Medical Terminology is a basic requirement for nearly every healthcare related career path. Recognizing, understanding, and pronouncing basic medical terms, abbreviations, and more is critical for success in a clinical environment or behind the scenes support role. And medical terminology courses don’t just teach you vocabulary. You’ll learn how to break down complex medical terms concepts into prefixes, suffixes and word roots so that you can decipher them.

Let medical terminology be the foundation on which to build your healthcare career. Let’s take a closer look at some careers that require this knowledge and skill.

Medical Transcriptionist

While many companies are digitizing their medical records, there is still a market for medical transcriptionists. In the past, medical transcriptionists listened to a doctor’s dictation and transcribed it into the medical record.

Today, as many doctors are required to create their own records, medical transcription is evolving into medical record editing. A strong background in medical terminology is required for these roles.

Medical Assistant

If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant, you should start out with a basic introduction to medical terminology. A medical assistant is usually the first person a patient sees during an appointment. They’ll take and record vital signs and medical histories.

This role is a combination of clinical and clerical work, but it is necessary to understand medical terminology to succeed.

Medical Records Clerk

If you would rather be behind the scenes, a role as a medical records clerk could be a good choice. This job involves organizing and managing health information. Accuracy, accessibility and data security are all key aspects of the job.

The job may require certification or an associate’s degree, but starting with a medical terminology course can be a good way to determine if this is the right career path for you.

Medical Coding and Billing

To ensure patients are receiving the right bill for the care they were provided, medical coding and billing specialists train to better understand the requirements of providers and insurance companies. Accuracy and privacy are some of the main concerns.

Medical terminology will be the basis on which you can build a new career as a medical coding and billing specialist.

If you want to broaden your skill set and consider a career in the medical industry, either working with patients or in an administrative capacity, beginning with a medical terminology course is an excellent way to start.

To learn more, contact Corexcel about online medical terminology courses available today.

For many future healthcare careers, a foundation in anatomy and physiology is essential. Beginning with an introduction to the organization, structures, and functions of the human body, the Corexcel course will provide the very building blocks you’ll need to succeed. You will be able to take a closer look at common diseases, disorders, and conditions that will help you better understand the needs of patients or administration.

Among the benefits of taking the Corexcel anatomy and physiology course online is the self-paced nature of the experience. Students can tailor their study to their own learning style as well as go back and review any section before taking the final test. The ability to balance learning with your lifestyle and to learn at your own pace will be critical to your ultimate success in the anatomy and physiology course.

Our goals are to ensure that students meet their educational needs across these five basics of anatomy and physiology:

1. Medical Terminology – the language used to describe human anatomy and related functions. Terms are often made up of Latin or Greek root words, prefixes, and suffixes. These can be difficult to learn, so additional study support is available and encouraged.
2. Major Body Systems – an overview and detailed study of the interconnected systems of the body and how they function. For instance, you’ll learn the cardiovascular system and the nervous system as well as how these systems work together.
3. Common Pathologies – common diseases medical professionals face most often. While there are more advanced opportunities to learn pathology, in the anatomy and physiology course you’ll learn some of the more common conditions.
4. Homeostasis – how the body systems work together to maintain good physical health. When a system has reached homeostasis, everything is in good working order. The anatomy and physiology course can help you spot small deviations.
5. Effects of Aging – how each part of the body and the major body systems are affected by aging. You’ll see specific pathologies that might affect older adults to give you an idea of how to spot and treat these conditions in the future.

The Corexcel online anatomy and physiology course also offers study support. Special features include glossaries, digital flashcards, games, quizzes to practice and the ability to create custom study guides. Our blog provides a number of support materials for your learning including study tips for easier learning. https://www.corexcel.com/blog/2017/02/02/study-tips-to-ace-anatomy-and-physiology-classes-online/

As with any medical related coursework, additional study support to increase retention may help in your success. Some creative options include coloring books, apps for smart phones and tablets, digital models, crosswords, and additional study guides.

If you are you considering taking an anatomy and physiology course and want to learn more, visit our website or call us at 1-888-658-6641. We are here to help.

DiSC® Conflict Resolution for the Office

Interoffice relationships can be tricky. Having many different personality types in an environment can create challenges for any business. These types also have different communication styles and knowing a bit more about each conflict resolution style can assist in those challenges.

DiSC is an assessment that places everyone into four main personality styles. Personality profiles have become effective tools to consider for helping managers and team members work together more effectively. Here are simplified suggested guidelines you can use to help manage conflict in the office.

Dominance

Individuals with a D style prefer direct communication. Passive aggressive behavior makes them more defensive, so a direct confrontation is a better approach. But that doesn’t mean you have to be overly hostile when approaching your D coworker or manager.

Get to the point immediately, leave your emotions out of the discussion, and focus on the solutions rather than the problem. Know that an individual with a D style is ready to take action right away, so the discussion should be productive and focus on immediate steps to solve the issue.

