Find Your Passion Helping Others with a Massage Therapy Career

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There are those who have great compassion for people with a life goal to enrich the lives of others. For those people, there is nothing more rewarding than having a career that helps and enriches their clients.

One of the most gratifying careers that falls into this category is massage therapy. Not only do you get to make others feel better but you’re able to see the difference in their mind and body with your healing hands.

How Massage Therapy Helps Others

Between July 2016 and July 2017 over 59 million US adults had a massage at least once, according to the American Massage Therapy Association. There is an increased demand for massage therapy from highly trained and compassionate massage therapists.

This is due to the fact that massage therapy works to help others in a variety of ways including:

  • Helps alleviate anxiety
  • Relieves lower back pain
  • Soothes tension headaches
  • Helps reduce depression symptoms
  • Restores restful sleep
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Improves circulation
  • Provides physical relaxation
  • Helps with range of motion and flexibility
  • Enhances vitality and energy
  • Helps with aching muscles
  • Release of nerve compression

There are a number of diseases and disorders that are relieved such as osteoarthritis, gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Along with treating symptoms of diseases and disorders, there are also areas of help with specific pains such as carpal tunnel, scoliosis, whiplash and sciatica.

Osteoarthritis – caused by the inflammation, breakdown and loss of cartilage in the joints. According to the Arthritis Foundation, Osteoarthritis affects 27 million Americans. There is no cure, but treatment can help control pain and swelling allowing the patient to stay mobile and active.

Gout – a form of inflammatory arthritis that can develop from high levels of uric acid in the blood. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the acid forms crystals in the joints that can poke the patient causing severe pain, tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling. Gout occurs in over 8 million American adults.

Rheumatoid Arthritis – an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the joints, mistakenly thinking that the joints are a foreign body. This can cause swelling and pain in the joints of the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. According to the Arthritis Foundation, 1.5 million people in the US have rheumatoid arthritis.

Carpal Tunnel – a numbness and tingling in the hand and arm caused by a pinched median nerve in the wrist. A patient that is at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome may have hereditary factors, use their hand repetitively, put their hand or wrist in an improper position or have one or more health problems including diabetes. Carpal tunnel affects more than 3 million people in the US each year.

Scoliosis – a sideways curvature of the spine. Although the main cause is unknown, it is a symptom of cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Scoliosis affects over 3 million people in the US each year.

Whiplash – a neck injury that occurs when a person’s head suddenly moves backward and then forward. Most cases of whiplash are caused by car accidents, when a person is rear-ended. Other activities that may also cause whiplash are bungee jumping, skiing or riding horses. Neck pain is usually associated with whiplash, plus neck stiffness, reduced range of motion, back pain and headaches.

Sciatica – pain that radiates down the sciatic nerve down to the lower back, through the hips and buttocks to the legs. Sciatica can be caused by a herniated disk or bone spur. The symptoms include inflammation, pain and numbness in the legs. Sciatica affects over 3 million people in the US each year.

Emotional and Physiological Benefits

Massage therapy isn’t just for helping those in pain, it works just as well for emotional and physiological needs. Just a few of the areas covered include lower stress levels, mood improvement, reduced fatigue, reduced anger, and a reduction in anxiety and depression. This is why so many get regular massages as part of their health and relaxation choices – it does so much for their psyche as well as their physical bodies.

Reduce Stress

Many clients come to the massage therapist to reduce the stress in their lives through massage. The massage therapist must create a comfortable atmosphere that allows a client to relax and let stress go. Through physical contact, the massage therapist will allow endorphins into the brain causing a reduction of stress and overall calming experience. Similar to yoga or meditation, the massage therapist can create a stress-free environment for the client to reduce their stress level while being massaged.

A Good Listener

Another aspect of helping others through massage therapy is that the massage therapist develops the skills to listen to others. While some clients wish to experience their massage with peace and quiet or appropriate background music, others will feel the need to talk to the massage therapist and listening skills will continue to develop. It is the perfect environment for some people to feel comfortable enough to share things, which helps them relax even further.

A Need to Heal

There is one thing that most massage therapists have in common – the ability to heal others. Massage therapy is an ideal career for helping others and doing it in a non-invasive way, that makes the client feel good.

Massage Types

There are many different types of massage such as Swedish massage, deep massage, sports massage, hot stone massage and trigger point massage.

Each one of these massage types help in specific ways that vary depending on what the individual needs. The best part is that the massage therapist gets to suggest the right one for their clients and cater to their distinct areas of concern.

For instance, the massage therapist may have a client that simply wants more relaxation and can suggest a Swedish massage; but a client who has been injured while running would benefit from a sports massage. It’s all about helping others obtain the kind of alternative medicine that makes them feel better while helping relieve pain and heal better.

A Creative Workplace

This is where the massage therapist’s own creativity comes in – they get to tailor their care as well as make their work area an extension of their own personality with the oils they choose, the lighting, music, and scents. Not only does the client benefit from the environment, the massage therapist is also working in the same type of atmosphere and reaps the rewards of a relaxing ambiance.

By being able to customize the type of techniques and modalities that they learn, it also makes their workday more creative and less repetitive – and best of all, the massage therapist is helping others.

The Rewards are Many

Along with the passion in helping others, the rewards of a career in massage therapy are numerous. Once you gain enough experience and can set out on your own, you have the freedom of choosing your own work space, setting your own hours, and choosing your own style for your workplace.

