Health Services

To prepare the student to communicate effectively with others in a healthcare setting.

• Students will communicate appropriately with instructors, peers, staff, and clients.
• Students will communicate appropriately with health care delivery team at related agency.
• Students will demonstrate acceptance of the rights and dignity within the context of the consumers´ cultural heritage.

To prepare students to develop protocols and policies to be utilized in a healthcare setting.

• Students will develop protocols and policies appropriate to the agency needs.
• Students will demonstrate appropriate judgment to ensure confidentiality and security of information utilized within the healthcare setting

To provide students with the knowledge of legal and ethical standards.

• Students will demonstrate appropriate legal and ethical behaviors.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of HIPPA regulations.

To prepare the students to demonstrate entry-level medical assistants skills in the cognitive, psychomotor, and effective learning domains.

• Graduates are satisfied with the knowledge base in the Medical Assisting program.
• Employers are satisfied with the knowledge base of program graduates.
• Graduates are satisfied with the skills obtained in the medical assistant program.
• Employers are satisfied with the skills obtained in the Medical Assistant program.

To prepare students to calculate, display, and interpret statistical information related to the health care field.

• Students will demonstrate the ability to display and interpret statistical information. (MA 108 or 110)
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the use of data to provide emergency health care.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to retrieve health information data to provide assistance to health care consumers

To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy.

• Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
• Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.

This course develops the skills necessary to improve success in college. It covers general College procedures, time management and study skills, and specific student responsibilities. Collaborative projects are included. Corequisites: This course must be taken in the student’s first fifteen hours of study.

This course focuses on self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive writing. Emphasis is placed on the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: The required developmental reading (DS050 Developmental Reading, DS051 Essential Reading & Study Skills, or DS080 Study Reading), or SL115 ESL4: Advanced Reading, and/or writing courses (EN099 Introduction to College English or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition) or permission of the instructor or designee.

This course provides knowledge of relevant computer skills and a solid foundation in the terminology and concepts of computer technology. Experience is provided with a variety of microcomputer software applications, including word processing, electronic spreadsheets, graphics, file management, and integrated software. Concepts and terms focus on preparing for a technologically oriented society and using the computer as a tool for productivity, research, and communication.

This course covers the structure and function of the human organism and the regulatory processes that operate within a living system. It introduces general anatomical, physiological, and chemical organization, and includes the integumentary (skin), skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Laboratories involve vertebrate dissection, the use of prosected human cadavers and human skeletal materials, microscope work, non-invasive human experimentation, and possibly animal experimentation. Prerequisite: One year of high school chemistry or equivalent preparation, or Life Science Department Head permission. Students enrolled in Health Services Department programs are recommended to complete this course before beginning their specialized program coursework.

This course introduces the field of healthcare for people interested in the field. Topics include an introduction to the healthcare delivery system, a brief historical overview of U.S. healthcare, healthcare settings and programs,members of the healthcare delivery team, roles of healthcare professionals, legal and professional ethics, healthcare organizations and agencies,medical record content, risk management, continuous quality improvement, epidemiology (morbidity and mortality), and interpersonal communication skills.

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course concentrates on spelling, pronunciation, and the meaning of medical word components, common terms used in selected body systems, and medical abbreviations. (Spring semester)

This course introduces indexing conditions and procedures using the Current Procedural Terminology. It covers how to code from actual medical records and introduces the current prospective payment system(s). Prerequisites:MR101 Health Information Introductory Concepts (Health Information Technology majors only),MR103 Medical Terminology. (Spring semester)

This course covers the pharmacological, pathophysiological, therapeutic, and diagnostic aspects of medicine. It includes the concepts and medical word components for body systems and disorders encountered in healthcare.Discussions include pharmacological agents and the diagnostics test(s) used for disease processes, the selection of a particular pharmacological intervention, how its effectiveness is monitored using diagnostic interventions, and the value of laboratory tests. Prerequisite:MR103 Medical Terminology. (Spring semester)