Influence

On the other hand, the person with an I style is more receptive to a conversational approach. In this case, emotion is a powerful tool for your discussion. Tell them how the problem makes you feel directly, but don’t make any personal accusations. Stay positive, give them ample time to talk, and be a good listener.

It is also important to know that coworker with an I style is not someone who is concerned with deadlines. So, to solve a problem, you may need to implement time management strategies as well.

Steadiness

You aren’t as likely to have a major conflict with an individual with an S style. They prefer harmony in their workplace, are eager to please, and do what is expected. But when you do have an issue that needs to be discussed, know that this style places a lot of importance on interpersonal relationships.

Reassure them that the problem isn’t personal and that you value their contribution to the company. Don’t push them, as they don’t like aggression, but they will listen to what you have to say and respond accordingly. You may need to encourage them to share their opinions candidly.

Conscientiousness

The individuals with a C style in your office are sensitive. They don’t do well with criticism and tend to retreat when it is given. It is best to give someone with a C style some notice before you discuss a problem with them as they dislike feeling ambushed.

Remove the element of surprise, be direct but kind, and give them a chance to think about their response rather than putting them on the spot. C style workers are task oriented and value perfection, so keep this in mind when dealing with office conflicts.

Using a DiSC profile to understand the personalities of everyone in your office can help you better manage conflicts in the office when they arise.
Contact Corexcel to learn more about the process today or visit our profile pages. 

“DiSC” is a registered trademark of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

A course in medical coding can expand your career opportunities in the medical industry.

But it’s essential to know what ICD-10 experience is, what you’re learning, and why. The ICD-10 coding system is the tenth revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Created by the World Health Organization, the system consists of two parts:

• ICD-10-CM – used in all U.S. health care settings to establish a diagnosis code that describes the patient’s medical condition
• ICD-10-PCS – used in U.S. hospitals to define inpatient procedures

These codes form the basis for defining patient information in health records, medical claims, and outcomes reporting.

Before you take a course in medical coding, it might be helpful to get a better understanding of ICD-10 medical coding jobs and what they can mean for your career. Here are some general ideas to help you grow your career in medical coding.

Build a resource library.

While online coding apps and technology are a great resource, having a physical library with codebooks and coding guidelines helps immensely.

Experts suggest that coders should not become reliant on technology and that building your own resource library will provide credible sourced information at your fingertips. Knowledge of how to use coding resources will help you recognize incorrect codes. And current coding manuals are required for taking coding certification exams; electronic resources are not allowed in the exam rooms.

Start in entry-level opportunities.

Taking your first job in an entry-level position will help you build the necessary experience to advance your career. Not only will you learn ICD-10 medical coding on the job, but you will build skills that will make you more marketable in the future.

You’ll also be able to learn how the system works. By training with experienced individuals, you will be able to develop habits that will help you throughout your career.

Work with your management.

Medical coding is a process-oriented career. There will be frequent audits to ensure the company or facility is compliant with current regulations and the ICD-10 codes. Building a positive professional relationship with management will be crucial to your development.

As you continue to climb the ladder throughout your career, having a good working relationship with supervisors and audit managers will help you. Collaborate with them to ensure your work is at the necessary level for their requirements.

Seek out a mentor to help grow.

Another helpful idea when you’re entering an ICD-10 medical coding job in the industry is to work with a mentor. Seek someone out in your community who does a job you want to do. Talk with them about their career path and learn from their experiences with ICD-10, and even their mistakes.

They can also become a sounding board to help you work through difficult situations. If you’re concerned, confused, or frustrated with something at your new job, get their perspective to help you solve the issue without burning bridges.

Are you looking for a career where medical coding would benefit you? Kick-off your future with a course in ICD-10 coding.

Whether you want to learn a new skill or enhance your current professional experience, online classes can help you advance your education without interrupting your day-to-day life.

But how do you ensure that you are getting the most out of your online education? Here are some ways to make the process more productive and ensure that your time and money is well spent.

Establish deadlines. When you’re juggling online classes with work and family obligations, it’s easy for things to fall through the cracks or get lost in the shuffle. This is especially true when the class is self-paced.

While being able to work at your own speed is an advantage, it can also become a burden if you’re not able to stay on track. Establish deadlines early on to help you reach milestones along the way.

Track your own performance. In an online class you will typically receive feedback and even grades for the work you’ve done. But it’s also helpful for you to chart your own progress with your learning.

Setting deadlines to reach educational milestones is only helpful if you understand what each of those milestones represents for your long term goals. Using an online calendar system to track important dates in the class can give you an idea of where you are in your understanding of the subject.

Associate subjects with real life. When you learn a new concept, apply it to your life or your work for better understanding. Using new knowledge and skills is essential for retention. By connecting your education to the things you do every day, it will improve your motivation and curiosity to continue learning.

