What Does a Paralegal Do?

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Are you interested in working in the legal field but not sure if you want to go to college for eight or more years to get a law degree and become a lawyer? Consider becoming a paralegal. The primary responsibility of paralegals is to perform legal work that supports lawyers. Their specific responsibilities and what a typical day looks like can vary considerably depending upon the area of law in which you work and your work environment. So, you have options as a paralegal.

Paralegals work in an array of organizations. Law firms are the most common, but some paralegals work in in-house corporate legal departments or for an agency of the government. Most paralegals work on a full-time basis, and it is not unusual for paralegals to work overtime, depending upon the particular projects they are involved.

Is becoming a paralegal the right career path for you? Becoming a paralegal offers job prospects and stability. Plus, it may be a good fit for you if you’re detail-oriented and looking for a job that lets you make a difference in your community.

What Does a Paralegal Do?

As a paralegal, you may be asked to accomplish a variety of responsibilities. Basically, the paralegal’s job is to support attorneys, which may involve tasks such as drafting documents, performing legal research, and maintaining files.

Paralegals investigate and gather facts that pertain to a case on which they are working. They may research legal articles, laws, and regulations. Most paralegals create, maintain and organize thousands of documents. Evidence and legal documents need to be prepared for attorney review, and paralegals can be responsible for summarizing or writing reports that prepare lawyers for meetings, depositions, and trials.

Almost all paralegals, regardless of the setting in which they work, will be responsible for drafting legal documents as well as correspondence. Some paralegals obtain affidavits and similar formal statements that can be used as evidence. Paralegals may file documents with the court and ensure that the documents are served to opposing counsel. Communicating by telephone with vendors, lawyers, witnesses, and clients may be required.

To do their jobs, paralegals must be comfortable using a range of computer software and technology. Electronic database management skills are crucial as they help paralegals to organize, assess, locate, and review large amounts of data.

Different Jobs for Different Paralegals

If you decide to become a paralegal, the content of your work assignment can vary depending upon where you work. For example, a corporate paralegal doesn’t usually deal with lawsuits. Their focus is on the company’s annual financial report, contracts, stock-option plans, shareholder agreements, employee contracts and monitoring government regulations.

If you opted to work as a litigation paralegal, you might conduct more legal research, locate, and organize evidence that will be used during depositions and trials, and draft a wide range of agreements.

Paralegals in the intellectual property field have different day-to-day responsibilities. Although they may participate in litigation, they are much more likely to spend their days reviewing drafts of patent applications, filing patent and trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Plus, researching laws pertaining to intellectual property and drafting client correspondence.

Where Do Paralegals Work?

Most paralegals work at a law firm. Law firms vary in terms of size, culture, and atmosphere. While some are large and employ hundreds or even thousands of people across several countries, others are quite small, such as a solo practitioner’s office. Culture varies from one law firm to the next with some being traditional and formal while others are more relaxed and laid-back. Some paralegals find employment with the government, which can include federal, state, and local agencies. Still others work in the finance and insurance sector.

You may work with a specific team of lawyers, other paralegals, and various members of support staff. Most frequently, you will spend your day in an office setting. You may need to travel, work at a courthouse, or visit a client on-site from time-to-time.

Most paralegals work a predictable schedule, such as from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Depending upon where you work and the type of work you do, you may have to commit to putting in overtime. This is especially true when your team is preparing for or conducting a trial. At times like these, working evenings, weekends and holidays may be mandatory.

How Do You Become a Paralegal?

The most accessible route to becoming a paralegal is by attending a vocational school. A paralegal program at a vocational school can be completed in months rather than years. Once your vocational school education is complete, you will be able to search for work in a law firm, in-house legal department, and with the government.

An ability to state on your resume that you have completed training at a vocational school will help you to get your foot in the door. Why? Employers in this field are looking for qualified candidates who are familiar with legal terminology, know how to use common software and understand the sometimes rigorous and exacting nature of the work. A candidate who has attended a vocational school training program for paralegals will be recognized as a qualified professional who can hit the ground running from day one.

What Qualities Do Good Paralegals Possess?

Although each paralegal’s responsibilities and day-to-day assignments can look vastly different depending upon where they work, there are certain qualities that most paralegals have in common.

Communication skills are the bedrock of any paralegal’s success. It is critical to not only be able to verbally express yourself with clarity but also to write with conciseness and specificity. You may find yourself communicating in a variety of ways that may include face-to-face conversations, written correspondence, and telephone calls.

Computer skills are indispensable to the modern paralegal. Common legal software packages are introduced in vocational school paralegal training. It is possible that your employer will introduce you to other software as well. Fortunately, your solid foundation in legal software knowledge that you obtained during your vocational school program prepares you to quickly understand new technology and software.

Successful paralegals also have excellent organization skills. You may be called upon to manage, assess and organize thousands of documents in a single case. Your knowledge of various legal software programs will help, but you also must be able to organize and stick to a calendar. You must also be disciplined, keep your workspace in order and managing your time wisely. These skills will support the frequent need to respond to changing deadlines and expectations.

Paralegals are more likely to succeed when they hone their research skills. Your vocational school training will support you as you are introduced to various resources that can be called upon when researching a case. Additionally, your employer may introduce you to other research sources that can help from time to time. The better your organizational skills are, the better your research skills are likely to be.

Is the Paralegal Profession for You?

Do you like to help others and want to ensure that justice is done? Then becoming a paralegal may be the right career path for you. Now that you know what a paralegal does, it is time to learn more about Gwinnett College. We are here to help you becoming a successful paralegal.

Want to Learn More?

The Gwinnett Colleges & Institute diploma and degree programs in Paralegal Studies provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge and the legal skills necessary to perform many paralegal functions including research, writing, investigation, and interviewing.

Contact us today or complete the Request More Information form on the top of the page to take the next step towards your new career in the Paralegal field.

Do Medical Assistants Draw Blood?

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Medical assistants are frontline support specialists. Allied health professionals, they assist licensed healthcare providers in doctor’s offices, clinics, and hospitals. However, their duties are far from ordinary. Trained to perform both clinical and administrative tasks, their responsibilities include surprisingly technical tasks. Does that include drawing blood? Let’s find out.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

What don’t they do? Part-clinical professional, part administrator, medical assistants manage an endless range of clinical and clerical tasks in office settings. No two days are alike, part of the fun of medical assisting is the day-to-day variety. But as a medical assistant, your work will typically include:

Scheduling

Medical assistants work closely with providers and front office staff to juggle routine appointments and emergency visits. Using your clinical expertise, you’ll triage phone calls and work with the doctor to prioritize the sickest patients first.

Welcoming Patients

Medical assistants escort clients to exam rooms where they complete important clinical tasks and paperwork to save the doctor time. You’ll take their vital signs, update their health history, and make them comfortable before the provider arrives.

Administering Medications

Medical assistants may administer most of the low-risk medications given to patients in office settings. In a pediatric practice, for example, you might immunize children. In family practice, you’ll give flu shot.

Performing Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic testing is one of the more technical aspects of a medical assistant’s job. Depending on where you work, you may perform EKGs, assist with x-rays, and examine urine samples with a microscope.

Infection Control

More of a process than a task, infection control procedures prevent the spread of disease in healthcare environments. You’ll manage a broad range of related activities from sanitizing exam rooms to sterilizing instruments.

Assisting with Surgical Procedures

Minor surgical procedures, such as biopsies, are often performed in doctor’s offices. You’ll help by setting up equipment, passing instruments, and supporting the patient.

Client Communication

Medical assistants serve as liaisons between patients and their healthcare providers. A go-between, you’ll be a trusted source of information, managing phone calls, taking messages, and writing correspondence.

Patient Education

Medical assistants don’t give medical advice, but they help patients follow their doctor’s recommendations through education on timely health topics from nutrition to heart health. You’ll collaborate with providers to reinforce treatment recommendations.

Billing and Coding

Most medical assistants have a primarily clinical role, but they’re also trained in general office tasks from filing to faxing. Between visits, you’ll give the front- and back-office teams a hand with billing, referrals, and other paperwork.

Phlebotomy

Phlebotomy, or venipuncture, is the process of drawing venous blood for diagnostic testing. Can medical assistants perform phlebotomy? They can.

Do Medical Assistants Draw Blood?

Medical assistants are not certified phlebotomists, but they can draw blood. The difference is where they do it and why.

Phlebotomists draw blood in a wide range of settings from hospitals to blood donation centers, it’s all they do. Medical assistants perform phlebotomy in clinics and office settings in addition to their other duties.

Having a medical assistant in the office allows private practices and other small facilities to offer venipuncture. Patients win by not having to visit the hospital, and doctors’ benefit by getting test results faster, phlebotomy is an essential service.

All medical assistants are trained to draw blood, but whether you’ll do it daily or occasionally depends on where you’re employed. Working in a podiatry office, you’ll rarely draw blood. In a hematology or oncology practice, you may perform venipuncture every day.

How Does a Medical Assistant Draw Blood?

Drawing blood is a simple yet complex process that starts well before the sample is drawn.

Steps include:

Review the Order

Phlebotomy is performed under a doctor’s order. Requisitions list which tests they want, determining which equipment and protocols you’ll use to draw the blood.

Screen the Patient

Medical assistants are responsible for patient safety, so the phlebotomy process has been somewhat standardized to limit errors. Still, you’ll need a sharp eye and sound clinical judgment.

Before drawing, you will:

Verify the patient’s identity — drawing blood on the wrong patient subjects them to an unpleasant and unnecessary medical procedure. And if the error isn’t caught, results could end up in the wrong person’s chart, affecting treatment decisions. Always check the patient’s name and date of birth.

Confirm compliance with restrictions — some tests require fasting for accuracy. Patients who don’t comply risk unreliable results.

Check the patient’s health history — you may need alternative equipment for patients with an allergy to any of the supplies used in the venipuncture process. Some people, for example, react to latex, skin disinfectants and bandage adhesives.

Evaluate the patient and gather supplies — the supplies you’ll use depend, in part, on the tests’ orders. However, you’ll need to make adjustments based on the client’s age, size and health status. Preparing the proper equipment before you get started helps the process go smoothly.

