Health Occupations
Core Curriculum

The Health Occupations Core Curriculum is a group of six courses presenting information and skills common to most health professions. The courses are shared by allied health and vocational nursing programs. The number of courses adopted by each program varies according to the length and needs of the program. A table of the estimated cost of completing the Health Occupations Core Curriculum for Dallas County residents is available online.

The six courses include:

• Basic Health Professions Skills I
• Special Topics in Health Professions and Related Sciences (formerly Basic Health Professions Skills II)
• Pharmacology for Health Professions
• Pathophysiology
• General Health Professions Management
• Wellness and Health Promotion.

Development of the Health Occupations Core Curriculum was a division project in response to recommendations made by various health care agencies who have written numerous reports recommending a core curriculum approach to address issues such as multiskilling, team building, educational budget constraints, articulation, and communication:

• Bureau of Health Professions
• National Health Care Skill Standards Project
• Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Regional Healthcare Coordination Council
• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

The Health Occupations Core Curriculum was instituted at El Centro College in Fall 1998 with five programs adopting the curriculum. In Fall 1999 three additional programs adopted the curriculum and an additional program adopted the curriculum in Fall 2000. In review of the concept of the HPRS curriculum since its adoption, it has been found to be educationally sound and financially prudent.

Some courses are "tech prep", and high school students may receive college credit for equivalent courses when conditions are met.

Courses are described in the College Catalog

Basic Skills I provides the concepts which serve as the foundation for health occupations courses. This course includes an introduction to patient/personal safety issues, basic patient monitoring, patient treatment, and documentation methods. A medical terminology component is included. Basic skills are described, demonstrated and practiced in the laboratory setting. An effective level of practice and knowledge must be demonstrated by the student for successful completion.
1Hr. lec; 4 Hr.lab; 80 Contact Hrs. 2 Credit Hours.
Prerequisites: none

Course Competencies:

1. Describe problem-solving methods.
2. Identify the components of Universal Precautions and safety.
3. Compare and contrast medical asepsis and surgical asepsis.
4. Demonstrate proper sterile technique in the following lab situations: dressing change,
5. Foley catheter insertion and donning sterile gloves.
6. Discuss safety precautions related to fire, electrical, X-ray and hazardous materials.
7. Demonstrate safety precautions for body mechanics and patient transfer.
8. Demonstrate appropriate phlebotomy technique.
9. Describe normal lab values for selected tests.
10. Collect the following lab samples appropriately: urine, stool, blood, sputum and wound drainage.
11. Identify normal ranges for temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and oxygen saturation.
12. Demonstrate proper methods of obtaining temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.
13. Demonstrate proper telephone etiquette.
14. Use various methods of documenting patient care.
15. Demonstrate computer skills using medically oriented software.
16. Demonstrate various methods of oxygen administration.
17. Describe the use of coding in the health care system.
18. Complete a medical terminology component.
19. Perform a patient interview.

Programs that have adopted Basic Health Professions Skills

Course Competencies:

1. Perform a complete body systems assessment using the head-to-toe method.
2. Develop a written patient teaching plan.
3. Identify basic cardiac arrhythmias: normal sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, sinus tachycardia and sinus bradycardia.
4. Perform a 12-lead EKG.
5. Demonstrate a peak flow measurement.
6. Demonstrate use of the incentive spirometer.
7. Demonstrate advanced venipuncture technique and special collections.

Programs that have adopted Basic Health Professions Skills II- HPRS 1291:

Medical Laboratory Technology Respiratory Care Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Invasive Cardiovascular Technology Echocardiology Technology Radiologic Sciences

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Course Competencies:

1. Differentiate between generic, chemical and trade names of medications.
2. Discuss how medications affect the body and different types of medications used.
3. Discuss ethical and legal responsibilities related to drug therapy.
4. Identify and discuss implications of medications by various routes.
5. Identify commonly used abbreviations.
6. Discuss general medications and how they affect the different systems of the human body including action/pharmacodynamics, indications, routes/dosage, contraindications and adverse/side effects.
7. Apply pharmacological computational skills.
8. Explain the role of the health care professional in providing patient education in medication administration.

Programs that have adopted  Pharmacology for Health Professions- HPRS 2300:

Medical Laboratory Technology Respiratory Care Vocational Nursing Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Invasive Cardiovascular Technology Echocardiology Technology Surgical Technology Radiologic Sciences

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Course Competencies:

1. Define and classify disease.
2. Describe the diagnostic process.
3. Identify within each body system: common diseases, etiology, diagnosis, care and treatment.
4. Discuss prevention of common disease processes.
5. Explain the historical impact of disease upon society.
6. Discuss the holistic approach to disease process and treatment.

Programs that have adopted Pathophysiology HPRS 2201:

Medical Laboratory Technology* Respiratory Care* Diagnostic Medical Sonography*	Invasive Cardiovascular Technology* Echocardiology Technology* Radiologic Sciences*
*A Tech-Prep program and course

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Course Competencies:

1. Explain health care delivery process fundamentals.
2. Describe the role of hospitals, ambulatory care, long term care and alternative care options.
3. Describe employment and career opportunities in allied health occupations.
4. Recognize medical ethical and legal considerations in health care using case studies.
5. Outline quality assurance fundamentals.
6. List steps of the CQI process.
7. Demonstrate teamwork and communication skills as applied to health care settings.
8. Discuss health care accreditation and regulations.
9. Describe health care financing and cost containment.
10. Investigate ethnic and cultural considerations as it relates to health care.

Programs that have adopted General Health Professions Management-HPRS 2231:

Medical Laboratory Technology Respiratory Care Diagnostic Medical Sonography Invasive Cardiovascular Technology

Echocardiology Technology Surgical Technology Radiologic Sciences Medical Staff Services

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Course Competencies:

1. Discuss the theory and philosophy of healthy attitude development.
2. Compare and contrast holistic health models.
3. Develop a personal wellness program including nutrition, exercise and stress reduction techniques.
4. Communicate aspects of wellness to the community.
5. Explore cultural beliefs in relation to health, attitudes and practices.
6. Discuss health needs throughout the lifespan.
7. Interpret research studies.

Programs that have adopted Wellness and Health Promotion-HPRS 1202:

Medical Laboratory Technology Respiratory Care Diagnostic Medical Sonography Invasive Cardiovascular Technology

Echocardiology Technology Surgical Technology Radiologic Sciences

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Last Update October 31, 2007<