International Health Group

HOW TO BECOME A MEDICAL ASSISTANT IN 3 STEPS Step 1: Choose the Right Program for You Many colleges, universities, and technical schools offer medical assistant training programs with various program lengths, degree types, costs, and more. To determine the best fit for you, it’s important to consider the following questions.... Is the program fully accredited? The best medical assisting programs have been accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency listed by the U.S. Department of Education. These accreditations ensure that the program you enroll in meets certain quality requirements. Step 2: Get Certified If you choose an accredited MA program, you will be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam. This exam is typically administered outside the school by an external accrediting organization like the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT). While becoming certified is not a requirement for employment as a medical assistant, it can give you a competitive edge when you start your post-graduation job hunt. Healthcare employers tend to look more favorably at candidates who have been certified and sometimes, offer higher pay to Certified Medical Assistants. Step 3: Start Your Job Hunt Once you’re certified as a medical assistant and have completed your externship, you can begin your job hunt. If your school offers job placement assistance, that can be a super helpful resource if you’re unsure of how to get started. Reputable schools tend to have a great network within the local healthcare community, with former students working at all of the major medical facilities in your area. Some of these former students may even be in a position to hire you. If your school does not offer job placement assistance, remember that as a Certified Medical Assistant, you are qualified to work in a wide variety of healthcare settings. So, if you’re having trouble finding work in a traditional physician’s office, expand your search to include specialist practices like chiropractors, podiatrists, optometrists, and obstetricians. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

SO, YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? BE A MEDICAL ASSISTANT You’ll affect healthcare everywhere. Medical assistants must work with nearly every role in the healthcare cycle. Communicating with doctors and nurses versus patients requires diverse skillsets and methods of working together.... Administrative tasks Hospitals, clinics, and treatment centers are often large institutions. Like any large institution, administration is key to them functioning well, or at all. MAs are the ones who perform many of those key administrative tasks. They code patients’ medical information, fill out insurance forms, answer phones, and call-in prescriptions to pharmacies. Without a medical assistant providing that information in a professional and accurate way, no one would be able to receive or provide healthcare in a timely or effective manner. Clinical tasks Thousands of clinical tasks need to happen every day in a medical center or hospital. There are tests to run, instruments to sterilize, equipment to maintain, blood to draw, hazardous material to handle, and more. None of these tasks are trivial. To ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and the best healthcare possible, medical assistants have to perform all of those tasks with precision. Healthcare can sometimes be a delicate business and every small step is an opportunity for something detrimental to happen. MAs play a very active role in preventing that. Medical assisting is a gateway. Becoming an MA can be a springboard to a variety of other healthcare careers or specialties for medical assistants. MAs do everything from operating heavy medical equipment like dialysis machines to doing the precise work of drawing blood as a phlebotomist. Every single member of a healthcare team has the potential to be the one who gives a patient a moment of hope, care, and light. You don’t have to be an MD to make people feel welcome or hopeful in the midst of a health-related ordeal. To be that ray of hope for patients, you have to be principled, professional, and dedicated. If you internalize those values, you’ll make a difference in the lives of others, even when filling out a schedule or insurance form. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

4 PERSONALITY TRAITS OF AN EFFECTIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANT Positivity MAs are often the face of healthcare. They greet patients, answer telephones, and talk people through what’s happening with a given procedure or test. It’s common for patients to feel anxious or worried during an examination or treatment, so a positive attitude from the healthcare worker changing their dressing or running a test can make all the difference in a patient’s morale.... If an MA feels good about their job and their environment, then the patient will feel better about being a patient. A smile, an understanding answer to a question, or a reassuring explanation of a test are essential to effective healthcare. Empathy Healthcare workers often encounter patients at moments of extraordinary vulnerability. Medical assistants will occasionally find themselves in a position where they are the closest human being to someone in a moment of emotional crisis. When that happens, it’s necessary for an MA (or a nurse, or any other healthcare worker) to maintain their composure and have an appropriate empathic response to the patient. Being a healthcare worker is a technical job, but it’s also a deeply human and caring one. Empathy will be essential for any MA in any patient interaction, be it routine or not. Professionalism Both the clinical and administrative sides of healthcare depend on MAs. Medical assistants take medical histories, authorize prescriptions, and perform tests. Care and precision are important in every situation, and there is often little room for error. Dedication to accuracy and precision will serve an MA well in all avenues of their professional career, and, in turn, their accuracy and precision will better serve others. Integrity Doctors, nurses, hospital administrative staff and (most importantly) patients depend on the work that MAs do. When a medical assistant begins a shift, they are not just clocking in at work. They are devoting themselves to a career of service to others. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

