Happy Wednesday !

Hey Everyone,

MTP # 3 DUE TOMORROW - Thursday 10/1

Keeping an eye on nobelprize.org ??? Due 10/8 along with MTP # 4

We'll continue discussing Hospice, check out Ch. 3, the muscular system and more....Hey! Do YOU want a nice cover page and a table of contents for your fabulous PORTFOLIO ??? Just ask !! Many of you have already started.

SPREAD THE WORD - CMAA Day of Education - LPC OCTOBER 17th !!! Please invite folks to come. Anyone can register!

Take care,

Mrs. Erceg

Project 3 and 4....and More !!!!

Project 3 due date is approaching fast.....topics that I've heard so far are fascinating. I'm looking forward to getting those papers! Please follow the directions on the board for the format required. This paper is an informational essay that will convert later into a "Patient Education Project". Write the paper to inform and I'll show you how to "teach" your patient all about the disease using your paper.

Project 4 and the 9/28 blog assignment - DUE 10/8

We'll continue to work on Ch. 3 - PLEASE check out the online learning center for the APMA book. (See previous blog entry). We'll continue talking about Hospice, the muscular system,
and if you have the "Skills to Pay the Bills". Are you paying attention to your professional development? (see 9/28 blog) - pssssst. "CMAA".

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - College Fair at AVHS on October 12th - 6:30 to 8:30

Have a great evening!

Mrs. Erceg

Busy Day!

Hi Everyone,

We had a lot going on today and I have to say, you sure kept up with me! We covered part of Chapter 3 today and glanced at the muscular system. This week we are learning about hospice and what careers are associated with that area of care. What does "palliative care" mean? When you walk in tomorrow, tell me as you walk in the door and I'll give you a comforting treat.

ASSIGNMENT ALERT!!! Who will be the winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine this year? Well, you'll receive 25 points when you bring me a two-paragraph (typed) paper on who won, who they are and why they won. This is due on October 8th. GO TO nobelprize.org and keep an eye on it! The winner will be announced on October 5th.

Jeanie from Good News Bears came in today to pick up the stuffed animals. Our counter is "bare", not beary good, right? Please go on Facebook, text, leadership groups, emails, church, community service classes, library, sports teams, handouts for all of your teachers, store and your family!!! How can YOU help? Go to goodnews bears.org for more information. Another way to help.....Good News Bears calendars are on sale in the classroom now......only $10.00.

Please tell your family and friends via Facebook, emails, etc. about the "CMAA Day of Education" at LPC on October 17th. All students, parents friends and co-workers are invited. You do not have to be in the medical field. The topics will include "Cervical Cancer and HPV", "Hepatitis", "Medical Billing Resources", "Patient Advocacy" and "Alzheimer's Disease". Please call Mrs. Erceg for more information.

Congratulations to all that attended the meeting on "Prostate Cancer" last Thursday.

Have a great evening and thanks for being here today.

Mrs. Erceg

Have a Great Weekend and Make Some Muscles.

GREAT JOB TODAY ! I have a REALLY smart group of medical professionals in training!

The discussions on ethical dilemmas really sparked interest in many of us. What do you do in difficult situations? You talk it out with someone else and learn about options! Tough times call for tough measures sometimes.

Next week we'll work on Chapter 3 and the muscular system, and of course, much more!

Take care,

Mrs. Erceg

p.s. THANK YOU SAM, NICOLE A., AND NICOLE M. !!! Send your forms to me before 1:00 on Monday and see you TUESDAY!!!

Psssst....Have you heard about So and So ?????

Sheesh! What's a health care worker to do??? ......NOT talk about private health information...that's what! We are not only defining HIPAA, but determining what we can do to ensure that patients, families and our co-workers are not at risk. Practice confidentiality and security of information. Memorize your SS#, keep the original SS card in the bank safety deposit box or safely hidden, don't carry it around! Copy the contents of your wallet, front and back, in the event your wallet is stolen. Talk to your parents about the strategies that keep your private information safe.

Thank you for keeping up with a fast-paced curriculum. We have to move fast in order to be the respected medical professionals that will be sent out to community classroom (internship).

