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.

Carrie Taylor – Myofascial Assessment and Treatment of the Lumbrosacral Hip Complex & Knee, Ankle, & Foot

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Description

Day 1: Myofascial Assessment & Treatment of the Lumbrosacral-Hip Complex: Level 1

This workshop will provide therapists with a new approach to effectively treating & preventing Lumbrosacral-Hip Complex pain.  Therapists will review myofascial assessment by discussing intake information, as well as using observation, movement, palpation, neurological assessment, referral pain and special tests to translate a patient’s clinical info into an effective treatment plan.  The majority of time is spent in hands-on practice of techniques learned for direct and indirect treatment of the lumbar spine, ribcage, pelvis, lower and upper extremities, as they all relate to back and hip pain.  Supine and prone lower and upper extremity stretch protocols are shown, as well as how to apply proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation if necessary.  In addition, very specific lumbar/trunk, hip/thigh, and ilial/ischial release techniques will be highlighted.

Day 2: Myofascial Assessment & Treatment of the Knee, Ankle, & Foot – Level 1

This workshop will provide therapists with different Myofascial approaches to effectively treat & prevent Knee, Ankle & Foot pain. Therapists will briefly review Myofascial assessment, by looking at ways to take a client’s intake information and translate it into an effective treatment plan. The majority of time is spent in hands-on practice of techniques for direct and indirect treatment of the lower extremity (a great continuation of the Lumbrosacral Hip workshop). Myofascial treatment & joint mobilization of the lower extremity is a necessary therapeutic approach to address sacroiliac dysfunction, back, hip, knee, & ankle pain.

Treatment techniques for the lateral, anterior, and “back”fascial lines are shown, with a very specific direction in effectively accessing gastrocnemius-soleus complex, Achilles tendon, Crural, Hamstrings, Patellar Fascias, & Fascia Lata. Superior & inferior knee joint release, plantar fascial treatment, joint mobilizations/osseous techniques for the lower extremity and correcting pes cavus/planus round out the list of topics covered.

Class Info

Times: Day 1: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Day 2, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

CEU’s: 14

Price: $250

*Refunds are subject to a $10 processing fee.

Location: Gwinnett College – Sandy Springs, 6690 Roswell Road, Suite 2200, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Contact: Please call us at (770) 381-7200 if you have any questions.

Refunds: No refunds within 2 weeks of class. If there is a documented emergency, you may transfer after to a later class by this instructor.

Picture ID required at check-in

If minimum enrollment is not met, the class may be subject to cancellation.

Carrie Taylor – Myofascial Assessment and Treatment of the Abdomen, Ribcage, Pelvis & How to give a full-body Myofascial Treatment

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Description

FACE MASKS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY

Day 1: Myofascial Assessment & Treatment of the Abdomen, Ribcage, & Pelvis – Level 1

This course will remove any discomfort felt by therapists when working on the Abdomen, Ribcage & Pelvis, by combining in-depth assessment approaches with effective myofascial release techniques. Therapists will spend time doing direct techniques, such as the release of the abdominal/peritoneal fascia, and iliac/inguinal fascia, as well as indirect techniques, such as the release of groin/pubic fascias. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) will be employed, along with passive stretching with traction (limb unwinding), to perform the indirect techniques. Once learned, PNF and limb unwinding can be applied anywhere in the body. Patients will experience improved digestion from the abdominal work, improved breathing from the ribcage/diaphragm work, and better flexibility in the back and hips from the pelvic work. Decreased back, shoulder, and neck pain can be expected from all of the modalities used.

Day 2: How to give a full-body Myofascial Treatment – Level 1

This workshop combines many of the techniques learned in other Taylor myofascial workshops, to form a more generalized full-body “protocol”. A full sequence of treatment ideas is shown starting in prone, with discussion on what to do if you find areas of concern/complaint that need more specific techniques applied (yet still be able to fit everything into one session). The supine portion of the session starts on the lower body and ends at the head & neck, once again addressing possible areas where some clients might need more specific work, but keeping the therapist focused on achieving a full body result in the time allotted.

Class Info

Times: Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Sunday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

CEU’s: 14

Price: $250

*Refunds are subject to a $10 processing fee.

Location: Gwinnett College – Sandy Springs, 6690 Roswell Road, Suite 2200, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Contact: Please call us at (770) 381-7200 if you have any questions.

Refunds: No refunds within 2 weeks of class. If there is a documented emergency, you may transfer after to a later class by this instructor.

Picture ID required at check-in

If minimum enrollment is not met, the class may be subject to cancellation.

