A Day in the Life of a Medical Assistant

by

Have you Ever Wondered What a Medical Assistant Does on a Daily Basis?

  As our readers know, the life of a Medical Assistant (MA) is full of many different tasks which vary depending on the type of medical practice. Let’s take a look at how a Medical Assistant may spend his or her day! An MA typically begins their exciting day by logging into the Electronic Medical Record System (EMR) to review the patients for the day. This gives them a head start on preparing for what the doctor may need for the day. Excitement mounts as the patients arrive and the MA rooms the patients, takes vital signs, and begins taking the ‘history’ of why the patient has made the appointment. What happens next? This is where the fantastic mystery of medicine begins! Does the patient need blood drawn? An electrocardiogram? Suture removal? The important history the MA took will allow the doctor and team to review and determine the next step in patient care. As the busy day comes to end, the MA ensures the rooms are cleaned and returns any phones messages from patients. The MA is crucial to a successful medical office! If YOU are ready for an exciting career as a Medical Assistant the Allen School of Health Sciences is the place for you. Our Medical Assistants complete an extensive internship in addition to their class work and earn real world experience to help them on their way. If you are ready to start an exciting new career as a Medical Assistant please visit our website at www.allenschool.edu or give us a call at 877-591-8753.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

by

Institution For HOPE: Breast Cancer Awareness

The month of October has become very pink over the past several years as more and more people, businesses and institutions begin to support a very important cause: Breast Cancer Awareness. This devastating disease affects millions of women and men every year and it takes everyone’s support to raise funds for research and education to help not only treat this devastating illness but also work towards preventing it for future generations. City of Hope; an organization founded in 1913 and dedicated to the treatment of cancer, diabetes and other diseases, compiled a list of 31 breast cancer facts for this month, one for every day of October.  You can read the entire list here, but some of the top facts and figures are:
  • A woman born today has about a one in eight chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, according to theNational Cancer Institute.
  • The leading risk factor for breast cancer is simply being a woman. Thoughbreast cancer does occur in men, the disease is 100 times more common in women than in men.
  • The American Cancer Society estimates about 2.8 million women with a history of breast cancer live in the U.S.
  • According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer accounts for 29 percent of newly diagnosed cancers.
  • Quit smoking to control risk of many diseases, including breast cancer. Younger women who smoke have a higher risk of breast cancer than their nonsmoking peers.
The Allen School of Health Sciences is proud to support many great causes throughout the year. Raising funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness in October is one of the most important initiatives we have. Our students dedicate their time and resources throughout the month to educating themselves and others on risk factors, preventions, and treatments of this disease. Additionally they raise funds through bake sales, pot lucks, and donations to give towards research and education. Both of our New York campuses are proud participants in the Making Strides Walk in Brooklyn and Queens every year. At the Allen School we pride ourselves on taking our education beyond the classroom and into the community. We feel our students learn best by doing and we can think of no better way to foster a sense of learning and compassion in their chosen fields than by supporting great causes like Breast Cancer awareness. If you are ready to be part of an institution like ours please visit our website at www.allenschool.edu or give us a call at 877-591-8753 to learn more today.

Seasons Change, But Your Health Needs Stay the Same

by

Tips for Staying Healthy as the Seasons Change

Fall is officially here and for many that means colder weather and less time outdoors and being active. It is often easier to watch television or surf the internet than it is to hit the gym or take a walk in the park, but it’s important to stay healthy and active throughout the year. The weather may be dreary but it’s still important to get your exercise. Look for opportunities at work and school to get moving. You can take the stairs instead of the elevator. You can also dedicate a few minutes from your break time to walk around the building a few times instead of just sitting. This is also an excellent time of year to start a work out challenge with your fellow students or co-workers. That way you keep yourself healthy and help motivate others. And if you’re really brave you can check out these great “Deskercises” from the Washington Post Drink your water. It can be tempting to switch to hot beverages like coffee as the weather gets cooler, but it’s still just as important as during the summer months to stay hydrated. There are plenty of alternatives out there to keep you toasty while still keeping you healthy. Check out these tasty but healthy recipes from Real Simple Magazine to keep you toasty warm this winter. Warm up your kitchen with home cooking instead of take out. It can be tempting to hit a drive through and rush inside to spend the evening under a blanket in front of the television, but taking the time to prepare a home cooked meal will not only be healthier, but will also help keep you moving and active. If you don’t have a lot of time in the evening, consider cooking for the week on the weekend and just having food available to heat up when you get home. A crock pot is also a great way that you can prepare a meal without a whole lot of time spent in the kitchen. Keep your brain in shape! Cooler weather is the perfect time to take up a new hobby or even something more involved like a new education. Many local craft and hobby stores offer beginning courses in lots of different things like baking and knitting and even RC Car racing and drone flying. Community centers often offer exercise classes and even self-defense classes at little or no cost. And of course no matter what the season it’s always a great time to start working on your education.  If you start classes this fall you can be done before everyone who waits and makes education their New Year Resolution. Staying healthy as the weather gets cold can be a challenge for sure but with some small tweaks to your lifestyle and a bit of dedication, you can stay in shape mentally and physically all year. And if you absolutely must “have an app for that” we have you covered. You can also check out this great list of games to train your brain from CNN Health. The Allen School of Health Sciences is an institution dedicated to healthcare and we firmly believe that prevention is the best medicine you can have. We hoped you enjoyed our tips to keep yourself healthy and active as the seasons change. If YOU are ready to make the change you deserve and start on the path to a new career in Healthcare please visit our website at www.allenschool.edu or give us a call at 877-591-8753.

