Skills Taught in a Medical Assistant Program

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A medical assistant program focuses training in both front and back office skills.  A few of the skills taught in a medical assistant program include measuring vital signs, patient preparation for medical examination, updating patients’ charts, interaction communications with physicians and other medical professionals, preparing examination rooms, performing triage functions with patients, performing laboratory tests, and performing phlebotomy procedures.

Measuring Vital Signs

When measuring vital signs, the medical assistant will take the patient’s pulse, body temperature, respiration rate and blood pressure.

  • Pulse Rate – the measurement of the heart rate, or the number of times the heart beats per minute. Taking a pulse also measures heart rhythm and the strength of the pulse. The normal pulse rate of a healthy adult ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. The pulse can be found on the side of the neck, on the inside of the elbow or at the wrist.
  • Body Temperature – a normal person’s body temperature ranges from 97.8 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit. A body temperature can be taken orally, rectally, under the arm, by ear or by skin. Body temperature that is abnormal may be due to fever or hypothermia.
  • Respiration Rate – the number of breaths a person takes per minute. Normal respiration rates for an adult at rest range from 12 to 16 breaths per minute.
  • Blood Pressure – the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. To numbers are recorded during a blood pressure test. The higher number refers to the pressure inside the artery when the heart contracts and pumps blood through the body. The lower number refers to the pressure inside the artery when the heart is at rest and filling with blood. Normal blood pressure in an adult is less than 120 mm Hg for systolic (higher) pressure and 80 mm Hg diastolic (lower) pressure.

Patient Preparation for Medical Examinations

A medical examination is used to check the patients’ overall health and to ensure that they don’t have any medical problems that they aren’t aware of. The medical assistant will gather documents for the patients’ medical history and confirm any information about medications they are currently taking. The medical assistant may ask about any symptoms the patient may have and pass this information on to the physician. In addition to measuring vital signs, the medical assistant may gather weight and height information to update and monitor medical history.

Updating Patients’ Charts

More and more, medical assistants are using Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in place of physical paper charts and records. The electronic medical record helps the medical assistant track data over time, identify patients who are due for preventative visits, monitor the patients vital sign readings and easily enter medical exam vital signs and notes from the preparation of the medical exam. The medical assistant will use ICD-10 and CPT coding standards to keep charts and records consistent between all medical assistants, physicians and the insurance companies that the medical assistant may bill.

Interaction Communications with Physicians and Other Medical Professionals

The medical assistant will need good communication skills to work with patients, physicians and medical professionals. The medical assistant will want to be a good listener and pick up on any non-verbal body language to better understand the situation. They will want to be clear and concise with the message, especially in an emergency. Further, the medical assistant will want to use a friendly tone, show confidence, have empathy for the physician or patient, keep an open-mind and show respect for physicians and colleagues. Good communication is an essential skill for a successful medical assistant.

Preparing Examination Rooms

When preparing an examination room for a patient, the medical assistant will want to keep a clean environment and sterilize any supplies or instruments to be used. The exam room should be comfortable for both the wait and the exam as patients may become nervous. The exam room should be safe with all safety hazards eliminated. The medical assistant must also adhere to the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and make sure the exam room reasonably accommodates a patient with disabilities. In between patients, the medical assistant will want to dispose of any one-time items, disinfect all work spaces, and sterilize all instruments to be used on the next patient.

Performing Triage Functions with Patients

During the course of the day, when patients schedule appointments or while working in an emergency facility, the medical assistant will want to use triage functions. The triage of patients includes determining the priority of patients’ treatments based on the severity their condition. There are a few different concepts in triage, they include:

  • Simple Triage – sorting patients into those who need critical attention and those with less serious injuries.
  • Reverse Triage – the prioritization of admission by discharging patients early when the medical system is stressed.
  • Color-Coding System – helps triage units function better and with quicker action.
    • Red – immediate attention needed and the patient may have a life-threatening condition.
    • Yellow – immediate attention is needed. The patient has serious injuries and needs transport as soon as possible.
    • Green – less serious minor injuries and non-life-threatening condition
    • Black – the patient is deceased or mortally wounded.

