Health Occupations I Course Syllabus
(Regional Course ID: HO200 / Health Occupations I)
by Ruth Ann Squellati
GRUNDY AREA VOCATIONAL CENTER
Welcome to Health Occupations. This course is specifically designed for students who think a health career may be in their future as a profession. Health Occupations I includes nursing assistant theory and medical terminology, laboratory skill practice, and clinical practicum. At the completion of the school year and if they meet criteria, students will earn college credit through Joliet Junior College. Health Occupations I (NA 101) is 7.5 credit hours. In addition, students will earn 2 college credit hours for NURS 140 Basic Nursing Procedures.
NA 101 and NURS 140 Course Description: This course introduces the procedures basic to safe, effective nursing care. The procedures focus on the techniques that maintain an aseptic, safe, and hygienic environment for the health care client. Procedures are also highlighted which meet client’s basic physiologic needs. The techniques are those that can be utilized by the nurse or delegated to assistive personnel.
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Text: Mosby’s Textbook for Nursing Assistants and Medical Terminology
Materials:
The following materials should be brought to class everyday:
1. Class Textbooks and Workbook
2. Notebook or notebook paper
3. At least one pen and pencil
4. Index cards 3” x 5”
5. One three-ring binder specifically for Health Occ. 2” or larger
6. Uniform on clinical days with clean white shoes
7. Watch with a second hand
Mandatory Illinois Department of Public Health CNA Requirements:
Clinical: Illinois Department of Public requires that each student spend time caring for residents in long-term care settings, this is called clinical time. During clinical students learn to provide care to residents at a skilled nursing facility by practicing the 21 manual skills they have learned in class. Clinical days will be during scheduled class time and one 8-hour shift on a Saturday. Clinical will be held at Walnut Grove, Morris Healthcare, and Morris Hospital. Clinical will start in October and end in May. More information and a specific clinical schedule will be given.
Social Security Number: Illinois Department of Public requires that each person taking the state CNA certification exam provide their social security number. Students who do not have a social security number may continue in this class, but will not be able to take the exam to become a CNA.
Health: All students attending clinical will provide basic physical care to the residents at a long-term care facility and hospital. This is a physically demanding job. Students will be bending, lifting, walking, and they will be on their feet for long periods of time. Students will be listening and recording residents’ blood pressure. Illinois Department of Public Health requires that all students perform all activities in order to pass clinical. If you have any physical conditions that you think may keep you from functioning at clinical please schedule a phone conference as soon as possible so this concern can be addressed. A physical and record of immunizations must be on file for student to participate in clinical.
Illinois Department of Public Health requires that all providing patient care in long term care settings have a two step Mantoux TB test within 90 days of patient contact. This is a painless test used to determine if a person has been exposed to TB. Students who have had positive TB test results in the past or when tested now must provide documentation that they have seen a physician and have received the necessary medical treatment. As part of the CNA program, TB testing will need to be completed by your family physician or at the Grundy County Health Department and documentation must be provided on the physical/TB form.
Hepatitis B Immunization: Illinois Department of Public Health requires that health care workers receive the Hepatitis B immunization. You should have received this immunization as part of their freshman physical. As part of the CNA program, documentation of these 3 injections must be provided on the physical/Tb form.
Class Requirements: The Health Occupations first year program has within its curriculum the certification component for a Nursing Assistant. This is an approved program by the Illinois Department of Public Health. A student’s eligibility for certification is based upon the following requirements.
A student must:
A. Obtain a final grade of 80% or higher. This grade includes receiving a final clinical performance grade of at least 80%.
B. Show competency of all 21 manual skills by hands-on return demonstration.
C. Achieve a final score of at least 80% on the semester exams.
D. Maintain regular attendance in both theory and clinical portions of the program. Due to program hour requirements, an absence policy will be strictly maintained. No more than 12 absences allowed for the entire year. No more than 2 absences allowed during the clinical rotation (no absences for 8 hour clinical day).
E. Demonstrate a mature, professional attitude and perform within the realm of safe student practice. Any physical or psychological injury that may render harm to a patient, student, co-worker, or staff is grounds for immediate withdrawal from the program.
