online school studying tips

How to Overcome Distractions While Studying Online

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Online learning offers plenty of benefits. Also known as asynchronous learning, studying online allows you to complete schoolwork on your own schedule and at your own pace. These features are especially advantageous if you work full-time or have a family to care for. But the safety and comfort of your home, paired with easy access to your smart device and all the distractions on the internet, can potentially make remote coursework a lot less productive than taking classes in person. If you’re pursuing a college degree from home, it’s important to find ways to avoid various distractions, such as social media or conversations with family members, that can negatively affect your focus and productivity. Overcoming distractions doesn’t happen overnight, but if you establish some ground rules and commit to them, you’ll be able to maintain the focus and self-discipline needed to be academically successful. When you’re studying, writing a paper or taking a test, it’s important to find a quiet and private space that allows you to focus on the task at hand. If you choose to do schoolwork in the living room of your home, chances are you will keep getting distracted by family members or a loud television. If you cannot find a secluded space at home, consider going somewhere conducive to studying. For example, find a cozy coffee shop near you with access to Wi-Fi. You can also book a study room in your local library where you’re guaranteed to be free from disturbances and can focus on schoolwork. If you’re like most people, it’s possible you spend a lot of time on your phone. Many people have become addicted to their phones, engaging in activities like browsing social media and apps, watching videos on YouTube or messaging friends. If your phone use cuts into your limited study time, find a way to eliminate this distraction. You can simply turn off your phone or your phone’s notifications. Consider putting your phone away or moving it to a different room. If you’re studying at a library or coffee shop, leave your phone at home or in your car. Since taking online courses doesn’t require you to show up to a classroom at a fixed time, you’re pretty much free to create your own school schedule. While this comes easily to some, others may have a hard time prioritizing school and devoting time to studying. Establishing a consistent routine will help you limit distractions and increase your overall focus and productivity. You can also create a detailed plan of study which will help you avoid distractions and work more efficiently. For example, give yourself two hours every day to complete schoolwork, followed by an activity you enjoy, such as working out or walking your dog. Knowing you only have two hours to study and turn in any assignments will deter you from wasting precious time scrolling your phone or engaging in other distractions. Incorporating short breaks into your schedule is a crucial aspect of a good study routine. When you’re concentrating on schoolwork and staring at a screen for a prolonged period of time, your brain becomes tired and needs downtime to rest. By going for a short walk, exercising or grabbing a cup of your favorite coffee, you’re giving yourself time to recharge so you can return to your studies feeling refreshed and ready to focus again. At SLCHC, we welcome allows students to experience blended learning by completing a combination of online and in-person courses. Whether you’re interested in becoming a nurse, medical assistant or a physical therapy assistant, we have the right program and curriculum to help you reach your career goal. To learn more, call 866-529-2070 or .

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How to Research Colleges and Find the Right School for You

