Five Things to Know about Medical Billing and Coding

Medical Billing and Coding

Medical Billing and Coding
Medical billers and coders perform tasks that are essential to keeping physician’s offices, immediate care facilities and other medical care settings open. Sometimes billing and coding are done by the same person, depending on the facility. Receive your medical billing and coding training at Coyne College!

Here are five things you should know about medical billing and coding specialists:

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The Future of Medical Assisting

Medical Assisting (MA) School

Medical-Assisting
The healthcare industry employs more people than any other industry in America. This is not expected to change any time soon, which is good for people seeking careers in healthcare-related fields. It’s not just nurses or specialist doctors who attended years of medical school; it’s a number of talented support staff whose jobs make providing health care to millions of people possible. One kind of support position is called a medical assistant.

Medical assistants are projected to see one of the largest jumps in employment among all jobs in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates a 29 percent increase in medical assistant positions through 2026 relative to 2016’s total. There are many reasons for this expected spike, particularly the percentage of the population that is reaching retirement age. The generation referred to as the Baby Boomers will require more medical care as they continue to age. More people needing care means more healthcare employees will be needed. Another reason for the uptick in demand is that more people currently have access to health insurance than in the past. Once again, more patients requires more staff members to help treat them.

For those who may not know, medical assistants work in a variety of different medical settings, including hospitals, physician’s offices and immediate care centers. Essentially, anywhere you receive medical care there are likely medical assistants helping doctors and nurses run the facility.

Medical Assistant Program ChicagoMedical assistants commonly perform tasks such as taking patients’ vitals, recording patient information, helping doctors with patient exams and scheduling appointments. The duties of medical assistants vary depending on the doctors and nurses under whom they work. Different medical offices have different needs. Some offices may need someone to handle mostly clerical tasks, whereas others may need a medical assistant to be more involved in helping with patient care. The beauty of being a medical assistant is that you will be prepared to handle the needs of any medical office.

To break into the medical assisting occupation, most employers require the completion of a training program. Such programs are commonly offered at local trade schools and community colleges. Most programs can be completed in less than two years and teach you the skills you need to be successful in medical assisting roles. Some employers may require you to achieve certification by passing the Registered Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, administered at Coyne College. Earning the certification credential is a good idea even if prospective employers do not require it, as it can potentially make you more valuable and stand out from other candidates.

Additionally, experience as a medical assistant can serve as a stepping stone for the advancement of your education in another healthcare profession down the line.

In conclusion, now is a great time to pursue a career in medical assisting, and job prospects are expected to remain bright for years to come. There are sure to be changed in the technology used in the coming years and the challenges that come with them. Medical assisting programs will have to make changes to their course materials accordingly.

If you want to begin your medical assisting career with a proven top-notch program, look no further than Coyne College’s medical assistant program.

Start Your Journey at Coyne College

Medical Assisting School chicagoCoyne College is one of Chicago’s premier trade schools, proudly offering its medical assistant program to future healthcare professionals. To best accommodate working adults, Coyne offers day and night options for the medical assisting program. Coyne College’s medical assisting program is offered at the Coyne College campus, located in the heart of the Chicago Loop at the intersection of State and Madison streets.

Coyne College’s medical assistant program thoroughly prepares you to enter the healthcare field as a medical assistant. The program can be completed in as soon as 54 weeks, allowing you to be ready for an entry-level role in a little over one year.

As a medical assisting student at Coyne College, you will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed as a medical assistant. Some of the topics covered in the program’s curriculum include:

  • Medical Terminology
  • Pharmacology
  • Anatomy and Pathophysiology
  • Basic Insurance and Billing
  • And more!

You will learn the ins and outs of medical assisting in an environment surrounded by instructors dedicated to helping you succeed. Coyne’s highly knowledgeable instructors have years of meaningful experience in the workforce. Coyne College’s program also features a six-week portion dedicated to electronic health records.

All medical assisting students are required to complete an externship following the completion of all of the necessary coursework. Following the completion of the program and your externship, you will be ready to enter the workforce as a medical assistant in any number of healthcare settings.