Position the patient — most people sit in an armchair to have their blood drawn. However, patients with a history of fainting may need to lie down. Safety first! Now you’re ready to draw.

Complete the Venipuncture

To perform the draw:

  • Wash your hands.
  • Wear the necessary personal protective equipment such as disposable gloves.
  • Disinfect the patient’s skin with rubbing alcohol or an alternative disinfectant.
  • Apply a tourniquet above the venipuncture site.
  • Stabilize the vein using your thumb and forefinger while inserting the needle into the vessel.
  • Advance the collection tube until the blood flows.
  • Release the tourniquet.
  • Withdraw the needle, applying firm pressure to the site to stop the bleeding.
  • Dispose of the needle in an approved container.
  • Cover the wound.
  • Discard your gloves and label the samples.
  • Review home care instructions and answer patient questions. Most want to know when to expect results.

Process the Samples

In hospitals, phlebotomists draw blood, but laboratory technicians handle the processing. In doctor’s offices, some medical assistants do both.

Some tests require whole blood while others are performed on plasma or serum. You’ll find processing and shipping requirements for tests done off-site in the laboratory’s test catalog.

What Medical Equipment Does a Medical Assistant Use to Draw Blood?

Medical assistants use the same equipment and supplies as doctors, nurses, and certified phlebotomists. Tools of the trade include:

Personal Protective Equipment

Anyone drawing blood must protect themselves from bloodborne pathogens with personal protective equipment. As part of universal precautions, a set of safety standards that all healthcare professionals follow, PPE limits exposure to potentially dangerous illnesses.

To draw blood, gloves are the minimum requirement. Other examples of PPE that phlebotomists use include sharps containers, puncture-proof biohazard boxes that prevent needle stick injuries, and face shields is a concern.

Alcohol Pads

Drawing blood is not an entirely sterile procedure, but cleanliness counts. It’s important to reduce bacteria counts on the skin’s surface to lower the chance of infection. In most cases, a vigorous scrub with an Isopropyl alcohol pad does the trick. It cuts through dirt and oils to eliminate germs in cracks and crevices.

For certain tests, or if the patient is allergic to alcohol, alternative disinfectants, such as chlorhexidine or betadine, may be used.

Needles

Needles come in dozens of sizes for patients from infants to seniors. You’ll choose which to use based on their age, weight, and health. One-inch, 20-gauge needles are appropriate for most adults but too large for kids and the ill or elderly. Blood flows faster through large-bore needles, but they can exert too much pressure on weak veins, causing them to collapse.

Collection Tubes

Years ago, venipuncture was performed with a needle and the same type of syringe used to give injections. It works, but samples drawn with syringes tended to clot too fast because of the time it takes to load additives.

Today’s phlebotomists have an advantage. Collection tubes are preloaded with additives and color-coded for easy selection. Complete with a vial and rubber stopper, they’re pushed onto a holder with a two-sided needle, one end punctures the stopper and the other goes into the vein. Simple and nearly foolproof, the strength of the vacuum alone pulls the blood out of the vein.

Tourniquets

Applying a tourniquet above a venipuncture site keeps blood in the limb below, plumping up the vein to make it more visible and resistant to rolling. It’s applied to the upper arm, just above the elbow, for draws from the antecubital vein or two inches above the wrist for draws from the top of the hand.

For the patient’s comfort, tourniquets are released once blood begins to flow. Latex-free tourniquets are available for people with allergies.

Gauze and Bandages

Blood can continue to ooze from a venipuncture site long after the needle is removed, especially if the patient is on blood-thinning medication. Applying pressure with gauze stops the bleeding and limits bruising.

Avoid cotton balls, strands can stick to the dried blood and dislodge the clot when pulled away. Stick with 2-inch by 2-inch gauze pads and check every 30 seconds for bleeding. When it’s stopped, applying a small adhesive dressing helps protect the patient’s clothes.

How Do You Learn Phlebotomy and Become a Medical Assistant?

You can become a medical assistant and learn phlebotomy by enrolling in a vocational school medical assisting program. You’ll learn theory in the classroom while practicing on peers and simulators. Most programs also include off-site externships in healthcare settings where you can shadow an experienced medical assistant and practice your skills on patients.

Full-time students can graduate in as little as a year with the technical and people skills needed to succeed. You’ll learn from seasoned instructors who’ll show you the ropes and support you while you learn. By graduation day, you’ll be a confident phlebotomist.

Final Thoughts

Drawing blood is a must-have skill for today’s medical assistants. Valued by employers, it makes you a sought-after applicant in a competitive job market. If you’re intimidated, don’t be. Fear and failure are part of the learning process. We all have butterflies; but you just have to be brave enough to try.

Want to Learn More?

Gwinnett Colleges & Institute offers medical assisting courses to gain essential skills and training at multiple campuses from Lilburn, Sandy Springs and Atlanta/Marietta to Orlando, FL and Raleigh, NC. The core curriculum at these campuses focuses on the medical assisting skills and training you will need to seek entry-level employment in physicians’ offices, clinics, hospitals, and other medical settings needing the services of associates trained in both front and back office medical assisting skills. These medical assisting courses will be the first step in starting a rewarding career.

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

Which Microsoft Office Certification is Best?

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The career of an entry-level office administrator, accounting clerk, and document processor is an excellent choice. If you are a person who likes organization, helping other people, and getting important work done, consider the benefits included with an administrative or accounting assistant position. You can enjoy job stability, good work/life balance, and opportunities for promotion within your company and across a wide variety of companies and industries. Every business in every industry has the need for people with administrative and accounting assistant skills. Furthermore non-profit, governmental, educational, and religious organizations hire energetic, dedicated problem solvers to work in their offices.

Be Prepared as You Begin Your Job Search

To improve your chances of landing that perfect job, there are a few qualifications that will work in your favor. A positive attitude, confidence, and effective communication skills are always impressive. Taking a course to learn more about office procedures in the twenty-first century will always be in your best interest. Learning about taking messages, composing memos, and workplace safety will help you succeed in any administrative job. Many of these same standards are in place across many organizations and industries.

In this day and age, however, it is also important to demonstrate that you have the technology skills that will benefit your new employer and help guarantee your success on the job. Microsoft Office is recognized around the world as the standard for administrative software. A Microsoft Office Certification shows the world that you have the technology skill set to get the job done and that you have the initiative and talent to take and successfully pass a very strict screening.

What are the Microsoft Office Certifications?

There are two levels of Microsoft Office Certification. The first one is an Associate level certification. To earn this certificate, you must show proficiency in three of these four Microsoft Office products: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

The second level of Microsoft Office Certification is Expert level. To earn this level certificate, you must earn the Associate certification as described above and, also, pass two of the three following exams: Word Expert, Excel Expert, Access Expert.

By passing the examinations, you demonstrate that you can use the software applications and will benefit your hiring organization by using these tools to solve problems and promote communication.

Which Microsoft Office Certifications is Best?

The Expert level requires the demonstration of additional skills, so as you look for a job, a potential employer will recognize your additional value with the higher-level certificate. Because the Associate Certificate is a prerequisite to the Expert one, you have to achieve that milestone in order to test for and move up to the higher certification.

Let’s explore in detail each of these core Microsoft applications and how it would be used on the job by an administrative or accounting assistant.

Microsoft Word

First introduced in 1983, Word has gone through many changes over the decades. The most general way to describe Word is that it is a word processor. Some of its most beneficial aspects are:

  • The screen displays what will print on paper
  • Text can be copied and pasted into other formats or programs
  • It has a built-in dictionary
  • Formatting of words and pages is easy to achieve

Microsoft Word is used in a business or organization setting to write letters, emails (that are then copied and pasted into email products like Outlook), and preparation of announcements printed and displayed. It is also used to document speeches and produce mailings to customers. There is also a design feature that allows users to create their own forms and documents. Inserting tables, charts, and pictures into a letter or document is a simple process with Word.

Microsoft Excel

Excel is a spreadsheet application. Cells are arranged into columns and rows to manipulate and organize data. Basic calculations, such as addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication can be applied to the data. The manipulated data results can then be handed off to an additional calculation. Other simple uses include finding the maximum, minimum, and average of a large volume of data. Macros, pivot tables, and graphing tools.

Some of the best uses of Excel in business are in the accounting area. Excel is a great platform for creating a budget and manipulating data so it can be used in an accounting application. For example, an outside payroll company can provide the detailed data needed to book the weekly or bi-weekly payroll. After manipulation in Excel, the data in the form of a journal entry can upload into an accounting application such as QuickBooks. Data from a bank on the checks that have been deposited and cleared an account used by the accounting payables group can download it into Excel and check it against the cash ledger to streamline the bank account reconciliation process. This is a quick and easy way to identify any discrepancies that need investigation.

Microsoft Access

In the broadest terms, Microsoft Access is a database management system. Since it can only link or import data stored in other databases and applications, it creates a second home for a large amount of data. From here, the data can be organized and stored. In general, Access can handle more data than Excel, and the data is more secure because direct data modifications can be prevented in Access. A retail business might use Access to track its inventory, sales, and receipts of products.

Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a presentation software that enables the user to prepare sophisticated presentations using slides and other multimedia. Not only can it interface with Excel and Word, but it can also capture video clips, pictures, and audio can accompany a presentation. Here are just some of the activities that PowerPoint support to enliven any presentation.

Narration over a slide. A PowerPoint slide with text, numbers, or a chart can be brought to life with the addition of narration or music incorporated into the slide.

Animation. This feature also lets you make a presentation more interesting by having information appear, fade, or fly in among other lively choices.

Embed a YouTube video into a presentation. With a few mouse clicks, you have the world of YouTube to enhance your PowerPoint presentation.

An assistant with the ability to create information, attention-grabbing slide presentations brings a lot of value to any organization. One of the roles of an administrative assistant may be to produce PowerPoint presentations for a Marketing team when they visit a potential client. Educational facilities and training departments often use PowerPoint to put together not only an informative but entertaining training package.

