What Does an Administrative Assistant Do Day-to-Day?

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The role of an executive secretary has evolved over the last couple of decades to include more knowledge of trade and responsibility. Administrative Assistant is the title used to represent this new support role. Depending on the field of employment you select, your position meets the needs of your department or industry. Executives depend on administrative assistants during a normal work day. Being an administrative assistant is now considered a professional role and a position of prestige. For those with exemplary administrative skills, it is considered a great start to one’s career path.

Monday through Friday and 9:00am – 5:00pm schedules are common for an administrative assistant. Schedules may vary depending on the employer’s needs and business operations. Benefits are at the discretion of the employer and size of the business. Opportunities are available for flexible schedules.

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses simplifies the job selection process. You want to seek a position where you perform well and enhance your current skill set. If hired, you should be confident that you will fulfill their clerical tasks and be an asset to the team.

What are Administrative Assistant Skills?

The general support that an administrative assistant provides revolves around the organization, communication, and clerical needs of the staff. As an administrative assistant, you will cater and report to managers and members of the executive team. The skill set acquired to qualify for this position will service any field or industry.

What are the Skills That Make You A Qualified Assistant?

There are many different skills that support an administrative assistant to succeed at an organization. The top skills include customer service, technology savvy, organization, verbal and written communication, time management, strategic planning, being detail oriented, billing and research skills.

Skill #1: Customer Service – knowing how to interact with others under a variety of circumstances is a crucial component in recruiting and sustaining client relations. The administrative assistant is strategically located at the entrance as the face of the business. They must emanate the company’s mission through your actions, expressions, and delivery of services. The administrative assistant must know how to handle unfavorable situations that are inevitable in business. They will be relied on to diffuse these issues so that management does not have to be involve themselves unless necessary.

Skill #2: Technology Savvy – staying updated on the latest office equipment is essential to remain a competitor in this field. Technology is always changing in the workplace. The phone systems can be monitored via software and used in business analytics, desktop computers are upgraded, and faxing through a facsimile machine is becoming extinct.

Skill #3: Organization – not only must the administrative assistant structure their work in a productive fashion, the administrative staff needs organization as well. Keeping things in a specific order, creating schedules that function properly for all parties involved, and planning a variety of events are among the many tasks that will keep the business moving forward. Creating records, reports, logs, and reminders are some of the methods used by administrative assistant to stay organized.

Skill #4: Verbal and Written Communication – administrative assistants communicate in person, on the phone, by email, and by postal mail. The delivery of their message must be concise. The administrative assistant’s tone should reflect enthusiasm, empathy, and confidence. The administrative assistant is the primary resource for the business.

Skill #5: Time Management – the office schedule is managed in a way that works for everyone. Setting deadlines and reminders will assist with meeting an administrative assistant’s goals. Enforcing schedules and time limitations will keep everyone in sync. Proper time management skills include allowing for extra time on schedule for unforeseen circumstances.

Skill #6: Strategic Planning – pertinent to ensuring that everyone is effectively working toward a common goal. Meetings develop goals where goals, and a strategy of execution is planned. The goals are based on the needs of the company, the clients, and the industry.

Skill #7: Detail Oriented – dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s is essential in this administrative support role. Human error is expected. An administrative assistant will want to review their work before final submission. It should become second nature to look for errors or missing items.

Skill #8: Billing – it is important to balance the company budget to meet its internal and external needs. There are several software programs designed to assist businesses with managing their finances. Creating invoices, purchase orders, creating deposits, and processing payments are all parts of billing.

Sill #9: Research – being a skilled researcher is invaluable to a business. Information, statistics, and comparisons are usually needed to stay in sync with competitors. Administrative assistants need research skills to successfully perform their job.

What Business Related Software Does an Administrative Assistant Use?

Microsoft Office is the most used software suite by administrative assistants. Word processing, creating spreadsheets, presentations, and databases are part of the job description. Excelling in this area is vital to an administrative assistants’ success.

What are the Personality Skills Needed to Succeed?

An administrative assistant needs specific personality skills to perform their job successfully. These personality skills include multi-tasking, being a team player, being discreet, showing patients, and being ambitious.

Skill #10: Multi-tasking – being able to handle multiple tasks at once and execute them as requested is a skill an administrative assistant must master. Answering a call while performing data entry and greeting a guest is a common occurrence at a business.

Skill #11: Team Player – working well with others is essential in a support role. The team must fulfill the company’s mission as one. Helping or being one step ahead and getting something done without being asked is a valuable quality of an administrative assistant.

Skill #12: Discretion – some companies require an administrative assistant to sign a Non-Disclosure agreement that prohibits them from sharing inside information. In absence of this agreement, an administrative assistant should still be discreet. Earning an employer’s trust is important to their future with the business and in the industry.

Skill #13: Patience – an administrative assistant comes across many circumstances where patience is key to resolving the issues. If they lose their cool it could cause a domino effect and set the entire office in a frenzy.

Skill #14: Ambition – exuding interest and satisfaction with the work an administrative assistant is doing will reflect in the atmosphere of their workplace. Voluntarily learning things outside of their job description will expand their qualifications. Adding on new skills may qualify an administrative assistant for a promotion.

What Industries Require Tailored Skills?

There are many different industries that an administrative assistant can work in. Along with getting an administrative assistant diploma, on the job skills and education will prepare the administrative assistant for entry-level positions. The industries include the medical field, law, government, construction, automotive among other businesses.

