Can You Become a Medical Assistant in College?

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Education is an investment, so students should make the most of it. If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, you have choices about where to learn. The best decisions are made based on your career goals, so should you go to a four-year or a vocational college? Let’s find out.

Can You Become a Medical Assistant in College?

It might surprise you to learn that some medical assistants have a bachelor’s degree, many colleges offer 4-year programs that provide a medical assisting education, including transferable credits. Some students elect to go the vocational college route and get a diploma or an associate degree. Why? Let’s explore the differences between 4-year and vocational college medical assisting programs.

4-Year College vs Vocational College

4-year and vocational colleges both offer comprehensive, high-quality education, but the practical differences are like night and day.

Program Length

It takes four years to earn a bachelor’s degree in medical assisting. The first two years consist of foundational classes that build on what students learned in high school plus general electives that broaden your horizons but don’t necessarily contribute to your skills as a medical assistant. A poetry class may deepen your worldview, but it won’t help you manage inventory in a medical office. Core classes begin the third year at a 4-year college.

Vocational colleges are different. The curriculum is focused with each class being carefully designed to enhance practical skills. There are a few elective courses to take if you pursue an associate degree. By emphasizing what matters, full-time vocational college students can complete a medical assisting program in just nine months or get an associate degree in two years. Both are faster roads to a steady career.

Class Sizes

4-year college lecture halls host hundreds of diverse students. There’s little personalized attention, and it’s the rare professor who can tailor lessons plans to their students’ needs. Classes may even be managed by a teacher’s assistant. The environment is crowded, and the hustle and bustle of campus life is a lot for some students to handle. If you struggle with the coursework, there are few safety nets.

At a vocational college, small class sizes enhance communication and promote creativity. The slower pace allows for an in-depth exploration of topics presented by industry-seasoned instructors. Lesson plans are individualized, and no one is left behind.

Approach

4-year colleges excel at teaching theory. The focus is on book learning to give students a broad foundation of knowledge. But if you learn best by doing, the first two years can be arduous.

Vocational colleges know that the best way to learn a job is through practice. Labs are equipped with the same tools medical assistants use on the job. You’ll dive headfirst into learning while your motivation is strong, feeling confident and capable before bachelor’s degree students have even gotten their feet wet.

Flexibility

4-year college schedules are tight. Classes must be taken in order, so prerequisites are complete before moving on to more complex material. Students have a full course load with little wiggle room to drop a class to deal with personal needs. And classes fill up quickly, so not everyone will be able to complete their program without taking a summer class or adding an extra semester. Most students live on or near campus with little opportunity to explore real life.

The majority of vocational college students live in their own homes. They commute and save money on room, board and food. Vocational colleges understand the needs of adult students and offer flexible schedules.

Career Services

Some colleges offer job placement services, but for most students, there’s little post-graduation support. The expectation is that as qualified alumni, they’ll be able to find work.

Vocational colleges have made it their mission to translate education into meaningful employment, working with their students before they graduate to line up jobs. Career advisers get to know students, matching a candidate’s strengths and weaknesses with available positions. Vocational colleges partner with local businesses to create a dynamic curriculum to meet their needs, so it’s not surprising that they seek out their graduates.

What Do You Learn During a Vocational College Medical Assisting Program?

Vocational college programs prepare students for entry-level positions as medical assistants. Designed for beginners, little healthcare experience is necessary. You’ll learn what you need to know to get the same jobs as medical assistants with four-year degrees, including:

Anatomy and Physiology

Medical assistants are trained in both administrative and clinical responsibilities. An understanding of how the body is made and how it functions is a must to work in a healthcare setting.

The course isn’t as complex as what licensed healthcare providers endure, but it covers enough to ensure medical assistants can read medical reports and prioritize patient needs. You’ll explore the fourteen body systems, associated conditions and treatments.

Clinical Procedures

Medical assistants help doctors with a wide range of clinical procedures from taking vital signs to performing diagnostic tests and assisting with surgical procedures. Practicing with the latest equipment, you’ll do EKGs and take patients’ temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and peripheral oxygen saturation.

You’ll explore the world of infection control, learning disinfection, sanitation, and sterilization technique. As a medical assistant, part of your job is keeping shared surfaces and equipment clean to prevent the spread of transmissible diseases.

Phlebotomy

Phlebotomy, the art of drawing blood, is an essential skill for today’s medical assistants. Most private practices now offer this service as a convenience for their patients. It’s a better use of medical resources and speeds up care.

In a vocational college program, you’ll learn how to draw blood and process samples, practicing on models, fellow students, and patients during supervised externships. It’s a simple but technically demanding task that requires confidence and sound clinical judgment.

Office Practices

Vocational college programs give students an overview of how medical offices function. A highly regulated environment, practices are different than the average business. Those without prior clerical experience will learn how to use basic office equipment. Additional topics include customer service principles, communication, delegations and how to build effective workplace relationships.

Computer Applications

Healthcare records are now digital, stored in computerized databases instead of filing cabinets. Part of a medical assistant’s responsibilities is to review and update records. Working with the same type of software you’ll use on the job, you’ll practice accessing, editing and correcting data.

Billing and Coding

Medical coding, a type of alphanumeric shorthand, is used to describe health conditions and services on insurance forms. Used globally, accuracy is critical for reimbursement. Medical assistants help with billing and inventory management by ensuring that documentation is properly coded. This course covers the three most common coding systems and offers an overview of commercial and public health insurance options.

Medical Law and Ethics

There are volumes of healthcare regulations designed to improve care and protect patient privacy. This course introduces students to HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Signed in 1996, it defines patients’ rights and responsibilities and governs how medical information is shared.

You’ll learn how to work safely within the rules and handle the ethical dilemmas you may encounter.

Career Development

Vocational schools set the stage for professional growth by helping you climb the career ladder.

From preparing you for certification to offering placement services, they’ll help you land a rewarding job and position yourself for advancement.

Becoming certified is an important step in your career, and the good news is, the curriculum “teaches to the test.”Upon graduation, you’ll qualify to sit for one of several certification exams, making you a more valuable potential employee.

Externships

Externships are off-site learning opportunities. Students work closely with experienced medical assistants, observing how they perform. You’ll spend up to a week working in a medical setting, building confidence and practicing skills, from scheduling to phlebotomy, with the help of a mentor. Yes, you’re graded, but the goal is to help you feel comfortable as you begin a new career.

Why Get a Vocational College Diploma?

A bachelor’s degree is never wasted. Credits are transferable, so if you decide to become a nurse after a few years as a medical assistant, you won’t have to start from scratch. But is it worth the time and money when you can get the same job with a diploma?

Going to a four-year college has its perks. There are more on-campus activities and nightlife if you can spare the study time. But vocational colleges also have many advantages. Being out of the workforce for four years is tough for students with other financial and family responsibilities. A vocational college education isn’t a shortcut, it’s just a shorter path to the same destination and a great value.

Final Thoughts

Medical assisting is an up-and-coming career with personal and professional benefits. Whether you want a 4-year degree and the full college experience or want a head start in life with a vocational college diploma or associate degree, the most important thing is to get started today.

Which college are you interested in? 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.

What is an Allied Healthcare Professional?

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Medicine is a team sport, it’s less about doctors and more about a community of committed experts working together to meet patients’ wellness goals. Known as allied health professionals, they’re a diverse group of clinical and administrative specialists who bring unique talents to the team. In demand, they’re the future of healthcare.

What is an Allied Healthcare Professional?

The Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions defines allied health professionals as workers “that deliver services involving the identification, evaluation and prevention of diseases and disorders; dietary and nutrition services; and rehabilitation and health systems management.”It’s a growing field that includes a wide range of technicians, therapists, technologists, clerical specialists, and administrators.

Over half of US healthcare workers are classified as allied health professionals. Some are clinical experts while others have support roles. But each is necessary to achieve the best health outcomes. Allied healthcare professionals include:

  • Speech, occupation, and physical therapists
  • Paramedics and EMTs
  • Nurses
  • Dietitians
  • Midwives
  • Audiologists
  • Nurse anesthetists
  • Billing specialists
  • Medical coders
  • Office managers
  • Hospital administrators
  • Dental hygienists
  • Pharmacy technicians
  • Phlebotomists
  • Laboratory technologists
  • Chaplains
  • Psychologists
  • Counselors
  • Radiology and ultrasound technicians
  • Medical assistants
  • Massage therapists

Why Do Allied Health Professionals Matter?

As healthcare becomes more complex, no single professional has enough training to meet every need. Doctors take the lead, but they depend on experts in complementary fields to provide more in-depth or far-reaching care than they can offer. They collaborate directly and casually to:

Improve Patient Care

When it comes to medicine, many minds make light work. Each professional’s knowledge and experience contribute to more comprehensive and holistic patient care. It’s a win-win for patients who benefit from wide-ranging expertise and doctors who can relax, knowing they’re free to concentrate on what they do best.