4 REASONS WE LOVE MEDICAL ASSISTANTS 1. You’re cross-trained Doctor’s offices love medical assistants because their education is broad, and they can be trained to fill the specific needs of the office. An MA is trained in both clinical and administrative realms. They might be behind the desk coding insurance requests, answering phones, and faxing prescriptions. Or they might be assigned to the floor, explaining treatment to a patient, drawing blood, and performing lab tests.... Medical assistants have a broad range of skills. They are the help and the extra hand doctors desperately need. 2. You can take administrative roles In addition to office duties, MAs are a favorite liaison between patients and medical staff. They make follow-up phone calls after visits, notify patients of lab results, review medications with patients, and often help with language and cultural brokering. MAs also: Answer telephones Greet and check in patients Update and fill patient medical records Code and fill out insurance forms Schedule appointments Arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services Handle correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping 3. You can assume clinical duties State regulations differ, but in general, an MA’s clinical duties include procedures like urinalysis, strep tests, blood pressure checks, weight checks, electrocardiograms, venipuncture, and injections. MAs may also find themselves: Prepping patients for examination Helping the doctor during exams Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens Performing laboratory tests Administering medications as directed by a physician Drawing blood Removing sutures and changing dressings 4. Medical assistants make great specialists While MAs are cherished for their versatility, they’re also adept at finding a specialty and running with it. With such versatile education and training, many of them find careers as specialists in their own right. We should say it more often: We think you’re wonderful! Never change Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANTS Medical assistant-specific interview questions Describe your experience with patients. If you’re a new CMA, talk about your internship. asiIf you have other hands-on experience, such as caregiving, talk about that as well. Describe the patients’ needs and your duties in a positive and professional way.... What’s your experience with software and insurance billing systems? A major part of your future job will be done on the computer, so be specific about which programs you have used; this includes medical, accounting, word processing, and email software. Don’t be afraid to mention programs that you are familiar with but may not have used extensively. Industry-specific questions Medical assistant interview questions will also likely explore your knowledge of the practice’s specialty, patient population, and scope. For example, when interviewing at a geriatric clinic, be prepared to talk about your knowledge of transfers, experience with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and dispensing medication. Behavioral interviewing Many companies have adopted behavioral interviewing, a technique designed to get the applicant talking about their experiences. The goal is twofold: First, they want to assess your communication skills, since you’ll be doing most of the talking. Second, they want to observe your decision-making process. Describe a stressful situation at work and how you handled it. Behavioral interview questions are open-ended like that! A good response to these types of questions is the SAR approach: situation, action, result. This approach emphasizes the ultimate result of the situation, where you were a smashing success! Personality and cultural fit Where do you see yourself in 5 years? This may seem like a trick question but answer honestly. For some CMAs, working the floor is their passion; for others, it’s part of a longer career trajectory that might include more education and ultimately a different job. In any case, the hiring manager wants a qualified, passionate employee. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