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If you’re fed up with low-paying, dead end jobs, you may be thinking about going back to school.  Today’s job market is filled with promising job opportunities, but many of them require a college degree. While pursuing higher education can be a challenging endeavor, research shows it’s often well worth it. For instance, in 2021 people with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of , while high school graduates made an average of $30,000 a year. Having a college degree can open doors to many interesting and financially attractive job opportunities. Luckily, colleges and universities aren’t just reserved for young high school graduates on the brink of adulthood. Anybody, regardless of their age and background, can better themselves by earning a college degree from an accredited institution of their choice. If you’re interested in a college degree, it’s important to understand your motives and consider several factors before making a decision on what, where and how to study. This is the most fundamentally important question you should answer, as it will help you determine if college is truly the right path for you. Going to school requires commitment and can be mentally, physically and financially demanding. If you’ve decided to go to college because of other people’s expectations, you might not find the dedication and perseverance necessary to complete your degree. On the other hand, if your desire to pursue a college degree comes from an intrinsic need to create a better future for yourself and your loved ones, more likely than not, college is the right choice for you. Other than an increase in pay, what else do you want to get out of your college degree? Think carefully about your interests and strengths. If you enjoy serving others, perhaps a career as a . Once you’ve figured out what interests you, research colleges and programs that align with your interests. Consider the post-graduation job outlook of the field you’re interested in studying. For instance, if your plan is to become a , research career outlooks to make sure you won’t have much trouble landing a job after you graduate. You don’t want to pursue a degree with a low employment rate or one that doesn’t offer an attractive salary. You may also want to consider acquiring skills that are projected to be in high demand within the next ten years. For example, employment of nurse practitioners is expected to grow . This means getting a degree in nursing will likely help you secure a steady and financially rewarding career in the healthcare field. When researching colleges and universities, consider only those that are accredited. An educational institution that is accredited has undergone a rigorous check by a credible authority recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation ensures the school you’re considering offers a legitimate education that meets the national standard of excellence. A degree from an unaccredited school might not be accepted by employers, certifying agencies that administer licensing tests or other schools you may want to transfer to in the future. Not every person has the free time and resources to attend in-person classes and experience campus life, especially working adults and those with families. If you have other obligations, going back to school may be a challenging undertaking. Luckily, many colleges offer flexible programs that allow busy students to complete schoolwork at their own pace and at the time of day that works best for them. If your schedule doesn’t allow you to attend in-person classes, look for programs that offer online courses, evening classes or a combination of both. If you’re thinking about a career in the healthcare field, explore the many accredited programs C has to offer. We provide state-of-the-art courses that combine theory with practice. At SLCHC, we want to make sure students from all walks of life have access to an , academically challenging education that equips them with the knowledge they need to thrive in modern healthcare workplaces. Browse our list of programs or call 866 529-2070 to learn more.

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What Type of Degree is Needed to Manage a Hospital or Medical Facility

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can help get your foot in the door. Those aspiring to work high-level positions with the most generous pay should consider pursuing a graduate degree in healthcare administration or business administration with an emphasis in healthcare management. As a healthcare administrator, your job is to manage daily operations within a healthcare facility. You’ll likely be given a plethora of administrative responsibilities and be expected to multitask in a fast-paced environment. The best healthcare administrators possess outstanding organizational skills, know how to budget large amounts of money and have excellent communication skills. They also need the capacity to lead and thrive in an ever-changing, fast-paced environment. A healthcare administrator is the heart of any healthcare organization. They ensure frontline workers can operate efficiently and have the necessary resources to provide the highest quality of care to patients. Healthcare administrators work behind the scenes and oversee facility operations. While healthcare administrators communicate with doctors, nurses and other staff, they’re rarely required to interact with patients. Due to their diverse array of daily responsibilities, healthcare administrators typically earn a generous salary and are likely to earn more as they acquire new skills and gain experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare administrators earn on average . Another benefit to pursuing a career in healthcare administration is job security stemming from the steady growth of job openings in the upcoming years. In fact, employment in the healthcare administration field is expected to grow by the year 2030. Do you possess the talents and desire to become a successful healthcare administrator? There’s no better time than now to earn a degree in healthcare administration and put your talents to work in a medical setting of your choice. Pursuing a degree in healthcare administration may be an ideal option for people who want to be involved with healthcare but have an aversion to blood or would prefer not to work directly with patients. This career path allows students to join a rapidly growing field with reliable job prospects without needing to pursue formal medical training. While many employers prefer to hire college graduates with a bachelor’s degree can still qualify you apply for numerous entry-level healthcare administration jobs. This option may be good if you’re on the fence about the healthcare administration career path or you want to get into the workplace as soon as possible. If you’re looking for a more specialized and in-depth program, a may the right choice for you. This degree can also propel you toward more advanced and financially rewarding positions within healthcare administration. Those who truly wish to stand out in their field should consider pursuing a graduate degree in healthcare administration, such as a . The program allows students to hone their leadership and problem-solving skills through rigorous coursework. Earning a graduate degree in healthcare administration can open many doors to the most advanced and financially lucrative career opportunities. Consider pursuing one of the accredited programs available at St. Louis College of Health Careers. Our accredited healthcare administration programs are available online, so you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home to immerse yourself in the coursework. Learn more about our diverse array of by visiting our website or calling 866-529-2070.