Keep Communities Healthy

The recent pandemic showcased the importance of allied health professionals in trying times. As the crisis unfolded, it was all hands on deck to identify and treat the ill. From the medical office assistant that answers telephones in private practices to the nurse that provides home healthcare when hospitals are full, each played a role in helping communities cope. It’s a lesson well learned with future implications now that the crisis has passed.

Frontline allied healthcare professionals are better positioned than doctors to identify health needs among the vulnerable who struggle with resources. Together, they form a network of gateways through which patients can access care. As the shortage of primary care physicians worsens, they will play an increasingly important role.

Chart the Future of Healthcare

Healthcare professionals are becoming more dependent on each other for support. It will take their combined vision to address the problems we face as a nation. As a group, they’re best equipped to diagnose emerging issues as we create a more equitable healthcare system. The future of medicine will be built on a collaborative foundation.

Popular Allied Health Professions

Allied health professionals have hundreds of different job titles, but these professions are among the most popular.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered nurses plan, provide and supervise nursing care in a wide range of settings from hospitals to homes. Autonomous professionals, they collaborate closely with other allied healthcare workers to provide quality patient care. While the push is on for more RNs to have bachelor’s degrees, associate degree nurses have the same professional licenses and qualify for most of the same jobs. Their responsibilities include:

  • Create care plans
  • Assessing patients for changes in condition
  • Administering medications
  • Performing treatments
  • Providing emergency care
  • Managing medical equipment
  • Assisting with activities of daily living
  • Supervising practical nurses and paraprofessional staff
  • Educating patients

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

LPNs are entry-level nurses with vocational school diplomas. LPNs can build on their training while they work and gain experience. Like RNs, they’re licensed and can fill many of the same roles. But their responsibilities are more practical and include:

  • Helping patients bathe, dress, eat and use the toilet
  • Taking vital signs
  • Inserting urinary catheters
  • Monitoring intake and output
  • Administering medications
  • Performing basic treatments
  • Testing blood glucose
  • Wound care
  • Assisting with therapeutic exercises
  • Collecting lab specimens
  • Maintaining feeding tubes
  • Supervising paraprofessional staff
  • Patient and family education

Medical Assistant

Medical assistants manage clinical and administrative tasks in office settings. Ubiquitous in doctor’s offices, they support physicians, nurses, billing staff and office managers. Duties include:

  • Triaging phone calls
  • Rooming patients
  • Taking vital signs
  • Collecting biological samples
  • Updating health records
  • Performing diagnostic tests
  • Phlebotomy
  • Ordering supplies
  • Sterilizing equipment
  • Assisting with minor surgical procedures
  • Basic wound care
  • Patient education

A diploma is generally expected by employers and required for most certifications. Full-time students can complete the program in less than a year.

Medical Office Assistants

Medical office assistants are clerical support specialists, they handle the many administrative tasks that are part of every patient visit. It’s a non-clinical role with responsibilities including:

  • Switchboard management
  • Data entry
  • Updating patient demographics and insurance information
  • Patient screening
  • Filing
  • Sorting mail
  • Interoffice communication
  • Assisting with billing
  • Ordering office supplies
  • Accepting payments

Becoming a medical office assistant is ideal for people who enjoy science and medicine but prefer not to be direct caregivers. There are no firm education requirements, but practically speaking, a diploma is a must. Students attending full-time can obtain a diploma in months, rather than years.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist

Nearly all healthcare bills in the US are covered by insurance. Medical billing and coding specialists handle the claims. They work in hospitals, clinics and private practices managing billing and other financial activities, such as:

  • Medical coding
  • Obtaining insurance pre-authorizations
  • Completing and submitting health insurance forms
  • Troubleshooting rejected claims
  • Posting payments
  • Collections
  • Light accounting

Like medical office assistants, higher education isn’t mandatory for medical billers, but it’s expected and essential for certification. The field is complex, and few would thrive without extensive training or experience. Full-time programs can be completed in months, rather than years.

Medical Office Administrator

The definition of a medical office administrator varies. Jacks-of-all-trades, they do whatever is necessary to keep doctor’s offices running smoothly. Duties may include:

 

  • Managing human resources
  • Customer service
  • Setting departmental budgets
  • Monitoring revenue
  • Making large purchase decisions
  • Marketing

Depending on their education and experience, their job description may look more like a medical office assistant’s or an office manager’s. The medical office administrator diploma program takes less than a year.

Massage Therapist

Massage therapists work with clients directly to relieve stress, reduce muscle pain and rehabilitate injuries through bodywork. Embraced by mainstream medicine as an alternative to surgical or pharmacological treatments, manipulating soft tissue is scientifically proven to improve health and enhance mobility. Students in massage therapy programs learn more than bodywork techniques. They delve into:

  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Kinesiology — the study of movement
  • Nutrition
  • Aromatherapy
  • Medical ethics
  • Therapeutic communication

Massage therapy is a fast-growing field with self-employment potential, so a well-rounded education is necessary to function as an allied healthcare professional. Graduates are well-versed in holistic care. Training can take up to two years depending on students’ desired credentials.

Is There a Need for Allied Health Professionals?

As the American population ages, they need more access to preventive health services. Employment in allied healthcare occupations is projected to grow 16 percent through 2030, adding more than 2.6 million new jobs according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Students training in allied health today will have more opportunities than many other occupational groups. As careers in some industries fade, replaced by technology, the medical field remains vibrant.

How To Become an Allied Health Professional

Allied health professions require different levels of education, but there are dozens of job titles to choose from that don’t require spending years in a 4-year college to train for. The easiest way to get started is to get a diploma or an associate degree from a vocational school. Programs are lifestyle friendly and include far-reaching benefits, such as:

A Comprehensive Education

Vocational school programs are shorter than degree programs because they focus on practical courses. You’ll graduate in a fraction of the time by eliminating unnecessary electives. The education, however, is no less complete. Graduates are well-prepared for entry-level positions and poised for professional growth.

Certification Preparation

Certification is how job applicants demonstrate their competency. It looks great on a resume and serves as a foundation for continuing education, but it takes work. Vocational schools teach to the test, so students are prepared to seek credentials upon graduation.

Career Services

The public rarely knows about the best job openings, many jobs are never posted. Instead, employers work with local schools to fill their positions with qualified applicants. As a graduate, you’ll be in the right place at the right time.

Final Thoughts

Allied health professionals are the bedrock of the healthcare system. Millions strong, they need millions more to join their ranks. There are opportunities in the field for dedicated individuals with a wide range of aptitudes and career goals. Enthusiasm is the only requirement. Vocational schools take care of the rest.

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.

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.*  

*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.

Medical Assistant

Gwinnett Colleges & Institute offers medical assisting program courses to gain essential skills and training to achieve entry-level positions in this career field. These courses will be the first step in starting a rewarding career. All Gwinnett College & Institute campuses offer diploma programs with the Orlando, Lilburn, Marietta, and Sandy Springs also offering medical assisting associate degree programs.

Medical Billing & Coding Specialist

Gwinnett Colleges & Institute offers medical billing & coding program courses to gain essential skills and training to achieve entry-level positions in this career field. These medical billing & coding diploma and degree courses at the Orlando, Marietta & Lilburn campuses will be the first step in starting a rewarding career.

Medial Office Administrators

The Associate of Science Medical Administration program prepares Gwinnett College students for entry-level positions as medical office administrators. Graduates of this degree program will have the technical & professional-interaction skills necessary to function in the demanding medical industry. 

Massage Therapist

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

Contact us today to learn more about becoming an allied health professional at Gwinnett College.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Paralegal?

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Paralegals perform essential functions in law firms and government agencies. Fulfilling a support role to attorneys, the paralegal may help with research, writing, compiling evidence and a range of other functions in the legal industry. Did you know that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects demand for paralegals to grow 12 percent in the coming decade? This makes it imperative for prospective legal professionals to understand the qualifications that need to be met to find employment as a paralegal.

Is a Paralegal Career Right for You?

Working as a paralegal can be challenging, but it helps to have the right skill set. In general, people who are drawn to this field are detail-oriented, have excellent reading comprehension and possess writing skills that are above average. Even before you begin your studies in a paralegal program, it is helpful if you read and write as much as possible. Sharpening your skills will serve you throughout your education and during this new career. This field is also highly technical. The better you are at noticing minute details, the more of a chance you will have to succeed in legal work.

The scope of responsibility for paralegals has increased in recent years as lawyers take on more cases. Many paralegals are now asked to complete tasks that would have been reserved for lawyers in the past. If you are up for a challenge that could introduce you to a career with excellent long-term prospects, then becoming a paralegal might be the right choice for you.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Paralegal?