With more than 110 years of experience in helping aspiring skilled trade professionals realize their dreams, Coyne College has a well-developed network of resources to help students gain employment after they finish their studies.

Coyne College offers students career assistance, including mock interviews, externships and resume help. These resources can help students secure externships after completing the program.

Coyne’s students receive a well-rounded medical assistant education that provides them with a toolbox for success in the healthcare industry.
Start your journey to bettering the lives of patients today by visiting https://www.coynecollege.edu/.

Why We Need Qualified Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy Tecnician

Pharma Tech ProgramPharmacies play a substantial role in healing America and helping us stay healthy. While it may appear that pharmacists are the stars of the pharmaceutical show at your local drug store, there are other pharmacy employees who are just as important to its staying open. These passionate individuals are pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in running a pharmacy. They handle duties such as organizing and maintaining inventory, packaging and labeling prescriptions, answering phones and other acts of customer service. So what does it take to become a pharmacy technician and why is it important for pharmacies to employ good ones?

Let’s start with the requirements. Many people who become pharmacy technicians do so by completing a post-secondary training program. Pharmacy technician programs are common offerings at trade schools across the country. Such programs can usually be completed in a year or less, though there are those that reward associate’s degrees that take a little longer.

Following the completion of a program, up-and-coming pharmacy technicians may be required to pass a certification exam. Certification requirements vary from state to state, so be sure to read up on the ones for your state of residence.

It’s technically possible to work as a pharmacy technician with a high school diploma and passing a certification exam in lieu of completing a program. However, a comprehensive trade school training program will adequately prepare you to assist pharmacists in the real world.
Now that you know how to become a pharmacy technician, let’s look at why qualified pharmacy technicians are crucial to the success of pharmacies.

Healthcare coincides with prescription drugs

Prescription drugs are a substantial part of the healthcare system in America. As such, it’s important that pharmacy technicians know what they are doing when it comes to handling prescription drugs. They are the ones who are responsible for answering any questions patients have when they pick up their prescriptions. The more knowledgeable and qualified pharmacy technicians are, the better care they can provide patients who fill their prescriptions at that pharmacy. Filling prescription drugs and providing the customer service that comes with working at a pharmacy is a huge responsibility and a vital aspect of the health of Americans.

Safety concerns and challenges

One of the most obvious reasons for pharmacies needing qualified pharmacy technicians is the safety of the pharmacy’s customers. Accuracy is of the utmost importance when filling and distributing prescriptions. A mistake can, in some cases, be a matter of life and death for a patient. The pharmacy would almost assuredly be facing a lawsuit in the event of such a grave mistake. Thankfully, pharmacists provide a safety net, as they have to oversee any and all prescriptions that are passed out to ensure their accuracy. With that being said, another reason it’s important for pharmacies to employ good pharmacy technicians is that they can make things easier for the pharmacists. Pharmacists have their own unique slew of responsibilities, so it helps when they can depend on their qualified pharmacy technicians to accurately fill prescriptions and perform other tasks to help the pharmacy run smoothly. In short, good pharmacy technicians can make the distribution of prescription drugs safer.

Manage and process medications

Pharmacy Technician Program ChicagoGoing along with the previous two points, qualified pharmacy technicians are adept at managing inventory of the pharmacy and accurately filling patients’ prescriptions. Again, this makes life easier for pharmacists. Being able to work efficiently and keep things organized makes it possible to reduce the time that patients have to wait for their prescriptions to be filled. It can also help cut down the time they have to wait in line at the pharmacy to pick up their drugs and start healing faster.

Get the picture? Qualified pharmacy technicians allow pharmacies to run more smoothly and enhance the experience customers have with and at pharmacies. If you’re passionate about helping people get better, a career as a pharmacy technician might be just what the doctor ordered.