10 Tips for New Nurses Dealing with Difficult Patients 1. Don’t take it personally Remember that the patient is dealing with unfortunate circumstances and likely isn’t in the best mood.... 2. Look for the underlying cause Many patients are dealing with medical conditions, pain or side effects from medications that can alter their mood and make them more irritable. Sometimes you can alleviate a patient’s bad mood by determining the underlying cause of the problem. 3. Learn to prioritize Never neglect a patient in need because you feel pressured into helping a difficult patient who doesn’t require immediate care. 4. Show that you care Set aside your frustration with the patient and do what you can to meet their needs, as long as it doesn’t take away from other patients’ level of care. 5. Know your strengths & weaknesses Angelis says simply being aware of your strengths and weaknesses in tough situations can help you prepare for difficult patient interactions. 6. Pay attention Learn to recognize pathological processes that may soon cause a patient pain or distress and be on the lookout for escalating social situations. 7. Stay calm Try taking some deep breaths and pausing outside a patient’s room to collect your emotions and calm down. 8. Connect with the patient No one wants to be just another patient. Taking the time to get to know and connect with a difficult patient is a great way to show you care about them as a person and not just another item your to-do list. 9. Don’t accept abuse It’s never in a nurse’s job description to be the victim of any type of abuse from an agitated patient. No matter what the circumstances, never hesitate to call hospital security if you feel a patient is placing you in physical danger. 10. Focus on patient care Make it your main focus to deliver excellent, positive care to all of your patients. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

Happy Halloween Everyone Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location.... . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers See more

Nursing Student Resources: You Don't Have to Do it Alone 1. Seek out a student mentor Reach out to a student that is further along in the program. Students who are a bit further along have the unique perspective of knowing the challenges you will face firsthand. ... Developing a relationship with someone like that will give you valuable insight and camaraderie. Buy them a coffee and ask some questions about the program. If their answers are helpful, you will be a few steps ahead of the other newbies. 2. Follow nursing blogs There’s a reason blogs are all the rage these days. It gives anybody an opportunity to learn from seasoned experts and industry thought leaders with just a few clicks of the mouse including nursing students! 3. Get social You’re already spending too much time on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest why not use them to your advantage? These social networks are great resources to network with other nursing students, sharing ideas, struggles and commiseration. If you’ve ever seen a hilarious meme about the exact struggle you dealt with one day, you know the value of hearing what other people in your shoes have to say. 4. Load up on some nursing apps Yes, there really is an app for everything! That includes a whole slew dedicated to making your life as a nursing student a tad easier. Need help with terminology memorization? Anatomy charts? Nursing task checklists? What about an organizational app tailored for a nursing schedule? 5. Download a time management app While you are in the app store, you might as well check out some organizational apps for mastering time management. One of the chief difficulties in any program is balancing the new workload with your job, children, or other commitments. Time management tools can be a great asset for nursing students. Popular apps like IStudiez Pro, Evernote or RescueTime could help save you a lot of time and stress. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

5 Lies You Learned from Movie Nurses Myth #1: Nurses are assistants to physicians The stereotypical scalpel, please might come to mind when you think of doctors interacting with nurses. But in reality, nurses are on the floor to do important jobs that have nothing to do with waiting around for a doctor to assist. The work of a nurse has its own duties and responsibilities, entirely separate to that of a physician.... Myth #2: Nurses all do the same basic thing Your average TV show or movie doesn’t provide much detail about the types of nurses in the scene. Even when nurses play primary roles, their work is usually vaguely depicted. In reality, there are countless kinds of nurses in the world of healthcare. It’s annoying when shows skip over important work that nurses do and just show an actor pushing buttons in the background. Myth #3: Nurses are flirty women This is one of the most cliché myths out there; you’d think script writers would give it a wide berth. But there’s something Hollywood can’t resist about an attractive female nurse to amp up the romantic drama in any screenplay. In general nurses are portrayed as a sexy or ‘bimbo’ kind of character. That depiction perpetuates the misconception that all nurses are female. Seeing a made-up actress in pumps also undermines the serious hard work and intelligence it takes to be a nurse. Myth #4: Nurses are professionally unreliable Even when a [TV show] stars nurses, the characters are often written as drug addicted, depressed individuals with messy personal lives. While this makes for good ratings, it’s a pretty far cry from reality. Nurses are always rated at the top of the most trusted professionals list. They are a caring bunch of professionals whose main focus is advocating for our patients and their families. Myth #5: Nurses work in pristine conditions Picture a hospital scene in the movie where a patient suddenly flat line. Nurses and physicians come running to the bedside, reach for the defibrillator and it’s dead. Ok this typically doesn’t happen in the movies, because things always seem to run smoothly. Perfectly organized hospitals where every bit of equipment stands ready is a movie fiction. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