Even if you are newly graduated and work for someone else, you typically have choices in some of the elements of your workspace such as choosing your favorite scent or a specific oil that is part of a package.

There is a diverse range of workplaces that a massage therapist can use their gift such as hotels, beauty and health spas, resorts, cruise ships, health clubs, at large companies and wellness centers. It’s the best of both worlds with massage therapy, helping others while being in your own relaxing atmosphere.

Interested in learning more about a career in massage therapy? Ready to become a massage therapist? 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.

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

 

How Nurses Keep Patients Hydrated in the Hospital

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In a hospital setting it is surprisingly easy for older people and sick patients to become dehydrated as a consequence of their illness. Dehydration leads to confusion, headaches, infections, and acute kidney injury. The nurse along with the CNA have a critical role in checking the status of patients and preventing dehydration from occurring. This helps patients recover sooner.

As an adult ages the body’s fluid reserve becomes smaller and the body’s ability to conserve water is reduced. With a smaller water reserve, the body urines more frequently and does not keep that water for bodily function. Hydration is more important as we age and if we have chronic illnesses. A chronic illness like uncontrolled diabetes causes the body to expel urine more frequently as a pathway to expel increased glucose in the body. Whether in perfect health or in the hospital, it is important to stay hydrated for body health and wellness.

What is Dehydration?

A condition when the loss of body fluids and water exceeds the amount that is ingested. Without the proper amount of water in the body, the body loses its ability to function normally.  Some of the symptoms of dehydration include increased thirst, dry mouth, decreased urine output, urine that has a dark yellow color, dizziness, labored breathing, and headaches. Other signs of water retention, due to low water supply include swollen feet, hands and ankles.

Those suffering form severe dehydration may have symptoms including low blood pressure, sunken eyes, a weak pulse or rapid heartbeat, confusion or lethargy. It is important for nurses to check the status of patients and make sure they are properly hydrated.

How Do People Lose Water in Their Bodies?

Patients will lose water every day from water vapor in the breath that is exhaled, in sweat, urine and stool. Other ways a patient can become dehydrated in a hospital is from a fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

Some medications can cause constipation and an increase in water consumption is needed to eliminate the body’s stress and relieve constipation. Processed foods are high in protein and lack the moisture content of fresh foods. Meats also pull water from the body during digestion. Hospital meal plans take this into consideration and try to offer the patient fresh foods that are not processed.

What Does Water Do for the Body?

Water is in every part of our bodies. More than half of our body weight is water. Water helps regulate the body’s temperature, rids the body of waste, lubricates the intestines and joints, aids in digestion and most importantly transports oxygen and nutrients throughout the body through the body’s cells.

How to Prevent Dehydration of Patients in the Hospital

To prevent dehydration in patients, it is important for the nurse to be proactive and check the status of the patient to make sure they are drinking enough water in the first place, before they become dehydrated and suffer symptoms of dizziness and headache. The nurse should educate the patient and family on the need for proper water intake. The nurse can find out if the patient prefers a specific drink or want to add natural flavor to the water to make it more palatable. The patient should stay away from caffeine as it will actually cause them to be more dehydrated. The nurse should check the bedside to make sure the patient has access to water. Finally, the nurse will need to monitor the patient’s fluid intake to make sure they are staying hydrated.

Be Proactive

One of the vital skills of a nurse is to spot those patients who need assistance with eating and drinking. Recognizing the patient has a problem means the nurse can schedule time to help them with drinking fluids so they do not become dehydrated. This is especially important when a patient stops receiving intravenous fluids as they may not drink sufficient water.

Educate the Patient and Family

Nurses play a vital role in raising awareness of the importance of fluid intake with both patients and their families. Patients need to be told how much they are expected to drink so they help themselves where possible. If they are unable to drink without help, then a nurse can support them. Relatives visiting the patient can also be asked to assist with supporting them with having a drink.

Find Out Preferences

One of the easiest things to do when a patient is reluctant to drink and becomes at risk of dehydration, is to find out what they like. If there is a favorite drink or a specific way they like tea made, a nurse can see what the catering staff can do or ask a relative to bring things to the hospital. If a patient can be tempted by something they want to drink, this encourages them to take sips regularly. Supporting a patient by getting them to drink a small amount regularly helps them get into a routine and slowly take more fluids.

The patient may prefer the addition of fresh lemons or limes. Even natural flavors can spice up the water including orange, pineapple or cherry. The addition of natural plant sweetener in small amounts can also help a patient drink more water.

Many fresh foods have water in them as well. Fresh fruits like grapes, watermelon and oranges have a high water content. Fresh vegetables including lettuce, cucumbers and celery are also full of water.

Stay Away from Caffeine

Caffeine is a diuretic and will actually cause the body to expel water. Drinks including soda and coffee can make a patient more dehydrated as the diuretic will cause the patient to pass more urine. Most hospital meal plans try to keep patients from drinking caffeine to help them stay hydrated.

Check the Bedside Area

Nurses can do a few simple things to ensure people avoid dehydration in the hospital. Making sure drinks are left within reach of the patient along with a call buzzer is fundamental, but often something that gets overlooked. Sometimes patients require a beaker with a covered lid for drinking to avoid spillages so providing the correct utensils is another way a nurse can help.

How to Check the Status of Fluids in Patients

One of the core roles of a nurse is to chart vital signs including the fluid intake and output. As they are with the patients in the hospital, it is essential to monitor the amount of fluid being taken in so that any risks to health can be dealt with promptly. A nurse will also have a role in measuring urine output to assess the function of the kidneys. By charting fluids, dehydration can be closely monitored to prevent problems from occurring.

