Where can I Work as a Massage Therapist?

Are you tired of the 9 to 5? Massage therapists can work in very interesting locations on their own time table. All they need is a diploma in massage therapy and the ambition to become a successful massage therapist.

Where can I Work as a Massage Therapist?

Massage Franchises – Franchise organizations that offer massage to patrons in local communities employ massage therapists to work with customers. This type of employment can offer more stable work than self-employment. One of the bigger massage franchises is Massage Envy. Massage Envy has 11 locations in the greater Atlanta area and 14 locations in the Raleigh-Durham area (Where Gwinnett College’s campuses are located).

Spas, Hotels & Resorts – Many massage therapists will take a traditional position at a spa or resort and have the ability to work with a steady amount of clientele. Some travel may be involved if you work for a chain of hotel or resorts.

Hospitals & Clinics – Patients are in need of massage therapy. Some massage therapist will work in hospitals and clinics to help those with patients that have strains or need elder care. Other places for massage therapist to work include sports therapy clinics and sports rehab.

Business Offices – Some organizations offer special perks that include free massages. They employ massage therapists to help employees relax during long days and in high stress environments.

Casinos – Many casinos employ massage therapist to work in resorts and spas. Another exciting job is to roam the casino floor offering poker players the opportunity to a massage after playing for many hours in one position. Working in this environment can be exciting and lucrative.

On A Cruise Ship – Love traveling and want a great way to pay for the trip? Be a massage therapist aboard a cruise ship. You can take the time to enjoy the locales you visit while paying for your trip as a massage therapist.

Malls & Conventions – Customers of massage therapists are on their feet much of the day and are shopping at malls or attending conventions. The massage therapist can set up a booth to offer massages to fellow shoppers to help them relax after a long day of standing.

Gyms & Fitness Centers – Gym members often work out rigorously and need a massage therapist to recondition muscles to allow them to recover. Some high-end gyms employ massage therapists directly while others allow freelance massage therapist to make appointments with gym members after their workout.

At Clients’ Homes – Massage therapists can work for themselves or an organization and make house calls. As a self-employed massage therapist, clients will allow you to travel to their home and offer payment for massage therapist services. No overhead is needed so start-up costs are minimal.

American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)

The American Massage Therapy Association offers guidance in workplace options for massage therapists. Their guides talk more about working at a franchise, at fitness and sports massage locations, at medical and health care related settings, in spas and as a self-employed massage therapist.

Ready to become a massage therapist and work in an exciting new setting? 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.

How to Start an Entry-Level Accounting Career

What Bookkeepers and Accounting Clerks Do Day-To-Day

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, bookkeeping and accounting clerks produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy. Bookkeeping, and accounting clerks typically do the following on a day-to-day basis:

  • Use bookkeeping software, online spreadsheets, and databases
  • Post financial transactions into the appropriate accounting software
  • Receive and record cash, checks, and vouchers
  • Put debits and credits into the accounting software, assigning each to an appropriate account
  • Produce reports including balance sheets, income statements, and totals by account
  • Check for accuracy in figures, postings, and reports
  • Reconcile or note and report any differences they find in the records

Bookkeepers often are responsible for an organization’s accounts, known as the general ledger. Bookkeepers record all transactions and post debits and credits. Bookkeepers also create financial statements and other reports for supervisors and managers. Bookkeepers also prepare bank deposits by compiling data from cashiers, verifying receipts, and sending cash, checks, or other forms of payment to the bank.

Accounting clerks can work for larger companies and have more specialized tasks. An accounting clerks’ titles, accounts payable clerk or accounts receivable clerk, often reflect the type of accounting they do. Entry-level accounting clerks may post details of transactions, add up accounts, and determine interest charges. They also may monitor loans and accounts to ensure that payments are up to date.

Skills of a Successful Accountant and Bookkeeper

Computer skills. Bookkeeping and accounting clerks need to be comfortable using computer spreadsheets and bookkeeping software including QuickBooks and Microsoft Office.

