career path for you.

Did learning about becoming a virtual administrative assistant interest you? The Administrative Assisting diploma program is designed to train Gwinnett College students to seek entry-level positions in the office administration or secretarial field. The Administrative Assisting graduate may work as a secretary, receptionist, executive assistant, or administrative assistant. Gwinnett College offers career services to graduates and alumni. Becoming an administration assistant is achievable if you are ready to take on the challenge.

Contact us to learn more about becoming an administrative assistant.

What is an RN to BSN Degree Program?

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The nursing field is brimming with opportunity for advancement, and graduates are taking on increasingly responsible roles as policy and decision-makers. But while RNs with associate’s degrees have the same professional credentials as nurses with higher education, they qualify for fewer management positions. Now more than ever, the healthcare system needs nurses with the expertise necessary to lead, and the good news is, getting a bachelor’s degree through an RN to BSN program has never been easier.

Why Getting a Bachelor’s Degree Matters?

The National Academy of Medicine has a goal of increasing the number of registered nurses with BSN’s by 80%. The idea isn’t new- it was proposed as early as 1920 to ensure that all registered nurses are prepared for advancement within an ever-changing industry. Leading professional organizations, including the American Nurses Association (ANA), and the National League for Nursing (NLN)), are on board. Why?

While an associate degree curriculum offers the training necessary for graduates to be competent nurses, there are gaps in the level of preparation each program offers. The program focuses on the practical aspects of nursing without covering the in-depth theory students need to understand broader issues in nursing. Associate-prepared RNs can grow into positions of authority, but only after years of experience, and they’re often passed over in favor of candidates with more education.

Opportunities for RN to BSN Graduates

Few fields offer as many opportunities for professional advancement as nursing, but only for graduates with a sound educational foundation. What types of roles do RN to BSN degree program graduates qualify for? Nurses with a Bachelor’s of Nursing degree have a better chance at becoming nurse supervisors, nurse managers or nurse administrators.

Nurse Supervisors

Nurses work as part of a team, but they’re independent professionals. At the ground level, they supervise paraprofessional staff, such as nursing assistants, but when an organization’s hierarchy expands, the most qualified and experienced RNs oversee other nurses.

Responsibilities vary. In a large hospital, there may be nurse supervisors for every floor or unit, and most report directly to a nurse manager. Titles may include shift supervisor, head nurse, or nurse mentor. Many of these positions are experience-based versus education-based, but candidates with BSN degrees are generally more likely to get the job.

Nurse Managers

Beyond direct supervision, nurse managers shepherd entire units. Responsibilities include higher-level functions such as budgeting, resource allocation and performance reviews. Nurse managers are staples at long-term care facilities, as they have the right blend of skills to oversee a stable patient population.

In an acute care facility, nurse managers handle unit staffing and quality improvement projects. Working under administrators, they serve as a vital link between nurses, patients and facility management.

Nurse Administrators

Nurse administrators are senior employees with decision-making authority. In a nursing home, titles include director of nursing and facility administrator. In a hospital, these highly skilled nurses hold jobs such as vice-president of nursing, chief nursing officer and similar positions. They have the highest level of responsibility among nurses, managing all aspects of nursing care at an organizational level. A bachelor’s degree or higher is required to land these impactful roles.

A BSN degree also prepares nurses for master’s programs leading to advanced practice roles such as nurse anesthetist, family nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist.

Why an RN to BSN Degree Program Makes Sense?

Associate degree nurses work hard for their credentials. They work side-by-side with bachelor’s-prepared nurses, and rarely miss a beat, so why is more schooling important? Is it really necessary to head back to the classroom just for a promotion?

For nurses who want to make the most of their careers, it’s critical. Plus, most RN to BSN degree programs are accelerated, taking less than a year to graduate while sometimes offering credit for experience and past academic achievements. Recognizing that nurses with associate degrees already have the right skills, schools seek to build on them, not reinvent the wheel. An RN to BSN degree program is an excellent choice for working nurses, and offers top financial and educational value.

RN to BSN Degree Program Curriculum

What do students learn in an RN to BSN degree program that qualifies them for advancement? The curriculum includes quality and safety, palliative care, a holistic approach to health assessment, ethical issues, and nursing leadership.