Performing Laboratory Tests

The medical assistant may perform laboratory tests to check a sample of the patients’ blood, urine or body tissue. From the test sample the medical assistant can determine the patient’s sex, age and race, what they ate or drank, the medicine taken and how well they followed pre-test instructions. The medical assistant may compile laboratory tests for the physician to compare to previous results with the patient. The medical assistant will need to become familiar with specific medical items and devices to perform laboratory tests, they include:

  • Test Tubes – used to hold small amounts of specimen for laboratory testing.
  • Petri Dishes – used to prepare the culture of organisms to identify illness or disease in a specimen.
  • Syringes – used to inject or withdraw bodily fluids for testing.
  • Disposable Gloves – help prevent the transmission of disease to or from the medical assistant.
  • Microscope – used to see visually minute structures
  • Ultracentrifuge – used to separate particles dispersed in a liquid, or blood from plasma.

Performing Phlebotomy Procedures

The medical assistant will take blood from patients on occasion or work as a phlebotomist. The phlebotomy procedure starts with entering the patients’ information and insurance into the computer system. The medical assistant will check in the patient and escort them to the blood draw room. They will assemble, sterilize and maintain the phlebotomy materials for the blood draw. The medical assistant will draw the blood after verifying the patient’s identity to ensure proper labeling of the specimen. The medical assistant will then label the specimen properly and bandage the injection site to stop the bleeding.

Do the skills taught in a Medical Assistant Program interest you? Do you want to become a medical assistant? The core curriculum of Gwinnett College’s Medical Assistant Program 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.

Contact us to learn more about how you can become a medical assistant today.

The Role of Accounting Financial Statements

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The accounting professional of small to medium sized companies must work with different types of financial statements in the course of performing accounting duties. The financial statements include the income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash and statement of retained earnings. Mastering these financial statements is the first step in becoming a successful accountant.

Accounting Financial Statements

Income Statement – presents the revenues, expenses and profit/loss of a company. The income statement, also known as the Profit and Loss statement,, the role of this statement is to show the companies’ earnings and profitability. The income statement is divided up into different parts:

  • Income from continuing operations – includes sales, cost of goods sold, operating expenses, gains and losses and income tax. These are used to compute the companies’ gross margin, operating margin and pretax margin.
  • Results from discontinued operations – the disposal transaction will result in the operations and cash flow of the component being eliminated from company operations or there will be no significant continuing involvement by the company in the operations of the component once it is disposed of-
  • Extraordinary items – gains or losses included on a company’s income statement from events that are unusual and infrequent. Usually as a result of unforeseen events.
  • Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle – adjustments to all financial statements to reflect the change to the new account principle.
  • Net income – a company’s income minus cost of goods sold, expenses and taxes for an accounting period.
    • Net sales – amount of sales generated by a company after the deduction of returns, allowances for damaged goods and any discounts.
    • Cost of Goods Sold – the direct costs attributable to the production of the goods sold by a company, including both the cost of materials and direct labor to produce those goods.
  • Earnings per share information – the portion of a company’s profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock and serves as an indicator of a company’s profitability.

Balance Sheet – presents the assets, liabilities, and equity of the company. The report is structured so that the total of assets equals the total liabilities. The balance sheet tells financial analysts whether they pay their bills on time, the company’s financial flexibility to acquire capital and the ability to distribute cash in dividends to the company’s owners.