Detail oriented. Bookkeeping and accounting clerks are responsible for producing accurate financial records. They must pay attention to detail in order to avoid making errors and recognize errors that others have made.

Integrity. Bookkeeping and accounting clerks have control of an organization’s financial documentation, which they must keep confidential. It is vital that the bookkeeper and accounting clerks keep records transparent and guard against misappropriating an organization’s funds.

Math skills. Bookkeeping and accounting clerks deal with numbers daily and should be comfortable with basic arithmetic.

How To Become a Bookkeeper or Accounting Clerk

Step #1 – Enroll in a Career College

2 years of higher education are required by almost all employers. Career colleges provide career focused education for the purpose of gaining entry-level employment and advancement opportunities.

Step #2 – Master Accounting & Bookkeeping Software

Some of the software an accounting and bookkeeping clerk uses every day include Microsoft Office and QuickBooks.

Microsoft Office is an office suite of applications, servers, and services developed by Microsoft. Microsoft Office includes Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint & Outlook. Microsoft Office can be used with both Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh operating systems.

QuickBooks is an accounting software package designed to manage payroll, inventory, sales and other accounting needs of a business.

Step #3 – Get an Externship at a Local Business

The Bookkeeping and Accounting Program student should spend at least 120 hours in a typical accounting office setting. An externship will offer real-world experience and the ability to network, helping the student get a job after graduation.

Step #4 – Graduate from an Accredited Career College

Once you graduate from the career college, you will have a diploma showing your potential employer that you spent 2 years learning about your field of study. It is confirmation that you are skilled in the disciplines of bookkeeping and accounting.

Step #5 – Start an Entry-Level Position as a Bookkeeper or Accounting Clerk

Many career colleges offer career services to students and graduates to assist them in obtaining in-field employment. Career Services offers assistance with career portfolio building, resume writing, interview skill development, grooming, networking skills and effective job search training. Career College career services work closely with the employment community to help students find an in-field job after graduation.

Ready to take the first step in your new career as a bookkeeper or accounting clerk? The Gwinnett College accounting diploma program is designed to prepare college graduates to seek entry-level positions in the accounting and bookkeeping fields. The Gwinnett College graduate may work as an accounts receivable or accounts payable clerk, bookkeeper, payroll clerk, accounting assistant or inventory control clerk.

7 Study Tips to Help You Learn More

Want to get prepared for your next test? Here are 7 study tips to help you learn more when you study. The study tips include starting to study right away, creating a study group, organizing your study space, snacking on brain food, taking regular breaks, getting enough sleep and exercising while studying.

Study Tip #1 – Start Studying Right Away

Do not cram before a test. Organize multiple study sessions spaced out between a period of days. The brain remembers the first information and last information studied better than the middle. Make sure to stop and start studying on a regular basis and you will retain more information from your study time.

Study Tip #2 – Create a Study Group

Working in a group to study for a test is a great idea. Each person can be responsible for a different section of the curriculum and when the group comes back together they can share their notes. Things like studying for a test or working out can be easier when you have someone to do it with as you feel obligated to that person to do your part.

Study Tip #3 – Organize Your Study Space

Start by decluttering your space so you can keep your mind fresh. Throw out the trash on your desk and get everything you need to study without getting distracted.

Organize your study space like you organize your brain. Our brains are made up of three main compartments for storing information.

Working Memory – information we’re currently working with that doesn’t necessarily need to be stored.

Short-Term Memory – information we hold for a few days. If it is important, the brain will store it into long-term memory.

Long-Term Memory – information that is stored permanently.

The working memory could be a whiteboard of topics or information you are working on right now. The short-term memory can include post-it notes that you keep for remembering something coming up tomorrow or the next day. Long-term memory may be the information you store in your computer for later use.