For the medical field, an administrative assistant will need to supplement their education with medical terminology, safety procedures, and employment policies. Joining a law firm will involve legal terminology, legal documents, and legal procedures. An administrative assistant that joins a government agency will also need to learn government policies, protocol, and safety procedures. An administrative assistant working in the construction industry will need to learn general contracting terminology, contracting law, and the Department of Buildings procedural process. Working in the automotive industry involves learning car industry terminology, safety procedures, cross selling and upselling.

Some businesses provide onboard training to orient an administrative assistant in the company’s policies and procedures. Most expect the administrative assistant to come with the skill set or the experience necessary to fill the role immediately. Employers look for knowledge of the industry and its terminology. They depend on an administrative assistant to execute their basic responsibilities tailored to their services.

Typical Administrative Assistant Tasks

An administrative assistant performs many tasks working within an office and supporting the executive team. Trip planning entails booking flights, hotels, renting vehicles, getting directions, confirming reservations, and any special directives provided by management. An administrative assistant will manage the executive team’s daily itinerary. They’re expected to manage everyone’s schedule to enable the most productivity. The administrative assistant is responsible for keeping track of all changes, cancellations, and emergency situations. The schedule must be adapted accordingly. Everyone must be aware of what they are doing, where they are going, or who they will be meeting with at all times.

The administrative assistant handles documents, reports, and presentations. These tools are a vital source of communication and education of the business. The administrative assistant will educate the clients every step of the way through client communication. Some services will require an administrative assistant to process a payment before the client leaves or after the services are rendered. Administrative assistants call potential customers with the hope of luring them in for an appointment. Follow up contact will be the most repetitive task. It is good practice to follow up with clients, vendors, and in-house personnel. This ensures everyone is in sync. It avoids confusion and chaos.

An administrative assistant creates a welcoming atmosphere to work in. To be productive, they must put in place a functioning system. Order will prevent delays, miscommunication, and unnecessary errors that could cost the business money or clients. Cleanliness will contribute to making their space healthy to work in. Adding a personal touch solidifies their bond with the business. It conveys that the administrative assistant cares about the environment they work in. Less clutter equals more space for productivity and clear thought

Final Thoughts

What are you looking for in a new career? Becoming an administrative assistant opens many doors of opportunity. With businesses adapting to modern strategies, the administrative assistant may also opt to work from home. There are many positions offered remotely by reputable companies. An administrative assistant can work from home as an independent contractor for several clients. They can also work directly by telecommuting with one employer as a full-time employee with potential benefits. After gaining experience they may choose to further their education to advance their career. Experience, staying up to date on one’s skills, and a willingness to learn may help an administrative assistant advance.

Did learning about what an administrative assistant does 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.

Contact us to learn more about becoming an administrative assistant.

Compassionate Patient Care: A Registered Nurse (RN) Guide

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The foundation of nursing is compassionate care. It’s a simple statement that sounds obvious, but it’s more complex than it seems. Compassion is much more than ordinary kindness. It can’t be measured by a test or be seen under a microscope, and it’s tough to define clearly because it’s patient-dependent and may never look the same way twice. In a world where health care is increasingly ruled by technology, the compassion of an RN is every bit as important to patient outcomes as pills and procedures.

What Does Compassionate Care Look Like?

Compassion is about treating people holistically, not as the sum of their illnesses and complaints. Patients in any medical setting feel vulnerable. Their stories and bodies sit before strangers and that evokes strong emotional responses. For an RN, it means recognizing and addressing the unique physical, psychological, social and cultural needs of each person.

  • For a frightened mother of a sick son, it may mean keeping her informed about changes in his condition or just holding her hand.
  • For a new father, it may be patiently answering the same questions over and over until he feels reassured.
  • For a religious person, it means delivering care with respect for one’s beliefs, whether shared or not.
  • For a child with cancer, words of encouragement and hope may be what it takes, along with a few toys and games.
  • For an elderly man with dementia, it may be listening to the same tired joke a thousand times without forgetting to laugh.

And for all patients it means paying more attention to them than the IV pump by the bed, listening without interruption, addressing them respectfully, supporting their dignity, respecting their rights and not minimizing their concerns, no matter how minor they may seem.

What it Takes to Be a Compassionate Caregiver

Anyone considering nursing school has a basic grasp of what caring means, but an RN learns to build on that understanding to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.

What does patient-centered mean? It means that in a relationship between an RN and a patient. The many needs of the patient come first, and while that seems reasonable, caregiving relationships can be intense and emotional, pushing the limits of professional boundaries.

To be a truly compassionate caregiver, an RN must be:

  • Honest without being judgmental
  • Open without oversharing
  • Kind without neglecting their own needs
  • Empathetic without losing themselves in others’ problems
  • Hopeful, but realistic
  • Strong, but vulnerable
  • Helpful while respecting personal boundaries
  • Knowledgeable, but open to learning new things
  • Caring while encouraging personal responsibility
  • Thoughtful, but practical

Compassion is the foundation of caring, and nurses must be as gentle and understanding toward themselves as they are to others. It’s a skill, and it takes effort to learn, but the good news is that with patience, a simple spark of kindness can nurture and cultivate into the mature compassion an RN needs on the job.

Does Compassion Improve Outcomes?

Outcomes have historically been reported from the medical community’s point of view. Doctors and hospitals report how successful their medical treatments are, and nurses document how patients respond to those efforts. As measured in raw percentages, it’s an important way to tell what’s working, what isn’t and when it’s time to make changes. What it doesn’t tell is the patient’s perception of what happened and how it affected them personally. Without that, the outcome picture isn’t complete.