Microsoft Outlook

Outlook is the Microsoft software that handles emails and task management chores, which facilitates a user’s need for writing, sending, receiving, reading, and managing one or more email accounts. Although primarily used as an email manager, it can also coordinate calendars, contacts, activities, and a personal journal.

As an administrative assistant working within an organization, you might have access to not only your own but also officer’s and director’s email accounts. Outlook allows an assistant to set up meetings, track calendared events, and receive or respond to emails for the organization leaders to whom they provide support.

The Best Preparation for a Microsoft Office Certification

You can advance your career or go into your next job interview with a key to success in your hand, a certificate that highlights your training and skills in the fleet of Microsoft Office products. Before you sit down for the online test, however, completing a course in the Microsoft products will help you pass the certification tests. If you sign up for these courses at a vocational school with a Computer Operations diploma, you will also have demonstrated that you have successfully completed the requirements for the courses as well as passing the certification test. Attending a vocational school also gives you the opportunity to interact with instructors and other students. You can develop your professional network that will be there to support you throughout your career.

Final Thoughts

Are you ready to take the next step into your rewarding future as an administrative or accounting assistant? With training and skills certification in email, spreadsheet, presentations, database, and word processing, you can be a successful contributor your first day on the job in a high-tech office. Not only across the country but also around the world, Microsoft products are recognized as the standard in office software applications and technology. With these skills in your toolbox, we will help you ensure that you have the knowledge and training to be successful in an office administration role.

Want to Learn More?

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

Contact us to learn more about the Computer Operations program today.

What is Medical Billing and Coding?

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Are you considering becoming a medical billing and coding specialist but want to know more about the profession? Careers in healthcare offer excellent stability, have great advancement potential, and provide rewarding professional challenges that help you grow. Countless clinical and non-clinical professionals contribute to patient care and the ongoing success of the healthcare system. You can too!

Medical billing and coding is a career for individuals interested in helping patients but do not want a hands-on patient care role. Are motivated problem solvers who thrives in dynamic environments that demand focus and attention? If so, then becoming a medical billing and coding specialist may be the right career path for you.

The administrative side of healthcare requires an understanding of clinical principles and business practices. This dual knowledge makes you an indispensable team member because you must reconcile patient care with the reimbursement cycle. Medical billing and coding is a multifunctional discipline with quality assurance, invoice creation, and collaborative duties.

What are a Medical Billing and Coding Specialists’ Core Roles?

To work as a medical billing and coding specialist, you must learn multiple tasks. While the profession is evolving and your employer will want you to complete ongoing training, the fundamental principles and skills are consistent. Your position may focus on a narrow set of tasks as part of a larger team that handles medical claims, or you may be a generalist, working on each claim from start to finish.

Typically, a hospital system or large medical facility divides work and expect medical billers and coders to specialize. Smaller clinics or doctor’s offices may have you handle chart review, coding, claim submission, and collections solely on your own.

The versatility to find the type of role and size of employer you want is one of the career’s many advantages. As you grow into your position, you may determine whether a specific skill appeals to you or whether you enjoy the diversity of operating as a generalist. There are ample opportunities for medical billing and coding specialists regardless of their preference. Remaining flexible will also maximize your career opportunities.

Medical Billing Basics

Your medical billing tasks will be guided by industry-wide bill generation and submission standards and practices. The standard rule is “if it’s not documented, it didn’t happen.” Each day, you will review medical records, including chart notes, narrative reports, and diagnostic imaging summaries, to determine what happened during an appointment.

You’ll then assess which diagnoses and services must be coded and submitted to insurers for payment. You’ll issue bills on standardized forms that conform to regulations and insurers’ internal policies.

ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS

Federal law stipulates that all bills are submitted in a uniform way using a standardized coding language. Each day you’ll read clinical information compiled by doctors and nurses and distill that data into billable codes that tell insurance companies what happened during an appointment.

You’ll use the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), Current Procedure Terminology (CPT-4), and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). These systems are precise and detailed because accuracy is vital to safe and successful treatment. You’ll need to understand anatomy and physiology terminology so you can create bills that comprehensively document the appointment or procedure.

Advanced Clinical Coding

Medical treatment involves comprehensive physical exams, collections of detailed patient histories, diagnostic testing, interventions, and simple to complex procedures. Medical coders compile this data, confirming accuracy and completeness, and then translate it into the ICD-10 system.

You need an advanced understanding of physiology and pathophysiology to understand the full spectrum of disorders, illnesses, and chronic issues affecting patients. Medical coding requires you to leverage a formal education to research clinical information because it’s impossible to prepare for every scenario. You’ll also need to understand illnesses well enough to collaborate with clinical staff to obtain amendments to incomplete records and get clarification on your questions.

Inpatient Coding

Record review and coding for inpatient clinical cases is necessary for hospitalized patients who receive extensive care over multiple days. You’ll need to read dense records kept by physicians, nurses, and aides to sift through pertinent medical data and identify services that must be coded and billed.

Inpatient coding requires a broad knowledge base and comfort with the unknown because hospital admissions can be for any possible medical condition. Depending on the length of the patient’s stay, medical records can be extremely long, complex, and include medical care, surgical intervention, and multiple types of therapy.

Coding Operative Reports

Interventional procedures like dermatological excisions, routine appendectomies, and complex neurosurgeries are also coded for reimbursement. You’ll read detailed operative reports that chronicle each step of an operation and create bills based on the documentation.

Coding operative reports requires you to understand the conventions and terminology of surgery, nuances of various procedures, and the medical necessity requirements that satisfy a proper bill.

Operative coding will require deep reading about the procedure, review of preoperative evaluations and testing, and perseverance as the cases can be highly time-consuming and complex.

Health Information Technology

Federal mandates require the creation of electric medical records across the full spectrum of healthcare services so most of your work will be computer-based. You may navigate a unified system to review, code, and submit bills. Other employers will have separate systems dedicated to each task, requiring you to adapt to multiple software platforms.

You’ll also maintain information security to keep your network safe and guard patient information. Medical billing and coding specialists communicate protected health information to outside parties, like insurance companies, other medical providers, and patients. You’ll need to be vigilant for potential threats and always adhere to information security best practices outlined by HIPAA guidelines.

Why is a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Important?

Medical billing and coding specialists are vital because they manage high-level administrative tasks that fall under rigorous internal and strict government standards. Although you won’t directly interact with patients, your work is an added layer of accountability for clinical staff.

Medical billing and coding specialists ensure documentation rules and guidelines are upheld. This quality assurance keeps everyone safe because complete documentation is vital for patient protection. Furthermore, your administrative work allows doctors to focus on patient outcomes while you navigate the gap between the art of medicine and the business side of the industry.

Cooperation is essential in healthcare settings. You must effectively collaborate with fellow medical staff to ensure timely filing deadlines are met and follow-up is executed on outstanding claims.

In addition, medical billing and coding specialist’s relationships with clinical staff are critical for both patient safety and institutional success. You will be a source of clarification for practitioners working through the record-keeping requirements and reinforce the importance of accurate notetaking.

How Do You Become a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist?

Medical billing and coding is a field that requires in-depth knowledge of science, business practices, technology, and federal regulations. Successful medical billing and coding specialists are creative problem-solvers who are organized, perseverant, and able to prioritize tasks.

Completing a medical billing and coding program through a vocational school is an easier way to become a medical billing and coding specialist. Comprehensive training programs are ideal for students who want to complete their education and rapidly enter the workforce.

Medical Billing and Coding Theory

Your instruction will center around the guiding theories behind medical billing and coding. Establishing strong conceptual knowledge will help you work confidently because you’ll understand the how and why behind your on-the-job tasks.

Real World Experience

Vocational schools also ground your learning in real-world examples. By using in-depth case studies of real-world scenarios, live software that you can use in a controlled environment, and practice tasks, you’ll acquire the practical skills needed for your career. Upon graduation, you’ll have already done many of the duties you’ll be expected to perform as a medical billing and coding specialist.

Shapes Soft Skills

A vocational education also shapes the soft skills needed to thrive. Medical billing and coding specialists must be calm, adaptable, and able to research. No coursework can prepare you for every single case you will bill throughout your career. However, you’ll develop investigatory skills and clinical fluency so you can analyze problem cases and challenging assignments. You’ll then learn where and how to search for answers.

Where Can You Work as a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist?

Every single healthcare provider, clinic, and facility needs medical billing and coding specialists. Without you, they would be unable to collect compensation for their work. Additionally, complementary business and support services also need you to review and respond to bills. The following are the most common employers.

Doctors’ Offices

Every doctor’s office needs medical billing and coding specialists, whether it’s a single provider or a group practice. In these environments, you’re likely to interact with doctors, patients, and other administrative staff. You’ll develop close relationships with providers. These opportunities provide flexible hours, certain benefits, and a slower-paced work environment.

Hospitals and Medical Facilities

Hospitals see a constant flow of patients that are treated and discharged. If you work for a hospital, large clinic, long-term care center, or other medical facilities, you’ll be part of a team of medical billing and coding specialists. You’ll work in an office setting, usually within the facility but away from patients.

Hospitals and medical facilities are faster paced, with higher case volumes and tighter deadlines. Working for a hospital provides a broader support network of fellow medical billing and coding specialists and managers who help you adapt to revisions in the billing regulations.

Insurance Company

Working for an insurance company or bill review agency moves you further away from patient contact. Just as clinicians need medical billing and coding specialists translate their medical records, insurers need staff that can read bills.

Working at an insurance company will require you to audit submitted claims and their supporting documentation to ensure invoices are legitimate and justified. You’ll make determinations based on the patient’s coverage and issue payment, denial, or request for follow-up information.

Government Agency

Medicare, state Medicaid programs, and other Health and Human Services agencies hire medical billing and coding specialists. Working for a government insurer is like working for a private insurer. You’ll be required to adhere to coverage standards and review patient cases consistent with the regulations.

Experienced medical billing and coding specialists can secure positions as auditors and investigators. Credentialing and compliance agencies conduct routine reviews of physicians’ and medical facilities’ records to ensure documentation regulations are followed.

Want to Learn More?

