Hospital offers course on medical jargon

ST. MARYS - For too many people, the biggest roadblock to a career in medicine isn't the math or money, it's the language.

Joint Township District Memorial Hospital is sponsoring a course to help navigate the language and terminology of medicine. The program begins Jan. 12 and runs through March 2, with a total of eight, two-hour classes aimed at helping anybody interested in working in the health field.

"The class is intended for anybody who wants to get into the medical field. It's designed for beginners, so if someone's looking to break into the field in any capacity it's a nice starter course," said Barb Scheer, education coordinator.

Basic knowledge of the language of medicine, along with an understanding of how complex terms are formed, is a requisite both just for physicians and nurses, but for anybody working around hospitals and physicians offices, Scheer said. The hospital requires the course for many of their employees in admissions and medical records areas.

"It is difficult is they've never been around it before. It's not the level of medical terminology that I had to take going to nursing school, but it's a good class if you want to work in any kind of medical office," Scheer said.

The course costs $50 and is open to the public. Classes will be held in conference room 1 at the hospital.

What: Medical terminology course

When: Eight, two-hour classes running Jan. 12 through March 2

Where: Conference Room 1, Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys

Admission: $50, call 419-394-3335, ext. 1410 to register