And the Oscar goes to.......

All of you! I am really impressed by your creativity and anticipating the needs of your patients. The presentations exceeded my expectations. Incredible job everyone. One more to go on Tuesday - Courtney's group in the P.M.

Thank you Emily and Mehul for being on hand today as classroom managers.

REMINDERS: Assignment due on 11/4 - please research your specialty area and your site's website (if there is one). For instance, kp.org, valleycare.com, etc. Please look up your site online. The Safe Schools online assignments are due in about two weeks...plan accordingly because it is worth 200 points!

Happy Halloween to all and have a great weekend. No ROP on Monday, October 31st. Leave a spider for someone to find at your house....except Hanna's.

See you TUESDAY.

Mrs. Erceg

Great job today!

I was AMAZED at the wonderful responses I received from the class today on some really tough critical thinking exercises on telephone messages and telephone triage. Well done! I feel so confident about you volunteering at your sites and making and receiving calls.

Thank you Yari and Judy! I love classroom managers helping me keep on track.

Great skit on Ewing's Sarcoma today. You all did a wonderful job! The PowerPoint was a very nice touch.

Tomorrow, we finish up the week with some administrative skills and the rest of the skits.
I am really looking forward to that!

By popular demand, I have extended the extra credit out for one week regarding career center visits. Make your appointment now and the the extra points! Absolute deadline for the points is having the signed paper to me on or before Friday 11/4.

Take care and thank you for being AMAZING today.

Mrs. Erceg

Happy Wednesday !

Thank you Luke and Minerva......great job being classroom managers today.

Everyone....let's stay focused on preparing for internship. I know you are all going to do
a wonderful job at your site. Please come see me if you have not made an appointment with your site for your pre-internship visit. (Kaiser and veterinary - I'll work with you personally).

Have a great evening and prepare for a lively discussion tomorrow about telephone skills, messages and how to respond to emergency calls (triage).

Take care and have a wonderful evening.

Mrs. Erceg

Hello, may I help you?

We are learning our telephone skills this week. Please listen to how people in business, on cell or home phones, answer the phone....do you think they sound professional? Do they sound like someone you would take seriously? We will work on these skills again tomorrow. Be prepared with your best telephone voice.

Everyone: Please see me tomorrow with your available hours for interviewing and/or orientation dates. (Everyone! - because some of you still have an orientation to attend).

Thank you Morgan and Jillian for being classroom managers today!

Patient Education Presentations this week - I am anxious to see them.

Hey Monique....you rock and don't you forget it. Come see me tomorrow - you and I have things to do and people to see!

No homework tonight....but keep an eye on the blog every night as usual...just in case.

Have a wonderful evening.

Mrs. Erceg

Coding and billing and charts...Oh my!

Hi Everyone,

We'll keep working on our CPT, ICD-9 and now......HCPCS code books. Thank goodness we don't have to memorize these...just know how to use them as reference materials!

CONTRACTS!!! Please bring yours in with a parent signature if you haven't already. Very important!!!

Thank you Marlene and Monique....I appreciate the help of my classroom managers.

MEDICAL EXPLORERS TOMORROW NIGHT - RSVP- 10/25 5:45 arrival time
E.R. at ValleyCare Pleasanton

HOMEWORK:

5 C’S of Communication (Well…6 actually): COMPLETE, CLARITY, CONCISE, COURTEOUS, COHESIVE. Make sure you write down the “6th C” – COMPLYING with HIPAA. Write each word and then explain in two or three sentences how each one of these apply to talking and responding to a patient on an outgoing or incoming phone call. Bring these notes in, write notes from the PPT on the back and turn in for 15 points of credit. Make sure you write down the “6th C” – COMPLYING with HIPAA. More HOMEWORK: Print out the blog from 10/21....isolate and print the selection only...not the whole blog, okay? Bring it in and we'll talk about your 11/4 assignment.

Take care!

Mrs. Erceg

No Contract? ... No Site!

Please bring in your contract signed by a parent on MONDAY!!! (Don't forget to meet with your parents and give them the letter from me regarding the internship.)

