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In the last decade, dozens of trendy career opportunities have been replaced by technology.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.

How to Become a Medical Billing Specialist

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The overwhelming majority of medical services in the United States are covered by insurers, so managing the claims process is a must for hospitals, clinics and private practices to maintain a positive cash flow. As the healthcare industry expands, medical billing specialists are growing in demand. Here’s how to be a part of this exciting, up-and-coming field.

How Do You Become a Medical Billing Specialist?

Medical billing can be too complex for on-the-job training, there’s so much to learn. But the good news is you don’t need an expensive college degree to become a medical billing specialist. A vocation school diploma program prepares you for an entry-level position in months, not years. You’ll be out of the classroom and earning a paycheck in no time.

What Do You Learn in a Medical Billing Specialist Program?

Vocational school medical billing programs are designed for beginners. You don’t need a background in healthcare. Seasoned instructors will show you the ropes, covering topics including:

Medical Terminology

As a medical billing specialist, you’ll review medical records, including diagnostic and operative reports, for important details about patients’ conditions and treatments, a basic understanding of healthcare jargon is vital. A medical terminology course teaches you to break down complicated words into their primary parts, so you can decipher what they mean without memorizing volumes of definitions. You’ll learn about prefixes, suffixes, root words and how they’re combined to form meaningful medical terms.

Health Information Technology

Most of today’s medical records are stored and accessed electronically. Vocational medical billing programs cover the basics of health information technology from hardware to software.

You’ll learn how data is digitized, shared and used for billing purposes, including audits and fraud detection. Recordkeeping systems and insurer interfaces are covered as well as practice management programs.

Billing Procedures

Healthcare reimbursement models are different from any other business, for most students, it’s a whole new world. Billing procedures encompass a wide range of financial activities in a medical office, from revenue cycle management to how healthcare services are valued. Students in a medical billing program get a big picture view of healthcare finance, so they understand where they fit in, and why what they do matters.

Revenue cycle management is how healthcare facilities track insurance claims, reimbursements and collections. It tracks every patient encounter from the time services are rendered until the final account balance is paid. Programs cover the medical billing specialist’s role in managing the revenue cycle, from how insurance claims are submitted to how cash payments are posted.

Students also learn about the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS), how insurers determine how much they’ll pay for services versus actual market rates. Courses cover the different types of private, commercial and state-sponsored insurance policies plus programs that protect the poor and injured workers. You’ll also learn more about the legal and ethical considerations of billing, from patient privacy rights to collection rules.

Medical Coding Systems

Medical codes are a type of shorthand describing symptoms, conditions, procedures, and medical equipment. They condense the volume of information required for billing, reducing what was once multi-page submissions into much shorter forms. There are three major coding systems, including:

ICD-10 – the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, assigns alphanumeric codes to every known symptom, disorder or cause of death. Codes are used for billing and by public health officials to track community health data. Codes are regularly updated.

CPT– Common Procedural Codes, are five-digit numbers given to medical, surgical and diagnostic procedures. Developed by the American Medical Association, they’re used for billing purposes and by healthcare watchdog organizations to gather treatment outcome data.

HCPCS – Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System, is a two-part system including CPT codes and Level II codes for ancillary medical services and products such as ambulance services and novel drugs. Developed for the federal government, it’s updated every six months.

Each coding system has a distinct purpose and is used in different settings. Students in a medical billing specialist program learn how to use them for inpatient, outpatient and clinical coding.

What Are the Benefits of Attending a Vocational School?

Vocational schools offer timely, affordable training in relevant fields. Benefits include:

Focused Training Programs

Colleges offer degrees in medical billing and coding, but you’ll have to spend two to four years in school and spend money on elective courses that add to your educational experience but not your qualifications. If you can’t afford to be out of the job market for long and need a good job fast, vocational school training is the quickest way to get it. Why put your educational aspirations on the back burner?

Small Class Sizes

At a big university, you’re just a number. Cavernous lecture halls offer little chance for meaningful interaction with teachers and fellow students. Most students find the small classes at vocational schools more relaxing and personal. Instructors can individualize their teaching plans to make the most of students’ strengths, no one feels lost or gets left behind.

Hands-on Learning

Everyone has a unique learning style. Some students absorb information better by reading it, others need a more hands-on approach. Vocational school medical billing programs emphasize practical skills, so you’ll have the chance to complete projects using the same medical records software and industry forms you’ll use on the job.

Industry-Experienced Instructors

Learning from instructors experienced in the healthcare field is an advantage. They not only teach the required material, but also how to apply it in the most practical sense. Having been there, they know the nuances of the field and can offer tips and tricks to help you get ahead. Impress them, and you might even get a job reference.