Stepheny Diaz – Manual Resistance Stretching

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Stephany Diaz – Manual Resistance Stretching

Description

This is a manual resistance stretch course. Students will learn about contraindications and safety to perform safe and effective stretches. The student will be educated on the client’s range of motion, limitations and postural observations that would indicate necessary stretches. Students will learn warm-up options to enhance muscle preparations prior to stretch techniques. A massage therapist will use this course to enhance their business. Students will wear comfortable clothing to make it easy when stretches are performed on each other. Students will demonstrate proficiency in manual resistance stretches along with safety breathing

Class Info

Times: Day 1: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm; Day 2: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

CEU’s: 12

Price: $199

CLASS CANCELLED

*Refunds are subject to a $10 processing fee.

Location: Gwinnett College – Sandy Springs, 6690 Roswell Road, Suite 2200, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Contact: Please call us at (770) 381-7200 if you have any questions.

Refunds: No refunds within 2 weeks of class. If there is a documented emergency, you may transfer after to a later class by this instructor.

Picture ID required at check-in

If minimum enrollment is not met, the class may be subject to cancellation.

Where Can I Work with an RN Associate Degree?

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Being a registered nurse requires a college degree, and while having a bachelor’s is helpful, a Registered Nurse (RN) with an associate degree has the same professional standing. Graduates with a four-year education and a two-year education are similar because all candidates take the same test for licensure and must be equally prepared. RNs with bachelor’s and associate degrees work side by side in the same settings from hospitals to doctor’s offices, and they have similar responsibilities, but associate degree candidates can be out of the classroom and earning in just 24 months. There’s no better time to apply.

Why Become an RN?

The healthcare field is growing, and there’s an increasing demand for educated workers in a wide range of health-related occupations from administration to radiology, so why do so many students choose to become associate RNs? Registered nurses make a difference, never stop learning, enjoy a thriving job market, work with caring colleagues, and can grow professionally.

Make a Difference

Patients and their families are physically and emotionally vulnerable. They need knowledgeable and compassionate guides to help them navigate complex healthcare issues. Everything that nurses do matters to their patients, and the impact is lasting. Few careers requiring only an associate degree are this influential.

Never Stop Learning

RNs get a holistic view of healthcare. Unlike occupations with a limited scope, such as radiology, RNs are involved in every aspect of patient care from pharmacology and diagnostics to nutrition and exercise, and there’s something new to learn every day. RNs work with cutting edge treatments and the latest technology. It’s the perfect job for students with interests in both science and medicine.

Enjoy A Thriving Job Market

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for registered nurses are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations, 12 percent from 2018 to 2028. To help meet demand, employers offer full-time, part-time and other flexible opportunities. Working as a nurse doesn’t have to mean spending nights, weekends and holidays away from home.

Work with Caring Colleagues

Healthcare is a team effort and while everyone has a job to do, working with caring colleagues toward a common goal creates a mutually supportive environment. Team members share their skills and resources, inspiring one another with successes and sharing the burden of failure, so no one ever feels alone.

Grow Professionally

An associate degree is the end of the line for some careers, but for nurses, it’s just the beginning. Graduates can work while they continue to learn. Associate RN to BSN bridge courses require experience, but they take less classroom time than traditional bachelor’s degree programs.

Where Can an RN with an Associate Degree Work?

Where an associate RN can work is limited only by employer policy. Nurse educators must typically have a master’s degree while top leadership positions require a master’s or higher. But practically speaking, while select institutions may give preference to nurses with a bachelor’s degree, most will hire any professional nurse with the right background and experience. Associate RNs work in hospitals, nursing facilities, clinics, doctor’s offices, home health, and public health.

Hospitals

All RNs have the education and sound judgment necessary to manage patients with complex medical needs. They plan and implement the delivery of all nursing care, including the supervision of paraprofessional staff from nursing assistants to dietary aides.

Under the supervision of a physician, their responsibilities include:

  • Administering medications
  • Starting IVs
  • Inserting urinary catheters
  • Monitoring intake and output
  • Collecting biological samples
  • Operating ventilators
  • Monitoring pain and vital signs
  • Assessing for changes in condition
  • Helping patients with activities of daily living
  • Assisting with therapeutic exercises
  • Communicating with doctors and therapists
  • Educating patients and their families
  • Providing emergency care

What are the benefits of working in a hospital? The environment is fast-paced, and emergencies are the rule, not the exception. Work is never dull, and it’s always rewarding. Additional perks include gaining experience. Nurses are exposed to a broad range of clinical conditions and the more they see, the faster their expertise grows. There’s always a diverse clinical team to partner with, so hospital nurses know that professional resources are just a phone call away, collaboration is simpler than in other settings.