We'll continue with our lessons for the week...Medicine and the Law, Body Planes, Skeletal System, etc.

By the way....ask your parents to look at this site with you - www.cmanet.org
This is the website to order your "Advance Directives" booklet.

Take care,

Mrs. Erceg

I can feel it in my bones.....

Hi Folks!

I can feel it in my bones....My students are going to be wonderful on Community Classroom Assignment (Internship). Your critical thinking skills are improving daily. Consider all the ethcial dilemmas we are discussing this week...wow.

Turn in MTP #2 tomorrow Start thinking about MTP #3 - What will your topic be????
Choose a disease, illness or condition that you can write a two-page essay to educate and inform others.

There's one more day to turn in E.C. - a printout from the Internet about an "Ethical Dilemma" related to the medical field.

See you tomorrow...and have a great evening.

Mrs. Erceg

Hey...Uniform Deadline Today!

There are a few of you left...please contact Michele @ http://www.screamingmimistees.com/ or call her. Her number is under the section of the site "contact".

What a wonderful bunch of students I have. You all did a good job today.

Thank you for your wonderful responses as we start our journey into Chapter 3 - Legal and Ethical Issues - and don't forget HIPAA.

Do you know inferior from superior? Lateral and medial? How about the transverse plane and the coronal/frontal plane? Show your family with a fun demonstration!

Here are some good websites:

http://www.valleycare.com/ - Community Education Meetings

http://www.acsmb.com/ - Medical Terminology

http://www.studystack.com/ - Medical Terminology and a whole lot more

http://printfree.com/Calendars.htm - Print your own calendars !!! Keep one and practice time management and advance planning skills!

FOR THURSDAY: MTP # 2 DUE 9/24---MTP #3 - Do you have a topic yet???? Due 10/1

Take care and have a wonderful evening.

Mrs. Erceg

p.s. To all of my afternoon students, especially C.K., thank you for being here every day and
getting here on time. It means so much to me and the future of this program to have such
great students.

Happy Monday

Make sure uniforms are ordered, okay?

This week:

Body planes, directions and cavities
Skeletal System
Chapter 3 APMA - Study the terms in your workbook - first page of Ch.3

Look up a really interesting ethical dilemma regarding health care - EXTRA CREDIT - 10 Points!

Take care and I'll see you tomorrow.

Mrs. Erceg

Have a Great Weekend !

Another great week! Thank you for giving me so much confidence in you.

ORDER YOUR UNIFORMS - Due date is Monday for that. See me if you need help.

We had a lot of students go to the Diabetes seminar....Alex, Jhoana, Karissa, Daryl, Nick, Tanu, Andrea, Sam, Sonia, Tyler, Allison, Patrick, Aimee, Nicole A., Caitlin, and....Lisa! Great Job. You will be receiving certificates for your attendance and participation in continuing medical education.

Thank you for your participation with our speaker, Mr. Vasquez today. Please continue to be aware of behaviors at school or work that may be some form of harassment. Feel free, please...to come see me if anything happens that makes you feel uncomfortable. Ask me, a parent, a counselor or someone you trust for help.

Next week: Chapter 3 in APMA. Do you have few moments this weekend? Go on the Online Learning Center (see previous blog entry) and check out Chapter 3 activities. Don't forget ----MTP #2 is due on Thursday 9/24. Next Body Systems: Skeletal System, Muscles and Body Planes, Directions and Cavities. What's a "thoracic cavity"?.

By the way...It wasn't appropriate today....so feel free to talk like a pirate on Monday. I'll need to celebrate that event with you then. Would thut be all righty with you Matey? Arrrrggh.

Take care,

Mrs. Erceg

What a Colorful Day!

Thanks again for another nice day. You did some good work around developing medical terms from color word roots. I am so proud of all of you - you really work hard in this class and it really shows. I want you to know that preparation for internship is not to be taken lightly and I feel you are all on your way to becoming volunteers in medical facilities.