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Using Your Degree to Become a Traveling Nurse

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While a career in nursing can be rewarding both professionally and personally. It’s not uncommon for nurses to work several years in the same hospital or outpatient facility. People who thrive in consistent environments with clearly defined expectations may excel in those positions. However, others may find greater satisfaction from frequently changing their work environment or experiencing new challenges. If you’re someone with an adventurous spirit who loves to care for people, why not consider becoming a travelling nurse? Travel nurses fill a vital niche in the medical field. The heroic assistance they provided to understaffed facilities overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases was a recent example of just how valuable these healthcare professionals can be for patients.   Generally, a travelling nurse provides medical care to patients on various short-term assignments, which are offered to them by special staffing agencies. These assignments require moving to various locations and working in different hospitals and healthcare facilities. Each assignment typically lasts between eight and 26 weeks. Travel nurses play a critical role in filling in for permanent nurses whose life circumstances are preventing them from working. These circumstances include things like maternity leave, short or long-term disability and familial obligations. Travelling nurses may also play a key role in filling certain specialized nursing positions, especially when hiring the right permanent nurse requires a lot of time and effort.     There is no perfect job, and just like many other professions, travel nursing has its pros and cons. Of course, what one person considers a disadvantage may be a significant benefit to someone else. Deciding to work as a travel nurse should be a personal choice based on your unique needs and preferences. If you want the opportunity to explore different parts of the country, and sometimes even different parts of the world, a career in travel nursing may be right for you. You may also find it interesting to meet people from diverse backgrounds and learn new skills and practices from other healthcare professionals. One of the undisputed benefits of travel nursing is a potentially higher pay than the average nursing salary. It’s not uncommon for travel nurses to earn over a year, depending on their degree and experience. If you’re looking to save up a substantial amount of money and don’t mind living with family or friends in between your assignments, travel nursing may help you quickly achieve your financial goals. The most common disadvantages of travel nursing include being almost constantly away from family and friends, which may be especially problematic if you have children. Although many travel nurse agencies do provide benefits like health insurance and travel reimbursement, they may not be as comprehensive or flexible as the benefits offered by some permanent positions. Travel nurses may also need multiple state licenses to be eligible for certain assignments.   To become eligible for travel nursing you’ll need to earn your nursing degree and gain valuable work experience. Travel nurses must be registered nurses (RNs). To become one, you’ll have to earn either an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing. You’ll also need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses and apply for RN licensure in your state. Some agencies or healthcare facilities may want travel nursing candidates to have at least two years of hands-on experience through a stationary, full-time position, such as working in a hospital, nursing home or outpatient clinic.   If nursing sounds like an interesting career but you’re not ready to commit to years of coursework, consider earning a from St. Louis College of Health Careers. Our academically rigorous, hands-on program will prepare you for a rewarding entry-level nursing career and help you decide if becoming a registered nurse is something you aspire to do. For more information about our diverse catalog of .

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What Is a Simulation Lab and How Does It Enhance Learning Experiences

