Get the job you want quickly and easily and in any economy. In this course, a world-renowned author and career advisor will help you identify the job that is best for your needs. You'll then be given complete step-by-step instructions on how to get that job, regardless of your level of expertise or state of the economy. You will learn how to build rapport with any interviewer, both verbally and non-verbally, while mastering the
six phases of a successful job interview. This motivational course will increase your confidence, help you feel great about yourself, and provide you with the foundation you need to get the job you want.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer web browser.

      Dates:Click here for schedule
      Time: At your convenience at home or by appointment at the VSU Continuing Education Computer Lab
      Location:Online
      Fee:$99
      Additional Information: Twelve Steps to a Successful Job Search

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Grammar Refresher

Gain confidence in your ability to produce clean, grammatically correct documents or speeches. Through the use of definitions, examples, and many reinforcing exercises, Grammar Refresher will cover the basics of English grammar. A patient instructor, memorable lessons, vivid examples, and interactive exercises will give you ample opportunity to put everything you learn into practice. Before you know it, you'll be ready to reap the rewards that come with your mastery of the English language.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer web browser.

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Get Assertive!

Are you tired of being intimidated and treated badly by others? Discover how you lose power when you talk and how to gain it back. Find out the secrets to defusing anger and avoiding criticism. Gain the skills to be assertive with family members, friends, bosses, co-workers, professionals and clerks. It's your turn to speak out! (2.4 CEUs)

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer web browser.

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Individual Excellence

Develop career-enhancing skills in a single course that covers twelve popular one-day seminar topics, including goal setting, time management, and personal organization. You'll learn how to improve your creative abilities, gain confidence with financial matters, and how to minimize conflict in your life. Develop a fulfilling career plan and improve relationships with co-workers, friends, and family.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Internet Explorer or Netscape or Firefox Web browser.

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Keys to Effective Communication

If you often find yourself at a loss for words or lack confidence in your communication abilities, you'll appreciate this course. With the help of a patient instructor and a supportive community of your fellow students, you'll work step by step through the process of becoming a great conversationalist. You'll learn to use communication to build rapport and create environments of trust, warmth, and respect. Become more confident, create a great first impression, get along well with others, and create more and better personal and professional relationships.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer web browser.

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Leadership

Leadership skills can help you gain the respect and admiration of others, while also allowing you to enjoy success in your career and more control over your destiny. Contrary to popular belief, leadership skills can be learned and developed. Even if you don't hold a leadership position, this course will teach you how to use the principles of great leaders to achieve success in almost every aspect of your daily life.

Requirements: Internet access, E-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser

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Resume Writing Workshop

Create an effective resume or improve the one you already have. Transform your resume into a powerful tool that will get you interviews. This workshop will lead you through a self-assessment series so you will have extensive knowledge about the product you are marketing YOU! Learn different resume formats and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Write an employment objective that shows potential employers that you have direction. Make the most of your work experience. Know what to reveal in a resume, and what to keep to yourself. Learn to overcome gaps in work history and age discrimination. Discover how to use references to your advantage. This course includes the use of online resumes and Internet Resume Secrets. This course is invaluable for anyone who wants to create their own resume, or learn how to write resumes and cover letters for profit.

Requirements: Experience with any version of Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or any other word processor; Internet access; e-mail; Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.

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Math Refresher

Math isn't about plugging numbers into formulas. It's about knowing enough to make the numbers and formulas work for you. Math can be incredibly useful - but only if you understand how and when to apply it in your everyday life.

This course will show you how to use math to your advantage. You won't find any theory or memorization here. The lessons that make up this course are filled with practical exercises and information that you can put to immediate use. You'll find out some very interesting things about how calculators work, and then you'll discover how best to get a handle on your income and expenses. You'll be able to check your paystub, invoices, and bank statements for errors and overcharges, and you'll become more skilled at handling money and comparing investment opportunities.

You'll learn how to calculate percentages, including the proper amount to pay in tips, commissions, taxes, and discounts. You'll find out how to calculate interest rates and you'll develop a better understanding of mortgages, credit cards, and other types of loans. You'll discover a handy method for converting one type of measurement to another, and you'll be able to calculate areas correctly so you don't overspend on your next home improvement project. You'll become adept at interpreting graphs, calculating the probability that something will (or won't) happen, and understanding the statistics embedded in test results, polls, and even news stories.

Requirements: A basic calculator with the ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate square roots; Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

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Career Exploration

Become a Physical Therapy Aide

Prepare for a rewarding career as a valued member of the physical therapy team while learning all about the human body, specific disorders, and the way physical therapists treat these disorders.