Fluid balance and monitoring the intake and output of body fluids is vital to prevent a number of serious complications. If patients are supported to drink more this will help avoid dehydration and a deterioration in their condition. Raising awareness of the issue is another proactive role that nurses have in care settings. Nurses are vital in this role and key to preventing complications from dehydration.

Enjoy helping others? Are you interested in learning more about how to check the hydration status of patients? The Associate of Science in Nursing degree program provides training to prepare college graduates to enter the nursing profession as a registered nurse. 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.

Contact us today to learn more about the Associates of Science in Nursing degree program at Gwinnett College.

Why Competent Medical Billing and Coding Professionals Are Invaluable

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Medical billing and coding professionals convey complex information regarding a patient’s diagnoses, procedures, prescriptions, and equipment into alphanumeric codes and then transfer them into the billing databases and patient records. These separate tasks may be handled by several different medical billing and coding professionals. Most people overlook or are completely unaware that all of this is taking place behind the scenes, not knowing that the accuracy of medical billing and coding helps everyone.

Accurate billing and coding insures that the physician’s office is paid for services rendered, it charges the correct amount to patients, insurance companies pay their fair share of medical expenses and additional expenses don’t come of out patient’s pockets, and it can help researchers identify trends to stop pandemics. This is why a competent medical billing and coding professional is invaluable.

What Does a Medical Billing and Coding Professional Do?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical billing and coding professionals organize and manage health information data by ensuring that it maintains its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security. Medical billing and coding professionals use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for insurance reimbursement, databases and registries, and to maintain patients’ medical histories. Medical billing and coding professionals typically do the following on a day-to-day basis:

  • Review patients’ records for timeliness, completeness and accuracy
  • Record, organize and maintain data for clinical databases and registries
  • Use medical coding classification software to assign clinical codes for reimbursement and data analysis
  • Electronically record data for collection, storage, analysis, retrieval, and reporting
  • Maintain confidentiality of patients’ records under HIPAA

Medical billing and coding specialists document patients’ health information, including their medical history, symptoms, examination and test results and treatments that are provided to patients.

Insurance Reimbursement

Health care providers depend on the reimbursements they receive from insurance claims to run their practices. If there is a hold-up in payment flow, it can be detrimental. According to 2015 data from the American Academy of Family Physicians, approximately 44 claims are denied per physician each month, costing them nearly $13,200 per year to rework. What’s more, a majority of these claims are never reworked. This means either physicians aren’t reimbursed for services provided, patients are denied the services they need, and/or patients are required to pay more out-of-pocket for covered services.

Most denied claims result in oversight errors by staffers, such as entering incorrect information, mixing up point of service codes or ICD-10 codes, or failing to input codes for every procedure completed. Other common errors include duplicate billing, not verifying current insurance coverage, or not having the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) attached to a denied claim. Most errors are completely avoidable on the part of the medical billing and coding professional. That’s why competency and attention to detail are so important in medical billing and coding.

Patient Records

Translating a patient’s diagnosis, prescriptions, and procedures accurately isn’t just important for insurance reimbursement, it’s also vital for maintaining thorough and accurate patient records. Medical billing and coding professionals handle a patient’s data and services from the point of admission to discharge. This is why electronic medical records should be used even though there are still going to be some user error.

Any mistake, such as leaving out complications, symptoms, or pre-existing conditions, can result in a patient not getting informed quality care. For example, an error can result in a patient with a chronic disease not being considered for a disease management program. Plus, when subsequent providers see the record, they won’t have the full picture of the patient’s condition. With electronic health records, every physician or medical assistant that treats the patient will know their history. This means it is invaluable to have a medical billing and coding specialist that can master medical software.

Double Billing

The medical billing and coding professional should have a robust audit system and filing procedure to counter against submitting a bill twice. Double billing is inefficient and causes problems with the insurance claims. Medical billing and coding professionals are ideally placed to establish audit processes within the office to prevent overbilling.

A medical billing and coding professional needs to master coding, checking the detail are all vital steps to take in avoiding double billing errors. They also help maintain an efficient medical office and ensure bills are processed in a timely way.

Other ways that over billing may be submitted by the medical billing and coding professional is accidently billing for services not provided. The medical billing and coding professional will need to double check coding that is performed by the physician or medical assistant that is unreadable. An unqualified medical billing and coding professional may bill for a service that is covered in a global fee. Other billing errors a medical billing and coding professional should be aware of is upcoding to get paid for a more complex procedure than was performed. With proper training, a medical billing and coding professional can avoid all the pitfalls in medical coding.

Data Analysis

Accurate coding is necessary for healthcare data analysis. Claims data can be examined to assess everything from treatment outcomes to disease prevalence within a population. This data analysis can also find trends in more complex statistical modeling that predicts specific disease outbreaks. When this data is input correctly and provides a complete and thorough picture of each patient, analysts can target susceptible populations and generate solutions to improve health outcomes. Therefore, competent medical billing and coding professionals aren’t simply crucial for a smooth-running healthcare practice; they are vital component ensuring the delivery and quality of healthcare as a whole.