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Becoming a nurse requires a lot of hands-on training. Nursing students need to be prepared to deliver quality care to real-life patients once they enter the workforce. To do so, they must have the opportunity to practice what they learn, make mistakes and learn from them in a safe and supportive academic environment. To ensure nursing students gain as much practical knowledge and exposure to clinical situations as possible, many nursing schools provide their students with realistic clinical settings in the form of simulation labs. These simulation labs, also known as simulation centers, include realistic looking labs, simulation mannequins and medical equipment and technology, such as IV pumps, defibrillators and electronic health records. The labs are designed to resemble typical hospital settings, like emergency rooms, intensive care units, operating rooms and labor and delivery rooms. The experiential learning that happens in simulation labs prepares students for real-life nursing careers without exposing actual patients to the potentially harmful mistakes of students.   Participating in a nursing simulation lab requires much more than just showing up and taking part in a medical scenario. A typical simulation lab consists of three steps: .   Preparation is key to a successful simulation lab experience. Before attending lab practice, your instructor will likely give you a list of example patients with various medical conditions. These conditions may include things like respiratory distress, low blood sugar, cardiac arrest and opioid overdose. It’s the student’s responsibility to attend the simulation lab prepared. This means you’ll need to research each simulation patient’s condition and complete any assigned readings and tasks before the active participation step. Showing up unprepared will significantly diminish your learning experience and may negatively affect your academic performance.   This part requires your active participation in a simulation lab scenario. You’ll be asked to care for a “patient” showing symptoms of one or more of the conditions you were assigned by your instructor. You may be asked to work alone or with fellow students. The idea behind the simulation is to get you to think and act quickly and become accustomed to working in a high-pressure medical environment. Your instructor, who will be watching you from another location, can control what the “patient” says or how they respond to your questions, so you can never really know what to expect or how the scenario will play out. This allows your instructor to evaluate your nursing skills in real time and give you plenty of useful feedback afterward.   A simulation lab cannot be successful without a thorough debriefing session. Here, you’ll get to review the simulation performance of you and your classmates with your instructor and peers. You’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your decisions and actions, evaluate what went well and identify areas for improvement.   As a future nurse, participating in simulation labs is an invaluable learning experience. Research shows ing outcomes when there’s an abundance of practice involved, which a clinical simulation lab provides. SLCHC’s state-of-the-art provide nursing students an abundance of experiential learning to help them excel in their future medical careers. Our students get to polish their skills in a safe and academically nurturing environment alongside dedicated faculty and fellow students. To learn more about our or visit our St. Louis or Fenton campuses.

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What Is HIPAA and How Does it Impact Electronic Health Records

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HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Enacted in 1996, HIPAA is a federal law that protects the privacy and security of patient health information. This means whether your health information is stored in a paper record or an electronic record, it must be kept private and secure. Nowadays, most healthcare providers have ditched traditional paper records in favor of electronic health records (EHR). While there are several benefits to storing information electronically, there’s also plenty of room for breaches in security and privacy. To ensure HIPAA compliance, healthcare organizations must implement a variety of security methods to protect their patients’ health information, including passwords, PIN numbers, encryptions and logon and change audit reports.   Thanks to the introduction of electronic health records, healthcare professionals can easily store, update and share information about a patient’s health. The information can be accessed by doctors, nurses, lab technicians and pharmacists in real time, which makes it easier for patients to receive fast and accurate care. All this data is considered .   Organizations breaking HIPAA policies can suffer devastating consequences, such as hefty financial penalties of up to if the violation resulted from willful neglect.   While there’s plenty of room for HIPAA violations to occur, healthcare organizations and businesses can take several steps to enforce safe handling policies for confidential patient information. Businesses should strive to create comprehensive privacy policies and ensure each employee, regardless of their everyday responsibilities, receives proper HIPAA compliance training. Special attention should be given to administrative employees, such as medical billers and coders who manage patient electronic health records. These trainings should be delivered in a simple and straightforward manner, without overwhelming employees with legal jargon or unnecessary information.   Are you interested in being part of the ever-evolving healthcare administration field? A career in medical billing may be the right choice for you. As a medical biller, you’ll be responsible for effectively managing a variety of medical records. Medical billers are needed in all kinds of healthcare organizations, including hospitals, private practices and nursing facilities. Take the first step in your healthcare career by exploring SLCHS’s program. Our academically challenging coursework will give you a solid foundation and professional confidence to set your healthcare career in motion. To learn more about our programs, call 866-529-2070 or on our website.

