What is the Difference Between Legal Assistant vs Paralegal?

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legal assistant working with paralegal

Are you interested in legal work but don’t want to attend University for 6 to 8 years to become a lawyer? The good news is that you have options. Becoming a legal assistant or paralegal is a great way to study the law, help others in the community, and advance your knowledge in legal matters. It’s a win-win! So, what is the difference between the roles of legal assistant and paralegal?

What is the Difference Between Legal Assistant and Paralegal?

The legal assistant and paralegal need a strong knowledge of legal terminology and procedure. Plus, they must be able to speak with clients, witnesses, experts, judges, and opposing attorneys. However, in many legal circles, these two monikers are used interchangeably. The main differences between the two roles are education and the philosophical approach to work. The differences include:

Educational Program

There are different educational programs for each role. Gwinnett College offers a Paralegal Studies program for those who want to become paralegals in the legal field. The diploma program is more suitable for legal assistants that want to learn the terminology and procedure that they will be responsible for on the job. On the other hand, the associate degree is a stepping stone for paralegals to learn the ropes of the role and prepare for an entry-level paralegal job at a la firm.

It is also worth noting that Universities may use the term Legal Studies instead. Many legal studies programs at higher education institutions are geared toward preparing students for pre-law programs. Although a student can complete a paralegal program and then decide to start a pre-law program at a University, the legal studies graduate may have completed some prerequisites that apply to the pre-law program.

Philosophical Approach

The legal assistant role may be just that, assisting the legal team and completing what they are tasked by the legal team to do. This includes administrative tasks and other assistance to the lawyer or legal team. The paralegal has a unique role within a law firm. They are typically responsible for the legal aspects of the job. Still, in a small law firm, they may need to complete administrative tasks like answering phones and scheduling client appointments. However, paralegals are an integral part of the legal team and are responsible for many of the functions that entry-level lawyers have previously been responsible for. This allows the legal team to focus more on the client while the paralegal completes much of the trial or case preparation.

How Do You Become a Paralegal?

A great way to build a solid foundation that you can build upon as a paralegal is by attending a vocational school like Gwinnett College. We offer both a diploma and Associate Degree program. Graduates from these programs learn the technical and computer skills to assist law firms in managing cases of personal injury, criminal law, intellectual property, bankruptcy, immigration, family law, and real estate. With this knowledge, paralegals and legal assistants will join a legal team dedicated to their clients while enjoying a rewarding and challenging career in law.

Do I Need a Certification to Become a Legal Assistant or Paralegal?

While there aren’t mandatory requirements for certification to work as a paralegal, it can be helpful. Certifications like the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) are voluntary, but some employers may require certification before hiring you. They want to ensure you show a keen interest in the law and intend to stay in the field for many years. That way, they can invest in your training and feel like you will give back to the law firm during your career. Plus, certification can help you advance your career.

Paralegal Studies Program

Ready to start a new career as a paralegal? Our Lilburn, Marietta, and Raleigh campuses offer the following degree and diploma training programs in paralegal studies and legal assisting. Graduates from these Paralegal Studies Degree and Diploma Programs learn the technical and computer skills to assist law firms in managing cases in personal injury, criminal law, intellectual property, bankruptcy, immigration, family law and real estate. With this knowledge paralegals and legal assistants will join a legal team dedicated to their clients, while enjoying a rewarding and challenging career in law. These paralegal courses will be the first step in starting a rewarding career.

Contact Gwinnett Colleges & Institute today to learn more about becoming a paralegal.

 

Trends in Cardiology Diagnostics

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Heart disease is one of the biggest killers in the Western world and needs to be diagnosed and treated early for a patient’s health. With sedentary lifestyles, obesity, and unhealthy eating, heart disease is on the rise. Practical nurses and medical assistants have a significant role in the diagnostic pathways for heart disease, particularly with new developments occurring. Here’s how practical nurses and medical assistants impact cardiology diagnostics.

Trend #1: Rapid Diagnosis

One of the most essential developments in cardiovascular disease is a rapid diagnosis so the correct treatment can begin as quickly as possible. In a heart attack, each minute of delayed treatment causes more damage to the heart muscle. Practical nurses have a significant role in getting patients diagnosed correctly and quickly. They work in emergency departments, doctors’ offices, and hospital departments, so they are part of the multi-professional team caring for the patient. An EKG is one of the most basic tests, something that medical assistants are trained to do. This is fundamental in getting a rapid diagnosis of heart disease. Practical nurses can do blood tests for cardiac enzymes and electrolytes, which also contribute to the diagnosis of a heart problem. With the help of heart disease rapid diagnosis, the practical nurse can be an invaluable member of the clinical team.

Trend #2: Detecting Arrhythmias

A common problem in cardiology is detecting disturbances in the heart rhythm. This is done by taking heart recordings, which a medical assistant is trained to do. They not only perform EKGs but can monitor patients using heart monitoring equipment and remote devices such as telemetry. Patients are sometimes given 24-hour EKG recording devices, which medical assistants can fit correctly and instruct the patient on how they function. Increasingly, more sophisticated long-term recording monitors are being used, such as Reveal devices.

Trend #3: Dealing with Emergencies

Practical nurses and medical assistants have a range of skills needed in a cardiac emergency. They can act as a resuscitation team member by performing CPR or helping with cardiac tests. A practical nurse can support staff in an operating room or angiography department where cardiology testing and monitoring are needed. They can assist in critical care and emergency room emergencies as part of a team. Practical nurses know how to use a defibrillator in an emergency and have training in resuscitation skills.

Trend #4: Health Screening

A growing trend in cardiology is health screening programs, particularly genetic testing for conditions such as cardiomyopathy. Practical nurses and medical assistants have a key role in health screening clinics due to their ability to perform a range of tests. This includes taking blood and recording an EKG.

Health screening is also done as an annual check-up of healthy people as part of a general medical. Practical nurses and medical assistants can support medical staff by recording EKGs and other tests.

Trend #5: Pre-Surgical Assessment

Rigorous pre-surgical assessment is vital to ensure the patient’s safety in the operating room. The medical assistant is significant in providing EKGs and echocardiograms in the pre-surgical departments. This helps ensure that any cardiac problems are detected and treated before surgery. Medical assistants are versatile and connect to several clinical teams for diagnostic testing.