You’ll Learn More Than Medical Billing

Education is more than book learning; it’s about developing interpersonal skills that boost your expertise. As a vocational school student, you’ll not only learn the practical skills needed for success in the workplace, but you’ll also discover how to be a better team player through interactions with instructors, peers and future colleagues. You’ll feel more confident about your abilities and how to fit in with coworkers on your first job.

Diplomas Demonstrate Commitment

Medical billing positions attract applicants from new graduates to veteran specialists. You’ll compete with far more experienced candidates for the same positions, so it’s critical to have something to offer. A diploma shows you take training seriously and want to grow in the profession. It demonstrates commitment, something every employer values.

You’ll Be Prepared to Grow Professionally

Graduating from a diploma program is the first step in a career with significant advancement potential. Graduates are prepared for industry certification from accredited organizations based on their career goals, such as the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and the American Health Management Association (AHIMA). Certification isn’t required to work as a medical billing and coding specialist, but it makes job applicants more attractive to prospective employers.

Final Thoughts

Medical billers are the foundation of the healthcare industry. Their work supports reimbursement, improves public health surveillance and enhances the data gathering that improves the quality of patient care. Their role is non-clinical, but they save lives. With demand rising for qualified medical billing and coding specialists, there’s no better time to consider a career in this secure and rewarding field.

Want to Learn More?

Now that you know how to become a medical billing specialist, interested in learning 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.

 

How Do You Prepare for the NCLEX-PN exam?

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Nursing is one of the few careers where the most important exam you take comes after graduation. For Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), passing the NCLEX-PN is the key to licensure. Let’s take a closer at the test and how to prepare for it.

What Is the NCLEX-PN?

NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination, it’s a test given to graduate nurses to evaluate their knowledge. The letter “PN”denotes it’s for practical nurses. The NCLEX-RN is a similar exam for registered nurses.

Tests are produced by the non-profit National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). They’re updated annually with the input of nurses in the field to ensure questions are fair and reflect current nursing standards.

Who Can Take the NCLEX-PN?

Eligibility for the NCLEX-PN exam is determined in part by each state’s board of nursing, but most have similar criteria. Applicants must:

  • Be 18 or older
  • Pass a criminal background check
  • Be a graduate of an accredited nursing program

What’s on the Test?

The NCLEX-PN is a computerized exam that evaluates your knowledge in four primary categories and eight subcategories. The purpose is to test your ability to make sound judgments in average nursing situations. Everything nurses need to know is covered in their vocational school training program.

Most questions are multiple-choice, but some have more than one correct answer. Others want the candidate to choose the best of several right answers. Demonstrations of practical skills are not part of the exam. The four primary categories are:

Category #1: Safe and Effective Care Environment

Questions in this category make up roughly 25 percent of the test. Divided into two groups, they assess a nurse’s ability to provide safe, meaningful care. Topics include:

  • Advanced directives
  • Patient advocacy
  • Confidentiality
  • Patient rights
  • Resource management
  • Continuity of care
  • Principles of supervision
  • Task prioritization
  • Legal and ethical responsibility
  • Informed consent
  • Quality assurance
  • Referrals
  • Error prevention
  • Emergency response plans
  • Equipment safety
  • Medical asepsis
  • Infection control
  • Safety devices

Category #2: Health Promotion and Maintenance

Questions in this category account for up to 12 percent of the test and evaluate the candidate’s understanding of:

  • Data Collection
  • Aging
  • Human development
  • Lifestyle choices
  • Disease prevention
  • Immunizations
  • Self-care
  • High-risk behaviors
  • Health promotion strategies

Category #3: Psychosocial Integrity

Questions about psychosocial integrity make up 9-15 percent of questions and test candidate’s knowledge of:

  • Mental health disorders
  • Spiritual needs
  • Stress management
  • Family support systems
  • Therapeutic communication
  • Substance dependency
  • Grief and loss
  • Coping
  • Crisis intervention
  • End of life care

Category #4: Physiological Integrity

Questions related to body integrity are divided into four groups covering up to 50-percent of the exam. Concepts include:

Basic Care and Comfort

  • Comfort interventions
  • Mobility
  • Assistive devices
  • Nutrition
  • Hydration
  • Hygiene
  • Elimination
  • Sleep

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapy

  • Medication Administration
  • Therapeutic effects
  • Adverse Effects
  • Pharmacological Pain Management

Risk Reduction Potential

  • Diagnostic testing
  • Laboratory values
  • Vital signs
  • Medical treatments
  • Therapeutic procedures

Physiological Adaptation

  • Psychopathology
  • Body system disorders
  • Fluid and electrolyte imbalances
  • Medical emergencies

Is the NCLEX-PN Exam Challenging?

