IU Northwest: Adult Education

Adult Education

Career Development

Certified Nursing Assistant – CNA

This course complies with the Indiana State Department of Health requirements of 105 hours of training. The program includes 30-32 hours of classroom instruction and 75-80 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 classroom and clinical portions leads to registration for the State Certified Nursing Assistant Test given by Professional Resources. The $75.00 test fee is not included in the enrollment cost.

Course content includes an overview of the aging process, residents’ rights, verbal and non-verbal communication, safety and first aid, basic nursing and personal care procedures, and basic restorative services. A physical and TB test are required. You may secure these on your own or utilize our services for $15.00 and $10.00. They will be done during class hours. Uniforms are required for clinical training and white scrubs can be purchased at uniform stores and department stores. Attendance is required and tardiness or missed days will not be tolerated. If any days are missed, the entire course must be repeated at the student’s expense. A criminal background check will be done on all students and questions about probation, felonies, or other pertinent information will be asked. Anyone working in health care facilities will be screened for drugs prior to employment.

Each class is scheduled for three weeks Monday-Friday. The first week in the classroom is 8-2 p.m. wearing regular clothes and the second two weeks of clinical are from 7 a.m.–3 p.m. wearing white scrubs. The entire program is offered at off campus locations. The hours vary slightly if there is a holiday during the course.

December 7 – December 24, classroom Merrillville and clinical in Munster, Indiana
January 4-22, classroom in Merrillville and clinical in Hobart. You must register for this class before December 18 because the university will be closed for the Christmas holiday. All arrangements must be made in advance.
January 25-February 12, classroom in Merrillville and clinical in Munster.

More dates for the spring will be available soon. Call Linda at 219 980-6806.

If you are seeking financial assistance, please contact your local Work One office to see if you qualify for funding. This process usually takes at least a month.

WorkOne Gary: (219) 981-1520
WorkOne Hammond: (219) 933-8332
WorkOne LaPorte: (219) 362-2175
Work One Portage: (219) 762-6592
WorkOne East Chicago: (219) 398-2601
WorkOne Crown Point: (219) 661-8985
WorkOne Valparaiso: (219) 464-4861

The program cost is $800.00 ($75 state test, $10 TB test, $15 physical exam, and uniforms are not included). Classes have limited enrollment and fill up 4-6 weeks before the start date. Registration fees are due at the time of enrollment and are not refundable. There are no partial payments or payment plans. Cashier’s check, money order, or credit card charges only. Call your local employment office for possible financial assistance.

Coding Overview

This class is a basic overview of ICD-9 diagnosis and CPT-4 procedures as it applies to a physician practice or in the basic outpatient setting and medical billing. The physician office is a great place to start. You need a background or be currently enrolled in Medical Terminology. The textbook from this class will be used in Health Insurance Billing. The cost of books is a major expense in this course.

Mondays, October 19-December 7, 7-9 p.m., $415 (includes textbook, ICD-9, and CPT-4 books)
Books will be ordered October 7 - No enrollments after this date.

Cashier’s check, money order, or charges only.

Dental Office Administration

This course is essential for anyone who wants to know how to administer the dental business office. It is also helpful for dental assistants and dental hygienists who want to understand the flow between clinical and business operations of the practice. The comprehensive course was designed with actual input from employers providing vital and current information for the successful dental practice. It includes the study of dental administration from the moment a patient calls to the final walkout, as well as the final billing and reconciliation of the patient's account. Topics addressed include: legal / ethical issues and regulations, charting / documentation, optimal scheduling, patient relations, clinical records management, creative treatment planning, communication skills, complete dental billing and claim form processing.

Tuesdays, September 15-November 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $215 (includes book)

EKG / Telemetry Reading

This course is designed to teach medical assistants, paramedics, pre-nursing, nursing students and clinical specialists in cardiac or cardiovascular nursing the cutting-edge skills you will need and technology resources you will encounter in real-life positions. This course will assist students prepare for one of the national crediting examinations. The EKG/ Telemetry class will teach students to analyze printed readings of EKG tests, measuring various "cardiac intervals and complexes" and determining normal vs. abnormal EKG's. It also includes the role of an EKG Technician, function of the EKG Department in a variety of settings (hospital, clinics, office, mobile services), introduction to medical terminology related to electrocardiograph, anatomy of the heart, conduction system, circulation of the heart and blood vessels, electrical conduction system of the heart , cardiac cycle(Electrical system), EKG strip analysis (P,Q,R,S,T) wave form interpretation, normal sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardia, and sinus tachycardia. The purchase of calipers will be optional.

Monday & Thursdays, September 14-November 5, 7-9:30 p.m., $595

Eye Clinic Assistant

Students have been successful finding employment in the field of eye care at a retail optical chain, private optometrist or ophthalmologist office. During this course, practical vision testing procedures and the use of instruments will allow students to learn how to test for visual acuity, visual fields, depth perception, color vision screening, and intraocular pressure tests. The course will also cover subjects describing spectacle lenses including their use, measurement of their strength, and how to select the correct lens material and type; frames for lenses, measurement and selection of frame; special lens coatings and filters; basic lens fabrication; physics of light, basic anatomy and physiology of the eye; contact lenses-types, materials, function and fitting; and communication with patients. Some of the classes will meet at a doctor’s office. Employers, who would like to hire students from this class, please call Linda at 219 980-6806.

