Health Care Assistant
Offered at the Following Campus Locations
Program Overview
The Health Care Assistant Certificate of Credit is a program that provides academic foundations at the diploma level in communications, mathematics, and human relations, as well as technical fundamentals. Program graduates are trained in the underlying fundamentals of health care delivery and are well prepared for employment and subsequent upward mobility into one of many areas of specialization such as Basic Dental Assisting, Central Sterile Supply Processing Technician, Medical Coding/Insurance Data Entry, Medical Front Office, Phlebotomy, Nurse Aide, and Patient Care Technician.
Entrance Requirements
High School Diploma or GED.
This program requires either the ACCUPLACER or COMPASS college placement test and High School Diploma or GED. Minimum Required Age of 17.
ACCUPLACER minimum scores:Reading Comprehension 55, Sentence Skills 60, Arithmetic 34
COMPASS minimum scores: Reading 70, Writing 32, Mathematics 26
NOTE: Students may be required to successfully pass criminal background check and drug screen analysis before placement in clinical settings.
Course Overview
Basic Skills Courses:ENGL1010Fundamentals of English I3Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.1240PSYC1010Basic Psychology3Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.1319MATH1012Foundations of Mathematics3Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, formula manipulation, technical applications, and basic statistics.1291OrMATH1013Algebraic Concepts3Emphasizes concepts and operations which are applied to the study of algebra. Topics include basic mathematical concepts, basic algebraic concepts, and intermediate algebraic concepts.1292Occupational Courses:ALHS1011Structures and Functions of the Human Body5Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.1326ALHS1040Introduction to Health Care3Introduces a grouping of fundamental principles, practices, and issues common in the health care profession. In addition to the essential skills, students explore various delivery systems and related issues. Topics include: basic life support/CPR, basic emergency care/first aid and triage, vital signs, infection control/blood and air-borne pathogens.1328ALHS1090Medical Terminology for ALHS2Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.1330COLL1010College and Career Success Skills3This course is designed to assist the learner to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic, personal, and professional success and to improve student retention. Topics include: Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Skills, Time and Personal Financial Management, Stress Management and Wellness, Study and Test Taking Skills, Communication Skills, Career Planning and Goal Setting, Computer Application/Technology Skills, and Employability/Professional Skills.13802MUST COMPLETE 8 to 14 CREDIT HOURS OF OCCUPATIONAL COURSES SELECT (see specializations below) 8 to 14The Basic Dental Assisting specialization tracks to the Dental Assisting diploma program. Additional requirements must be met for acceptance into the Dental Assisting program. (Savannah only)DENA1050Microbiology/Infection Control3Introduces fundamental microbiology and infection control techniques. Topics include: classification, structure, and behavior of pathogenic microbes; mode of disease transmission; bodys defense and immunity; infectious diseases; and infection control procedures in accordance with CDC recommendations and OSHA guidelines.1336DENA1080Dental Anatomy5Focuses on normal head and neck anatomy and the development and functions of oral anatomy. Topics include: dental anatomy; oral histology; oral embryology; osteology of the skull; muscles of mastication and facial expression; temporal mandibular joint; blood lymphatic nerve supply of the head; and salivary glands and related structures.1338DENA1340Dental Asst I: Gen Chairside6Introduces student to ethics and jurisprudence for the dental assistant and to chairside assisting with diagnostic and operative procedures. Topics include: ethics and jurisprudence in the dental office; four-handed dentistry techniques; clinical data collection techniques; introduction to operative dentistry; and dental material basics.1340The Central Sterile Processing Technician specialization tracks to the Surgical Technology diploma program. Additional requirements must be met for acceptance into the Surgical Technology program. (Effingham, Liberty, and Savannah)CSSP1010Central Sterile Supply Process5This course provides an overview of the Central Sterile Processing and Distribution profession and develops the fundamental concepts and principles necessary to successfully participate as an entry level Central Sterile Processing Technician. Emphasis will be placed on the profession of Central Sterile Processing, basic sciences and related subjects, infection control, aseptic technique, equipment management, sterilization, instrumentation and supplies, legal issues, inventory management, safety, quality assurance, professional development and
healthcare trends. Students completing this course will be eligible to apply to take the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) certification exam.1433CSSP1020Central Sterile Sup Practicum6This course complements CSSP 1010 Central Sterile Supply Processing Technican, providing the practica hours necessary to meet the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) requirements to sit for the certification examination1434CSSP1022Central Sterile Practicum II5This course complements CSSP 1010 Central Sterile Supply Processing Technician, and together with CSSP 1020 Central Sterile Processing Supply Practicum II, providing the practical hours necessary to meet the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) requirements to sit for the certification examination.1435The Medical Coding/Insurance Data Entry specialization tracks to the Medical Assisting diploma program. Additional requirements must be met for acceptance into the Medical Assisting program. (Effingham, Liberty, and Savannah)BUSN1440Document Production4Reinforces the touch system of keyboarding placing emphasis on correct techniques with adequate speed and accuracy and producing properly formatted business documents. Topics include: reinforcing correct keyboarding technique, building speed and accuracy, formatting business documents, language arts, proofreading, and work area management.999BUSN1015Intro to Healthcare Reimbursement3This course is designed to increase efficiency and streamline administrative procedures for healthcare insurance billing and reimbursement. Topics include documentation in the medical record, types of insurance, Medicare compliance policies related to documentation and confidentiality, and HIPAA and other compliance regulations.990BUSN2370Medical Office Billing/Coding/Insurance3Provides an introduction to medical coding skills and applications of international coding standards for billing of health care services. Provides the knowledge and skills to apply coding of diagnostic statements and procedures for billing purposes. Provides an introduction to medical coding as it relates to health insurance. Topics include: International classification of diseases, code book formats; coding techniques; formats of the ICD and CPT manuals; health insurance; billing, reimbursement, and collections; and managed care.1368MAST1120Human Disease3Provides fundamental information concerning common diseases and disorders of each body system. For each system, the disease or disorder is highlighted inlcuding: description, etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment, management, prognosis, and prevention. Topics include: introduction to disease and diseases of body systems.1372The Medical Front Office specialization tracks to the Medical Assisting diploma program. Additional requirements must be met for acceptance into the Medical Assisting program. (Effingham, Liberty, and Savannah)BUSN1440Document Production4Reinforces the touch system of keyboarding placing emphasis on correct techniques with adequate speed and accuracy and producing properly formatted business documents. Topics include: reinforcing correct keyboarding technique, building speed and accuracy, formatting business documents, language arts, proofreading, and work area management.999BUSN2340Healthcare Administrative Procedures4Emphasizes essential skills required for the business healthcare office. Introduces the knowledge, skills, and procedures needed to understand billing purposes. Introduces the basic concept of business healthcare administrative assisting and its relationship to the other health fields. Emphasizes healthcare regulations and ethics; and, the healthcare administrative assistant's role as an agent of the physician. Provides the student with knowledge and the essentials of professional behavior.