Gwinnett Colleges & Institute’s Medical Billing and Coding programs will provide you with the opportunity to learn insurance coding and processing, medical administrative procedures, and the regulatory requirements in the healthcare delivery system.  School externships provide the opportunity to apply the medical billing and coding skills learned in the classroom in actual medical settings. Gwinnett Colleges & Institute offers medical billing & coding courses to gain essential skills and training to achieve entry-level positions in this career field. These medical billing & coding courses will be the first step in starting a rewarding career.

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

Do You Need a Degree to Be a Spa Manager?

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Are you passionate about massage and want to manage a spa? Not sure if you need to get a degree to be a spa manager? There are many reasons to get a massage and spa management degree before becoming a spa manager, however is it required?

Do You Need a Degree to Be a Spa Manager?

Although technically, you won’t need a degree to become a spa manager, you will be more successful and garner more respect from an employer if you have both a degree and massage license. There are also some permits and licenses you will need to start a massage business and they might require a massage license. The requirement for getting a massage license is the completion of an accredited massage therapy program.

Why Get a Degree to be a Spa Manager?

There are many reasons to get a degree before working in a spa management position. From working your way to the top to jumping in when its busy, having a degree will suit you well as you manage a spa full-time. The reasons to get a massage and spa management degree include:

Work Your Way to the Top

Many spa managers will start as massage therapists and work a few years before they decide to manage a spa. This is also the path of many massage business owners. How can you expect your employees to trust you unless you have a degree in massage therapy? Getting a few years under your belt working for a spa and obtaining your degree will give you a competitive advantage when it comes time to apply for a spa management position.

Know Proper Massage Technique

Knowing proper massage techniques will help you better manage your massage therapist. If you know what they are supposed to do, then you will be better at managing them. You will be able to give better feedback, understand if a massage therapist is using improper technique, and help train them on new techniques and protocols.

Jump in When Its Busy

Sometimes it will get busy, and you won’t want to turn anyone customers. One poor experience is enough to turn off customers from a spa. If you have a massage degree and license, you can jump in when it gets busy, and help out your fellow massage therapists. This will also bring respect and credibility from employees and customers alike.

Handle Complaints Better

Some customers will come to you with specific complaints about technique and you should be able to explain proper procedure and massage technique to diffuse the situation. Customers will also respect you more if you have a degree, because you will better understand the terminology of massage and speak from experience.

Train New Employees

Although, most of your employees will have a degree in massage, but it is up to you to teach them the nuances of the job that are particular to your spa. As you work in the industry, you will pick up tips and tricks that allow for a better massage experience and you can pass this down to your employees.

What Do You Learn During a Massage and Spa Management Degree Program?

The Massage and Spa Management program includes courses specific to the practice of massage as well as courses to be used in the administration of a practice. You will be exposed to concepts in organization and management, marketing, hospitality management, and finance as well as be introduced to the use of office applications like Microsoft Word and Excel.

What Massage Techniques will You Learn?

There are many massage techniques that you will learn during your massage and spa management program. They include:

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is used to increase the level of oxygen in the blood, decrease muscle toxins, improve circulation and flexibility while easing tension. During a Swedish massage, you lubricate the skin with massage oil and uses various massage strokes. The movements warm up the muscle tissue and release tension.

Deep Tissue Massage

As a massage therapist, you use slow strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscle, tendons, and deep tissues under the skin. Deep tissue massage can be used for chronic pain or medical disorders. This massage technique breaks up scar tissue and breaks down any bands of painful tissue that can disrupt circulation, which cause pain, increase toxins, and limit range of motion.

Chair Massage

Chair massage is a mobile way for you to help clients as they sit leaning forward in a chair made specifically for chair massage. You will massage the neck, shoulders and back to relieve stress and tension in the upper body. Since it is mobile, you can help clients in many different environments including at an office, retail store, or any location that a massage is needed. The benefits of chair massage include lowering anxiety, increasing circulation, relieving muscle pain and headaches, and reducing stress.

Sports Massage

Sports massage helps athletes before, during and after sporting events. This massage technique focuses on the areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive movements. Sports massage promotes flexibility to prevent injuries and aids in healing after competition. It can help athletes improve flexibility, reduce fatigue, improve endurance and range of motion, help prevent injuries, and prepare the athlete for optimal performance.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a technique known for its holistic approach to massage. It helps balance the body, while alleviating physical pain and discomfort. Shiatsu is helpful for clients dealing with anxiety, depression, or chronic stress. This massage technique is also found to improve symptoms associated with migraines and headaches. Shiatsu is a good massage technique to use for clients experiencing other ailments, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and lower back pain.

Lymphatic Massage

The lymph nodes, in the body, are responsible for the effective draining and movement of bodily fluids throughout each of the 14 body systems. Having a properly balanced flow of lymph fluids can improve a client’s immune system, as well as promote deeper relaxation. A properly performed lymphatic drainage massage can provide several health benefits, including the reduction of muscle soreness and swelling due to fluid retention.

Cranial-Sacral Therapy

Tension, anxiety, and other chronic conditions often appear in the form of physical symptoms such as headaches, stiff neck muscles, and other issues. Cranial-Sacral therapeutic techniques have become a popular treatment for clients experiencing physical ailments. Sessions involve a light, purposeful touch, as you assess each part of the body for tension and other energy imbalances.

Thai Massage

Thai massage is one of the oldest therapeutic techniques, This massage technique can significantly improve pain and tension throughout the body. Thai massage involves active participation from the client, and is performed by using different moves, pressure, and stretching techniques to facilitate total body relaxation. Clients experience lower stress levels, increased energy, improved blood flow and circulation, as well as a better range of motion with the help of Thai massage.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage uses smooth, basalt mineral stones which are heated and combined with oil. This massage technique helps relieve muscle stiffness and reduces fatigue while restoring body energy. The hot stones may be placed on the body, including spine, back, neck, arms, legs, and feet. You may hold the hot stones as you massage the body using long strokes, circular movements, vibration, tapping and kneading.

Reflexology

Reflexology theorizes that different pressure points on the hands and feet correspond to different parts of the body. With reflexology, you will use your hands, thumbs, and fingers to stimulate areas of the client’s hands and feet. The pressure on the hands and feet helps relay messages of relaxation to connected parts of the body. Reflexology helps relieve tension, improve circulation, and support of the function of the 14 body systems.

What Can You Do With a Massage and Spa Management Degree?

Whether you are looking to start your own spa or want to manage an existing spa, with a massage and spa management degree, you can obtain employment as a sole practitioner in massage, a spa manager, clinic manager, spa trainer, or shift leader in the spa industry. A massage and spa management degree is a great first step to a career as a spa manager or owner.

Final Thoughts

Now that you are ready to manage a spa, it is time to take the first step and learn more about the Massage and Spa management program at Gwinnett College. We will give you the knowledge and skills to start managing a spa after graduation. It is up to you to manage the budget and attract the clients, but we are here if you need anything else after graduation. From networking opportunities to continuing education classes and career services support. We put your education first.

Want to Learn More?

Gwinnett College also offers a degree program in Massage & Spa Management for students attending the Lilburn, GA campus. The Associate of Science Degree in Massage and Spa Operations is designed to provide you with the additional knowledge and practical skills to transition into positions of leadership within the spa environment or to better function as a proprietor of your own massage business. The program includes core curriculum courses specific to the practice of massage as well as courses to be used in the administration of a practice.

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

 

How Do I Start a Career in Medical Billing?

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Are you interested in becoming a medical billing specialist? Administrative careers in the healthcare industry are challenging, rewarding, and stable. They provide you with the opportunity to maximize patient outcomes by supporting clinical staff while also helping individuals navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.

Choosing a career in medical billing requires a broad set of skills. It’s a diverse field where each day presents new opportunities for personal and professional growth. Employers compete for a limited pool of qualified candidates, forcing them to offer competitive benefits to retain top talent.

An easier way to enter the medical coding profession is by attending a vocational school. There, you learn the standards and practices that govern the industry. You also develop the investigatory and problem-solving skills needed to excel in your career. Formal education maximizes your employability and enhances your ability to advance throughout your career.

Why Start a Career in Healthcare?

There are many reasons to start a career in healthcare. From demand and respect to joining a select group on the frontlines, starting a healthcare career is both challenging and rewarding.

Demand

As our population ages, the demand for healthcare will continue to grow. Medical billing professionals and health information specialists are a vital part of the healthcare system. They ensure facilities and doctors are reimbursed for their services, allowing facilities to keep treating patients.

The importance of administrative support and continual patient need for healthcare services means your career will be more resistant to shifts in the economy and job market. The healthcare system cannot function without medical billers.

Respect

People have respect for those that work in healthcare. You’ll be considered a contributor to society’s well-being. People also respect the dedication, hard work, and resiliency it takes to thrive in the healthcare industry. Your peers will look to you as a role model and leader.

Healthcare professionals are esteemed for their problem-solving, time-management, and multi-tasking skills. A career in medical billing is a source of pride and accomplishment.

Never a Dull Moment

As a medical biller, you’ll be responsible for multiple time-sensitive day-to-day tasks. Depending on the size of your employer, you’ll also contribute to longer-range projects meant to shape institutional policy, education, and best practices. While your job will be stable, it will never be dull.

Some days you’ll be researching the codes needed to bill a complex surgical case. Other days, you’ll liaise with an insurance provider to resolve disputed claims over billing discrepancies. Then you may be asked to lead an in-service on proper medical documentation for a group of incoming med students.

Join the Frontlines

One certainty in life is that everyone, at some point, will need medical care. A career in medical billing places you at the frontline, supporting clinicians as they help people through accidents, emergency illnesses, and long-term care. You’ll work alongside doctors and nurses to help confront crises that the healthcare system must rise to meet head-on.

Medical billers must adapt to these situations to strategize documentation requirements, billing methods, and expansions to the coding process to keep the system functioning.

Multiple Options

Every clinical facility needs medical billers. You can find your niche, from small practices with a single doctor to vast hospital systems. The diversity of options ensures you can find an opportunity that offers the work-life balance, challenge, room for growth, and values that best suit your career plan.

You can seek positions that allow you to handle multiple tasks in the revenue cycle or find employment where you specialize in a subset of coding or reimbursement duties.