We'll begin by exploring the history of physical therapy and the relationships between physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy aides. You'll get training on how to communicate effectively with other health care professionals and patients. You'll also come to understand the medical documentation that physical therapists use and principles of ethics and law that affect the PT aide.

Physical therapists often use words and terms that may be unfamiliar to you, so we'll devote some time to learning much of the language of PT. We'll then spend two lessons studying the body's 11 organ systems. You'll learn the names of the organs in each system, their main functions, and some common disorders.

Health care professionals must take extra care to avoid the spread of infection, so we'll go over that important subject. Along with infection control, you'll learn proper body mechanics and how to safely move patients. We'll also cover the normal gait cycle, and you'll learn how to help patients walk with assistive devices like walkers, crutches, and canes.

Physical therapists use physical agents like heat, cold, ultrasound, and electricity to treat many of their patients, so we'll explore these agents. You'll learn when PTs use them and important precautions. We'll move on to a discussion of exercise, and we'll spend a lesson studying the principles of strengthening, aerobic, and range-of-motion exercises.

We'll close with a study of balance and coordination disorders. You'll learn about the vestibular system—an important mechanism that helps you keep your balance. We'll also talk about treating children with developmental coordination disorder and developmental delays.

By the time you finish this six-week course, you'll have gained valuable knowledge and be well on your way to becoming an important member of the physical therapy team!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser.

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Become an Optical Assistant

If you think you'd like to become an optical assistant, this is the course for you! We'll take a comprehensive look into the diverse world of optical assisting—a world that's becoming more exciting all the time. You'll see why optometry is such an interesting field and how rewarding it can be to help people solve their vision problems.

You'll be amazed to learn all the different places optical assistants can work. We'll cover optical assisting in private practice, healthcare clinics, the military, teaching facilities, and in retail sales. You'll discover the personal and professional skills needed to work in a front and back office and in an optical dispensary and lab.

You'll find out how fun it is to help others select the right eyeglass frames—getting familiar with all the things optical assistants must know about frames, styles, lenses, contact lenses, and working with people. You'll also discover how our amazing eyes work and come to understand some common eye conditions. In addition, we'll delve into specialty areas that optical assistants can work in such as refractive surgery centers, low vision clinics, and vision training practices. And finally, we'll cover how to become certified and licensed, which will open up even more opportunities for you and identify you as an expert.

This course is an ideal springboard for starting a career in this growing and ever-in-demand field

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

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Become a Veterinary Assistant

Do you love animals? Have you ever thought about a career as a veterinary assistant? This course, taught by a practicing veterinarian and college instructor, will give you the information you need to prepare for work in veterinary hospitals.

What vaccinations do cats and dogs really need and how often should they be given? What is the best way to control fleas? What do you do if your dog has a cut? What is the best way to deal with an emergency situation involving a pet? This course will answer all these questions and more.

You'll learn about pet nutrition and a variety of health and safety issues. You’ll understand how to treat and prevent parasites, including roundworms and heartworms. You’ll even learn the facts of life, as it pertains to dogs and cats.

You'll explore current thoughts on spaying and neutering, and how to deal with the very emotional issues of euthanasia, pet loss, and how best to assist clients in a time of need.

Special lessons will target specific aspects of veterinary assistant duties. Did you know that a veterinary assistant needs to dispense medications just like a pharmacist? You’ll learn how to interpret medical prescriptions that look like Greek scribbles to the untrained eye.

You'll also understand the hazards of working in a veterinary setting so that you can protect yourself from x-ray exposure, infections carried by animals, and potential damage from teeth and claws.

Veterinary hospitals are small businesses, not just places of medicine, so you will also gain a complete understanding of their economics - how income is generated and where it goes. You will also explore marketing and communication because they are essential factors in making a business successful.

Even if you are already employed in a veterinary hospital, you will find this course invaluable in helping you understand the reasoning behind decisions and recommendations made by veterinarians. And if you're a pet owner, this course will help you better assess the quality of veterinary care your pets receive.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

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Become a Veterinary Assistant II: Canine Reproduction

This course is the definitive guide to the principles of sound dog breeding. If you're a veterinary assistant or preparing to become one, this course will help you understand the essential facts so you can knowledgeably converse with clients on the complexities of canine reproduction.

Candidates for a breeding program need to be assessed not only for conformation, but also for health. They need a thorough reproductive examination and they should be screened for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye diseases. Once selected, individual dogs are prepared for breeding with the help of proper nutrition, good parasite control, and appropriate vaccination programs.