stress relief tips for college students

Stress Relieving Tips for College Students

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Stress is an inevitable part of life. People juggling several different responsibilities, such as a full-time job, parenthood and schoolwork, are especially prone to experiencing a lot of stress. Stress can perpetuate a vicious cycle that contributes to poor academic performance, which in turn causes you even more distress. If you’re subjected to multiple stressors like academic pressure, relationship problems or financial hardships, you may be tempted to throw in the towel on your academic pursuits. Before you give up on your career advancement goals, consider adopting some stress relieving techniques. A busy schedule can lead to less-than-ideal eating habits. Stress eating, skipping meals or eating processed foods loaded with preservatives and added sugar will drain your energy and lead to unhealthy weight gain. It may seem burdensome or even impossible to set aside a few hours each week for grocery shopping and cooking, but this time investment will help you maintain a sharp mind, even temper and a healthy body. To improve your eating habits, follow a diet rich in lean protein, healthy fats and ample fruits and vegetables. Pulling all-nighters before major exams isn’t uncommon for many students, but it can significantly increase your stress levels. Staying up late is tempting, especially if that’s the only free time you have for yourself, but sleep debt can lead to fatigue, depression and trouble concentrating, all of which will have a negative effect on your academic performance. To get enough rest, aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night and try getting to bed before midnight. Regular exercise isn’t just a way to burn calories and stay in shape. When you’re stressed or tired from prolonged mental activity, exercise can reduce stress levels and help you feel rejuvenated. You don’t have to engage in strenuous workouts to keep stress at bay. Find something you actually enjoy, like yoga, Pilates or walking your dog. Do it three to four times a week for 30 minutes to soothe tension or worry. Your schedule may be filled with many responsibilities and obligations to family members, your employer and professors, but setting aside a few hours per week to do something you like will help you destress and feel fulfilled. This doesn’t have to involve anything complicated or expensive and can be as simple as taking a relaxing bubble bath, working in the garden or volunteering for your favorite nonprofit. Time management is a universally useful skill to hone. However, when you’re in college, poor time management can not only cause you stress but also negatively affect your academic performance. Make sure you know which assignments are due and when and give yourself adequate time to study. Leaving schoolwork for the last minute is never a good idea, as you’re bound to run out of time, miss out on learning and produce subpar work. Use a calendar or planner to write down upcoming assignments and exams so you can prioritize study time on the days leading up to tests or due dates. Going to college can be a lonely and stressful experience. If you’re taking classes online, you may enjoy a flexible schedule, but you may also feel socially isolated, especially if you enjoy interacting with others. Consider reaching out to fellow students and joining a study group to relieve the stress of solitary work. Participating in a study group is an effective way to stay up to date with class assignments, avoid procrastination and exchange valuable ideas and perspectives. If you’re having a particularly tough time dealing with the stress of schoolwork, reach out to your school’s student services to see what kind of resources they have to help you. You may benefit immensely from talking to an academic advisor or mental health professional. At St. Louis College of Health Careers, we offer many to help students succeed in their academic journey. We work closely with each student to ensure they receive the time, mentorship and learning tools they need to keep college stress at bay and become exceptional healthcare professionals. To learn more about our programs, call (866) 529-2070 or .  

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How Exactly Does Financial Aid Work?

