Santa Barbara Business College Completes Acquisition, Passing the Torch to San Joaquin Valley College, Inc.

San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. acquires Santa Barbara Business College

Santa Barbara Business College (SBBCollege) has been a key educator in communities across Central and Southern California for more than 125 years. SBBCollege has provided students with the necessary skills to meet the needs of local employers and start great careers, and is proud to pass the legacy of SBBCollege over to San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. (SJVCI) and the Perry family.

Founded by Robert and Shirley Perry in 1977, SJVCI is the parent organization of both San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) and Carrington College. As a family-owned and operated institution, SJVC is highly aligned with SBBCollege’s career-focused programs, values and overall mission of providing a quality education and serving local communities.

It is important to note that there will be no change for current students as a result of the completed acquisition and change in ownership. SBBCollege will continue to provide instruction and student services without interruption.

San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. signs agreement to acquire Santa Barbara Business College

For more than 125 years, Santa Barbara Business College (SBBCollege) has been a key educator and business partner in communities across Central and Southern California. We have provided generations of students with the necessary skills to meet the needs of local employers and start great careers. Under the leadership of the Johnston family, the College has grown to reach more hearts and minds than ever before. The Johnstons are now proud to announce a new chapter for its SBBCollege campuses, one that includes another family with a long history of success in higher education. The Johnston and Perry families have signed an agreement to transfer the ownership of SBBCollege.

Founded by Robert and Shirley Perry in 1977, San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. (SJVCI) is the parent organization of both San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) and Carrington College. The Perry family and SJVCI, currently led by second-generation family owners Mike and Mark Perry, have enjoyed a positive, collaborative relationship with Dean and Matthew Johnston for more than thirty years. As both family-owned and operated institutions, SBBCollege and SJVC are highly aligned in their career-focused programs and long history of serving local students and communities.

The transaction requires accreditor and regulatory approvals before it is complete. Once approved, SBBCollege campus locations would continue to operate as an independent college. There will be no change for current students and faculty as a result of the change in ownership. SBBCollege will continue to provide instruction and student services without interruption.

This marks a significant milestone and transition for the College, and the Johnstons are pleased to pass on the legacy and well-being of its SBBCollege operations to the Perry family and their proven track record in operating a quality career college. The planned transition will provide a new path forward for SBBCollege and its current students, faculty and staff.

If you have decided on a career in the medical field, you probably already know the healthcare industry is booming. The bureau of labor and statistics shows all jobs within the medical field are set to increase in the coming years. This means one of the most difficult decisions will likely be choosing the right path into the medical field.

Some choose to enter the healthcare industry by obtaining all the required education and participating in an internship or residency. Others choose to rise through the ranks through promotions, and after receiving additional certificates, diplomas and training.

Without a good plan for how to reach your goal of working in the medical field, you may find yourself zig zagging through various jobs, figuring out what you do not want.

You need that perfect steppingstone that can launch you into your career in a short time, and that offers many additional advantages throughout your journey.

Medical assisting may just be that steppingstone. Below are the reasons why.

Administrative and Clinical Training

A degree in medical assisting can prepare you to work in both the administrative and clinical side of healthcare. Most other healthcare jobs are focused on one or the other.

As a medical assistant, you will work directly with patients, under the supervision of nurses and doctors. You will assist them in treating the patient, preparing the patient for their visit, checking and recording vital signs, and assisting in discharge process.

Also, as a medical assistant, you will learn how to complete administrative tasks such as billing, coding, submitting claims, and recording information in patient files. You may also assist in checking-in patients when they arrive for appointments and providing them with discharge details as they leave.

One day you may be asked to draw blood, change sutures or bandaging. The next day you may be asked to process insurance claims.

Learning both the clinical and administrative tasks of working in the medical field allows you to see which side you prefer. You may find you like working with patients directly more than doing administrative tasks or vice versa. Or, you may find you like the variety of working on both sides.

Having experience on both sides can give you a potential edge over competition who may only have experience in one area.

Varied Working Environments

No one wants to jump into a career only to learn they don’t like the environment. This is true for those in the medical field as well. Becoming a medical assistant allows you to work in different healthcare environments, helping you narrow down the places you would want to work in the future.

Medical assistants are hired to work in physician practices, urgent care centers, hospitals, physical therapy practices, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Working in different environments can also give you an idea of what types of patients you prefer to help, or if you prefer to avoid working with patients directly.

Furthering Education is Easy

Being credentialed as a medical assistant means you have taken the required courses, completed training, and past exams that qualify you to work in healthcare. When you decide later to continue your goals to enter a higher-level medical profession, the education and training you have already acquired will be of benefit.