The effects of compassion are hard to measure. Therefore, the use of patient- and-family-reported outcomes is on the rise today, and it’s proving to be the truest, most effective way to measure total wellness outcomes.

Consider this case and how a nurse’s compassion made a difference:

An older, obese woman saw her doctor about back pain. The doctor told her not to eat for six months and to call back then if the discomfort didn’t subside, blaming the pain on excess weight without considering other potential causes. Three weeks later, she went to the emergency room for the same symptoms and was admitted for a serious ascending urinary tract infection and treated with ten days’ worth of IV antibiotics.

On a post-hospitalization survey, the client was asked about her satisfaction with hospital services. She discussed her negative experience with her doctor and reported that in contrast, her primary RN spoke candidly with her about weight issues without being judgmental, sharing her own struggle with excess pounds and helping her identify new treatment options that could help. As a result, she felt encouraged and willing to consider another weight loss effort. She further commented that she waited three weeks to seek additional medical help for her symptoms because of embarrassment about her weight.

From the compassionate care perspective, there were clear successes and failures in this situation, starting with a physician who demonstrated an astonishing lack of human kindness, poor communication skills, prejudice toward those suffering from obesity and little understanding about the diverse circumstances that lead to it.

He was not wrong to suggest that being overweight is a top risk factor for back pain. In fact, it was his responsibility, but his crass comment slammed the door on effective communication, inspired no meaningful action on the part of the client and contributed to a lengthy delay in care that could have had significant health consequences.

The nurse, however, found a way to relate to her compassionately. She openly discussed her own weight loss story, intervened with words of encouragement and gave her actionable information about new treatments for obesity. She understood the practical, emotional and social needs of her patient, demonstrating empathy while emphasizing personal responsibility. The result is a woman who now views the health care system more favorably, and although she may not ultimately be successful in her weight loss journey, she feels encouraged to try. That is a positive outcome.

Consistently, hospitals find when clients and families take the time to return outcome surveys, comments are more focus on the level of kindness and compassion they experienced during their stay than the treatments they received. When measuring outcomes, can the improvement in a patient’s compliance with their doctor’s weight loss recommendations because of the encouragement of a compassionate caregiver be measured as a percentage? Is the happiness of a man with dementia quantifiable in numbers?

Not yet, but as the importance of compassion in health care grows, assessment tools are evolving that are helping capture patient satisfaction with things like emotional support. In the meantime, the obvious benefits of compassion on final outcomes can’t be ignored, making it a vital part of nursing education and creating exciting opportunities for RNs in the future as the medical community looks for ways to make compassionate care the standard across disciplines, not just a buzz-word.

Did learning about compassionate patient care 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.

Being a Small Business Accountant

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Being a small business accountant is a great career choice for those who enjoy helping small companies maintain their 59 million employees. Those small business employees make up 47% of the total workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Since having accurate financial records is a mandatory requirement for small companies, it is an essential part of running a business. The services of a small business accountant assist a small business through the preparation of taxes and record keeping. Business owners must maintain their financial records, and the services of a small business accountant will always be in demand. Accountants provide a great deal of value to small businesses.

Although there are many software programs to maintain financial records, there are some skills needed to perform accounting-related services. A small business accountant has certain responsibilities that are performed to provide accurate accounting services. Most small businesses will require an accountant to have credible training from an accredited vocational school.

How to Receive Credible Training to Work as an Accountant

It’s important to learn the skill of accounting at an accredited vocational school. The vocational program can provide all of the accounting fundamentals needed for an individual to provide accurate financial services to a small business. They teach bookkeeping skills, computerized bookkeeping, basic office skills, Microsoft Office software, QuickBooks, Business Math and English courses.

Many business owners are grateful for the services that accountants provide. It helps them make key business decisions based on their historical financial performance. Without proper financial records, it’s often difficult to determine the financial position of a small business. That’s why obtaining the proper training as an accountant is important.

What is a Small Business?

A company may be considered small based on different factors. A company is considered small to some if it is a privately-owned company, has fewer than $7 million in annual sales and less than 500 employees. According to the US Small Business Administration, a small business is a company that generates $35.5 million in annual sales and has at least 1500 employees. These numbers vary by industry. Nonetheless, small businesses make up a large portion of the U.S. economy and the required accounting skills from a well-trained accountant are in high demand.

Anyone who possesses the skills to provide financial services to small business can utilize these transferable skills between a variety of different industries. The basic accounting practices are transferable between different small businesses. Each small business will just have its own specifics that build upon the accounting basics.

What Does a Small Business Accountant Do?

A small business accountant may oversee a company’s financial activities. For example, a company with 50 or fewer employees may require the accountant to be full-time and responsible for overseeing all of the accounting functions. An accountant working in a bigger company may focus on one aspect of accounting and work within a team of accountants. The day-to-day functions of a small business accountant consist of:

  • Processing payroll and payroll taxes
  • Accounts receivable
  • Accounts payable
  • Making bank deposits
  • Bank reconciliations
  • Credit card reconciliations
  • Posting journal entries to the General Ledger
  • Asset Management
  • Cash management
  • Inventory control
  • Preparing financial reports
  • Overseeing other bookkeepers
  • Preparing and filing local, state and federal taxes

A business can also hire accountants on a contractual basis, where they are issued a 1099 at the end of the year rather than a W2. In either case, accountants are responsible for discussing the financial activity with the business owner and alerting them to any potential risk factors that the small business faces. These could include internal or external risk.