The NCLEX-PN is a unique exam. It utilizes Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) test. Unlike other testing methods, CAT works by assigning questions a progressive difficulty level. It begins with questions graduates should have a 50-50 chance of answering correctly. If you’re right, the next question is harder. If you’re wrong, it’s easier. The process continues until the computer comes to a pass/fail decision.

Answering difficult questions correctly means the test is shorter, you may get as few as 85. Candidates close to the passing standard are asked more questions until the algorithm is satisfied the nurse is qualified. If the test isn’t completed in the allotted five hours, the computer estimates competency based on the last sixty questions, candidates fail if any are answered incorrectly.

Preparing For the NCLEX-PN

The best way to pass the NCLEX-PN exam on your first try is to be well-prepared. Nursing programs “teach to the test,”but there are other things you can do to improve your odds.

Work

The good news for graduate nurses is that most states allow them to work under supervision for a certain period of time while waiting to take the exam. It’s not a replacement for studying, but the weeks between graduation and test day are an opportune time to get valuable experience. Most nurses gain more practical knowledge in two weeks on the floor than in two months in school. If you don’t have a job yet, volunteer.

It’s also a good time to talk to recent NCLEX-PN takers about their experience with the test. Getting a few hints and tips from those who’ve been there and survived gives you an edge by reducing stress.

Study

Instructors suggest devoting as many post-graduation hours as possible to studying. With classes complete, you can focus with fewer interruptions.

Every applicant has strengths and weaknesses, so it makes sense to spend more time reviewing shaky areas. Remember that the NCLEX-PN evaluates a nurse’s judgment ability, so don’t just memorize facts. Get together with a peer group and consider a range of care scenarios, asking yourself how you might approach each differently.

For example, high blood pressure impacts people in different ways, so nursing interventions vary significantly for labor and delivery patients versus older adults. The NCLEX-PN covers all age groups, so consider your course material in context of each.

NCLEX-PN Test Taking Tips

The NCLEX-PN is stressful. Your career depends on passing it, so give yourself every advantage with these tips.

Think About Nursing Priorities

Difficult questions on a topic you’re not familiar with can cause tunnel vision. NCELX-PN creators know that as nurses, you’ll encounter many situations you never covered in school, and they want to evaluate how you would perform. Can you make safe judgments based on the available facts?

A nurse’s most important responsibility on the job is to identify and prioritize needs. That means that if a patient is choking on food in a flame-filled room, the priority is to get them away from the fire, so they’ll live long enough for you to administer the Heimlich maneuver.

Considering priorities is the most effective way to handle multiple choice questions with what appear to be several right answers. In the above example, clearing the throat obstruction and removing the patient from a dangerous situation are both right answers, but one is more of a priority than the other.

A second trick is to remember your ABCs, airway, breathing, circulation. Approaching needs in that order virtually guarantees a correct answer.

Watch the Time

You have five hours to complete the NCLEX-PN. That gives you less than two minutes per question if you have to answer the maximum. Most candidates don’t, so you shouldn’t rush, there’s no bonus for finishing early. Read questions carefully for red herrings but monitor your pace so you don’t run out of time. You’ll get two breaks during the test at 2 and 3.5 hours.

Eliminate Wrong Answers

Think of responses to ‘select all that apply”questions as true or false. It’s unlikely that they will all be true, so evaluate each potential answer independently. If it’s clearly false, cross it off the list. Eliminating false answers is the quickest way to narrow down the right choices.

 Rest

The brain works in mysterious ways. If you’ve ever woken up in the morning with a solution to a problem you “slept on”overnight, then you understand how your mind needs time to process information.

Stop studying by noon the day before the exam. Give yourself some time off to decompress and treat yourself to some much-deserved time off. Skip the caffeine before bedtime and try to relax. You’ll sleep better and be more refreshed in the morning.

Prepare Logistically

Test day isn’t the time to lose your car keys. Avoid logistical emergencies by preparing for test day the afternoon before. Know where the test center is and plan to leave 30 minutes early in case of traffic delays. You’ll be turned away if you arrive more than 30 minutes late, and test fees are non-refundable.

Have all required documentation ready, including a photo ID. Don’t bother with supplies. Outside materials aren’t allowed in the test center. Candidates are given writing materials and can access the computer’s calculator.

Think Positively

The importance of passing the NCLEX-PN is tough to understate, but once you’ve prepared, there’s nothing left to do. Take a deep breath, worrying only creates stress. Once you’re prepared, trust yourself, if you graduated from nursing school, you have what it takes to pass. Walk into the test center with confidence. You’ve got this.