Internship is YOUR Time to Stand Out From the Crowd!

by

Making the Most of Internship

When it comes to Medical and Nursing Assistant training, the classroom work is only part of the equation to being successful. After several weeks of working hard in the classroom the real proof comes as you head out into the field and begin your Internship. This is your chance to put all your new skills to use and begin the first steps to a rewarding career. Treat Every Day Like An Interview: Treat your internship time just as you would a paid position. Be on time, be clean and neat, and most of all be ready to impress. Many internship sites will be evaluating you to become part of their team and stay on after your term as an intern.  Even if they are not able to offer you a position, they will be your number one source for input with other employers as you start to interview. Many interns have started on a site day one that had no open positions only to have a place secured by the end of their internship because of their hard-work and dedication during their time as an intern Always say “Yes!”: Remember that you are on your internship site to not only add to your skillset, but also to help out the team with whom you are interning. Sometimes you may be asked to do simple tasks like help with filing or even empty out a trash can. On the other hand you may be asked to participate in something new and exciting you’ve never even seen before. Treat every opportunity with a positive attitude and you will be proving to the clinic that you are there to be part of the team and you want to help out in every way possible. You never know what great opportunities this may lead to. Make Time: Your internship is your chance to put all of your hard won new skills into practice. In some ways this time can be even more important than all those hours you spent in the classroom, but you need to make the time for it. Ideally you should never miss an hour of your internship, but if you absolutely must miss time, be sure to call in to both your internship site and to the school. When you miss time at internship, not only do you let the site down, you also cheat yourself out of time that could be bringing you closer to your career goals. Do Your Research: Everyone has a dream of what type of setting they want to work in, and that’s wonderful. However it is important to do your research first before insisting on a certain type of internship site. It is important to understand what types of sites have overnight hours if you can only work nights for example. If you want to specialize in a certain type of medicine look at how many opportunities for that type of healthcare exist in your area. If want to avoid a certain type of setting because you’re not comfortable with a certain skills like phlebotomy, remember that internship is a learning opportunity and there is no better time to step up to the plate and get the hands-on experience that will make you competent in those skills before you head out into the real world. Internship is an important time to put yourself and your skills to the test. It is important to take advantage of this time to make yourself even more skilled and more marketable. Up until now you and your classmates have been learning the same skills and gaining the same knowledge.  Your internship is the thing that can really set you apart from the pack, but only if you dedicate 110% of your effort to gaining everything you can from it. The Allen School has made hundreds of connections in the medical field and we have a dedicated team of Career Services advisors ready to help you take your place in the field of healthcare. Visit our website www.allenschool.edu for more information or give us a call at 877-591-8753 to learn how you can start your dream of becoming a healthcare professional today.