Study Tip #4 – Snack on Brain Food

Your brain performs better when you eat good. Fruits and vegetables are good for long-term brain focus rather than sugar and caffeine. You may get a quick boost from caffeine but the downside of the high can really effect your focus when studying.

There are many brain foods that will improve your focus and concentration, according to A Life of Productivity. Many of these foods are called superfoods. A superfood is a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being.

Blueberries – studies show that blueberries boost concentration and memory because of antioxidants that stimulate the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain.

Leafy Green Vegetables – are full of antioxidants and carotenoids, that help boost brain power and protect the brain. They also contain folic acid, which improves mental clarity.

Fatty Fish – Omega-3 fatty acids aid memory, mental performance and behavioral function.

Water – Staying hydrated gives the brain the electrical energy for all brain functions including thought and memory processes.

Study Tip #5 – Take Regular Breaks

Look up to refocus your eyes every five minutes so you don’t have to strain when you are studying. Get up and walk around every 45 minutes to get any energy out of your body and reset your mind so you can come back fresh and ready to tackle the next chapter.

Study Tip #6 – Get Enough Sleep

Nothing is worse than taking a test when you are tired. You need your full concentration so get a good nights’ sleep before taking a test.

Also, newly learned concepts are more easily recalled after sleeping since retroactive interference occurs. Retroactive interference is when a student has difficulty recalling old information because of newly learned information.

Study Tip #7 – Exercise & Study at The Same Time

Get your notes in order or create flash cards. Then start walking around the neighborhood or campus while you review your notes. Humans have a hard-wired survival instinct to retain information while in motion, from the days of running away from danger. Exercise will also increase oxygen flow to the brain for better concentration.

Once you have your study skills set and ready to find the right career college, learn more about Gwinnett Colleges & Institute. We feel studying is key to success in anyone of our 14 programs at our 6 campuses in Georgia, Florida & North Carolina.

7 Tips for Writing a Business Resume That Stands Out

The job market in the US is competitive and writing a good business resume will give you a leg up on the competition. If you are looking for a job in business after graduating from a career college, here are 7 tips for writing a business resume that stands out.

Tip #1 – Format the Business Resume for Easy Viewing

A human resources manager only has 20 seconds to scan your business resume before taking the time to read it fully. The business resume should only be one page long as multiple pages will not only seem overwhelming to the human resources manager but shows that you are not concise with your communication.

Use headers to emphasize important information and bullet points for key accomplishments. Bold and italic type can help guide the human resources manager’s eyes properly through the business resume. Make sure the business resume is readable, organized and visually appealing.

Also, clearly state your name and contact information at the top of the business resume. Don’t give the human resources manager any reason not to contact you for an interview.

Tip #2 – Tailor Your Business Resume to The Company You Are Applying To

Human Resource Managers and Hiring Managers will see hundreds of resumes per position and you want to stand out from the crowd. A good way to stand out is by tailoring your business resume to the company you are applying to. Don’t just send in a catch all business resume, personalize it to the company and industry.

When writing a cover letter, try using the human resource manager’s name in the salutation. Insert the company name were applicable. Focus on the companies needs by reviewing the job description and tailor your business resume to the job you are applying for.

Tip #3 – Optimize Your Business Resume for Keywords

Many new resume services like Indeed will rank your business resume by relevance when a hiring manager is searching for job candidates. Other resume services will give the hiring manager the ability to weed out business resumes by ranking them by keyword saturation, much like a search engine. Make sure your business resume includes all the words that the hiring manager may be looking for by understanding the job description and position you are applying for.

Tip #4 – Write a Career Summary instead of an Objective

Take the opportunity to make a good first impression. The career summary is the first thing the hiring manager will read when looking at your business resume. Everyone wants to work for a good company that is challenging but not everyone has the career experience you bring to the table. Present yourself as the solution to the hiring managers problem.