After the NCLEX-PN

When the algorithm is satisfied you’ve answered enough questions for a fair evaluation, the screen turns off, you won’t know if you passed or failed. The first-time pass rate averages 85-percent. Preliminary results are usually posted within 48 hours, but these are unofficial. Candidates are officially notified by their state board of nursing within six weeks.

If you fail the test, you’ll be disappointed. But more than one amazing nurse didn’t pass the first time. Depending on your state, the NCLEX-PN can be retaken every 45 – 90 days with no limit on the number of attempts. Applicants who fail get a summary of their performance to help them study. Consider it a learning experience that will better prepare you for the next opportunity.

Final Thoughts

From your first day in nursing school to your last, everything you do is in preparation for the NCLEX-PN exam. Graduating is the first step to a rewarding new career, passing the NCLEX-PN exam is the icing on the cake.

Do you still need to complete your practical nursing diploma before taking the NCLEX-PN exam? The Practical Nursing program at Gwinnett Institute provides training to prepare college graduates to enter the nursing profession as an LPN.  Classroom theory, challenging assignments, skill labs, simulations, and clinical experiences help to prepare college graduates for an entry-level nursing position. 

After graduating from the Nursing diploma program and successfully passing the NCLEX-PN licensure exam, nursing students will further their career to become a licensed practical nurse. There is an overall need for LPNs in response to the aging baby boomer population.

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

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

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Atlanta

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The need for medical assistants is growing nationwide, but demand is rising exponentially in southern states where seniors are flocking to warmer weather. If you live in Atlanta and are considering a job in the healthcare field, it’s a rare opportunity. Let’s take a closer look at how to become a medical assistant, and why it’s such a popular career.

Why Do People Become Medical Assistants?

The healthcare field offers dozens of exciting opportunities. With so many to choose from, why do people become medical assistants?

It’s Fulfilling

Jobs pay the bills, but careers make you feel good inside. Whether it’s guiding the community through a pandemic or helping vulnerable people in need, medical assistants make a difference by helping patients navigate complex health issues.

If you like to work with people, a career in healthcare is an obvious choice. As the liaison for the healthcare team, medical assistants get to know each client personally, forming close therapeutic relationships as they serve them through the years.

As patient educators, medical assistants work one-on-one with patients, helping them cope with new diagnoses and promoting preventive care. It’s rewarding in ways only a people-centered career can be.

There’s Never a Dull Moment

Careers in healthcare are fast paced. Experts in both clinical and clerical procedures, medical assistants have such a broad range of responsibilities that the work never gets old. One day, you might work in the front office triaging phone calls. The next, you’ll be in the lab drawing blood. Some shifts, you’ll be a jack-of-all-trades, doing everything from assisting with minor surgery to giving immunizations.

Medicine continually evolves, and there’s always something new to learn. You’ll be among the first to learn about the latest medical advancements, spreading the word about new treatments and services.

If you like to stay busy and intellectually engaged, being a part of a cutting-edge field may be just what the doctor ordered. Workdays are structured and predictable enough to plan around, yet they’re rarely the same twice.

Medicine Is a Team Sport

Workers in some industries feel like small fish in big ponds. But medical assistants are essential members of the healthcare team. As the first point of contact for patients, they’re empowered to use their skills, supervised but never second-guessed.

They have plenty of support from both peers and professionals, and their opinions and contributions are valued. Few careers that require so little time in school are this impactful.

It’s a Flexible Job in More Ways Than One

Careers in all industries have benefits, but flexibility isn’t always one of them. Family-friendly schedules, for example, are tough to find. Most medical assistants work Monday through Friday with evenings and weekends off. It’s the work-life balance parents crave, and it makes any job more manageable when you have other responsibilities. Medical assistants report high levels of job satisfaction.

Medical assisting also offers a flexible choice of work settings. There are dozens to choose from. Most medical assistants work in doctor’s offices, but roles are expanding in hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies.

Clinically focused medical assistants with a passion for a specialty aren’t limited to working for one type of practice. Physicians from pediatricians and geriatricians to cardiologists and women’s health specialists all hire medical assistants. You can work where it matters most to you, knowing you have the option to try something different if you need a challenge.

It’s a Respected Career

Medical assisting isn’t a new profession. Recognized since 1955, it’s supported by an independent professional organization. The American Association of Medical Assistants has worked hard to earn credibility for medical assistants creating education standards and backing efforts to boost wages. Both patients and clinicians appreciate what medical assistants do and with that comes respect.

How To Become a Medical Assistant in Atlanta

Few adults can afford to spend two-, four- or even six years in college to train for a new career. Whether you’re fresh out of high school or looking for a change, a vocational school medical assisting program can be completed in months, attending full-time. Students graduate work-ready, it’s a short pathway to a brighter future and a steady paycheck.