Examples of Internal risks may include:

  • The threat of cash shortages
  • A drop in sales due to a poor performing item
  • A decrease in gross profit margins
  • Slow moving inventory

Examples of external risks may include:

  • The potential loss of sales to new competitors
  • An increase in supplier’s purchasing cost
  • An increase in cost from members of the supply chain
  • Changes in new laws that could have an impact on cash flows

Accountants are good at identifying financial trends and identifying areas that will help the business owner improve their bottom line. Accountants are also responsible for working with CPAs and auditors. The small business accountant prepares the accounting according to GAAP guidelines, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and other legal guidelines to ensure that the business is in compliance.

How Properly Trained Accountants Can Create Job Security and Transferable Skills

A career as a small business accountant has many benefits, including transferable skills that are needed in a wide variety of industries. If a company goes out of business, the accountants’ services are ready for many different businesses. In addition, accounting services are needed throughout the life of a businesses. That means small business accountants can provide accounting services for a lifetime as they will always be in demand.

Interested in learning more about small business accounting and the financial statements an accountant works with on a day-to-day basis? The Accounting diploma program at Gwinnett College is designed to prepare college graduates to seek entry-level positions in the accounting and bookkeeping fields.  The college graduate may work as an accounts’ receivable or accounts payable clerk, bookkeeper, payroll clerk, accounting assistant or inventory control clerk.

The Gwinnett College accounting vocational diploma training programs trains college students to prepare financial statements and perform common accounting tasks with accounting computer applications. The computer applications include bookkeeping software, spreadsheets and databases. The accounting diploma training program covers fundamental accounting concepts, that include journalizing, posting, adjusting, closing, cost accounting, assets, liabilities, amortization, depreciation and tax liability. Also included in the courses are reconciliation of income statements, balance sheets, accounts receivable, accounts payable and general ledger.

Contact us to learn more about how you can become an accountant or bookkeeper today.

6 Reasons to Get a Phlebotomy Certification

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Are you a medical assistant that is looking to get a phlebotomy certification? Receiving a phlebotomy certification provides the medical assistant with the education needed to advance in an ever-growing medical field. Medical assistants get into the medical field and stay there because they love what they do. It takes quite a knack to find veins and draw enough blood for the specific tests. With a phlebotomy certification, a medical assistant is in a better position to help their patients. Training is supplied for those attending continuing education training to obtain a phlebotomy certification.

Why Get A Phlebotomy Certificate?

A phlebotomy certification is essential for advancing your medical assistant career. Employers will look to their medical assistant and identify if they have received training and certification in phlebotomy. Phlebotomy is also rewarding, as you are an integral part of the medical team and helping patients at the same time.

Six Reasons to Get a Phlebotomy Certificate

If you are wondering if adding a phlebotomy certificate as a medical assistant is right for you, there are six reasons to consider. Getting a phlebotomy certification only takes a few months, the medical assistant will help patients feel comfortable during a blood draw, they work in a field that is constantly growing, medical assistants work alongside colleagues that care about their patients, a medical assistant will improve their chances of advancement by obtaining a phlebotomy certification, and medical assistants that have a phlebotomy certification are a valuable asset to the medical field.

Quick Phlebotomy Certification

It doesn’t take very long to complete a phlebotomy certificate program. It only takes a few short months to complete this training at a vocational school.

Help Patients Feel Comfortable

Going to have your blood drawn is often uncomfortable, especially for children and babies. A medical assistant will work to calm patients down before and during the blood draw. This can provide satisfaction to the medical assistant that performs phlebotomy.

Work in a Field that is Constantly Growing

Because of the aging population, medical care is needed now more than ever. More and more people are in need of a blood draw for testing to determine their health and current diagnosis. The field of phlebotomy is in high demand and you can constantly grow with it.

Work with Colleagues Who Have a Passion for Patient Care

It helps to have a passion for patient care and you’ll find that most of your coworkers feel the same way. Working alongside doctors, nurses and medical staff that want to help patients is why so many medical assistants stay within this field.

It’s a Great Start for Advancement

Even if your plan is not to stay working as a medical assistant, learning phlebotomy helps you to get your foot into the medical field. With your skills as a medical assistant and phlebotomist you can begin working in hospitals, laboratories and doctor’s offices. Medical assistants that perform phlebotomy can be found in many different medical offices, so opportunities to advance are within reach.

Be a Valuable Asset to the Medical Field

While medical assistants that perform phlebotomy may seem like they are overlooked, they are an integral part of the medical field. Without their phlebotomy skills and certificate, patients wouldn’t have blood drawn for special tests and diagnostics. This could result in patients getting sicker and not receiving the right treatment.

How to Get Started

If you are ready to start your career as a medical assistant that performs phlebotomy, it is important to receive the right training and education. By receiving a phlebotomy certification, you can begin your work in the field of blood drawing and can become a beneficial asset to the medical facility and patients.

Once you make the decision to get a phlebotomy certification, you are doing something that is going to benefit you and your future career. You will also help countless patients to feel comfortable about this anxious situation.

Did learning about a medical assistant’s role in phlebotomy interest you? Gwinnett College offers a variety of continuing education and professional development courses that are designed to be an “add-on”to existing knowledge and experience in the medical field. Applicants wishing to take a phlebotomy continuing education training courses must provide documentation that they have prior medical backgrounds, either through coursework or work experience. The phlebotomy continuing education training courses are intended to enhance a person’s ability to work in their chosen field by adding additional skills and knowledge and are not to be considered as a direct path to a new career.