Tip #5 – Accomplishments, not Job Descriptions

You are telling a story with your business resume. Use bullet points to call out the tasks you performed on a job but put the tasks in the form of accomplishments. Quantify your accomplishments and avoid using industry jargon. Instead of saying I proofread articles at my last job say that you had a 99% accuracy when reviewing and submitting articles to the key stakeholders. Use this section of the business resume to sell yourself and the accomplishments you will bring to this new job.

Tip #6 – Proofread Your Business Resume

Nothing will get your business resume rejected quicker than spelling and grammatical errors. When a hiring manager sees these errors, they feel like the candidate is not taking the process seriously. Have a friend or family member read over your business resume for a second set of eyes. Many times, they may see errors that you may not.

Tip #7 – Include Social Media Links

Do you already have a Linkedin profile? Take the time to write a tailored business resume but also include a link to your Linkedin profile. Get endorsements from colleagues, former employers and teachers that may enhance your list of references. Share your featured skills with the hiring manager to confirm the business skills you have match that of the job description.

Don’t forget that the human resources manager will look at your social media accounts before sending the resume to the hiring manager. Make sure you don’t have anything on your social media that will disqualify you or impact the decision of the human resources manager from adding you to the list of prospective candidates.

Ready to start your journey as a business student? Gwinnett College can help you prepare for a career in business. Gwinnett College students that graduate from the business program can also select a concentration in computer information technology, medical office administration, or massage therapy.  Gwinnett College graduates are awarded an Associate of Science Degree in Business and can seek entry-level positions based upon their areas of concentration.

Get Microsoft Office Training: Become an Office Administrator or Accounting Clerk

Want to become an Office Administrator or Accounting Clerk? The most important training you can obtain includes office procedure training and use of Microsoft Office programs. Get training in Microsoft Office to take your career to the next level.

What is Microsoft Office?

Microsoft Office is an office suite of applications, servers, and services developed by Microsoft. Microsoft Office includes Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint & Outlook. Microsoft Office can be used with both Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh operating systems.

Microsoft Word

A word processor developed by Microsoft. Microsoft Word offers enhanced features to create professional-quality documents, easier ways to work together with people, and almost-anywhere access to your files.

Microsoft Word helps you organize and write your documents more efficiently. In addition, you can save documents online and access, edit, and share them from almost any Web browser.

Top Functionality of Microsoft Word

Smart Art – Clip art, shapes, diagrams and charts are offered on Microsoft Word. SmartArt is a comprehensive business diagram tool.

Visual Charts – Create charts in Microsoft Word with the chart engine.

Add Hyperlinks – in Microsoft Word, you can insert hyperlinks on images and text to make documents interactive. Very useful when sending documents with Microsoft Outlook.

Headers & Footers – Add logos, images and page numbers in the header and footer of a Microsoft Word document.

Find & Replace – Find particular words in Microsoft Word to replace on a grand scale. Make sure to also use Spell Check to make sure you replaced the word with the correct spelling.

Spell & Grammar Check – Microsoft Word 2016 has a robust spelling and grammar check tool that can even offer keyword definitions if you are in doubt about which spelling or term to use.

Create PDFs – You don’t need a PDF creator since Microsoft Word can save any document into a PDF. Make a document available without letting users make changes.

Microsoft Excel

A spreadsheet program used to store and retrieve numerical data in a grid format of columns and rows. Microsoft Excel is ideal for entering, calculating and analyzing company data.

Top Functionality of Microsoft Excel

Formulas – use formulas to manipulate data within a group of cells in Microsoft Excel. Some of the more common formulas include merge, trim, word length, if/then statements, and count formulas. Over 100 formulas in all included in Microsoft Excel 2016.

Charts & Graphs – make visual charts and graphs in Microsoft Excel. Charts included in Microsoft Excel include bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, scatter graphs, bubble graphs, waterfall graphs and surface graphs to visually represent data.

Conditional Formatting – format Microsoft Excel spreadsheets with colors, bold and italics to emphasize different data. Microsoft Excel also allows you to remove duplicates from a column.

