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Cuesta College Community Programs
(Bldg 4700, San Luis Obispo Cuesta College Campus on Hwy 1)
PO Box 8106, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8106
Phone: (805) 546-3132; Fax: (805) 546-3107

Ed2Go Online Courses

Health Care & Wellness

Cuesta Community Programs has online classes that help you update skills, discover new talents or map out a new profession...all at your fingertips in the comfort and convenience of your own home, office or while traveling. Classes begin at $94 and offer a wide range of topics that begin every month, run for six weeks for approximately 24 hours of instruction. Our instructors are famous for their ability to create warm and supportive environments while facilitating their courses with interactive quizzes, assignments and tutorials. Students are able to read class information and ask their instructor questions at times most convenient to them...
24 hours a day/7 days a week. Our online classes are not-for-credit but do have "Letters of Completion" available upon request.

Basic Requirements:
Internet access, E-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.
See individual classes for additional requirements.

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Assisting Aging Parents
Are your parents in their golden years? Learning how to help parents or other loved ones through their transition can prepare us for our own. This compassionate and comprehensive class will give you the tools, techniques, and insights for this passage. Growing older is a part of life. Some aspects are joyful, some bittersweet, some frustrating, some frightening. You will learn what to expect, what to watch for, how to deal with physical and emotional challenges, and where to find resources to help. You'll understand the impact of retirement, learn how to choose a nursing home, and be prepared to deal with death. You'll learn about financial and legal considerations, health issues, and family interpersonal relationships. You'll be introduced to special communication skills, observation methods, and coping mechanisms to ease the burden for everyone involved. You'll learn to handle most of the challenges you will face while coming to appreciate and cherish the privilege of the journey. 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).

Instructor: Marsiea Warren;

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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.

Instructor: Holly Trimble;

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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).

Instructor: Jeff Grognet;

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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 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.

Instructor: Jeff Grognet;

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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 Navigator, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft 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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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).

Instructor: Beverly Smith;

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Certificate in Bioenergy & Spiritual Healing
Today's health care system is evolving as it acknowledges that bioenergy and spirituality play an important role in health and healing. Knowledgeable providers who recognize this and can deliver compassionate, effective care that meets their clients' and patients' healing needs are in increasing demand. To do that, they must understand a variety of spiritual and religious values, beliefs, healing techniques and practices. This certificate program provides continuing education for medical professionals who work with or want to work with energy healing. It is appropriate for nurses, nursing assistants, energy healers, social workers, therapists, administrators, psychologists, and more. Participants will gain a broad understanding of bioenergy and spiritual healing. They'll learn current issues and emerging trends related to healing. They will gain additional healing skills and enhance their professional marketability.
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).
NOTE: Certificate program must be completed within six weeks of the start date.

Program Benefits
The Bioenergy and Spiritual Healing certificate program offers a multidisciplinary educational experience. Your certificate in Bioenergy and Spiritual Healing will distinguish you as a knowledgeable, skilled, and committed professional.

This program will:

• enhances your professional marketability,
• builds your skills and competencies,
• fulfills continuing education requirements for many professionals, and
• introduces you to a bioenergy and spiritual perspective on healing.

Facilitators: Cyndie Koopsen & Caroline Young

(26 contact hours); Allegra Learning Solutions

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Certificate in Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Today's health care system is evolving in its approach to the health and care of a culturally and ethnically diverse client population. In the United States, the aging population, an increasing public awareness of major risk factors contributing to chronic illness, and the public's growing desire for alternative health care options are just a few of the factors behind the expanding interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Rapidly gaining in popularity, CAM is used by more than 40% of the U.S. population. The demand for knowledgeable providers to meet the needs of this population is dramatically increasing, resulting in the development of new jobs and the creation of new services. To gain a broad understanding of these therapies and to stay current with emerging trends, health professionals who work with diverse populations will need continuing professional education. The ability to understand the many types of therapies available is essential to providing safe, effective care in any setting. Accreditation: ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. This certificate is relevant for registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed vocational nurses, practical nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, administrators, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, dieticians, educators, personal care assistants, volunteers, physicians, physician's assistants, chiropractors, clergy, physical fitness professionals, and adult children of aging parents. REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.
Note: Certificate program must be completed within six weeks of the start date.