Start your Pharmacy Technician career at Coyne College

Coyne College’s Pharmacy Technician program provides students with a comprehensive education in the pharmacy technician occupation. At the completion of the program, which can be finished in as little as 42 weeks, you can feel confident and ready to start your new career as a certified pharmacy technician.
Coyne’s experienced instructors will teach you the essentials of the pharmacy technician field. As a student in the program, you’ll receive extensive instruction on relevant topics such as:

• Medical terminology
• Anatomy and pathophysiology
• Laws, ethics, and principles of pharmacy practice
• Billing, records and inventory management

Coyne College’s Pharmacy Technician program has day classes available at the Coyne’s Chicago Loop campus at the intersection of State and Madison Streets.

Coyne College offers an array of career services and job placement help for its students, including mock interviews, externships, resume assistance and a vast alumni network that can help you land entry-level employment after completing the program.

Medical Billing and Coding: What They Are and Why They’re Important

medical-billing-coding-importance

It’s no secret that the healthcare industry is booming and its growth is expected to continue into the future. With a population of more than 46 million Americans ages 65 and older, which is anticipated to double by 2060, and the 68 percent of them who suffer from two chronic illnesses, the need for workers in the healthcare industry will not be subsiding anytime soon. 

At first glance, doctors and nurses would seem to be the ones running the show at medical facilities nationwide. That is a fair observation, as they are the ones who treat patients. However, there are many other individuals working at hospitals, medical offices and other healthcare settings doing work that makes visits with doctors possible. Two such responsibilities are medical billing and coding.

What is Medical Billing

A vital process in the perpetual functioning of any hospital or medical office is medical billing. Medical billing involves preparing billing claims and submitting them to insurance providers. This ensures that the hospital or medical office is reimbursed the correct amount for the services that they provide patients.

Medical offices receive money from private insurances providers and various healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, which are provided by the government. Receiving proper funds allows the medical office to stay open. With suboptimal reimbursement, it is difficult for them to provide stellar healthcare to patients.

What is Medical Coding

While it also pertains to the all-important aspect of insurance reimbursement, medical coding differs in that it involves a unique code for each diagnosis and medical procedure. The translation of diagnoses and procedures into these universal codes allows the health care provider to process the bill correctly.

The International Classification of Disease, Tenth Edition (ICD-10), is the current book of codes utilized across the vast world of healthcare. Created by the World Health Organization (WHO), the ICD-10 and its contents are important not only for maintaining records and billing, but also allows for data to be kept on diseases both domestically and worldwide.

The Importance of Medical Billing and Coding

To this point, it is pretty clear that medical billing and coding are imperative processes to the upkeep of hospitals and medical offices. Medical facilities rely heavily on insurance providers and other healthcare programs for funding.

Insurance companies make their profit by charging those who hold policies monthly fees, or premiums. The buy-ins from the individuals in the pool allows the insurance providers to cover the bulk of medical costs of policyholders, depending on the policy. With that in mind, that is a lot of money coming in from reimbursements and not out of the consumers’ pockets.

That is why it is vitally important for medical billing and coding to be done, and done accurately. Every patient who visits a hospital, immediate care center or other medical facility has information that needs to be documented.

Not only that, but accurate medical billing and coding is important to make sure that patients aren’t left paying more for a procedure than they should, and that they and their insurance are charged for the correct services.

Now that we have established a basic understanding of what medical billing and coding are and their importance, let’s learn a bit more about the individuals who carry out these crucial actions: medical billing and coding specialists.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists

It is not uncommon for hospitals and medical offices to employ one person or persons who are knowledgeable about both medical billing and coding. Community colleges, trade schools and online education options frequently teach these two skills together in training programs, given the overlap of importance to each other.

Entering the proper codes and other data into a hospital or medical office’s database comprises most of the responsibilities of a medical billing and coding specialist’s job responsibilities. However, they are often tasked with other duties that help the healthcare setting operate at peak efficiency. For instance, medical billing and coding specialists many times function as points of contact between the office’s billing staff and the office’s nurses and doctors.