9 Reasons Everyone Should Marry a Nurse 1. They understand the importance of check-ups Many people loathe going to the doctor. Francis Howland says his wife always reminds him to stay up to date on his check-ups, keeping his blood pressure in check and even finding melanoma that he had removed.... 2. They’re good listeners Patients tend to ramble, and nurses become good at making them feel heard and picking out what’s important. My wife not only listens but shows that she cares, says John Poole. 3. They can create order out of chaos One of the duties of a nurse is to triage issues and create organization. This comes in very handy when it comes to running a household. 4. They’re the best caretakers A nurse’s on-the-job experience gives him or her the knowledge to handle healthcare in their personal life. Ashley Sumrall says her husband’s experience as a pediatric nurse equipped him to stay at home and care for their disabled daughter. 5. They’re not afraid to get their hands dirty After 40 hours of dealing with various bodily fluids and excrement, digging out the hair from a drain or scrubbing a toilet bowl seems like a piece of cake. 6. They’re great teammates Nurses are used to sharing tasks and rewards in a team setting. They will be a true partner to you as a spouse as well. 7. They can talk you through scary situations It can be hard to see friends go through tough times. Howland says his wife often helps calm his nerves when loved ones undergo medical procedures by explaining the details and reassuring him of the recovery processes. 8. They have a can-do attitude You might hear nurses’ joke that if you give them coffee, a marker and tape they will figure out a way to do their job. William Summer says it’s that resourceful attitude that drove his wife to build her own living room furniture and clean out a drawer of mice without flinching. 9. They could actually save your life When you are out hiking, mountain climbing or even just riding your bike, you never know when it might come in handy to have someone who is trained in first aid along. Being married to a nurse is like having a built-in safety net to say the least. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

Baby Boomer Retirement: Why New Nurses Should Be Excited The nursing shortage is partially caused due to retiring RNs, but it’s exacerbated by the surge of those same baby boomers’ increased need for healthcareand that need is only predicted to rise as they grow older. This so-called Silver Tsunami of aging baby boomers could create a burden on the healthcare system if the nursing shortage continues. There are more than 50 million seniors aged 65 and older for the first ti...me in U.S. history, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Thanks to advances in health technology and longer lifespans, these baby boomers are predicted to push the 65+ population demographic to about 72 million in the next 25 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These baby boomers might be in relatively good health now, but three in four Americans aged 65 or older suffer from multiple chronic conditions. With such a large generation of Americans increasing in age and declining in health, experienced CNAs are essential to maintaining a safe care environment for these patients. Why baby boomer retirement can be good news for new nurses You can see why the healthcare industry is desperate to bring new, qualified nurses into the fold. Providers are facing a numbers crunch, and when the status quo is untenable, change is bound to happenand many of those changes can be positive for new nurses. The nursing shortage is a public health issue that has Nursing schools, state governments and healthcare employers offering incentives to entice students to consider pursuing CNA careers. State initiatives include fellowships and loan forgiveness, and some hospitals are offering bonuses and loan repayment options for nurses who contract to work with them for a certain amount of time. Are you ready to help fill the nursing shortage? The baby boomer retirement and resulting nursing shortage have created a perfect storm of opportunity for up-and-coming nurses. You could be one of many new CNAs to launch your career while helping the healthcare system provide quality care for our nation’s aging population. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