Getting The Right Start To Your Education

by

Tips to Starting Your Education on the Right Foot

  Wonderful job! You’ve decided it’s finally time to get your education and start on the path to a great new career. You’ve completed the enrollment process and school starts in just a few weeks. Now you need to plan so you can be a successful student once your courses actually start.   Set-Up Your Study Space: Decide in advance where you are going to study or attend class if you are an online student. Make sure it’s a quiet place where you won’t be distracted. If you are an online student make sure the space is comfortable so you can concentrate on class and be comfortable during the time you will be online. Take time before classes start to get your family accustomed to respecting your study space and help them understand if you are in that space, you are in class and cannot be disturbed.   Set Your Schedule: Get into a routine before classes start so you are accustomed to your new schedule. You may have to set your alarm earlier than normal or you may need to stay up later than usual to accommodate your new hours. Don’t make plans with family or friends during the hours you will be in class. Help them get accustomed to the fact that you will be unavailable for them sometimes as you work on bettering yourself for a bright new career.   Arrange Help if Needed: Establish things like day care for children before class begins. If possible, start your new routine prior to the first day of class. This way your children are settled into their new routine and you can start school without the stress of the first day away from your children to add to your own stress. If you need to rearrange your work schedule to accommodate classes, try to do so in advance as well so both you and your employer are used to the new routine. Also look at any upcoming appointments and make sure they will not keep you from school and reschedule them if at all possible.   Do Some Research: Read through your school’s website and check out their social media profiles.  Research the resources available to you while you are in class like Student Services, Career Services, or Technical Support. Use sites like Facebook and Twitter to ask questions of current students and see what classes are really like. Remember you are not alone. Every one of your classmates is has the same questions that you do and every student already in school has had to face many of the same challenges. Use their experience to get off to a great start.   Signing up for classes is just the beginning. Your success in school will depend on your commitment to learning as well as planning ahead. Your time in school will be over before you know it and you’ll be on the right path to starting an exciting new career. Remember the Allen School of Health Sciences has decades of experience helping students just like you start on the path to a great new career in healthcare. We have many resources in place to help you succeed both in your training program and beyond! So what are you waiting for? Give us a call today to get started: 877-591-8753 or visit our website at www.allenschool.edu.

Are YOU Ready to Start School?

by

Top 5 Reasons to Start School NOW!

    # 5 – Timing is Everything Earn your certificate now and graduate prior to many other students so you can beat the competition to potential job openings. Many schools don’t have an accelerated programs and they take 1-2 years to complete, this will delay your ability to gain the necessary skills to become employable as soon as possible. # 4 – Healthcare is STRONGER than EVER! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the Medical Billing and Coding Field is expected to grow 15% from 2014 to 2024. If you start your training now and complete your certificate you will gain both the skills and experience necessary to be a valuable asset to many types of employers. Medical Assistant is expected to grow by 23% from 2014 to 2024. # 3 –End this year DOING something you can be proud of! New Year-New Career! Starting your program means your expected graduation date could be September 2017. Don’t push off your new career any longer and be ready for job interviews sooner than someone completing a traditional degree program. # 2 – If not NOW,  then WHEN? If we wait for the ‘perfect’ time, a better time, later, we will be waiting forever. The truth is; if you keep waiting you are going to run out of time. Take a close look at what it is you are waiting for and find a way around it. Act now, or risk missing your chance. You need to ask yourself the real reason you keep putting off change! #  1 There is NO change without ACTION Sure, thinking about a new job or making better income can make you feel good at the time, but without action the knowledge itself is useless and it will never lead you to a better way of life. You can “think about it” and “talk it over with everyone you know”, but without actually helping yourself you are always going to be in the same place. It may take some tough decisions, but your situation will continue to be the exact same unless you act to change it. Let’s start that change today!   Ready to get started? Give us a call today to learn more. 877-591-8753 or visit our website at www.allenschool.edu