Ready to become a medical assistant? 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.

 

10 Benefits of Attending a Vocational School

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Choosing a career early in life is imperative. However, the path towards achieving that career goal is not often straightforward. That dream to become an artist, accountant, medical assistant, computer technician, nurse, business analyst, or paralegal is available for those that attend a vocational school.

Before making that decision to go to college, evaluate the full impact of that decision. One must evaluate all the options and benefits first. The choice can be between choosing vocational school, trade school or a traditional 4-year college. A vocational or trade school offers hands-on skills applicable in a work situation while a traditional 4-year college offers relevant knowledge mixed with elective courses. Vocational schools prepare their students for a specific trade, making them better prepared for the workforce.

Benefit #1: Vocational Schools Have Higher Employment Rate

Vocational and trade schools prepare a person for the job market. This means graduates are prepared to accept a job immediately after graduation. Most vocational schools also work with employers in the industry to give students an education within their technical field. When the graduate is ready to transition to the job, vocational school graduates have seamless transitions. This is thanks to a vocational school’s training approach. Since the vocational school trains with real-life examples and equipment, the graduate can benefit.

Traditional 4-year colleges depend on theoretical frameworks. Vocational and trade schools rely on specific industry situations, better equipping the workforce with technical job skills.

Benefit #2: The Student Transitions to Their Career Choice Directly

A traditional 4-year college degree equips the student with general skills. There is little guidance on the career path with limited interaction by career services. While this is ok for some, it does not translate to a specific job title or career path.

Students go to vocational or trade schools because they have decided what they want to do in life. After one to two years of vocational education, the student has a definite career path. Students come out of vocational school and join a specific trade. The graduate will benefit by not waste time thinking what to do after college. This is common among traditional 4-year college graduates. Many vocational school graduates go through externship programs for them to benefit from industry experience.

Benefit #3: Relevant Skills in Less Time

Vocational and trade schools offer benefits to high school students and adults switching jobs. Most vocational programs take less than two years to complete. Once completed, the classes give graduates enough skills for an entry-level position in their given trade. A graduate can start earning right away. If they have a student loan, they can start repayments as soon as possible.

Benefit #4: The Chances of Graduating Are High

Did you know that 40 percent of students who enroll in traditional 4-year colleges do not graduate within the 4-year duration? This is reported by the National Center for Education Statistics. On the other hand, approximately 2 percent of vocational or trade school students fail to graduate within the course duration. The chances of graduating and joining the workforce are better when a student graduates from a vocational school. The vocational programs are short, which encourages maximum concentration and performance. Students who attempt college education and don’t graduate are not ready for the job market. They may also have to service their student loans.

Benefit #5: The Future for Trades Is Bright

Research shows that some of the fastest growing career paths lie in the technical fields. Some of the trades with high job growths include medical assistants and massage therapists. Surprisingly, many people who go to traditional 4-year colleges can end up working in positions that don’t require a degree. Their salaries will reflect this.

Benefit #6: Smaller Classes

The average vocational or trade school classroom has less students than many traditional 4-year colleges. This means teachers can offer thorough training with supervised hands-on experience. Small classes mean the creation of strong relationships with fellow students. Students will make bonds that last a lifetime. This will also help vocational graduates network when it is time to find a job.

Benefit #7: Flexible Schedules

Many vocational or trade schools offer day and evening classes for those that have obligations during the day. Do you have a day job or care for a family member? The flexible schedule of a vocational school may benefit you.

Benefit #8: Hands-on Training

Students experience lab work and externships. Many vocational or trade schools offer hands-on training that prepares students for real world situations. With hands-on training, the student is one step ahead in landing the entry-level a vocational career.

Benefit #9: Career Services

The goal of Career Services is to assist all graduates to get in-field or related-field employment. Career Services is available to assist vocational students throughout their technical training programs and continues to offer assistance beyond graduation. It should be understood the career services offered are not a guarantee of employment.

In order to facilitate employment efforts, a vocational school’s career services team works closely with the employment community that may offer in-field or related-field employment opportunities to qualified graduates. This is accomplished by maintaining active involvement in the community, holding on-campus career fairs, scheduling on-campus graduate interviews, hosting guest lectures, scheduling opportunities for vocational students and graduates to interact with potential employers, and conducting routine visits to new and established employment partners.

Benefit #10: Financial Aid

Vocational and trade schools are accredited and participate in various federal student aid programs.  During the admissions interview, a student’s admissions representative will arrange for them to meet with an associate from the vocational school’s financial aid office.  This associate will explain the various types of federal aid for which the student may qualify.  The difference between college grant and loan programs will be explained so they can make a final decision regarding the creation of a financial aid package that best meets their needs. The associate will prepare an estimated award letter to help explain how the student’s financial aid package will help cover the cost of tuition, books, and fees.  Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

Did learning about the benefits of attending a vocational or trade school interest you? If you are ready to find the right vocational college, learn more about Gwinnett Colleges & Institute. Choose from one of our vocational college diploma or associate degree programs and take the next step towards your future career. The Gwinnett Colleges & Institute programs are offered in the day and evening making it easier for you to schedule the technical training you need to meet your vocational career goals.

A Medical Assistant’s Role in Phlebotomy

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Medical testing is often required to diagnose a patient. One of the most common tests performed by a medical assistant is a blood test. Blood tests can check for a wide range of conditions such as thyroid disorders, complete blood count totals, liver function, and kidney function. In some cases, a condition isn’t necessarily seen or felt by the patient until a blood test confirms that it is present. This is where the medical assistant and their phlebotomy skills come in handy. It is their job to draw the blood of patients who require routine blood testing as well as handle a wide range of other medical tests to keep the patient healthy.