3 strategies for self-care as a student 1: Incorporate Activity into Your Day Sure, nursing students who are involved in clinical placements may find themselves on their feet a lot. However, this type of activity is very different than getting an actual exercise routine in.... And we hear you hitting the gym just may not fit into your already packed schedule! So why not work out while you study? Say what!? One idea that you may want to try is investing in a standing desk. Don’t want to put out the money or space for something this big? Then make your own! A few binders, textbooks, or milk crates will do so that you are not sitting on your rump all day. 2: Invite Your Classmates to Join In Group projects can be tricky. Sometimes one person wants to get all of the work done. How does each student contribute? No matter how you feel about group work we all know that it will be assigned to us as students! So, how can the group engage in self-care together? This next suggestion is going to get at your emotional and mental well-being. Research has been done and does show that gratitude is good for us. It not only helps the other person when we say thank you or show appreciation. We get a boost of feel good juices too! Start a group meeting with a gratitude exercise. Go around the group and say one good thing that has happened to you in the past week. Or have each person state what they are thankful for. 3: Remember Your Passions and Unique Assets Nursing school can strip us of our identity. We are around groups of students, wanting to fit in, and trying to do our best to stand out from the crowd. Sometimes we are put into classes that we don’t enjoy or have to complete clinical rotations that may not be our favorites. While these are necessary parts of our student journey- we need to realize that there is more to school than what we are assigned. One of the very best ways to stay happy, healthy, and whole is by staying true to that unique individual within. Sure, you can receive guidance from advisors or suggestions from mentors- but when all is said and done you need to decide what is best for you. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

3 tips to living a more student/work balanced life 1) Say No More Often Yup, I started out with the most difficult one first.... As nurses, we have a hard time saying no. There are so many reasons why this is, but I think that one of the biggest ones is our desire to help out. Nurses are caring, giving people. If someone comes up to us and says, Hey, can you most often our quick response (sometimes, without even thinking) is Sure! We need to think before we speak! Saying yes to everyone else is saying no to us. It’s true. Think about it. When we are busy helping everybody else around us, we are often hurting ourselves. We wind up taking on too much and then working ourselves into the ground. 2) Use a Bucketed Calendar System Sometimes, it helps to be visual. Think about your life in terms of buckets. You will have different ones than I do, but here are a few to get you started. I have my work bucket, business bucket, family bucket, me-time/hobbies bucket, exercise bucket, and friend bucket. Then I have my calendar. Each week, before the rat race begins, I sit down and bucket my time out- ensuring that each area of my life receives at least some attention. Now, if I have a big project that is due at work during a particular week, then that bucket may receive more time and attention. On the calendar, I may have a lot of items that pertain to that work project. 3) Enlist Help! Yes, that is right. Ask for help. Another topic that does not always come easy for us nurses. People come to us. We put on the brave face, never show weakness. Heck, I even got an email from a nurse just last week telling me how guilty he felt for having to leave work with a stomach virus. Guess what we are NOT superheroes! We are human beings. And human beings need help from time-to-time. It is perfectly normal, even necessary, to ask for support. And there are several ways to get help. You can pay for it- hiring people to do things around the house that you may not have time or desire for. You can delegate it- there you go, use those nursing skills. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

6 TIPS TO SUCCEED AT YOUR FIRST NURSING JOB You’ve graduated from nursing school and are about to start your first shift as a CNA. At this point you should be feeling equal parts excitement and nervousness. A great way to combat your anxiety is to prepare for success. Here are 6 tips to help you succeed at your first nursing job. 1. Be teachable. If you’ve graduated from nursing school, one would assume you’re quite teachable at this point. Never let this habit fade. You’ll b...e surrounded by seasoned nurses who have a wealth of knowledge. Absorb the lessons they’re willing to share and apply them immediately. 2. Look and listen. Situational awareness will go a long way in your nursing career. Make sure you take plenty of time to observe the unit. Listen to how the team communicates. Watch how the team works together. Adjust how you work and communicate accordingly. Remember, it’s your job to adjust to your surroundings not the other way around. 3. Show you’re reliable. A great way to prove you can be trusted is to show up on time. Better yet, show up at least 20 minutes early! Review patient charts ahead of your shift and ask for feedback from your preceptor. Taking the initiative will go a long way towards demonstrating you the right person for the job. 4. Humor yourself. In the right context, humor can be an excellent way to ease your patient’s (and your) nerves. Find humor wherever you can. 5. Be a team player. This one is needs little explanation. Offer to help before being asked. Lend yourself to your fellow nurses. You’ll quickly gain the trust and respect of your coworkers. 6. Give it time. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed as a new nurse. Nursing school can only prepare you for so much. Take the lumps in stride, adapt, be fluid, and grow. This is the first step in what should be a long and meaningful career, so give yourself time to get acclimated. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