Program Benefits:
The Certificate in Complementary and Alternative Medicine is designed to provide a multidisciplinary educational experience. Your CAM certificate will distinguish you as a knowledgeable, skilled, and committed professional in the field of complementary and alternative medicine.

This program will:

• enhance your professional marketability;
• build your skills and competencies;
• fulfill continuing education requirements for many professionals; and
• introduce you to an interdisciplinary, multicultural perspective on health care.

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Certificate in End of Life Care
The Certificate in End-of-Life Care represents a specialization in the field of caring for those who are experiencing a terminal illness. It is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of individuals who work with dying patients by providing a multidisciplinary educational experience. The U.S. population is aging at a rapid rate, and the number of individuals, young and old, who are living with debilitating, chronic, or terminal illnesses is also increasing. The demand for knowledgeable providers to meet the needs of this population is dramatically increasing, new jobs are being developed, and new services created. Health professionals who work with this population will need continuing professional education to gain a broad understanding of this special area of care and to stay current with emerging trends.
Accreditation: ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing nursing education only and does not imply Commission on Accreditation approval or endorsement of any commercial product.
REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, e-mail, and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser.

NOTE: Certificate program must be completed within six weeks of the start date.

Program Benefits:
The Certificate in End of Life Care distinguishes you as a knowledgeable, skilled, and committed professional in this special field of health care. The program

• enhances professional marketability,
• builds skills and competencies,
• fulfills continuing education requirements for many professionals, and
• develops an interdisciplinary perspective on end-of-life care.

(26 contact hours); Allegra Learning Solutions

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Certificate in Gerontology
The Certificate in Gerontology represents a specialization in the field of gerontology. It is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of individuals who work with older adults by providing an educational experience that is multidisciplinary in nature. With the population aging at a rapid rate, the number of individuals over 65 will more than double by the year 2020. The demand for knowledgeable providers to meet the needs of this population is dramatically increasing, new jobs are being developed, and new services created. Health professionals who work with the older population will need continuing professional education to gain a broad understanding of the field of gerontology and to stay current with emerging trends.
REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, e-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.
NOTE: Certificate program must be completed within six weeks of the start date.

Program Benefits:
The Certificate in Gerontology distinguishes you as a knowledgeable, skilled, and committed professional in the field of gerontology. The program

• enhances professional marketability,
• builds skills and competencies,
• fulfills continuing education requirements for many professionals, and
• develops an interdisciplinary perspective on aging.

(40 contact hours); Allegra Learning Solutions

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Certificate in Growth & Development through the Lifespan
This certificate program is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of nurses and health care professionals who work with clients and patients of all ages. You'll gain insights into the peaks and valleys of human development and develop unique opportunities to further your relationships with colleagues and patients. More than ever before, new theories, techniques, and views of human nature offer hope for a more penetrating understanding of human development. This certificate program addresses the characteristics, problems, and needs of people of various ages, giving you the additional knowledge and expertise you'll need to successfully care for all your patients. REQUIREMENTS: Internet access, e-mail, and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser.
NOTE: Certificate program must be completed within six weeks of the start date.

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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).