  • Assets – items that provide probable future economic benefits. Listed from top to bottom in order of decreasing liquidity. The different types of assets listed on the balance sheet include:
    • Cash Equivalents – currency, coins and checks received that have not yet been deposited.
    • Short-Term Investments – any assets that are anticipated to expire within one to three years with a low risk and low return.
    • Accounts Receivable – money owed to a company by its debtors.
    • Inventory – a complete list of items including property and goods in stock.
    • Prepaid Expenses – an expenditure paid but the underlying asset that will not be consumed by a future period.
  • Liabilities – obligations that will be settled by using assets. Listed in order of expected payment. The different types of liabilities listed on the balance sheet include:
    • Accounts Payable – money owed by a company to its creditors.
    • Trade Notes Payable – the unpaid amount of promissory notes owed to suppliers of goods and services.
    • Advances and Deposits – amount of money given to a company before it is due for services partly completed.
    • Long-Term Debt – amount owed for a period exceeding 12 months from the date of the balance sheet. This can include bank loans, mortgage bonds, debenture and other obligations not due for one year.
    • Accrued Expenses – includes wages, interest and taxes indicated on the balance sheet from when the company can reasonably expect their payment, until the time the payment is made.
  • Equity – the residual interest that remains after liabilities are subtracted by assets.

The role of the balance sheet is to calculate key indicators that reveal the companies’ financial structure and ability to meet its obligations. They include working capital, current ratio, quick ratio, debt-equity ratio and debt-to-capital ratio.

  • Working Capital – the capital of a company that is used for day-to-day operations, calculated as the current assets minus the current liabilities.
  • Current Ratio – a liquidity ratio that measures the company’s ability to pay short-term and long-term obligations.
  • Quick Ratio – a measure of how well a company can meet its short-term financial liabilities.
  • Debt-Equity Ratio – a debt ratio used to measure a company’s financial leverage, calculated by dividing a company’s total liabilities by its equity.
  • Debt-to-Capital Ratio – calculated by taking the company’s debt and dividing it by the total capital.

Statement of Cashflow – presents the cash flow and outflow that occurred, breaking the analysis down to operating, investing and financing activities. Used to determine a company’s short-term viability and ability to pay bills.

  • Operating Activities – the production, sales and delivery of the company’s product and the collecting of payment from the customer. Can include purchasing raw materials, building inventory, advertising and shipping services.
  • Investing Activities – the purchase or sale of an asset, loans made to suppliers or received by customers, and payments related to mergers and acquisitions.
  • Financing Activities – the inflow of cash from investors and the outflow of cash to shareholders as the company generates income.

Statement of Retained Earnings – presents changes in equity. The report format includes sale or repurchase of stock, dividend payments and changes caused by profits or losses. For small business, the statement of changes in equity should show all changes in equity including:

  • Total Comprehensive Income – the sum of net income that must bypass the income statement because the income has not been collected yet. This includes holdings from the sale of securities and foreign currency.
  • Owners’ Investments – the amount of assets that the owner puts into the company.
  • Dividends – a sum of money paid regularly by a company to its shareholders out of its profits.
  • Owners’ Withdrawals of Capital – amount subtracted from owner capital.
  • Treasury Share Transactions – transaction of corporate stock that a company previously sold to investors and purchased back.

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

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

2018-19 FAFSA available

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The updated FAFSA is available to complete for all current and incoming students. If you need help completing the FAFSA, please contact the financial aid office at your campus. Please use the following six-digit school codes to ensure the FAFSAs are sent to the correct location.

Gwinnett College, Lilburn, GA
025830

Gwinnett College – Sandy Springs, Sandy Springs, GA
034183

Gwinnett College, Raleigh, NC
033613

Gwinnett College, Marietta, GA
038044

Gwinnett Institute, Orlando, FL
E02160

Meridian College, Sarasota, FL
015548

FAFSAs are available at http://fafsa.ed.gov.

The Role of an Administrative Assistant

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Interested in becoming part of an office team? Do you want to become an administrative assistant? The Administrative Assisting graduate may work as a secretary, receptionist, executive assistant, or administrative assistant. They will also learn different curriculum including accounting, office administration, Microsoft Office, business math and English, and advanced keyboarding.