Like other individuals employed in healthcare settings, medical billing and coding specialists enjoy a promising job outlook in the coming years. Per data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical records and health information technicians (including medical billing and coding specialists) is projected to increase by 15 percent through 2024.

The main culprit for the uptick in demand for medical billing and coding specialists is the fact that more people have access to insurance. More people with insurance means that there will be more visits to medical care facilities and more billing and coding work to be done. As we mentioned in the introduction, the expected spike in citizens over 65 years of age, including the aging baby boomer population, will also keep the medical establishment occupied for quite some time.

We should also note that because medical care is needed almost everywhere and that every medical facility needs staff members to handle the billing and coding, medical billing and coding specialists have nearly endless geographical locations in which they can work. It is increasingly common for medical billing and coding specialists to have the option of working remotely, cutting down or eliminating the need to commute.

Medical billing and coding specialists also enjoy competitive compensation. According to data from the BLS, the median annual salary for medical records and health information technicians in 2016 was $38,040, which is slightly higher than the median of all occupations combined.

As with many occupations, the salary fluctuates based on location and experience. To reiterate, medical billing and coding specialists can work essentially anywhere they wish due to the robust demand for workers in the healthcare field.

OK, so medical billing and coding sound great. How do I get started?

Most medical billing and coding positions simply require the completion of a training program. Medical billing and coding programs are fairly common offerings at many community colleges and trade schools across the country.

Many training programs can be completed in less than 18 months’ time and for a fraction of the price tag of a four-year degree. The medical background you gain from a training program may also help you later, should you choose to continue your education in pursuit of a more lucrative healthcare career. In most cases, you will be required to pass the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification test, though requirements vary depending on one’s place of employment.

Once you have decided that medical billing and coding is the field you wish to enter, all that remains is choosing a program to enroll in.

Coyne College sets students up to achieve their dreams

Coyne College is one of Chicago’s top skilled trade education institutions and is proud to offer its Medical Billing and Coding Specialist program to students like you who are interested in the profession.

In the program, you will learn the ins and outs of medical billing and coding, and master the skills needed to secure an entry-level job in a plethora of different medical settings. What is even better is that you can complete Coyne’s training program in as few as 48 weeks. In less than one year’s time, you can be ready to start your new career in the exciting field of healthcare.

As a student in Coyne College’s medical coding and billing specialist program, you will obtain sufficient and applicable knowledge of subjects to help you find success as a medical billing and coding specialist.

Coyne’s program includes extensive instruction on relevant topics such as the following:

  • Medical terminology
  • Health records management
  • Medical coding
  • Insurance procedures
  • Business communications
  • Office administration
  • And more!

You will learn the intricacies of the medical billing and coding profession from Coyne’s knowledgeable instructors who have substantial, invaluable workplace experience to foster your personal growth.

Are you worried that your job or other obligations might prohibit your ability to launch your new medical billing and coding career? Don’t fret, because Coyne College offers both day and night classes for the Medical Billing and Coding Specialist program in order to accommodate your busy schedule. The Medical Billing and Coding Specialist program is offered at the Coyne College campus, located in the heart of the Chicago Loop at the intersection of State and Madison streets.

With more than 110 years of experience in helping students realize their dreams, Coyne College has a well-developed network of resources to help students land apprenticeships at the conclusion of their studies. 

Coyne College offers an array of career services and job placement help for its students, including mock interviews, externships and resume help. These resources can help students secure entry-level employment after completing the program.

There is no time like the present to disembark on your journey toward playing a part in providing healthcare to millions of people. Take your first step toward your new career as a medical billing and coding specialist today by visiting https://www.coynecollege.edu/.

Healthcare Trends Affecting Medical Assistants

healthcare-trends

Below is a trio of current healthcare trends that will extend into the future of the medical assisting profession:

New Technology in Healthcare

Medical assistants will have to adapt to technological advancements in medicine. Medical offices already heavily rely on the use of computers, but more technology, such as tablets, is being used in medical settings. Being able to use the up-to-date technology provides a leg up for those who are familiar with or those who are adept at the latest innovations.