This can vary significantly from one job to the next, so it pays to be as well-prepared as you can. Most paralegal positions require that you hold a high school diploma, and it is not unusual to see advertisements seeking candidates that have years of professional experience. Do not let this deter you. Other entry-level positions are available, and some law firms may prefer someone who is new to the field and can be trained in their specific methods.

At a minimum, most prospective employers look for a candidate who holds a paralegal diploma. These diploma programs provide you with the specialized knowledge needed to operate in a law firm or legal setting.

Many individuals prefer earning a diploma over other ways to enter this field. This is because the diploma program focuses only on necessary subjects while foregoing general academic studies. Moreover, these programs can be completed in as little as one year, meaning you can go from the classroom to the law office in little time.

What Do You Learn in a Paralegal Diploma Program?

Accredited paralegal diploma programs prepare you for a variety of law firm, in-house and governmental employment settings. Accordingly, you will encounter a broad range of subject matter.

Before you begin exploring more specific areas of focus within the law, your coursework will teach you the fundamentals. Typically, classes include legal writing, legal research and law office management. Further, you may encounter topics as ethics, legal reasoning and the common technologies that are utilized by legal professionals.

Once you have attained a certain level of general legal knowledge, you will begin exploring a legal concentration. These may include business law, wills and estates, family law, real estate law, criminal law, bankruptcy law, environmental law, immigration law, and intellectual property. Because there are so many possible areas of focus, it is common for diploma programs to help you to choose which topics you want to focus. Accordingly, you may choose courses that focus in two or three areas.

Don’t worry if you are uncertain about which legal concentration is the right one for you. Much of what you learn in each of these classes will be applicable in other focus areas. Additionally, when you land a job, your employer is prepared to spend significant time training you on the organization’s policies and procedures, so you will be blending what you learned in the diploma program with on-the-job learning.

Choosing a Paralegal Focus Area

If you are completing a program that asks you to select certain legal areas in which you would like to concentrate, it might be helpful to have a greater understanding of some of the most common legal fields.

Business or Corporate Law

For instance, one of the most popular choices is business or corporate law. Paralegals in this area assist with the dissolution and formation of business organizations as well as mergers and acquisitions. When a company wants to ensure that they are complying with state and federal laws, they turn to a business law firm for guidance.

Criminal Law

A criminal law firm focuses on defending people who have been accused of breaking the law. Of course, you can also choose to work for a prosecutor. While working in this field, you will encounter cases that deal with basic rights and individual liberties.

Estate Planning, Probate and Wills

If you select estate planning, probate and wills, you will support a lawyer who looks for ways to minimize tax liability and organize the debts and assets of their clients. You’ll encounter significant paperwork in this role, requiring that you are highly organized.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is a focus area that is unlike most. In addition to being attorneys, the lawyers in this field must have a background in some scientific or technical subject. Although some of these practices litigate, others are engaged solely in obtaining protection in the form of patents, trademarks and copyrights. This specialized area requires paralegals to complete significant on-the-job training.

Real Estate Law

In real estate law, you will work on cases that deal with the ownership of land and structures as well as the development of land. Landlord disputes and matters involving tenant rights are frequent. You may deal with the review of contracts, preparing for litigation or helping plan for new developments.

Family Law

Family law allows the paralegal to focus on issues that arise between individuals in a family. Law firms that concentrate in this area are smaller, and may work in areas such as adoption, child welfare, and divorce.

Personal Injury Law

If you are interested in helping people recover from accidents and injuries, then personal injury law may be the right area for you. When an individual or entity acts in a manner that is reckless or negligent and someone gets hurt, it is the personal injury law firm that steps in to ensure that the victim receives fair compensation.

Bankruptcy Law

When people are going through bankruptcy, they rely on a law firm to help them file the correct paperwork and guide them through required court sessions. Your job as a bankruptcy paralegal involves significant preparation of paperwork as well as handling filings with the bankruptcy court.

Immigration Law

Immigration practices help individuals and families who are navigating through the naturalization process. This is a long and difficult journey, but an immigration paralegal provides essential support. These firms also help people who are in the country without legal permission as well as those who are refugees or are seeking asylum.

What Does a Paralegal Do?

The main function of the paralegal is to support lawyers through tasks such as legal research, legal writing, creating and maintaining files and drafting legal documents. This means every day can look quite different. A paralegal may perform research and investigate the facts of a case or look up relevant laws and regulations. Considerable time is spent organizing and maintaining documents, especially those that require review by an attorney. Many paralegals will write summaries of reports and evidence for lawyers to use and draft legal correspondence and documents.

If the lawyer is engaged in litigation, then the paralegal may complete tasks that are associated with depositions and exhibits. Taking notes, filing briefs and other legal documents. coordinating with clients and other interested parties are common.

Regardless of what kind of legal practice you are engaged in, it is common for you to spend a majority of your time sitting in front of a computer. With so many court filings now being made online, the need to make trips to the courthouse for filings is not necessary.

Where Do Paralegals Work?

Once you have acquired the necessary qualifications, you are ready to seek employment at a law firm. However, paralegals also are employed by federal, state and local governments in a variety of capacities. Other professionals in this field will serve in an in-house capacity. Typically, these companies are large and have sizable legal departments that require paralegal support. Paralegals also may find employment in insurance and finance firms.

What Is Working in a Law Firm Like?

No two law firms are exactly alike. Some are quite small, consisting of a solo practitioner and a paralegal to provide support. Other law firms have offices scattered across the globe and thousands of employees to staff them.

Most law firms are mid-size. These practices have anywhere from five to 30 attorneys. While some are in general practice, most choose one or two areas of concentration. For instance, it is not unusual to see firms that only do intellectual property or that only handle probate and estates.

Just as law firms differ in size, their cultures can vary widely. Some law firms, especially those that have been in existence for many decades, tend to be conservative. Other firms pride themselves in being on the cutting edge of technology or perhaps they like to foster a more casual and familial atmosphere.

Considerations such as size and culture certainly will play a role in your job selection. You also will want to weigh the pace of work. For instance, a law firm that handles a great deal of litigation can be extremely fast-paced and high pressure. You might thrive in this sort of environment, but it is not necessarily right for everyone. Fortunately, some firms have a more laid-back practice. It’s worth remembering that even in a more casual atmosphere, the legal field remains exceptionally deadline driven.

Want to Learn More?

Do you have the qualifications to work at a law firm as a paralegal? 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 Studies field.

Do Massage Therapists Need to Know about Anatomy?

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Are you interested in becoming a massage therapist? Did you know that it is one of the most rewarding career fields? It offers respite and relief for people suffering from physical and emotional ailments. Ultimately, you get to help others and learn a new vocation at the same time, it’s a win-win.

Massage therapy involves the treatment of specific areas on the body, while also healing the mind and the spirit. Massage therapy is a unique field, as it combines art and science to provide maximum benefit and therapeutic relief for clients. It is one of the most rewarding career fields today and is projected to grow 32 percent over the coming decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. You will learn a lot during a massage therapy program including anatomy and many different massage therapy techniques.

Do Massage Therapists Need to Know about Anatomy?

Because massage therapy benefits every system in the human body, learning about anatomy is a critical skill. During your training in massage therapy, you will learn all about anatomy and physiology as well as many of the benefits and massage techniques that go along with the training massage therapy. Massage therapy can have a beneficial impact on many body systems including:

Circulatory System

Made up of blood vessels that carry blood toward and away from the heart, the circulatory system delivers oxygen to help tissues, while getting rid of waste products. Massage promotes healthy blood flow throughout the body. It can also help remove toxins from the muscles and tissue.

Respiratory System

A network of organs and tissues that help human’s breath, the respiratory system helps move oxygen throughout the body, within the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Massage can increase lung capacity and promote deep breathing. This breathing can also reduce stress and tension on the body and improve sleep.

Lymphatic System

A network of tissues, vessels and organs that work to bring lymph back into the bloodstream. Lymph fluid passes through the lymph nodes and helps protect the body from infection and disease. Massage promotes the effective flow of bodily fluids, including lymph fluids to help clients relieve stress and boost their immune system.

Muscular System

Made up of the skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle tissues, the muscular system attaches to the skeleton, allowing our body to move. While the heart is the hardest working muscle in the body, massage can help reduce blood pressure, increase blood flow, and introduce additional oxygen to the bloodstream to aid the heart as it removes carbon dioxide from the body’s blood. Massage can also relieve muscle tension and remove lactic acid buildup in the muscles.

Gastrointestinal (Digestive) System

The gastrointestinal system is made up of the GI tract that includes the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The overall digestive system also includes the salivary glands, mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum. These organs help the body digest food, utilizing vitamins and nutrients to help keep the body healthy, while at the same time disposing of the waste. Massage assists the digestive system by reducing inflammation, relieving tension, and helping clients with the stress of constipation.