By studying the hormonal cycle of the female dog in depth, the optimal time for breeding, for both natural mating and artificial insemination, can be identified. When a female fails to conceive, it is important to understand the potential causes. She may be suffering from infertility, but so may the male dog. You'll find out why.

Once the female has been confirmed pregnant, her needs must be met and preparations made for whelping (by knowing what is normal, when to intercede, and when to seek professional help). Postpartum complications in the female must be considered and close attention given to the needs of the puppies to ensure they reach weaning time in good health.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser. The only other requirement is an interest in responsible breeding practices that promote the health of breeding dogs and their puppies.

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Become a Veterinary Assistant III: Practical Skills

Learn the practical skills you'll need to be a valuable veterinary assistant or educated pet owner. Taught by a practicing veterinarian, this course is the third installment in our "Become a Veterinary Assistant" series.

Please join us as we explore all the many duties that a veterinary assistant typically performs. Through instruction and demonstration, you'll learn how to safely restrain an animal for blood tests, urine collection, and injections. Then you'll find out how to obtain blood samples, which needles to use for which patient, where the best anatomical sites for collecting blood are located, and how to catheterize a bladder.

We'll also review the basics of blood and urine interpretation so you'll come to understand how veterinarians diagnose various conditions.

You'll gain a throughout understanding of examination room procedures, including disinfecting, prepping, and taking a patient's TPR (temperature, pulse, and respiration).

Other handy skills we'll cover include expressing anal glands, bathing, cleaning ears, giving medication, establishing the sex of a young kitten, puppy, or bunny, determining age, and trimming nails.

Throughout the course, you'll benefit from videos that demonstrate many of these procedures and techniques, as well as state-of-the-art interactive graphics. It's as close as you can get to actually being right there in the veterinarian's office!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape or Firefox or Internet Explorer Web browser. Completion of Become a Veterinary Assistant and Become a Veterinary Assistant II: Canine Reproduction is recommended, but not required.

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Explore a Career as an Administrative Medical Assistant

Learn what it takes to have a successful career as an administrative medical assistant in the exciting and high-demand world of healthcare.

In this course, you’ll master the basics of scheduling patients’ appointments, surgeries, and hospital admissions. In addition, you’ll discover how to create, maintain, and file medical charts. You’ll also find out how to verify patients’ insurance, create encounter forms (charge tickets), post charges, obtain pre-authorizations from insurers, and schedule return visits.

After that, we’ll go behind the scenes as you learn how to apply diagnostic and procedure codes to patients’ accounts and bill their insurance companies. Next, we’ll explore additional accounts receivable tasks including posting payments and adjustments, billing secondary insurance, and following up on unpaid insurance claims. You’ll also learn what a day sheet is, why it’s important, and how to keep track of all your patient accounts on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis.

Finally, we’ll delve into the basics of keeping a medical office running smoothly—from ordering supplies to scheduling staff meetings and making travel arrangements.

If you’re organized, you’re a “people person,” and you’re interested in a secure job in the healthcare field, a career as an administrative medical assistant may be just what you’re looking for. This course will set you on the path to that career and help you determine which aspect of medical information management—from patient contact to billing and coding—suits you best.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

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Explore a Career in Medical Coding

Take your first step toward a lucrative career as a medical coder! In this course, you'll learn how to use the CPT manual and the ICD-9-CM to find medical codes for any disease, condition, treatment, or surgical procedure. This knowledge will help prepare you to work almost anywhere in the medical field—doctors' offices, clinics, public health facilities, hospitals, labs, nursing homes, insurance agencies, or even the comfort of your own home.

We'll go through each of the main systems of the human body—integumentary (skin), musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and male and female genitourinary—outlining the medical terminology, conditions, diseases, injuries, treatments, and procedures you'll see most often in each of those systems.

Along the way, we'll go through lots of real-world examples and coding exercises to get you using your coding tools in conjunction with your analytical skills to come up with just the right codes to describe any medical situation. In the process, you'll get all the hands-on experience you'll need to code medical insurance claims with confidence. By the end of this course, you'll know how to find your way through both the CPT manual and the ICD-9-CM manual, and you'll be well on your way to a career as a medical coder!

Course content © 2008 Portions by Penn Foster Inc. and Education To Go, a Division of Cengage Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or redistribution of any course material without prior written permission is prohibited.