Trend #6: Oncology and Cardiac Testing

Many types of anti-cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, are potentially damaging to the heart. This means that patients undergoing treatment for cancer need to have some baseline tests, including an EKG and echocardiography. Medical assistants are ideal for this setting to perform tests promptly without delaying cancer treatment. Patients also require monitoring throughout and after their treatment, so a medical assistant will be involved in repeating these tests periodically. Some oncology departments have practical nurses embedded in the team as the demand for cardiac tests is so high. With an aging population, there will be an increased demand for cardiac screening within oncology as the incidence of cancer rises, so practical nurses and medical assistants will find an increased need for staff in this specialty.

Final Thoughts

In cardiology, diagnostic tests and treatments have changed dramatically over the last few years and continue to change thanks to research. Practical nurses and medical assistants have a large role to play in ensuring tests are done accurately and in a timely way so that diagnoses can be reached as quickly as possible. Through their ability to work both independently and as part of a larger multiprofessional team, the practical nurse and medical assistant have an interesting future by being at the heart of all these trends and developments.

Medical Assistant Program

Gwinnett Colleges & Institute offers medical assisting courses to help students gain essential skills and training at multiple campuses, from Lilburn, Roswell/Sandy Springs, and Atlanta/Marietta to Orlando, FL, and Raleigh, NC. The core curriculum at these campuses focuses on the medical assisting skills and training you will need to seek entry-level employment.

Practical Nurse Program

Are you looking for practical nursing training classes in Central Florida to prepare you to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN)? 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 training program that licensure is a prerequisite for employment as a nurse and to diligently prepare themselves to meet this important requirement.

Contact Gwinnett Colleges & Institute today to learn more about becoming a practical nurse.

Phlebotomy Certification and Training: Medical Assistant’s Role

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Are you ready to become a medical assistant and want to learn more about phlebotomy certification? If so, you have come to the right place. This article will review a medical assistant’s role, job duties, certification, and phlebotomy training.

Phlebotomy Certification and Training: Medical Assistant’s Role

A phlebotomy certification can help you gain a position in a health facility. Plus, certification in phlebotomy will help you advance in your job. It will also offer you a leg up on the competition in the employment market. Phlebotomy certification is part of Gwinnett College’s Medical Assistant program.

Phlebotomy training can help you gain on-the-job experience and make you more marketable. While it’s not required in every state, it can make you more attractive to employers.

You’ll use your phlebotomy skills in doctor’s offices or emergency care settings in a high-stress environment. In labs, you can specialize in phlebotomy as a career. If you’re interested in a more hands-on career, you should get certification in this field. A phlebotomy certification will prepare you for an entry-level role in a healthcare facility. It is also an excellent entry-level credential for a medical assistant, as it allows you to begin.

What Are the Steps for Phlebotomy for Medical Assistants?

Phlebotomy is the process of drawing blood for medical testing or donation. The steps for phlebotomy include:

Verify the Patient’s Identity

Check the patient’s name and date of birth against EHR records. Lack of identification can lead to serious medical errors. Verification ensures patients receive the appropriate tests.

Review the Requisition

Physicians use requisition forms to order tests. They include instructions on which tests to perform and why. A review will help you pick the right equipment and screen for medical or billing inconsistencies in the request. The safest time to ask questions is before blood is drawn.

Gather Phlebotomy Supplies

Gathering supplies, such as gloves, alcohol swabs, needles, and collection tubes, before drawing blood helps avoid unnecessary interruptions. It streamlines the procedure, alleviates patient anxiety, and reduces the risk of infection.

Prepare the Patient

Medical assistants should explain the process to patients and verify consent to proceed. Making them comfortable is essential. Most patients sit for the procedures, but patients with a fear of needles or a history of fainting may need to lie down.

Wash Your Hands

Handwashing is still the most effective way to protect yourself and others from infection. Scrub your hands vigorously with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before blood draw.

Wear Personal Protective Equipment

The minimum personal protective equipment for drawing blood is a pair of clean gloves. Gloves protect against bloodborne pathogens. When working with challenging patients, wearing a face shield can deflect splashes. Consider a lab coat or apron to safeguard your clothing.

Apply the Tourniquet

A tourniquet above the venipuncture site sequesters blood in the vein, making it easier to find when punctured. Although venous blood can be drawn from any vein, medical assistants are trained to draw blood on the hand, wrist, or near the elbow.

Cleanse the Site

Phlebotomy isn’t a sterile procedure, but cleaning the site with an alcohol swab reduces the risk of infection.

Puncture the Vein

Bracing the vein with the thumb and index finger, use your other hand to puncture it at a 15-30 degree angle. Needles should be bevel-up and suitable for the patient’s size and physical condition.

Perform Phlebotomy

Push the collection tube into the tube holder and draw the necessary amount of blood. Remove and replace the tube to collect the required volume. Tubes are color-coded to reflect additives necessary for specific tests. Depending on the types of tests ordered, you may need to collect multiple tubes.

Apply Pressure

Once the blood draw is complete, withdraw the needle and apply firm pressure to the site with a cotton ball. Applying an adhesive wrap will protect the patient’s clothing.

Clean Up

Dispose of used supplies according to safety and infection control protocols. Needles are put in puncture-proof “sharps” containers. Gloves and gauze, depending on the situation, go in the regular trash bin or a biohazard bag.

Educate the Patient

Phlebotomy can occasionally result in complications. A medical assistant’s role is to teach patients self-care. You’ll advise them to keep the area clean and apply ice to swollen or bruised areas. You will also provide them with contact information for follow-up.

Label and Process Samples

Label the collection tubes with the patient’s information, the ordering doctor’s name, and the time and date of collection. Then, process the collection tubes according to the laboratory’s guide to ensure they’re test-ready. Some may need to be centrifuged to separate the liquid from the solids, and others may require refrigeration or flash freezing.

Document the Procedure

Something is only considered done once it’s fully documented. You’ll note the procedure in the patient’s electronic health records, including the date, time, blood draw site, complications, and education provided.

