Course Description: This course introduces you to basic health concepts and basic communication in the field of health. The focus is planned to provide a basis for cognitive career exploration and critical thinking.

Prerequisites: None

Credits: 3

Semester Analysis: 15 weeks of classes, 1 week of final exams.

Text: Introduction to Healthcare, Joyce Mitchell, Lee Haroun, Delmar Publishing, 2002, 2nd Ed.

ISBN:0-7668-1440-8

TEACHING PROCEDURES: Lectures, discussion, papers, oral presentations, collaborative learning.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Behavior, which disrupts the establishment of the learning environment, may result in the student causing the behavior to be excluded from the classroom by the instructor. The student may be subject to further punitive action by the Dean of students. (An expansion of this policy, including rights of the disruptive student is available through the office of the Dean of Students).

Attendance and makeup policy: Students are expected to attend all classes. Students with four absences will be reported to the Dean of Students and are at risk for failure. (School policy) If you’re going to be late please enter quietly without disturbing the class. It is the responsibility of the student to make up any missed material. Please see the instructor for any missed assignment, lecture notes, and handouts. Make up work will be handled on an individual basis.

Office Hours: Office hours are posted on my office door and on the front of this document. I am also available other times by appointment. Any student that may be feeling overwhelmed or getting behind in their work due to a crisis etc… should make an appointment with me to assist in resolving the issue of getting behind in the work rather than risking a failure.

Grade evaluation:

Research project/Paper 25%

Exams 30 %

Final Exam 15%

Class Assignments 30%

Research Project/Paper:

Each student will be required to complete a 3-5 page paper and oral presentation on an assigned career. (Content, bibliography, and footnote pages do not count in the length of the paper.)    This project should include various aspects of a specific career.  This project should include various aspects of a specific career including but not limited to: job duties, career advancement opportunities, necessary schooling/training, licensing/exams/certification, salary and other pertinent information.  Some form of visual aide is required i.e.….PowerPoint, overheads, Tri-fold poster board, etc.  Handouts may accompany, but may not replace another visual aide.

Final Exam: Will be a cumulative multiple choice exam given during finals week. If you can’t make the assigned date please see the professor for an alternative arrangement.

Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

1. Identify and define Health Care field Occupations.
2. Identify skills of Health Care Occupations.
3. Define basic medical terminology using the four word part approach to terminology; root, prefix, suffix, and combining vowel/form.
4. Use written, oral, and presentation methods to communicate effectively to other professionals.
5. Identify and describe various health care settings.
6. Understand and be able to recite examples of ethical issues.
7. Write a term paper using correct documentation for citing resources used.
8. Briefly describe the various Healthcare organization within the healthcare setting.
9. Understand the components to the Patient’s Bill of Rights.
10. Define the ethical principles of beneficence, veracity, autonomy, and fidelity.
11. List the nine life stages and important components of each stage.
12. Explain Hospice Care.
13. Define communication.
14. Give examples of communication barriers.
15. Give examples of verbal and nonverbal communications.
16. Identify three hazards that may result in patient falls.
17. Explain the acronyms SOAP, RACE and PASS.
18. List the precautions for preventing puncture wounds from needles and other sharp objects.
19. Explain and demonstrate the proper procedure for proper hand washing.
20. Demonstrate the steps in taking a blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.
21. Describe the concept of preventive healthcare.
22. Understand the concepts of stress and coping mechanisms.
23. Write a resume, cover letter, and reference page.
24. Understand the components to the interview process.
25. Demonstrate proper body mechanics.
26. Practice good study habit guidelines.

 

©2000 STCC Foundation Press written by Cindy Fuller