What Does a Medical Billing Specialist Do?

Medical billing specialists interface with insurance companies on behalf of healthcare facilities or clinicians. You will interpret medical records, generate invoices for the services rendered, and collect payment from the payers.

Medical billers hold doctors accountable by confirming documentation meets mandatory requirements, follow-up on denied and outstanding claims, and appeal rejected claims to secure payments.

How Do I Start a Career in Medical Billing?

An easier way to secure a job and begin a career in medical billing is by attending a vocational program. Almost all employers require formal training for their medical billers because the pace is too fast for on-the-job training, and accuracy is too vital.

Vocational schools tailor their curriculums with the workplace in mind. They provide you with the necessary knowledge to perform your job duties and leverage workplace technology to limit your learning curve once you’re in the field.

Beyond teaching the theoretical knowledge needed to generate bills, vocational schools help build your confidence and nurture the problem-solving, analytical, and soft skills you’ll need to succeed and rise through the ranks.

What Do I Learn During a Medical Billing and Coding Program?

Success in medical billing and coding depends on your thorough understanding of the complex healthcare reimbursement system and the nuances of successfully navigating insurers’ requirements while adhering to strict federal guidelines.

Your coursework will be intensive but rewarding. Completing a vocational program tells future employers that you can set a goal, persevere through adversity, and grow as an individual. These are high-value skills. The coursework you will review during your medical billing and coding program includes:

Medical Records and Documentation

All rendered services must be properly documented. The medical billing and coding program will teach the components of a complete medical record, how to interpret the healthcare data, and the guidelines for resolving discrepancies in the documentation.

You’ll also learn about the commonly used electronic health information management software. Schools use current systems that are similar to what you’ll use once you’re working in the industry.

Health Insurance and the Billing Cycle

Your instructors will provide a comprehensive overview of how healthcare reimbursement works. You’ll learn about claim generation, bill submission, insurance review, and payment posting. The coursework aims to give you insight into each phase of the revenue cycle so you can understand the importance of effective medical billing and work in any facet of the system.

You’ll learn best practices for creating bills to minimize errors and rejected claims. Instructors teach using real-world examples and simulated billing tasks, so you’ll begin generating bills before you’re even employed.

Anatomy and Physiology

Precise clinical terminology ensures every aspect of a patient’s illness, injury, and treatment is correctly documented. This specificity is vital for the continuity of care.

You’ll take anatomy and physiology courses so you can understand medical records and create accurate bills. The coursework covers the 11 body systems, the roots of clinical terminology, and the diseases and ailments you’ll see documented daily.

ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS

Medical billers are responsible for taking narrative clinical data from clinicians, translating it into an alphanumeric code used by insurance companies, and generating invoices for the services patients receive.

You will learn Current Procedure Terminology (CPT-4), International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). These coding protocols are like languages. Instructors cover how to use research tools to investigate diagnoses and procedures so you can bill any claim that comes across your desk.

Health Insurance Claims

Your coursework will teach you to read insurance plans and understand their rigorous standards. As a medical biller, you’ll generate claims that go to both government and private insurers. You’ll learn how to read and interpret denials, delays, and resubmission requests that insurers issue in response to claims.

You’ll learn how to research rejected claims and write appeals based on the denial. Medical billers have the opportunity to work for insurers, handling the billing cycle from the opposite side.

Ethics and Best Practices

All healthcare professionals must adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), federal privacy laws, and their employer’s policies. You’ll learn about relevant federal laws and your compliance requirements during the medical billing and coding program.

Medical billers must only generate accurate bills for rendered services. Instructors will also cover ethical topics regarding waste, fraud, and abuse, which drive up healthcare costs system wide.

What are the Benefits of Formal Education?

Most employers, especially the best ones, require billers with formal education. Attending a vocational school helps your resume stand out and signals both your commitment to the field and your ability to accomplish goals.

Benefit #1: Mentorship from Instructors

Vocational schools employ instructors who are trained in the theories that govern medical billing and have ample real-world experience. Your instructors are also industry veterans who understand the dynamic nature of administrative healthcare careers, the unique challenges medical billers face, and ways to position their students for success.

They will provide workplace insight to keep your education grounded in practical application. In addition, they offer advice about navigating a professional work setting, collaborating with clinicians, and potential avenues to take your career.

Benefit #2: Learn By Doing

Vocational schools provide you with the requisite theory, but they thrive by simulating the workplace. You’ll be able to make mistakes and learn from them as you complete case studies, generate bills using actual clinical data, and deconstruct complex medical records.

As your coursework progresses, you’ll gain confidence in your ability to generate a bill before you even begin your first day at your new job. This development will help you hit the ground running on day one.

Benefit #3: Cooperative Peer Groups

Medical billing classes are challenging because of the breadth and depth of information they cover. You and your classmates will work together to support one another in study groups.

They’ll provide motivation and encouragement as you work through tasks as a group. Working together will build camaraderie as you all pursue the same goal. Developing collaborative skills will help your career growth because you’ll feel comfortable contributing during department meetings.

Benefit #4: Career Services

Vocational schools have dedicated staff to assist you in job placement. Their career services centers offer resume advice, mock interviews, and certification exam preparation. Schools also have vast alumni networks that provide leads about jobs and offer mentorship to students and recent graduates.

Career services staff helps you identify promising opportunities through their pre-existing relationships with area employers. Your instructors also offer insight into what to look for and avoid in potential career opportunities.

Want to Learn More?

Gwinnett Colleges & Institute’s Medical Billing and Coding programs will provide you with the opportunity to learn insurance coding and processing, medical administrative procedures, and the regulatory requirements in the healthcare delivery system.  School externships provide the opportunity to apply the medical billing and coding skills learned in the classroom in actual medical settings. Gwinnett Colleges & Institute offers medical billing & coding courses to gain essential skills and training to achieve entry-level positions in this career field. These medical billing & coding courses will be the first step in starting a rewarding career.

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

 

Where Can I Work as a Nurse?

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Nurses are fixtures in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, and nursing homes; they couldn’t run without them. But today’s registered and licensed practical nurses are increasingly found in a wider range of settings as communities recognize their value. Let’s take a closer look at where today’s nurses are making a difference.

Where Can I Work as a Nurse?

Where you can work as a nurse depends in part on your education. Both registered and licensed practical nurses are professional caregivers who work in similar settings. However, each has a slightly different skill set that’s better suited for some healthcare environments than others, so their employment opportunities and job responsibilities vary.

Hospitals

RNs and LPN work side-by-side in hospitals caring for the same patients, but their scope of practice is different.

RNs have the training required to manage acutely ill patients with complex medical needs. Responsibilities include:

  • Planning, implementing and supervising nursing care.
  • Administering high-risk drugs and blood transfusions.
  • Pain management.
  • Monitoring patients for changes in condition.
  • Performing complex treatments.
  • Initiating emergency care.
  • Patient education.

LPNs work as bedside caregivers under the supervision of an RN, performing duties such as:

  • Helping patients to eat, dress and shower.
  • Obtaining vital signs.
  • Giving low-risk oral medications and injections.
  • Inserting urinary catheters.
  • Checking blood glucose.
  • Light wound care.
  • Tracking intake and output.
  • Assisting with therapeutic and recreational activities.
  • Interdepartmental transportation.
  • Providing emotional support.

LPNs are less independent in hospitals than in other settings because of patient acuity. And they have less direct contact with physicians and other professionals on the healthcare team, registered nurses take the leadership role. However, by taking advantage of what each does best, RNs and LPNs make an indispensable team.

Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

Nursing homes care for stable patients that need medical supervision but not hospitalization. Assisted living facilities offer medical and personal support services. Both employ registered and licensed practical nurses, but an LPN’s skills were tailor-made for the role. As an LPN in a long-term care setting, you will

  • Assist patients with activities of daily living.
  • Administer medications.
  • Insert urinary catheters.
  • Track intake and output.
  • Dress wounds.
  • Collect biological samples.
  • Manage medical and mobility equipment.
  • Support family members.
  • Provide emergency care.
  • Offer psychosocial support.
  • Help with therapeutic activities.
  • Supervise paraprofessional staff.
  • Coordinate appointments with outside medical providers.
  • Assist with transportation and finances.

In nursing and assisted living facilities, LPNs work directly with professional staff and are often in supervisory positions as charge nurses or unit directors. It’s a great place for entry-level nurses to spread their wings.

RNs in nursing homes also have direct care roles, performing most of the same duties as LPNs, but most assume leadership roles that also include:

  • Performing admission assessments.
  • Managing residents’ psychological needs.
  • Administering IV medications.
  • Feeding tube changes.
  • Departmental budgeting.
  • Staff scheduling and supervision.
  • Disaster planning.

Clinics

Clinics are smaller than hospitals, but they offer more services than private practices. Cost-effective, they’re growing in popularity around the country as the population becomes more mobile. Both employ nurses to help treat minor injuries and illnesses, but because clinics see a smaller volume of patients, nurses manage both clinical and administrative responsibilities.

In general, an RN’s role includes:

  • Physical assessments
  • Assisting with exams
  • Pain management
  • Referrals
  • Documentation
  • Complex procedures
  • Patient education

LPNs:

  • Record health histories
  • Take vital signs
  • Collect fluid samples
  • Manage medical records
  • Assist with diagnostic testing and wound care

Clinics have fewer staff members than large facilities, so the team is tight knit. LPNs may have more of a voice in leadership matters.

Private Practices

The role of nurses in private practices has changed in the past decade. Medical assistants have largely replaced nurses as doctors’ liaisons. Still, LPNs are hired to perform practical nursing tasks in offices that offer clinical services such as infusions while RNs serve as patient navigators and educators.

LPNs employed in private practices:

  • Triage patients.
  • Assist with diagnostic tests.
  • Give medications and perform treatments.
  • Manage emergency equipment.

RNs:

  • Manage complex referrals
  • Offer patient education
  • Serve as resource navigators
  • Client outreach

A private practice is an ideal environment for nurses who enjoy working with the same patients and peers every day. The circle is narrow, but it allows you to build strong interpersonal relationships.