Medical Assistant Program

Ready to start a new career as a medical assistant? Gwinnett Colleges & Institute offers medical assisting courses to gain essential skills and training at multiple campuses from Lilburn, Roswell/Sandy Springs, and Atlanta/Marietta to Orlando, FL and Raleigh, NC. The core curriculum at these campuses 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.

Contact Gwinnett Colleges & Institute today to learn more about becoming a medical assistant.

Where Do Administrative Assistants Work?

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Are you looking for more than a job but a career? Getting the training you need to be an effective administrative assistant is an ideal way to start a new career. And the good news is that Gwinnett Colleges and Institute offers an Administrative Assistant program that can prepare you for entry-level positions in many unique industries. So, where do administrative assistants work?

Where Do Administrative Assistants Work?

While many industries rely on administrative assistants, your skillset and interest may help you direct your job search to one of the following fields.

Healthcare

As an administrative assistant in healthcare, you will spend part of your day organizing client files. You will likely be exposed to private information as an administrative assistant so it is important to study HIPAA restrictions, which will give you a deeper understanding of general professional security and patient privacy.

With each task you take on, you will have the chance to build your professional skills. If your job includes answering phones, you will learn to manage patients who are distressed, unwell, or in pain. The ability to be supportive, gentle, and direct can help you in many aspects of your career and, indeed, your life.

You will understand the certifications and licensure requirements of others in your current office. You may work with certified medical assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners. You will also get the chance to work with physician assistants and physicians. Occupational and physical therapists may also be among the professionals you support.

A detailed understanding of the breadth of these positions may be possible to learn over time. If you intend to continue your career in administration, you may be called upon to schedule additional training for any of these professionals so they can maintain their licensure. If you plan to get more schooling in the world of healthcare, these professionals can give you pointers on your educational goals.

Part of your work will be to support the office administrator. By supporting aspects of their work, such as basic bookkeeping, you can increase your skills and make yourself a more attractive employee. Each time you tackle this assignment, do your best to understand better where it fits in the overall framework of the bookkeeping process.

Education

An administrative assistant in the educational field may have the pleasure of working with administrators, teachers, students, and paraprofessionals. Part of your work will include scheduling staff meetings or parent/teacher/administrative meetings.

You can use this time to invest in your skill in greeting “customers” as you may be dealing with busy parents, overloaded teachers, and troubled students. Staying consistent with your presentation will take focus; any organization that serves young people, especially very young people, will require you to remain flexible.

When you work in education, you will take care of filing and document design. You may help teachers design parent notification documents, including documents that need to be viewed, signed off on, and returned to the teacher and school. Tracking tools, such as spreadsheets, will help you  design effective documentation management, and your skills can be of great help to teachers and administrators.

Employees in education will also need to stay abreast of legal and regulatory changes. Even those who work at private colleges will still need to follow state and federal regulations. Creating a process for storing copies of grades, student correspondence, and syllabi may be part of your workload.

Professional Services

As an administrative assistant, you will support sales personnel or engineers. Accountants and financial advisors also need administrative assistants. Each professional industry serves as a draw for different personality types; if you are a quiet, reflective person, supporting a dynamic sales team in the automotive industry may be challenging. A person who loves action and change may not thrive as an assistant to a tax professional.

Never stop looking for a way to build your skills. Data entry is a simple skill, but helping car shoppers apply for an automobile loan may require you to work quickly and handle detailed information.

Stay open to input, but make sure you check in with your supervisor. Many salespeople are carefully focused on their clients; they may check in at odd times or have tasks that need to be addressed quickly. Clients can also change your work requirements; if a client is out of town when their tax return is complete, you may need to prepare a lengthy fax.

Be aware that your industry may also impact your hours. If you work for a public accountant, March and April will be busy. If you support a team of sales professionals at a car dealership, your days off may not include the weekend. Each of these features of your job will have pluses and minuses; just be aware that flexibility may be required.

Scientific Services

As an administrative assistant for a scientific services firm, you may be given the chance to learn a great deal about the regulatory world. For example, you may work for a lab that supports the petrochemical industry, and you may be tasked with direct communication, such as phone calls and memos, to the professionals in your firm.

Knowing which professional handles what documentation will take time. It will also require you to understand document content to direct it properly. For example, the head of Research and Development may need immediate access to documentary changes in product content. In contrast, the Head of Manufacturing might need all incoming information on regulatory changes in packaging.

If you plan to continue your science education, your administrative assistant position may help you see the scientific process from the ground up. The life of a scientist is one of endless curiosity; after all, the scientific method is all about asking questions and conducting experiments. Part of your job will include taking care of the database where results are tracked. As you work with the numbers and information, the compilation of data can pique your curiosity.

Technical Services

The world of technical services is far-reaching and may offer you the opportunity for tremendous growth. You may work for a firm that does testing for other industries. Your tasks will include detailed tracking of lab work dedicated to measuring fluids, weights, or even measuring tools.

This is the field for those who are detail oriented. If you can work independently, you can quickly become even more valuable to your direct supervisors and your firm. In such cases, you must learn to manage your capacities.

As an administrative assistant in technical services, you will need to learn jargon and acronyms. To avoid an embarrassing or costly mix-up, carry a notebook to consistently remember which acronym or jargon is specific to different clients.

The ability to quickly enter numbers into a spreadsheet is a skill that you can build. You’ll also need to learn the following:

  • Asking for a deadline so you can manage your tasks
  • Take a break when you need one so you can stay focused
  • Coming up with design changes if a database can’t be easily manipulated

As you build your time management skills, you may be given more opportunities to work autonomously. This is an ideal way to increase your skills, support more people, and grow within your firm.

Final Thoughts

A quality administrative assistant will find ways to grow at almost any organization. Keep your eyes open for new ways to learn. If you’ve been assigned a database clean-up that could benefit from an updated layout, go ahead and finish the clean-up task, then offer to create a sample layout change.

Administrative Assistant Program

The Administrative Assisting diploma program trains Gwinnett College students to seek entry-level positions in the office administration or secretarial field. Graduates may work as a secretary, receptionist, executive assistant, or administrative assistant after coursework is completed. The school’s  Administrative Assisting program externship will allow Gwinnett College students to apply the skills learned during the classroom training.