Topics include: introduction to business healthcare procedures, healthcare regulations ethics, healthcare records management, scheduling appointments, health insurance, billing/collection, work area management, resource utilization, and office equipment.1006The Phlebotomy specialization tracks to the Medical Assisting diploma program. Additional requirements must be met for acceptance into the Medical Assisting program. (Liberty only)PHLT1030Introduction to Venipuncture3Provides an introduction to blood collecting techniques and processing specimens. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills needed to collect all types of blood samples from hospitalized patients. Topics include: venipuncture procedure, safety and quality assurance; isolation techniques, venipuncture problems, and definitions; lab test profiles and patient care areas; other specimen collections and specimen processing; test combinations, skin punctures and POCT; professional ethics and malpractice; and certification and licensure.1404PHLT1050Clinical Practice5Provides work experiences in a clinical setting. Emphasis is placed on enhancing skills in venipuncture techniques. Topics include: introduction to clinical policies and procedures and work ethics; routine collections: adult, pediatric, and newborn; and special procedures.1405The Nurse Aide specialization tracks to the Practical Nursing diploma program. Additional requirements must be met for acceptance into the Practical Nursing program. (Effingham, Liberty, and Savannah)ALHS1060Diet and Nutrition for ALHS2A study of the nutritional needs of the individual. Topics include: nutrients, standard and modified diets, nutrition throughout the lifespan, and client education.1329NAST1100Nurse Aide Fundamentals6Introduces student to the role and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide. Emphasis is placed on understanding and developing critical thinking skills, as well as demonstrating knowledge of the location and function of human body systems and common disease processes; responding to and reporting changes in a residents /patients condition, nutrition, vital signs; nutrition and diet therapy; disease processes; vital signs; observing, reporting and documenting changes in a residents condition; emergency concerns; ethics and legal issues and governmental agencies that influence the care of the elderly in long term care settings; mental health and psychosocial well-being of the elderly; use and care of mechanical devices and equipment; communication and interpersonal skills and skills competency based on federal guidelines. Specific topics include: roles and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide; communication and interpersonal skills; topography, structure, and function of the body systems; injury prevention and emergency preparedness; residents rights; basic patient care skills; personal care skills; and restorative care.1402The Patient Care Technician specialization tracks to the Practical Nursing diploma program. Additional requirements must be met for acceptance into the Practical Nursing program. (Effingham, Liberty, and Savannah)ALHS1060Diet and Nutrition for ALHS2A study of the nutritional needs of the individual. Topics include: nutrients, standard and modified diets, nutrition throughout the lifespan, and client education.1329NAST1100Nurse Aide Fundamentals6Introduces student to the role and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide. Emphasis is placed on understanding and developing critical thinking skills, as well as demonstrating knowledge of the location and function of human body systems and common disease processes; responding to and reporting changes in a residents /patients condition, nutrition, vital signs; nutrition and diet therapy; disease processes; vital signs; observing, reporting and documenting changes in a residents condition; emergency concerns; ethics and legal issues and governmental agencies that influence the care of the elderly in long term care settings; mental health and psychosocial well-being of the elderly; use and care of mechanical devices and equipment; communication and interpersonal skills and skills competency based on federal guidelines. Specific topics include: roles and responsibilities of the Nurse Aide; communication and interpersonal skills; topography, structure, and function of the body systems; injury prevention and emergency preparedness; residents rights; basic patient care skills; personal care skills; and restorative care.1402PCTA1100Skills-Patient Care Technician6Introduces student to the role and responsibility of the Patient Care Technician. The course begins with a review of Nurse Aide Skills and expands to include blood drawing techniques, EKG measurement, basic wound care, basic respiratory care, colostomy care, and bladder catheter insertion.1403Minimum Length of Program: 3 Term(s)Minimum Credit Hours for Graduation: 30