Mental Health Aides and Medical Terminology

Today's class spotlight focuses on two of our lesser known but popular classes: Medical Terminology and Mental Health Aide. Medical Terminology is the backbone to any career in the health care field, and can be an invaluable part of your education. It's also a great bargain at $92.50 (plus a textbook) for a 10-hour class. Whether you work in a front office or are on the floor passing medications, having a working knowledge of Medical Terminology can make a big difference in your day-to-day work. The course is the perfect for people just beginning their health care education, or for working professionals who wish to brush up their skills. You'll learn the meaning and pronunciation of specific medical terms and come out of the course knowing how and when to use those terms. The textbook is also a good reference that you can look back on and review any time you want to refresh your memory. Medical Terminology is an open enrollment class, available in all 50 states, so there's no wait once you're ready to start. You have 30 days to access the class and use the study materials.

If you already have a CNA license but want to expand your skills, consider a Mental Health Aide class. Like Medical Terminology, this class has open enrollment and is available in every state. Mental Health Aides, also known as psychiatric aides, do everything a CNA does, but have the added training to work with mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed individuals. This career path is perfect for people with a great deal of empathy and patience, and those who have a sincere desire to make a positive difference in a patient's life. It's
a challenging position, but one that builds on the skills most nurse aides already possess. A U.S. Department of Labor report (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos327.htm) adds that, "Because they have such close contact with patients, psychiatric aides can have a great deal of influence on their outlook and treatment." As with the other
career paths we have profiled, the need for Mental Health Aides is growing and job prospects are good. The DOL report adds that, "There is a long-term trend toward treating psychiatric patients outside of hospitals, because it is more cost effective and allows patients greater independence. Demand for psychiatric aides in residential facilities will rise in response to increases in the number of older persons, many of whom will require mental health services."

The Mental Health Aide class requires 60 hours of learning and costs $292.50 plus the cost of a textbook. You will have a full 90 days to complete the class, and you can access the lessons at any time that is convenient to your schedule. In a little less than an hour a day, you can add a whole new dimension to your health care education. Get started now!

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Salman Khan: Let's use video to reinvent education | Video on TED.com