Contact Gwinnett Colleges & Institute today to learn more about becoming an administrative assistant

What Are Some Massage Therapy Techniques?

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Are you interested in becoming a massage therapist and want to know more about massage techniques. Massage therapy is a diverse field, and there are many different massage techniques that a professional massage therapist can learn. While some massage therapists specialize in a particular technique, various techniques are taught during a Massage Therapy degree or diploma program. Different massage techniques are administered for different reasons; some are used to treat chronic pain, others alleviate stress, some may promote muscle recovery, and others are designed to induce relaxation.

You will learn the techniques to become a skilled massage therapist at Gwinnett Colleges & Institute. Below are some of the most common types of massage that massage therapists learn during or diploma and degree programs.

What Are Some Massage Therapy Techniques?

Every massage therapist must be able to choose the right type of massage for each client. Clients often seek of massage therapy as part of a medical treatment plan, and sometimes, they may get a massage at the request of a doctor or chiropractor. Some clients will have particular requests, while others may describe their symptoms and ask you to choose the best massage for them.

Throughout your training, you will learn to perfect a variety of massage techniques, including:

Swedish Massage

The classic Swedish massage is one of the most versatile types of massage therapy. As a massage therapist, you learn to glide your hands along the client’s body gently. This helps the client ease tension in the muscles and promote a sense of lightness and relaxation. The official strokes you will learn during a massage therapy program include effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction, and vibration.

Swedish massages can be customized to suit a client’s needs and preferences. For example, one client may prefer a faster speed but lighter intensity, while another likes slower, deeper strokes. Although they may be administered differently, all Swedish massages employ the same basic techniques.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massages support the musculoskeletal system by applying firm pressure strokes to the muscles and connective tissues. A full-body deep-tissue massage can help relieve tense muscles, especially in the back and shoulder area. It can also work out knots in muscles and help reduce chronic pain. During this type of treatment, your goal is to reach deeper levels of muscle by applying slow, intense pressure with your fingers. This technique is extremely common but requires skill and patience to perform accurately. Being too forceful or moving too quickly can cause clients pain and discomfort.

Myofascial

Myofascial massages help treat chronic pain and ease muscle tension throughout the body. This massage technique also treats myofascial pain syndrome, a condition marked by pain triggered by sensitive muscles throughout the body. A myofascial massage is also called myofascial release; this refers to the technique’s focus on scanning the body and applying gentle strokes and pressure to tight areas.

Prenatal/Postnatal Massage

Prenatal massage therapy helps pregnant women feel more comfortable and even prepare for their upcoming labor and delivery. Prenatal massages are modified Swedish massages with changes made to accommodate the mother’s stomach and protect the baby. This massage technique releases tension and stimulates blood circulation, which can ease back pain and help reduce swelling. Lowering stress levels and relaxing muscles can also help women experience less pain during labor and delivery.

Postnatal massages are similar to prenatal massages, but they are designed to promote recovery and wellness after giving birth. A woman’s body undergoes tremendous changes during pregnancy and childbirth. A postnatal massage can help new mothers feel more relaxed, lower stress, and promote hormonal regulation. It can also lead to better sleep, which is already in short supply with a demanding newborn. Postnatal massages can help decrease postpartum swelling through lymphatic drainage.

Sports Massage

Massage therapy plays an integral role in sports medicine. A sports massage consists of deep tissue therapy through deep strokes and intermittent pressure that often targets a specific body area, namely the muscular area most affected by a client’s athletic activity. Athletes usually experience muscle strain and injuries requiring targeted messages to accelerate healing. Routine messages for athletes can also help their muscles relax and recover after extensive use or ensure they’re properly relaxed before an event.

Trigger Point Therapy

A trigger point is a sensitive part of a muscle that can form a knot when strained. Athletes often develop muscle knots, but they can happen to anyone. Through a trigger point massage, you can help release these knots by applying pressure to a targeted point. Trigger points that cause pain in the surrounding muscular area can lead to the development of myofascial pain disorder.

Through trigger point massage therapy, clients experience more relaxed muscles, less pain, and a greater range of motion. You must discuss each client’s symptoms in detail to identify which trigger points to address and what pressure to apply to them. The goal is to reduce pain, not increase it. Because clients receiving this type of massage therapy are sensitive, extra caution and a solid understanding of proper technique are essential.

Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu is the practice of Japanese bodywork, drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture. Instead of needles, you target specific points of the body to ease muscle tension, alleviate stress, and activate qi, the energy force that the Chinese believe flows through every living being. To perform Shiatsu properly, you must learn how to apply pressure at specific points using your thumbs, fingers, and palms. Many people believe that you can release trapped energy through Shiatsu, restore a natural balance, and feel more at ease.

Shiatsu practices have existed for centuries and are still popular today. Those passionate about energy healing and massage therapy may specialize in this form of treatment and earn a Shiatsu certificate.

Where Do You Learn Massage Therapy Techniques?

Gwinnett Colleges & Institute are a great place to start massage therapy training. Our program teaches you the techniques you need to perform massage therapy, including anatomy, physiology, client satisfaction, business practices, and universal safety precautions. You will also be exposed to many massage techniques to build a well-rounded skill set. This will also help you discover your style and determine what types of massages you’d like to specialize in.

Do I Need a Diploma to Be a Massage Therapist?

In most states, practicing massage therapists must have at least a diploma from an accredited massage therapy training program to earn their state license. A diploma and license regulate the industry and ensure that only qualified professionals can give massages. Earning your diploma or degree is the first step toward further specialization. If you dream of starting a massage therapy practice, you’ll find all the resources at Gwinnett Colleges & Institute immensely helpful.

What Are the Benefits of Attending a Massage Therapy Vocational School?

Our program offers a complete curriculum covering massage therapy, from human anatomy and physiology to business development. We help you build a solid foundational skill set that prepares you for work as a licensed massage therapist and potentially a business owner. You can also pursue additional certification in one or more types of massage therapy.

Hands-On Training

We are all about putting theory into practice, so you get the chance to practice under the strict supervision of experienced instructors. In addition to getting one-on-one feedback from giving and receiving messages, you can grow as a professional.

