Anthem Institute-Las Vegas prepares students to succeed in today’s job market
Over the past few years, the Las Vegas community has faced some clear employment and educational challenges. Anthem Institute is one school that is determined to meet these challenges head on.
With a variety of health care training programs to choose from and an educational experience that extends beyond the classroom, Anthem Institute prepares students with the skills and knowledge they need to successfully enter today's job market.
Demand for Health care Services
Las Vegas' high unemployment rate makes it increasingly important for students to get education and training that will help them succeed in the job market. The health care industry has been a top performer across the United States in recent years. According to the Nevada Workforce Informer, the state's premier website for workforce and economic information and analysis, the industry is currently rebounding in Las Vegas from a 2010 low.
Local Health care Employment
The Informer also forecasts that the aging baby boomer population will increase the demand for health care services throughout Nevada. Smaller health care businesses, such as doctors' offices and dental practices, should also add more jobs in the coming year.
"We have seen a dramatic increase in job placement this fiscal year," said Anthem Institute Campus President Janet Kent.
Overall, the health care industry in Nevada is expected to add about 6,100 new jobs through 2013.
Quality Education and Training -- Inside and Out
Anthem Institute's programs focus on filling the expected demand for health care workers. In addition to lectures and course work, students practice their skills in training labs designed to look like real workplaces. The programs also incorporate educational experiences outside the classroom, such as externships and volunteer opportunities.
Career-Focused Programs
Local employers provided valuable insights during Anthem Institute's program design to help ensure that students graduate with the skills they will need to enter the workforce and become productive employees.
Dental Assistant
The dental assistant program focuses on hands-on clinical and administrative training that reflects the duties of today's dental assistants. The campus's training lab includes a broad range of dental equipment, and recently added Eaglesoft software to support digital X-ray training.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy students learn various massage modalities and take courses that discuss ethics, hygiene and how to start and promote a massage therapy business. Students work in a massage clinic right on campus, which recently added hot stone treatment to its services.
Medical Assistant
Students learn administrative and clinical skills needed to operate physician offices. Anthem's medical assistant lab is set up like different parts of a doctor's office so students get valuable hands-on training and experience. The lab was recently updated with a new pulmonary function test machine, Atria digital EKG machine, audiogram, scales and a centrifuge.
Medical Billing and Coding
Students enrolled in this program develop billing and coding skills while learning the proper procedures that govern the field. They learn in a computer lab with individual work stations that include recently updated electronic medical office software. The department also keeps the most recent versions of ICD-10 and CPT-11 coding manuals.
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy tech students get hands-on experience in each area of pharmacy operations, including retail, hospital, compounding, long-term care, mail order and home infusion. The pharmacy tech lab includes a working vertical flow hood used in hospital pharmacies; a compounding section with suppositories, creams and ointments; and a retail pharmacy setup.
Surgical Technologist
This program teaches students technical and professional skills in a training lab that resembles a hospital operating room. The lab includes an instrument picking station to support training in sterile technique and new orthopedic and laparoscopic instrumentation. The department recently implemented a new suture program.
ExperienceD teachers
Anthem Institute hires instructors who have professional experience and the ability to break down complex material for the students they teach and train. Many instructors supplement their classes with guest speakers from the field and take students on field trips to see what will be expected of them as they transition into the working world.
Real-World Training Labs
Hands-on training is a big part of the educational experience at Anthem Institute. The school recently renovated its entire campus, including the classrooms and labs. The training labs are designed to reflect professional health care environments, such as operating rooms, dental and physician offices, and pharmacies. Massage therapy students complete their supervised clinic work in a massage therapy clinic on campus. These labs are stocked with industry-standard equipment to help familiarize students with the tools and technologies they can expect to use in their fields.
Externships
Students must complete externships -- or a supervised clinic for massage therapy students -- before they graduate from Anthem Institute. Externships give students work experience with real patients in supervised health care settings. This valuable on-the-job practice helps them get comfortable and further prepares them to work in their field after graduation.
"Our students are held to a high professional and academic caliber in the classroom atmosphere and in the externships they complete after they finish all the coursework," Kent said.
The 300-hour medical assistant externship course, for example, is definitely a highlight of the program. It is a crucial part of the learning experience because students must put all their skills to practice and perform everyday operational tasks in a physician practice.
The externship and hands-on training was one of the main reasons that dental assistant graduate Alejandro Alvarado chose Anthem Institute. "I felt that I had more of an opportunity to learn hands-on," he said. "The externship also helped me a lot because it allowed me to get the field experience and training I needed."