Educational credits, especially those received from a local college, can transfer to other programs. For instance, if you have received an associate degree, those credits will typically transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.

Medical assistants can continue their education into fields to become registered nurses, vocational nurses, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. It can also set the foundation for you to enter a medical degree program.

Rewarding Benefits

The medical assisting field offers you opportunities to help others. You can make a positive impact on patients, caregivers and family members, and even on your fellow co-workers. And you can ease the fears of patients who may be nervous about their appointment, test results or test preparation.

You can help family members and caregivers better understand the needs of the patient, and what they can do to encourage the patient to follow through with their treatment plan.

Helping others can make you feel rewarded, which means you may be more satisfied with your job.

Working in the healthcare industry means you will likely be provided with great medical insurance, at little or no cost to you. Benefit packages can include mental and physical health, and sometimes alternative healthcare.

Depending on where you work, you may have access to a cafeteria, gym, swimming pool, and other activities provided by the employer.

Early Foot in the Door

Higher level positions in the medical field are not usually acquired with education alone. Instead, employers search for candidates who have the right education, work experience and training in the field, and are well-rounded.

They want to see you can work well with other staff, that you give back to your community in some way, that you can adapt to change, and any other skills that will benefit your position in the medical industry. And let’s face it, sometimes getting a higher-level position is influenced by who you know and how they can vouch for your abilities.

Working as a medical assistant first can give you this foot in the door to meet and impress industry influencers who will be happy to report you are capable, can work on a team, and would be an asset to the organization.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, these are just a few of the ways medical assisting can be a steppingstone into the medical field. Medical assistants are needed all over the world. You are not tied to one specific area. And you also get to learn the most advanced technologies and work flexible hours if needed.

You can do all this while considering which medical field specialty you want to enter. Or, you may realize just how great it is to be a medical assistant and choose to stay in that career.

College admissions are on the rise. The National Association for College Admissions Counseling reports the number of college applications has grown by at least 7% in the last few years. They also report colleges are accepting two-thirds of first-time freshman applicants.

This means you have a lot of competition. You need to find ways to stand out from the competition during the application process.

Below are some key tips you can start using today to have a successful college application.

1. Deadlines

Completing deadlines set by the college is a major advantage. In fact, missing a deadline can eliminate you from the process. Before you begin applying, create a calendar, marking all the deadlines for each step of the application. Do this for every college to which you are applying. Hang the calendar in a place you will see it each day and use it as a reminder to stay on track.

2. Be Honest

Never lie on your application. If you are lacking in an area, don’t lie about it. Instead, do something to improve that area between now and the time the application is due. Or, explain to the admissions department how you plan to improve in those areas. Being honest about your faults as well as your successes shows them you can distinguish between the two and that you have a plan to make things better.

3. Show Creativity

You can answer a question on an application in a bland, robotic, expected way. Or, you can get creative. Choose your wording wisely. Find ways to show your enthusiasm through your writing. Create a video that supplements your essay. Being creative with your college application also means being appropriate and not offensive. Find ways to shine and show your personality in your college application.

4. Ace the Essay

You can show college admissions staff that you can write clearly and at a college level in your essay. What you write can tell them your maturity level, your goals, dreams, and eagerness to attend their school. Double and triple check your grammar and spelling. Write from the heart but also show you can put together a succinct paper.

5. Great Recommendations

Choosing people to write recommendation letters to support you is very important. Choosing the right people can get you noticed. The right people are a group who can provide evidence that you are the right choice. Teachers, employers, camp counselors, summer program leaders, and staff for whom you volunteered are a few examples. If you know professors, alumni, donors or staff members working for the college, ask them to help. A good word can influence decision makers.

6. Make a Checklist

Most college applications provide a checklist as a guide. This helps you double check that you have all the documents and materials requested by the college. You can go one step further and create your own checklist that includes any extra resources you provide the college, like a video essay, photos, extra reference letters, or samples of your work.

7. Clean Up Your Social Media

Colleges are reviewing the social media sites of their applicants. What they see on social media can verify what you have written in your application. Or, it can tell an opposing story. When posting anything online, ask yourself if the admissions team would approve of the post. If not, delete the post.

8. Get to Know the Campus

You can impress the admissions team in your application by knowing what you love about the campus. You can learn what you love by visiting the campus and meeting leaders long before you graduate high school. Keep track of the positive interactions you had on campus and report those in your application. This will show application reviewers that you are already invested in their college.