NEW CMAA MEMBERS! Woo Hoo ! NICOLE A.,KARISSA AND LARA Good Job!For those who do not want to join at this time, just download the application for membership and keep it in your binder or box of future portfolio contents...that's fine too.

DIABETES MEETING TONIGHT - 6:30 to 8:00 5725 W. Las Positas / Medical PLAZA
at Stoneridge. Call 734-3315 if you need help. Make sure to map it first so you can find it. Take notes and bring them to class with the instructor/M.D.'s initials.

Study the Sexual Harassment information and highlight, write notes, circle info, etc. in preparation for tomorrow's discussion. Don't forget! Ask a lot of questions, okay?

Take care and of course, have a wonderful eveing.

Mrs. Erceg

Dr. Travis - to the E.R. STAT!!!!

Travis was a good surgeon today. He and some others did a "punch biopsy" of tissue from a patient here in the classroom. Well, the patient is a piece of cheese with a nose drawn on it - but he didn't feel any pain. We anesthetized him first with some 1% Lidocaine - WITHOUT epinephrine. Tomorrow, the A.M. class will get a chance to do the same. We'll do the biopsy of tissue and then prepare it so it can go to pathology for examination. We need a report to tell us the nature of the tissue right? Is it BENIGN? Is it MALIGNANT?

Speaking of skin....we'll look at colors tomorrow - special medical terminology that represents colors. For instance, define cyantoic, jaundice, albino, and erythema. If I ask you tomorrow, will you know?

We'll work on Chapter 2 - let's get that done, shall we? We have more exciting events and lessons to get to!

MTP #1 DUE TOMORROW

There is room for you at the "Diabetes Education Seminar" tomorrow night !!! See me for details.

Keep up with that packet for Friday. Come prepared for discussion.

YOU WERE ALL GREAT TODAY !!!! Thanks for being a wonderful audience and asking good questions. I encourage all of you to tell me what's on your mind....I'm very interested!

Have a great evening.

Mrs. Erceg

Congratulations Karen! Our newest CMAA Member!

Good job Karen....what a great career move! You are now a member of a professional medical organization.

Integumentary system.....more tomorrow. By the way - ask family......what is the largest organ of the body.....no, not the heart...or the liver...it's the skin! The skin we're in has to be taken care of and we can try our best to prevent skin cancer and premature aging. Hey Mike H. - Check out that sunburn through the window issue....okay?

ORDER your uniforms...please contact Michele deCesares if needed. Her number is on the website under "contact".

There is a SEMINAR on DIABETES Thursday evening 9/17 at 6:30. Take a friend or family member. Earn CME certificates for your portfolio!

Keep reviewing the sexual harassment packet for Friday's discussion. Please do not read it just before the discussion....! Not good! I need you to engage in conversation in order to understand the content of the packet.

Take care and have a great evening.

Mrs. Erceg

New CMAA Member ! - Congratulations Tyler !

Congratulations Tyler...you are the first (of many) to become a student member of the California Medical Assistants Association. CMAA is the premier organization for Medical Assistants. Joining a professional organization is a real boost to your career and commitment to this program. Get that portfolio started with a nice letter and membership card from CMAA!

Please order your uniforms this week. (Elizabeth and Adam - wait until tomorrow, after you've tried on your scrub tops). The website is: http://www.screamingmimistees.com/
Go to the bottom left section of the home page and click on "Granada High Mrs. Erceg" and it will take you to the right page for ordering. You know what size top, and for the bottom, click on
"Click HERE for SIZE INFORMATION CHART". Want to order by phone instead of online? Call Michele deCesare at 925-895-3045. Contact me immediately if you have questions or concerns. DEADLINE 9/21/09 - or a late fee will be charged.

We are studying the integumentary system this week. Feel free to take a peek at the A, B, C, D and E of melanoma. Look up online - (for about 5 minutes) what melanoma is, what it looks like and if it is treatable. This is not an EC assignment, just a recommendation to students for a preview.


DUE tomorrow 9/15 FAMILY PREP ACTIVITY: Elizabeth, Ryan, Nick, John, Michelle, Adam and Justin

DUE 9/17 - Thursday: MTP #1

DUE 9/18 - Students will have reviewd the sexual harassment packet and viewed
the website: http://teenadvice.about.com/library/weekly/aa060102a.htm

Thanks for another great day.