Hyperlink Insertion – add hyperlinks to the cells for users to easily get additional information.

PivotCharts & PivotTables – A pivot table, in Microsoft Excel, allows you to reorganize and summarize selected columns and rows of data in a spreadsheet or database table to obtain a desired report. A pivot chart is the visual representation of a pivot table in Microsoft Excel. Pivot charts and pivot tables are connected with each other.

Spell Check & Thesaurus – Use Microsoft Excel to make sure you are using the correct spelling or a word or if there is a synonym that offers a more powerful meaning.

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Access is a database management system that serves as an electronic filing system. With Microsoft Access, the user is easily able to modify any data within the database, produce reports from the database and submit queries about all information stored into it.

Top Functionality of Microsoft Access

Create Tables & SharePoint lists – A SharePoint list is a container for information, similar to a very simple database or spreadsheet. Using a list is the most common way to manage information in a SharePoint site. In a list, data is gathered in rows, and each row is known as a list item.

Compatible with Microsoft Office – You can upload data or create an excel spreadsheet from a Microsoft Access database.

Microsoft PowerPoint

A presentation program created by Microsoft. The presentation is made up of a series of slides. The slides that you create using Microsoft PowerPoint can also be presented as overhead transparencies or 35mm slides. In addition to slides, you can print audience handouts, outlines, and speaker’s notes.

Top Functionality of Microsoft PowerPoint

Animations – add some animation to your presentation to keep viewers visually active with Microsoft PowerPoint.

Edit Graphics – Microsoft PowerPoint gives you the option to resize, crop and group images with overlays to create pictures for use in presentations, on websites and in other Microsoft Office programs.

SmartArt – Create templatized diagrams and charts to visual data in your Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.

Notes – Add notes to the slideshow that only you can see while you are presenting with Microsoft PowerPoint.

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft, available as a part of the Microsoft Office suite. Although often used mainly as an email application, it also includes a calendar, task manager, contact manager, note taking, journal, and web browsing.

Top Functionality of Microsoft Outlook

Calendar – Get meeting alerts and keep track of anything using the calendar on Microsoft Outlook.

Task Manager – Remember to do that word document or presentation by creating a task in Microsoft Outlook.

Contact Manager – Keep track of your contacts’ name, email address and other important information within the contact manager of Microsoft Outlook.

Email Management – Create folders, set out-of-office vacation auto-replies, create signatures and manage third-party mail servers including Yahoo! Mail and Gmail. You can also flag specific emails as important or unread using Microsoft Outlook.

The use of Microsoft Office is integral in the everyday tasks of an Office Administrator and Accounting Clerk. Training in Microsoft Office is important for every Office Administrator and Accounting Clerk to master. The following explains what an Office Administrator and Accounting Clerk does on a day-to-day basis in addition to using Microsoft Office.

What does an Office Administrator Do?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Office Administrator performs clerical and administrative duties. The Office Administrator organizes files, prepares documents, schedules appointments, and supports the staff. Office Administrator typically do the following:

  • Use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook
  • Answer telephones and take messages
  • Schedule office appointments and update event calendars
  • Arrange company staff meetings
  • Handle all mail and faxes
  • Prepare memos, invoices, or reports
  • Edit documents and spreadsheets
  • Maintain databases and filing systems
  • Perform basic bookkeeping and accounting

What does an Accounting Clerk Do?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks typically do the following:

  • Use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook
  • Use bookkeeping software, databases and online spreadsheets
  • Enter financial transactions into the computer software
  • Receive and record cash, checks, and vouchers
  • Put costs and income into the software, assigning each to an appropriate account
  • Produce reports, balance sheets, income statements, and totals by account
  • Check for accuracy in figures, postings, and reports
  • Reconcile and report any differences they find in the records

Upon completion of the Computer Operations diploma program at Gwinnett College, college graduates will be able to seek entry-level positions as office administrators, accounting clerks, and document processors. Gwinnett College graduates from the Computer Operations diploma program can transfer all of their credits into the Associate of Science Degree in Business, Computer Information concentration training program and complete their associate degree in three additional quarters. Learn more about computer training now.