Requirements:Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

You'll need access to both of the main medical coding books we'll use in this course:

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Explore a Career in Medical Transcription

Take your first step toward a lucrative career as a medical transcriptionist! In this course, you'll learn how to transcribe the most common medical reports used in both inpatient and outpatient settings. We'll review a lot of the grammar you might have forgotten since high school and apply it to the reports. This knowledge will help prepare you to work almost anywhere in the medical field—doctors' offices, clinics, public health facilities, and hospitals. With this foundation, you'll be set to advance your education so you can work as a subcontractor for a company that outsources transcription, or you can eventually even take on your own clients—all from the comfort of your own home.

We'll go through each of the nine main report types—their formatting requirements, the components of each one, and how they are used in the clinical setting. We'll review grammar points in every lesson, pointing out important elements that will make your reports perfect. You'll also gain important clinical knowledge of major disease processes that are essential to enhance your skill as a medical documentation specialist.

Along the way, we'll download a free transcriber that you'll use to listen to dictation, and we'll cover how to use it to produce the reports in your word processor. These hands-on exercises will give you the practice you'll need to determine if this field is for you. We'll also go through the options you'll have now and in the future by developing the skills of a medical transcriptionist. By the end of this course, you'll know the basic report types, have clinical knowledge of major diseases, be able to correct grammar from dictated reports on the fly, and know the next steps you'll need to take!

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

It is recommended that students have prior knowledge of medical terminology and touch-typing before enrolling in this course.

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Legal Nurse Consulting

If you’ve dreamed of using your medical background as the basis for a new and lucrative career, you might want to consider legal nurse consulting. Attorneys are increasingly relying on experienced nurses to help them understand and resolve complex medical cases or claims.

If you're interested in working as a legal nurse consultant to share your expertise in nursing and health care with others, this course will introduce you to the specific legal fields where your skills and knowledge are most needed.

You'll receive a step-by-step introduction to areas such as tort law, criminal law, medical malpractice, civil and criminal litigation practice, legal research and writing, legal ethics, personal injury, and more. By the end of the course, you'll have a solid foundation in several different areas of law to help you understand exactly what you can do to assist attorneys in all phases of civil and criminal litigation.

You'll also learn how to create your very own legal nurse consulting practice from the ground up, including strategic advice on creating a business plan and marketing your services to interested attorneys.

Requirements: Experience and training as a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, or other medical professional. Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

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Starting a Consulting Practice

Do you have training or knowledge that could be useful to others? Have you ever considered providing consulting services based upon your background? This course is designed to help those who wish to set up a consulting practice get started. You will learn the complete process of starting and operating a consulting practice. The course will begin with surveys and assessments designed to help you pinpoint the best consulting services to offer. The course then progresses into the business start-up process, including issues such as licensing and legalities. You will then develop a complete business plan for their consulting firm that details finances, pricing policies, contracting, and marketing. The course concludes with a discussion of record-keeping and tax concerns. There will also be an online discussion area where you can exchange valuable business ideas and resources with other students and the instructor. The instructor will keep you updated by citing resources such as books, periodicals, and organizations designed to help small businesses.

Requirements: Internet Access, e-mail, and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser.

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Secrets of the Caterer

Catering is a business that has become very popular, especially for those who love to cook and plan parties. From weddings, to showers, to business parties, catering is a home-based business that gives the caterer an exciting and creative career. In this introductory course, you will learn how to put your cooking and party planning skills to work.

Learn the fundamentals of the catering business, how to cook for large crowds, organize your kitchen, manage your time, and work with clients. The course focuses on cooking skills every caterer needs, with an introduction to the business side of catering.

You'll also receive many unique and tested recipes that you can use to jump-start your business. Build your catering skills and begin a new and exciting career today.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser are also required.

Note: Food preparation laws and licensing vary from state-to-state. It is important to always check your local and state government for licensing information and restrictions.

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Wow, What a Great Event!

Learn how to create and coordinate successful special events. Develop skills, find resources and gain confidence to plan and produce any size or type of event. This course reveals proven tips, tools, techniques, and procedures used by experts and master event planners to help you avoid embarrassing and costly planning errors or production mistakes.

You'll discover how to select the right suppliers for food, decorations, entertainment, and you'll learn how to effectively employ them within your own budgetary constraints. You'll get easy access to event industry information compiled by and for professional event planners. We'll even point you in the right direction to meet other event and meeting planners and to join a professional association or industry group. You'll be so excited with your newly gained confidence and expertise that you'll want to start planning your next event even before this course is over.

Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

      Dates:Click here for schedule
      Time: At your convenience at home or by appointment at the VSU Continuing Education Computer Lab
      Location:Online
      Fee:$99
      Additional Information: Wow, What a Great Event!

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