9. Remember the Extracurriculars

Colleges are interested in accepting new students who have a well-rounded personal and academic lifestyle. It’s great if you had the highest grades in your class. It’s even better if you had good grades but also played a sport or a musical instrument or participated in a club. Don’t forget to include extracurricular activities you did outside of school too, like being a volunteer, running marathons, or even babysitting. Show you have strengths in multiple areas of your life.

10. Test and Retest

All colleges require passing an entrance exam. Some require the ACT, while others prefer the SAT. Start early, as a freshman or sophomore in high school, practicing for these exams. Take them as soon as you can and take them often. Your highest score is the one that matters. If you wait until the last minute, you may only be able to take the test once or twice.

11. Complete the Application

When completing your admissions application, make sure you answer every question. If you don’t know how to answer a question, ask for help from a parent, teacher or peer. Leaving questions unanswered could signal the admissions team that you don’t care enough to finish it, or that you don’t follow instructions well. Answering all questions makes you look organized and responsible.

12. Follow-Up

After sending in your college application, you will need to plan a follow-up contact with the admissions office. Give them a week to receive your application, then call or email them to verify they received your application materials. This is also a good time to ask them if there is further information needed, and to thank them for their time and consideration.

This follow-up call gives you another opportunity to shine and to give you an edge over your competition.

13. Think Outside the Box

Think outside the box when building up your list of positive qualities and get an edge over other applicants. Take college classes while still in high school, online or in-person, attend a lecture on campus in the area you plan to study, join a college activities group, or attend on-campus events.

Find ways to show them why you are the right choice.

With these tips in mind you’re ready to get started on your applications for college. If you would like to learn more or apply to be a student at any of our SBBCollege campuses or online, please contact us or fill out our application information form.

When thinking of a career in the medical field, you likely envision certain ideals and rewards that go along with it. You may want to find a career in which you help others. You may want to make a lot of money. You may not care anything about money but want to have flexible hours or be able to work in a variety of environments.

Choosing a career requires having a large amount of information. The more you know, the more confident you will be in deciding if it is right for you. If you have an interest in getting into the medical field, keep reading.

The information provided here should help you determine if the medical field is a career choice that will help you reach your personal and professional goals.

Medical Field Job Options

If you want to work in the medical field, you will have many job options. Medical assisting is usually listed as a good career to seek in the medical field. You can also choose a nursing career, which can range from vocational nursing to registered nurse to nurse practitioner.

Other careers include dentistry, physician, surgeon, occupational therapist, physical therapist, pharmacy technician, and medical administration.

You can work in a lab, research facility, or family practice. Or, you may want to work in a high paced emergency room helping patients or working on the budget with administration and no contact with patients.

Out of the numerous jobs in the medical field, there is likely one to meet your career goals.

Making Money

Just like the job options vary, so do the salaries within the medical field. For example, according to global rankings, a clinical lab technician earns an average of $25 an hour. Licensed vocational nurses earn an average of over $21 an hour.

On the administrative side, working in medical records can average someone around $20 an hour.

There are ample opportunities within the medical field to make a good salary.

Salary is not guaranteed and will vary depending on the location of the job, the amount of education you have acquired, the years of experience you have accumulated, and your employer.

In the medical field, demand can play a big role in salaries. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an expected demand increase for all medical jobs through the year 2026.

Different Day, Different Experiences

Working in the medical field is not like working in other fields where you repeat the same routine day after day. Most jobs in the medical field will offer new experiences each day. This can mean your job duties may change each day also.

Having a variety each day can make working in the medical field attractive. Not many people like to go to work and feel bored. This boredom can lead to someone searching for a more exciting job. Medical field jobs are anything but boring.

Even those working on the administrative side of the medical field will face new and different issues each day. Some days they may be working with insurance companies, and other days they may need to work with physicians, staff members or policies.

If you enjoy not knowing what to expect each day at work, and appreciate variety, the medical field may be a good fit for you.

Jobs for Every Educational Level

The medical field has a career opportunity for everyone, no matter what your educational status. If you have an associate degree, you can work as a medical assistant, vocational nurse, lab technician, pharmacy technician, and as a medical administrator.

If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can work in the same jobs listed above, but at a higher level. You would likely be a registered nurse, and supervisor or manager of a department.

Those in the medical field can choose to go on and receive a master’s degree, doctoral degree, and medical degree. Each of these have their own job opportunity qualifications.

The quickest way to enter the medical field is with a fast-track training certificate from your local college. This certificate allows you to apply for entry-level positions in an area you desire. Examples include technicians, assistants, and support staff.