What is Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy is a medical practice where a medical professional draws blood from a patient for testing. Most blood draws are done via venipunctures. This require either a Vacutainer that contains a syringe and holder for the test tube or a butterfly syringe which is ideal for thinner or hard-to-reach veins. Blood cultures are done similarly to all other phlebotomy procedures, but a larger tube or bottle is used to collect a larger portion of blood. Blood cultures are required if a patient is thought to have septicemia or bacteremia.

What is the Process for Working with Patients?

The medical assistant’s duty is to provide care to patients who need phlebotomy testing performed. First, the doctor will order which tests are required for the patient. It is the medical assistant’s job to know which tubes are needed to perform the blood draw. For example, a CBC (complete blood count) requires a purple tube and an SST (red with gold top) is needed for testing of thyroid conditions and other illnesses. Once the order has been placed and the vials chosen, the medical assistant will need to label all of the vials to ensure that the patient’s information is valid and easy to read after the blood draw.

The medical assistant needs to wear proper protective equipment to protect both themselves and the patient. This includes a fresh pair of gloves, lab coat and protective gloves. Next, the medical assistant needs to make the patient comfortable and educate them on the procedure. The medical assistant should give each patient at least five minutes to fully relax and understand what is going to be done. It is also important to ask the patient if they are well-hydrated to ensure that proper blood flow is assured.

By using a tourniquet and the proper syringe with the vial, the medical assistant will locate a vein via palpitation and draw the blood. The medical assistant will need make sure to ask the patient if they are comfortable or if they feel faint. If the patient feels faint, the medical assistant should stop the procedure and have the patient lay down. The medical assistant will provide the patient with a sugary beverage like orange juice, especially if a lot of blood has been drawn. It is important for the medical assistant to remove the tourniquet before they take the needle out of the patient’s arm to prevent blood spurting from the wound. After the blood draw, the medical assistant will then cover the wound with a clean piece of gauze and skin-safe paper or plastic tape.

Medical assistant may need to perform other types of testing. This may include fecal test samples, urine samples, heel sticks for babies or finger sticks. Phlebotomy is often misunderstood as just being about drawing blood, but there are dozens of other tests that the medical assistant will be responsible for performing, especially if their role as phlebotomist is coupled with being a medical assistant.

Skills Needed to Perform Phlebotomy as a Medical Assistant

While there are many professionals who specifically work as phlebotomists, being a medical assistant and a phlebotomist opens up more career opportunities. The medical assistant will need proper training to effectively and safely draw blood from potential patients. In some cases, a medical assistant may learn “on the job” on how to properly draw blood and perform other medical tests.

Most phlebotomist courses take less than a year and they prepare the medical assistant for a career as a phlebotomist and medical assistant. In classes, the student will learn what tests are needed, how to perform them and safety precautions to take to protect themselves and their patients. These skills will come in handy while the medical assistant is on the job. Patients will thank the phlebotomist for being a skilled professional who is able to find their veins, collect the blood samples needed and perform the proper testing to ensure their health and overall wellness.

Final Thoughts

If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant and want to learn how to draw blood, consider that it takes less than a year to graduate from a vocational school. You can gain a career and start earning quickly. With the current pandemic and growth of the Baby Boomer generation, medical assistants and phlebotomist will be needed in the coming decade. Get ready to help your patients stay healthy and stand on the front lines of healthcare.

Did learning about a medical assistant’s role in phlebotomy interest you? Ready to become a medical assistant? 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.

 

Automated Machines Helping Medical Assistants

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Today, automated machines in healthcare are relieving medical assistants from routine tasks, which frequently demand time away from more urgent responsibilities. In addition, these machines make healthcare procedures less costly and safer for the patient. They can even perform surgery in tiny spots and transport hazardous substances.

Automated Machines Helping Medical Assistants

Automated machines perform a variety of tasks designed to help medical assistants rather than replace them. They can monitor patient vital statistics and call for medical assistants when there is a need for them in the room. This allows automated machines to monitor several patients at one time, in a safe manner. These machine assistants can automatically enter data into a patient’s electronic health record, and automated carts can move about hospital corridors to deliver supplies. This gives medical assistants more time to focus on the patient.

Innovative Technology to Improve Personal Care

Intelligent machine technology exists in many areas directly impacting patient care. In many healthcare facilities, these machines are now cleaning and disinfecting operating suites and patient rooms. This reduces the risks of infections for both the patients and healthcare providers.

In addition, automated machines are in laboratories to take samples and then deliver, analyze and record the results. From the patient’s perspective, this is good news. The automated lab assistant can typically find a vein and draw the sample with a minimum of pain, which is especially important to a patient who has had a poor experience in the past.

Automated machines can organize and dispense medications in the pharmacy, and in some healthcare facilities, automated carts deliver meals and bed linens from floor to floor. They are riding in the elevators and navigating the automatic doors. Medical assistants may also have help from machines that performs physical therapy for paraplegics.

Healthcare Automated Machines with Creative Designs

These automated machines are being created to look friendly, and their manufacturers have made this a priority along with efficient operation. Some of these machines will respond to human speech through the use of natural language processing software. Some machines don’t look humanoid at all by design, and some do have a humanoid appearance. The latter are frequently designed to assist with personal care, training, and socialization. Manufacturers have even designed machines that look like an accident victim to train emergency personnel in trauma treatment techniques. The automated machine can scream, bleed, and respond to various treatments. Think crash test dummies with sophisticated software.