Atlanta has a large community of healthcare providers, from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Northside Hospital, Soliant Health, and Select Specialty Hospitals to name a few. From physician’s offices to specialist, hospitals, clinics, long-term care and assisted living, medical assistants are in demand in Atlanta and the healthcare community is always looking for newly trained medical assistants to join their teams.

What Are the Benefits of Attending a Medical Assisting Program?

While a license isn’t required to be a medical assistant in Georgia, if you live in Atlanta, a diploma offers many benefits worth exploring.

Benefit #1: It’s Comprehensive Education

A medical assistant with a vocational school diploma qualifies for the same jobs as an applicant with an associate’s degree. But how can vocational schools turn out quality candidates in half the time?

Vocational schools in the Atlanta area teach students the same skills as colleges but in less time using a focused curriculum. Training is a combination of classroom and hands-on instruction. Students learn the practical skills they need from seasoned instructors without spending time or money on elective courses that don’t contribute to their job qualifications. It’s a comprehensive, high-quality education.

Benefit #2: It Makes You a More Competitive Job Applicant

Employers are responsible for the actions of their staff, so they want highly trained applicants they can depend on to practice safely and give their patients the quality care they deserve. Practically speaking, higher education is expected.

Optional certification requires a diploma, and only certified medical assistants can do certain tasks, such as entering doctor’s orders into patient’s records. Vocational schools prepare graduates for certification, so employers have everything to gain and nothing to lose by hiring only the best-trained personnel.

Candidates with diplomas need less on-the-job training, costing practices less, and in some cases, it can also lower their insurance costs. As the price of doing business goes up, employers are incentivized to save money where they can, beginning with staff.

Benefit #3: You’ll Enjoy Faster Professional Growth

No one wants to feel like they’re spinning their wheels, a job with no possibility of promotion is frustrating. In some industries, experience matters more than a diploma, but in healthcare, you’ll need both to advance.

Medical assistants with diplomas have a wide range of skills they can build on, growing into specialized or supervisory positions. Staff with less education tend to linger on the lower rungs of the career ladder.

A diploma can also be a stepping-stone to even higher education. After a few years on the job, some medical assistants develop an aptitude for certain types of tasks. Someone with talent in the lab or billing may opt to build on their education to become nurses, laboratory technicians or office managers.

Benefit #4: It Comes with Lifetime Career Services

Vocational colleges in Atlanta partner with local healthcare offices to understand their needs, tailoring their curriculum to teach the most sought-after skills. Hospitals and private practices, in turn, call vocational schools when they need qualified job applicants, knowing they’re well-trained and ready to hit the ground running. It’s a win-win for both employers who need skilled staff and graduates who want to find their dream jobs.

Successfully placing graduates in rewarding roles is a vocational school’s mission. Career counselors evaluate students’ strengths and weaknesses and help them find jobs that are a perfect fit. Finding your first position in a new field is challenging as a new graduate, but vocational colleges are on your side, in many cases, offering lifetime placement assistance.

Are Medical Assistants in Demand?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for medical assistants is skyrocketing. Growth is expected grow by 19 percent in the coming decade. Why? Millions of baby boomers are nearing retirement, and as they do, they will need many more preventive health services. Also, technology is enabling seniors to live longer, healthier lives through early intervention.

The need for more qualified healthcare workers is industry wide. Doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals are in demand, but schools are struggling to keep pace. Medical assistants help ease the burden of too few providers by supporting clinical staff.

This level of job security is one of the many reasons people choose to become a medical assistant. As more jobs become obsolete, replaced by technology, few industries can promise that type of growth.

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking about a new career in the healthcare field, you have choices to make. Atlanta is a great place to learn and work as a medical assistant. There’s no reason to put your education aspirations on the back burner, vocational schools offer high-quality education at an affordable price with flexible scheduling options to fit any lifestyle.

Did learning about how to become a medical assistant interest 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.

 

The Importance of Communication in Medical Assisting

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Complex therapeutic relationships thrive on a delicate balance of listening, understanding, and educating. Patients are individuals with different needs and learning styles, making good communication is a medical assistant’s most important skill.

What Is Good Communication?

Communication is how we exchange ideas, but what makes it effective is difficult to define. The general rules are simple, yet there is no universal approach, especially in medicine. As a medical assistant, you’ll work with physically and emotionally vulnerable people from diverse backgrounds, each with a unique perspective.

Communication comes in two forms, verbal and non-verbal. Verbal communication is the use of language to express ideas. Non-verbal communication, or body language, consists of the signals we send through our posture, facial expressions, and gestures. We say more with our bodies than our mouths. The exchange of ideas is a two-way street, so whether a medical assistant is speaking or listening, both matter.