This course, which is a continuation of BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, involves the study of structure, function, and regulation in the human organism. Topics include blood, peripheral nerves, the cardiovascular system, lymphatics, the respiratory system, the excretory system, the endocrine system, the reproductive systems, the digestive system, and metabolism. Laboratories involve vertebrate dissection, the use of prosected human cadavers and human skeletal materials, microscope work, non-invasive human experimentation, and possibly animal experimentation. Prerequisite: BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, or Life Science Department Head permission. Students enrolled in Health Services Department programs are recommended to complete this course before beginning their specialized program coursework. Students with transfer credit for BI106 Anatomy and Physiology 1 must complete a three-hour orientation to the use of prosected human cadavers before participating in the BI107 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 laboratory. Transfer students must meet with the Life Science Department Head thirty days before beginning this course.

This course introduces the clinical skills needed to assist the health care provider in a medical setting. Topics include aseptic techniques and infection control, obtaining the patient’s history and vital signs, sterilization procedures, recognition and use of surgical instruments, collecting and processing lab specimens, performing diagnostic tests, preparing and administering medications and immunizations, patient teaching, and coordinating patient care with other health care providers. Prerequisite: HC110 Medical Assistant - Administrative Theory. Corequisites: HC120 Medical Assistant Administrative Externship, BI206 Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology, MR115 Law in Health Care, and MR208 Pharmacology for Allied Health.

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course provides an understanding of laboratory and diagnostic procedures performed in a medical office or clinic.Topics include standard precautions, laboratory safety; obtaining, handling and processing specimens and cultures; and administering diagnostic tests, such as pulmonary function, pulse oximeter, peak flow, and EKG. Prerequisite:MR103 Medical Terminology.

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course teaches rescue breathing, CPR, two-rescuer CPR, and automatic external defibrillation (AED) skills. Students may complete certification from the American Heart Association basic life support (BLS) for healthcare providers.

This externship allows students to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom and laboratory settings to the clinical aspects of being a Medical Assistant. It includes 180 hours over the course of the semester. Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification must be on file (in the Allied Health Coordinator’s office) prior to beginning the externship. Prerequisite: HC110 Medical Assistant - Administrative Theory. Corequisite: HC112 Medical Assistant - Clinical Procedures.

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course includes the transcribing of medical reports as well as communication techniques such as formatting of medical reports, business communications, and agenda preparation and distribution.  The preparation of office policies and procedures are also included.  Emphasis is placed on the role of the manager, including personnel management and the provision for the privacy and security of information within the office setting.  Prerequisite: HC120 Medical Assistant Administrative Externship.  Corequisite: HC122 Medical Assistant Clinical Externship.

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course introduces the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis is on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social, and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional experiences and training.

This course assists in making intelligent health-conscious decisions through topics such as wellness, aging, sexuality, drugs and alcohol, and communicable diseases. It introduces activities and skills for leading healthy lifestyles including fitness assessment, weight management, and exercise.

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature and a full-length book of nonfiction. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisites: EN101 English 1: Composition.

This externship allows students to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom and laboratory settings to the clinical aspects of being a Medical Assistant. It includes 180 hours over the course of the semester. Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification must be on file (in the Allied Health Coordinator’s office) prior to beginning the externship. Prerequisite: HC120 Medical Assistant Administrative Externship. Corequisite: HC166 Office management for Medical Assistants.

• A grade of "C" or better is required for successful completion of course.

This course introduces indexing diseases and operations using the International Classification of Disease. It covers how to code from actual medical records and introduces DRGs and the Prospective Payment System. Prerequisites:MR101 Health Information Introductory Concepts,MR103 Medical Terminology, BI106 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1. (Health Information Technology majors only) (Spring semester)

This course examines the physiological consequences of various disease states. Diseases are treated as threats to homeostasis. The effects of pathology on normal bodily processes are discussed at various organizational levels, including biochemical, cellular, histological, and organ systems. This course is designed for allied health students. Prerequisites: BI106 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 or Department Head. Corequisite: BI107 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2.

This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.