Continued Learning

The medical field is one of the best for offering continued learning opportunities for employees at all levels. Continued learning can take place through on-site training provided by your employer. Many times, these learning opportunities are offered to employees at no cost.

They may also grant you approval to attend conferences geared toward learning new trends and information in your area.

Other opportunities can include online webinars and courses. For those of you wanting to earn additional college credits, some medical agencies help with tuition.

By starting your college experience at your local college, it may be easy for you to advance to a higher degree program at that college. If you complete an associate degree, those credits may likely transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. Those credits will then transfer to a master’s program, and so on. Check with your local college for options on advanced degrees.

Because it is so important that everyone in the medical field keep up with new technology and other advancements, continued learning is considered a must.

Flexibility in Shift Work

Your personal life should not have to suffer because of your work hours. In the medical field, there are many jobs that offer flexibility in scheduling. If you need to be home in the evening to take care of your family, you can apply for daytime shifts.

If you need to work at night, there are evening and overnight shifts available. Some agencies allow you to work longer hours for fewer days a week.

These details are what you and your agency will work on together.

In conclusion, the medical field is worth getting into. You can grow within the company, work with a diverse group of staff, and be given career benefit packages. But most importantly, working in the medical field can help you feel satisfied and rewarded because you truly are helping people each day.

If you are pursuing a medical degree, then you already know there are numerous careers to choose from within the industry. You may have an interest in more than one medical path. You may find the administrative side of medicine interesting but also desire a career working with patients in a clinical setting.

Trying to make a final decision on which avenue to take can be confusing. One day you see yourself as a surgeon and the next day you want to work in pharmaceuticals. Because you can’t do it all, because no one can do it all, it’s important you consider everything about the roles in which you are interested.

Internships are a great way to help you narrow down your career choices and gain the necessary skills you need post-graduation, when you become an employee.

What is An Internship?

Internships are opportunities for college students to work in the medical field and gain hands-on experience in a specific area. Internships can vary in length, depending on how many hours are required by the college.

Internships offer students exceptional learning opportunities to implement what they have learned in the classroom into real world experiences. You get to work directly with professionals, you improve your interpersonal skills by working closely with other staff, and it can build your confidence to help you do a good job.

Internships can give you practice in paying attention to details, problem-solving, quick decision-making, and adapting to changing work environments. You will learn to work with a team and improve your communication skills with doctors, nurses, staff, patients and even family members of patients.

Most importantly, internships help you figure out which career path you want to enter.

Below are some of the best internships for someone pursuing a medical degree.

Nursing Internship

As a nursing intern, you will be working with other nurses, likely a registered nurse who oversees staff and can help you get involved in patient treatment. They can further your education by applying what you learned in class to treating patients.

The nursing field is varied, and you can choose an internship based on your likes and dislikes. If you prefer working with children, you can intern with a pediatric nursing unit. If you prefer research, you can work in a laboratory with other clinical workers collecting data.

Other areas for nursing internships include bilingual, community health, administration, emergency rooms, and even in the school setting.

Clinical Lab Intern

Working as an intern in a clinical lab allows you to analyze chemicals and fluids collected from patients. You will be assisting medical personnel by preparing samples needed for examination. You may be taking blood, collecting urine samples, or running an ultrasound machine. Each day may bring a different set of tasks.

You will improve your documentation and recording skills, as well as help prepare reports, assist patients with paperwork, and following safety procedures.

Opportunities for internships can take place in a hospital, physicians office, or stand-alone laboratories, to name a few.

Policy Intern

You may enjoy making changes within the healthcare industry. You may be able to see a problem, discover a solution, and fight for change that benefits all within the industry. If this sounds like you, the working as a policy intern can help you gain more insight about this field.

Policies within the medical field are established to protect patients, doctors and everyone else within the industry. However, some policies are found to be faulty, or need to be adapted based on changes going on in the world.

This is where you can shine if you like researching, identifying and making reforms to policies that need adjusting. As an intern, you can gain experience drafting news alerts, memos, and attending meetings with other policy makers.

Healthcare Administration Intern

Administration in any career typically deals with human resources, finances, rules and regulations for the organization, management of staff and keeping the company in compliance. This is no different for the healthcare administrator.

As an intern, you will work directly with an administrator of a healthcare agency, completing tasks they assign. You can choose to intern under pharmacists, community health center directors, consultants and in any type of medical institution.

Whether it is an inpatient treatment facility or an outpatient family practice, there are opportunities for you to expand your knowledge through an internship.

Pharmaceutical Intern

Working as an intern in a pharmaceutical setting may be harder to get if you are not studying pharmacy in some form. For instance, pharmacy technician students may have a higher chance of landing an internship in a pharmacy.

