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Healthcare Careers: Physical Therapy
A career in physical therapy can be incredibly rewarding – and started right at your local community college. Learn more about the job roles, salary, and demand for physical therapy assistants.

Do you have a passion for helping people who have been sick or injured get back to their daily activities? Do you want to work with healthcare professionals in a hospital or outpatient clinic? If so, then a job as a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant may be the right choice for you!

While the tasks of a physical therapist can be physically demanding, the rewards of the job are great. Physical therapists enjoy a good salary, plenty of job security, and the satisfaction of knowing they are helping patients who need their expertise to regain their quality of life.

What does a Physical Therapist Do?

Physical therapists help patients who have been ill or injured regain physical strength and range of motion to return to daily activities. Physical therapists work in various venues, including hospitals, nursing facilities, and outpatient care centers.

Physical therapy assistants work directly with physical therapists, providing assistance and support to patients and professionals alike.

The field of physical therapy is expected to grow at a faster than average rate over the next few years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it a career choice worth considering today.

Some of the tasks of a physical therapy assistant might include the following:

  • Providing exercise instruction to patients
  • Using therapeutic methods like ultrasound and electrical stimulation
  • Offering massage to patients
  • Providing balance training
  • Gathering and preparing equipment for physical therapists to use
  • Teaching patients to use assistive devices like crutches

The job of

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Careers: Nuclear Technician

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Careers: Nuclear Technician
Learn about the various roles nuclear technicians play, from reactor operation and maintenance to radiation protection and safety procedures. Join us as we explore how community college nuclear technician training programs are shaping the future of energy and offering unparalleled opportunities for those seeking a path into this dynamic field.

As our country continues to search for alternative energy sources, the field of nuclear technology becomes a larger piece of the pie. The knowledge, land, and resources are in place to open nuclear plants across the country – but there is one element lacking. Skilled technicians will be needed to work in these new plants, particularly in light of the fact that thousands of current nuclear technicians are slated for retirement over the next five years, according to a recent report in the New York Times.

As many as 40 community colleges across the nation have heeded the call and are now providing programs to train a new generation of nuclear technicians. These programs can be completed in a fraction of the time of a standard four-year degree, with most associate's degrees earned in two years or less. Both high school graduates and adults looking for a career change can capitalize on these programs, moving into an industry that pays well and is much more secure in terms of growth and stability.

What is a Nuclear Technician?

Education-Portal describes the role of a nuclear technician as one who operates and maintains equipment in nuclear power plants. As specialists in nuclear energy, they might also assist scientists in the field of research.

Many professionals get their foot in the nuclear door with just a two-year associate's degree, and their first job could earn around $50,000 per year. The New York Times estimates that

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How to Obtain an Associate's Degree in Just One Year

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How to Obtain an Associate's Degree in Just One Year
Learn about new programs in community colleges that allow students to graduate with an associate's degree in only one year.

How to Obtain an Associate's Degree in Just One Year

Throughout his presidency, President Obama has lauded community colleges for their role in educating skilled workers in a short amount of time for a price far less than that of a four-year institution.

  • In recent years, the President has encouraged community colleges to continue to grow by graduating 5 million more students by the year 2020.
  • More and more institutions are finding creative ways to strengthen their student graduation rate in an effort to meet Mr. Obama’s challenge.
  • One such institution, Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana, offers a program that helps students earn an associate's degree in just one year.
  • Typically, this degree takes a minimum of two years to complete. Thus, the new program shaves 50 percent off the standard time commitment for an associate’s. Ivy Tech’s accelerated program, known as ASAP, has grown immensely in the four years since its inception.
  • The program began at just two Indiana locations but is now offered at nine locations throughout the state, with more locations on tap to participate beginning in 2015.

Compressing Education

Ivy Tech began its ASAP program in 2010, soon after many four-year institutions announced plans to compress bachelor's degree programs into a three-year curriculum. Colleges and universities all over the United States offer three-year bachelor’s degree programs, including:

All

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Healthcare Careers: Certified Nursing Assistant

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Healthcare Careers: Certified Nursing Assistant
It takes about three months to become a certified nursing assistant. Programs at your community college can have you trained for a nursing career in just weeks.

Do you have a passion for caring for others? Are you looking for a career in which you can start relatively quickly? Certified Nursing Assistant programs are cropping up nationwide, thanks to stimulus funds designed to get people into the healthcare field as quickly as possible. In as little as three months, you can move from a student at a community college to a fully certified nursing assistant working in a hospital, nursing care center, or home setting.

While these programs are not new, additional funding from the stimulus package has allowed many community colleges to increase the number of certified nursing classes they offer. This means even more students can get on the fast track to a healthcare career that is much more stable than many other industries today. The short amount of time in school also means tuition savings for those who want to explore new career opportunities but don't have many extra funds to do so.

What is a Certified Nursing Assistant?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, certified nursing assistants work in various settings, offering hands-on care to patients under the supervision of RNs and other medical staff. In some cases, CNAs may help patients eat, bathe, or perform other daily tasks. Some might also take patient vitals, including temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. They may assist the rest of the medical staff by moving equipment, setting up supplies, or assisting with some procedures.

This video describes the nursing

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How to Take Online Community College Classes for Free

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How to Take Online Community College Classes for Free
Learn about programs across the country that allow students to take online community college classes for free.

Looking for a way to get a college education at little or no cost? So is the current administration. Last year, President Obama created a plan for community colleges that included a $500 million budget to create free online courses that could be tailored to the specific needs of students. According to Inside Higher Ed, the proposal was part of a larger plan to beef up community college services and access, preparing more Americans for practical job opportunities in the current workforce.

Free online community college courses can be a great option for a wide range of people, including:

  1. High school students looking to get a head start on their college education or earn college credits while still in high school.

  2. College students who want to supplement their coursework or fulfill general education requirements.

  3. Working professionals who want to learn new skills or update their knowledge in their field.

  4. Individuals who are interested in exploring new subjects or hobbies.

  5. Adults who did not complete a college degree and are looking to improve their job prospects or pursue a new career.

  6. People who may not have the time or resources to attend traditional college classes.

  7. Individuals who live in areas without easy access to a community college or who have mobility or transportation issues.

Overall, free online community college courses can be a great resource for anyone looking to continue their education and improve their skills and knowledge.

Source: ChatGPT

Plan Specifics

In addition to helping high schools develop a low-cost curriculum, the original proposal

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