College Profile: Concorde Career College-North Hollywood

As an Advanced Respiratory Therapist, you deal with one of the critical life-sustaining functions of the human body - breathing. Our Advanced Respiratory Therapy Program is designed for those of you that have completed the Entry Level Program or have passed the NBRC Entry Level Exam. This program opens more doors within your profession. Some hospitals require the advanced credentials in order to work with neonates or in intensive care settings. By increasing knowledge in the field, you increase your chances of acquiring the better jobs. As an Advanced Respiratory Therapist, you will deal with life-death issues on a daily basis. You will conduct diagnostic testing procedures and administer treatments to improve patients' breathing, as well as implement and monitor life support equipment. You will diagnose and manage heart/lung deficiencies and abnormalities, and use sophisticated equipment to measure lung function and monitor heart functions. You might treat newborns, trauma victims, drowning victims, and patients suffering from asthma, bronchitis, coronary heart disease, emphysema, and pneumonia.

As a Medical Assistant, you will be an integral part of the healthcare delivery team. In this position, you are considered a "multi-tasked" provider. This means you will be trained and qualified in both clinical and administrative capacities. Medical Assistants work closely with doctors in clinics and physician's offices. You will be entrusted with a variety of critical responsibilities. Administrative responsibilities include scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, performing basic secretarial skills and medical transcription, handling telephone calls and written correspondence, serving as a liaison between physicians and other individuals, and managing practice finances. Clinical responsibilities include taking patient histories and vital signs, performing first aid and CPR, preparing patients for procedures, assisting the physician with examinations and treatments, infection control, collecting and processing specimens, performing selected diagnostic tests, and preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician.

As a Respiratory Therapist, you deal with one of the critical life-sustaining functions of the human body - breathing.

As a Surgical Technologist, you perform essential tasks before, during and after operations. You work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and other key surgical personnel in hospital operating rooms and outpatient surgery centers. Surgical Technologists play a critical role in patient care. There are four types of surgical technologists: scrub, second circulating, first assisting, and second assisting. Scrub, circulating, second assisting, and first assisting surgical technologists have primary responsibilities in maintaining the sterile field, being constantly vigilant that all members of the team adhere to proper technique. The scrub surgical technologist (STSR) handles instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure. They also maintain sterile environment and anticipate the needs of the surgeon. The second circulating surgical technologist (STCR) assists the RN in obtaining additional instruments, supplies, and equipment while the surgical procedure is in progress. The STCR also assists in monitoring operating room conditions and assesses the needs of the patient and surgical team. The second assisting surgical technologist (STSA) assists the surgeon and/or first assistant during the operative procedure by carrying out technical tasks other than cutting, clamping, and suturing of tissue. Distinct from first assistant and may be performed at the same time as the scrub role.

Upon completion of the program and passing the licensing examination, the vocational nurse can enter the workforce as a competent, skilled nurse. Vocational nurses provide patient-side nursing care at the direction of physicians and/or registered nurses. The practice of vocational nursing is based on concepts from the physical, biological and behavioral sciences. Each state has its own nurse practice act, so the scope of practice varies from state to state.