Skeletal System

Made up of the bones and connective tissues that form the body’s central framework. In conjunction with muscles, the skeleton helps the body stay upright and move in many different ways. Massage enhances flexibility, increases range of motion, and promotes healthy muscles, tissues, and bones.

Urinary System

The urinary system helps remove waste material and other byproducts from the body by expelling it through urination to prevent blood toxicity. Massage can engage the urinary tract and help increase urinary output. Reducing the fluid retention with massage is also important for a healthy heart.

Endocrine System

Responsible for producing and distributing the body’s hormones, the system must stay in balance otherwise the client can experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Massage can help restore the proper balance of oxytocin, cortisol, serotonin, dopamine, and other important hormones, helping the body maintain appropriate hormone levels.

Nervous System

Comprised of the brain and spinal cord, the nervous system helps the body transmit, receive, and process information. Massage enhances the senses and promotes healthy functioning of neural pathways. It can also help release oxytocin and other “feel good”hormones to improve relaxation of the brain, decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure, and enhance the brain’s mood.

Why Learn Anatomy During a Massage Therapy Program?

Because effective massage therapy is dependent upon achieving physical relief, it is essential that you have a good grasp on the human body and a thorough understanding of anatomy. There is much more to massage therapy than just simply “rubbing the pain away.” Understanding the ways in which various muscle groups are connected will help you identify the source of a client’s pain or discomfort.

Every client is unique, and your symptom management techniques might affect each client differently. As a well-trained massage therapist, you will understand this, and work closely with each client to deliver a session that is customized to meet their needs. Lastly, there are many different massage therapy techniques, with each technique being unique in delivery and experience. Therefore, it is important to understand how human anatomy responds when utilizing various techniques and modalities.

Massage Therapists Train in a Variety of Techniques

There are many different therapeutic techniques to learn during a massage therapy program. Each has established protocol and specific purposes. These are the most common massage techniques you will learn during a massage therapy program. They include:

Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage is the basis of most massage therapy including deep tissue massage and chair massage. Swedish massage techniques aid in the circulation of blood and lymph, relaxing

muscles, improving joint mobility, and inducing general relaxation. The specific massage strokes included in Swedish massage are effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, and vibration. Each Swedish massage technique produces a different effect that aids in the decrease of muscle tension and improve relaxation.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage mirrors that of Swedish massage. However, deep tissue massage also involves the use of deeper pressure and trigger point therapy. Trigger points can be felt as knots or bands of tissue that elicit pain if pressed. These knots of pain can align with other areas of the body. The deactivation of trigger points allows muscle tension to decrease and improve blood flow to the muscle.

Sports Massage

This type of technique is used among athletes or anyone that exercises and does repetitive tasks. Sports massage is known to alleviate muscle tension associated with sports and exercise, and can also promote better sleep hygiene, increase flexibility, and improve a client’s range of motion. Many endurance athletes will seek out sports massages before or after an event.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a technique known for its unique ability to balance physical and spiritual energy, as well as alleviate physical pain and discomfort. Shiatsu is perfect for clients who deal with anxiety, depression, or chronic stress. This massage technique is found to improve symptoms associated with anxiety and depression, like migraines and headaches. Shiatsu is a great technique to use for clients experiencing other ailments, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, digestive issues, and lower back pain.

Lymphatic Massage

A properly performed lymphatic drainage massage can provide several health benefits for the client. The lymph nodes are responsible for the effective draining and movement of bodily fluids throughout each system. Having a properly balanced flow of lymph fluids can improve one’s immune system, as well as promote deeper relaxation during a client’s appointment. This massage technique can also reduce muscle soreness and swelling due to fluid retention.

Cranial-Sacral Therapy

Many people identify issues involving the neck and head as having a significantly negative impact on their lives. 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 increasingly popular and is a popular treatment for clients experiencing these symptoms. Sessions usually last an hour, and involve a light, purposeful touch, as the massage therapist assesses each part of the body for tension and other energy imbalances.

Thai Massage

One of the oldest therapeutic techniques, Thai massage can significantly improve pain and tension throughout the body. Originating in India and dating back thousands of years. Thai massage involves active participation from the client, and is performed by using a variety of moves, pressure, and stretching techniques to facilitate total body relaxation. Clients will enjoy lower stress levels, increased energy, improved blood flow and circulation, as well as a better range of motion.

Final Thoughts

Knowing anatomy as a massage therapist will come in handy when it is time to create a massage treatment plan for clients. You will understand how massage affects each body system and help manage a client’s symptoms. In tandem with the different massage techniques, you will be able to help clients relieve pain, reduce stress, and enjoy life even better. Massage is a rewarding career, so take the first step and start training to become a massage therapist today.

Now that you know a little more about how massage and anatomy overlap, what to learn more about training to become a massage therapist? Upon graduation, Massage Therapy Program students will receive diplomas and be qualified to seek entry-level positions as clinical, medical, or deep tissue massage therapists in wellness clinics and centers, spa environments including resorts and franchises, and self-employment.

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 Get a Job in Medical Billing?

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Are you interested in medical billing? Did you know that the field is expected to grow 9 percent in the coming decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics? And the best part is that you don’t have to spend years earning a degree to qualify. The easiest way to get started is by getting a diploma from a medical billing program at your local vocational school.

Medical billing jobs are deeply invested in health and medicine, but they are far removed from patients and other forms of direct healthcare. The ability to find gainful employment in a matter of months, rather than years, also makes it more enticing for someone who does not want to invest four to eight years just getting educational requirements to work.

What Does a Medical Billing Specialist Do?

Medical billing specialists are administrative experts. They know insurance coding regulations and procedures inside and out, and they know how to meet all the requirements of the medical billing system. Their jobs help patients and physician’s practices ensure insurance regulations are met and claims are filed in an orderly, timely manner.

A medical billing specialist does not treat or care for patients themselves, but they may come in contact with nurses and other medical professionals to clarify details and ensure they have the most accurate information. Some common medical billing job responsibilities are:

  • Reviewing, updating, and managing a network of patient accounts
  • Preparing and sending invoices
  • Performing administrative tasks in the office, such as answering phone calls and responding to emails
  • Following up with patients whose payments are overdue
  • Answering patients’ questions about their medical bills
  • Setting up payment plans for patients
  • Always maintaining full patient confidentiality
  • Working in compliance with federal, state and organization rules and regulations

How Do I Get a Job in Medical Billing?

Many entry-level positions, like medical billing, require some formal training and/or proof of certification. In school, you learn about various forms of insurance coding and processing procedures, medical administrative tasks and regulations that govern the field. Working with people’s health information at your fingertips requires a deep knowledge of how to protect their identities. A vocational school is the best place to learn everything you need to be a successful medical billing specialist.

Do You Need a Diploma for a Medical Billing Job?

Although, you technically don’t need a formal education to become a medical billing specialist, you may have a hard time competing against candidates that do. Not every medical billing job has strict educational requirements beyond a high school diploma or GED. However, the field is competitive, and you can gain an edge over other applicants by having formal training. Earning a medical billing diploma shows an employer that you are committed to the job and can work more efficiently than someone who requires on-the-job training.

You’ll also can work more confidently knowing everything there is about insurance coding, medical billing and maintaining accurate patient records. Because you will start with more knowledge and skills than someone without experience, you are able to qualify for promotions sooner.

Having a medical billing diploma also allows you to apply for more jobs. There are many positions that offer more benefits than the entry-level positions, especially for someone who has formal training. You can cast a wider net for job opportunities by completing your diploma at a vocational school.

What Do You Learn in a Medical Billing and Coding Program?

You are introduced to the American health insurance system, including how health insurance works from both a consumer and provider’s standpoint. You will get an overview of insurance coding and processing protocol as well as the requirements in the healthcare delivery system.

Medical Coding

You learn billing basics through the ICD-10 coding process. The ICD-10 is the national standardized method of medical coding for diagnostic purposes. Created by the World Health Organization, the ICD-10. It ensures that all billing and coding processes are in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

You will learn about the difference between short-term and long-term coding for various types of treatment and care. CPT/HCPS coding systems are also discussed at length, and you will be able to clearly differentiate the two and apply them in the workplace by graduation.

Coding Skills for Different Environments

Additional lessons teach you how to manage coding from operative reports, inpatient care, and advanced clinical coding. Billing varies heavily among different medical practices, and you will be comfortable working as a medical biller in a variety of settings such as hospitals, private practices and clinics, physician offices, health insurance offices and third-party medical administrative companies.

Medical Terminology

During a medical billing and coding program, you learn the terminology behind anatomy and physiology. Even though you will not work directly with patients, it is important to understand the terms for procedures, pharmaceuticals, treatments and diagnosis. When you process insurance claims and enter medical information into patient charts, you must know the difference between similar sounding terms, abbreviations, and calculations. One way you will learn medical terminology is by understanding roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Every medical term can be broken down into its parts and defined to identify the proper meaning and corresponding medical code.