Other benefits of working in an office environment include regular hours and a favorable work-life balance. It’s a perfect schedule for parents with school-aged children.

Home Health Care

The demand for home health nurses is skyrocketing as seniors seek alternatives to institutionalized care. Both RNs and LPNs play a role, coordinating with patients, families, and medical providers to create a safe home environment for ill or aging adults who want to remain independent.

Registered nurses:

  • Complete admission assessments.
  • Ensure a safe home environment.
  • Manage medical equipment orders.
  • Follow-up on post-surgical cases.
  • Create individualized care plans.

LPNs follow the care plan, helping patients and their families manage:

  • Activities of daily living
  • Medication needs
  • Tube feedings
  • Mobility and transportation
  • Meal preparation and homemaking
  • Ventilator, tracheostomy, and oxygen equipment
  • Environmental safety
  • Psychosocial needs

Research shows that the involvement of nurses on the home front improves patient satisfaction with their healthcare and lowers medical costs.

Schools

As mainstreaming children with medical issues becomes commonplace, so has the need for nurses in schools. School nurses work with students, families, peers, and educators to ensure that all children can safely participate in a full range of activities.

Registered nurses take the lead by:

  • Identifying at-risk students.
  • Creating customized care plans.
  • Creating school-based health policy.
  • Managing emergency equipment.
  • Overseeing disaster preparedness.
  • Acting as administrative safety consultants.
  • Serving as a health safety net.

Licensed practical nurses help by:

  • Administering medications and treatments during school hours
  • Managing vaccine records
  • Transportation assistance
  • Student outreach
  • Recordkeeping

Public Health Departments

The recent pandemic has underscored the need for improved public health efforts. Coordinating with officials from the federal to the local level, nurses play a vital role in bringing health information and basic services to their communities.

RNs:

  • Analyze health data and identify at-risk demographics.
  • Develop wellness programs.
  • Serve as individual and community health advocates.
  • Provide disaster relief.
  • Promote public safety.
  • Work with policymakers to improve access to affordable medical care.

Practical nurses assist by:

  • Collecting health data.
  • Giving immunizations.
  • Providing health screenings.

While most public health nurses work in office settings, there’s a growing trend toward mobile nursing. Transportation is a barrier to accessibility, but clinics-on-wheels are bringing much-needed medical services to under-served rural populations.

Industry

Occupational health nurses offer health services and safety programs to workers within industries and the community. They work with employers, staff, and government agencies to create a culture of safety. As in most settings, RNs and LPNs have different roles because of their education.

RNs:

  • Assess workplace health and safety issues.
  • Interpret OSHA regulations.
  • Implement safety guidelines.
  • Guide employees who’ve had workplace injuries.
  • Create occupational health initiatives and emergency management plans.

LPNs focus on more practical tasks, such as:

  • New employee safety orientation.
  • Drug screenings.
  • Personal safety device fittings.
  • First aid and emergency medical services.
  • Occupational health follow-up referrals.

As an occupational health nurse, you may work in a particular industry, such as manufacturing or agriculture, as an on-site health advocate for employees while helping employers reduce workplace injuries and associated costs. Or you can work in an occupational health clinic, following up on illnesses and injuries.

Occupational health nursing is growing as employer’s credit early intervention with lower workplace injury rates and declining costs.

How Do You Become an LPN or RN?

Being a registered nurse requires a degree. The push is on nationwide for more bachelor’s-educated RNs but getting an associate degree from a vocational school qualifies you for the same professional license and many of the same jobs.

Positions in management and nursing education typically require a four-year degree or higher, but getting an associate degree lets you get your feet wet. You can earn and gain experience while building on your education.

Associate degree nurses can take RSN to BSN bridge programs in which their work experience counts toward portfolio credit. In some cases, you can take fewer courses and earn a degree in under 18 months. Meanwhile, the connections you make on the job establish your reputation as a nurse and pave the way for professional growth.

If you want to become a nurse without a degree, consider becoming a licensed practical nurse. It takes a vocational school diploma. Programs focus on practical nursing tasks with no general electives required. The learning is intense, but you can graduate in under one year.

Becoming an LPN is an excellent way to break into the nursing field without breaking the bank or missing too many paychecks. It’s also the perfect way for hesitant nurses to get a feel for the industry before committing to years in school.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore your options, working with different types of patients in diverse environments. It’s a chance to network with future employers and set career goals. Being an experienced LPN may also help you ascend the wait lists for RN programs faster.

Final Thoughts

One of the most valuable parts of a nursing career is its flexibility. You can work as an RN or an LPN in a wide range of places where the work is always interesting and opportunities flourish, you’re never stuck or bored. As a nurse, the journey is as rewarding as the destination.

An easy way to launch a nursing career is to enroll in a vocational school practical nursing program. You’ll graduate with a diploma in months, not years, having spent less time and money than your college counterparts to break into the industry.

Becoming an LPN is also an attractive option for students who want to be nurses but who aren’t yet sure which direction they want their careers to take. Working in different settings helps you get a feel for different types of nursing. Many students start as LPNs, so they can earn while they learn, gaining experience and insight as they work toward a degree part-time.

But while experience and aptitude play a part in which jobs nurses grow into, it’s important to be realistic. State law limits a nurse’s scope of practice based on their training, so no matter how much enthusiasm and experience an LPN has, they will never become an RN without a degree. Practical nurses have good jobs, but opportunities for advancement are limited.

Florence Nightingale once said that nurses should never consider themselves finished with education. So, whether you begin your nursing career as an LPN, an RN, or a BSN, where you start is always less important than where you’re going.

LPN Program

Gwinnett Institute in Orlando offers a Practical Nursing diploma program that trains LPN students for positions delivering basic bedside care to patients. LPN courses create employment opportunities that include entry-level practical nursing positions in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, urgent care facilities, occupational care centers, and physician offices.

Upon successful completion of the program and demonstrated nursing competence, the college graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN licensure examination. *  

Registered Nurse Program

The Associate of Science in Nursing degree program at Gwinnett College provides training to prepare college graduates to enter the nursing profession as a registered nurse.  Classroom theory, challenging assignments, skill labs, simulations, and clinical experiences help to prepare college graduates for an entry-level nursing position.

RN to BSN Program

The RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing/RN-BSN program is designed to provide professionals currently licensed as registered nurses the flexibility of online study to build upon the knowledge gained through previous training and education. The RN to BSN program courses are designed to assist college students with developing the core knowledge and skills needed to provide patient-centered care and to work collaboratively with other professionals in the field.

*While Gwinnett Colleges & Institute provides test preparation and review assistance to college students, it cannot guarantee any college student will be able to take or pass any type of licensure exam. College students must be mindful throughout their entire training program that licensure is a pre-requisite for employment as a nurse and to diligently prepare themselves to meet this important requirement.

Contact us today to learn more about becoming an LPN or RN at Gwinnett College.

What is a Paralegal vs a Lawyer?

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Are you interested in the law but don’t want to spend 7 or more years to become a lawyer? Did you know that you can become a paralegal in a fraction of the time? Lawyers and paralegals work together to protect their clients’ interests. Although both of these professionals work in the same industry and even in the same office, they do not share duties or responsibilities. In fact, each professional has a specific function within the legal system.

Why Do People Get into the Legal Field?

Some people are looking for a stable, secure career. Others are focused on ensuring equal justice for everyone under the law. Those who choose the legal field are fortunate because they can satisfy several needs with their career. Many people are drawn to the idea of helping others. You might help people plan for their future with wills and estates, support healthy communities by working in family law or assist inventors to protect their intellectual property.

In fact, it is the inherent diversity in the legal field that attracts many people. Some professionals thrive in the adversarial atmosphere of the courtroom. Others prefer to place an emphasis on business with a focus on acquisitions, mergers, real estate, or finance. Perhaps you will help with the defense of an accused individual in criminal court or help a struggling family to file for bankruptcy. The available options are practically limitless.

What Does a Paralegal Do?

Paralegals work in support of lawyers. A variety of tasks and responsibilities may fall within their purview. These tasks may include performing legal research, drafting legal documents, and maintaining electronic and paper files.

Gather Facts in a Case

In many law offices, it falls to the paralegal to investigate and gather the pertinent facts in a case. As a paralegal, you may research the laws and regulations that pertain to the case while also organizing the perhaps thousands of documents that may be required to be accessible and easy to find.

Case Prep

You will also assist with the preparation of cases. This is accomplished through gathering and organizing evidence for review by the lawyer. Sometimes, written reports that summarize the evidence or other findings are needed. You may be tasked with acquiring formal statements and affidavits from a variety of clients and witnesses. Filing documents with the court or other government entities is a common responsibility.

Client Contact

Frequent client contact is required in some paralegal positions. This means calling, emailing, and meeting with people in person to schedule depositions, interviews, and other events. Your role can vary widely depending upon the type of law office in which you work. For example, a paralegal in a corporate setting may spend time preparing documents like shareholder agreements, employee contracts, and annual financial reports. You may also maintain awareness of new government regulations that might alter business practices as well.

Managing Logistics

As a paralegal working in a litigation firm, you may perform more research, obtain, and organize evidence that will be used at deposition and trial as well as draft settlement agreements. Managing the logistics of going to trial may fall into your responsibilities too.

Clearly, your role as a paralegal is critical in any legal setting. You could find yourself doing something different every day of the week. Being able to deal with some degree of unpredictability is a valuable asset as a paralegal.

What Does a Lawyer Do?

Like paralegals, lawyers may work in a wide variety of settings, and they may choose to focus their professional efforts in a certain area of the law. For instance, some lawyers represent individual people while others are employed in a corporate setting in which their employer is also their client. Still other attorneys act as legal representatives for government agencies.

Represent a Client

Above all, it is the responsibility of the lawyer to provide advice and representation to their clients to the best of their ability. This can involve a great deal of communication with clients, co-workers, judges, witnesses and numerous other individuals and entities.

Legal Research and Analysis

On top of performing legal research, it is the responsibility of the lawyer to provide legal analysis of complex issues. Additionally, the lawyer is called upon to interpret legal rulings, regulations, and laws. It is critical for lawyers to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing as they are asked to present facts in a clear and cogent manner and perhaps also present persuasive arguments.