Quality and Safety in Nursing and Health Care

Quality is the name of the game in healthcare; no longer are institutions paid for providing services, they’re reimbursed for results. Key quality and safety benchmarks must be met for continued participation in major insurance programs, and it starts and ends on the front lines, with nurses.

RN to BSN degree programs cover the role of metrics and outcomes in healthcare policy. Graduates are well-prepared to be the link that brings administration and nursing together in their mission to provide the best quality care.

Palliative Care

Palliative care improves the quality of life of patients with serious or life-threatening diseases. It’s a compassionate approach that addresses the whole person, not just the sum of their symptoms. It’s long been a part of nursing study, but associate degree programs lack the comprehensive treatment the subject deserves.

With more Americans choosing palliative over rehabilitative care, it’s not surprising that hospitals and long-term care facilities want nurses with more training in this area.

Holistic Approach to Health Assessment

Similar to palliative care, holistic nursing takes a body-mind-spirit approach to care that incorporates alternative as well as traditional medicine. The goal is more than health, it’s complete wellness.

Ethical Issues in Nursing

Nurses have a front-row seat to a wide range of ethical issues in healthcare, from patient confidentiality and autonomy to end-of-life decisions and futile care. RN to BSN degree programs better equip nurses to handle these topics individually and to support other nurses and organizations during controversies.

Nursing Leadership and Management

Leading nurses require more than experience. The nursing field is diverse, and managers need a broader view of what and whom it encompasses. Nurse leaders work with industry, government, and communities to improve accessibility and quality of care, it’s an extended sphere of influence that must be used wisely.

Leadership and management courses teach the skills necessary to communicate with others, manage workplace conflicts and evaluate policies, as well as network, motivate and influence. Students learn how to facilitate teamwork, manage professional development and affect organizational change, plus they get a background in healthcare governance, time management, and social media outreach. RN to BSN degree program graduates are well-rounded and ready to apply for leading roles immediately.

Final Thoughts

Is the National Academy of Medicine meeting its learning goal for nurses? With help from employers and states in making BSN the new gold standard for nursing education, the percentage of BSN-prepared nurses in 2020 is rising to meet the goal. That’s great news for the healthcare field and nurses alike because with more training comes more responsibility and greater job satisfaction. There’s no better time to make this important investment in the future.

Did learning about an RN to BSN degree program interest you? The RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing/RN-BSN program is designed to provide professionals currently licensed as registered nurses the flexibility of online study to build upon the knowledge gained through previous training and education. Gwinnett Institute’s online program will prepare licensed registered nurses to assume leadership positions in a variety of medical settings including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and various public and private health care agencies.

Contact us today to learn more about the Bachelor’s in Nursing degree program at Gwinnett Institute.

Essential Healthcare Workers: Programs of Study

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Essential workers are the lifeblood of the American healthcare system. Without them, no one gets the care they need. In times of crisis, communities rely on them when they’re needed most, and it’s noticeable when there are too few essential workers. For students interested in a rewarding career in healthcare, the time to seek training through an affordable vocational school program is now. Patients are waiting.

What is an Essential Healthcare Worker?

With few exceptions, most healthcare workers are essential. Doctors are important, but they can’t do it alone. They need the help of skilled staff members to meet the growing needs of patients in a public health emergency.

Who are these quiet heroes working behind the scenes? They’re nurses, medical assistants, medical office assistants and medical billing and coding specialists. In a crisis, what role does each play?

Nurses

Nurses are professional caregivers. They can work independently, but more often than not, they’re part of a team of dedicated healthcare providers working toward a common goal: to provide exceptional patient care.

Registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) fill a unique role in a healthcare crisis. With less training than doctors but more training than medical assistants, they’re licensed to make specific clinical judgments without one-on-one supervision, saving physicians’ time for the sickest patients.

What do nurses do in a national crisis? In addition to providing top-quality personal care for patients in hospitals and nursing facilities, they also have the necessary skills to educate the public about disease control and prevention measures. They support patients in their homes, in person or via telehealth services, so the patients don’t have to risk infection by visiting their doctor. When treatments such as vaccinations become available, they join forces with public health officials to administer them to the masses.

Because nurses work in so many settings, they see the most vulnerable patients and can help identify medical needs. It’s an essential role.

Medical Assistants

Medical assistants support doctors and nurses in a wide range of healthcare settings. Most work in physician’s offices, but their roles are expanding into other settings as hospitals and clinics recognize their value.