Learn Business Practices

After you have learned the different massage techniques, you take a program on running your own massage businesses or managing a massage spa. Most practicing massage therapists are entrepreneurs and may wish to open studios or offer massages in their clients’ homes.

Career Services

Through career services, you receive individual coaching to help you succeed. Resume help, job placement, and interview practice are available to make finding work that matches your knowledge and passion a reality.

Want to Learn More?

Are you interested in learning more about starting a career in massage therapy? Upon graduation, Massage Therapy Program students will receive diplomas and be qualified to seek entry-level positions as clinical, medical, or deep tissue massage therapists in wellness clinics and centers, spa environments including resorts and franchises, and self-employment.

The massage therapy training diploma program consists of a well-planned sequence of courses, each preparing the college student for the more intensive information to follow. The school curriculum includes training to provide college students with scientific knowledge, manual skills, and business mastery to become a professional massage therapist.

Contact us to learn more about how you can become a massage therapist today.

What Does a Swedish Massage Include?

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Are you interested in becoming a massage therapist and want to know more about Swedish massage? Did you know Swedish massage forms the basis of many other types of massage, such as deep tissue and chair massage? By learning Swedish massage, you can offer multiple massage techniques and create a unique treatment plan for your clients. So, what exactly is Swedish massage?

What is Swedish Massage?

Swedish massage is a full-body massage that targets the neck and shoulders down to the back, hands, legs and feet. Although Swedish massage has many benefits, the technique involves a few basic strokes.

What are the Basic Swedish Massage Strokes?

Five Swedish massage strokes include effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction, and vibration. Each stroke has a unique purpose. Depending on your client’s needs, you will create a unique treatment plan to get the right results.

Effleurage – a series of long, circular massage strokes at different intensity levels of pressure meant to loosen knots and release muscle tension. You use your hands and forearms to perform effleurage strokes. These strokes move toward the direction of the heart to help stimulate blood flow.

Petrissage – the kneading or squeezing of the soft tissue, used to stretch and loosen muscle tension. This stroke has a deeper effect on soft tissue to help improve blood circulation, stimulate joint fluid, and remove muscle toxins.

Tapotement –used after effleurage and petrissage to stimulate soft tissue circulation. During this stroke, you use a tapping motion on the body to stimulate blood flow and introduce endorphins into the body. This stroke can energize the client and invigorate them for the rest of the day.

Friction – massage in a circular motion with cross-fiber movements to penetrate deep tissues and rub the body’s muscles. This stroke uses the ball of the thumb or a pointed object. Friction helps warm the muscles, allowing them to improve blood flow during tapotement strokes.

Vibration – shaking the muscles to loosen and relax the body. Vibration strokes also help improve nerve function and relax the body’s muscles.

What are the Benefits of Swedish Massage?

Swedish massage has many different benefits. These benefits include relaxation, stress reduction, increased blood circulation, removal of metabolic waste and scar tissue, immunity support, better posture, increased flexibility, and headache relief.

Relaxation – Swedish massage increases relaxation by reducing tension in the muscles, sending calming nerve messages to the brain, and producing feel-good hormones like dopamine. Reducing stress and tension in the body helps relax the mind and body.

Increase Blood Circulation – many of the strokes used in Swedish massage are intended to increase blood circulation. For example, effleurage is used to move blood toward the heart to help stimulate blood flow, exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen rich blood, and remove waste from the blood stream.

Removal of Metabolic Waste and Scar Tissue – when a client gets injured, the body naturally creates scar tissue to help heal. Once healed, soft tissue holds scar tissue, lactic acid, and other metabolic waste. Swedish massage strokes can help break down scar tissue and push lactic acid and other metabolic waste out of the muscles and soft tissue to be removed from the body.

Immunity Support – the body relies on the immune system to protect it from outside forces like viruses and bacteria. Swedish massage helps improve mood, reduce stress, and increase blood circulation, which can help boost immunity within the body.

Better Posture – many of us work at a desk or stand during the day, which can cause an imbalance in the muscle structure. Swedish massage can help improve posture by reducing the imbalances within muscles. A person with poor posture may rely on one set of muscles over another, and Swedish massage helps restore muscle balance and improve posture.

Increased Flexibility – As we work our muscles, they naturally restrict. Swedish massage helps increase flexibility in the joints, tendons, and muscles by elongating the muscles and improving the range of motion.

Headache Relief – Many people suffer from headaches, whether induced by stress, tension, or injury. Swedish massage can help reduce stress and tension and restore balance to the brain, offering clients relief from headaches and other body aches they may be experiencing.

Are Massage Therapists in Demand?

Massage therapists are in demand. Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 18 percent annually from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. More people are looking to supplemental treatments for pain and injury in addition to traditional medicine. Doctors are even prescribing massage therapy as a part of medical treatment. Massage therapy is mainstream, and more people are becoming aware of the benefits of massage.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know what a Swedish massage includes, are you ready to learn more about becoming a massage therapist? Do you have the time to attend a massage therapy program full-time? If so, start your new journey today. Help others while you build a rewarding career; it’s a win-win.

Are you interested in learning more about starting a career in massage therapy? Upon graduation, Massage Therapy Program students will receive diplomas and be qualified to seek entry-level positions as clinical, medical, or deep tissue massage therapists in wellness clinics and centers, spa environments including resorts and franchises, and self-employment.

The massage therapy training diploma program consists of a well-planned sequence of courses, each preparing the college student for the more intensive information to follow. The school curriculum includes training to provide college students with scientific knowledge, manual skills, and business mastery to become a professional massage therapist.

Contact us to learn more about how you can become a massage therapist today.

What is Microsoft Office?

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One of the best ways to become a sought-after employee is to build strong computer skills. Effective use of Microsoft Office can help you make strong connections with co-workers and stand out as a support system for business leadership.

What is Microsoft Office?

Microsoft Office is a collection of software that makes communication within an office possible. Some of the programs under the Microsoft Office umbrella include:

Word

With Word, you can communicate, format letters, create newsletters, and provide other structural support. Word can also mesh well with Excel to run mail merges. Once you learn to create templates and mail merges in Microsoft Word, you can generate mass documents to share information with clients.