Nursing Facilities

RNs in nursing facilities have the same responsibilities as hospital nurses, but they play a greater role in managing patient care because there’s no doctor on-site.

Duties include:

  • Administering medications and treatments
  • Collecting samples for off-site labs
  • Monitoring for changes in condition
  • Assisting with mobility and personal care
  • Managing outside appointments with doctors
  • Offering companionship and emotional support
  • Documenting care
  • Supporting family members
  • Supervising nursing assistants

Nursing facilities provide a safe, homelike environment for patients who can’t care for themselves. Health goals are long-term, and the pace is slower. Patients are clinically stable, so nurses have more day-to-day responsibility and less oversight from doctors. Positions offer significant autonomy and room for advancement.

Clinics

Free-standing clinics are growing in popularity. Some are specialty-specific, such as birthing or occupational health centers. Others are general, such as urgent care facilities that offer off-hours treatment for a variety of minor illnesses and injuries.

A nurse’s responsibilities in a clinic may include:

  • Conducting medical screenings
  • Checking in patients
  • Performing minor diagnostic tests
  • Taking vital signs
  • Assisting with exams
  • Suturing wounds
  • Managing medical records, insurance claims

In a clinic, nurses are more likely to have both clinical and clerical roles. There is fewer staff, so for nurses with an interest in both the medical and administrative sides of healthcare, employment in a clinic is less exciting than a hospital, but it offers broad exposure.

Doctor’s Offices

The role of registered nurses in private practice has shifted in the past few years. Medical assistants, trained to handle minor clinical functions at this level, do many of the tasks once done by nurses. Today, RNs employed in doctor’s offices have more managerial responsibilities, such as:

  • Patient Triage
  • Managing complex referrals
  • In-depth patient teaching
  • Serving as patient navigators for facility- or community-based care
  • Patient outreach

Working in a doctor’s office is ideal for RNs with life commitments. Hospitals and nursing facilities operate 24/7, but most private practices still offer regular Monday through Friday hours. It’s a perfect setting for nurses seeking a positive work-life balance.

It’s also a way for RNs who enjoy big-picture care to work with the same patients day after day. Hospital nurses see patients for a brief time before discharge, an RN working in a physician’s office gets to see how their stories end.

Home Health

RNs have the education, experience and autonomy to work independently in private homes. Home care is an increasingly popular alternative to receiving long-term or post-acute care in a nursing facility.

A home care RN’s duties may include:

  • Assisting with bathing, dressing and eating
  • Homemaking and meal preparation
  • Administering medications and treatments
  • Monitoring changes in physical condition
  • Environmental safety
  • Managing medical equipment such as oxygen, ventilators, CPAP and feeding pumps
  • Supervised transportation

Home care offers a unique opportunity that other settings don’t, to participate in care at the ground level. Nurses who enjoy one-on-one time with their patients can help them be safe at home by providing essential services that would otherwise require a nursing facility. Cases range from temporary post-acute care after a joint replacement to forever care for dementia.

Public Health

Public health nurses work to improve community health. Care is less one-on-one and more group oriented.

Responsibilities involve:

  • Analyzing health trends and identifying risk factors unique to specific demographic groups
  • Working with policymakers to improve access to affordable care for all communities
  • Designing disease prevention campaigns
  • Advocating for at-risk populations
  • Disaster relief
  • Promoting public safety
  • Contributing to public health policy
  • Providing direct healthcare services such as vaccination and reportable disease testing

Associate RNs often believe that public health nursing is reserved for bachelor-educated applicants, but nothing could be further from the truth. Nurses with more education qualify for more responsible positions, but most health departments have entry-level jobs for any qualified nurse.

As healthcare costs skyrocket, states are turning to public health departments to tell them how to better manage the well-being of the entire population. And because public health nurses are in demand, many offer tuition assistance programs that help associate RNs get a bachelor’s degree.

Final Thoughts

Nursing is a dynamic and rewarding career with tangible benefits, and the good news is, it only takes an associate degree to become a registered nurse. The only prerequisites are a passion for helping others and the willingness to learn, two years of training takes care of the rest. Opportunities are waiting.

Did learning about where you can work with an RN associate degree interest you? The Associate of Science in Nursing degree program at Gwinnett College provides training to prepare college graduates to enter the nursing profession as a registered nurse.  Classroom theory, challenging assignments, skill labs, simulations, and clinical experiences help to prepare college graduates for an entry-level nursing position. 