Not All Schools Are Equal

by
Top 5 Questions to Ask as You Look For Schools
  1. Are the instructors qualified?
  2. Is the institution accredited?
  3. What kind of Support Services will I receive while I’m in school?
  4. What types of Career Services are offered?
  5. Do you offer any opportunities to build my resume outside of course work?
  Are the Instructors Qualified? The instructors should be experts in the field of healthcare and should specialize in the field they are teaching. Ask about their credentials and certifications during your interview and school tour. The Allen School is proud to display our instructor’s credentials and accomplishments in each of our campuses. We have doctors, nurses, medical assistants, certified billers and coders and more as part of our teaching staff. Is the Institution Accredited? The accreditation of the institution is very important as this determines not only the quality of the education you will receive, but also what benefits, such as Financial Aid that may be available to you as a student. The Allen School is proud to be licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private and postsecondary Education, the New York State Department of Education and nationally accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. What Kind Of Support Services Will I Receive While I’m In School? Classwork is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to starting your new career, but what else does the institution offer? While you are in school be sure to ask about things like tutoring and extra practice sessions. Student Services, Financial Aid, and Technical Support if you are attending online classes should also be available to you. The Allen School is proud to offer all these services and more to help make you successful as you complete your education. What Type of Career Services are offered?  Let’s face it; you are going to school to start a new career. The school you choose should offer you all the support they can to help you get started. The Allen School offers a fullservice Career Services department that will help you construct your resume, practice interviewing, help you learn job search skills, and more. We also offer our campus based students the opportunity to complete an internship in their chosen field working at a wide variety of hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, and more. Do you offer any opportunities to build my resume outside of course work? For many this is their first time working in the field of healthcare and it’s important to build relevant experience on your resume prior to completing school. This can be challenging, but the Allen School offers students a unique opportunity to build their resumes while doing good for others in the community. The Institution For HOPE program allows students to support various causes while adding to their knowledge and building their resume through volunteer work and community giving. We are proud to support a wide variety of causes throughout the year that covers a wide spectrum of healthcare challenges. We firmly believe that this initiative plays a vital role in setting our students apart from many other institutions.   Finding the right school to fit your needs and life style can be a daunting task, but with a little research you will find the perfect match for your needs. We sincerely hope that you find your place in the Allen School family. If you’re ready to take the next step and tour our campus and learn more about our programs please give us a call at 877-591-8753 or visit www.allenschool.edu.

Institution For HOPE

by

Sickle Cell Awareness

Every month the Allen School of Health Sciences is proud to support an important cause through education, awareness, and of course giving through fundraising and donations as part of our Institution For HOPE Initiative. This is a great opportunity for our students to not only become educated on challenges their patients may face as they head into their new careers, but also a chance to give and make a direct impact on lives of others. Every September we dedicate our time and efforts towards Sickle Cell Anemia. Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited disease that causes chronic anemia (low red blood cell counts) as well as periodic episodes of pain. The red blood cells in people with Sickle Cell Anemia are faulty and tend to cluster together and lose their normal round shape. Instead they become elongated and take on a shape similar to a crescent moon or sickle. When this occurs they aren’t able to pass through the tiny blood vessels located throughout the body and they become trapped, which causes both the anemia and pain that are the trademarks of this disease. These blood cells also have a much shorter life cycle than a normal red blood cell and tend to die in 10 to 20 days instead of the normal 120 days a healthy red blood cell lives. So, what are some ways you can help raise awareness for Sickle Cell Anemia and make a difference in people’s lives?
  • Donate Blood – blood transfusions are a vital part of current treatment of Sickle Cell Anemia. The Phoenix Campus will be hosting a Blood Drive on Tuesday October 4th.
  • Learn More – there are great resources on the web to help you get educated and learn how this disease affects those who have it as well as those around them.
  • Volunteer – There are many camps, support groups, youth clubs, and other opportunities for you to get involved.
  • Attend Events – Sickle Cell Anemia organizations across the country host walks, fundraisers, and other benefits that allow you to have a great time and make a difference in fighting this disease
  • Donate – Every penny brings researchers one step closer to fighting this disease. Many states have their own local organizations that you can donate to, or you can visit the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America or the American Sickle Cell Anemia Association for more information.
The Allen School prides itself on going beyond the classroom and bringing education to life for all of our students and staff. We are proud of the culture of giving and support we have developed in our 55 years as an institution. If you are ready to be part of something more call us today and ask about our healthcare training programs. Call 877-591-8753 or visit our website at www.allenschool.edu.  

So Many Reasons To Become a Medical Assistant!