More Emphasis on Data Analytics

Coinciding with a heavier dependence on technology, medical assistants are expected to be more familiar with data analytics. In many cases, they are the ones entering the information into the medical office’s system, so the necessity of data analytics skills amongst medical assistants makes sense.

Data analytics skills are increasingly used in healthcare to optimize patient care and hospital practices in general. Knowledge of data analytics is also useful to medical assistants in that they work on both the patient care and administrative sides of medical facilities.

Opportunity to Learn Billing and Coding

With the influx of aging patients and individuals with newly acquired health insurance, there is going to be a lot of billing and coding to handle at any given medical office. Despite the fact that many offices have people who handle billing and coding, the increase in workload is projected to be large enough such that medical assistants may also have to take on billing and coding. This is another reason it is important for medical assistants to be at least somewhat familiar with computers.

Learning how to handle billing and coding makes medical assistants more valuable as employees. Medical assistants are naturally jacks-of-all-trades, so billing and coding would be two additional skills under their belts.

If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, a quality education is the best way to set yourself up for success. Luckily for you, Coyne College offers a comprehensive Medical Assistant program. Coyne has experienced professors who will teach you what you need to know before you enter the workforce. What’s more, the program can be completed in as few as 54 weeks, saving you time and money. Get started today by learning more at https://www.coynecollege.edu/.

The Evolution of the Pharmacy Technician Occupation

Evolution Pharmacy technician Occupation

Pharmacy technicians play an integral role in the dissemination of prescription medicine and helping people regain health when they get sick. They are often the ones on the front lines who answer questions patients may have about their prescriptions.

Pharmacy technicians and the roles they play are subject to the constantly changing world. Working as a pharmacy technician today is different than it was even 10 years ago. What are some of the changes and factors that have contributed to the evolution of pharmacy technician occupation, you ask?

Changing Regulations

Health care will continue to be a hot topic of discussion across the United States as health care policy continues to be worked out in Congress. As the nation witnessed with the passing of the Affordable Care Act, health care reform can have far-reaching effects for health care and its aggregate industries. It appears that things may be on the verge of changing once again in the near future.

Increase in Specialized and Personalized Medicine

Medicine is fairly personal to begin with. Scientific and technological advances in medicine have made and will continue to make it possible for doctors to prescribe medications depending on the patient’s genetic makeup. The increased personalization of medicine is forecasted to continue as the technology becomes more commonplace.

Access to health care is also at an all-time high, which means greater access to prescription drugs. In 2016, nearly 4.5 billion prescriptions were issued, compared to the roughly 4 billion dispensed just five years prior in 2011.

Greater access to prescription drugs means there will be no shortage of work for pharmacy technicians. More people being covered by insurance means more people can pay for specialized medication, which increases the amount of work to be done by pharmacy technicians. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of pharmacy technicians will increase by 12 percent through 2026.

Implementation of 3-D Printing

As 3-D printing technology becomes more widely available, it makes sense that the pharma industry’s use of the tool will become standard in many places. The Food and Drug Administration approved the first 3-D printed drug in 2015.

More people having access to 3-D printing could also mean expanding the marketplace, and smaller biotech companies could use the technology to effectively manufacture pharmaceuticals.

Fewer Sources of Drugs

Medicine has become incredibly specialized and will only continue to become more specialized as time goes on. With this in mind, experts in the field anticipate that the availability of such highly specialized drugs will be limited to a few select distributors. It is also possible that certain regulations may be lifted to favor big pharma under the current administration.

Taking a Bigger Role at Pharmacies

In recent years, pharmacists have been taking a bigger role in patient care due to the evolution of pharmacy technician occupation. They have begun administering vaccines, such as flu shots, and providing other patient care services. Because of this, the BLS suggests that pharmacy technicians may have to take on bigger roles and pick up some of the tasks that pharmacists may no longer be able to cover alone.

This can be an advantage for pharmacy technicians because it would give them the chance to learn more skills. Taking on more responsibility could also result in higher earnings.

