Which classes most helpful for LPN's in clinics?

How about trying homecare?

I just finished my MA program and we are trained to work specifically in clinical settings. We do vitals, setup pts., assist Doc's with minor sx procedures, phlebotomy, injections, lab tests, EKG's and are also trained for front office. I don't think you would like the cut in pay that you would be taking though, but it wouldn't hurt to look around and see what positions for LPN's in clinics are out there. Seems to depend on what state and area you live in.

There are several determinig factors in choosing a clinic job and the skills you will need
the size of the practice, the specialty, the availabilty of computers Electonic medical record etc

Working in a specialist office Ie: neuro, endo, ENT, derm. Onc etc ..can be very challenging and you will use your medical skills.

I work in IM .. and I love it as we take care of alot of pts with multiple organ problems and many geriatric pts, the elderly are some of my favorite patients..thier complexities and thier personalities. My office is small but very computer saavy .. computers in every room as well as the nurses station..I agree the computer classes would be most helpful

My advice . find an area you love and enjoy the one on one interaction you get in an office setting

Another plus to the office .... as you work side by side with a doc or docs ..you can learn alot about the practice of medicine

I wish you Good Luck
Joy and Smiles *Darla

I would just add- knowwing what your setting does and doesn't do. Even my
place where I have been for 7 years-some days we send folks to the ER and some days we don't. So yOu have to be prepared for what ever.......

Balckcat, it also depends on the "climate" of your town....for example do
people think of your office as a mini ER? Or do they know to call the squad-or
go to the ER---in our town folks come in all the time and we have to send them to the hospital via the rescue squad.......

Speaking from an FP/IM/Ped perspective...

Office jobs are so varied its hard to say. In a lot of offices, espcially small ones, the LPN is generally in "charge" of the office -- can be anything from triage to handling calls from pharmacists/hospital, to doing lab work (both to send off and in house) to assisting with minor surgery, wound dressing, patient education, procedures such as ekgs, spirometry, etc...

If you were to take specific classes, make sure that your BLS is up to date, and a ACLS & PALS would also be useful. Also take a class on clinical labratory if available. Things like reading urinealysis, doing KOH preps, etc.