School Externships

Many adults struggle to find employment when there is a gap between their educational qualifications and practical work experience. If you have all the knowledge but none of the first-hand experience, employers may be wary. They may also simply not have the time or resources to provide additional support, so students without relevant work experience could be passed up on a job they might be good at.

School externships give you the opportunity to apply your skills in real medical settings. You learn as you go with personalized feedback and support from your supervisors. Instructors also help you along the way. Externships give you a low-risk way to apply your knowledge and skills in the real-world while building up experience for your future resume.

Once you’ve acquired all the practical knowledge you can in the classroom, you must put your skills to the test. Technology for medical billing can be overwhelming at first; from various accounting software to spreadsheets and electronic health systems (EHRs), there’s a lot to learn. Your externship will allow you to master all the most used technological tools and prepare you for day one of your new career.

Final Thoughts

Medical billing is open to people of all ages and experience levels. Some people may choose to pursue their diploma right out of high school while others are looking for a career change. You might be considering vocational school as an alternative to college or to shift gears and pick up a new trade. Either way, medical billing could be right for you. Learn more about how Gwinnett College can help you start a new career as a medical billing specialist.

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.

 

Is Medical Assistant a Good Job?

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Good jobs are hard to find. The best careers can take years to train for, and for some students, that’s too long to wait. But if you have a passion for health, medical assisting is a job you can learn in months, not years. It’s a rewarding career in a growing industry with far-reaching benefits. If you’re looking for a good job, you’ve found one.

Is Medical Assisting a Good Job?

Life’s too short to not love what you do. Most people share the same core values about work and are looking for jobs that are both practically and emotionally rewarding. Medical assisting offers both and more, including:

Excitement

No two days in the healthcare field are ever alike, there’s never a dull moment. If you like rolling up your sleeves and getting things done for people in need, there’s a challenge around every corner. You’ll never be bored as a medical assistant.

A Team Environment

Medical assistants are part of a team. Committed to patient care, they work in a mutually supportive environment where their opinion matters. If you’re tired of being small fish in a big pond, you’ll enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded people.

Personal Fulfillment

You can help people in any profession, but few fields are as impactful as medical assisting. If you don’t find meaning in the job you have now, the work you’ll do in healthcare matters. The connections you make last a lifetime, rewarding you far beyond a paycheck. Few jobs that you can train for in under a year are this influential.

Job Security

A major health expansion is on the horizon in the US. Millions of Baby Boomers are retiring and will need preventive healthcare. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18 percent growth in the medical assisting field through 2030.

In the last decade, dozens of trendy career opportunities have been replaced by technology. Education is an investment, so if you’re a student, you must ask yourself if your chosen field will be relevant in the future. For medical assistants, it’s a given.

A Positive Work-Life Balance

Burnout is a problem in medicine. Jobs with on-call responsibilities can take a toll on family life. But most medical assistants work regular hours Monday through Friday with evenings, weekends, and holidays off. While burnout is high among many professions, medical assistants report lower levels of job stress and higher satisfaction rates with their careers.

Professional Respect

Medical assisting isn’t a new profession. Recognized since 1955, it’s backed by a professional organization, the American Association of Medical Assistants. As skilled support specialists, you hold positions of trust. Both the public and clinical professionals appreciate what you do. Your peers will respect your education, skills, and dedication.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

Medical assistants are jacks-of-all-trades. They’re cross-trained to manage both administrative and clinical responsibilities in medical offices. Working closely with medical professionals, they bridge the gap between the office and the exam room, so the practice runs efficiently.

Their responsibilities include:

  • Managing the schedule
  • Triaging phone calls
  • Rooming patients
  • Obtaining vital signs
  • Reviewing health histories
  • Assisting with treatments, procedures, and exams
  • Drawing blood
  • Collecting lab specimens
  • Administering vaccinations
  • Performing diagnostic tests
  • Troubleshooting insurance claims
  • Coding and billing
  • Ordering medical supplies
  • Sterilizing instruments
  • Educating patients and their families
  • Organizing medical records

Where Do Medical Assistants Work?

Roles for medical assistants are expanding quickly as employers recognize their versatile skills. Most medical assistants are employed by doctors, but they’re increasingly hired by clinics, laboratories and hospitals.

The benefit for new graduates is the choice of work setting, each offers something a little different. In a doctor’s office, you’ll see the same clients regularly, getting to know them on a more personal level. In a hospital, you won’t serve the same people as often, but you’ll work on interesting cases you’re unlikely to see in a private practice.

Medical assisting offers something for everyone, including the ability to specialize. If there is an area of medicine, you’re passionate about, you can seek opportunities in that environment. Popular specialties include gerontology, women’s health, pediatrics, and phlebotomy. Because medical assistants are trained to perform EKGs, cardiology is an excellent choice for medical assistants interested in heart health.

Do I Need a Diploma to Be a Medical Assistant?

While a diploma isn’t required to be a medical assistant, realistically, it’s essential. Major insurers in the US allow only certified medical assistants to perform vital tasks, such as entering doctor’s orders into patient’s health records. Most medical assistants without a diploma don’t qualify for certification, so they’ll be less valuable to employers. In a competitive job market, candidates with proven skills are the most likely to be hired.

Higher education also helps graduates build a better career. A diploma is equivalent to years of on-the-job experience, opening the door to greater opportunity. You’ll climb the career ladder faster, qualifying for more responsible roles.

What Are the Benefits of Attending a Medical Assistant Program?

Medical assisting programs offer many surprising benefits, such as short training programs and flexible learning options. These benefits make attending a medical assistant program good for your job prospects after graduation.

Benefit #1: Short Training Programs

Jobs in healthcare can take years to train for, but a full-time student can complete a vocational school medical assisting program in months, not years. Graduate with a diploma in less than a year, it’s a practical way to launch a new career if you can’t afford to be out of work for too long.

Benefit #2: Flexible Learning Options

Vocational schools know adult students struggle with busy schedules. Some must work and take care of children or aging parents. Attending full-time is the fastest route to your new career, but part-time or hybrid programs are convenient options for people juggling multiple responsibilities.

Benefit #3: Small Classes

Whether you’re a first-time student or an older adult looking to change careers, vocational schools offer a more personalized educational experience. The pace is relaxed, and instructors have more one-on-one time with their students. Creativity is encouraged, and no one gets left behind.

Benefit #4: Hands-on Education

Vocational schools offer a quality education in less time than universities by focusing on practical skills. You’ll work with the same types of office and laboratory equipment used in medical offices. Most programs offer externships, real-world learning opportunities in which you’ll work alongside seasoned medical assistants. The skills you’ll gain will inspire the self-confidence you need to feel comfortable on the job.

Benefit #5: Financial Aid

If money is all that stands between you and a new career, the good news is that medical assisting students may qualify for federal student aid. There are a few rules, and programs must be accredited. But like college students, you can borrow money for school and repay it once you have a job.

Benefit #6: Job Placement Benefits

Jobs are available for medical assistants, demand is skyrocketing. But landing the perfect position is more challenging. Experts estimate that the best openings are never advertised. Instead, managers save time and money by tapping pools of trained applicants.

Vocational school career counselors excel at matching students with the right employers, working with local businesses on a regular basis to help fill their needs. Instead of searching the want ads, you’ll have a professional in your corner working on your behalf. Some schools offer job placement assistance for as long as you work in the field.

Final Thoughts

If what you do doesn’t fulfill you, there’s never been a better time for a career change. Don’t put your aspirations on the back burner. Jobs come and go, but medical assisting is a secure, gratifying profession with room for personal and professional growth.

Does medical assisting sound like a good job to you? 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.

 

What Qualities Make a Good Medical Assistant?

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Medical assistants are in demand. It’s secure, rewarding work for people with the right stuff. Not everyone will enjoy working in healthcare, so it’s important to reflect on your reasons for wanting a career in medicine. What qualities make a good medical assistant, and why do they matter? Let’s find out.

Why Is Having the Right Qualities Essential for a Medical Assistant?

Employers know that having the right qualities makes employees more successful. But on a personal level, your qualities can also make or break your satisfaction with a job. While some character traits can be learned or nurtured through experience, it’s unreasonable to expect that you’ll thrive in an environment that doesn’t support your strengths and passions.

Healthcare is a highly regulated industry, and professional expectations are high. Offices run like clockwork and schedules are tight. If you believe rules were made to be broken, and the world shouldn’t turn until you’ve had your second cup of coffee, a different field might be a better fit. But if that sounds like you, and you’re ready to take the next step, a career in medical assisting could be just what the doctor ordered.

What Qualities Make a Good Medical Assistant?

Serving patients is what healthcare is all about. These qualities will help you be successful and love your job.