Prescribe Yourself a New Career

For those living in the Chicagoland area, you need to look no further than Coyne College. Coyne College is one of Chicago’s top skilled trade education institutions and is proud to offer its Pharmacy Technician program to students like you who are interested in the profession.

In Coyne’s comprehensive Pharmacy Tech program, you will learn the finer points of working as a pharmacy technician and how to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the American health care system. You can complete Coyne’s program in as few as 48 weeks. In less than one year’s time, you can be ready to start your new career as a certified pharmacy technician.

Coyne has experienced professors who will teach you what you need to know before you enter the field and begin assisting pharmacists. As a student in the program, you will receive extensive instruction on relevant topics such as the following:

  • Medical terminology
  • Anatomy and pathophysiology
  • Laws, ethics and principles of pharmacy practice
  • Billing, records and inventory management
  • And more!

Coyne College offers its Pharmacy Technician program during days and nights in effort to make continuing your education possible regardless of other commitments. The Pharmacy Technician program is offered at the Coyne College campus, located in the heart of the Chicago Loop at the intersection of State and Madison Streets.

With more than 110 years of experience in helping students realize their dreams, Coyne College has a well-developed network of resources that can help students gain employment following the completion of their studies.

Coyne College offers an array of career services and job placement help for its students, including mock interviews, externships and resume help. These resources can help students secure entry-level employment after completing the program.

Now is a great time to be getting into the pharmaceuticals industry and be part of bettering the health of the world’s population. Write yourself a prescription for a career as a pharmacy technician and get started today by visiting https://www.coynecollege.edu/. Learn more about evolution of pharmacy technician occupation with us!

New Chicago Restrictions Protect Pharmacy Staff and Consumers

Chicago Restrictions Help Pharmacy Staff

In a win for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and patients, the Chicago City Council Finance Committee approved legislation that would limit pharmacists to filling a maximum of 10 prescriptions per hour. The measure was approved by the committee back in October of 2017 and also guarantees pharmacists meal and bathroom breaks.

The proposal, sponsored by 14th Ward alderman Edward Burke, came as a reaction to a 2016 Chicago Tribune article reporting that more than half of the 255 pharmacies investigated in the Chicago area and surrounding states frequently failed to inform Tribune reporters of the potentially harmful drug combinations if taken together when selling them.

It’s common for some pharmacists to work long days, up to 12 hours, and according to the Chicago Tribune story, “they worry about losing focus during busy shifts and potentially putting their customers in jeopardy.” The measure also requires that pharmacies post a list of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who have been working for longer than eight hours to provide an extra layer of protection against pharmacist fatigue.

In a move to further protect consumers from unwittingly taking potentially fatal pairings of prescription drugs, Illinois governor Bruce Rauner was a key proponent of an approved measure that requires pharmacists to speak with patients at pharmacy windows when dispensing new or updated prescriptions. Investigators found that it was not uncommon for pharmacy technicians to ask patients when filling prescriptions and simply inquire whether or not they had questions for the pharmacist on duty regarding the prescriptions.

The Tribune story also suggests that the actions taken by the committee and Gov. Rauner could set the table for further government action of retail pharmacies across the country.

Pharmacy Staff Pay Also on the Rise in Step with Rest of Healthcare

On top of regulations designed to protect pharmacy staff and consumers, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are seeing increases in their respective salaries. According to a news release from Cision, both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians saw 2 percent increases in their median salaries. These increases, along with others across the robust healthcare industry, are undoubtedly the result of the current and future demand for healthcare services and the resulting economic boom.

Pharmacy technicians in Illinois also tend to earn more than the national median for the occupation, with a median salary of $31,210, according to the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). It’s also worth noting that hospital pharmacy practice tends to be more lucrative for pharmacy technicians relative to other employment settings. The pharmacy technician profession will not be without its own share of evolutions and obstacles to be faced in the near future.

Launching a successful career working in a pharmacy is not as far-fetched as one might think it is. Many pharmacy technicians enter the field straight out of high school.