Landing an internship in a pharmacy prepares you for working with the public and teaches you how to be organized, keep detailed records, and what it would be like working in a high paced environment.

The skills you can learn interning in a pharmacy can carry over to any other medical career.

How to Get an Internship

Getting an internship in the medical field can be just as competitive as when applying for a full-time position. There are specific skills the employer will want you to have before they hire you. And the application process is a time where you can showcase the talents you have already acquired.

Communication skills, time management, teamwork, and your ability to analyze a situation and make good decisions based on what you know. Employers want interns who can work independently but also receive direction. You should also be able to handle constructive criticism with professionalism. After all, you are still in the learning phase of your career.

Being able to quickly learn the software used in the medical facility is a must. Resistance to change, especially when it comes to technology, will not help you when trying to land an internship. Show them you can adapt and that you are eager to improve your skills.

The internship period is a brief period, but it offers experience that will last you a lifetime.

You may be at a point in your life where you are thinking about furthering your education. You may not be interested in going to college for a four-year degree, so you are considering other options.

You need a program that can get you working in your desired field as soon as possible. You want lower costs, convenience, and flexibility. You also want many of the same benefits you can receive from a bachelor’s degree program, such as networking, student support services, and hands-on training opportunities.

Both a fast-track training and associate degree programs can offer you all of these and more.

The next step is to choose between the two. Answering the questions below can help you determine which program is best.

Why Are You Getting More Education?

The reasons behind why you want to obtain additional education is a key factor in deciding between fast-track and associate degree programs. Are you looking to get a job that requires specific training? Or do you simply want to learn a new skill? Is your employer requiring you to acquire a certificate or license?

Your answers to questions like these can guide you. For instance, if you need to gain education to obtain a promotion at work, your employer can give you a specific amount of education required. If you need a certificate, you may consider a fast-track training program. If the promotion requires getting a diploma, an associate degree will be needed.

The more questions you ask about why you want to attend college, the more answers you will have to help you decide.

What Are Your Future Educational Plans?

When you think of yourself getting an education, how many years do you envision yourself attending classes?

If you love to learn, you may have a goal to obtain as much education as you can throughout your lifetime. You may get excited just thinking about taking classes for years to come. If so, choose an associate degree program.

In two years or less you can obtain a degree that can help you enter the field in which you are interested. And, an associate degree program can provide a foundation of courses that can transfer into a bachelor level program.

You may want to get only the required amount of education needed to advance your career and never sit in another class. In this case, choose a fast-track training program, which can help you reach this goal in less than a year, depending on the program.

Understanding your future educational plans can help you choose between fast-track training and an associate degree program.

What Are Your Future Career Plans?

Most people start their careers in entry-level positions and work their way up to more desirable positions. Working your way up can mean acquiring additional education and training to prepare you for the upper level job duties.

If your goal is to rise to management or executive level status within a company, begin your educational path with an associate degree. You will be able to obtain the prerequisite courses needed for the future education you will need to earn.

Your goal may not be to climb the corporate ladder. You may find satisfaction in one job and want to stay in that job for as long as you can. If so, you may want to complete a fast-track training program to get you into that job as soon as possible.

Think about all your career goals and compare the two programs to see which one can help you reach them.

How Much Do You Want to Earn?

Both fast-track training program certificates and associate degrees have the potential to raise your income. However, an associate degree will typically bring in more money than a certificate.

For instance, in the nursing field, someone working as a vocation nurse, which requires a certificate, will make less than someone working as an associate degree level nurse.

Reports show that some associate degree level nurses can earn as much as registered nurses.

If you are looking for an increase in pay with no additional job duties, obtaining a fast-track certificate may be best. If you are looking for a significant increase in pay that also comes with more challenging duties, choose an associate degree program.

Do You Like to Be Bossed or Be the Boss?

It is some people’s goals to be a leader within a company. They want to supervise other employees, motivate staff, improve productivity and resolve problems within a program. Some even enjoy the responsibilities of hiring and firing staff, training new employees, and evaluating staff performances.

All these duties, in addition to the regular duties of their jobs.

If this sounds great to you, focus on getting an associate degree. Your diploma could help you apply and possibly obtain leadership type roles.

If this does not sound good to you, then maybe a certificate program is ideal. With a fast-track training certificate, you can enjoy your job responsibilities and it is doubtful you will have to supervise anyone. Most certificate holders are supervised by someone with a higher degree.

Consider how you handle authority. If you do well working under the authority of someone else, great. Go for the certificate.