Let’s take a closer look at how medical assistants can communicate best with patients by examining the techniques taught in a vocational school program, beginning with active listening.

The Role of Active Listening

Listening is arguably the hardest part of communicating. We process less than half of what we hear, recalling even less. So, when a patient approaches a medical assistant with a laundry list of symptoms, it’s essential to prioritize them.

A barrage of complaints reflects patients’ limited understanding of health issues and a desire to communicate as many details as possible about what they’re experiencing, but it makes getting to the bottom of their concerns a challenge. The first step is always to listen.

Active listening is a therapeutic technique that approaches communication holistically, examining what patients say in the context of non-verbal cues by:

Connecting

The most important part of therapeutic communication is a personal connection. If patients believe you’re not interested, they’ll tune out.

Begin with a friendly introduction, making eye contact to let them know they’re the focus of your attention. It inspires their confidence, encouraging them to speak freely. No one wants to share intimate details about their lives with someone they don’t believe is listening.

Concentrating

Healthcare is fast paced, it’s easy for a medical assistant to prioritize tasks over people, reasoning that they, too, benefit the patient. But it’s critical to limit distractions, so you can listen thoughtfully to what patients are saying, evaluating their body language as they speak while minding your own non-verbal cues, patients are keenly aware of distracted staff. The most important message to convey with both words and behavior is, I care.

Confirming

When patients speak, they expect you to confirm or question what they said by offering feedback. Paraphrasing points periodically by saying, for example, “What I think you’re saying is…” or “I think you mean…”allows patients to clarify their message and moves the conversation forward.

Asking open-ended questions that invite patients to expand on their thoughts instead of giving yes or no answers is a helpful technique. The point is to gather as much information as possible for the physician.

Understanding Body Language

From posture to paralinguistics, people unconsciously evaluate each other at first sight. Medical assistants must mind their body language while discerning what patients are saying through theirs, considering:

Facial Expressions

Seen before words are spoken, facial expressions are a significant aspect of non-verbal communication. They can support or contradict our words, and the disparity is often where the truth lies. A patient who states they’re relaxed while they’re scowling, for example, is probably anxious. A medical assistant who recognizes that can step in, changing their approach or the environment to help the patient be more relaxed.

Proximity

Personal space is someone’s bubble, encroaching on it can provoke intense emotional responses from uneasiness to panic. Medically vulnerable people, poked and prodded daily for treatment, can be particularly sensitive about their personal space. Some struggle to keep others at arm’s length while others prefer a sense of intimacy. Older patients or those who’ve been physically abused may need more distance. Children as well as people from other countries, such as South America, may prefer closer personal contact. Working with patients who have different expectations makes it especially important for medical assistants to read non-verbal cues.

Paralinguistics

Paralinguistics refers to the non-language component of verbal communication, such as volume, tone, rate, and pitch. The old saying, “It’s not what you say but how you say it,”is true. Words convey a message, while paralinguistics gives them impact.

Eye Contact

Making eye contact has unique personal, cultural, and generational implications. Older patients expect it while younger patients may be intimidated by it. Seen as a sign of respect to some and superiority by others, it pays to know the age, habits, practices, and cultural background of your patients. Approach each situation individually.

Posture

Posture communicates what words sometimes can’t. Among animals, for example, an arched backed is a defensive move designed to scare predators. Humans, too, use posture to make a point, it’s subtle but noticeable. A patient with crossed arms, for example, may be expecting a confrontation. Slouching can indicate disinterest or resignation. Non-verbal cues should be interpreted as part of the big picture.

Appearance

Appearance is a controversial topic. In the service industry, how patients perceive you matters. Doctor’s offices, for example, have dress codes for team members in keeping with patients’ expectations. Medical assistants are asked to maintain a professional appearance to avoid distractions.

Overcoming Communication Barriers

Medical assistants can be better communicators by recognizing these barriers, common in healthcare settings:

Sensory

It’s common for patients to have hearing or visual impairments. Some are upfront about it while others hide that they can’t see or hear instructions. Medical assistants should assess for sensory barriers early in their communications with patients, so they can adapt communication methods accordingly.

Language

Today’s medical assistants will increasingly encounter patients who don’t speak their language. Most healthcare facilities are required by law to offer translation services. Recognizing that patients who don’t speak the same language as their caregivers have a voice only through an interpreter, every effort should be made to facilitate translation while compensating with positive body language.

Literacy

A million-plus people in the US can’t read. Some are functionally literate, meaning they have basic reading skills but won’t understand complex written material. Assessing a patient’s literacy is a critical component of education.