For a prospective medical billing and coding professional, this information should offer a push to take part in this in-demand career path. However, it also brings on the heat– as it’s extremely important for these professionals to do their jobs well. The medical industry needs more professionals who can quickly and effectively examine, interpret, document, and track complicated medical data. Individuals who can are absolutely invaluable in today’s healthcare practice.

Did learning how invaluable medical billing and coding professionals are interest you in becoming one? 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 assistant today.

7 Questions to Prepare for a Medical Assisting Interview

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Candidates succeed in job interviews when their answers match employer expectations. In a medical assisting interview, employers ask questions that reveal the candidates’ skills, practice-specific knowledge and their fit with the practice/institution. However, the medical assistant candidate should not try to guess at the employer’s expectations as they will want to work in an atmosphere that fits them and, in a position, that they can succeed in.

Marketing assistant candidates should take updated copies of their resume, relevant certificates and licenses to the medical assisting interview. They should also have researched the organization interviewing them, so they have questions to ask when the interview completes.

Try not to memorize your answers as it can come off unenthusiastic and emotionless. Try to memorize the key points you want to talk about and add stories from your previous experience to elaborate. These spontaneous answers to the interviewer’s questions will show that you are enthusiastic about and interested in the position.

Interviewers ask questions common to all jobs apart from those specific to the medical assistant job. Here are seven most common questions asked during a medical assisting interview:

Question #1. Tell me about yourself.

This is an open-ended question intended to help interviewees relax. However, candidates should not talk too much, especially about their personal lives. Instead, they should mention a few interests relevant to medical assisting, such as volunteering, or focus on their professional skills or academics.

Candidates can mention the number of years they have worked as a medical assistant, the facilities they have worked at and the responsibilities they have had. If asked to elaborate, they can mention taking patient vitals and medical histories, assisting in medical procedures, or any administrative or front office duties.

Candidates who have no experience can describe their education, the skills they have learned, their certifications and licenses, and their externship. Some skills that are important to graduates, without work experience, include good customer service, organizational skills and multitasking. The medical assistant candidate can also talk about answering the phone, managing word processing software and scheduling appointments.

Question #2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

While discussing strengths, candidates should avoid boasting. Ideally, they should share some job-related skills they are strong in, along with a few people skills or instances of academic excellence.  They will let the hiring physician now that they are calm under pressure, have the ability to multitask, like working in a team and interfacing with patients. They will want to tell a story about their strength and a situation where it can in handy.

Medical assisting candidates should avoid using use the word “weakness.” Instead, they must talk of “opportunities”or “areas that need improvement,” which can be perceived as a positive too. Weaknesses may include being a perfectionist or getting to work early and staying late to get the job done. It can be seen as a weakness of the candidate but a positive for the medical assisting practice.

Question #3. Do you like being around people?

Since people skills are very essential for medical assistants, candidates should try to show that they love interacting with others and truly enjoy helping them. The medical assisting candidate can tell a story of a positive interaction with a colleague, patient or during an externship. Maybe they had a group of coworkers that always got lunch together, a manager that they got along with or regular customers that they can tell a story about.

Question #4. What schedule do you hope to work? Do you have any scheduling restrictions?

Be honest with this answer and try to understand the demands of the job before applying. If this is a doctor’s office, then shifts from 9 to 5 may be available. If an emergency facility, they will need medical assistants on nights and weekends as the facility is open 24/7. You can always negotiate your hours or switch with other medical assistants but start off your new job on the right foot. Be clear with your hiring physician the demands on your time and the hours you are available.

Question #5. How do you protect the rights and confidentiality of patients?

Medical assisting candidates’ answers can be about any Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training they received and how they apply it by being discreet in their dealings with patients and their records.

State situations that may need additional discretion including answering the phone with a patient or other doctor’s office, greeting a patient while working on another patient’s chart, or not giving out medical information to family and friends unless patient consent is given.

Medical assistants that do not adhere to HIPAA regulations will get in trouble and compromise the confidentiality of the patient.

Question #6. Describe a difficult situation at your workplace and how you handled it.

Medical assisting candidates should talk of a real experience, where their actions helped resolve a difficult situation. They should also share the positive aspects of the experience, without blaming others. Tell a story about a time when you used your skills and knowledge to diffuse a situation, help calm an angry customer or dealt with an emergency.

If this is the medical assisting candidates’ first job, they can refer to instances from their training, non-medical work experience or during an externship. The hiring physician will want to know that the medical assistant candidate can de-escalate situations and take care of emergencies in a calm fashion.

The medical assistant candidate can also take the time to ask the hiring physician how they will handle the difficult situation.  They will listen, learn and respond to show the hiring physician that the medical assistant candidate is interested and willing to learn.

Question #7. What do you like most about being a medical assistant, and what do you like the least?

Although many candidates might say that they like everything about the job, it is better to say what they specifically like and why. Candidates can be open about what they find difficult, which would help employers to provide training or support in those areas.

Usually, interviewers close the medical assisting interview by asking if the candidates have any questions for them. The answer should always be a “yes,” followed by at least one question.  Take the time to research the medical facility and the employees that work there. Come up with a few questions that you want answered and that will show the hiring physician that you are taking the interview seriously. However, if interviewers have already covered everything, the medical assisting candidate can ask a general question about the working atmosphere or locality.

Did learning about medical assisting interview questions 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.