by

Top 10 Reasons to Become A Medical Assistant

  1. The Satisfaction of Helping others in their time of need
  2. Healthcare Careers often offer long-term Career Advancement Opportunities
  3. Medical Assistants work in a fast-paced exciting environment
  4. Above Average Career Growth is happening now
  5. Increased Career Security & Stability
  6. Interaction with Patients and provide clinical support
  7. Variety of Work Settings & Facilities
  8. In Demand Skills Sets that Healthcare Facilities are looking for from graduates
  9. Increased Financial Stability
  10. Earn Respect and Pride as a Healthcare Professional
A typical Medical Assistant enjoys a great deal of Job Flexibility. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl there are often shifts available to you as a Medical Assistant that will fit your lifestyle. Urgent Care settings often have overnight shifts and weekends available,   whereas clinics and doctors’ offices let you enjoy a more traditional work schedule and often allow you to have nights, weekends, and holidays off. Medical Assistants have Career Stability with New York being among the top states in the US with the highest employment levels for Medical Assistants. There’s Above Average Job Growth in the medical field and for Medical Assistants in particular. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics annual job openings for Medical Assistant are expected to grow by up to 23% nationwide from 2014 to 2024. It’s more important than ever to act while the timing is right and there is growth happening in this exciting field. Being a Medical Assistant is a very Fulfilling Career. Medical Assistants are at the front line of patient care and get to take an active role in helping patients improve their health and wellbeing. It’s a career you can be proud of while earing respect from your family and friends. As the population in the US ages there will be an Increase in Patients needing medical care. This means there will be further need for Medical Assistants. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states: The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As their practices expand, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients. Medical Assistants enjoy a Variety of Work Settings. Medical assistants can be found in a variety of healthcare services are provided such as doctors’ offices to specialty clinics there’s a work setting that’s a perfect match for you. Pediatrics, Oncology, Cardiology, and everything in between need qualified Medical Assistants to help provide quality patient care. Medical Assisting can be a Gateway to Other Careers. For some Medical Assisting is a lifelong career, for others it’s simply the beginning. Medical Assisting students at the Allen School have gone on to become Office Managers, Nurses, Clinic Leads, and beyond. Medical Assistants can get in the field faster and enjoy a Shorter Training Time than many other careers in the medical field. Students at the Allen School may be in the field and working in as few as 9 months. This allows you to start building your professional reputation as a quality healthcare provider faster than many other degree and advanced programs are able to. Medical Assistants have the Satisfaction of Helping Others every day in their careers. There’s simply nothing more rewarding than being part of a team that helped a patient feel better and get healthier. Every day you will have the opportunity to touch someone’s life and help them improve their health and well being. Medical Assistants enjoy Multiple Job Duties every day. From the front office to the back office you’ll enjoy performing tasks such as: updating and managing patient medical records, scheduling appointments, managing the medical supply inventory, preparing patients for the physician and assisting with examinations, drawing blood and performing waived lab tests, and even performing electrocardiography (EKG).   So what are you waiting for? Our Medical Assistant classes are enrolling now at all locations! Our classes are kept small and taught by highly qualified professionals to help give you the skills you need to be successful as a healthcare professional. The Allen School of Health Sciences has over 55 years of experience in helping students just like YOU reach their personal and professional goals. Please visit our website at https://www.allenschool.edu/or give us a call 877-591-8753.

It’s Back To School Time! What Are You Waiting For?

by

Top 5 Reasons to Start School NOW

  1. Healthcare Careers are growing, Leading to Career Opportunities
  2. The kids are in school, so why aren’t you?
  3. Start a Tradition/ Leave a Legacy
  4. If you don’t move, you won’t get ahead – Timing is Everything
  5. Your Time and Money are at stake
  Healthcare careers are on the rise in the US. As people age the need for highly qualified Medical Assistants, Nursing Assistants, and Medical Insurance Billers and Coders will increase. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics these occupations will see steady increases in job opportunities between 2014 and 2024. The kids are in school… why aren’t you? The Allen School of Health Sciences has flexible schedules to help you balance home, school, and work. Imagine how excited your family will be to see you learning and creating new opportunities for yourself. You can attend one of our campuses or complete your program completely online in our fully interactive, live classroom. Start a Tradition/ Leave a Legacy. If there’s one thing we love at the Allen School of Health Sciences, its hearing how so many of our students are the first in their families to finish school and start on the path to a rewarding new career. We take pride in helping you step up to the next level and start a legacy of education that you and your family can be proud of. If you don’t move, you won’t get ahead. It’s already September and 2016 is almost gone. What are you waiting for? Nothing will change in your life if you don’t take the first steps to making it change. If you don’t start school now you’ll be in the same situation next year. Stop letting life pass you by, in less than a year it could be YOU walking across the stage at graduation celebrating your accomplishments and starting a career. Time and Money…two things everyone wants more of. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Department of Labor the unemployment rate among people who have a professional degree is significantly lower than that of people who have a high school diploma or less than a complete high school education. Earnings increase significantly as a worker’s degree of education rises. In addition, healthcare workers often enjoy things like flexible schedules, healthcare benefits, and retirement plans, something not often available in jobs that don’t require a more advanced education. So stop waiting until the time is right, or the kids are older, or things are better. It’s time to make the change YOU deserve to live a better life. Education is the first step to a potentially life changing career. Call us today to get started. Call 877-591-8753 or visit our website at www.allenschool.edu