The Indiana University Northwest Adult Education Program is offering a variety of non-credit courses in the medical field as part of its Fall 2009 lineup of professional-development and personal-enrichment classes. Courses include EKG/Telemetry Reading, Dental Office Administration, Pharmacy Tech, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Unit Secretary. Non-medical courses include Photography, Grant Writing, Event Planning, and various computer workshops.
Most classes meet one or two evenings each week. Formal admission to IU Northwest is not required to enroll in these classes. For more information, visit the Web, or contact Program Manager Linda Szalmasagi at (219) 980-6806, or email her at lszalm@iun.edu. Call toll-free at (888) 968-7486.
Upcoming fall classes include:
Sept. 11
Intro to the PC for Seniors — Seniors 60 and older may join the information age with this class, which meets on two consecutive Fridays from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The cost is $40.
Sept. 14
EKG/Telemetry Reading — This course is designed to teach medical assistants, paramedics, pre-nursing and nursing students, and clinical specialists in cardiac or cardiovascular nursing the cutting-edge skills they need to conduct and read EKGs. The class will also assist students in preparing for one of the national crediting examinations. Class topics include: medical terminology; cardiac anatomy; EKG strip analysis (P,Q,R,S,T) wave form interpretation; normal sinus rhythm; sinus bradycardia; and sinus tachycardia. The role of EKG techs and the function of EKG departments in various medical settings will also be discussed.
This class meets on Mondays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. through Nov. 5. The registration fee is $605 and includes a book and parking.
Grant Proposals Overview — This course is ideal for non-profit volunteers or employees of non-profit agencies, government offices or educational institutions. The class covers research, funding sources, development, and proposal types. This course is a prerequisite for taking the Grant Writing Workshop scheduled for later in the fall.
This class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. through Sept. 23. Registration costs $125.
Sept. 15
Dental Office Administration — This course focuses on the study of dental administration from a patient’s first call to final walkout, including final billing and reconciliation of accounts. Topics addressed include: legal and ethical issues and regulations; charting/documentation; optimal scheduling; patient relations; clinical records management; creative treatment planning; communication skills; and complete dental billing and claim form processing.
The class meets on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. through Nov. 3. The registration fee is $225 and includes a book and parking.
Pharmacy Technician Training — This condensed course prepares students to enter the pharmacy technician field in hospitals, home-infusion pharmacies or retail pharmacies, and to work under the supervision of a pharmacist. Course content includes: pharmacy-specific medical terminology; reading and interpreting prescriptions; and defining drugs by generic and brand names. Students will also learn about how to prepare I.V. admixtures, including flow rates and delivery systems, dosage calculations, drug compounding, and dose conversions. Dispensing of prescriptions, unit dose, inventory control, and billing and reimbursement also will be discussed.
This class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. through Nov. 19. Registration is $925 and includes a book and parking.
Sept. 19
Microsoft Word — Computer users who wish to know more about Microsoft Word may take this one-day class, which runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Registration is $145 and includes a book and parking.
Harmonica Workshop — Anyone who is interested in learning to play the harmonica should take this fun and entertaining course. Students will learn to play the 10-hole (Diatonic) blues harmonica in styles that can be used to perform blues, American folk, jazz, gospel, and country music. Students will be able to play their tunes in class using a microphone and guitar amplifier. Class discussions will include the history, cultural aspects and master artists of the harmonica.
This class meets Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. through Oct. 24. Details for purchasing a harmonica, which costs about $28, will be mailed to students upon registration.
Sept. 24
Basic Photography — Amateur or aspiring professional photographers may take this course with Master Photographers Bill Eaton and Edda Taylor to learn techniques to produce great portraits and better scenic pictures. Class highlights include photography demonstrations, shooting assignments and creative digital imaging. One evening will be devoted to Photoshop techniques. Topics may be added based on student interest. Students will need an SLR film or digital camera for the class (SLR preferred). Optional equipment includes a flash and hand-held light meter. There will be a Saturday outdoor location shoot.
This class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. through Oct. 8. A Saturday outdoor location shoot will be held either Oct. 10 or 17. Registration for this class costs $135 or $145 after Sept. 14.
Sept. 25
Intro to Vista for Seniors — Seniors 60 and older may learn the basics of the Vista operating system with this class, which meets on two consecutive Fridays from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The cost is $40.
Sept. 26
Microsoft Excel — Computer users who wish to know more about Microsoft Excel may take this one-day class, which runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Registration is $145 and includes a book and parking.
Sept. 28
Grant Writing Workshop — Participants in this class will be expected to come prepared to write a grant proposal. Students should have a funding source in mind so that all class time and writing are focused on the interests, requirements and instructions provided by the funding source. The previous class “Grant Proposals Overview” is a prerequisite for this course, except for those students who can demonstrate previous grant-writing experience.
This course meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. through Oct. 12. Registration costs $145 or $155 after Sept. 17.
Sept. 29
Unit Secretary — Students in this class will study internal systems, the legal aspects of charting, departmental relationships, effective communications, and the role hospital unit secretaries play in medical emergencies. The course will focus on time management, organizational skills, case histories, and simulations to depict data and medical transcription.
This class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. through Nov. 17. The registration fee is $220 and includes a book and parking.
Oct. 3
Microsoft Excel Intermediate — This class is an advanced extension of the initial Microsoft Excel class, and is recommended for those who have taken the previous course or who have a comparable level of prior Excel knowledge. The class runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Registration is $145 and includes a book and parking.
Oct. 5
Event Planning — This class teaches tips on laying the groundwork for a conference, gala, annual meeting, retreat, reunion, or other important event, while spicing it up with a theme, motif and attention to detail. Students will learn about timelines, lists of responsibilities, staffing, budgets, marketing, and how to pull it all together on the day of the event, all with more fun and less stress.
This class meets on Mondays from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. through Oct. 26. Registration costs $95.
Certified Nursing Assistant — This class includes 105 hours of training as mandated by the Indiana State Department of Health. The program includes between 30 and 32 hours of classroom instruction and from 75 to 80 hours of clinical experience over a period of three weeks in a licensed nursing facility in Northwest Indiana. Participants must be able to read and write English and add and subtract. Successful completion of both the classroom and clinical portions of this course qualifies students to register for the State Certified Nursing Assistant Test. The $75 test fee is not included in the enrollment cost. A physical and TB test are required, at the students’ cost, as are uniforms. Attendance is required, and absences will not be tolerated. Criminal background checks will be conducted on class participants.
The class beginning Oct. 5 will meet in Merrillville, and clinical work will be done in Portage. The session concludes on Oct. 23. Future classes begin on Oct. 26, Nov. 16, and Dec. 7. Class and clinical sites may vary. The program cost is $800, not including costs for uniforms, physicals, TB tests, and the state certification exam.
Oct. 9
Intro to Internet for Seniors — Seniors 60 and older may learn the basics of the Internet in this class, which meets on two consecutive Fridays from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The cost is $40.
Oct. 10
Microsoft PowerPoint — Computer users who wish to know more about Microsoft PowerPoint may take this one-day class, which runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Registration is $145 and includes a book and parking.