Instructor: Carline Dalgleish;

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Going Green at Home
Step into a green lifestyle! In this course, you’ll learn how to reduce your carbon footprint by making simple changes that benefit the environment and your own health. And that’s not all—you’ll learn how to save money, too. You’ll get smart tips for buying eco-safe and energy-efficient products on a budget, and you’ll discover creative ways to reuse items you once tossed out. In the process, you’ll discover that making your home green can be both fun and cost-effective. Because good nutrition is important to a green lifestyle, you’ll find lots of ideas for healthy eating and cooking. In addition, you’ll get great tips for environmentally-friendly decorating and cleaning. If you’re looking for practical “going green” ideas for your home, this course will cover all the bases. By the time you’re done, you’ll know how to make your living space eco-friendly from top to bottom!
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).

Instructor: Kathleen Murphy;

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Handling Medical Emergencies
What would you do if a member of your family suffered a medical emergency? You could certainly call for trained emergency medical responders, but what would you do while you're waiting for them to arrive? Every second counts during a medical emergency. Recognizing the early signs and symptoms of common medical conditions and providing appropriate treatment can mean a better outcome for the patient. Early recognition and intervention can greatly reduce the seriousness of the illness, which means a shorter hospital stay and lower medical costs. It's also very satisfying to know how to help someone in a time of need. This course will identify common medical emergencies affecting children and adults, help you recognize signs and symptoms, and teach you how to render appropriate emergency care. For adults, you will learn how to recognize and manage chest pain, heart attack, stroke, diabetic problems, seizures, breathing difficulty, burns, and allergic reactions. For children, you will also learn about poisoning, fever, childhood illnesses, injuries from accidents, and the signs of abuse.
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).

Instructor: Bryan Scyphers;

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HIPAA Compliance
Are you a health care professional or considering a career in the health care industry? Do you provide products or services to a health care organization? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then it's mandatory that you understand the requirements of HIPAA compliance. This groundbreaking legislation requires all health care professionals to take careful steps to protect private information. But what exactly does HIPAA require? In this course, we'll demystify the compliance process. We'll focus specifically on the Administrative Simplification portion of HIPAA, starting by defining the lingo of HIPAA and identifying the important players. Then we'll cover transactions, code sets, and identifiers, which are all key elements in electronic health care transmissions. We'll use real-world examples to help explain the Privacy Rule, which governs patient rights, disclosure of protected health information (PHI), business associates, and many other relationships within the health care industry. Since computers are an integral part of health care these days, we'll see how they fit into the Security Rule. We'll also examine administrative safeguards, physical safeguards, technical safeguards, and policy and procedure creation—all of which are crucial components of the Security Rule. By the time you finish this course, you'll be confident and capable of implementing HIPAA's requirements in your own organization. If you're just starting your career in the health care field, you'll have a priceless addition to your resume.
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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Lose Weight & Keep it Off
Do you want to lose weight and keep it off? Now you can! In this comprehensive course, you'll discover how to establish a healthy approach to weight loss and weight maintenance. You'll master how to set and achieve weight-loss and weight-maintenance goals that make sense for you. Naturally, we'll begin with a discussion of the role of food in weight loss and weight maintenance. But we'll talk about far more than calories. From understanding food composition, portion sizes, and preparation methods, to meal composition and meal timing, you'll learn food basics—and beyond! You'll discover how to eat out without jeopardizing your weight loss or disappointing your taste buds. We'll also discuss the basics of planning and preparing meals at home, and uncover tips and tricks for navigating the social elements of eating. You may already appreciate that exercise is part of successful weight loss and weight maintenance. You may even know the differences between cardio respiratory exercise, strength training, and lifestyle activity. We'll review these terms, and more important, discuss how to find exercise and activity that's enjoyable and helps you meet your weight-loss and weight-maintenance goals. You'll also discover how to take exercise to the next level and uncover thought patterns that negatively affect exercise and activity. Then we'll identify ways to overcome the challenges to regular exercise and activity. We'll determine the role of hydration in weight loss and explore how to overcome obstacles to good hydration. You'll see how your thoughts affect your weight and evaluate the role of body image, emotional eating, and more in your own life. We'll examine how important sleep is in weight loss, and you'll learn how to get better sleep and cope effectively with sleeplessness. We'll also probe the effects of stress on the body relative to weight and how to apply stress management techniques for weight loss and weight maintenance. You'll determine how other factors that affect weight, like genetics, pregnancy, menopause, aging, and cravings may be affecting your weight loss efforts—and learn practical strategies you can use to minimize their effects. And since you don't want to lose weight only to gain it back again, we'll determine the differences between weight loss and weight maintenance, and see how to master the obstacles to weight maintenance. By the end of this course, you'll know how to set appropriate and effective goals for eating, exercise, and many other elements that affect your weight. You'll have the skills you need to lose weight and keep it off for a lifetime! 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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Luscious, Low-Fat, Lightening-Quick Meals
Have you ever wished you had a personal chef preparing luscious, low-fat meals for you? This course is the next best thing! You'll learn how to ferret out fat in recipes, and discover how to reduce fat without sacrificing flavor or texture. Explore how to use flavor profiling to expand your culinary horizons. Learn how to prepare casseroles, crock-pot dishes, vegan dishes, oven-fried foods, meat-based meals, and many other entrees that are both nutritious and delicious! You'll discover how to get in and out of the kitchen faster, including tips for grocery shopping, menu planning, food preparation, and quicker cooking. You'll also learn a dietitian's tricks of the trade for encouraging reluctant family members to eat more healthfully. You'll have the chance to try out over 50 exciting and easy lowered-fat recipes for tasty entrees, side dishes, desserts, and garnishes, with each recipe demonstrating a topic that's covered in the lessons.
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).