Quality #1: Good Communication Skills

As a medical assistant, you must have good communication skills. Relationships with patients, professionals and peers thrive on a delicate balance of listening, understanding, and responding.

Communication is both verbal and nonverbal. Behavioral scientists believe the majority of what we say or hear is conveyed through body language. Medical assistants work with physically and emotionally vulnerable people, so emotional intelligence, the ability to sense what people are feeling through observation is essential for good communication.

Practical skills are important, too. The ability to read, write and speak confidently is a must. At the heart of the healthcare team, you’ll serve as a liaison between doctors and patients and clinical and administrative staff. Medical assistants are the central hub through which high volumes of information flow.

Quality #2: Empathy

Empathy is the ability to see things from someone else’s perspective, to understand events from a different point of view. As a medical assistant, you’ll work with people of all ages and from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Empathy is what helps you understand that children are afraid of shots because they don’t know what to expect and that patients are sometimes irritable because they’re scared or in pain.

Quality #3: Compassion

Compassion is best defined as practical empathy. It’s more than being sensitive to the pain of others, it’s the drive to do something about it. Patients are more than their list of complaints. Each malady impacts their lives in unexpected and often devastating ways.

Empathy is how a medical assistant knows a patient with chest pain is scared. Compassion is why they offer emotional support.

Quality #4: Critical Thinking Skills

Medical assistants are problem-solvers. Critical thinking, the ability to gather facts and come to sensible conclusions, is how they prioritize tasks and make accurate decisions under pressure. It’s a type of common sense that helps medical assistants realize that a woman with difficulty breathing should see the doctor before the man with a skin rash. Applied to everything they do; critical thinking helps a medical assistant function effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Quality #5: Flexibility

No two days in a medical office are ever alike. Appointments are made and then canceled while an emergency lurks around every corner. As a medical assistant, the quiet day you had planned to clean out the supply room can quickly turn into a free-for-all with a waiting room full of flu patients. If you want to be happy working in healthcare, learn to go with the flow.

Quality #6: Time Management Skills

Busy days can be stressful but being punctual and making the most of every minute prevents them from becoming overwhelming. People born with good organizational skills recognize wasted time and have an inherent ability to manage a full schedule. Others aren’t so lucky and need guidance to keep the day on track. The good news is that with experience and the right tools, anyone can learn to be a good time manager. Practice makes perfect.

Quality #7: Team Spirit

Healthcare is a team effort. Everyone has a different job to do but they all share the mission to give patients the best care possible. Navigating relationships with co-workers and staying in your lane while not being afraid to lend others a hand is challenging. A sense of team spirit makes it easier to respect each person’s role and their professional opinions.

Quality #8: Dependability

Medical assistants are part of a close-knit team. Employers and peers trust them to do their jobs. Tasks in an office are interdependent, and when someone doesn’t pull their weight, the rest of the team suffers.

Dependability should also extend to patients. When you promise to call someone back, keep your word. Few things are more stressful than waiting for a test result or attention from your doctor when you’re having worrisome symptoms.

Quality #9: Open-mindedness

It’s a small world. Today’s medical assistants will see patients from diverse cultures, many of whom may not share the same beliefs in medicine. A patient’s right to make their own healthcare decisions is set in stone, even if they don’t agree with their doctor’s recommendations. A medical assistant should be supportive and open-minded, remembering that life is more than the sum of medical interventions.

Quality #10: Discretion

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA, forever changed the way medical information is handled. Gone are the days of keeping charts at the foot of the bed. By law, data can only be accessible to those who need to know it to do their jobs and with the patient’s permission.

Not only can employers be fined, and employees fired for violating HIPPA, but patients expect better. They deserve the utmost discretion.

Quality #11: Professionalism

Medical assistants are the ambassadors of first impressions. As a representative of the healthcare team, their appearance, demeanor, and behavior reflect on the entire practice. By approaching clients with a courteous and thoughtful demeanor, they promote the team’s goals, enhance their reputation, and inspire patient confidence in the care they receive.

Quality #12: A Commitment to Learning

Graduating from a medical assisting program is just the beginning of your learning process. No program can possibly cover every skill you’ll need or every case you’ll encounter. Medicine is a technologically advanced, ever-changing field, there’s always something new to learn. A commitment to ongoing education helps medical assistants maintain relevant skills.

Quality #13: A Sense of Ethics

Ethics are the moral principles that guide someone’s behavior. Closely linked to your sense of responsibility, it’s the ability to differentiate between what’s right and wrong in complex situations.

For example, if a medical assistant in a hurry to leave work on a Friday afternoon botches a laboratory test, ethics is what drives them to stay and do it over rather than submit questionable results that could harm a patient.

Quality #14: Optimism

No one, least of all patients, want to work with glass-half-empty people. They want to spend time with positive, optimistic staff who enjoy and see value in what they do. The healthcare field is emotionally charged, but even when the chips are down, a positive attitude can move mountains.

Quality #15: Teachability

Medical assisting programs empower students with the skills they need to be successful. But the classroom and the real world are two different places. You’ll often run into situations that don’t fit neatly in a box, problems for which there are no protocols or official guidance. In those moments, it’s essential to be teachable, allowing your supervisors to walk you through complicated situations without a rule book.

Knowing what you don’t know is important for patient safety, but the willingness to listen and learn from more experienced voices means as much to the development of your practice as what you learned in school.

What If I Don’t Have All of These Qualities?

It’s crucial to do some soul-searching before embarking on any new career. Are you asking yourself, How can I improve myself as a medical assistant? Life is too short to be miserable forty hours a week. It’s possible to be good at something and still be unhappy doing it, so if you don’t have many of these qualities, an honest self-appraisal might reveal it’s not a good choice for you. Education is an investment, and it’s important to go into it with your eyes open.

Still, it’s a rare person who has all the qualities necessary for any job. And thankfully, you don’t have to be perfect to be satisfied or successful as a medical assistant. There’s plenty of room for growth. It’s an exciting and meaningful career, what you do makes a difference.

Benefits include:

  • A short training program
  • A supportive environment
  • Regular hours
  • Exciting work settings
  • Opportunities for professional growth

If you don’t have all these qualities, don’t be too hard on yourself. Time is often the best teacher. A vocational school medical assisting program helps you cultivate your best qualities and experience does the rest.

Final Thoughts

Having these qualities is helpful for medical assistants, but for students, one attribute that didn’t make the list is perhaps the most important, enthusiasm. With the right blend of passion, self-awareness and commitment, success could be right around the corner.

Do you want to build the qualities that make a good medical assistant? 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.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Instructor, Gwinnett College, Atlanta, GA campuses, posted 9/1/21

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Job Description

Sonography Instructor

Location:
Atlanta, Georgia

Industry: Education

Occupational Category: 29-2032.00 Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Hours: Part-time

Description: Gwinnett College seeks adjunct instructors to teach in a Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. The position is to teach students at associate degree levels. Instructors are expected to teach courses from campus. We are seeking people for both DAY and NIGHT time classes. Please indicate on your resume which you prefer. The position is scheduled to open on January 3, 2022.

Responsibilities:

  • Proactively creates a learning environment that is unique, memorable and personal.
  • Demonstrates a service-minded attitude and models the Company’s expected behaviors (core values) on a daily basis with students, colleagues and employers.
  • Maintains a positive attitude in being flexible and adapting to individual student learning needs.
  • Effectively translates subject matter expertise to engage and educate students through active learning.
  • Creates a two-way learning partnership by encouraging student accountability as part of the educational process. Students are encouraged to seek the Instructor’s help and the Instructor will be available and willing to provide extra assistance for students experiencing difficulty.
  • Maintains “ownership”of student attendance and proactively maintains contact with students.
  • Prepares and submits weekly lesson plans inclusive of learning activities that stimulate student involvement, encourage reflection and critical thinking, and take into consideration different learning styles.
  • Provides each student with a course syllabus that includes course objectives that include student learning outcomes, learning activities to achieve those objectives, methods of evaluation and attendance requirements at the beginning of the course. The Instructor will review the syllabus in its entirety and address any student questions regarding the information communicated.
  • Relates to students in a fair, courteous and professional manner. Encourages students to maintain professional/appropriate dress and behavior in accordance with Gwinnett’s Student Code of Conduct Policy.
  • Ensures timeliness, fairness, and consistency in grading and evaluation of student work in support of Company policies.
  • Actively participates in the evaluation of program/course materials to include recommendations for course revisions, selection of textbooks and other teaching aids, and development of curricula as needed.
  • Utilizes approved textbooks and supports the material with well-defined lesson plans that include pertinent examples and exercises with practical applications.
  • Maintains current knowledge of adult learning methodologies, new classroom technologies and industry/healthcare standards through continuing education, such as external development opportunities, in-service activities, membership in professional organizations, and reading of current professional periodicals, incorporating this knowledge into the learning environment.
  • Attends and actively participates in all scheduled in-services, meetings and completes assigned independent study modules to maintain faculty development requirements.
  • Maintains a safe learning environment by ensuring that students and staff use supplies and equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and clean up after completing class.
  • Completes reports as required by Program Director in an accurate and timely manner.
  • Submits supplies and equipment requests to the Program Director in a timely fashion.
  • Proactively initiates appropriate actions to re-engage and retain at-risk students.
  • Demonstrates collaboration and maintains a “team player”appreciation for functional accountabilities and priorities at the campus outside of Academics.
  • Takes ownership of the classroom resources, tools and supplies to ensure that ongoing needs are addressed in a timely manner.
  • Maintains positive communications with students concerning administrative and school policies and procedures.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Educational requirements:

  • Minimum of 5 years experience as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer or similarly titled role.
  • Associate degree in an allied health field.