Not Replacing Human Medical Assistants

These advancements do not mean that human medical assistants are no longer needed. That is simply not true. Instead, automated machines are freeing medical assistants from tedious work in order to have more time on truly caring for the patients and focusing on their needs.

For some, the technology is still quite expensive. Smaller healthcare facilities may not have the capital to spend on this technology. In fact, many are not single machines but are systems. Automated guided vehicles need floor tracks and hall space devoted to the system, and navigation devices must be installed throughout the healthcare facility. Some carts operate with a laser-drawn map of the facility programmed into their software to help them navigate the elevators, automatic doors, and hallways. This can be expensive as an upfront cost. Ultimately, automated medical assistants will never replace the need for human contact.

While the technology is costly, and some ideas are years from fruition, automated medical machines are transforming the healthcare world in exciting ways and will continue to do so for years to come.

Did learning about automated machines helping medical assistants interest you? Ready to become a medical assistant? 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.

 

The LPNs Role in Improving the Quality of Care for Patients

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Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are important members of the healthcare team in both acute-care hospitals and long-term facilities. In both areas they may work with RNs and nursing assistants, while in long-term facilities they may also assume leadership roles. No matter where they practice LPNs can have a big impact on the quality of care patients receive.

LPN Practice

Each state governs the practice of nursing and determines the scope of practice for LPNs. In all states, however, the role of the LPN is typically that of a bedside nurse. However, in long-term facilities, many LPNs are shift or team leaders, supervising the practice of the nursing assistants who perform direct caregiving. LPNs are not considered an independent practitioner and must work under the supervision of a physician or RN. Most LPNs work in long-term facilities, followed by hospitals, doctors’ offices and home health. One way an LPN can help ensure and improve the quality in the work setting is to be thoroughly familiar with what the scope of practice is at the medical facility. This helps ensure the LPN will only perform tasks for which they are properly trained.

Individual Practice

Holding oneself to a high standard of practice has a big impact on quality. This begins with getting the most out of one’s education and taking every possible opportunity to learn more. As with any technical skill, nursing takes practice. Long hours in the lab translate into skillful patient care at the bedside. An LPN can ask experienced nurses to teach you, or they can volunteer for the difficult assignments. At the end of the shift, an LPN should spend a few minutes thinking of what they might have done differently to be better at their work.

Supervision

In long-term care, LPNs often have supervisory responsibilities. In addition to overseeing the work of nursing assistants and other LPNs, supervision means building a cohesive team. These are skills not usually taught in nursing school. Attend continuing education courses and spend time observing other supervising nurses to learn the skills you need. As a supervisor, they do less of the work themselves. This means they need to be able to work through others by using influence, teaching, being a good role model and occasionally through disciplinary action.

Team Work

No one in the nursing field works alone, especially in long term care. Building good relationships with other nurses and medical staff such as physical therapists, respiratory therapists and lab techs improves team work. Doctors who berate a night nurse for calling with a valid concern are less likely to get another call even when the patient is deteriorating. However, good teamwork improves communication and quality.

Improving Systems

No matter how high the level of the practice, the LPN works within a system. They need to pay attention to possibilities for improvement. Bring ideas and changes to the attention of the supervisor and ask for more supplies that will help patients. A minor expense can result in quicker recovery, prevent patient complications like blood clots and pneumonia, and help prevent injury to patients and staff alike.

Quality Assurance

All health care organizations have quality goals. These vary from preventing medication errors to outcomes including control of blood sugars in diabetic patients. An LPN should educate themselves on the organization’s goals. In many cases, achieving these goals means the organization saves money, is rewarded by insurance companies or Medicare and Medicaid. Many organizations share bonuses with staff as an incentive to improve care. When the LPN and their fellow staff members participate in quality initiatives, everyone can benefit.

Teaching Other Staff

Healthcare is a system that changes constantly. New medications, new techniques and new equipment show up all the time. Quality care means that everyone has to be taught about how to use these new things. As an LPN in a supervisory role, teaching new staff and long-term workers is one of their responsibilities. Set up an in-service for new equipment and give people some hands-on experience. Develop a poster or flyer on new medications or techniques. Offer a small incentive like a home-baked cake for the winner of a quiz on new procedures. During the work day, be on the alert for opportunities to teach coworkers better techniques, explain complicated procedures or answer questions.

Mentoring New Graduates

All new graduates benefit from a mentor. Nursing research indicates that the process from novice to expert nurse takes about five years. A new graduate needs teaching, support and help to improve their practice. Explain procedures, allowing plenty of time for questions. Supervise the new graduate in the performance of basic tasks until both of you feel confident of correct performance. Don’t forget emotional support. The new graduate may be fresh out of school who has never worked in the healthcare field. Nursing is an emotionally demanding job and an LPN’s colleague needs to talk through the feelings of losing a patient, having to cause pain with a dressing change and similar experiences.

Becoming an Expert

Because the healthcare system is so complex, no one can know or teach it all. We can all learn from expert practitioners. Perhaps an LPN is particularly skillful at certain psycho-motor tasks like starting an intravenous line. The LPN should share their knowledge with others through volunteering to do an in-service or working with a new nurse to perform tasks in which they have experience and expertise. Perhaps they had a sibling with a chronic disease, their insight on family dynamics can be helpful to their colleagues, especially new graduates. Team up with another nurse to role play handling a difficult patient.