Tues. & Wed., September 1-October 7, 7:00-9:30 p.m., $430 (includes book)

Opticianry Exam Prep

This course is directed toward preparing students for the American Board of Opticianry Exam. The curriculum is structured for the optician who has worked in the field of opticianry for at least a year or has taken the Eye Clinic Assistant course at IU Northwest. Topics will be covered in depth and will include quizzes that provide exam like questions. The course will include math and formulas. Students will be expected to commit to study time for success in testing.

Mon. & Wed., October 12-November 18, 6:30-9 p.m., $330 without book, $430 with book

Fitness Instructor Training

Join the professionals of the fast growing fitness industry by taking this course. The course will be held at The Community Hospital's Fitness Pointe. The course offers basic lectures and practical experiences for the beginning level personal trainer. Lecture topics will include basic anatomy and physiology, beginning exercise program design, nutrition, injury prevention, coaching skills, exercise psychology, injury prevention and much more. After taking this class, you will be able to take the nationally acclaimed certification from The American Council on Exercise (ACE). The exam is hosted at Fitness Pointe. ACE offers a book and test registration discount to individuals taking this course. This process is independent of the course and details will be explained during the class. CPR training is a required credential and will be offered to participants the last night of class by The American Red Cross for a fee of $30. This course will be offered in March of 2010. It meets one night a week for three hours for ten weeks plus the CPR class. Complete details will be available in November.

Health Insurance Billing

Students will learn how to successfully file the HCFA-1500 form for major nationwide insurance programs, will be exposed to the national diagnostic and procedural coding systems, and simplify the process of filing commercial claim forms. Students will study the following topics: Legal Considerations, Life Cycle of an Insurance Claim, Terminology Common to all Programs, The Standard Data Set, The Basic Insurance Claim, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and Champus / Champva. Strongly recommended but not required classes to take before this course are Medical Terminology and Coding Overview. Books will be ordered January 12. No enrollment after this date.

Mon. & Wed., January 25-March 3, 2010, 6:00-8:30 p.m. $285 includes workbook $375 if you do not have textbook from the coding class

Cashier’s check, money order, or charges only.

Medical Terminology

This course is mandatory for many careers in the medical field. The instructor will simplify the pronunciation of medical words and their meaning. This class and Unit Secretary are recommended by local hospitals for employment as a unit clerk. The class is helpful for Coding Overview and Health Insurance Billing.

Wednesdays, September 2-October 21, 7:00-9:30 p.m., $215 (includes book)

Pharmacy Technician Training

This program has been approved by the Indiana Board of Pharmacy and meets the requirements for employment in the state. The course helps prepare the student for an optional independent national certification test. The course content will include pharmacy terminology, control substances, quality assurance, retail and hospital pharmacy, long term care pharmacy, basic IV overview and demonstration, Total Parentral Nutrition, mathematical computations as they apply to the pharmacy, special problems, and sterile technique. A GED or high school diploma is required for employment and recommended before enrolling in the class. Students should have average math skills and learn basic computer skills before seeking employment. Typical salaries range from $8-$11 an hour depending on the setting of employment.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 15-November 19, 7:00-9:30 p.m., $900 (includes book)
Register after August 26- $925 (includes book)

Form of payment includes cashiers check, money order, or charges. Payment from other sources must be approved before the class starts. Call your local employment office for possible financial assistance.

Qualified Medication Aide (QMA)

The Qualified Medication Aide course meets the Indiana State Department of Health Medication Aide Course requirements. This program requires 60 hours of classroom instruction, which will be offered at a Crown Point location, followed by 40 hours of RN / LPN supervised practicum at the student’s site of employment. Upon successful completion of the15 week course and practicum, the participant will be eligible to take the Indiana State test for qualification as a Medication Aide which is administered by Professional Resources. The objective of the QMA course is to provide the licensed Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with entry-level competency in the non-parenteral medication administration according to Indiana State Department of Health regulation.

Participant Eligibility

Prior to the beginning of the course, all participants must mail the following materials to IU Northwest or they cannot be enrolled in the program.

The passing copy of the Pre-quiz. The pre-quiz can be faxed or mailed to your Director of Nursing by calling Linda Szalmasagi at 219-980-6806. You must score 80% on the first try. This quiz must be taken under facility staff supervision and the original returned to IU Northwest by mail.
Copy of your High school diploma, transcript or GED.
Copy of Indiana Registry letter for C.N.A.
Letter from facility where you are employed verifying: 1) 1000 hours of work experience over last 24 months and 2) that they will allow the participant to do the clinical portion of program within their facility.

Wednesdays, August 26-December 9, 2009 (No Class, October 7),4:00-8:00 p.m. plus 40 hours of practicum set up on an individual basis at your facility. $900 plus $35 book for a total of $935.

Unit Secretary

After successful completion of this course and medical terminology, you will meet some of the basic requirements for employment at the local hospitals. You will study the internal systems, legal aspects of charting, departmental relationships, effective communications, and the role of hospital unit secretaries in medical emergencies. The course will focus on time management, organizational skills, case histories, and simulations to depict data and medical transcription.

Tuesdays, September 29-November 17, 7-9 p m., $210 (includes book)