Experience requirements:

  • 5 years in allied health required.
  • Teaching experience preferred.

Desired Skills:

  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Comfortable in the use of classroom technology
  • Can motivate students toward the goal of graduation.
  • Attention to detail, sense of urgency and passion for making a difference in the lives of others
  • Able to work independently, yet within a strong team environment
  • Able to work a flexible schedule

Qualifications:

  • Passionately committed to customer service
  • Strong affinity for connecting with and understanding the needs of others
  • Motivating and inspiring
  • Positive and approachable
  • Freely acknowledges and appreciates effort
  • Flexibility and the ability to multitask
  • Effective listening and communication skills
  • Classroom management
  • Open and inclusive of others’ input
  • Ability to translate theory into practice
  • Strong planning and organization skills
  • Results/Metrics-Driven

Please send all resumes to TDavis@gwinnettcollege.edu.

How Much Schooling Does a Pediatric Nurse Need?

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Working with children is a popular specialty among nurses. There’s something unique about their vulnerability that makes us want to reach out to them. But how much education do you need to be a pediatric nurse, what will you learn, and how will it help you be successful? Let’s find out.

What Does a Pediatric Nurse Do?

Pediatric nurses perform the same duties as all nurses but with children from birth through adolescence. Their job descriptions vary based on their employment setting and credentials as registered nurses (RN) or licensed practical nurses (LPN), we’ll take a closer look at both.

Their responsibilities may include:

  • Monitoring for changes in their patients’ conditions
  • Administering medications and treatments
  • Assisting with personal care
  • Pain management
  • Psychosocial intervention
  • Supporting families
  • Supervising paraprofessional staff
  • Documentation
  • End-of-life care
  • General advocacy

How Much Schooling Does a Pediatric Nurse Need?

All registered nurses need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Vocational schools can prepare licensed practical nurses in less than a year. Both RNs and LPNs can be pediatric nurses, their training is similar, but each will have different roles based on the depth of their education.

LPNs provide hands-on care under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse. They work primarily in clinics, doctors’ offices, private homes, and nursing facilities.

Registered nurses have more education, so they care for the sickest patients and take a leading role in planning their care. They’re employed in all settings but are more likely to work in hospitals than LPNs.

What Does an RN and an LPN Learn in School?

Nursing diploma programs train students to deliver basic bedside care. Associate degree programs prepare graduates for more complex roles. The education you choose should reflect your career goals. Here’s what you’ll learn in each program.

Associate Degree RN Program

During an associate degree program, you will learn anatomy, physiology, foundations of patient care, medical surgical nursing, maternal and pediatric care, mental health, surgical nursing, and gerontological nursing.

Anatomy and Physiology

Everything nurses do depends on understanding the anatomy of how the body is made, and the physiology of how it works. You’ll learn about the twelve body systems and how they work together to keep you healthy. It’s the foundation of most other learning in a nursing program.

Foundations of Patient Care

The best place to begin your nursing education is at the beginning, with the principles that define nursing care. Topics include:

  • Professional standards and scope of practice for registered nurses
  • Patient-centered care
  • Cultural competency
  • Maintaining a safe and effective nursing environment
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Evidence-based nursing practice
  • Risk identification
  • Patient education and advocacy
  • Wellness and preventive care
  • Medical law and ethics
  • Patient privacy
  • Infection control
  • Pharmacology

Later courses will build on this foundation, covering care for all age groups from infants to seniors.

Medical-Surgical Nursing

Medical-Surgical nursing is the meat and potatoes of the field, focusing on a wide range of acute and chronic conditions and how they’re treated on a nursing floor. You’ll learn about:

  • Health promotion strategies
  • Fluid and electrolyte imbalances
  • Acid-base abnormalities
  • Endocrine system disorders, including diabetes
  • Gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and neurological diseases
  • Cardiac care
  • Elimination disorders
  • Skin conditions
  • Aseptic and surgical techniques
  • Pain management
  • Emergency interventions
  • Pre- and post-operative care

By the end of this course, you’ll understand basic nursing care for adult patients.

Maternal-Pediatric Care

Care of the mother and child is difficult to separate. Maternity nurses care for expectant mothers from preconception through birth. Pediatric nurses care for children from newborns to young adults. This course covers:

  • Fertility, conception, and contraception
  • Prenatal care, including nutrition, immunizations, and lifestyle counseling
  • The stages of labor and delivery
  • Postpartum care and complications
  • Care of the newborn
  • Child development and nursing considerations
  • Early childhood immunizations
  • Therapeutic communication techniques
  • Family support and crisis intervention

A proactive and integrated approach to maternal-child wellness helps women have better pregnancies and healthier babies, so it’s a win-win.

Mental Health

Mental Health issues are reaching crisis proportions in the US. In this course, you’ll learn about the common conditions affecting each age group and their nursing considerations. Topics include:

  • Brain function
  • The nurse-patient relationship
  • The therapeutic milieu
  • Mental status assessments
  • Neurobiological concepts
  • The effects of stress and trauma
  • Pharmacology
  • Child and adolescent mental health
  • Crisis management
  • Substance abuse and addiction
  • Inpatient and outpatient treatment models
  • Common mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar, personality and eating disorders

Students will gain a fundamental understanding of most mental health problems and how nurses help.

Surgical Nursing

Surgical nurses assist patients and physicians before, during and after surgery. You’ll learn about:

  • Preoperative procedures
  • Informed consent
  • Patient preparation
  • Instrument handling and sterilization
  • Aseptic technique
  • Anesthesia and pain management
  • Patient monitoring
  • Emergency situations
  • Anesthetic recovery
  • Post-surgical care

Surgical nurses work everywhere from hospital ORs to doctor’s offices that specialize in performing routine procedures.

Gerontological Nursing

Gerontological nurses manage a full range of complex issues that affect older adults’ lives. Gerontology courses cover:

  • Generational expectations
  • Physical and cognitive changes associated with aging
  • Mental health in seniors
  • Psychosocial considerations
  • Chronic conditions that affect independence
  • Communication with the older generation

Gerontology is an essential topic for today’s nurses because America’s demographics are changing, and more patients than ever are now 55 and older.

Students in associate degree programs also participate in clinical rotations, practicing their skills in diverse, real-world healthcare settings under the supervision of instructors and a mentor. Some programs also include capstones, comprehensive projects that demonstrate you understand the principles you’ve learned. On graduation day, you’ll feel confident in your skills.

Practical Nursing Program

RNs and LPNs learn many of the same fundamentals. Most LPN programs can be completed in as little as a year, covering the unique role of LPN with courses that include:

Functions for the Practical Nurse

Practical nurses work side-by-side with registered nurses and do many of the same tasks, however, their responsibilities reflect their education and are limited by each state’s nurse practice act. Courses in a vocational school program are designed to clearly delineate an LPN’s responsibilities, so they’re comfortable with their scope of practice.

Fundamentals of Nursing Care

LPNs and RNs learn many of the same fundamentals, but while RN programs emphasize both planning and skills, LPN programs focus primarily on the practical aspects. Students learn how to:

  • Take vital signs
  • Administer medications
  • Give injections
  • Draw blood
  • Dress wounds
  • Insert urinary catheters
  • Test blood sugar
  • Monitor intake and output
  • Apply oxygen
  • Educate patients and families
  • Recognize emergency
  • Document symptoms

You’ll practice using the same equipment and computer systems you’ll find in medical facilities.

Body Structure and Function

Anatomy and physiology courses are less intense for LPNs because they have fewer complex responsibilities. Still, they need a firm grasp of the basics to understand mobility, nutritional and pharmacological interventions, so it’s still covered but in less detail.

Infection Control

Infection control is a critical part of every practical task an LPN does. Infection control is covered in depth, from the microorganisms that cause infections to where they’re found and how to prevent their spread.

Human Growth and Development

All nurses study human growth and development, how we change and grow as we age. LPNs learn what to expect of people from infants to seniors so they can better provide age-appropriate care.

