Health Science

$18.00 lab fee. This course is an introduction to the health care delivery system and health occupations. Topics include basic safety, security, and emergency measures, infection control, basic math ,and blood borne disease; including HIV/AIDS, and science skills. Communication and interpersonal techniques and employability skills are also covered to provide a basic foundation on which to build subsequent learning. Campus lab experience is provided. This course is one of two courses that meet the requirement for the Certified Nursing Assistant certificate. The core lecture classes are offered as hybrid (distance education).

Prerequisite: *HSC0003. Content includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences relating to communication, performance of patient care procedures, including physical comfort and safety functions for geriatric patients. Application of infection control, nutrition principles, and biological, psychological, and social support are used in the performance of supervised organizational functions, following the patient plan of care. Restorative care activities, with an emphasis on geriatrics is also included.

(Offered fall). Corequisite: HSC1000L. This course is designed to introduce the student to the health care delivery system including the facility organization, hierarchy of the systems, management, and physical environment and to provide an overview of the role and responsibilities of the perioperative health care team including the professions history, professional responsibilities, mental health/personal hygiene, communication, information technology, interpersonal skills, teamwork, employability skills, infection control, legal/ethical/moral issues, documentation, risk management, All-Hazards Preparation for Disasters, and the personal characteristics of the successful health care professional. Common illnesses will be discussed including discussions of the prevention of disease and promotion of wellness. Topics will also include the development of patient care skills such as patient identification, assessment, the biopsychosocial needs of the patient, multicultural aspects, the special needs patients, monitoring of the patient?s status, death and dying, institution of a plan of care, and emergency patient situations will be covered.

$216.00 lab fee (Offered fall). Corequisite: HSC1000. This course prepares the student for the surgical experience and includes OR attire, body mechanics, patient transfer, infection control, gown/glove, urinary catheterization, basic aseptic skills, surgical instruments, and vital signs. Includes 15 hours of clinical observation and orientation.

(Offered fall, spring, and summer). This course is designed to assist students in planning and pursuit of their own career goals. Students will be provided with an introduction to the health care industry emphasizing the roles of the various health care professionals and the current trends in healthcare opportunities. The course investigates the wide variety of health care careers, focusing on the nature of the work, job descriptions, necessary abilities, legal and ethical responsibilities, and education preparation and credentialing. An opportunity to interface with health care professionals and explore one or more options in depth will be provided.

$50.00 lab fee (Offered fall and spring). A study of standards and accepted principles of first aid. Discussion and laboratory practice in dressings and bandages, wounds and their care, artificial respiration and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, poisons, fractures, burns, and transportation of the injured. This course will count as an academic elective.

(Offered fall, spring, and summer). Study of the language of medicine. Includes construction, analysis, spelling, application, and pronunciation of medical terms and how they relate to the structure and function of the human body. Explores the use of medical words and abbreviations used in clinical procedures, pathophysiology, and case histories.

(Offered fall, spring, and summer). This course is designed to improve the quality of health, and to explore crucial health issues. This course encourages a more knowledgeable and proactive stance towards maintaining good health. This course will count as an academic elective.

(Offered fall, spring, and summer). Course prepares students for the practice of maintaining sterility. Topics include the history of microbiology, taxonomy, types, structure, and characteristics of microorganisms. The difference between prokaryote and eukaryote cells, structure and function, genetic implications, mutations, and the host/microbe relationships are discussed. The principles of chemistry, pH, electricity, and other factors that affect cells are discussed. Microscopy includes the application of microscopes, staining methods, culture media, interpretations, and culture and sensitivity tests. Microbial morphology, growth, metabolism, and transmission are discussed in some detail. Infection control methods are studied, as well as the infectious process, surgical site infections, and the human body's natural defenses. Various significant aspects of common infectious disease for each system, the immune response, principles of wound healing, and how chemotherapeutic agents assist in this task are discussed.

1-3 crs. Cooperative Education courses may be taken toward completion of most of the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degree programs. A maximum of six credit hours may be used in meeting the A.A. degree requirements. Prerequisite: Minimum of 2.0 GPA, meet with the co-op coordinator, and availability of co-op work experience slot. Supervised, practical work experience that seeks to combine theories and apply practical skills to projects in the student?s major field of study. Requirements include online weekly, mid-term, and end-of-term reflection assignments.