Generational

The term “generation gap”describes the difference in how people of different ages communicate with each other. If you go outside the norms, communication can hit a roadblock. A senior, for example, expects to be addressed by title and surname until they give you permission to use their first name. Young adults are more comfortable on a first-name basis.

Avoiding Communication Traps

These communication traps can ruin a therapeutic relationship and should be avoided.

Stereotypes

Stereotypes are assumptions about people based on group characteristics, their age, race, religion, gender, and nationality. It’s a dangerous communication trap that can lead to poor medical decisions.

Negative Body Language

Medical assistants know when a patient is fearful, but patients can also tell when a team member is preoccupied or disinterested. It’s not always easy to appear attentive, but negative body language is unprofessional.

Needing to Be Right

Conversations with patients can unwittingly turn into debates. But therapeutic communications require strict professional boundaries, so even if a medical assistant disagrees with a patient’s choice, they need to respect the patient’s autonomy. In healthcare, patients are always in the driver’s seat.

Not Establishing Rapport

Patients pay for medical advice, so breaking the ice may seem like an unnecessary step in communication. But people are often hesitant to discuss physical and emotional symptoms with complete strangers and need to feel at ease with staff before they’re comfortable divulging details.

The good news for medical assistants is that although deeper therapeutic relationships take time to establish, basic rapport can be achieved quickly with a smile and attentiveness.

Monopolizing Discussions

Some patients have difficulty communicating. The burden is on trained medical professionals to use their skills to draw patients into a conversation. Avoid the need to fill in uncomfortable silences with chit-chat. Ask the right questions, and let the patient take it from there.

Asking the Wrong Questions

Asking the right questions invites patients to speak. Asking “Does your leg hurt?”for example, requires only a yes or no answer and effectively shuts down dialogue.

A medical assistant learns more by asking open-ended questions that prompt meaningful responses. Asking “Does your leg keep you from doing things around the house?”encourages patients to discuss not only their pain but also how it impacts their daily lives, giving medical professionals greater insight into the services a patient may need.

Bad Timing

There’s a time and place for every discussion, so while patients can wait weeks for an appointment with their doctor, some topics aren’t appropriate at all visits. Asking a patient if they want a flu shot after they’ve been told they have cancer, for example, may seem crass. A medical assistant needs to read situations with empathy, putting themselves in the patient’s shoes.

Negativity

“A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down”is more than an adage, it’s good advice. It doesn’t mean sugar-coating reality or lying to patients about a prognosis. It simply means acknowledging small victories, crediting patients for their efforts where it’s due.

Final Thoughts

Among the many skills a medical assistant needs, good communication is the most vital, it’s the foundation of therapeutic and workplace relationships. But good communicators are born; they’re made with the right blend of training and experience. A vocational school medical assisting program will help you prepare, but only practice makes perfect.

Did learning about the importance of communication in 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.

How Do You Get into Medical Billing?

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Searching for the right career can be challenging. Are you considering joining the workforce right away or getting a diploma from a vocational school? Or maybe you are considering a career re-set after years in the work force? Consider becoming a medical billing specialist.

The medical profession offers many options that bring interesting and rewarding work. Extending beyond the hands-on professionals such as doctors, nurses, certified nurse assistants, and physical therapists, the allied healthcare field features jobs that work closely with the doctors and nurses but are often done in a separate, more private area of the doctors’ office, skilled nursing facility, or hospital.

If you want to be part of a healthcare team but prefer to help patients from a far, then medical billing may be the right career for you. Do you have an investigative mind that enjoys solving puzzles? Like working with numbers and helping doctors get optimal reimbursement for their efforts? This is some of what a medical biller does at a doctor’s office or other medical facility.  So, what exactly does a medical biller do?

What Does a Medical Biller Do?

A medical biller is an invaluable link in the process of a doctor’s office or medical facility. They take medical information generated by a doctor, describing specific information about a patient, and translating it into a series of numeric and alphanumeric symbols that provide complete, detailed, and accurate information about a medical diagnosis, procedure, or product. When the correct code is entered into a computer, it has a universal meaning that can be translated into any language and viewed anywhere in the world. Carefully creating and recording the accurate ICD-10, HCPCS, and CPT code can have multiple positive results. A medical biller also:

  • Enter demographic and insurance data into a claims database
  • Transcribe medical information into billing codes
  • Obtain insurance preapproval for medical services
  • Research, correct, and resubmit rejected claims
  • Prepare claims appeals
  • Bill patients for insurance copayments or non-covered services
  • Answer client questions about insurance, billing and payments
  • Help uninsured patients to apply for financial assistance or to set up a payment plan
  • Assist with collections as needed
  • Help manage waiting rooms for sanitation and cleanliness
  • Support staff with appointment scheduling and increased call volume

Reduction in Errors for Better Patient Outcomes

In order to appreciate the discipline of medical billing, it helps to understand the process involved. When a doctor or other health care provider sees a patient, they generate a detailed healthcare report outlining patient demographics, medical history, diagnoses, and treatment.