Learn from Mistakes

There is no such thing as a nurse who has never made a mistake. Rather than berating oneself, the LPN should examine what happened and consider what they can do differently to prevent the same or a similar mistake in the future, it’s a teaching moment. One organization looking at medication errors discovered that the most common reason for their occurrence was interruptions. Nurses who made errors were more likely to go on from the point at which they were interrupted instead of starting over and re-checking the basics of the “five rights” – the right patient, the right drug, the right dose, the right route and the right time.

Final Thoughts

Quality in the nursing field doesn’t just happen. It takes time, attention, proper teaching, practice, constant learning and team effort. The strategies outlined above can help an LPN improve their own practice and help teach or lead their team mates to do the same.

Did learning about the role of an LPN in improving the quality care for patients? Are you ready to become a licensed practical nurse? Gwinnett Institute in Orlando offers a Practical Nursing diploma program that trains LPN students for positions delivering basic bedside care to patients.  The Practical Nursing diploma program provides the didactic and skills training needed to take the NCLEX-PN examination.*  

*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 school training program that licensure is a required 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 a license practical nurse at Gwinnett College.

 

Surprising Career Options for People with an LPN Diploma

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Students who pursue LPN careers carve out dependable career paths for themselves, since there is such a great need for nurses throughout healthcare. People who choose to get their LPN diploma may end up working in a more traditional setting like a hospital or doctor’s office. However, nurses may end up finding interesting careers in other places, and some of them are unexpected or surprising. Anyone with an LPN diploma who wants to pursue a non-traditional career path may end up working as a forensic nurse, insurance industry nurse, nursing writer, theme park nurse or travel nurse.

Career #1: Forensic Nursing

Students who have LPN diplomas but also an interest in a criminal justice career and the law may want to look into a career in forensic nursing. Forensic nurses help people who have been harmed by violent crime, and they also do the critical job of collecting biological or physiological evidence from victims. In addition to working with people who survived crimes, forensic nurses may also work alongside coroners to determine a crime victim’s cause of death. Forensic nursing may be a great career path for anyone who wants to help pursue justice, while also providing healthcare and support.

Career #2: Insurance Industry Nurse

Insurance companies may employ nurses to offer their specialized knowledge of the human body and the healthcare industry. Insurance nurses can work as analysts that offer recommendations for benefits packages for insurance policy holders. LPNs in an insurance agency may also work alongside case managers to determine what healthcare services an insured person should receive. Alternatively, LPNs can provide physicals for policyholders or potential policy holders, so an insurer can determine their health or physical condition.

Career #3: Nursing Writer

People who have expert writing skills and an LPN diploma may be able to make their living as writers, rather than LPNs. Nursing writers can offer their services, freelance, to magazines, publishers, newspapers, and a wide range of publications that need someone with nursing experience to craft content.

An LPN can also work specifically for a doctor’s office or medical company in order to craft well-written and accurate text for marketing or promotional materials.

Nursing writers who are more interested in an entertainment industry career may be able to provide their services to screenwriters who are writing medical television shows or films. Script writers can rely on LPNs to provide information to make scenes more accurate or believable.

Career #4: Theme Park Nurse

Theme park nurses provide traditional nursing services, but they do it in a non-traditional setting: a theme park. Theme park nurses spend their days working at a large theme park (like Universal Studios or Walt Disney World). Then, they provide healthcare assistance to visitors who feel ill or get injured. Nurses can stay in a theme park medical office, or they can venture out to park attractions to help visitors who need medical care onsite.

Career #5: Travel Nurses

Travel nurses work both in the United States and across the world as international nursing staff. Travel nurses can work anywhere from one month to 13 weeks in a hospital or medical clinic and be overseas on a yearly basis. Travel nurses work through nursing agencies to supplement nursing in areas where there are shortages, administering medication, assessing patient conditions, planning treatment, and acting as a liaison between patients and other medical staff.

Hospitals and clinics may have difficulty keeping skilled nurses, need for temporary staff for expected leave of absence for their regular staff, holiday population increases, and simply because there are not enough qualified nurses available.

There are many benefits to travel nursing. You have the flexibility to pick and choose your assignment, pay is good, and you may be eligible for tax free employment.

A travel nurse has flexibility. A travel nurse may be able to choose between multiple offers, the location of the assignment, the specialty they want to work with and the length of time of their travel contract. Most travel nurse assignments last 13 weeks, so your commitment is minimal. If you do like your job and location, many nurses are offered extensions at the end of their assignment. Travel nurses are generally paid well, can get stipends for housing and travel, and can receive full health benefits.

The government will allow nurses to earn tax free money as long as their place of employment is far enough away that they have to stay overnight prior to returning home. In order to obtain tax free stipends, they must maintain a “tax home.”There is a specific form that they will have to fill out prior to signing on with their travel nursing agency stating that they do in fact have a tax home.

Students who study nursing can provide healthcare in a variety of settings. They may choose to hold a traditional position working with patients and assisting doctors. However, they can also end up pursuing a career path that requires knowledge of nursing skills, but that’s more unexpected, which can be fulfilling and fun.

Did learning about the surprising career options for people with an LPN diploma? Are you ready to become a licensed practical nurse? Gwinnett Institute in Orlando offers a Practical Nursing diploma program that trains LPN students for positions delivering basic bedside care to patients.  The Practical Nursing diploma program provides the didactic and skills training needed to take the NCLEX-PN examination.*  

*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 school training program that licensure is a required 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 a license practical nurse at Gwinnett College.