Upon successful completion of the program and demonstrated nursing competence, the college graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.*   Upon graduation and licensure, college graduates will be eligible to seek employment in hospitals, clinics, private duty, urgent and acute care centers, and various other medical or business facilities requiring the services of registered nurses.

*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 pre-requisite for employment as a nurse and to diligently prepare themselves to meet this important requirement.

Contact us today to learn more about becoming an RN at Gwinnett College.

What is the Role of a Paralegal?

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Today’s modern legal industry has transformed from its pre-Internet past. This inevitable transition is the direct result of several critical factors, including the introduction of technology into almost all aspects of the industry. Law firms have been forced to include advanced technology skills into their practice in order to maintain a competitive edge.

The evolving legal environment has brought numerous challenges to the daily practice of law at all levels. Most law firms are inundated with cases that require the expertise of a highly qualified staff dedicated to supporting its professionals. Well-trained paralegals are stepping into this role by performing tasks that assist attorneys in their daily practice.

Description of a Paralegal

A paralegal is a person who is qualified through substantial training to perform legal work in a law office or for an individual attorney. Paralegals are also qualified for employment with certain government agencies and legal organizations. Attorneys are responsible for a paralegal’s actions. However, it is the responsibility of the paralegal to ensure that all work is checked for quality and accuracy before submitting it to the supervising attorney. A paralegal is not permitted to provide services without an attorney’s direct supervision. Every paralegal is expected to understand and comply with all ethical duties.

Careers Open to Paralegals

Paralegals are in demand according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Growth is projected to be 12 percent from 2018 to 2028. Paralegals provide a much-needed resource for busy attorneys and other legal entities. The idea of using paralegals in the legal industry was first introduced in 1960 and has grown in popularity in the decades that followed. It is estimated that there are currently more than 325,000 paralegals employed in legal industry today.

Reasons for Hiring a Paralegal

It is because of the ever-changing trends in the legal profession that paralegals are in demand. Law firms are extremely competitive and want to hold the edge over their competition by becoming for efficient and more productive. Attorneys and law firms that make the decision to hire paralegals are doing so to distinguish themselves from other firms. Clients have more options for legal issues than ever before including online firms that offer consulting advice and provide legal do-it-yourself forms and documents. It is no longer necessary to consult an attorney for assistance when the Internet can assist with some common legal tasks. Because of the changing legal environment, attorneys are beginning to recognize that paralegals are a valuable asset to their firm.

What Do Paralegals Do?

Law firms and other legal organizations use paralegals in various ways. Some firms utilize them for general office duties such as answering phones, filing, organizing client and reference files or maintaining attorney’s schedules. Some have the responsibility of calling clients, witnesses or other attorneys to schedule interviews. It is also up to the paralegal to make travel arrangements for attorneys when travel is necessary. Attorneys rely on paralegals to schedule clients for meetings and arrange a time for depositions to be taken. It is also the paralegal’s task to arrange for a court reporter to be present for depositions. Attorneys rely on paralegals to attend trials with them and to attend when depositions are taken. A paralegal for a criminal attorney is expected to perform an extensive search of police records related to clients. All paralegals must demonstrate the ability to multitask in an organized manner.

Why a Law Firm Might Use a Paralegal

All attorneys experience demanding schedules that limit the time they have to spend on important tasks that can make a difference in their presentation of a quality representation. Many firms are discovering that time-consuming tasks can be easily performed by a qualified paralegal. The majority of law firms that employ paralegals find they actually reduce some of the operational expenses, even though they are paid for their services.

Attorneys are able to focus on more challenging cases when they have more time. Their clients are the real beneficiaries as they receive better service and more quality time from their attorney. Because paralegals receive extensive training in all legal matters, an attorney can confidently delegate legal tasks. By engaging the services of a paralegal, an attorney is freed up to concentrate on the more complex aspects of a case. A successful paralegal demonstrates excellent organization skills, which helps an attorney to locate client information in a timely manner. This organization provides a simple solution to keeping the firm running smoothly and allows an attorney to see more clients in a day.

Attorneys who rely on assistance from a paralegal are able to decrease the time required in the discovery process. The process of discovery includes gathering evidence, reviewing documents and taking depositions. This information enables an attorney to build a case. The attorney can be more efficient and speed up this process by utilizing the skills of the paralegal.

Types of Paralegals

All law firms have their own criteria for assigning various duties to the paralegals they employ. Small firms utilize a paralegal’s skills in various roles, including some secretarial duties such as answering phones. Normally, large firms only expect them to perform strictly paralegal duties.