F. Be at least 16 years of age, of temperate habits and demonstrate good moral character, honesty, and dependability. The use of drugs, alcohol, or the conviction of a felony will disqualify the student from certification. Students who are involved in fighting or other inappropriate behaviors at GAVC or home school may disqualify the student from certification.
Consequences:
With regard to rules and regulations of Illinois Department of Public Health, there are many things a student can be written up for. The following is a list of the consequences; any violations may result in the following, but not limited to:
1. Verbal warning
2. Parent contact by instructor
3. Disciplinary referral to GAVC Administration
4. Parent conference to determine continuation in program
Upon completion of the program, if all the above requirements have been complied with, a student will be eligible to take the Illinois Nursing Assistant Certification Examination. In order for a student to be employable, he/she must register and pass the Federal written examination offered through the Illinois Department of Public Health and Southern Illinois University which is obtained through the GAVC Health Occupations program. Additional Illinois Department of Public Health Certified Nursing Assistant information can be found at http://www.idph.state.il.us/nar/home.htm
Make-up Work:
1. Students who have excused absences will be given one day per absence from school to make up excused work and hand in homework assignments.
2. Students who have an absence that is unexcused may not make up any missed work.
3. Makeup tests will only be given to students who missed the exam or quiz due to an excused absence and must be taken within the first two days of returning to class.
4. If a student misses class due to a field trip or other school program, the student must make arrangements with the teacher to take an exam, quiz, or turn in assignments prior to the trip.
5. Students who have been absent may be given an alternate make-up test to protect testing integrity and security.
Student Responsibilities:
Students are responsible for obtaining missing assignments from instructor.
Class Participation:
1. Points will be awarded for class participation and readiness.
2. Attendance in class on a daily basis and participation are important for successful completion of this class. Remember, health care is an Applied Science. Therefore many concepts cannot be acquired by reading textbooks alone.
3. Students are expected to participate in class discussions and demonstrations. There is a practical component to this class.
4. Sleeping or putting your head down will result in a zero for the day.
5. If a student is absent, regardless of whether the absence is excused or unexcused, the student will not accumulate participation points for the missed day(s).
Academic Honesty and Integrity:
1. All students are expected to maintain academic honesty and integrity as they are enrolled in a special course.
2. Academic dishonesty – cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, etc. – will not be tolerated. The student will receive a zero for their assigned grade.
3. If the problem persists, the student may be removed from the class.
4. DO NOT give your work to others to copy.
5. Students who complete homework assignments or papers for other classes during lecture or class during provided homework time will have those assignments confiscated. The same rule applies for personal notes.
Medical Ethics:
At the beginning of the school year, students will learn about medical ethics and legal practice in Health Occupations I. Therefore, students will be expected to follow and obey medical ethics and legal practice in school/clinical, on any internship, or in any place of employment. Any legal or ethical infraction of medical practice will leave open the possibility of the student being removed from the class with loss of credit.
Quarter Exams:
Quarter exams are required for successful completion of the course.
Internet Usage:
All students must sign the GAVC Internet Policy. Any student found at an unapproved Internet site will no longer be allowed to complete Internet assignments at school. All future assignments will have to be completed at home or the library.
Grading Scale:
A = 93-100 B = 86-92 C = 80-85 D = 75-79 F = Below 75
HOSA:
Health Occupations Students of America is an organization for students enrolled in Health Occupations programs. It is strongly recommended that all students participate in this service organization. HOSA requires all participants to perform 36 hours of community service. This is a valuable experience and a great college resume/extracurricular builder. Colleges and Universities take extracurricular activities and community service into account when determining eligible candidates for acceptance into their schools and programs. For further information, requirements, and applications see the separate HOSA handout.
Mrs. Squellati’s Class Rules:
1. Obey all GAVC rules.
2. Bring your text and other materials to class every day.
3. Respect yourself.
4. Be courteous and respectful of others. When someone else is talking, you should not be.
5. Do not interfere with another student’s right to learn.
6. Keep our classroom clean; both literally and figuratively.
7. At any time Mrs. Squellati can amend or add to these rules.