Crystal – Massage Graduate from Sandy Springs

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One of Gwinnett College – Sandy Springs’ Massage Therapy graduates, Crystal, was just mentioned in the Miami Curated blog for being “amazing.”
Crystal currently works at Newport Beachside Resort and Spa (305-949-1300, 16701 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160) as a massage therapist. We are so proud of her. Here is the review;
Newport Beachside Resort and Spa
 
One of the best values for spa month is at the Aveda Spa and Salon at the Newport Beachside Resort and Spa in Sunny Isles Beach. For $109 you get an 80 minute Stress Fix massage (ask for Crystal, she’s amazing), use of the steam, a bellini or glass of champagne, and — get this, a tiki hut on the beach for the day. Bottom line, the price of a spa treatment can be a daycation. Other treatments include a couples indulgence (50 minutes) for $139 and the Elemental Nature Package massage and facial (100 minutes) for $139. Don’t expect fancy, but it’s spacious, friendly, and you’ll get a very good massage (I went twice). Newport Beachside Resort and Spa, 16701 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles. Parking is $12 with validation.”
 
Students, Faculty, Staff, and Friends – if you’re ever in Miami, you know where to go!
 

What is an EKG? A Medical Assisting Guide

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The EKG is one the most common test used to identify cardiovascular conditions. Testing for heart and blood vessel disorders with an electrocardiogram (EKG) is non-invasive. The EKG will show the physician if the patient’s heart is damaged or short of oxygen.

The medical assistant is responsible for obtaining a good-quality EKG without avoidable artifacts. An artifact is an abnormal signal that reflects electrical activity other than the patient’s heart during the cardiac cycle. The medical assistant must make sure that the patient stays still during the EKG exam, there are no mechanical problems with the EKG machine, and there is no other equipment in the room that can interfere with the EKG.

What is an EKG?

The EKG is one of the most valuable diagnostic exams for evaluating the electrical pathways through the heart. An EKG exam measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat. With each beat, an electrical impulse travels through the heart, and the wave causes the muscle to squeeze and pump blood from the heart. The EKG can measure how fast the heart beats and how well the chambers conduct electrical energy.

Why Perform an EKG Exam?

An EKG exam is a quick and painless way for a physician to check the patient’s heart rhythm, identify whether blood is flowing to the heart properly and diagnose a heart attack. The EKG also identifies abnormalities of the heart, the orientation of the heart in the chest, and increased thickness of the heart muscle which would suggest a cardiovascular disorder.

Preparing A Patient for an EKG?

Before performing the EKG, the medical assistant will want to make sure that no other equipment will cause any electric interference or avoidable artifacts.

The medical assistant will explain the procedure to the patient, answering any questions the patient may have. The patient will be asked to remove all items that may interfere with the EKG and lay down on the table on their back. The medical assistant will ask the patient to breathe normally while laying still. The medical assistant will then clean the patient’s skin with rubbing alcohol where the electrodes will be placed and apply the electrodes in the proper positions.

The EKG has 12 leads that produce a two-dimensional record of the impulse waves. Each lead records the electrical impulse through the heart from a different angle, allowing the physician to properly visualize the heart and identify any abnormalities. The EKG cables will then be attached to the electrodes. The medical assistant will enter the patient data into the EKG machine and the EKG tracing will begin. All artifacts are identified and eliminated. After the EKG is complete, the medical assistant will remove the electrodes and allow the patient to get dressed. Finally, the medical assistant will record the procedure on the patient’s chart to be included in the patient’s electronic health record.

How is an EKG Interpreted by the Physician?

Whether weak or strong, fast or slow, each heartbeat produces an electrical current that can be measured with an EKG machine. The physician examines the waveforms associated with the cardiac cycle and will measure the PR Interval, PR Segment, ST Segment and Ventricular Activation Time. To measure these variables, the physician will measure the waves labeled with letters P, Q, R, S, T, and U. The elements that are considered from these measurements include rate, rhythm, axis, hypertrophy, ischemia, infarction.

  • Rate – how fast the heart is beating
  • Rhythm – regularity of cardiac cycles and intervals
  • Axis – position of the heart and direction of electrical movement through the heart.
  • Hypertrophy – size of the heart
  • Ischemia – decrease in blood supply to an area of the heart
  • Infarction – death of heart muscles resulting in loss of function.

When Does a Medical Assistant Learn to Administer an EKG?

Learning how to perform an EKG exam is taught during a medical assisting program at a vocational school. Students will perform EKGs under the supervision of instructors. The student will prepare both the patient and the EKG machine in order to learn how to perform the EKG with the no avoidable artifacts. The student will also learn how to record the EKG in the patient’s chart.

Did learning what an EKG is 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 Immune System: A Medical Assistant’s Guide

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In the course of performing a medical assisting role, the medical assistant will need to become familiar with the immune system. The immune system is the part of the body that identifies and destroys microorganisms that have the potential to cause illness and disease. The body’s immune system produces antibodies to combat antigens, a foreign substance to the body. The medical assistant should be very familiar with the immune system and how it fights microorganisms that attack the body. The medical assistant should also be aware of many different diseases caused by the immune system. This will help the medical assistant identify issues that will help keep patients happy and healthy.

What is an Antigen?

Antigens are substances that are recognized as foreign to the body. When antigens are present they cause the body to produce antibodies.

What are Antibodies?

Antibodies are proteins produced by the body in response to a specific antigen. Each antibody combines with only one antigen.

What are Microorganisms?

A microorganism is the smallest and simplest form of a living being, that can only be seen under a microscope. Microorganisms can live in almost any condition however some have a preference for hot, cold, dry or wet conditions. Common microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Pathogenic Bacteria – one that causes disease in the host.