Administrative Assistant Roles

Role #1: Secretary & Administrative Assistants – performs clerical and administrative duties. They organize files, prepare documents, schedule appointments and support staff. They can work in offices, schools, government agencies and private corporations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, secretaries and administrative assistants typically do the following:

  • Answer telephones and take messages or transfer calls
  • Schedule appointments and update event calendars
  • Arrange staff meetings
  • Handle incoming and outgoing mail
  • Prepare memos, invoices, or other reports using word processing software
  • Edit documents with Microsoft Office
  • Maintain databases and filing systems, whether electronic or paper

Role #2: Receptionist – the first employee of an organization that a customer or client will have contact with. A receptionist is responsible for making a good first impression. The receptionist is also responsible for performing administrative tasks, answer phones, receive visitors and provide general information about the organization to the public. Receptionists typically do the following:

  • Answer telephone calls and take messages or forward calls
  • Schedule and confirm appointments and maintain company calendars
  • Greet and welcome customers, clients, and other visitors
  • Check visitors in and direct them to specific destinations
  • Inform other employees of visitors’ arrivals or cancellations
  • Copy, file, and maintain paper or electronic documents
  • Handle incoming and outgoing mail and email

Role #3: Executive Assistant – provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, handling information requests, and performing clerical functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings for an office and for top executives of an organization. They may handle more complex responsibilities and some also supervise clerical staff. Executive assistants do the following on a day-to-day basis:

  • Assistance with clerical tasks, accepting and making phone calls, setting business meetings, sending memos, reviewing incoming reports and setting the executive’s daily schedule.
  • Conduct research and prepare statistical reports that are used by executives to make business decisions.
  • Receive visitors and controls which phone calls go through to the executive.
  • Supervise and train clerical staff to coordinate administrative assistants and their tasks.

Administrative Assistant Curriculum

An administrative assisting program will teach specific curriculum including accounting, office administration skills, Microsoft Office, business math and English, and advanced keyboarding.

Manual and Computerized Accounting – keeping financial records by hand or with the aid of a computer. The administrative assistant will be responsible for recording of financial transactions plus storing, sorting, retrieving, summarizing and presenting the information in various reports.

Office Administration Skills – related to running a business or keeping an office organized. Office administration skills include creating documents, managing spreadsheets, conducting research, maintaining files, answering telephones and managing customers. Office administration skills include the following skills that a successful administrative assistant should learn:

  • Communication Skills – an administrative assistant will interact with employers, staff and clients. It is important for the administrative assistant to speak clearly, loudly and maintain a positive tone. They must also listen in order to know how to help. Written communication is also important for administrative assistants to master.
  • Technology Skills – administrative assistants operate a variety of technological tools including Microsoft Office and online scheduling programs. They may also be responsible for the maintenance of office equipment, faxes, scanners and printers.
  • Organization – administrative assistants must keep extremely organized to juggle the many tasks they are responsible for. They will use calendars, appointment scheduling software and other tools to keep the office running smoothly.
  • Planning – a successful administrative assistant can plan and schedule things in advance. They need to plan ahead and prepare for any office issues.
  • Problem Solving – Many members of the staff and customers come to the administrative assistant with questions or problems. The administrative assistant must be able to listen to questions or problems and come up with an appropriate solution using problem solving skills.

Microsoft Office – a computer program created by Microsoft for word processing, spreadsheets, database management, email management and presentation creation.

  • Microsoft Word – a word processing program that helps administrative assistant create documents, memos, letters and business collateral. These documents can be printed or sent by email.
  • Microsoft Excel – a spreadsheet program that can calculate, graph, manage data in pivot tables and use macros to perform repetitive tasks.
  • Microsoft Access – a database management system to manage contacts and other data for later use by administrative assistants.
  • Microsoft PowerPoint – presentation software that uses slide presentations to convey information for meetings or educational purposes.
  • Microsoft Outlook – email interface and personal information manager that is used for email applications, calendar, task manager, contact manager, note taking, journaling and web browsing.