Through careful analysis of the medical record, each element of the information is transformed into an exact medical code that outlines various aspects of a diagnosis, treatment, or medical event like an accident, that helps medical professionals get a comprehensive picture of a patient’s medical history or condition.

A medical biller completes the analysis of the patient’s data, organizes the data onto a super bill, and generates an insurance claim. The claim is then sent to the insurance company. Medical billers maintain communication between the involved parties, including the patient, the doctor or other healthcare provider, and the payer.

Once the claim goes to the insurance company, a long process may begin. Questions may arise that need explanation and clarification. The medical biller steps in to answer the questions and advocate for the patient and medical provider, so that the patient and physician can concentrate on working together for the best treatment and medical result for the patient.

In the absence of distractions that would be involved in trying to negotiate the processing and payment of medical bills, the healthcare providers can devote their full time and attention to patient care. The patient can concentrate on following medical advice and maintaining or achieving optimal health.

Ensuring Steady Cash Flow to Medical Facilities

In these trying times, a medical facilities cash flow may be limited. The overall function of a medical facility, whether it be a doctor’s office, skilled nursing facility, or hospital, relies on the smooth processing and payment of claims.

In order to accurately and quickly process claims and create a steady cash flow to a medical facility, a medical billing specialist must stay on top of insurance claims and claim rejections. A knowledgeable and well-trained in-house medical biller can provide ready communication between healthcare providers and payers. This medical biller is uniquely trained to stay current on the constant changes in billing procedures on a local and national level. As part of their on-going continuing education with CEUs and seminars, medical billers keep abreast of changes and make sure the medical office possesses accurate, current knowledge of all updates. Thus, ensuring that the medical facility has a steady cash flow to pay employees, buy suppliers and other pay monthly expenses.

Other Benefits of Medical Coding

Electronic medical records add to the proficiency of medical facilities by capturing information in brief and easily recorded tidbits. One accurate medical code provides a wide diversity of information that is universally understood and quickly compiled for statistical purposes.

An example of this process is the role of the CDC and WHO in tracking pandemics like the current COVID-19 phenomenon. Because of medical coding, daily and even hourly updates are available to track the number of cases, recoveries, and deaths caused by the virus. The process of vaccination for prevention of the virus is also easily tracked by the code entered into the electronic record when an individual receives a vaccine.

You might be wondering where all these codes come from. That is a legitimate question and one that has an easy answer. Coding books list countless codes that are organized under three unique categories:

ICD-10 – the International Classification of Diseases contains standardized codes for injuries and illnesses

CPT – the Current Procedural Terminology book lists codes for surgical and diagnostic procedures

HCPCS – The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System provides codes for health-related products and services like Emergency Room Services and products used during in-patient care as well as durable medical equipment

How Do I Get into Medical Billing and Coding?

One attractive feature of getting into medical billing is the available choices of programs available at vocational schools.  You will be required to have your high school diploma or GED to enter any level of educational study for medical billing. When you are ready to begin course work for a medial billing career, spend some time researching vocational schools that offer the necessary educational courses. What should you look for in a vocational school?

Degree or Diploma Program

A medical billing degree or diploma program can prepare you for a job in a medical clinic, hospital, ambulatory surgery facility, or an insurance company. A diploma program may be completed in less than a year for those that attend full-time. Whereas the degree program will take two years to complete.

All academic work offered in the degree and diploma programs will be basic, vital topics that will be necessary to know in order to prepare for your first day as a medical biller.  Some courses that will be required in a diploma and degree programs include:

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Disease Processes
  • Diagnostic and Treatment Modalities
  • Medical Terminology
  • ICD-10, HCPCS, & CPT Basic Coding Skills
  • Light Bookkeeping
  • Healthcare Law and Ethics
  • Office Administration Procedures
  • Health Information Management

Final Thoughts

Medical billing is an ever-expanding opportunity for entering the medical profession in a highly competitive position. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that medical billing and coding positions will grow 8 percent in the coming decade. The rise in patients from baby boomers to generation Z, all need healthcare services, and this is where medical billing specialist can support practitioners. Those practitioners are also retiring in great numbers, further spurring the need for additional medical billing specialists in the coming decade. Further, technological advancement has led healthcare to progressively turn to electronic medical records. Once you graduate from a medical billing program, you are prepared for a career that has upward mobility and is in demand.

Want to Learn More?

Now that you know how to get into medical billing, 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.