Which classes most helpful for LPN's in clinics?

nursescar · May 27, 2005

I have never worked in a clinic. I want to take college classes to help me land a job in a clinic. I have seen many classes listed. Coding, medical billing, word processing etc. etc. etc. Which classes would be most helpful for an LPN working in a clinic? Thanks :)

Get you EMT as well......that is so helpful in an office setting. As you can see from many of the posts here people will walk in to the office sometimes, and be on the way "out" WE had a man once who went picking blackberries and had gotten stung- and of COURSE did not have his EPI pen-he almost died in our office-thank GOd he didn't we had O2 and EPI and Bendryl IM but those are the kinds of thinks that happen in an office! All the best to you.

Blackcat99 · May 27, 2005

Thanks nursecar. Yes being prepared for emergencies is important. Are clinic nurses expected to know how to do insurance billing too? What kind of computer skills are expected from LPN's? :)

Andi33 · May 27, 2005

Thanks nursecar. Yes being prepared for emergencies is important. Are clinic nurses expected to know how to do insurance billing too? What kind of computer skills are expected from LPN's? :)

Are you already an LPN? If not, when you do go to nursing school you will learn clinical skills as opposed to clerical. CMA's (certified medical assistants) learn both administrative and clinical (coding, billing, appointments, management, phlebotomy, injections, lab tests, etc). I'm sure that if you were hired as an LPN in a clinic setting, you would be taught computer skills for whatever computer program the office used. Taking the classes you mentioned aren't required for an LPN, but it would enhance your nursing education. Hope this helps.

Blackcat99 · May 27, 2005

Thanks Andi. I am already an LPN with lots of medical experience. I just need to know if it would be more helpful to take computer classes or coding/medical billing classes. Thanks :)

Andi33 · May 27, 2005

Thanks Andi. I am already an LPN with lots of medical experience. I just need to know if it would be more helpful to take computer classes or coding/medical billing classes. Thanks :)

Sorry Blackcat-I would definitely take the computer course. I have worked in clinics and they almost always have full-time billers and coders either on the premisis, or at the hospital they are affiliated with. If it's a small clinic, usually the office manager will do the billing. If you don't know alot about computers, a Intro to Computers course covers the basics, plus word processing, spreadsheets, etc...Most everything is done today on computers, like appointment schedules and patient medical records.

Blackcat99 · May 27, 2005

Thanks Audi33. :) I will sign up for some computer classes.

alintanurse · May 28, 2005

Blackcat, I worked at a clinic recently and the LPN was expected to triage phone calls --which could keep you busy all day. She also managed the MA's and their schedules,along with making appts. for patients and acted as an assistant to specific MD's on certain days.

Blackcat99 · May 29, 2005

Oh no. I'll be stuck on the phone all day? Yikes I'm not a "telephone" person.

The LPN's have to manage the MA's and their schedules too? That part doesn't sound like much fun. I had thought I would mainly be greeting the patients, taking vital signs, charting and making appointments for patients. Thanks so much for the information. :) Maybe I better re-think my desire to work in a clinic.

alintanurse · May 29, 2005

The MA's mainly did the vitals and placing patients in rooms,they also worked each doctor's clinic along with the LVN. Basically, the LVN acted as a supervisor and did telephone and walk-in triage.

Blackcat99 · May 29, 2005

Thanks alintanurse. I am determined not to return to LTC. Maybe I will take medical assisting classes and become a MA. :)

alintanurse · May 29, 2005

How about trying homecare?