Business Math and English – used by administrative assistants to record and manage business operations. Mathematics in particular is used in accounting, inventory management, marketing, sales forecasting and financial analysis. The most common topic of business math is Business Statistics. Business English focuses on vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and punctuation used by the administrative assistant for correspondence, meetings, presentations, and report writing.

Advanced Keyboarding – much of what an administrative assistant does is completed on a computer with a keyboard. The administrative assistant must master advanced keyboarding to increase their skill, speed and accuracy while typing. This advanced typing skill can be used while creating of business reports, presentations and correspondence.

Did learning about the role of an administrative assistant interest you? Want to find out more about becoming an administrative assistant and learning about accounting, office administrative skills, Microsoft Office, business math and English, and advanced keyboarding? The Administrative Assisting diploma program is designed to train Gwinnett College students to seek entry-level positions in the office administration or secretarial field. The externship phase of the program will allow students to apply the skills learned during the classroom training. Graduates of the program can also transfer all credits into Gwinnett’s Associate of Science Degree in Business (Computer Information concentration).  Contact us to learn more about how you can become an office administrator or secretary today.

8 Tips for Writing a Business Resume

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It only takes seconds to make a first impression. Make a good first impression with the human resources manager when they review your resume. The business industry can be competitive so it is important to write a good resume and stand out from the crowd. Consider these 8 tips for writing a business resume and landing your next telephone interview.

#1 Include Personal Information at the Top

You want it to be easy for the human resources manager to know your name and contact information so they can contact you for a telephone interview. As a business professional, you must sell yourself and that starts with your name and contact information. Make sure to include your name, full address, phone number and email address so the human resources manager can contact you.

#2 Start with an Impactful Summary (instead of an objective)

Use the beginning of your resume to summarize why you are perfect for the business position. This is considered an “elevator pitch.” Consider the fact that you only have one sentence to persuade the human resources manager to decide whether to invite you for a telephone interview or not. When writing the summary:

  • Start by using the job title of the job you are applying for
  • Include how many years’ experience you have in the industry
  • Include the skills or characteristics that make you perfect for this position

#3 Tailor Your Business Resume to the Company and Industry

Don’t just send out a templated resume to ever employer. Read the job description and try to pick out phrases and skills they are looking for. Add these phrases and skills to your resume so the human resources manager picks you for a telephone interview.

Another reason to include keyword phrases is to allow business managers to find you on job submission websites. Most job websites have an algorithm that offers search results for business managers that are looking for candidates with specific phrases. By including those phrases the business manager is looking for, your resume will come up in the search results.

#4 Keep Your Business Resume to One Page

The human resources manager only has a minute to review your resume and decide if they want to move forward with the interview. Make sure to keep your resume to one page so it is not daunting to read. If you have more than 10 years’ experience than you can consider a second page so you don’t show any gaps in your work experience.

#5 Use Bullet Points to List Accomplishments

Include the position you held, the company’s name and date of the work experience. Make sure to add a few bullet points that explain your accomplishments while working at the business. Instead of just listing your responsibilities use results to explain your responsibilities as accomplishments. Include three to five bullet points that best explain how you helped the business and what you will bring to the table at the company you are applying to. Also, add numbers to your accomplishments to explain the impact you made at your previous company. Did you increase sales, manage a certain number of employees or a specific budget? Make sure they know what you did and how you will help the new company.

#6 Don’t Waste Space with Your Education Information

Add the vocational school name, degree or diploma obtained, and the year you graduated. If you are a recent graduate, replace work experience with a bullet list of course work relevant to the position you are applying for. Focus your resume on why you can help the new company and what you have done to prove yourself worthy.

#7 Hold References for the Final Interview

Save references for the end of the hiring process when the employer asks for them. This is usually a good sign as the employer is considering hiring you but just wants one last confirmation that you are the right candidate for the job. Also, some employers will use references to better understand how to manage and train you, if they have already decided to hire you.