Thank You Victoria and Mayte for being Class Managers Today!!!

We will work on skits next week. All skits are due 10/28/11

For those of you who need clarification on specialty research (assignment due 11/4), please go to a web browser and type in "Duties of a _______*" (See Below)

*Specialty Area:
-Dental Assistant
-Internal Medicine, Medical Assistant
-Family Practice, Medical Assistant
-Veterinary Assistant
-Pediatric, Medical Assistant
-OB/GYN, Medical Assistant (Women's Health)
-Out Patient Surgery Center Aide
-Physical Therapy Aide
-Radiology Aide
-Urgent Care, Medical Assistant
-Cardiac Rehabilitation Aide
-Skilled Nursing Facility Aide, Certified Nurse Assistant
-Allergy, Medical Assistant
-Occupational Health, Medical Assistant
-Orthopedics, Medical Assistant
-Dermatology, Medical Assistant

Research and Print out the following:
1)Job Description, 2)Duties and Tasks, 3)What services are provided at the location? Ask your parents for help if you need. Research any websites associated with the facility and/or career.


Have a Nice Weekend!

Mrs. Erceg and Jillian and Krista

I have the best students....EVAHHH!

Congratulations once again.....PERFECT ATTENDANCE TODAY!!! Thank you for being the reliable people I have come to know, and being committed to this program.

GHS Seniors- You did a wonderful job on the skit today. Your skit had some incredible dancing - great choreography!

Thank you Cassidy and Xochilt for being classroom managers today...I kept you hoppin'!

HOMEWORK due tomorrow 10/21: Please meet with a parent or parents regarding the paperwork....contract, letter, and assignment due 11/4. (Bring in signed contract tomorrow if possible...due Monday). Also for homework, bring in evidence that you have looked at a website regarding your specialty and/or facility and a print out of a job description. All veterinary students, print out a job description for a "Veterinary Assistant" or "Veterinary Technician". Dental, print out one for a "Dental Assistant" or "Dental Hygienist". If you're not sure what to print, print out a job description for a "Medical Assistant" - both administrative and clinical.

Take care and have a great evening!

Mrs. Erceg

Happy Wednesday!

Hi Everyone,






Hey Class of 2013! GREAT job on your skit today.

Thank you DANIEL and LIZETH for being classroom managers today.

Please work on a props list for your Patient Education skit. Looking forward to it!

I am very proud of all of you. Your candid responses in your papers on how you felt different were so touching and made me realize how you are successfully training to work in a health care environment. By the way, your "empathy" is showing. Good job.

Keep an eye on your calendar....the Safe Schools online projects need to get done. Due date approaching.

Make your career center appointment, okay? I would love to see more names on the list. Deadline: 10/28/11.

Take care,

Mrs. Erceg

Places everyone!!!

Do you know what part you are playing in the patient education skit? Please make sure you have a five minute skit prepared according to the directions on the assignment. Work in class, via email and phone to develop a patient education scenario regarding the topic your group chose. Due next week!

Thank you Cody and Denise for being classroom managers today!

Amy - I had some afternoon helpers today and we shared the fabulous chocolate chip cookies you made. Thank you for sweetening my day, and theirs!

Jillian and Krista: Thank you for making deliveries for me today - HUGE help to me!

Please make career center appointments....the extra credit opportunity is available until October 28! Have the signed sheet to me on or before 10/28.

Keenan/Safe Schools Online Projects! Don't let the 11/14 due date sneak up on you! Calendar your schedule to complete these assignments.

Tomorrow:

We will start discussing the reproductive system and learn about CPT (procedure) coding.
I will ask you about the Unit 8 project on cultural competency and APMA Ch. 8-13 review.

Have a great night from,

Mrs. Erceg and David Kennedy

There is an assignment due tomorrow !

Thank you to Kelsey and Anna P. for being classroom managers today. You rock !

Assignment due tomorrow, TUESDAY 10/18:

"A Time I Felt Different "

Remember a time in your life when you felt "different" in a group of people. The difference can be about anything: language, culture, age, size, accents, skin color, clothing, a mistake you made....etc.