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Getting a higher education can be a transformative accomplishment. A college degree from an accredited institution can open doors to fulfilling careers, financial stability and a better life for you and your loved ones. But college can also be pricey, and you may find yourself putting off going to school because of how financially straining it may be. Luckily, post-secondary education isn’t exclusively reserved for wealthy individuals from affluent families. There are many educational institutions offering affordable programs and financial aid opportunities so anyone with a drive for success and a passion for learning can obtain a degree of their choice. There are a variety of financial aid options offered to students to help them pay for college. Students of different ages and backgrounds apply for financial aid when they can’t afford to pay for things like tuition, books, school supplies or boarding out of pocket. Students might also use financial aid to support themselves if they are offered prestigious unpaid internships. Financial aid isn’t limited to student loans. Many schools help students pay for education through grants and scholarships. If you’ve ever applied for financial aid or are planning to apply, you may be wondering about the difference between need-based versus merit-based aid. Need-based financial aid is given to students based on their financial profile, such as family assets, income and expenses. This type of aid can take many forms, including loans, work-study positions and scholarships. Merit-based aid is awarded to students based on their academic performance, such as a good high school GPA or other outstanding academic accomplishments. Typically, to be eligible for merit-based aid, you don’t need to meet any financial requirements. Unlike need-based aid, merit-based financial assistance is given in the form of scholarships or grants that don’t need to be paid back. Many colleges and universities, including St. Louis College of Health Careers, offer some type of student aid. At SLCHC, we connect students to , including student loans, grants and student employment. There are two primary ways to apply for financial aid. Firstly, students are encouraged to complete the (FAFSA), which is sponsored by the U.S Department of Education. Completing this form doesn’t guarantee financial assistance but it’s the only way to determine if you are eligible to receive federal aid or state assistance and how much money you qualify for. If you’re planning to apply for federal aid, be sure to fill out your FAFSA as soon as October 1, but no later than June 30, which is the federal deadline to submit your application. You can also submit a College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) if your school of choice uses it as part of their financial aid process. The CSS Profile is used mainly by private colleges and universities to award nonfederal aid. The application is maintained by the and becomes available online on October 1 each year. The deadlines depend on the school or program you’re applying for. Generally, grants and scholarships are considered gifts, therefore you don’t have to pay them back. Conversely, federal and private loans need to be repaid. The repayment process for federal loans begins after a student has graduated, with a grace period of up to six months. Many private loans need to be repaid during the academic year. Are you interested in a career in the healthcare field but you’re questioning whether you can afford pursuing a degree? At St. Louis College of Health Careers, we offer a variety of affordable resources. Our goal is to provide an education to people from diverse walks of life, regardless of what their financial situation may be. To learn more about our programs and how we can assist you financially in your educational journey, call (866) 529-2070 or .

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The Difference Between a Pulmonologist and a Respiratory Therapist

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If you enjoy helping people and don’t mind working long shifts, a career in the ever-expanding health care field may be an attractive prospect for you. You can make yourself invaluable to many health care employers by obtaining an education in pulmonology or respiratory therapy. While both pulmonologists and respiratory therapists treat patients with a wide range of respiratory conditions, there are several differences between these two professions. A pulmonologist is a doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating respiratory system diseases. The respiratory system includes organs like your lungs, windpipe, throat and other parts of your body responsible for breathing. While most acute and short-lived diseases like the flu or pneumonia can be treated by regular doctors, patients with persistent cardiopulmonary issues are often referred to a pulmonologist. Pulmonologists can diagnose and treat many kinds of serious, complicated and often chronic lung diseases, like cystic fibrosis, asthma, emphysema, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia and more. Pulmonologists work in a variety of medical settings, from hospitals to private and group practices. They can also be found working in sleep labs where they aide patients with sleep disorders. Respiratory therapists are certified medical professionals that assist with the treatment and diagnosis of respiratory system diseases. RTs usually work alongside physicians, such as pulmonologists, and other medical doctors, physician assistants and nurses. They usually perform hands-on tasks to help patients who are struggling to breathe. A respiratory therapist’s job duties might include things like putting patients on ventilators, administering medications, performing diagnostic tests and examining patients with breathing difficulties and more. Like pulmonologists, respiratory therapists work in different hospital settings, such as emergency rooms and intensive care units. They also find employment in outpatient facilities like sleep labs. Both pulmonologists and respiratory therapists provide medical care to patients with breathing conditions. However, pulmonologists have more education, expertise and authority in treating patients compared to respiratory therapists. They also tend to have much higher salaries than respiratory therapists. Becoming a pulmonologist is a lengthy and expensive process that can take nearly a decade and involves both general and specialized training. Pulmonologists generally need to earn a four-year pre-med bachelor’s degree and a four-year medical school degree, followed by a three- to seven-year residency or internship. Becoming a respiratory therapist is much faster and usually takes four to eight semesters depending on the type of degree you’re pursuing. At an institution that offers several semesters each year, like St. Louis College of Health Careers, those degrees can be completed at an accelerated pace. Generally, respiratory therapists only need an associate degree to work with patients, but RTs with a bachelor’s degree are often favored since they have more education and expertise compared to their two-year associate degree counterparts. While a challenging and lengthy educational journey precedes becoming a pulmonologist, the salary is commensurate to both the time and monetary investment. As of December 2021, a doctor specializing in pulmonary medicine . However, these numbers can vary depending on location, certifications, years practiced and any additional skills or specialties the doctor possesses. The average annual salary for . Respiratory therapists are in high demand, with RT jobs expected to increase 23 percent by 2030. Pursuing a degree in respiratory therapy allows you to begin your career and earn a good paycheck far more quickly than someone who is pursuing a medical degree with a pulmonology focus. If you’re interested in becoming a respiratory therapist, a degree from the St. Louis College of Health Careers may help propel you toward a stable and rewarding career. We offer both in respiratory therapy to help you fulfill your professional goals. Our academically challenging and comprehensive programs can be completed entirely online so you don’t have to sacrifice valuable work time to attend on-campus classes. You can learn more about our programs by on our website.