#8 Create a Linkedin Profile

Your Linkedin profile can be as important as your resume. Ask colleagues to share your skills and write references on your Linkedin profile. Request current and old colleagues to add you to their network. Add photos, videos and articles to show off your skills. Include all your previous work experience and education to complete your profile. Try to tell a story instead of just cutting and pasting the information from your resume.

Do these 8 tips for writing a business resume interest you? The Associate of Science Degree in Business is designed to provide Gwinnett College students with the knowledge and practical skills to function in the ever-changing business world. Gwinnett College graduates are awarded an Associate of Science Degree in Business and can seek entry-level positions based upon their areas of concentration. Gwinnett College students can select a concentration in computer information technology, medical office administration, or massage therapy. 

 

5 Facts You Should Know about Gwinnett College and Institute’s Business Degree

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Ready to become a business professional with an emphasis in information technology, medical office administration or massage therapy? The Associate of Science Degree in Business is focused on general business and business technology. The business degree is offered at the Lilburn, GA campus. There are 5 facts you should know about Gwinnett College and Institute’s Business Degree. Gwinnett College and Institute is fully accredited by accrediting bodies and state agencies, there are day and evening classes available, the student can choose from three concentrations, the program focuses on Microsoft Office and the massage therapy concentration offers business mastery courses.

#1 Fully Accredited

Gwinnett College and Institute is fully accredited by accrediting bodies and state agencies.

Gwinnett College; Lilburn, GA – Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and authorized by the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission.

#2 Day and Evening Classes Available

Think you don’t have the time to complete the business degree? Have other obligations that you must attend to during the day. The business degree at the Gwinnett College and Institute can be completed in as little as 18 months and evening classes are available. The Associate of Science Degree in Business takes as little as 18 months for full-time classes during the day and 24 months for full-time classes in the evening.

#3 Three Concentrations Available

The Associate of Science Degree in Business has three concentrations that include computer information technology, medical office administration and massage therapy.

Computer Information Technology – provides students with the training needed to seek entry-level employment as a help desk technician, computer operator, PC maintenance technician or document processor.

Medical Office Administration – focuses on the skills needed for students to seek entry-level position as a medical office administrator, biller and coder, patient intake representative, medical records clerk or accounting specialist.

Massage Therapy – focuses on a variety of techniques including chair massage, Oriental medicine and neuromuscular therapy.

#4 Focus on Microsoft Office

The Associate of Science Degree in Business includes two courses on Microsoft Office that focus on Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. The computer information technology concentration offers advanced Microsoft Office classes for the graduate to perform help desk tasks at an organization.

Microsoft Word – a graphical word processing program that users can type with to create memos, correspondence and collateral materials.

Microsoft Excel – a spreadsheet program that features calculations, graphing tools, pivot tables and a macro programming language. Microsoft Excel can be used to store and retrieve numerical data in a grid format of columns and rows.

Microsoft PowerPoint – a complete presentation program to help create professional-looking presentations. Microsoft PowerPoint offers word processing, outlining, drawing, graphing, and presentation management tools.

Microsoft Access – a database management system with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. Microsoft Access is used to create forms and reports while storing tables and possible queries on the database server.

#5 Business Mastery

The Associate of Science Degree in Business, Massage Therapy concentration, offers business mastery classes in business organization, business management, and marketing. These classes will help the self-employed massage therapist run the day to day operations of a business.

Business Organization – students learn about group dynamics and motivational strategies, performance management, training, conflict resolution, and leadership strategies.

Business Management – students learn about overseeing operations, reviewing contracts and helping employees reach their full potential. Some of the business organization areas of study will include markets, customers, finance, operations, communication, information technology and business strategy.

Marketing – students learn about how businesses promote and sell products and services. As a student of business, you will learn the process of teaching consumers why they should choose your products or services over the competition.

Do these 5 facts about the Business Degree at Gwinnett College and Institute interest you? The Associate of Science Degree in Business is designed to provide Gwinnett College students with the knowledge and practical skills to function in the ever-changing business world. Gwinnett College graduates are awarded an Associate of Science Degree in Business and can seek entry-level positions based upon their areas of concentration. Gwinnett College students can select a concentration in computer information technology, medical office administration, or massage therapy. 