Attending college can affect all aspects of your life, from your current working situation to your spouse to your children. Paying attention and giving thought to the needs of your lifestyle can help you decide if you want to pursue fast-track training or an associate degree.

While both offer online classes, an associate degree may also require additional in-class education and hands-on training activities. Many fast-track training programs can be completed online. However, local colleges offering certificate programs also provide opportunities for practice as well, just not as much as an associate degree program.

Assess your short and long-term personal goals, desires for future education and career, current your finances and lifestyle needs. Doing so will make it easier to choose between these two great programs.

The healthcare industry is growing.

The need for elderly care is on the rise, as well as the need for long-term care staff. The industry is growing so fast it seems the assistants to doctors and Nurse Practitioners are needing assistants. A licensed vocational nurse is the perfect assistant because they can work in a variety of medical facilities.

Where Can Vocational Nurses Work?

Vocational nurses are seeking employment in more than one industry. The healthcare industry offers employment at hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care units, and health clinics.

Vocational nurses can also find work in intermediate care facilities where they can help care for persons with disabilities. Their disability may be developmental or due to an injury of some kind.  Home health agencies offer a work environment for vocational nurses who prefer to care for someone in their own home.

Other places of employment can include private practices of physicians, addiction treatment centers, rehabilitation centers, and urgent care centers. You may even find work in school districts, military bases, universities and for professional sports teams, all of which benefit from nursing assistance.

What Do Vocational Nurses Do?

The job duties involved in vocational nursing include checking the vital signs of patients. Vital signs can include blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and respiration.

A vocational nurse monitors the patient closely. They do so to report any abnormalities or complications they see to the doctor. A complication, for example, could be an allergic reaction or medication interaction.

Vocational nurses may also be responsible for injections, enemas, and catheters. In addition, they may need to change bedding, clean bedsores, help patients use the bathroom and bathe, start IVs, and administer medication upon doctor requests.

Vocational nurses who work in labor and delivery can assist in feeding infants and tending to their needs. Some can even assist during delivery. They also work on keeping documentation of patient progress, including how much they eat and drink. These duties can change day to day, depending on the needs of the patient and doctor’s orders.

What Level of Education is Required to Be a Vocational Nurse?

Your local college offers a fast-track training program to get you working in the healthcare industry quickly. They typically provide 60 weeks of course instruction to prepare you for entry level vocational nursing jobs.

Course focus is on learning the basics of the practice of nursing, this includes lab work where you can gain hands-on experience. Your courses will also focus on specific areas of nursing such as working with the elderly, working with orthopedics, working in a clinic and even respiratory nursing.

Further courses focus on all the major internal functions of the body, from cardiology to the endocrine system, the nerves and the brain. There are even administrative courses to teach you how to be a leader or manager, and how to work with or supervise other staff.

Are Vocational Nurses Licensed?

Yes, most vocational nurses are licensed. Completing a fast-track program at your local college prepares you to take the licensure exam for vocational nursing. You will need to take the licensure exam in the state in which you plan to work. The test is called the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses. It is given by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Having a license can benefit you, especially during the hiring process. If an employer is struggling to make a choice between you and another vocational nurse without a license, the fact that you are licensed may give you an edge over your competitor.

How is Vocational Nursing Different Than Other Types of Nursing?

If you are not familiar with the nursing career, it may seem confusing when trying to distinguish between a licensed vocational nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified nursing assistant, and registered nurse.

A licensed vocational nurse and a licensed practical nurse are the same. If you live in Texas and California, the title of vocational nursing is used. Other states use the title of licensed practical nursing. They are supervised by doctors and registered nurses and complete tasks as requested.

Certified nursing assistants require minimal training, usually four to six weeks in which they learn the very basics of caring for patients. Duties they can perform include taking vital signs, feeding patients, cleaning rooms, and helping patients get dressed or use the bathroom.

Certified nursing assistants must pass the certification exam offered by the state in which they work. Many certified nursing assistants later enroll in a local college to gain the education needed to become a vocational nurse.

Registered nurses supervise vocational nurses and nursing assistants. They have obtained a minimum of an associate degree from a local college. However, many agencies to are looking to hire registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree.

The reason for needing more education is because registered nurses perform more critical job duties. Some examples include performing diagnostic testing, analyzing results, educate patients and their family members on prevention and recovery. Registered nurses also develop and carry out nursing care plans.

They are also responsible for keeping the environment of the facility safe and harmonious, as well as performing lab work, assisting surgeons, and recommending treatments. And this is just a few of their responsibilities. Therefore, you can see why more education would be needed.