Launch Your Pharmacy Technician Career at Coyne College

Are you looking for a program in Chicago to help your pharmacy technician dreams take wing? Look no further than the pharmacy technician program at Coyne College.

Coyne College is one of Chicago’s top skilled trade education institutions and is proud to offer its Pharmacy Technician program to students like you who are interested in the profession. In Coyne’s comprehensive program, you will learn the finer points of working as a pharmacy technician and how to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the American healthcare system. You can complete Coyne’s program in as few as 48 weeks. In less than one year’s time, you can be ready to start your new career as a certified pharmacy technician.

Coyne has experienced instructors who will teach you what you need to know before you enter the field and begin assisting pharmacists. As a student in the program, you will receive extensive instruction on relevant topics such as:

  • Medical terminology
  • Anatomy and pathophysiology
  • Laws, ethics and principles of pharmacy practice
  • Billing, records and inventory management

Coyne College offers its Pharmacy Technician program during the day and at night in an effort to make continuing your education possible regardless of your other commitments. The Pharmacy Technician program is offered at the Coyne College campus, located in the heart of the Chicago Loop at the intersection of State and Madison.

With more than 110 years of experience in helping students realize their dreams, Coyne College has a well-developed network of resources that can help students gain employment following the completion of their studies.

Coyne College offers an array of career services and job placement help for its students, including mock interviews, externships and resume help. These resources can help students secure entry-level employment after completing the program.

Now is a great time to get into the pharmaceuticals industry and be part of bettering the health of the world’s population. Write yourself a prescription for a career as a pharmacy technician and get started today by visiting https://www.coynecollege.edu/.

Caring for Individuals with Heart Disease – Medical Assistants

Heart Disease

February is American Heart Month. First proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, the month is dedicated to increasing the awareness of heart health and creating a culture in which making heart-healthy life choices are encouraged. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Americans and is undoubtedly a health risk that needs to be addressed.

The support of family and friends of people suffering from heart disease and the aftermath of strokes is vital to improving the health of those affected. In the spirit of celebrating the month, below is a list of actions friends, family and medical staff members can take to help those afflicted with heart disease.

Accompany Them to Doctor Appointments

Offering to attend an appointment with a friend or family member can provide comfort and support during the visit to counteract some of their fear. Even if you’re not in the examination room with them, being there for the car ride to and from the appointment is a way to show them love and support. However, being in the examination room with them can help you better understand the disease and better care for your friend or loved one.

Share Helpful Articles

The old adage is that knowledge is power. There are numerous articles out there about heart disease, how to navigate life with it and coping with the monumental weight of the affliction. The American Heart Association (AHA), the largest organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, offers a wealth of helpful informational materials and research.

There are also online support groups your friend or family member can connect with for additional support. The AHA has a robust online support network to help people come together in effort to comfort and provide solidarity to those suffering from heart disease.

Provide Emotional Support

Providing your friends or family with emotional support in situations outside of a medical setting is also important. Finding out that you’re diagnosed with heart disease can be psychologically traumatizing. If your friend or family member shows prolonged symptoms of depression, suggesting therapy sessions with a psychiatrist or social worker can help.

It’s also critical to not pressure the person to talk about their condition if they do not wish to do so. Everyone handles traumatic events differently. Simply letting them know that you are there for them to talk about it when they are ready lets them know you care.

Encourage a Healthy Diet and Exercise

Diet and exercise are vital to everyone’s health. It is even more important for those who have had a stroke or who have been diagnosed with heart disease. Understandably, it’s not always easy to do that, especially by oneself. Supporting your friend or loved one’s transition to a healthier diet and exercise is another way in which you can provide love and support.

If it’s your significant other who’s attempting to change their diet, you can show your solidarity by eating the same things they’re eating. The same can be said for exercising. It’s a lot easier to do something you perceive as difficult if you have a friend to accompany you in your pursuit of self-improvement. In effect, the changes you make with your partner can improve your life as well.