Like nurses, medical assistants save doctors’ time by managing administrative and clinical tasks that require skill, but not the attention of professional providers. They keep things running smoothly by attending to the many small details that ensure positive patient care experiences.

In a crisis, medical assistants serve as the liaison between patients and their healthcare team, answering calls, fielding questions and providing guidance to patients with the help of licensed staff. In addition to their regular duties, such as taking vital signs, reviewing medical history and helping patients prepare for exams, medical assistants take on extra responsibilities in a transmissible disease crisis, the most important of which is infection control.

Managing the flow of patients, sanitizing frequently touched surfaces and sterilizing equipment is all part of a medical assistant’s job, but it takes on more significance during an outbreak of infectious disease. Medical assistants help keep patients safe from viral infection by maintaining the cleanest environment possible. They are valuable essential workers.

Medical Office Assistants

Medical office assistants handle the many administrative responsibilities that are an integral part of the care patients receive at every doctor’s visit. The job is much more than filling out paperwork. By validating patients’ personal and financial data before each exam, medical office assistants shave valuable time off each encounter, freeing up doctors to see more sick patients. Since continuity of care demands that treatment information be carefully documented and stored, a medical office assistant’s role as a recordkeeper can’t be under-emphasized. Quick and accurate referrals depend on it.

In a crisis, the large volume of patients seeking care can be overwhelming, medical offices will have busy switchboards and complex schedules. Because public health officials have asked patients to call their physician before going to the emergency room for symptoms of viral illness, medical office assistants may have to juggle the schedule several times per day to ensure patient’s needs are met. They’re the logistical superstars that make busy days run like clockwork.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists

Medical billing and coding specialists handle coding, invoicing and insurance claims for every service a medical institution provides. During a crisis, billing may seem secondary or even trivial compared to health needs, but for medical facilities to continue providing care and paying their employees, financial resources are a must. Letting the economy of healthcare fall behind is bad business.

Billing and coding specialists also play a special role in public health, coding. More than 90-percent of all healthcare bills in the United States are paid for by third parties. Private and public insurance companies, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, require standardized codes on reimbursement forms describing the services performed and the supplies used while providing care. The same information is used by public health departments to track community health data. It’s a critical part of their decision-making process.

How to Get a Diploma or Degree as an Essential Healthcare Worker

Becoming an essential healthcare worker requires training. Medical assistants, medical office assistants, and medical billing and coding specialist can choose from diploma or degree programs. Registered nurses are required to have a minimum of an associate degree to obtain a license to practice. Licensed practical nurses can choose to pursue a diploma to transform into an essential worker.

Due to the current health crisis, some schools are closed for on-campus learning, but that doesn’t mean opportunities are going away, they’re just evolving. The good news is that because the need for essential healthcare workers is rising fast, vocational schools are getting creative, offering shared video and online courses and other convenient options.

All that’s required for students to be successful as essential healthcare workers is a passion for helping others and the willingness to learn. Why wait to apply?

Final Thoughts

The current public health crisis won’t last forever, but the need for essential healthcare workers will. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare occupations are projected to add more jobs than any other career group in the next decade as aging Americans require more healthcare services. Become a hero today, be a hero for life.

Medical Assistant Program

Gwinnett College offers Medical Assisting Courses to gain essential skills and training. The core curriculum focuses on the medical assisting skills and training you will need to seek entry-level employment in physicians’ offices, clinics, hospitals, and other medical settings.

Medical Office Assistant Program

The Medical Office Administration diploma program is designed for Gwinnett College students seeking to train for an entry-level career in a medical office assistant environment

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Program

Gwinnett College’s Medical Billing and Coding programs will provide you with the opportunity to learn insurance coding and processing, medical administrative procedures, and the regulatory requirements in the healthcare delivery system. 

Registered Nurse (RN) Program

The Associate of Science in Nursing degree program at Gwinnett College provides training to prepare college graduates to enter the nursing profession as an RN. 

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Program

The Practical Nursing program at Gwinnett Institute provides training to prepare college graduates to enter the nursing profession as an LPN. 

RN to BSN Program

The RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing/RN-BSN program is designed to provide professionals currently licensed as registered nurses the flexibility of online study to build upon the knowledge gained through previous training and education.

Contact Gwinnett College today to learn more about taking classes to become an essential worker.