Health Care Assistant (HA21)  Technical Certificate of Credit


(Stand-alone)

Program Description:

The Health Care Assistant Certificate of Credit is a program that provides academic foundations at the diploma level in communications, mathematics, and human relations, as well as technical fundamentals. Program graduates are trained in the underlying fundamentals of health care delivery and are well prepared for employment and subsequent upward mobility.

Entrance date:

Core courses: Each semester

Occupationally specific courses: Fall semester

Program admission requirements:

Minimum Test Scores

ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION – Reading 224 ACCUPLACER- Sentence Skills 60
Writing 236 Reading Comprehension 55
Arithmetic 229 Arithmetic 34

High School diploma or equivalent required for admission.

Applicant must be at least 17 years old.

Credits required for graduation: 30

Beginning Spring 2022 (January 2022), ALL FIRST TIME college students will be required to take the College Success (COLL 1020) course.

Curriculum Outline (8 hours)
Basic Skills Courses 12 credits
ENGL 1010

Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

3
MATH 1012

Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, formula manipulation, technical applications, and basic statistics.

3
PSYC 1010

Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.

3
COMP 1000

Introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include an introduction to computer terminology, the Windows environment, Internet and email, word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation software.

3
Occupational Courses 10 credits
ALHS 1011

Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

5
ALHS 1040

Introduces a grouping of fundamental principles, practices, and issues common in the health care profession. In addition to the essential skills, students explore various delivery systems and related issues. Topics include: basic life support/CPR, basic emergency care/first aid and triage, vital signs, infection control/blood and air-borne pathogens.

3
ALHS 1090

Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.

2
Completion of one of the following specializations: 8
Central Sterile Supply Processing Technician Specialization-8CS1 11 credits
CSSP 1010

This course provides an overview of the Central Sterile Processing and Distribution profession and develops the fundamental concepts and principles necessary to successfully participate as an entry level Central Sterile Processing Technician. Emphasis will be placed on the profession of Central Sterile Processing, basic sciences and related subjects, infection control, aseptic technique, equipment management, sterilization, instrumentation and supplies, legal issues, inventory management, safety, quality assurance, professional development and healthcare trends. Students completing this course will be eligible to apply to take the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) certification exam.

5
EMPL 1000

Emphasizes human relations and professional development in today's rapidly changing world that prepares students for living and working in a complex society. Topics include human relations skills, job acquisition skills and communication, job retention skills, job advancement skills, and professional image skills.

2
2 Credit Hour Occupational Elective 2
Phlebotomy Specialization-8PS1 8 credits
PHLT 1030

Provides an introduction to blood collecting techniques and processing specimens. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills needed to collect all types of blood samples from hospitalized patients. Topics include: venipuncture procedure, safety and quality assurance; isolation techniques, venipuncture problems, and definitions; lab test profiles and patient care areas; other specimen collections and specimen processing; test combinations, skin punctures and POCT; professional ethics and malpractice; and certification and licensure.

3
PHLT 1050
Pre/Corequisite: PHLT 1030

Provides work experiences in a clinical setting. Emphasis is placed on enhancing skills in venipuncture techniques. Topics include: introduction to clinical policies and procedures and work ethics; routine collections: adult, pediatric, and newborn; and special procedures.

5
Electrocardiography Technology Specialization-8ET1 10 Credits 10
ECGT 1030
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010, MATH 1111, PSYC 1010 Corequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1090, ECGT 1050

Provides an introduction to electrocardiography techniques and record keeping. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills needed to perform ECG on all types of patients. Topics include: infection control techniques, basic life support, legalities and ethics, basic cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, ECG techniques and recognition, ECG lead placement, technical aspects of the ECG, ECG rhythm strip interpretation, advanced ECG techniques and a Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) exam review.

5
ECGT 1050
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010, MATH 1012, PSYC 1010 Corequisites: ALHS 1011, ALHS 1090, ECGT 1030

Provides an introduction to clinical practice in the setting of hospitals, clinics, and medical offices. Students must demonstrate regard for the dignity, rights, and privacy of each patient. They must also abide by the policies and procedures of each clinical setting. Students will be able to learn by doing electrocardiography techniques and record keeping. Emphasis is placed on the application of knowledge and skills gained in the classroom. Students will have the opportunity to display their ability to interact appropriately with patients, family members, and other members of the healthcare team. Students may be required to perform Basic Life Support. Topics include: application of classroom knowledge and skills and functioning in the work environment.

5
Pharmacy Tech Specialization-8PT1 13 credits 13
PHAR 1000
Prerequisites: MATH 1111, MATH 1012

This course develops knowledge and skills in pharmaceutical calculations procedures. Topics include: systems of measurement, medication dispensing calculations, pharmacy mathematical procedures, and calculation tools and techniques.

4
PHAR 1040

The course introduces the students to principles and knowledge about all classifications of medication. Topics include: disease states and treatment modalities, pharmaceutical side effects and drug interactions, control substances, specific drugs, and drug addiction and abuse.

4
PHAR 1010

Provides an overview of the pharmacy technology field and develops the fundamental concepts and principles necessary for successful participation in the pharmacy field. Topics include: safety, orientation to the pharmacy technology field, Fundamental principles of chemistry, basic laws of chemistry, ethics and laws, definitions and terms, and reference sources.

5
Medical Unit Secretary Concentration-8MU1 14 credits 13
BUSN 1400
Prerequisite: COMP 1000

This course covers the knowledge and skills required to use word processing software through course demonstrations, laboratory exercises and projects. Minimal document keying will be necessary as students will work with existing documents to learn the functions and features of the word processing application. Topics and assignments will include: word processing concepts, customizing documents, formatting content, working with visual content, organizing content, reviewing documents, sharing and securing content.

4
BUSN 1240
Prerequisite: COMP 1000

Emphasizes essential skills required for the business office. Topics include: office protocol, time management, telecommunications and telephone techniques, office equipment, workplace mail, records management, travel/meeting arrangements, electronic mail, and workplace documents.

3
BUSN 1440
Prerequisite: COMP 1000

Reinforces the touch system of keyboarding placing emphasis on correct techniques with adequate speed and accuracy and producing properly formatted business documents. Topics include: reinforcing correct keyboarding technique, building speed and accuracy, formatting business documents, language arts, proofreading, and work area management.The ability to key 25 gross words a minute on 3-minute timings with no more than 3 errors as a pre-requisite.

4
3 Credit Hour Occupational Elective 3
Health Information Specialization-8HI1 12 credits 12
HIMT 1100

This course focuses on orienting the student to health information management. Topics include introducing students to the structure of healthcare in the United States and its providers, and the structure and function of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

3
HIMT 1151

Designed to provide students with computer and software skills used in medical offices. Topics include hardware and software components of computers for medical record applications; database software and information management; specialized information management systems in healthcare; methods of controlling confidentiality and patient rights; accuracy and security of health information data in computer systems as well as future directions of information technology in healthcare.

4
HIMT 1200
Prerequisites: HIMT 1100, HIMT 1250

This course focuses on the study of legal principles applicable to health information, patient care and health records. Topics include: working of the American Legal System, courts and legal procedures, principles of liability, patient record requirements, access to health information, confidentiality and informed consent, the judicial process of health information, specialized patient records, risk management and quality assurance, HIV information, and the electronic health record.

3
HIMT 1250

This course provides a study of content, storage, retrieval, control, retention, and maintenance of health information. Topics include: health data structure, content and standards, healthcare information requirements and standards.

2
Faculty
Click to view profile for Tracey  Prince
Program Chair

Nurse Aid, Instructor
Healthcare Technology Building

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