 

The Important Duties of a Paralegal

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The paralegal plays an important role on any legal team. They help support lawyers during trial and to prepare for cases. The paralegal is the heart of a law firm as they are taking on more duties formerly given to legal secretaries and entry-level lawyers.

The increase need for paralegals and legal assistants is partially due to an increase in incarceration and the need for Internet savvy individuals. Become a paralegal or legal assistant and start a rewarding career helping others while being an integral member of a legal team.

Paralegal Duties

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegals and legal assistants help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals use computer software for managing and organizing the increasing number of documents collected during a case. Paralegals investigate cases, conduct research, organize documents, gather evidence, summarize reports, draft correspondence, get affidavits, file legal documents and communicate with people involved with the case.

Paralegals’ Increased Duties

Paralegals and legal assistants are increasingly performing not only traditional paralegal duties but also some of the tasks previously assigned to legal secretaries. Also, paralegals can be a less costly alternative to lawyers despite performing a wide variety of tasks once done by entry-level lawyers.

Growth Rate of Paralegal Jobs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 10 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Many things are increasing the need for paralegals including an increase in incarceration and the Internet as a tool for research.

Increase in Incarceration

According to the National Academy of Sciences, the incarceration rate of prisoners in US jails has increased four times since 1972. The total number of prisoners in 2012 was 2.23 million, the highest in the world. The biggest increase has been seen in federal prison where they house people for federal crimes including robbery, fraud, drugs, weapons and immigration. This increase in incarceration has spurred the need for more legal assistance, lawyers, public defenders and paralegals.

The War on Drugs

One of the main drivers of the increased incarceration rate was the war on drugs that has changed legislation causing harsher penalties for drug abusers. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, trends in drug arrests grew sharply in the 1980s, when the federal government declared a war on drugs. “The number of people behind bars for nonviolent drug law offenses increased from 50,000 in 1980 to over 400,000 by 1997.”In the late 1980s, a political hysteria about drugs led to the passage of severe penalties that rapidly increased the prison population. We still see the effects of these harsher prison sentences today. This increase in drug arrests helped drive the need for legal assistance and paralegals.

Internet and the Law

Nonprofits and government entities have put almost all of the raw materials of American law online. Google is making that law easier to find. With more access to legal regulations and law, paralegals are expanding their skill set to Internet professional.

The increase of virtual law firms has also spiked the demand for paralegals. Much of what the virtual law firm needs is research, administrative support and client interface. More companies like Legalzoom and RocketLawyer have pushed the envelope on virtual law firms and the increased need for paralegals.

Both companies are usually hiring paralegals to join the company. What the paralegal position does at Legalzoom:

  • Thorough review and analysis of commercial contracts.
  • Implementation, management, and maintenance of the company’s contract management system.
  • Ability to review, understand, and synthesize common contract provisions.
  • Maintenance of legal department forms and contract clause library.
  • Work closely with technology, finance, and marketing to initiate, negotiate, and complete contracts and administer other legal department operations.
  • Craft summaries and communications for core corporate functions.
  • Assistance with production and organization of subpoena response materials.
  • Monitoring and assistance with regulatory filings
  • Assistance with regulatory compliance, due diligence, and legal support for our finance team
  • Letter preparation and event coordination

Final Thoughts

Now is the time to learn about the duties and responsibilities of paralegals. Whether it be the increase in incarceration rates or the increase in technology, there is a growing need for paralegals that will continue over the next 10 years.

Interested in learning more about the duties of a paralegal or legal assistant? The Gwinnett College diploma and degree programs in paralegal studies provides students with the theoretical and practical knowledge and the legal skills necessary to perform many paralegal functions including research, writing, investigation, and interviewing.  Paralegal studies students gain knowledge of the paralegal and legal assistant’s role in areas such as tort law, litigation, criminal law, civil law, real estate, bankruptcy, wills/trusts & estates, and domestic relations. Theoretical and practical knowledge of how a traditional legal office operates on a day-to-day basis is also included as part of the training.  Contact us today to learn more about becoming a paralegal or legal assistant.