What is Natural Health Massage?

Want to learn more about natural health massage? Interested in helping clients relax through massage and earth-friendly massage products? The Massage and Natural Health Associate of Applied Science degree program at Gwinnett College is a comprehensive program that meets the requirements of the American Massage Therapy Association.

Who is the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)?

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is the largest non-profit, professional association serving massage therapists, massage students and massage schools. It is the most trusted and respected name in massage therapy.

What is Natural Health Massage?

During the massage, only natural products are used to alleviate different conditions through various massage techniques.

What are Natural Products?

A natural product is a chemical compound or substance produced by a living organism that is found in nature.

What are the Benefits of Natural Products?

#1 Earth-Friendly – Natural products are greener for the planet and biodegradable.

#2 Avoid Irritation – Natural products don’t have toxins or irritants that may be harmful to the body.

#3 No Strange Side Effects – Parabens are used in conventionally produced health and beauty products as a preservative to extend the shelf life of products. Parabens are synthetic and mimic a body’s natural hormones and may alter the function of the body’s endocrine system.

What are the Different Conditions that Natural Health Massage Can Help?

Natural Health Massage can be helpful in treating different conditions including:

  • Fibromyalgia – a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas of the body.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – a painful condition of the hand and fingers caused by compression of a major nerve where it passes over the carpal bones through a passage at the front of the rest, alongside the flexor tendons of the hand caused by repetitive movements over a long period.
  • Tennis Elbow – Only a small amount of those with Tennis Elbow got it from playing Tennis. Tennis Elbow is the inflammation of the tendons of the elbow caused by overuse of the muscles of the forearm.
  • Migraines – a recurrent throbbing headache that typically affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision.
  • Osteoarthritis – degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone, most common from middle age onward. Osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness in the hip, knee, and thumb joints.
  • Lower Back Pain – caused by injury to a muscle or ligament in the back. Common causes include improper lifting, poor posture, lack of regular exercise, facture, ruptured disk, or arthritis.
  • Sciatica – pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, which runs down one or both legs from the lower back.

With proper training in natural massage therapy, a massage therapist can help alleviate the pain from these types of conditions. If you have one of these conditions, visit your local doctor before engaging in natural massage therapy.

What Will I Learn During the Massage and Natural Health Associate of Applied Science degree program?

Gwinnett College students will learn various massage techniques during the Massage and Natural Health Associate of Applied Science degree program. The techniques include:

  • Neuromuscular Therapy – a specialized form of deep tissue massage where pressure and friction are used to release areas of strain in the muscle (or trigger points).
  • Chair Massage – a short massage that focuses on the high-tension areas of the neck, back, shoulders, arms & hands.
  • Reflexology – a system of massage used to relieve tension and treat illness, based on the theory that there are reflex points on the feet, hands, and head linked to every part of the body.
  • Aromatherapy – the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils in massage.
  • Sports Massage – used to treat injuries, maintain optimal conditioning and offer preventative care for athletes.
  • Fascial Release – applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion.
  • Oriental Medicine – use of herbal medicines and various mind and body practices, including acupuncture and tai chi, to treat or prevent health problems.

What does a Natural Massage Therapist do on a Day-to-Day Basis?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Natural massage therapists treat clients by using touch to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. With their touch, natural massage therapists relieve pain, help heal injuries, improve circulation, relieve stress, increase relaxation, and aid in the general wellness of clients. Natural massage therapists typically do the following:

  • Talk with clients about their symptoms, medical history, and desired results
  • Evaluate clients to locate painful or tense areas of the body
  • Manipulate muscles and other soft tissues of the body
  • Provide clients with guidance on stretching, strengthening, overall relaxation, and how to improve their posture
  • Document clients’ conditions and progress

Learn more about  helping people relax through natural massage therapy and the Natural Health Massage Program at Gwinnett College’s Sandy Springs campus? Upon graduation, Gwinnett College students will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Massage and Natural Health.  Graduates will be qualified to seek entry-level positions as clinical, medical, sports, or deep tissue massage therapists in wellness clinics and centers, spa environments including resorts and franchises, and self-employment.