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Do I Need a Degree to Become a Medical Assistant or Is a Certification Enough

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Working as a medical assistant doesn’t require extensive education, but you will likely need to complete a postsecondary training program. While it’s technically possible to become a medical assistant right out of high school and be taught skills on the job, many health care employers favor hiring candidates who have earned at least a medical assisting diploma or certification. A medical assisting diploma will give you plenty of theoretical knowledge and the hands-on skills you’ll need to work as a medical assistant. You’ll learn important administrative and clinical skills to perform your duties successfully. Many medical assisting programs can be completed online, but on-campus classes are available as well. Consider a program that offers a variety of learning environments, like online classes, labs and an externship that will allow you to gain both theoretical and practical experience. Typically, earning a medical assisting diploma takes anywhere from 10 months to two years. Taking your education a step further by getting a medical assisting associate degree can set you apart from other job candidates. You’ll likely be considered more qualified for entry-level medical assisting positions and your scope of responsibilities may be more diverse and impactful. An associate degree is also a great steppingstone to furthering your education and advancing in your career. For example, holding a health care-related associate degree makes you eligible to pursue more advanced degrees in the future, like On average, a medical assisting associate degree takes four semesters to complete. This largely depends on your employer’s preferences and the state you wish to work in. For example, the state of Missouri . However, getting your certification helps you stand out among other job seekers and tells employers you’re committed to your new career. There are two exams you can choose from to become certified: . Both test your knowledge on topics like physiology, medical terminology and legal compliance. With growing numbers of aging baby boomers requiring medical care, the demand for medical services continues to be on the rise. As a result, the medical assistant profession is expected to . Medical assistants can be found in a wide range of medical settings. You’d likely be working at a doctor’s office, a hospital or an outpatient facility, such as a primary care clinic, urgent care or an ambulatory surgery center. Medical assistants may also find employment at dental clinics and nursing homes. If you’re interested in a career in the medical field, St. Louis College of Health Careers has the right programs to help you achieve your professional goals. We provide several educational opportunities for students seeking careers in health care, whether you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant or . Our accredited and comprehensive medical assistant programs prepare you for a rewarding career and make you eligible to take the national Certified Medical Assistant examination. Explore our programs to decide which option is best suited for your professional goals and aspirations. You can learn more about our programs on our website.