What is the Salary of a Vocational Nurse?

The salary of a vocational nurse can vary depending on the state in which you work, the facility in which you work, and the demand for vocational nursing in your area. The good news is that demand is rising, making nurses more valuable. The average hourly rate of a vocational nurse in the United States is close to $22 an hour. This is an exceptional rate of pay considering less than two years of education is required.

Vocational nursing is many things:  a great career; a stepping stone to higher level nursing careers; and the quickest way to begin working in the medical field. It is also a way to fulfill your need to help others.

There is plenty of research showing the healthcare industry is growing and expanding quickly. That means jobs within the industry are in high demand. This is great news for those of you looking to start working in a medical setting as soon as possible.

All you must do is obtain the right amount of education that will allow you to apply for jobs. One of the quickest career paths is through the medical office administration training program at your local college.

Medical office administration certificates and degrees make you available for numerous career options in a variety of medical settings. Whether you choose the fast-track training certificate program or an associate level degree program, you will be qualified to work in urgent care centers, hospitals, physician practices, nursing homes and many more facilities.

Just as varied are the career options you will have upon completion of your studies in medical office administration. Below you can learn more about these career options.

Medical Records

Working in the medical records career means you will deal with health information daily. You will analyze, coordinate, compile, and organize patient medical records. You will open files on new patients and close files of those who are being discharged.

Other duties include updating and maintain patient treatment and medical histories. Preparing files and reviewing them to keep them in compliance is another major requirement.

Working in the medical records field you can expect to make over $13 an hour, depending on your area and the agency in which you work.

Medical Office Receptionist

As a medical office receptionist, you are one of the first persons the patient will encounter. You can expect a lot of patient interaction in this career.

This is one of the most important roles within an agency. You will greet the patients, provide answers to their questions, and make sure they are comfortable while waiting to see the doctor or for other services.

Other duties can include scheduling patients, bookkeeping, answering calls, and maintain a positive environment within the office.

The average pay for this position in around $13 an hour. This can be higher in some geographic locations and lower in others.

Medical Assistant

If you prefer working on the clinical side rather than the administrative side, you can choose a career in medical assisting. This career allows you to assist doctors and nurses with certain tasks. You can take medical histories and check vital signs.

You can also give good explanations to patients about what they can expect during their visit and help them prepare for their exam. You can also assist the doctor during the exam.

In some states, you will be allowed to draw blood, remove sutures, change dressings, and administer medications. However, this can be done only under the supervision of a doctor or nurse.

Medical assistants can expect to earn close to $15 an hour on average.

Billing and Coding

If you like working strictly with data and are organized and detail-oriented, billing and coding may be the career for you. Those with two-year degrees and certifications can earn around $17 an hour, on average. The more certifications and experience you have, the higher your pay.

The tasks related to coding can include reviewing patient information and serve as a liaison between your office and the billing office in order to secure payment for services provided. You must know the coding guidelines

As a biller, you will need to understand the different types of insurance companies, as well as their billing practices. You must be able to submit claims successfully, following all policies correctly. And when a claim doesn’t go through, you will need to know how to properly follow-up on denied claims.

Both billing and coding staff will need to understand the rules and regulations of the healthcare industry, like HIPAA and The False Claims Act.

Caregiver

This career allows you to work directly with patients, one on one, in their homes. The average wage for a caregiver is around $12 an hour.

Caregivers have many responsibilities that include helping patients get dressed for the day. Depending on your hours, you may be helping them prepare for bed also. You will also help them with some of their personal care routines, such as brushing their hair, taking their medications or keeping good hygiene.

Because you are the connection between family members, patients, and their doctors, it is key you keep great records of progress or lack of progress on the patient. You need to record patient improvements, as well as any health issues or changes.

Lab Assistant

This career path allows you to perform duties required to medical testing. You will have little interaction with doctors or patients. You will have a great deal of interaction with several types of samples from patients.

Samples refer to the blood, urine or other fluids taken from a patient for testing. Your duties as a lab assistant is to prepare these samples for testing. You will need to know the right lab equipment to use for testing each sample.

You need to ensure the labels match the correct sample. This prevents patients from receiving the wrong test results.

You are also responsible for the properly labeled samples and results get returned to the correct physician for review.

Other duties include performing quality control checks, keeping the lab clean and organized, and excellent record-keeping.

Completing all these duties helps you earn an hourly wage of $13, on average.

In conclusion, these are just a few of the careers you can strive for upon graduating with a certificate or associate degree.