Instructor Highlight – Dr. Marc Ellis, Massage Therapy program

Dr. Marc Ellis is an instructor at Gwinnett College – Sandy Springs. Dr. Ellis has been teaching Clinical Pathology and Case Management/Assessment to our massage therapy students for over a decade. At the time he started, the College was named the Rising Spirit Institute of Natural Health. In addition to instructing at our campuses, Dr. Ellis has been successful in both education as well as a Chiropractic Doctor. He is a Fellow of the American College of Functional Neurology, a Diplomat of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board, an Assistant Professor for the Carrick Institute of Graduate Studies, and also founded the Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center in Roswell, Georgia.

Recently, Dr. Ellis traveled to Ulm, Germany, to attend the Connective Tissues in Sports Medicine 2017 conference. He made a presentation at the conference titled, “Examination of Fascial Tension Concomitant with Movement Can Improve Myofascial Care in Athletes – A Case Study.” The study presented is as follows;

Background
Aberrant movement can cause decreased performance in athletes.  The central nervous system must always be involved in the modulation of movement.  This is done via the deformation of tissues in the body and their effects on the peripheral receptors which in turn send afferent information to the central nervous system (CNS).  The CNS will then integrate that information and change the depolarization rate of motor neurons.  The synchronization of this process determines effectiveness of the athlete’s movement.  Alterations in fascial pliability can cause inefficient movement patterns that can affect an athlete’s performance or induce pain during specific movements.

Case Report
A 57 year old, right handed male golfer presented to the office with complaints of left shoulder pain and limited range of motion for the past 2 years.  Examination revealed the patient had Adhesive Capsulitis with 20′ of abduction, 70′ of shoulder flexion, 15′ of extension and 10′ of internal and external rotation.  The patients’ primary goal was to be pain free and to be able to play golf again.  Myofascial treatments were performed over the course of 10 visits and full range of motion was restored to the shoulder.  Upon playing golf the patient continued to have pain and a “catch”in the posterior left shoulder during the backswing phase of his stroke. He pointed to an area around the axillary triangle at the site of pain and restriction.  Fascial treatments were performed on the muscular fascia of the Teres muscle group but there was no improvement in the fluidity of movement or pain.  As the patient replicated his backswing it was observed that the hypodermis lateral to the lower one third of the scapula did not move correctly.  There was a restriction in the tissues’ ability to slide anteriorly and superiorly as it should when the backswing is performed.  Light inferior and medial traction was placed on this tissue and the patient could then only abduct their shoulder 90′. Myofascial release was performed at the level of the hypodermis and the fascia profunda of the mid back approximately at the level of the scapula.  After the treatment, the patient could fully abduct his shoulder while the hypodermis was being tractioned.  He could perform his backswing more smoothly without pain and could golf.  During a one month follow up visit he reported that his backswing was still smooth and he did not have pain in the shoulder.

Conclusion
Patients often have numerous fascial adhesions which can contribute to the difficulty of determining which adhesions are contributing to the patient’s primary complaint.  Their problems can be so diffuse that it would be prohibitively time consuming to treat all the adhesions that are present.  The astute practitioner must be able to determine which adhesions are the primary contributors to the problem and treat them.  The evaluation of tensional forces on the fascia concomitant with movements can be an efficient method in determining the primary lesions, thus directing the practitioner to the most effective treatment.