Instructor: Donna Acosta;
 

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Medical Coding, Explore a Career in
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!
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: 2007, 2008 or 2009 CPT Manual, Professional Edition
& 2007, 2008 or 2009 ICD-9-CM, Physician Edition
The spiral-bound editions are recommended for both books. The course works equally well for all three years of the books. These books can also be purchased from the following locations: www.Half.com , www.Ebay.com , www.Alibris.com , www.abebooks.com , www.chegg.com  (you can rent or buy here). No prior medical experience is required, but knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy will be helpful.

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.

Instructor: Jennifer Della'Zanna;

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Medical Terminology: A Word Association Approach
This course teaches medical terminology from an anatomical approach. Root terms are divided by each body system. The origin, a combined form, and an example of non-medical everyday usage is provided for each root term. Word Associations are provided as a learning tool. Unusual and interesting information is provided in regards to each term. Root terms are combined with prefixes and suffixes as your learning will culminate in the interpretation of several paragraphs of medical notes.
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). No medical background is necessary.

Instructor: Doug Best;

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Medical Transcription, Explore a Career in
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).

Instructor: Jennifer Della'Zanna;

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Natural Health & Healing, Intro
Would you like to learn more about natural health but don't know where to start? If so, then this is the course for you! We'll discuss the various stages of health and illness, and you'll discover that true health means wholeness of the mind, body, and spirit. You'll start a personal health journal to evaluate your current lifestyle and observe how your behaviors can affect your health. We'll also explore naturopathy, which seeks ways for the body to heal itself. You'll find out about proper breathing techniques that enhance heath, and you'll learn the value of hydrotherapy, diet, biorhythms, and fasting. We'll also examine using the power of the mind for healing the body--discussing brain function tests, visualization, and relaxation therapies. You'll see the great power of belief. Then we'll delve into vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, free radicals, and the basic requirements that constitute a healthy diet. After our talk, you'll be able to develop menus that improve health. We'll also look at herbal healing, aromatherapy, body therapies, massage techniques, osteopathy, chiropractic, T'ai Chi, reflexology, yoga, Feng Shui, therapeutic touch, natural remedies for common emergencies, and much more. By the end of this course, you'll have begun taking charge of your own health and healing!
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).

Instructor: Theresa Snyder;

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Outdoor Survival Techniques
Discontinued

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Contact Karen Linn with your questions/comments/suggestions