Advise and Advocate

Lawyers act as advisors and advocates. This means that they advocate for a client by representing them at a civil or criminal trial. On the other hand, they act as advisors who provide counsel to people and entities about their legal rights and obligations. This means that they can make recommendations regarding advisable courses of action in a wide range of personal and business matters.

Like paralegals, lawyers often choose to focus their professional efforts in a certain field. Some practice family law while others enter the realm of intellectual property. There are tax lawyers, securities lawyers, environmental lawyers, and a host of others.

What Are the Advantages of Being a Paralegal vs. a Lawyer?

Both paralegals and lawyers have important roles to play within the legal system. However, there may be significant advantages to taking the path to become a paralegal. Paralegals and lawyers have responsibilities that overlap in many cases, and they must both be prepared to meet urgent deadlines.

However, there are many differences between the two professions as well. One example of this is in the courtroom. The lawyer takes a leading role, presenting arguments, questioning witnesses, and presenting facts to the judge and jury. The amount of scrutiny to which they are subjected can be intense.

Paralegals are Behind the Scenes

The paralegal’s job in the courtroom tends to be more behind the scenes. Much of the preparation leading up to a court appearance may have been the paralegal’s responsibility, but it’s possible that they will not even go to court. Alternatively, the paralegal may be seated in the gallery or beside the lawyer, offering support and assistance throughout the proceedings. If you prefer not being center stage, then the paralegal role is a better fit for you.

Lawyers Assumes Public Responsibility

Basically, it is the lawyer who can give legal advice, sign legally binding documents and make appearances in court. This means that although the paralegal may do much of the background work, it is the lawyer who ultimately assumes public responsibility for it. This may be for good or not good, depending upon the outcome. Shouldering less responsibility can be a major advantage that attracts individuals to the paralegal profession.

Paralegals Aren’t in College as Long

Additionally, it is possible to become a paralegal in a much shorter time. Lawyers must earn a four-year bachelor’s degree and then a three-year law degree. Even then, obtaining employment can be a tricky proposition.

Becoming a paralegal is possible after completing a program at a vocational school. In less than two years, it is possible to enter a career, rather than just another job. Job prospects tend to be rosier for paralegals too. The outlook for growth in the field is on the rise and shows no sign of slowing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for paralegals is projected to grow 12 percent in the coming decade.

Paralegals Don’t Have to Pass the Bar

A less obvious advantage of choosing to become a paralegal is that there is no bar exam to pass. It’s not unusual for people to complete law school only to fail the bar exam in the state where they want to practice. If you opt to become a paralegal, you won’t have to worry about this.

What Is an Easy Way to Become a Paralegal?

An easy and efficient way to become a paralegal is by attending a program at a vocational school. These programs result in a paralegal diploma or degree, which may be a primary requirement for getting work as a paralegal. Vocational schools offer quick, flexible training programs that allow you to enter the workforce in the legal field in less time than you can imagine.

What Are the Benefits of a Formal Paralegal Program?

Perhaps the foremost reason for completing a formal paralegal training program is that most potential employers may not even interview you if you don’t have a paralegal diploma. That diploma gets your foot in the door, and your dedication to your profession does the rest.

A Complete Curriculum

When you complete a formal paralegal education, you have the benefit of being exposed to a complete curriculum. This means that you become familiar with many different aspects of the law and the skills that are needed in the modern legal office.

Make Mistakes and Learn From Them

A formal education program is the ideal place to make mistakes and learn from them. The better educated and informed you are before entering the workplace, the more attractive your resume will be to prospective employers.

Real World Experience

Through your classroom work, you will become familiar with critical legal terminology while also gaining practice with mock cases. Thanks to the experience and guidance of your instructors, you’ll gain valuable insight into common legal practices and pitfalls to avoid.

Career Services

Career services are also a benefit offered by vocational school. If you’re looking for an educational institution that supports your professional aspirations, then you’ll be well served by a vocational school.

Final Thoughts

The legal field is dynamic and fast-moving. It needs people who are bright, intelligent, and dedicated to giving their utmost in a professional environment. If this sounds appealing to you, then take the time to consider becoming a paralegal. The path is easier and faster than becoming a lawyer, but equally fulfilling. You may even use your education and experience as a paralegal as a stepping-stone to bigger things. When you earn a paralegal diploma or degree, the sky is the limit for your future.

Want to Learn More?

Ready to learn more about becoming a paralegal or legal assistant? The Gwinnett Colleges & Institute diploma and degree programs in Paralegal Studies provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge and the legal skills necessary to perform many paralegal functions including research, writing, investigation, and interviewing.

Contact us today or complete the Request More Information form on the top of the page to take the next step towards your new career in the Paralegal field.

What Kind of Job Can I Get with a Microsoft Office Certification?

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Are you’re hoping to get an office job, but wondering what qualifications you need? Are you asking yourself if there is a certification for Microsoft Office? If so, what steps do you need to obtain this certification?

Is There a Certification for Microsoft Office?

Yes, there is an Expert Certification program for Microsoft Office. To earn the certification, you must pass three out of four Associate exams and two out of three Expert exams. The Associate Exams cover Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, while the Expert exams focus on Word, Excel, and Access.

What Software Programs Are Covered Under This Certification?

This certification focuses on the Microsoft Office suite of software programs. If you decide to get certified, you can expect to learn about the following:

Word

Microsoft Word is a basic word processing software system. It’s ubiquitous, convenient, and easy to use. Although even first-timers can usually grasp the basics, the system includes several features that appeal to experienced writers and computer professionals alike.

In addition to its built-in spell checker, dictionary, and thesaurus, Word offers users the ability to designate their own formatting templates. Text layouts, margin defaults, titles, and headers can all be customized according to user preference.

One of Word’s greatest assets is a program called WordArt. This feature allows the user to add formatting effects to their text, thereby creating a more visually striking document. Instead of simply underlining or bolding the text, users can apply shadowing, reflection, beveling, or even sophisticated three-dimensional effects.

Excel

Excel is an electronic spreadsheet program that allows users to store data with tables and cells. This program is an important asset to businesses because it eliminates the need for paper spreadsheets, which are both messy and space-consuming.

With Excel, you can store several worksheet pages in a single file. A group of pages is called a workbook. You can access any of the pages in the workbook without closing and opening numerous files, another convenient time-saving benefit.

A cell in Excel can hold numbers, text, dates and times, or formulas. This makes the program useful for calculations. Enter the numbers and let the system take care of the Math.

PowerPoint

PowerPoint is Microsoft’s premier presentation program, and a standard element of the Office Suite software package. If you’re hoping to land a job that relies heavily on presentations, such as an insurance company or investment firm, then it’s in your best interests to learn more about PowerPoint.

While PowerPoint is an essential tool in the business world, it also comes in handy in educational settings. The program uses a slide format to convey information in a way that’s both entertaining and easy to understand. Plus, it’s fully integrated with other programs in the Microsoft Office Suite, so you can import your info from Word or Excel into your presentations.

Outlook

Outlook is an email client that is used to send and receive messages through Microsoft’s Exchange Server. In addition to relaying messages, you can use Outlook for access contact, calendars, and task management.

Like PowerPoint, Outlook is a component of the Office Suite. It’s also part of the Office 365 system, you can however use it as a standalone application. The system can also be integrated with SharePoint for the purposes of project collaboration.

Outlook’s basic features consist of email service, search functions, flagging, color coding, and preview pane options. You can use its calendar function for scheduling and staff communication, which eliminates the need for a separate calendar-sharing program. With 99 gigabytes of archiving data, the system should be able to handle all your communication and scheduling needs.

Access

The Access application is included on the Expert certification list because it’s a more sophisticated version of Excel. That’s right, it’s a spreadsheet like program, that’s capable of handling more data at one time and offers advanced searchability compared to Excel.

Access is part of Microsoft’s 365 family of applications. While Excel is used primarily for simple calculations and individual projects, Access is designed to store and manage much more information. The system also makes it easy to retrieve and apply the data in various applications with the aid of pre-made forms and questions.

Access can be connected to many other applications. When other apps generate useful data, it can be automatically imported to the Access system. This is a handy time-saving feature that makes Access a great asset to large enterprises.

What Jobs Might Be Available To Certificate Holders?

Most jobs benefit from Microsoft Office knowledge but specific jobs should get Microsoft Office certification. Jobs like administrative assistant, office manager, data analyst, and desktop publisher use Microsoft Office in almost everything they do. Having the certification can capture the eye of employers to your knowledge of Microsoft Office and commitment to learning.

Job #1: Administrative Assistant

Also known as an administrative aide, this individual is responsible for helping administrative professionals stay on task. With the administrative assistant taking on organizational tasks, the administrator is free to focus on their advanced responsibilities.

Duties and responsibilities may vary, depending on the role of the professional. However, the job of an administrative assistant can include answering phones, greeting visitors, organizing meetings, scheduling appointments, composing and editing documents, collating and distributing mail, filing, and managing business accounts. Most of these tasks benefit from the knowledge of Microsoft Office.

The tasks you’ll be responsible for as an administrative assistant may shift from day to day, even within the same company. The job requires strong multitasking skills and plenty of attention to detail. If you’re looking for an entry-level position that offers plenty of variety, this could be the job for you.

Job #2: Office Manager

This position represents a step up from administrative assistant duties. While you may still be responsible for scheduling appointments and meetings, greeting visitors, and providing basic administrative support, you’ll also serve as the point person for the office.

What does this mean? In essence, you’ll be the person that makes sure everything is running smoothly on a day-to-day basis. This could mean contacting maintenance when there’s a problem with the building, running errands, procuring groceries and general supplies, light bookkeeping or paying vendors. You may also need to maintain a close relationship with the human resources department to stay up to date on the latest company policies.

To fill this role, you’ll need experience with several software applications. Many companies look for candidates who are proficient in Excel and Outlook. As with the administrative assistant role, you should have a keen eye for detail and superb communication skills. It helps immensely if you’re able to think creatively and work well with others. Strong organizational skills are also a must.