Other areas include working for chiropractors as an assistant, in school districts as an assistant to the school nurse or assisting military medical teams.

Reports show this industry is expected to grow by 29 percent over the next decade. If this is true, you will have many options when seeking a career. Until then, reach out to your local college for information on both the fast-track and associate degree programs in medical administration.

**Average wages and salary information were found at Payscale. This article in no way guarantees wages or employment.

Getting into the medical field is exciting. No matter what area interests you, it is sure to bring a new set of opportunities and challenges each day. And because jobs in the medical industry are on the rise, many people are choosing this field as a career.

There are few medical jobs today that do not require some form of certificate, training or higher education degree. From medical assisting to registered nurses to brain surgeons, specialized skills are needed to perform the functions of the job.

While choosing your medical career, you will need to prioritize the actions needed to reach your goal. Finding the right college to acquire the right skills is one of the biggest actions you will need to take.

In researching colleges, it is likely you will find your local college offers you the best options. Below are some of the reasons local colleges are great for those of you seeking medical training or a degree.

Program Variety

There are many necessary jobs within every medical facility. Someone is needed to admit patients, process insurance claims, enter data, care for patients, assist physicians, and manage office duties. In addition, leaders are needed to oversee the staff completing the tasks that make the agency successful.

Each of these require a higher level of training.

Some schools offer just a few medical programs that lead to a certificate or degree. Local colleges, on the other hand, offer a wide selection of training options in multiple medical fields.

Examples of programs offered at a local college typically include clinical or administrative medical assisting, vocational nursing, healthcare administration, pharmacy technology and medical office administration.

Just as there is a variety in programs, local colleges also offer you a variety in the type of medical training or degree you can receive.

Training and Degree Options

Whether it is job training, a certificate, or a degree, local colleges provide these opportunities.

Job training usually takes less than two years. Some programs last 60 months, others less. Once your complete the required courses, you can be prepared to take a certification exam to receive necessary credentials.

Associate degree programs are structured for a two-year period. You are given the education and hands-on training you will need to compete in the medical field. Completion of the program means you will receive a diploma in your area of study, as well as be prepared for certification exams.

Bachelor’s degree programs are also available for those who wish to receive additional training in medical careers such as administration. These programs teach you how to properly run a medical facility, from billing to supervision and leadership.

Quick Entry into the Medical Field

The sooner you can start working in the medical field, the better. Attending a local college for your medical training or degree allows you to seek a medical job in less than a year with some programs.

For example, local colleges have fast-tracked programs that teach you the required skills needed to start working in less than a year. Medical assisting, office administration and even vocational nursing are common programs under the fast-track system.

You may choose a medical career that requires more training than a fast-track program. Local colleges offer associate degree programs, as well as bachelor level programs. With associate degrees, you can begin working in the medical field in two years or less. Bachelor level programs are usually completed in four years are mostly focused on the administrative side of the medical industry.

Prepares You for Higher Degree Programs

You may already know you want to be a doctor or nurse practitioner. Or, maybe you want to specialize in a medical field that will require many more years of education. You may want to become a surgeon, you may want to deliver babies, you may even want to be a family practitioner.

All of these will require a bachelor’s degree and a degree from medical school. Some programs will require additional learning through residencies and specialized training.

Beginning your medical career journey at the local college level is a smart decision. You can complete the basic, general education courses quickly and according to many reports, for less money. You can even complete your basic medical courses online, giving you more freedom than a traditional university.

Prepares You to Work in a Variety of Medical Positions and Agencies

Your first thoughts of someone working in the medical field may be of a doctor, or front office staff, or even of someone taking your blood for lab work. These are just a few of the numerous medical positions.

Other examples include patient services, medical records, billing, coding, nursing, and caregiver. You may choose to be a pharmacy technician in which you assist pharmacists in filling prescriptions for patients.

Programs offered through local colleges prepare you for these differing positions. They also prepare you for adapting to different work environments, and the job you seek can vary just as much as the facility in which you work.

You are not limited to a hospital or local physicians office when you have medical training or a degree. You can choose environments such as a chiropractor’s office, dental office or urgent cares. You may choose to work for an imaging specialist or with a doctor who provides weight loss services.

Nursing homes, home health care, drug and alcohol centers and school systems are a few other examples.

In conclusion, these are just a few of the reasons attending a local college is great for your medical training or degree.

And you can start today getting enrolled in the medical training program that meets your career desires. Local colleges allow you to get this training through either online or on-campus classes. They allow you to be flexible in how you take the courses, and each program gives you access to industry leaders who can offer valuable advice.

Local college advisers are available to help you through every step of your training process.