Family Law

Family law firms prefer to hire paralegals with excellent research and litigation skills. Personal injury paralegals must be expert at research and understand how litigation works. Research also plays an important role in insurance cases. Insurance cases demand expertise in pleading and drafting. Paralegals also require extensive knowledge of bankruptcy laws and skills for general civil cases.

Corporate Paralegal

Being a corporate paralegal appeals to someone who is interested in business. Big corporations employ a legal team that is responsible for all legal corporate tasks. Large corporations rely on paralegals for assistance with mergers and acquisitions. They also help in the defense of lawsuits.

Estate Planning and Probate

Some of the duties assigned to paralegals is to work with clients who are dealing with estates of relatives by collecting information regarding estate inventories and helping to distribute property. They also work with clients in estate planning. This requires excellent communication and people skills.

Important Paralegal Skills

All paralegals are expected to possess certain skills that enable them to assist an attorney in interactions with clients. Regardless of the type or size of a law firm, paralegals must assist an attorney by performing many common legal duties. Paralegals receive training that qualifies them to perform various forms of legal work with knowledge of the law.

Technology Skill Requirements

Today’s high-tech legal world requires and rewards paralegals who excel in technology. Paralegals are required to master telecommunications, legal research software, databases, and software for preparing and delivering multi-media presentations. Some firms rely on paralegals to assist in making recommendations for and purchasing technology equipment in their legal department.

Investigative Skills and Researching

All law firms require paralegals to master research techniques. They must become proficient at all Internet research. Paralegals must learn how to use legal databases including Westlaw. They must practice how to use their investigative skills when attempting to locate criminal and civil case records. It is important to find and cite legal precedents relating to the cases. Providing evidence documents and finding witnesses is a primary objective of investigative research.

Excellent Writing Skills

Paralegals must possess the highest level of writing skills for any type of legal assignment. They are responsible for document drafting that can range from simple to extremely complex. In addition to drafting contracts and resolutions, they must prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents. The most successful paralegals will master the art of creating concise and accurate written communication. Being proficient in grammar, spelling, and punctuation and knowing how to present persuasive written material is essential.

Effective Oral Communication Skills

Being proficient in oral communication is essential for all paralegals. The job demands paralegals to possess the ability to convey information in a professional manner. Attorneys rely on paralegals to serve as an extension of themselves. Communication plays a vital part in the daily operation of any law firm. Effective communication is essential for all legal transactions. A paralegal can help reduce much of an attorney’s workload by possessing strong communication skills. A paralegal can interview clients and take witness statements for the attorney. In addition to interviewing clients and witnesses, paralegals can also contact experts and concur with opposing counsel in litigation or other legal transaction.

Ways Law Firms Benefit from Hiring a Paralegal

Attorneys understand the value of paralegals. Those who utilize them to their full potential benefit financially and find themselves having more time to explore new cases. By utilizing the skills of a paralegal, an attorney or law firm is free to assume a larger volume of legal work. The savings realized from utilizing the services of paralegals can be passed on to clients in the form of reduced fees. A successful paralegal possesses strong organizational skills that provides the attorney with more time for client-oriented meetings. When the paralegal is in charge of organizing documents, physical exhibits and evidence, the attorney is more prepared for meetings and trials. Those benefits provide a competitive advantage for the law firm and attorney.

Personality Traits of Successful Paralegals

There are some personality traits that successful paralegals have in common. Those who enjoy a challenge and welcome the opportunity to experience something new every day should consider a paralegal career.

Enthusiastic

Successful paralegals enjoy working with people and are enthusiastic about helping them solve issues. Enthusiastic paralegals maintain a positive attitude that helps relax clients.

Detail Oriented

Good organizational skills are necessary for a paralegal. Attention to detail makes the difference in all legal interactions. There is no room for error in this profession.

Patience and Reliability

Being patient and taking to time to properly finish legal tasks is important. Honesty and trustworthiness are also assets for the paralegal. Having the ability to put others first is a requirement for success in the legal industry.

Being Supportive

Successful paralegals have strong motivational abilities. They can show empathy for clients and still be supportive.

Final Thoughts

There is a need for paralegals in many different legal organizations. Small and large organizations alike have legal entities that utilize the services of paralegals that are not limited to law firms or attorney’s offices. Many insurance companies, non-profit organizations and real estate companies employ paralegals to help ensure that proper procedures and policies comply with legal standards. Working as a paralegal is never boring and helping others can be very rewarding.

Did learning about the role of a paralegal interest you? Ready to become 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.