  • Staphylococcus – one of the most common causes of human disease. Staphylococcus can colonize the skin and mucous membrane and can cause superficial and systemic infections. The most common infections include boils, impetigo, folliculitis, pneumonia, bacteremia and infections of the bone and wounds.
  • Streptococcus – can cause strep throat which can lead to serious conditions like rheumatic fever of the heart valves and glomerulonephritis of the kidneys.
  • The Gram- Negative Bacilli – a normal bacteria found in the intestinal tract however can be serious and life-threatening if the bacteria gets out of the intestine during surgery.

Viruses – a small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of another organism.

  • Bird Flu – a viral infection that spreads from bird to bird. H5N1 and can be deadly if caught by a human.
  • Chickenpox – a highly contagious viral infection causing an itchy, blister-like rash on the skin.
  • Common Cold – a common viral infection of the nose and throat.
  • Ebola Virus – causes severe bleeding, organ failure and can lead to death.
  • Influenza – a common viral infection that causes mild illness, vomiting and diarrhea.

Pathogenic Fungi – fungi that causes disease in humans

  • Candida – an overgrowth of organisms, caused by yeast in individuals with deficient immune system.
  • Aspergillus – infection from a common mold that causes allergic reactions, lung infections and infections of other organs.
  • Cryptococcus – a severe form of meningitis in patients with HIV infection and AIDS.
  • Histoplasma – infection of the lungs by inhaling contaminated air
  • Pneumocystis – can cause a form of pneumonia in humans with a weakened immune system.
  • Stachybotrys – also known as “black mold,”can cause respiratory damage and severe headaches

Parasites – an organism that lives in or on another organism and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host’s expense. Can inflame and destroy the intestinal lining of the gut.

  • Tapeworm – infection of the digestive tract of a species of parasitic flatworm.
  • Hookworm – sucks blood from the intestinal walls of human hosts.
  • Giardia – diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites.
  • Blood Flukes – parasitic flatworms that cause infections in humans called Schistosoma.
  • Pinworms – small, thin, pin-shaped worms that can live in the human colon and rectum.

What Are the Most Common Diseases Caused by the Immune System?

There are many different diseases that are commonly caused by the immune system. They include allergies, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, lymphedema, mononucleosis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Allergies – a substance that is usually not harmful, like pollen, causing the immune system to overact and produce antibodies.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) – development of severe signs and symptoms caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as it destroys lymphocytes, leaving the immune system weaker.

Autoimmune Disease – occurs when the body can’t distinguish between its own antigens and outside antigens, causing the body to fight its own tissue.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) – a condition of sever tiredness that cannot be relieved by rest and not related to illness.

Lymphedema – blockage of the lymphatic vessels that drain excess fluids from areas of the body, which may be caused by a parasitic infection, or other medical condition.

Mononucleosis – also known as mono, a highly contagious viral infection spread through the saliva from kissing, coughing and sneezing.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – occurs when a patient’s cells attack the central nervous system.

Rheumatoid Arthritis – an autoimmune disease that causes gradual debilitating damage to joints.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) – also known as lupus, an autoimmune disorder that affects the organ systems of the body. The body creates antibodies that target the person’s own cells and tissue.

Did learning about the immune system 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.

Common Diseases and Disorders of the Integumentary System’s Skin

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Did you know that our skin accounts for 15% of our entire body weight? Skin, part of the integumentary system, is the outer shelf of our body and is the largest multifunctioning organ in the body. Patients may ask you as a medical assistant, why do we have skin on our bodies? How does my skin heal? What are the most common diseases and disorders of the integumentary system that a medical assistant may deal with regularly?  This lesson in anatomy will be important for the medical assistant to know when educating patients about their bodies and assisting physicians with diagnosis and treatment of the integumentary system diseases and disorders.

Why Do We have Skin on Our Bodies?

Our Integumentary System has an important job for the human body. It provides protection against diseases, disorders, bacteria and viruses as long as the skin is intact. The skin protects us from UV rays and works with the body to regulate the body’s temperature. Further, the skin can turn sunlight into Vitamin D and can expel waste through sweat.

The skin is made up of three layers the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is made up of cells that constantly divide, pushing old cells to the surface. The dermis contains all the tissue types of the skin and includes our sweat glands, hair follicles and blood vessels. The subcutaneous layer stores fat and cushions our body’s organs.

How Does My Skin Heal?

When skin is injured it becomes inflamed. The blood vessels dilate causing the area to look red. The inflammation actually promotes healing of the wound since more blood travels to the wound and the blood carries nutrients to heal the skin.

What are the Most Common Diseases and Disorders of the Integumentary System?

As a medical assistant, it will be important to become familiar with the common diseases and disorders of the integumentary system. You will know what to look for during an initial patient exam and educate patients that may have questions or concerns about their skin.

Acne –  Acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that occurs primarily on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Acne can be caused by overactive oil glands that produce too much oil and plug pores of the skin. Acne can be caused by genetics, hormones, menstruation, stress and some medications. It can also be caused by foods with a high glycemic index including grains and sweets. Treatment of acne can be done by gently washing the affected areas or the use of over-the-counter medication. Topical therapy is used for mild acne and oral antibiotics can be used for more severe acne.