As you work in Word, make sure you pay attention to shortcuts. Word will automate a lot of formatting if you let it. Need a numbered list? Create one in the control ribbon. It may be faster to type “1” and start your first point. Word will automatically generate a “2” and continue. Hitting enter can break the numerical formatting chain; using the Tab key can help you build an outline with multiple points within the numeric structure.

Find a printed page that contains a detailed outline and practice. How many ways can you create a numbered list? What if you want to avoid numbers? Can you find bullet points that will help you match the style and produce easy-to-read documents? Coming up with the proper formatting with as few keystrokes as possible is a terrific skill.

Excel

Excel is primarily a spreadsheet program, but even if you never need to generate a single equation, you can get a lot of use out of this program. In Excel, you can

  • Sort quickly and effectively
  • Pull portions of text from other cells
  • Remove duplicates from a mailing list
  • Create formulas like vlookup

Sorting is quite simple. If you’ve got a mailing list and want to ensure that old addresses have been pulled, you can sort it by name. Setting up your mailing list with an eye toward detailed sorting is a good idea. Instead of including First Name, Middle Initial, and Last Name in one field or cell, you may get more use out of your spreadsheet if you split this content using “text to column.”

You have many options to pull information from other cells. You can choose to split a cell on spaces or commas. This is the first step in separating the information for more effective manipulation if you have a very long list of consolidated addresses. You can also use the “LEFT” and “RIGHT” commands to remove several characters from an adjacent cell. For example, if you need to review five-character zip codes, you can pull them with this command.

When you’re practicing mailing lists or database manipulation, creating a new spreadsheet and keeping it in your personal work folder is a good idea. You can name it something simple, such as Mailing List Practice. Next, create multiple tabs in your practice spreadsheet to copy, extract, and play with the data until you’re confident.

If you need to learn to use the calculation features in Excel, finding an old checkbook or ledger is a good idea. You can learn to add, subtract, and insert lines with this. As you need more equations, you can practice those skills.

Excel offers many automatic features—practice building a calendar. Type in the number 1, then move right and type the number 2. If you highlight these two cells and pull them to the right, you’ll see 3, 4, 5, etc., fill in automatically. The same will happen on Monday and Tuesday.

PowerPoint

PowerPoint is the flashiest feature of Office and allows you to create presentation projects. Presenters can use PowerPoints and print them into booklets. Each PowerPoint page can be uniquely laid out, though this can be overdone and start to look busy.

Your firm likely has a basic PowerPoint template that includes your logo. The primary template may also include bio information for presenters. Again, save yourself a copy of the document to practice on.

Learn to insert breaks that allow you to change the formatting. Play with the available fonts for quick recognition. Keep your work in visible mode so you can see the page breaks you’ve installed, the layout or text boxes at work in your document, and how the images are formatted.

Find a paper copy of a PowerPoint with a lot of variety and get in the habit of working to manipulate your practice document until making changes in the document is easy. When you’re invited to produce a PowerPoint, you don’t want to struggle to figure out how to change layout features or add a text box. You want the process to be seamless.

Access

Access is another database software. It uses tables like Excel, but that’s where the similarities stop. Access is the ideal place to create a unique database. In your access table, you can make a primary key. This key is unique to the record and cannot be duplicated.

If part of your job is to help arrange bids and each bid has a unique code or number, tracking those bids in Access can reduce the risk that you’ll present a bid to your supervisor more than once. You can also track the materials needed for the bid and the supplier contact information on this database.

It’s important to note that Access doesn’t do calculations. You can import from Excel to Access and do the same in reverse but be very careful when designating your primary key.

Outlook

Outlook is Microsoft Office’s calendar and email feature. The staff members you support may give you access to shared calendars. You can also add group events to these calendars. Take your time as you work through these calendars and do your best to avoid distractions when setting up such events; one poorly booked meeting can create a lot of commotion.

Set up your email folders with care as well. If you get regular notifications from the local Business Journal, create a folder for yourself and move new messages until you have time to review the latest information. The same folders can be used for local office supply store flyers.

Finally, the drag-and-drop feature for specific emails can be used to mark items on your calendar. If you need to print an agenda for a meeting and someone sends you a link to an agenda they’re working on, move it to your calendar and set the notification for a few hours before the event. That way, you can be sure you’ll print off the newest version of the agenda.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Office has undergone some significant changes in recent years, and updates are continually offered. If you know the basics but are concerned about using the latest tips, it’s a good idea to take a Computer Operations program at Gwinnett College.

Computer Operations Program

The Computer Operations training program provides college students job-related training in various computer fields.  Gwinnett College students will complete computer training courses on the various Microsoft Office applications relating to word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation creation.  The Computer Operations diploma program also includes administrative office procedures and accounting training.

Contact us today to learn more about our Computer Operations program at Gwinnett Institute.

Where are LPNs Most Likely to be Hired?

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Becoming an LPN is a great way to get into the nursing field. However, before you start your journey, it is essential to see who hires nurses so you can make better plans for your future. Numerous healthcare settings rely on the skills and knowledge of LPNs. This article will help you learn more about who hires them, their role, and how to become one so you can start your new career.

What Does a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Do?

As an LPN, you are part of a comprehensive team of medical professionals who provide diverse care to your patients. LPNs often complete common tasks, regardless of the setting.

As an LPN, you may conduct patient assessments, measure their vital signs, and review medical histories. You will observe patients and report your findings to the doctor or RN on duty. It is expected to administer medications, including oral, injectable, topical, and IV medicines. Wound care and monitoring wounds are everyday LPN tasks, too.

You might provide patient education or help a patient’s family understand treatments and conditions. LPNs often help patients with daily activities, including grooming, toileting, bathing, dressing, and mobility. Some administrative duties like answering phones and scheduling appointments are also possible, primarily if you work at a small clinic or office.

Where Are LPNs Most Likely to be Hired?

LPNs are employed in a variety of healthcare settings. Your duties might differ depending on the facility type and staff you work with.

Doctor’s Offices

You will usually report to a registered nurse in a doctor’s office; if the office is small, you may report directly to the doctor. You will manage patient care, including basic health assessments, taking a patient’s vital signs, and helping with examinations. You might also give injections and vaccinations and collect samples for lab tests.