5 SIGNS YOU’RE ALREADY BECOMING A NURSE 1. It takes a lot to shock you. Blood? That’s natural. Bodily fluids? You see them all the time.... One of the first signs you’re thinking like a nurse is how you respond to wounds, messes, and gore. Needles don’t make nurses faint; neither does the sight of blood. If either did, nurses wouldn’t be able to do their jobs. Sometimes, nursing students begin school with experience in trauma care, or they’re naturally hard to faze. 2. 12-hour shifts seem less daunting. Few nurses would say they love working 12-hour shifts, but even fewer are afraid of them. At some point, usually after your first or second clinical rotation, you meet enough working nurses and gain first-hand experience to realize you can work 12-hour shifts too. 3. You’re very, very, very clean. Practically from the first day, you’re told over and over again to wash your hands, and pretty quickly, it sticks. Good hygiene is essential to being a good nurse, and instinctively heading to the faucet to lather upeven when you haven’t just used the restroomsignals a change in your thinking. 4. You’re suddenly good at multitasking. The busyness and high demands of nursing school aren’t just to fit all the information you need into two years (though they’re also that). Your nursing student schedule is another means of preparing you to be a nurse, when you have to juggle multiple clients every shift, memorizing new information every time, while performing set tasks for each one, on a specific schedule. 5. You talk about diseasesa lot. Many nursing students enter school because they’re passionate about medicine and healthcare. That passion remains, but a part of it also tends to morph into fascination with illnesses of all kinds. Whether it’s a case study you read about for class or a patient you encountered or an anecdote you heard from a mentor, at some point, nursing students begin talking a lot about diseases to anyone who will listen. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

What Will Your Success Story Post Be About? Join Areta and the thousands of other medical professionals who have trusted IHG Career College since 2006 with their future success. Why Choose Us?... IHG is the leading provider of San Diego Medical Assistant Programs, including CNA and HHA Training throughout San Diego County since 2006. IHG students have a proven high record of a 90%-100% state exam passing rate. IHG is the first nursing school in San Diego to offer the fast track 22 Day CNA Certification Program. IHG offers a state-approved testing facility. IHG has the most spacious and equipped lab facility in San Diego. IHG has the largest network in San Diego County of different employers and student resources for those interested in working in the medical field. IHG supports students with career prep courses that go over resume and interview skills needed to obtain a career in nursing. Our preparatory courses are conducted by Licensed Vocational Nurses who will guide you to get jobs in hospitals or nursing homes in San Diego. Reserve Your Seat Now. Our Admissions Counselor Is Ready to Answer Your Questions, Call Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at IHG have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

Looking to Become an Experienced Trained Medical Assistant? Medical Assistant Accelerated 10 Weeks Program, Only $2,500! Now Enrolling for COVID19 Class Online/Live Class.... Be well-prepared for your new career as a medical assistant with International Health Group. Our short-accelerated MA course will provide you with the proper training to start your career as a Medical Assistant. As a Medical Assistant you are the liaison between medical professionals, doctors, pharmacists, insurance companies and patients. This comprehensive 140-hour program prepares students to perform clinical tasks and functions to keep healthcare facilities running smoothly. Through classroom lectures and hands-on labs, this program prepares students to assist physicians with administrative and clinical responsibilities in a medical office. Administrative duties may include answering telephones, greeting patients, calling in prescriptions to a pharmacy, and scheduling appointments. Clinical duties may include taking medical histories, recording vital signs, preparing patients, assisting the physician during examinations, collecting, and preparing laboratory specimens, performing basic laboratory tests, and sterilizing medical instruments. Our Current Medical Assistant Courses Include: Functions of Medical Assistant in Healthcare Principles of Patient Care Medical Records Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Use of EHR and documentation Introduction to Pharmacology Telephone Techniques Taking Patient Vitals Scheduling Performing Venipuncture Introduction to Billing and Coding Performing 12-lead EKG Introduction to Medical Terminology Infection Control and Sterile Technique Medical Law and Ethics Diagnostic Testing and Specimen Collection Effective Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Performing injections (immunization) Pediatric Routine Visits Drug Calculation Assisting in Minor Surgeries Bandaging, Crutch Gaits, Wheelchair Medication Administration Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

