Health Science

This course introduces the student to various drug classifications, their uses, actions, contraindications, and common side effects. The regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical industry will be discussed. Medication delivery methods, documentation requirements, and common drug-related abbreviations will also be discussed.

This course will introduce students to a variety of professions and career choices available within the United States healthcare system. Students will explore health career options by developing an understanding of the professional tasks, skills, work environments, and educational and legal requirements needed to work in each of these professions. Through the Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPEC) framework students will also be introduced to the core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice and gain a basic understanding of how they are incorporated throughout the health professions to provide a team-based approach to patient care.

Introduction to public health as a profession. Survey of selected major topics within the field of public health are provided and include historical perspectives, public health settings, social deterrents to health, community health, epidemiology, communicable and infectious diseases, chronic diseases, behavioral health and substance abuse, primary care, maternal and child health, environmental public health, and public health preparedness. The role of the public health workforce will be explored together with the future of public health practice.

Introduction to human nutrition, including classes, sources and functions of nutrients; digestion, absorption and metabolism with application to normal developmental and therapeutic nutritional needs. Topics include the sources and function of the macro and micronutrients needed to promote health, well-being, and aid in disease prevention and treatment. Students will explore how cultural influences, attitudes, and behavior affect nutrition status and how to incorporate and utilize information technology and computer applications to assess and improve nutritional health.

Study of English meanings of common basic words and phrases used in the medical field. Includes spelling, prefixes, suffixes, word roots, derivations and usage, and the meanings of common words and phrases. Supplemental topics: pathological conditions, diagnostic procedures, documentation, life span considerations, pathogenesis, and nutrition.

Introduces the profession of clinical medical assisting including the duties of the medical assistant. Course topic include professionalism, life-long learning, medical law and ethics, multidisciplinary teamwork, safety, and communication. Concepts of accurate medical documentation with regard to patient records and other healthcare documentation are introduced. A review of the Microsoft Word and Excel products as used in Healthcare is provided. 15 classroom lecture hours, 45 laboratory skill practice and skill testing hours, Total – 60 hours

Course expands on topics and concepts introduced in HESC120. Content to be covered includes Patient History, Assisting with Exams, Basic Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Medical Laboratory, Vital Signs, Blood and Urine Specimen Collection and Processing, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Function Testing, Basic Pharmacology, Introduction to Medication Administration and Injections, Minor Office Surgery, and Billing, Coding, and the Electronic Medical Record.  Includes an internship in which medical assisting practices will be implemented and evaluated in the in-person patient care environment. 75 classroom lecture hours, 75 laboratory skill practice and skill testing hours, 105 in-person internship hours, Total – 255 hours

Course provides students with the skills required for blood collection and the handling, transporting, and processing of blood specimens for analysis. Learning experiences include classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and clinical experiences at area healthcare facilities. Students completing all classroom and clinical requirements will be eligible to sit for the National Healthcareer Association Phlebotomy (CPT) certification examination. 15 classroom lecture hours, 45 laboratory skill practice and skill testing hours, 45 internship hours, Total – 105 hrs