Birthmarks – many people are born with birthmarks. Over 80 percent of babies have some kind of birthmark when born or shortly after, according to the Baby Center. They are brown, tan, blue, pink or red and can occur anywhere on the body. The exact cause of birthmarks is unknown. Make sure to have birthmarks checked regularly especially if they change color, shape or size. Also see a doctor if they bleed, ooze, or begin to itch. Don’t allow excessive sun exposure because the birthmarks can become cancerous.

Burns – Over 486,000 people in the U.S. were treated for burn injuries in 2016, according to the American Burn Association.  The affected body surface area and severity of the burn factor into the prediction of death from burn injury. The degrees of burn severity include superficial or first-degree burns, partial thickness or second-degree burns and full-thickness or third-degree burns. Superficial burns can cause pain, redness and swelling in the patient. Unless they are extensive, they do not require medical attention. Partial thickness burns affect the epidermis and dermis layers of skin. Medical staff should treat any second-degree burn that affects more than one percent of the body surface. Full-thickness burns involve all layers of the skin and sometimes the muscles and bones. Third-degree burns always require medical attention regardless of the size or severity.

Dermatitis – inflammation of skin or a rash. Atopic dermatitis affects at least 28 million people, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatitis commonly occurs when the patient comes in contact with an allergen or irritant. Treatment of dermatitis is common performed with the help of topical ointments and cold compresses.

Herpes Zoster – commonly known as shingles. Is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox at an early age. The virus remains dormant until later in life when it is activated as shingles. Almost 1 out of every 3 people in the U.S. will develop shingles, in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Herpes zoster can cause a painful blistering rash on the skin area along the pathway of an affected nerve root. There is a vaccine that can reduce the risk of shingles and some antiviral medications can shorten the duration of the disease. Pain medications can be taken to assist with pain control.

Hives – a skin rash triggered by a reaction to food, medicine or other irritants. About 20 percent of people will gets hives sometime during their life, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Symptoms of hives include itchy, raised, red or skin-colored welts on the skin’s surface. Hives typically go away without treatment. Get treatment if hives last more than six weeks.

Measles – also known as rubeola, it is a viral infection that is preventable by vaccine. In 2016, about 85% of children in the world received the measles vaccine, according to the World Health Organization. Measles spreads through the air by respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. Symptoms usually appear after 10 days of exposure and cause a cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever, and a red, blotchy skin rash. Measles typically resolves within a few days or weeks and fever reducers can help with the symptoms.

Psoriasis – common chronic, inflammatory skin disorder. Almost 7.5 million people have psoriasis in the U.S., according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Although psoriasis is most likely an inherited autoimmune disorder, it is usually dormant until the patient experiences stress or anxiety. The skin will break out in silvery and scaly skin lesions that are itchy. Psoriasis can also cause joint pain. This skin disorder can typically be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and therapeutic ointments.

Skin Cancer – skin cancer develops from cells in the skin’s epidermis. It is common in people that have had excessive exposure to sunlight. Each year, in the U.S., over 3.3 million people are treated for nonmelanoma skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and the deadliest of skin cancers is malignant melanoma.

Warts – harmless skin growths that most commonly appear on the hands, feet and face. Warts are caused by a virus and can look different depending on the situation. They can be smooth, flat, rough, raised, dark, small and/or large. Warts are removed by over the counter medication, surgery, lasers, freezing or burning.

Interested in learning more about the body’s skin, the integumentary system and how it affects patient’s health? 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 Benefits of Electronic Health Records (EHR)

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Interested in becoming a medical assistant? The medical assistant is tasked with managing and updating electronic health records to keep track of patient’s health, treatment and procedures. That way everyone that treats the patient will have access to the patient’s electronic health record. There are many benefits of electronic health records. But first, what is an electronic health record?

What is an Electronic Health Record

The electronic health record (EHR) is a systemized collection of a patient’s electronically stored health information. The electronic health records can be shared by all providers in a patient’s care including physicians, medical offices and healthcare professionals.

Some of the information recorded in electronic medical records includes vital signs, medical history, medications, immunization status, laboratory test results, radiology images, patient demographics and all insurance billing information.

Patient Benefits of Electronic Health Records

Some of the benefits of electronic health records include improved patient outcomes, collective care throughout the patient’s life, historical tracking of patient records, proper monitoring of patients, less errors and duplicate testing, time and resources savings, and confidential and secure patient information.

Electronic Health Records Help Improve Patient Outcomes – The system can be set up to alert the health care provider of possible complications, allergies to certain medications, critical lab values or an alert that the patient is due for an important test.

Collective Care Throughout the Patients Life – The electronic health record can be accessed, created, managed and consulted by authorized providers and staff from multiple health care organizations. Patients receive better medical treatment due to the ability to share the electronic health records among the healthcare provider community which are involved in the patient’s care. The health care provider doesn’t have to wait hours for the patient’s medical records to be received via mail or fax. With electronic health records, they are available to another medical provider almost instantaneously. By sharing the information with all health care providers and facilities involved in the care of a particular patient, the risks of medical errors are lowered, the patient doesn’t have to endure and pay for duplicate tests, and overall quality of care improves. With electronic health records, the patient is also able to access and respond to physicians with the use of communication tools including text messages and emails.

Historical Tracking of Patient Records – The physician has access to the patient’s health care records across their entire life, offering explanations for different conditions or treatments that have been tested. Many patients move from one physician to the next and each physician will be able to access the patient’s notes in electronic format.

Properly Monitor Patients – By using electronic medical records, the health care community can properly monitor a patient and understand when screenings are necessary or when preventative care is administered.

