HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT
Health Assistant Course Curriculum - 8 Months
Quarter I
Introduction to Health |
Role of a Healthcare Assistant |
Introduction to Computers |
English Comprehension |
Basic Math |
Patient Assessment |
Vital Signs – Measurement |
Input & Output Record |
Medical Terminology |
Quarter II
Anatomy & Physiology |
Communication/ Presentation |
Human Body in Health & Disease |
Medication Administration |
Patient Care 1 |
Bed Bathing |
Wound care |
Infection control |
Emergency Preparedness |
Infection control |
Ethical Consideration/Grooming |
Legal Implication |
Patient Care II |
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation |
Medical Terminology II |
Quarter III
Internship |
Prep for Certification Examinations -NVTI |
Graduation |
Program Outcome and Course Outline
The Health Assistant program is designed to educate students in four phases:
- Explore
- Learn & Practice
- Reflect
- Reinforce
Phase 1: Explore
Activity: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
In this activity, students work in teams to demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication, empathy and tact when discussing a medical diagnosis with their team member.
Phase 2: Learn & Practice
Unit 1: Health Assisting
In this unit, students will learn about: the health care team, including line of authority, types of health care facilities, career opportunities, educational requirements, student organizations, and professional development.
Lessons
1. Health Care Teams
2. Facilities
3. Education and Credentials
4. Quiz
Unit 2: Nursing
In this unit, students will learn about: nursing care delivery models and the five steps of the nursing process and the roles of nurse assistants in those models and processes.
Lessons
1. Nursing Care Delivery Models
2. The Nursing Process
3. Quiz
Unit 3: Qualities of Health Assistants
In this unit, students will learn about: personality traits needed in the medical field, how to interact with patients and team members, problem-solving techniques, stress management, verbal and nonverbal communication, and communication techniques.
Lessons
1. Personality Traits
2. Communication
3. Quiz
Unit 4: Infection Control and Safety Precautions
In this unit, students will learn about: infection control and hand cleansing, standard and transmission-based precautions, the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, vaccinations, containing medical wastes, health care facility safety guidelines, reporting violations, and the appropriate agencies to contact.
Lessons
1. Infection Control
2. Safety Precautions
3. Violations
4. Quiz
Unit 5: Legal Conduct
In this unit, students will learn about legal aspects of medical practice, including criminal and civil law, tort and contracts, Scope of Practice, privileged communication, HIPAA, and technology and patient privacy.
Lessons
- Law
- Scope of Practice
- Privileged
- Communication
- Quiz
Unit 6: Patient Rights and Code of Ethics
In this unit, students will learn about informed consent and exceptions, the Patient’s Bill of Rights, the Resident’s Bill of Rights, laws, ethics, morals, code of ethics, and ethical and bioethical dilemmas.
Lessons
1. Informed Consent
2. Patient and Resident Rights
3. Ethics
4. Quiz
Unit 7: Communication Exercise
In this exercise, students will observe a scenario involving communication between a healthcare worker and a patient. After two scenario endings, students answer questions to check their understanding.
Lessons
1. Communication Exercise
Phase 3: Reflect
Activity: Reflection Questions and Discussion
In this activity, students will journal about being a competent health care assistant and continuing professional development. A class discussion on these topics can follow.
Phase 4: Reinforce
Activity: Job Search
In this activity, students analyze job advertisements, write a resume and cover letter, and prepare for an interview.
Activity: Self-Portrait
In this activity, students set a career goal for themselves and assesses their strengths and weaknesses as related to achieving their career goal.