The Vital Role of a Registered Nurse

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Registered nurses are in high demand and the increased population of the elderly and diagnosis of disorders will only increase the need. As the population ages, not only are their more elderly patients but registered nurses will be retiring causing a need for additional registered nurses to take their place.

What a Registered Nurse Does on a Day-To-Day Basis

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about various health conditions, and provide emotional support to patients and their families. Registered nurses typically do the following:

  • Record patients’ medical histories, treatments and symptoms
  • Administer patients’ medicines
  • Set up plans for patients’ care
  • Observe patients and record their observations
  • Consult and collaborate with doctors and colleagues
  • Help perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results
  • Teach patients and their families how to manage and prevent illnesses or injuries

The Growth of Nursing

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for healthcare services will increase because of the aging population. Registered nurses also will be needed to educate and care for patients with various elderly chronic conditions including arthritis, dementia, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. The increased diagnosis of disorders will also increase the need for additional registered nurses.

The Aging Population

As the population of baby boomers begins to age more of the elderly will need the assistance of registered nurses. Registered nurses will be needed to help with elderly patients as they have a higher rate of illness and disease.  According to the National Council on Aging, about 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 68% have at least two. Some of the typical illnesses and diseases include osteoarthritis, stroke, heart attack, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, diabetes, cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

Osteoarthritis – the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone. Osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness in the hip, knee and thumb joints.

Stroke – occurs when blood flow is cut off to the brain. The brain cells need oxygen and glucose to survive.

Heart Attack – occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart is severely reduced. A buildup of fat, cholesterol and plaque narrows the coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood and can cause a heart attack.

Alzheimer’s Disease – a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.

Depression – feelings of helpless, hopeless and worthlessness. Depression can happen with a reduction in physical activity in the elderly.

Diabetes – as a body gets older the eating patterns of humans begins to put a strain on the regulation of blood sugar and insulin. Adult-onset diabetes can also put the elderly at risk for heart disease, problems with the circulatory system and many other issues brought on by diabetes.

Cancer – the term used for diseases were abnormal cells divide without control and invade other tissue. Early screening for cervical and colorectal cancers is recommended and can be carried out by additional registered nurses. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent most cervical cancers and hepatitis B vaccine can lower the risk of liver cancer.

Parkinson’s Disease – a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. Parkinson’s disease has more than doubled in older men from 1976 to 2005 according to studies.

Not only are registered nurses needed to treat the aging population but the registered nurses themselves are beginning to retire in bigger numbers. As many as 1 million registered nurses may retire in the next 10 to 15 years. More registered nurses will be needed to replace those that are retiring

Increased Diagnosis of Disorders

More doctors and registered nurses will be needed to treat disorders that have increased in diagnosis over the last 10 to 20 years. Some of those disorders include Autism, ADHD and Asthma.

Autism – one in six children is diagnosed with some form of Autism, whether high functioning or low functioning. Some argue that Autism is a rare gene mutation that is triggered by environmental factors. Others say that doctors are just better at diagnosing Autism. Others target the survival of pre-term babies as a pre-cursor to Autism. Regardless of the cause, more children are being diagnosed with Autism and will require additional doctors and registered nurses to treat these patients.

ADHD – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common risk factors for ADHD include genetics, brain injury, alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, premature delivery and low birth weight. Registered nurses will be needed to offer families and newly pregnant women education and resources to stay away from the common risk factors of ADHD.

Asthma – The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology is seeing an increase rate of asthma. Some research points to the increase use of certain medications as a cause for the increase in asthma. An increase in obesity causes a restriction in breathing and may lead to higher rates of asthma.

All of these factors are increasing the need for registered nurses. Are you interested in becoming a registered nurse? 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.