Helping your friend or loved one form good habits and providing them with encouragement until they reach self-sufficiency can make all of the difference in their success.

Empathy from Medical Assistants and Doctors

Doctors and their staffs are obviously crucial to the care of people with heart disease. The doctor’s attitude can be a factor in how well the treatment and lifestyle changes fare. This is not to say that doctors should sugarcoat information, but it helps if the doctor and staff have a capacity for empathy.

This is true of medical assistants who work in cardiologists’ offices with heart disease patients. Medical assistants help the doctor provide patient care, performing tasks like taking blood pressure, addressing questions and concerns, in addition to comforting patients.

The task is especially important for patients who come to visits by themselves or were unable to have someone go with them for that particular appointment. Showing empathy to patients and making them feel comfortable can be the difference between a patient feeling good at the end of the visit and feeling depressed.

Clearly medical assistants play an important role in the heart health of patients, especially in cardiologists’ offices. If you’re seeking a career in which you can make a difference in the heart health of America, becoming a medical assistant might be the perfect life choice for you.

Start Your Journey at Coyne College

Coyne College is one of Chicago’s top skilled trade education institutions and is proud to offer its medical assistant program to future healthcare professionals. Coyne offers day classes for their healthcare programs. All programs are offered at the Coyne College campus, located in the heart of the Chicago Loop at the intersection of State and Madison streets.

Coyne College’s medical assistant program thoroughly prepares you to enter the healthcare field as a medical assistant. The program can be completed in as little as 54 weeks.

As a medical assisting student at Coyne College, you will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed as a medical assistant. Some of the topics covered in the program’s curriculum include:

  • Medical Terminology
  • Pharmacology
  • Anatomy and Pathophysiology
  • Basic Insurance and Billing
  • And more!

You will learn the ins and outs of medical assisting in an environment surrounded by instructors dedicated to helping you succeed. Coyne’s highly knowledgeable instructors have years of meaningful experience in the workforce. Coyne College’s program also features a six-week portion dedicated to electronic health records.

All medical assisting students are required to complete an externship following the completion of all of the necessary coursework.

Following the completion of the program and your externship, you will be ready to enter the workforce as a medical assistant in any number of healthcare settings.

With more than 110 years of experience in helping aspiring skilled trade professionals realize their dreams, Coyne College has a well-developed network of resources to help students gain employment after they finish their studies. 

Coyne College offers students career assistance, including mock interviews, externships and résumé help. These resources can help students secure externships after completing the program.

Coyne’s students receive a well-rounded medical assistant education that provides them with a toolbox for success in the healthcare industry.

Start your journey to bettering the lives of patients today by visiting https://www.coynecollege.edu/.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Maria Natividad

Medical Assistant Faculty Spotlight

“I tell my students to be professional at all times and to have initiative when in the work field”, hear more from our Medical Assistant Faculty Dr. Maria Natividad! Learn more about the Medical Assistant program at Coyne College and her advice to students!

Find out more details on Medical Assistant Program at Coyne College.

There are few fields more consistently in demand than the health care field, and a career as a Medical Assistant is a challenging and rewarding way to care for people in need. Upon completion of Coyne College’s medical assistant program in Chicago, graduates can be qualified for entry-level positions in physicians’ offices, medical centers, medical billing offices, and hospitals.

The Medical Assistant program prepares graduates to provide a blend of clerical and clinical services to physicians and other medical personnel. The Medical Assistant program addresses both clinical and administrative topics, and includes an externship following completion of all required course work. You can complete the program – which includes six weeks of study focusing on Electronic Health Records – in as little as 54 weeks. Learn more about medical assistant classes.

Medical Assistant is an allied health profession in which practitioners function as members of the health care delivery team and perform administrative and clinical procedures. During a single visit, they are often the first and last contact a patient has with staff. An efficient medical assistant helps keep everything running smoothly.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow by 29%, much faster than the average for all occupations through 2022. Learn more about medical assistant careers.

Learn more with us about our Medical Assistant Faculty!