HOW TO COLLABORATE WITH THE PHYSICIAN 1. Remember the physician is a person, just like you. Working with a physician for the first time can be intimidating to some new medical assistants. Physicians’ authority and experience can make them seem like the end-all point of knowledge in the workplace, but it’s important to remember that the physician you work with is a person with thoughts and feelings, just like you.... 2. Practice active listening. To be an active listener, check in with yourself when gathering information from doctors and patients to make sure you’re not distracted by thoughts about your next meal, your personal life, that parking ticket on your desk at home, or any other scenario unrelated to the present moment. One way to become an extra-skilled active listener is to repeat back what you hear to the person speaking. 3. Set the physician up for success at every visit. When you fill the physician in on the symptoms the patient is experiencing, try to imagine what you would want to know from their perspective. Put an effort toward giving the physician just the right amount of detail not too much and not too little. And of course it goes without saying that taking accurate measurements and recording them properly is central to your success as a medical assistant. 4. Speak up confidently when you see an error. Wherever you choose to work as a medical assistant, minding the details is one way in which you can make a real impact. Just because the physician you’ll be working with has tons of professional experience doesn’t mean that they will have 100 percent accuracy as far as prescriptions, charting, and other documentation goes. Don’t be afraid to mention something if you see it being overlooked. 5. Be a keeper of morale. Hands down, medical assistants are busy people. So are physicians. Fast-paced schedules and patients in pain can lead to stressed-out medical assistants. But you can make a wonderful difference by fostering a positive atmosphere with the physician you work with. Communication flows better when both parties can focus on the sunnier side of the situation while staying down to earth about what’s needed in each moment. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers

How to Write a Medical Assistant Resume Summary Statement Medical assistants have experience at the very moment that they complete their required internships. Use this experience to create a distinct summary statement. Think about your skills and past experiences. If you’ve had 10 years of experience working with a general practitioner, that extensive time period should be conveyed in the summary statement. Consider this statement example when you write a rough summary:... Ten-year medical assisting veteran with patient-care skills and multitasking abilities benefiting everyone each day. Summary statements must be concise, but they can expound on your skills. In fact, statements can be longer than one sentence. Read over your summary statement, and verify if it defines you as a medical professional. Medical assistants perform dozens of different tasks each workday so every professional has their strengths and weaknesses. Describe your earned skills and talents while alluding to future goals within the summary statement. Write several summary statements that target specific employers. A summary statement sent to a huge hospital facility will be entirely different than a statement meant for a small pediatric office. Consider your audience each time you write the summary statement and read over the resume too. The statement must logically flow from the resume’s top section to the final reference area. Targeting your resume toward each employer tells hiring personnel that you’re serious about a position and its medical assisting tasks. Writing a resume objective or summary statement could be a challenge for some job seekers. Go online and look for clever resources that offer you fresh ideas. Format your resume with a concise and dazzling summary statement that encourages employers to read further. Your phone might be ringing soon with a scheduled interview in the near future. Reserve Your Seat Now! Online reservations for seats in the upcoming MA program at International Health Group have started. Website link is in our bio or go to www.ihgcareercollege.com you can also call us at 858-278-9800 San Diego Location & 760-566-7887 San Marcos Location. . . . . . . . @internationalhealthgroup #Internationalhealthgroupcareercollege #medicalassistant #medicalassistantlife #medicalstudent #medicalschool #medicalstudents #medicalprofessionals #medicallife #medicalcollege #maprogram #sandiego #sanmarcos #sandiegoschools #sandiegomedicalschool #sandiegomedicalassistantschool #sandiegomedicalassistants #bestmedicalassistantstudents #bestmedicalassistantjobs #medicalassistantprogram #medicalassistantprograms #success #careerchange #lifechangingcareers #bestcareers