Less Errors and Duplicate Testing – With the help of electronic health records, physicians will not make errors in medications prescribed and treatments offered. If a patient reported an allergy to one physician, all physicians that access the medical records will know about the allergy and not prescribe medication that will cause an adverse reaction. Electronic health records will also reduce the amount of duplicate test that are performed due to lack of insight into other physician’s treatments and medical records.

Time and Resources Savings – Many physicians had resources dedicated to managing incoming and outgoing files for all patients. Time and resources were wasted by the inefficiency of the old filing processes. Having electronic medical records and a universal coding system allows more time for physicians to help their patients.

Confidential and Secure Personal Information – By keeping patient’s personal information in a secure environment, it is harder for people to steal paper documents or intercept mail that holds confidential patient information. Medical records can be accessed only by those who have permission. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) specifies who can access a patient’s private medical records and when. It established boundaries on the exchange of medical records for all health care providers.

Healthcare Industry Benefits of Electronic Health Records

The healthcare industry benefits from EHRs by creating better research.

Better Research For All – With all the patient’s history, treatments and other healthcare information searchable in electronic format, it gives medical research professionals an easier way to compile data and identify trends in the global population. Major illnesses and the treatments for those illnesses can be identified quicker and with a greater data set.

Did learning about the benefits of electronic health records 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 Skills to Become a Small Business Bookkeeper

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Did you know that here are over 29 million small businesses in the U.S., according to the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy? Small businesses make up 99.7 percent of all U.S. employer firms and almost all of the small businesses need a bookkeeper. Keeping accurate financial records is important to the success of any small business, and it is important for the bookkeeper to have advanced bookkeeping skills, computerized bookkeeping skills, basic office skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office, business math and English fundamentals.

Advanced Bookkeeping Skills

Small business bookkeeping involves credits, debits, journaling, general ledger, adjustments, closing entries and financial statements. It also includes accounting for sales, purchases, payables, cash receipts, payroll, accruals and closing procedures.

Credits – entry that either increases a liability or equity account or decreases an asset or expense account.

Debits – entry that either increases an asset or expense account or decreases a liability or equity account.

Journaling – the logging of a transaction into a journal entry in chronological order.

General Ledger –  a record that keeps accounting transactions by account.

Adjustments – a transaction that has not yet been included in the accounting records.

Closing Entries – entries made at the end of an accounting period to reset all temporary accounts to zero and transfer their balances to permanent accounts.

Financial Statements – records that outline the financial activities of a small business. The financial statements a small business bookkeeper may encounter include income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statement.

  • Income Statements – provides an overview of revenues, expenses, net income and earnings per share.
  • Balance Sheet – provides an overview of assets, liabilities and stockholder’s equity. It is generally completed at the end of the fiscal year.
  • Cash Flow Statement – merges the balance sheet and the income statement. It shows how changes in balance sheet accounts and income affect cash while breaking the analysis down into operating, investing and financing activities.

Computerized Bookkeeping Skills

Computerized bookkeeping systems are software program that allow a small business bookkeeper to set up income and expense accounts. These software programs can also be used to manage bank accounts, pay bills and prepare budgets. Knowledge of software applications including QuickBooks and Peachtree are important to master as they are used during the course of small business bookkeeping.

QuickBooks – a small business bookkeeping software solution for the management of payroll, inventory, sales and other small business needs. QuickBooks can monitor expenses, create invoices, create reports, track change orders, track job status, and manage inventory, customers, vendors and employees.

Peachtree Bookkeeping Software – a bookkeeping application for small to medium-sized businesses that allows the bookkeeper to automate and manage accounting tasks including reconciling accounts payable and receivables. It can also help the bookkeeper create financial statements, check invoices, track payroll and integrate scanned documents.

Basic Office Skills

Office skills that a small business bookkeeper will perform include keyboarding, answering telephones, word processing, operation of office machinery and filing. During the course of completing basic office tasks, the small business bookkeeper will need to stay detail oriented, use organization skills, master communication skills and provide excellent customer service with managers and colleagues at the small business.

Microsoft Office

A small business bookkeeper must be proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

Microsoft Word – used for word processing and document development.

Microsoft Excel – used to develop worksheets, change appearances, incorporate formulas, implement advanced printing, graphics and links.

Microsoft PowerPoint – used to develop, customize and deliver a presentation.

Microsoft Access – used to build a database, obtain information, print reports and view information.

Business Math

A certain amount of math is required to be a small business bookkeeper. They must be aware of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Algebra is used in bookkeeping for equations, functions, graphing, liner and quadratic equations. However, much of the math and equation work is managed within Microsoft Excel or automated by accounting software. A small business bookkeeper doesn’t have to be a math whiz.

Business English

Proficiency in English is required to be a small business bookkeeper. Business English involves basic sentence fundamentals, punctuation, mechanics and grammar. Bookkeeping will also come with a specific set of context, vocabulary, abbreviations and grammatical structure.

Interested in joining a small business as a bookkeeper? Want to learn more about an accounting diploma program? The Accounting Diploma Program is designed to prepare college graduates to seek entry-level positions in the accounting and bookkeeping fields in 18 months with day classes and 24 months with evening classes.  The college graduate may work as an accounts receivable or accounts payable clerk, bookkeeper, payroll clerk, accounting assistant or inventory control clerk.

Contact us to learn more about how to become a small business bookkeeper.