Massage Therapy Clinic
Similarly, the supervised massage therapy clinic internship gives students direct experience working with clients and using the skills they've learned throughout their program. The clinic is open to the public and offers hot stone, Swedish and deep tissue massages. The price is $25 for 50 minutes, and appointments are available at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Call 702-366-4140 to make an appointment.
Community Events
Anthem Institute is centrally located in Clark County, just off Interstate 15 and West Sahara Avenue. In the past year, the school has made a commitment to giving back to the surrounding community and actively seeks out opportunities for students to volunteer their time and services at community events.
Volunteering is also an opportunity for students to gain experience that will help them as they prepare to enter the workforce. Things like practicing their skills in a loud working environment, interacting with the general public of all ages and focusing on customer service skills and professionalism are all valuable additions to a resume.
Last August, the campus volunteered at multiple Back 2 School and health fair events in the Las Vegas Valley area. At one event, Anthem Institute staff and students handed out school supplies, shared information about Anthem Institute's health care programs, took blood pressure and pulse readings, and provided chair massages.
The campus' participation in community events has even drawn the attention and appreciation of local council members, including Lois Tarkanian (Ward 1) and Ricky Barlow (Ward 5). In September, Councilwoman Tarkanian named Anthem Institute a "Best New Business Partner" in recognition of the school's commitment to serve the community.
Student Support
Anthem Institute students come from all walks of life. Some might be fresh out of high school, while others are already in the workforce or looking to return to the workforce. Some students might be parents or grandparents, while others might still live with their parents. Anthem Institute offers a variety of support services to help students throughout their educational journey.
Student Services
The Student Services Department acts as an advocate for helping students stay in school. A big part of its job is helping students locate outside resources they may need, such as transportation, part-time jobs, housing and day care. It also has licensed counselors on staff.
Career Services
The Career Services Department assists students and graduates with their job search. It helps with resume writing and interview preparation and hosts job fairs. Anthem Institute has also partnered with Dress for Success, an organization that provides women with professional attire for job interviews. Career services assistance is available to Anthem Institute graduates for as long as they remain in their field of study.
Education Services
Anthem Institute also employs educational staff who can provide academic assistance. They are available to help with course scheduling and academic advising.
They can also arrange individual tutoring sessions for students with peer tutors or instructors.
Commitment to Success
Imagine America, an organization that supports career education through scholarships, training and research, featured Anthem Institute--Las Vegas in the Campus Spotlight section of its spring 2011 newsletter.
The article, titled "Anthem Institute Takes Student Success Personally," compliments the dedication of the staff and faculty to student success. The article lists examples such as:
n Programs that fit the demands of the area,
n Experienced instructors and
n Instructor-led review sessions for certification tests.
But the benefits of attending a school like Anthem Institute-Las Vegas don't end there.
Refresher Courses at No Cost
Anthem Institute graduates benefit from the school's Quality Commitment Program. This program allows graduates to return for refresher courses or to update their skills at no charge.
Anthem Stands Behind its Graduates
Anthem's Graduate Quality Warranty guarantees employer satisfaction when a company hires an Anthem Institute graduate in his or her field of study. If an employer is not satisfied with the performance of an Anthem hire, the employee can return to campus for more training at no cost to anyone.
This is just another way that Anthem Institute works hard to offer quality career programs and graduate well-prepared professionals who are ready to go to work.
What Makes Anthem Institute Different?
According to Las Vegas community representative David Allen, the main reason that Anthem Institute is different from other schools is its ability to prepare students to make the transition into the working world. "A great education doesn't have to take a long time ... and (with) people that genuinely care about your success, you can achieve your goals and change your life," he said.
Student services manager Ashley Shoemaker agrees. "Having the chance to improve lives and watch our students grow in their chosen field is priceless," she said. "We really care about our students and want to help them reach their goals and potential."
Even students who leave school before graduating are not forgotten. Re-entry specialist Michael Makkonen reaches out to these students and even hosts "re-entry" open houses to encourage them to finish what they started and re-enroll in school.
"It's about achieving their goals, getting a career and living the life they have imagined," he said.
Is Anthem Institute Right For You?
Are you looking for a change? Are you ready to pursue a career that you truly love and enjoy? Anthem Institute believes that no matter what stage of life you are in and no matter what responsibilities you have, with the proper training, support and hard work, you can achieve your education and career goals.
Call Anthem Institute today at 855-331-7762 and find out how you can get education and training that will prepare you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in today's job market.