Job #3: Data Analyst

As a data analyst, you’ll use automated tools to gather data from primary and secondary sources. While that might sound dry on the surface, data analysts need the ability to transform this raw information into insights that can be used to shape the future of the company.

Job duties include maintaining and developing databases, removing corrupted data, and fixing errors whenever necessary. As the job title suggests, you’ll be analyzing the data to assess its quality and identify its meaning. With the aid of statistical tools, you can identify and interpret trends that could have important ramifications for the business. A certification in Microsoft Office shows your proficiency in Excel and Access programs for data analysis.

Job #4: Desktop Publisher

Desktop publishers create documents and products, such as business proposals, financial reports, and newspapers, with the aid of publishing software. Tasks include formatting and combining text, photos and illustrations, data, charts, and other visual elements to create a cohesive whole.

To succeed in this role, you’ll need an artistic mindset and strong proofreading skills. The ability to think creatively and to adapt well to rapid changes will serve you well as a desktop publisher. Knowledge of Microsoft Office is sure to come in handy, particularly the Word and PowerPoint programs.

How Do You Prepare For The Microsoft Office Certification Exams?

An easy way to prepare for the Microsoft Office certification exams is to enroll in a vocational school that offers a diploma in computer operations. You’ll gain a practical understanding of Microsoft Office that will serve you far beyond the exams. Since your goal is to become an asset to whatever business you join, these classes are a worthwhile investment.

What Are The Benefits of a Formal Education?

Attending a vocational school allows you to acquire the skills you need get an office job. However, landing a job is only the first step. You will want to stand out as a skilled and knowledgeable member of the staff. By taking coursework in computer operations, you’ll have a significant advantage over competitors who’ve received only on-the-job training.

Learn a Complete Curriculum

These courses cover much more than the basics. Instead of learning only the bare minimum, you’ll dig in to the intermediate and advanced functions of Microsoft Office. When you learn on the job, you may only learn what you need to know to perform certain everyday tasks. Enrolling in a computer operations program will provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of the entire Microsoft Office suite.

Industry Experienced Instructors

Instead of teaching you the basics, you’ll be guided by industry experienced instructors that can answer questions and offer one-on-one attention. This can play a role in your eventual job success, especially if you’re a hands-on learner.

Lean How Microsoft Office Programs Work Together

The best classes will teach you how the various Microsoft Office programs can work together to make your tasks easier. These are details you might miss out on if you attempt to learn about the Microsoft Office yourself. After all, you might not discover some of these features, especially if you don’t know what to look for.

Take Practice Exams

When you enroll in a computer operations program, you’ll also have the opportunity to take practice exams. If you don’t perform at your best when put under pressure, these exams are a great way to demystify the process. You can also identify any potentially problem areas and work harder to understand the questions with incorrect answers.

Career Services

Once you’ve completed the computer operations program, the vocational school will provide career services to ensure that you find the right job. That’s another benefit that you would miss out on if you tried to teach yourself Microsoft Office. Career services help you build a resume, prepare for interviews, and identifies jobs that match your knowledge and passion.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know which jobs are available for those that attain a Microsoft Office certification, the sky’s the limit. Take the first step toward a career as an administrative assistant, office manager, data analyst, desktop publisher or one of the many office jobs available in many different industries and Gwinnett College will be with you every step of the way.

Want to Learn More?

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

Contact us to learn more about the Computer Operations program today.

Should I Get a Nursing Degree or Diploma?

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Nursing education comes in as many options as nursing itself. For students, it’s great to have choices. But the training you choose now can have a significant impact on your career trajectory. Are you better off getting a nursing degree or a diploma? It pays to consider your options carefully.

Should I Get a Nursing Degree or Diploma? 

A diploma or degree is required in all states to be a nurse, there are no shortcuts. You need a diploma to be a practical nurse (LPN) and a two- or four-year degree to be a registered nurse (RN).

Which you choose depends on your career goals and what type of training program fits into your life. There’s a lot to think about, but it begins with understanding the roles that practical nurses, registered nurses and bachelor’s-educated nurses have.

What Does an LPN Do? 

Under the supervision of a doctor or registered nurse, LPNs provide direct patent care for clinically stable patients in nursing homes, doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics, and private homes.

Focused on practical tasks, their responsibilities include:

  • Bathing, feeding, and dressing patients
  • Taking vital signs
  • Monitoring intake and output
  • Administering medications
  • Performing wound care
  • Tube feedings
  • Ventilator management
  • Inserting urinary catheters
  • Removing sutures and staples
  • Assisting with therapeutic activities
  • Collecting biological specimens for testing
  • Educating patients
  • Supporting families
  • Supervising non-licensed staff
  • Emergency and end-of-life care

What Do RNs Do? 

RNs have the same duties as practical nurses, but they assume responsibility for more medically complex patients in acute care environments.

Additional responsibilities include:

  • Patient assessment
  • Starting IVs
  • Performing blood transfusions
  • Pain management
  • Post-surgical care
  • Complex wound management
  • Advanced life support
  • Supervising practical nurses
  • Care planning

What Does an RN with a BSN Do? 

They have the same responsibilities as RNs with associate degrees, but they take on the most complex roles including supervisory, administrative and leadership functions.

As the healthcare system expands, nurses with advanced training are moving into roles once held by doctors. In hospitals, RNs with bachelor’s degrees work in critical care units and as clinical specialists in fields like infection control, mental health, wound care, and case management.

Where Can You Get a Nursing Diploma or Degree? 

Practical nurses can get a diploma from Gwinnett College. We also offer two-year associate degrees in nursing and RN to BSN degrees. We offer all three nursing diplomas and degrees for you to choose from.

Diploma or Degree? Making the Right Choice 

There’s no wrong way to go to nursing school, but education is an investment, and you want to spend your time wisely. Training defines your future as a nurse, so look at the pros and cons of degrees versus diplomas.

Program Length

LPNs and RNs are both state-licensed professional caregivers, but each role requires progressively more training. Practical nursing programs take around one year to complete. Getting a nursing degree takes at least two years. Diploma programs are a good option for adult students who can’t afford to be unemployed for long.

The Curriculum

The curriculum is similar for all nurses, but degree programs are more in-depth. Vocational school LPN programs focus on practical skills while degree programs delve into nursing theory. Each layer of education adds more to a nurse’s knowledge and abilities. The more you know, the more jobs you’ll be eligible for.

Concepts included in an associate degree program that are not in the practical nursing curriculum include:

  • Pathophysiology
  • Advanced assessment skills
  • Evidence-based nursing practice
  • Research and development
  • Nursing technology
  • Public health

BSN programs dive deeper into the heart of nursing. The objective is for students to develop both superior clinical and management skills. Students in bachelor’s degree programs receive extra instruction in:

  • Health
  • Research
  • Genetics
  • Informatics
  • Medical law and ethics
  • Leadership principles
  • Management models
  • Public health policy

Clinical experiences for nurses also vary. For LPNs, rotations are short and limited. RNs can spend time off-campus working in a variety of different settings to get the widest range of experiences possible.

Employment Settings

Practical nurses have the ideal skillset for monitoring stable patients with ongoing medical needs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 38 percent work in nursing care facilities, 14-percent of LPNs work in hospitals, 13 percent are employed by doctors and 12 percent provide home healthcare. Most work in nursing homes, assisted living centers and private homes where their skills are invaluable.

RNs with associate degrees work in similar settings, but more are employed in hospitals. Better trained, they can handle sicker patients.

Most RNs with BSNs begin their careers by working in hospitals where they can perfect their clinical skills and eventually rise into management positions. BSNs are also eligible for certification in a wide range of clinical specialties from wound care and dialysis to case management and diabetes education. Roles in schools, government and public health typically require at least a bachelor’s degree.

Professional Autonomy

All licensed nurses govern their own practice. Most, however, work collaboratively with doctors, therapists, and other health professionals as part of a team.

In general, LPNs are supervised by RNs while RNs, to an extent, are supervised by physicians, administrators, or registered nurses with advanced degrees. Because they have more training and real-world experience, registered nurses have more professional autonomy. Working at a higher level, they take the lead in planning patient care.

Schedule Flexibility

The fastest way to launch a nursing career is to attend a training program full-time, but that’s not a lifestyle-friendly option for everyone. Many vocational schools offer part-time diploma programs with evening classes, a rarity among colleges.

Advancement Potential

Unlike other careers in which experience can be a substitute for training, education requirements for nurses are strict. No amount of experience can make an LPN into an RN, the scope of practice is different.

Associate-degree nurses have the same professional license as bachelor’s-educated RNs, so they can advance with time on the job. However, despite having the same clinical skills, their advancement potential is limited in some settings. Moving into managerial positions in hospitals without experience and additional coursework could prove challenging.

RNs with associate degrees can work as charge nurses and floor supervisors, but leadership roles are typically reserved for candidates with bachelor’s degrees. Some employers require a BSN to consider candidates for managerial positions.

Furthering Your Education 

As a nurse, building on your education is simple but not always straightforward. Diploma programs are structured differently than degree programs, so credits aren’t always interchangeable. As an LPN, you may have to repeat some courses when transferring into a degree program.

However, the good news is that if you’ve applied for an RN program with a long waitlist, being an LPN can rocket you to the top. It’s a useful strategy in more ways than one.

Many students are unsure of their career goals when they get into nursing, so working as an LPN for a while is an opportunity to earn income and gain experience. After six months, many new nurses have a better idea of what type of nursing they like and whether getting an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree is a better choice.

Final Thoughts

All education is noble, but the training you get today sets the stage for the future. You want to make smart career decisions. But the path you choose matters less than taking the first step. For nurses, all roads can lead to the same destination.

Practical Nursing Program

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

Registered Nursing Program

The Associate of Science in Nursing degree program provides training to prepare you to enter the profession as a registered nurse (RN). Upon successful completion of the nursing training degree program and demonstrated nursing competence, you will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.*  

*While Gwinnett Institute provides test preparation and review assistance to college students, it cannot guarantee any college student will be able to take or pass any type of licensure exam. College students must be mindful throughout their entire training program that licensure is a prerequisite for employment as a nurse and to diligently prepare themselves to meet this important requirement.

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