Which classes most helpful for LPN's in clinics?

Andi33 · May 29, 2005

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

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. :)

Blackcat99 · May 30, 2005

Thanks Andi331 and alintanurse. I've tried home care in the past and didn't enjoy it. May be I will luck out and find a small doctor's office where I can be an LPN but mostly do MA duties? I have signed up for a computer class for summer school. :)

darla80 · May 31, 2005

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

nursescar · May 31, 2005

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.......

Blackcat99 · Jun 1, 2005

Thanks darla80 and nursescar. :) Yes I think working side by side with a doctor would be a great learning experience. I work hospice now in a small facility. I really love hospice but the hospice around here hires LPN's/RN's for part-time positions only.

nursescar · Jun 2, 2005

Thanks darla80 and nursescar. :) Yes I think working side by side with a doctor would be a great learning experience. I work hospice now in a small facility. I really love hospice but the hospice around here hires LPN's/RN's for part-time positions only.

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....... :stone

sgent · Jun 30, 2005

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.

Blackcat99 · Jun 30, 2005

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.

Thanks sgent. There is an LPN clinic job in the paper today. It says must know ICD-9 coding so I think you are right when you say that the office jobs are so varied. :)