Mrs. Erceg

My Quest for Knowledge!

Hello Everyone,

I'm off to the CMAA conference in about an hour, and I will bring back materials and information for you. Please take very good care of the substitute teacher tomorrow. Here's the plan:

Classroom Managers: AM - Rachel and Michelle PM - Travis and Allison

Please sign in and be seated as usual. Start your drawings of the urinary system and the cross-section of the kidney. Use the tracing paper and your textbooks. This will only take about 20-30 minutes.

Next, fill out the learning styles assignment and the paragraphs assigned for the back page. Please do this quietly and keep to yourself. Do not talk to others while doing this assignment. These will be kept in a confidential file by my classroom managers. You will be given 20 minutes to complete that task. This is due immediately and is not to be taken home.

Please finish Chapter 2 in your workbook using your text for the remainder of the class. If you finish that and still have time, start filling out the B's, C's, D's, etc. of your medical terminology flash cards or notes. Keep building up your medical terminology cards and/or the notes in your binder. Remember, copy word parts....not the abbreviations.

I left all the notes on the board for anyone who needs them. Next week.....Integumentary system...what's that? HINT: "Your epidermis is showing" Ha Ha oooops... I mean...LOL!

On Monday.....9/14 - The Family Preparatory Assignment is DUE !!!! Please do not forget to complete and turn in on Monday. Ask all parents unable to attend BTSN on 9/9 to call me on Monday. (925) 606-4800 x3640 THANK YOU!

Thank you all in advance for your cooperation tomorrow and your hard work.

Mrs. Erceg

Happy Back to School Night !

Hello Everyone,

What a great audience you were today...participation is key in all discussions. I want to hear what is on your mind! Thank you for your comments regarding the meeting at the Valley Care Health Library on "Guided Imagery". What a fascinating option for pain management, stress reduction and overall well-being. I will be sure to have certificates for all those in attendance at that meeting today. Next meeting is on "Prostate Cancer" 9/24.

Review the OLC website associated with your APMA text. www.mhhe.com/medicalassisting3 --- go to "student edition" on the left, and then to "Course-wide Content" - check it out -what do you think? Feedback please. REVIEW all questions in your workbook in CHAPTER 2.

I'm looking for recipes for low-fat, healthy meals. Care to earn some extra credit? Just print out a recipe and bring it to class.

Review the packet on sexual harrassment. Please be prepared for discussion next week. I'll have a PowerPoint presentation on that subject. Please come prepared for that - don't be left in the dark on what your rights are in school, as an employee or a volunteer.

Attention: CMAA Student Members wanted ! Consider joining this wonderful organization. Go to cmaa-ca.org and download a membership application. Put it in your binder and we'll transfer it to your portfolio later. Just keep the blank one on hand..just in case!

Take care and I'll see you tomorrow.

Mrs. Erceg

Prostrate or Prostate...that is the question!

Hi Folks,

A lot of people are mistaken when they try to pronouce the name of this gland...it is the prostate gland. (not prostRate) When males cannot urinate easily, it is usually attributed to the enlargement of this gland, compressing the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body. An enlarged prostate gland is also known as known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH for short).

We'll be studying the urinary tract system this week and the associated pathology, medical terms and specialists. What can you do at home to prepare yourself regarding this topic?

The skits were GREAT today. Congratulations on a job well done. I can see I have some very clever, imaginative people in the classroom!

Take out your calendar! Record the following......

UPCOMING EVENTS: Back to School Night tomorrow night, Wed. 9/9 6:00 GHS.
GHS Rally Schedule Friday 9/11
*CME: "Guided Imagery" 9/9 - 11:30 to 12:30 Valley Care Library
*CME: "Prostate Cancer" 9/24 - 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. " " "
AVHS Senior Picnic 9/15 AVHS Homecoming Rally 10/23
FHS Senior Picnic 9/16
LHS Rally 10/2
*CME = Continuing Medical Education (for your portfolio !!!)