The experience of "feeling different" can be from last year, a month ago, or a week ago - not just from childhood. Please write in your experiences on the handout. This is confidential. I will offer the opportunity to share, but it is not necessary.

Keep working on your skits!

THANK YOU Good News Bears Volunteers!!! Samantha, Xochilt, Marcella, Lindsey, Michelle, Marlene, Lizeth, Denise, Anna, Kory, Eddie, Anthony and Danielle. Portfolio certificates for you!!! Please send any photos you have to: laurieerceg@yahoo.com
I will make a PPT for Jeanie.

Thanks Vik - for checking with your Dad about placements. Thanks KRISTA for the nice list of veterinary offices that I can check into. We need veterinarian offices/clinics/hospitals....do you know of any??? Please ask Mom and Dad to help! Internship is not complete until all students are placed!!!

Take care and I'll see you tomorrow.

Mrs. Erceg (and Anna P.)

Some cures really work!

That was really fun talking about miracle cures and interesting ways to treat common ailments. Great job on that assignment.

Thank you Kory and Gaby - You both did a wonderful job as classroom managers today.

Please see me MONDAY 10/17 about internship requirements/immunization information: AM Class - Kory, Kelsey, Marlene, Luke and Yari
PM Class - Kelly, Vik, Mehul and Jazmin

Thanks in advance to all of the Good News Bears volunteers!

Would the following students please check your email tonight and talk to their parents about placement information: VICTORIA, EDDIE, CASSI, ERIKA AND KRISTA

ATTENTION GRANADA SENIORS - 2012-2013 Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship program and they are looking for ONE nominee from Granada High School. This program recognizes high school seniors for their commitment to community service, academics, and demonstrated leadership. The recipients of the award will receive a one-time grant of $1,000. The deadline to submit all necessary paperwork is December 9, 2011.
See Danielle Mintz, Career Center - GHS

Next week - Lymphatic and Reproductive systems.

Have a great night!

Mrs. Erceg, Danielle, Judy and Jillian

Endocrine System - Full of Hormones!

We'll talk tomorrow about the wonders of the pituitary gland - the "master gland".....it's really bossy. It makes a lot of demands and gives a lot of commands!

Thanks you David and Brittany for being classroom managers today. Great job.

I need help......PARENTS/FAMILY: Please contact me if you know someone who works in a veterinary clinic or hospital. I need to place one more student in the morning and four more in the afternoon. I have a letter of introduction and I can visit the clinic or hospital and deliver it myself. Can you get me an appointment with a facility? Please call me if you have information that can lead to the acquistion of some new veterinary sites!

We already plan to have students with Banfield and Parkway in Dublin, Amador Valley Veterinary Hospital in Pleasanton, and Del Valle Pet Hospital in Livermore.

I started looking over your homework turned in today. I am enjoying reading about some of the "cures" that are not real and some that are!

I need some assistance preparing for the internship. It involves helping in the classroom at lunch or after school. Time outside normal classroom hours counts as make up time in advance or for previous absences.

Is your uniform ready to go? Shoes, etc? We'll talk about that tomorrow. It's almost time to go on interviews/meetings with your new supervisors and staff members.

There will be a CMAA planning meeting for the March 2012 medical conference. If you are interested in attending, it will be in San Ramon on Sunday, 10/16 at 11:30 - 1:00. I would really like some students on the committee. Free food.

GOOD NEWS BEARS NEWS: Thanks to the GNB reps - this weekend's "Octobear Affaire" will be well-staffed with volunteers. More tomorrow on that.

Take care and have a great evening.

Mrs. Erceg

Wasn't today a real GAS?

Borborygmus and flatulence......what fun words to share with your family. LOL

CONGRATULATIONS AM and PM classes!!! Perfect attendance today! Well done!

Thank you Anna and Daniel for being wonderful classroom managers today.

Homework due tomorrow:Fact or Fiction? Go to http://www.quackwatch.org/ OR
http://www.snopes.com/ "medical."