Hospitals

If you work in a hospital, a registered nurse is often your supervisor. You will help with primary patient care, such as feeding, mobility, and personal hygiene. It is common for the LPN to monitor patients and report to the RN if there are any changes. Assisting with clinical procedures, helping with diagnostic tests, and doing documentation are also everyday LPN tasks.

Clinics

As an LPN working in a clinic, you will work alongside doctors and other nurses. You will help prepare patients for examinations, record their medical histories, and take their vital signs. Patient education and assisting with clinical procedures are also things that LPNs often do in a clinic. Sometimes, you might support the office staff by helping with appointment scheduling, updating patient records, and other administrative tasks.

Urgent Care

Those working in urgent care will report directly to more advanced nurses and doctors. You will help with patient triage and take their vital signs when they arrive at the facility. LPNs often help monitor patients, observe and document procedures, and provide support to other healthcare staff as they treat patients.

Assisted Living

An LPN will coordinate with other healthcare professionals to help ensure complete care for the patients. This includes other nurses, doctors, and professionals such as respiratory and physical therapists.

You will perform regular health assessments and take patient’s vital signs. You will also help them with their activities of daily living and administer medications. LPNs may aid with managing catheters, wound care, and other basic medical treatments.

Home Health Agencies

If you choose to work for a home health agency, you will usually have a supervisor to whom you report directly. When you visit your patients, you will conduct assessments and take their vital signs. You may also administer their medications and perform any necessary wound care. Providing education to your patients and their families is also a common task.

How Do You Become an LPN?

The average LPN program takes 1 to 2 years. Once you complete your schooling, you must pass your licensure examination before you can seek employment.

Attend a Vocational College

An LPN program at a vocational school provides the education to prepare you for the licensure examination and work as an LPN. Classroom instruction focuses on nursing theory, physiology, medical terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology. You get hands-on training a lab to learn and practice LPN skills, including wound care, patient hygiene, medication administration, collecting laboratory specimens, performing a patient assessment, and getting vital signs.

Part of the program includes completing clinical hours where you work in healthcare facilities alongside staff to gain practical experience. Vocational schools provide you with an externship for more real-world experience working under the supervision of an experienced LPN.

Complete the NCLEX-PN Exam

To become licensed as an LPN, you must pass the NCLEX-PN exam. This standardized exam will thoroughly assess your skills, abilities, and knowledge. The exam focuses on multiple areas of nursing, including health promotion and maintenance, physiological integrity, promoting a safe and effective care environment, and psychosocial integrity.

Career Services

Gwinnett College offers career services to help you find employment after graduating from the LPN program and passing your licensure examination. We allow you to develop effective job search strategies and hone your interview skills. These services offer networking opportunities and assist you in creating a professional cover letter and resume. You will also get help finding legitimate job listings and schedule one-on-one career counseling sessions to increase your chances of finding the job that best suits your preferences as a new LPN.

Final Thoughts

As an LPN, you have a wealth of opportunities. Exactly where you can work will depend on which types of facilities are operating and utilizing the skills of LPNs. However, once you have your license, numerous doors open, allowing you to decide how to start your journey and enjoy your new career.

Practical Nursing Program

The Practical Nursing program at Gwinnett Institute provides training to prepare you to enter the nursing profession as an LPN. After graduating from the Nursing diploma program and successfully passing the NCLEX-PN licensure exam, you will further your career to become a licensed practical nurse.

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

 

What Areas of Law Do Paralegals Work In?

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Did you know that becoming a lawyer can take seven to eight years of education? Are you fascinated by the law but don’t have the time to become a lawyer? Gwinnett College offers Paralegal Studies Diploma and Degree programs for you to start working as an entry-level paralegal in the legal field. So, what areas of law does a paralegal work in?

What Areas of Law Do Paralegals Work In?

As a paralegal, you have options. There are many different specialties, and most attorneys’ offices focus on one or two areas of the law. During the Paralegal Studies Degree and Diploma programs at Gwinnett College, you can learn about these areas of law and decide which to choose as a career. The good news is that you will study all of these legal fields to make a change if needed. Some of the different fields in law include:

Bankruptcy Law

There are two types of bankruptcy law: consumer and commercial. Consumers owe money to creditors and usually file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, commercial bankruptcy can file for Chapter 7, 11, or 13. Each has its benefits. Different types of bankruptcy include:

Chapter 7 – a liquidation under the bankruptcy code where the company is insolvent and sells off assets to pay off creditors.

Chapter 9 – municipality bankruptcy is for cities and other government entities.

Chapter 11 – an individual or company reorganizes debt and comes out the other side, continuing to do business.

Chapter 12 – bankruptcy for family farms and fishermen.

Chapter 13 – bankruptcy for individuals to create a payment plan to pay down debt.

Commercial Law

Commercial law oversees the sale and distribution of goods. It primarily deals with conflicts related to selling and purchasing goods, products, and services. The paralegal working in commercial law may do research about the transactions and write reports to support the legal team.

Corporate Law

Corporate law oversees business management, operations, formation, mergers, and acquisitions. Paralegals working in corporate law assist lawyers in conducting research and due diligence.

Criminal Law

Criminal law adjudicates criminals who have broken the law and pose a threat to the community at large. It regulates how suspects are investigated, charged, and tried, with punishment to follow for convicted offenders. There are different levels of crime, from infractions to misdemeanors to felonies. A paralegal may oversee the investigation of the facts of a case and write reports to help the legal team prepare for trial.

Family Law

Family law covers many different legal issues, from divorce and separation to child support, custody and visitation, adoption, guardianship, and foster care. It also deals with prenuptial agreements, restraining and protective orders, and estate planning. A paralegal that works in family law may talk with family members and witnesses while drafting declarations and statements to assist during mediation.

Immigration and Nationality Law

Immigration and nationality law covers the laws and regulations that dictate the movement of people from one country to another. A immigration law paralegal may talk with immigrants and their families to understand the situation and gather information for the legal team. They may research and find precedents to help the lawyers during court proceedings and challenge removal orders.