FOR TOMORROW: Review the OLC website associated with your APMA text.
www.mhhe.com/medicalassisting3 --- go to "student edition" on the left, and then to "Course-wide Content" - check it out -what do you think? Feedback please.
This is not a written assignment, just jot down a few notes and prepare to give me your opinion of the site. We will also get some ideas on some very healthy snacks tomorrow.

Also for tomorrow....please look up sexual harrassment and familiarize yourself with what it is. Can merely looking at someone in a certain way constitute sexual harrassment? As a group, will be learning more about this.

Take care,

Mrs. Erceg

p.s. Pssssst.....Please turn in any missing assignments!!!

Happy Friday

Thank you all for another great week. Keep up the good work. Make sure you are participating during class discussion - that is part of your grade. I really appreciate your comments and questions...be brave and raise your hand!

Next Tuesday, we'll do our skits and ........ HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Mrs. Erceg

p.s. Happy Birthday Morgan!

What's HIPAA ?

Hi Folks,

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a topic that comes up all the time in class and out in the field. Why does it exist? There's 10 points of extra credit in it for you if you write a paragraph and turn it in tomorrow defining HIPAA and how it will apply to you on your internship experience.

We'll finish up our skits soon - some Friday if you are ready and maybe some on Tuesday next week.

Tomorrow GHS has an assembly. GHS students go to Period 1 at 8:00 and Period 2 at 9:05. Be on time and prepared to drop off your things in the classroom. I'll take you to the assembly.

We're almost to the point where I am in possession of all of your paperwork for immunizations, TB testing CPR - a l mo s t !!!! Those of you who still need to turn these in, keep me informed of your progress - very important.

Certificate Opportunity Alert! I need two students (one from the AM class and one from the PM class) to join me for an advisory meeting in October. Not only to attend, but to plan and produce documents. Site supervisors and managers are invited and we talk about the Medical Occupations Program. If you feel you'd like to participate, see me for more information. Do some research on advisory committees and why they are so critcal to the success of any educational program.

By the way, we'll be collecting teddy bears and stuffed animals all year for Good News Bears. Tell your friends and family to donate their gently used, clean stuffies and give them a message from me..."Thank you BEARY much".

Take care,

Mrs. Erceg

A 2-Minute Skit ?? Let's call it a "Skittle"

Just laugh at my silly jokes, okay? You know that makes me happy every day. Let me know if you need any help in putting your ESLR skit together. You'll work on it tomorrow with your group and then present on Friday, 9/4. Two minutes...no problem.

PHOTOS tomorrow for your I.D. badges.

Keep those site requests coming. I'll see what I can do. Remember, just bring me the info -thank you. Please ask your parents for some help. Do they know anyone that can help me acquire a site for you or another student?

We'll work on the APMA workbook tomorrow and also work from the text. Please continue to review the questions in chapters 1 and 2.

Remember what is due tomorrow? If you forgot, please check the previous blog post with the assignment due 9/3. Hint....organizations that support and promote medical assistants. Make sure you write a nice paragraph on both organizations.

WEBSITE TO CHECK OUT: http://www.studystack.com/ Find the flash cards and have fun! There are games to play too, like hangman, crossword puzzles and more! Go to "anatomy" for some word parts (root words, prefixes and suffixes).

Thanks for another nice day. Have I told you all lately how impressed I am? Keep up the good work.

Have a nice evening and get plenty of rest and good nutrition.

Mrs. Erceg

Tuesday, Schmoozday

Speaking of "schmoozing" - how about bringing me information about potential sites? Please do not approach a site on your own...that's my job and I'm happy to do it for you. Be sure to give me the name, address, phone number and email address. Include the contact person if you can.

My definition of schmoozing - "To directly engage with another person for the purpose of initiating a positive, business relationship".

Please review the 8/31 blog post for reminders.

We'll review the nutrition assignment many of you did for extra credit. What will be in your backpack tomorrow that qualifies as a "healthy snack"? Show us! Let's give each other ideas and encouragement for good nutrition.

Take care and I'll see you tomorrow.

Mrs. Erceg