Use one of these websites to identify examples of health fraud or falsified information leading to unnecessary panic amongst our fellow citizens. Don't always believe what you read!......and/or ask a family member or friends if they know of any "miracle cures." Write this information down and/or print it out - write down your opinion of your findings - and bring it in Thursday. DUE: Thursday, October 13th

Have you seen your CAREER CENTER SPECIALIST yet? Make an appointment soon, before the end of the week! 10 points extra credit! Schedule the appointment before the end of this week, drop off the form, and then go back to see your Career Center Specialist. Bring me the signed college planning worksheet.

GOOD NEWS BEARS NEEDS YOU! So far, we have Sam, Kory, Danielle, Anthony, Anna, Lizeth and Denise helping out this weekend at the "OCTOBEAR AFFAIRE" at Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore. You can volunteer anytime from 9 to 4 - maybe for an hour or two? Sign up with me! You can help at the booth, walk around with flyers...or wear the "bear suit". Go for it..I'll be sure to give you a portfolio certificate.

Have a great night and have some beans for dinner tonight. Make some beautiful music.

Mrs. Erceg

The Digestive System: It's A Real Gas!

Thank you to Cassi and Raquel for being wonderful classroom managers today!

Thank you Krista for helping me with the blog today and Jillian for helping me after school!

I heard some of you went to your Career Center for your appointment! Good for you...see me for your 10 points extra credit. Schedule the appointment before the end of this week, drop off the form, and then go back to see your Career Center Specialist. Bring me the signed college planning worksheet.

Homework due tomorrow:

Fact or Fiction? Go to www.quackwatch.org OR www.snopes.com "medical."

Use one of these websites to identify examples of health fraud or falsified information leading to unnecessary panic amongst our fellow citizens. Don't always believe what you read!

......or ask a family member or friends if they know of any "miracle cures."

Write this information down and/or print it out - write down your opinion of your findings - and bring it in Thursday. DUE: Thursday, October 13

Have you seen your CAREER CENTER SPECIALIST yet? Make an appointment soon, before the end of the week!

Have a great night!

Mrs. Erceg, Krista, Jillian and Danielle

Alternative Medicine... What's in it For You?

We'll talk more about all the different healing modalities that people can choose from, combine and potentially help themselves on a path to better health!

Thank you Brianna and Travis for helping me out today. Yeah! Classroom Managers!

Make your appointment with your career center specialist.....please!

Juniors, I will mail the BLUE ACTE form. Drop off the white "College Planning Worksheet" at the career center and make an appointment. Go back and they will have info for you. 10 points of E.C. - with signature. Please make your appointment by 10/12.

Seniors: Please staple the BLUE ACTE form to the back of your "College Planning Worksheet" and take it to your career center specialist, drop it off, make the appointment and when you come back they will have information for you! 10 points of E.C. - with signature. Please make your appointment by 10/12.

Internship: Please be prepared to tell me about any possible scheduling conflicts that may occur during the internship phase of the program - Nov. 28 - May 25th. I need information about sports, work, etc. Please be as flexible as possible. LAST CALL for immunization, flu shot, etc. If there are special circumstances, I need to know now!

We'll talk more tomorrow about how "savvy" is the way to be in the workplace. I sense a promotion in your future.

Have a great evening.

Mrs. Erceg

Too Good to Be True !

You really are too good to be true. Keep up the good work, the great attitudes and be patient with your teacher as I get the CC placements done. Thank you.

There are some "medicinal" cures that are not true...some that are! Keep that in mind for next week.

Thanks to Denisse and Ryan, my day was a lot easier...thanks classroom managers!

Make your appointment with your career center specialist.....please!
They are a wealth of information!!!! Bring the college planning worksheet back, with notes and information on it and the career specialist's signature for 10 points of E.C. - please make your appointment by 10/12. I will call the career centers and check in about progress. Make sure you have a "Plan A, B, C...." so you are confident and ready for your exciting post-high school life!

Flu shots and immunizations!!! If not done by Monday 10/10, I have to start calling parents. :( Please come see me if you have any questions!