Intellectual Property Law

Intellectual property law focuses on the laws that protect and enforce the rights of creators and owners of inventions, writing, music, and other unique patentable, copyrighted, or trademarked content. The law ensures that creators earn recognition or financial benefit from their inventions and creations. An intellectual property paralegal may research patents, copyrights and trademark filings to identify the original owner of the invention.

Litigation

Litigation is the formal process of resolving a legal dispute. It occurs in state and federal courts. Civil procedures are used to find a financial remedy. A paralegal may file a complaint with the court, talk with witnesses, file motions, research precedent, and support the legal team.

Probate Law

Probate is a court-supervised legal process that starts when an individual passes away and must have their assets validated and distributed. Probate can occur with or without a will or trust. It is required following an individual’s death to settle and distribute assets or pay debts.

Tax Law

Tax law covers the rules, policies, and regulations that govern the taxation process. A lawyer and paralegal may focus on individual tax or corporate tax law. They understand the laws concerning tax and advise their client on the taxation process. This can include managing capital gains, income tax, and use and sales tax.

Worker’s Compensation Law

This area of law helps those who are injured or disabled while working on the job. Many employers purchase worker’s compensation so they can provide an injured worker with a fixed monetary award. This award averts the need for litigation. A paralegal may interview the injured worker and the corporation they work for to better understand the issue and shed light on the case for the legal team.

Paralegal Studies Program

Ready to start a new career as a paralegal? Our Lilburn, Marietta, and Raleigh campuses offer the following degree and diploma training programs in paralegal studies and legal assisting. Graduates from these Paralegal Studies Degree and Diploma Programs learn the technical and computer skills to assist law firms in managing cases in personal injury, criminal law, intellectual property, bankruptcy, immigration, family law, and real estate. With this knowledge, paralegals and legal assistants will join a legal team dedicated to their clients while enjoying a rewarding and challenging career in law. These paralegal courses will be the first step in starting a rewarding career.

Contact Gwinnett Colleges & Institute today to learn more about becoming a paralegal.

What Jobs are Available to Medical Billing Diploma Graduates?

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Are you interested in completing a Medical Billing and Coding diploma program and want to know what jobs are available to graduates? The good news is that you have options. There are many jobs that employers are looking to fill with highly trained graduates. These jobs include medical biller, medical coding specialist, medical records technician, and insurance company medical biller.

Job #1: Medical Biller

The medical biller is responsible for processing patient billing and insurance claims. They start with the pre-approval process to ensure that a procedure is covered by the insurance company, so patients don’t receive a surprise bill after the fact. The process also ensures that proper payment is made to the medical facility so it can keep running smoothly. After the procedure is pre-approved, the medical biller creates an insurance claim and submits it to the proper insurance provider.

After the insurance bill is submitted, any denied claims are researched and resubmitted for reconciliation. The medical biller will also work with the patients to satisfy co-payments, deductibles, and other fees not covered by insurance. Part of the job of a medical biller is to follow up on active claims with the insurance company and contact patients with any collections for past-due payments.

In smaller medical facilities, the medical biller may support the office staff with administrative duties like answering phones. The medical biller keeps the facility running smoothly and ensures claims are approved, and bills are paid.

Job #2: Medical Coding Specialist

Medical coding specialists assign codes for patient care, population health statistics, and billing processes. The coding systems used include:

ICD-10

Short for the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, ICD-10 codes are alphanumeric and have been used globally since 1977 to classify diseases, injuries, or symptoms for processing insurance claims.

In addition to billing, codes are used by public health officials to track health data and mortality statistics. The World Health Organization is responsible for updating ICD codes regularly.

CPT 

Common Procedural Code (CPT) is a five-digit numeric sequence assigned to all medical, surgical, or diagnostic procedures. Developed by the American Medical Association, CPT codes are used for reimbursement and to gather data on treatment outcomes to evaluate the quality of care.

HCPCS 

The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) is a two-level alphanumeric system. Level I is the CPT index, and Level II is a separate system that codes medical products, from pharmaceuticals and prostheses to services such as anesthesia and radiology.

Job #3: Medical Records Technician

A medical records technician compiles, processes, and maintains patient physical and electronic health records (EHR). They are responsible for entering patient information into health records using medical coding protocols. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the medical records specialist:

  • Review patients’ electronic health records for timeliness, completeness, and accuracy
  • Use ICD-10, CPT & HCPCS classification systems to assign clinical codes for patients’ diagnoses, procedures, and medical services.
  • Gather patient’s medical histories, symptoms, test results, treatments, and demographic information for electronic health records.
  • Maintain and retrieve records for insurance reimbursement and billing processes
  • Ensure confidentiality of patients’ records per HIPAA guidelines and that access is only given to authorized personnel.

Job #4: Insurance Company Medical Biller

A Medical Billing and Coding program graduate can also work directly for an insurance company. When the insurance company receives the claim, the medical biller will know what is needed and can request anything missing. The insurance company medical biller will also understand what is covered by the insurance plan and be able to offer a quick pre-approval. If there is a problem, they can deny the claim and work with the medical facility during appeals.

A medical biller for an insurance company will learn the ins and outs of their insurance plans. Each insurance company will use unique language and terminology during the claims process. A great way to build a solid medical billing and coding foundation is by attending Meridian College. We help you take the first step toward success working at an insurance company.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know more about the jobs available to graduates of Medical Billing diploma programs, it is time to learn more about Meridian College. Meridian College has a campus in Sarasota, Florida, is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education and accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Florida offers a burgeoning economy and a demand for medical billers. You can enjoy our small class sizes and personalized attention from instructors. Plus, we provide career services to help you find a job after graduation. Let us connect you with medical employers in the Sarasota area. Help others and start a new career with us. It’s a win-win.

Want to Learn More?

Gwinnett Colleges & Institute’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.  School externships provide the opportunity to apply the medical billing and coding skills learned in the classroom in actual medical settings. Gwinnett Colleges & Institute offers medical billing & coding courses to gain essential skills and training to achieve entry-level positions in this career field. These medical billing & coding courses will be the first step in starting a rewarding career.

Contact us to learn more about how you can become a medical billing and coding specialist today.