Another way you can retain more information is to teach it to someone else. This will help by creating associations between online learning and real life.

Develop a routine. A routine that will help you stay focused on your online classes will also help you maintain normalcy throughout your daily activities. Develop a routine that you can adhere to from the time to wake up to the time you go to bed.

This will help you see how you can fit all of your tasks into the day and not feel overwhelmed with the amount of work you have to do for your family, your job, and your online classes.

We provide certification courses on Business Communications, Entrepreneurship, Finance Essentials, Resource Management, Innovation & Critical Thinking, Leadership, Non-profit Management and Sustainability Management.

Learn more about Corexcel’s Online Certificate Programs.

What online classes can help you meet your personal and professional goals?

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology is essential for jobs in the medical industry. All the Latin and Greek phrases, with complex prefixes and suffixes, can be challenging even for someone with an incredible memory.

But memorization isn’t the only strategy that works for learning and remembering anatomy and physiology. Here are some tried and true study tips for anatomy and physiology classes.

• Break the word down. The most important thing to know about these Latin and Greek words is that each part has a meaning. Learning the meaning of the prefix at the beginning of the word or a suffix at the end will help you better understand the word as a whole. For example, learning that the suffix “angio” relates to blood vessels will help you recognize several words.

• Record yourself. Hearing anatomical words out loud will also help you better memorize and understand them. A great trick is to record yourself saying them. Audio clues, beyond simply reading these words on a page, will give you better recall. The initial exercise of recording them will aid in memorization as well.

• Use mnemonic devices. Do you remember the old memory tools you used in elementary school? Like ROYGBIV for colors of the rainbow. Memory tools can help with anatomy and physiology as well.

Connecting the part of the body or the function with the word itself is a great way to understand each part and how they work together. For example, this mnemonic device for the four abdominal muscles:

• T for transversus abdominis
• I for internal abdominal oblique
• R for rectus abdominis
• E for external abdominal oblique

• Rewrite definitions. The words and definitions in anatomy and physiology can be complicated and overly technical. But they don’t have to be. Another tool to learn concepts is to rewrite the definitions in your own words.

This layperson’s language will give you a better grasp on what is being discussed so you can follow along in your own way without getting caught up in the words used.

• Focus on concepts. When learning any new skill, it is always best to focus on the concepts rather than each specific component. For example, if you want to learn how to speak a language, just learning the nouns won’t help you put together sentences. You learn grammar, which is a concept that allows you to speak to someone else.

The same is true for anatomy and physiology. Learn the concepts that will help you understand the whole. For example, physiology is filled with what scientists call “causal mechanisms.” Learning the core ideas behind how the body works can apply to a variety of biological systems.

• Reach out to a study partner. Lastly, even though you may be training entirely online, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a tried and true study method, the study group.

Learning with others is a great way to help facilitate your experience. Reach out to a mentor or someone in the medical profession for anatomy and physiology study tips. Ask them to help you study regularly or when you are faced with a difficult concept to learn.

Are you thinking about expanding your professional experience by learning anatomy and physiology? Contact Corexcel today to learn about our online programs!

The New Year is always a good time to reassess your long-term career plans. For many, going back to school or pursuing new training opportunities is a good way to increase earning potential. One of the most popular industries is medical coding. If you’re considering this field, what are the benefits to training in medical coding and what is the next step to make it happen?

Benefits

1. Options to work from home. Medical coding is a career that often gives you the flexibility of working at home. Many healthcare providers are choosing to outsource this task rather than face the overhead of hiring permanent employees with medical coding and billing skills. This means working from home is not only possible, but preferred in many cases. You can work at your own pace and on your own terms as long as you meet the requirements of the contract.
2. Be your own boss. In this case, you wouldn’t just be working from home, but you would also be working for yourself. Most of the work-from-home medical coding professionals are hired as independent contractors. This means they are not an employee of the clinic or medical facility and are free to take on additional clients as well. You are responsible for your own marketing, production, and accounting, but you are also responsible for your own success.
3. Online education opportunities. Training for a career in medical coding is easier than ever. It’s no longer necessary to attend physical courses and pay higher tuition fees to colleges or tech schools. Online education programs, such as those offered by Corexcel, are available at the fraction of the cost. Learn at home online, so you can continue working your current job and learn without disrupting personal responsibilities.
4. Work in healthcare. Finally, the number one reason individuals choose to become medical coding professionals is to work within the growing and exciting medical industry without committing to the clinical side, such as working as a doctor or nurse. Medical coding will allow you to help patients even though you are not directly interacting with them.

How to Start

If you’re looking for a career that is medical related and gives you flexibility in your lifestyle, you can earn your certificate with the same self-paced flexibility online. Corexcel’s comprehensive ICD-10 Coding course is designed for individuals learning to code, as well as for healthcare professionals needing an update on current codes. For medical coding course details, visit https://www.corexcel.com/coding-courses/icd-10-online-training.php.