IMPORTANT: Please talk to your parents - I sent a form home today from ACTE. Please talk to your parents about completing it and returning it to me. Here are the highlights from the Association for Career and Technical Education:

ACTE partners with My College Options to conduct research and gather data that will support Career and Technical Education (CTE) which is what ROP programs are.

• ACTE also provides high school students with an opportunity to link to colleges and universities.



• A FREE online college planning account will be matched with colleges that are looking for students just like you.



• Admission services, financial aid, career information, extracurricular enrichment and recognition programs are included.

Take care and have a great weekend!

Mrs. Erceg

Are you a roaring lion today? -or do you have asthma?

Hi Everyone,

I am very anxious to see your progress as we move along on the patient education project. I think the topics you have chosen will be very informative and interesting. Remember, this is serious business and humor does not belong in this scenario-based role-play. A little humor can work, but only when appropriate.

Thank you classroom managers.......Alex and Jazmin!

Make your appointment with your career center specialist.....please! They are a wealth of information!!!!

DUE TOMORROW: Resting heart rate results.

Flu shots and immunizations!!! If not done by Monday, I have to start calling parents. :( Please come see me if you have any questions!

Take care and have a great evening!

Mrs. Erceg

Please be patient...

This is the time of year your teacher is very busy preparing for the community classroom experience. Please be patient as I get your sites established. I may need to place you in an unxpected site. Have the "I'll go where I'm needed" attitude...thank you.


Thank you Blake and Gerald for being classroom managers today!


You get your uniforms tomorrow - I'll pick them up tonight.


Amy....thanks for the coffee. I love my Starbucks.

FLU SHOTS and immunization records/receipts. Please bring in the paperwork or I cannot place you.


Patient education project coming up that is due on 10/28.....we'll talk about more details tomorrow.


Hang in there....I'll be moving fast tomorrow and Friday to catch us up with the required curriculum. I expect everyone to be focused and on task.

Have a great night, eat a nice nutritious meal, get plenty of rest, get (or give) a few hugs and be ready for school tomorrow.

Mrs. Erceg

Time FLU by!

Please make sure you have your flu shot/immunizations/TB done by this weekend. See me to confirm what is needed, then call your doctor's office right away to make the arrangements. If it's just a flu shot, see if you have a small co-pay at the doctor's office or go to CVS, Safeway or Walgreens. Please hurry! I have to turn the paperwork into your sites!!!

Thank you Samantha and Jessica C. for being classroom managers today!

Thanks to all of you in the afternoon class that contributed money for my birthday cake! Anna, thanks for getting the cake (yum) I also got Starbucks coffee - courtesy of Monica and Monique. I drank both of them. (yum again).

Please put these dates on your calendar:

Tuesday, October 25th Meeting – Conference Room #3 @ 6:00 pm
Emergency Department
Tour Emergency Department


Tuesday, November 29th Meeting – Conference Rm #3 @ 6:00 pm
Critical Care Department


Tuesday, December 13th Meeting – Conference Room #3 @ 6:00 pm
Surgery Department
Tour Surgical Services Area

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Erceg

Medical Terminology Test Tomorrow

Hi All,

Prepare for your medical terminology test. Separate out word parts when appropriate, see your "A to Z" list of word parts for help. 50 questions, 2 points per question, total 100 points. Scantron/multiple choice. Please have a number two pencil.

We are finished with skills labs for now and we practice our skills before we go to our internship sites. Uniforms will be picked up this week and I'll have them for you on Monday, 10/10. We will take a class photo on Thursday, November 3rd. Your uniform, badge, lanyard, shoes and grooming must be perfectomundo. (Not medical terminology, but you know what I mean).

Make sure you have completed the RESTING HEART RATE trilogy - You will need three CONSECUTIVE days of checking your RHR before getting out of bed to average the results. Due 10/7.

Who won the NOBEL PRIZE in Physiology or Medicine??? Please print out or write it down for 10 points. Go to http://www.nobelprize.org/ - Why is this award different than other years? What happened? Due tomorrow, 10/4.

Take care and have a great evening.

Mrs. Erceg