 

A Career as a Medical Assistant

Looking for a rewarding career in Medical Assisting? What are the skills you need to become a successful medical assistant? Are there specialties within the medical assisting career? What is the job growth outlook for medical assisting careers? Learn how to become a successful medical assistant in this growing field.

What does a Medical Assistant do on a Day-To-Day Basis?

Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants typically do the following

  • Record patient history and personal information
  • Measure vital signs, such as blood pressure
  • Help the physician with patient examinations
  • Give patients injections or medications as directed by the physician and as permitted by state law
  • Schedule patient appointments
  • Prepare blood samples for laboratory tests
  • Enter patient information into medical records

Skills of a Successful Medical Assistant

A medical assistant must have or train to gain the right set of skills to become a successful medical assistant. Some of the skills of a medical assistant include:

Analytical skills. Medical assistants must be able to understand and follow medical charts and diagnoses. Like a Medical Billing & Coding Specialist, they may be required to code a patient’s medical records for billing purposes.

Detail oriented. Medical assistants need to be precise when taking vital signs and recording patient information.

Interpersonal skills. Medical assistants need to be able to discuss patient information with other medical personnel, such as physicians. They often interact with patients who may be in pain or in distress, so they need to be able to act in a calm and professional manner.

Technical skills. Medical assistants should be able to use basic clinical instruments so they can take a patient’s vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure.

Medical Assistant Specialties

In larger practices or hospitals, medical assistants may specialize in either administrative or clinical work.

Administrative medical assistants often fill out insurance forms or code patients’ medical information. They often answer telephones and schedule patient appointments.

Clinical medical assistants have different duties than administrative medical assistants. They may do basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. The clinical medical assistant may have additional responsibilities, such as instructing patients about medication or special diets, preparing patients for x rays, removing stitches, drawing blood, or changing dressings.

Some medical assistants specialize according to the type of medical office where they work. The following are examples of these specialized medical assistants:

Podiatric medical assistants work closely with podiatrists (foot doctors). They may make castings of feet, expose and develop x rays, and help podiatrists in surgery.

Ophthalmology medical assistant perform diagnostic testing, assist the physician in eye treatments and emergencies, and perform patient education. They may also administer eye medications and help in minor eye surgery.

How EHRs are Changing Medical Assisting

Electronic health records (EHRs) are changing some medical assistants’ jobs. More and more physicians are adopting EHRs, moving all their patient information from paper to electronic records. Medical assistants need to learn the Electronic Health Record software that their office uses. Some of the benefits of the EHRs:

  • Digital formatting enables information to be used and shared over secure networks
  • Track care (e.g. prescriptions) and outcomes (e.g. blood pressure)
  • Trigger warnings and reminders
  • Send and receive orders, reports, and results
  • Decrease billing processing time and create more accurate billing system
  • Better decipher physicians’ hand-writing minimizing mistakes

What is an Electronic Health Record (EHRs)?

An electronic health record is an official health record for an individual that is shared among multiple facilities and agencies. Electronic Health Records are shared through network-connected, enterprise-wide information systems or other information networks and exchanges. EHRs may include a range of data, including demographics, medical history, medication and allergies, immunization status, laboratory test results, radiology images, vital signs, personal statistics like age and weight, and billing information.

EHR systems are designed to store data accurately and to capture the state of a patient across time. It eliminates the need to track down a patient’s previous paper medical records and assists in ensuring data is accurate and legible. It can reduce risk of data replication as there is only one modifiable file, which means the file is more likely up to date, and decreases risk of lost paperwork.

Job Growth of Medical Assisting Field

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 23 percent from 2014 to 2024. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services. As their practices expand, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.

Interested in becoming a medical assistant? Gwinnett College and Institute Medical Assisting program 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.

Monday class scheduled July 3, 2017

Students, Faculty, and Staff –

In accordance with Financial Aid regulations, we will be holding classes for all programs on Monday, July 3, 2017.

Please plan accordingly. If you have any questions, please contact the administration of your primary campus.