Nursing Care Across Settings

LPNs and nursing assistants provide the majority of beside care, helping patients of all ability levels bathe, dress, eat and use the toilet. Their needs, however, differ between settings and range from the minor support level to requiring total care. Understanding each helps LPNs prepare for the patients they will encounter in doctor’s offices, nursing facilities and private homes.

Mental Health Concepts

LPNs learn about mental health issues in ways that help them work with affected individuals. There’s less focus on theory and more practical advice about how to approach and communicate with mentally ill patients. You’ll learn about the most common psychotropic medication, how they’re used, and how to monitor for side effects.

Choosing the Right Path to Become a Pediatric Nurse

RNs and LPNs have similar job descriptions, but with experience, their paths diverge. Managerial roles in pediatrics are typically reserved for RNs. But if you prefer pushing patients in wheelchairs to pushing paper, you won’t go wrong becoming an LPN.

There’s no wrong way to become a nurse, but your career goals should guide your decisions. The shortest path to your first job is to complete a vocational school LPN program. It’s a good choice for students with other responsibilities who can’t afford to be out of work for two years, you’ll be earning money in less than twelve months.

It’s also helpful for students who want to be nurses but aren’t sure what type of nursing they’ll enjoy. Working on the ground floor in different environments helps you get a feel for what the day is like in pediatrics versus geriatrics, so you make a better choice. While you’re at it, you’ll make connections that may lead to opportunities. Some employers will help LPNs become RNs in exchange for a work commitment.

Students who have the time and want roles that require more education may be better off starting with an associate degree program. In most states, you’ll need a master’s degree to teach, and in some areas, a bachelor’s is required to be a school nurse, a goal for many pediatric nurses. Credits are typically transferable to RN to BSN programs. It may be the best deal in education today.

Final Thoughts

The more education you have as a nurse, the more opportunity you have for professional growth. But pediatric nurses at all levels are in demand. Where you start climbing the career ladder isn’t as important as taking the first step. Whether you become an RN or an LPN, there will be a worried parent who’s grateful to see you.

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. 

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.*  

*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.

Are Phlebotomists in High Demand?

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Demand for phlebotomists is soaring, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 17-percent increase through 2029. There’s never been a better time to seek training, but there’s more than one pathway to success in this up-and-coming career. Do you want to be a medical assistant that performs phlebotomy or just a phlebotomist? Let’s take a closer look at your options.

What Does a Phlebotomist Do?

Phlebotomists draw blood samples for diagnostic testing. Taken from veins, the low-pressure vessels that return blood to the heart, it’s a low risk but highly technical task requiring people skills and clinical expertise. Phlebotomists manage the sampling process from start to finish, including:

Reviewing Orders

Orders for blood draws come with paperwork specifying which tests the doctor wants. Medical codes justify each request and are used for billing purposes. It’s the phlebotomist’s role to review orders for accuracy and screen patients for compliance with pre-procedure restrictions, fasting, for example, is essential for some tests.

Obtaining Consent

Phlebotomy is a medical procedure requiring patients’ informed consent. Patients have the right to know what the process involves, so education is a key component of preparation.

Choosing Equipment and Supplies

Phlebotomy equipment is designed for a wide range of patients from children to seniors, no two individuals are alike. Sample tubes are color-coded to reflect the additives they contain, some tests require one or more. Phlebotomists use their clinical know-how to evaluate patients and make the most appropriate selections.

Positioning Patients

Positioning for phlebotomy depends on where the patient is and their history of tolerating the process. Most adults sit in a chair with a stable armrest, but patients who are fearful or have a history of fainting should lay down. Children may be best drawn sitting on a parent’s lap. It’s up to the phlebotomist to evaluate the patient and make safe judgments.

Drawing Blood

Phlebotomy is multi-step process standardized for efficiency. The phlebotomist:

  1. Cleanses the skin where blood will be drawn.
  2. Places a tourniquet above the draw site to identify a suitable vein.
  3. Inserts the needle and holds it in position until the collection tube is full.
  4. Withdraws the needle and applies pressure to the site to stop the bleeding.
  5. Applies an adhesive bandage to protect the site and the patient’s clothes.

Blood cells are delicate so using the proper technique is critical. A hemolyzed sample, blood with damaged cells, may be rejected, resulting in a costly and uncomfortable redraw.

Processing Samples

Processing includes labeling tubes with the patient’s name, date of birth and the date and time blood was collected. Some samples must be spun in a centrifuge and the serum extracted. Others must be refrigerated or frozen immediately. Depending on their role, phlebotomists may also prepare samples for shipping to specialty labs.

Aftercare

Occasionally, patients may suffer adverse effects from phlebotomy including dizziness, bruising and tenderness at the draw site. Before they leave, phlebotomists review post-care instructions with patients, so they understand how to treat these symptoms at home and who to call if they don’t resolve.

Phlebotomist vs Medical Assistant

Students can become phlebotomists by taking a 12-16-week training course, it’s a quick way to launch a new career. But by investing just four to five more months in your education, you can learn the same skills and many more in a medical assisting program, graduating with a diploma. It’s a better value with benefits including:

Job Security

The healthcare industry is growing, so both medical assistants and phlebotomists are in top demand. There are, however, more opportunities for medical assistants that get phlebotomy training than phlebotomists alone.

Greater Potential for Advancement

Phlebotomists do important work, but their opportunities for advancement are limited. With experience, the most talented can rise to supervisory positions, but there’s minimal room for professional growth.

A medical assistant has many more skills to offer. Adaptable, they’re more likely to qualify for advanced positions with greater responsibility.

A More Fulfilling Role

Phlebotomy is vital work, but it’s limited in scope and can only provide so much personal satisfaction. Patients come and go, and you’ll rarely make lasting connections or see their progress.

Medical assistants approach phlebotomy in a more holistic way. They care for the same patients continually, building lasting, therapeutic relationships. It’s a more meaningful role with a greater impact on the lives of others.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

Phlebotomy is only one part of a medical assistant’s job. They have a broad range of clinical and administrative responsibilities including:

  • Fielding telephone calls
  • Managing the schedule
  • Rooming patients
  • Updating medical records
  • Processing referrals
  • Completing insurance forms
  • Ordering supplies
  • Coding and billing
  • Taking vital signs
  • Performing diagnostic tests
  • Administering immunizations
  • Assisting with minor surgical procedures
  • Removing sutures
  • Applying dry dressings
  • Sterilizing instruments
  • Maintaining equipment
  • Stocking exam rooms
  • Patient education
  • Miscellaneous clerical tasks
  • Phlebotomy

Where Can Medical Assistants Use Their Phlebotomy Skills?

As demand for phlebotomy increases, so are the settings in which medical assistants can use their phlebotomy skills, including:

Doctor’s Offices

The majority of medical assistants work in private practices. Phlebotomy, once exclusively performed at hospitals, is now a convenience service many offices offer. It’s a source of revenue for practices and a convenience for patients, but it requires qualified staff to perform.

Doctors could hire phlebotomists, but recruiting medical assistants makes more sense because they have other skills private practices need. Under supervision, they can do more than just draw blood, they can educate patients on the physician’s behalf about how testing fits into their care. It’s one of the many reasons medical assistants are more in demand than phlebotomists.

Hospitals

Hospitals hire phlebotomists to work in their laboratories serving both inpatients and outpatients. You’ll be doing the same type of tasks every day, and it’s a fast-paced environment. But if you’re passionate about phlebotomy, you’ll encounter cases you’d never see in a medical office, working with the acutely ill is much more challenging.

Clinics

Clinics are similar to hospitals but because the staff is limited, well-rounded medical assistants are preferred over phlebotomists. In a large medical center, team members have focused roles, but with only a few people working, each person must have flexible skills. Medical assistants can handle almost any responsibility in a clinic from taking vital signs and performing phlebotomy to greeting patients and filling out insurance forms.

Insurance Companies

Some health and life insurance companies require physicals for new patients, but many only require lab work, a set of screening tests to help determine their risks. The most economical way to do this is to send a phlebotomist to people’s homes to collect samples. However, it’s a perfect job for a skilled medical assistant with clerical and clinical skills that exceed what’s taught in basic phlebotomy courses.

Final Thoughts

The job market is changing. Humans are being replaced by technology, and in some cases, entire industries are disappearing. Education is an investment, so if you’re considering a new career, why not choose one that’s in demand like medical assistant? Phlebotomy skills are marketable today and will continue to be relevant long into the future.

Did learning about phlebotomy and medical assisting interest you? Gwinnett Colleges & Institute offers medical assisting courses to gain essential skills and training. The core curriculum focuses on the medical assisting skills and training you will need to seek entry-level employment in physicians’ offices, clinics, hospitals, and other medical settings needing the services of associates trained in both front and back office medical assisting skills. These medical assisting courses will be the first step in starting a rewarding career.

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