Course Descriptions

Degrees and Programs Index


Health

HLTH 101 (1 Credit) As Demand Warrants
CNR -- Normal Nutrition Counseling (1+1)

First in a series of four courses examines basic applied nutrition and counseling techniques. Counseling opportunities are provided to allow students to practice skills learned in the classroom.


HLTH 102 (1 Credit) As Demand Warrants
CNR -- Therapeutic Nutrition Counseling (1+1)

Second in a series of four courses examines basic therapeutic knowledge and nutrition counseling techniques. Counseling opportunities are provided to allow students to practice skills learned in the classroom. Offered at the Kuskokwim Campus only. (Prerequisite: HLTH 101 or permission of instructor.)


HLTH 103 (1 Credit) As Demand Warrants
CNR -- Nutrition Education and Food Preservation (1+1)

Third in a series of four courses examines methods for planning and presenting group nutrition education talks and food preservation methods. (Prerequisite: HLTH 102 or permission of instructor.)


HLTH 104 (1 Credit) As Demand Warrants
CNR -- Community Resources and Problem Solving (1+1)

Fourth in a series of four courses examines community nutrition resources and methods for community nutrition problem solving. (Prerequisite: HLTH 103 or permission of instructor.)


HLTH 105 (2 Credits) Fall, Spring, Summer, As Demand Warrants
Introduction to Health Careers (2+0)

Introduction to health careers and the psychology of patient care. Roles and responsibilities of different members/functional units of the health care team; information on related job and educational opportunities; needs and roles of health providers in rural and urban Alaska settings. (Prerequisite: High school graduation, GED, or permission of program coordinator.)


HLTH 106 (3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Human Behavior in Health Care (3+0) s

Discussion of general concepts in human behavior and the specialized psychological issues when dealing with patients and loved ones in health care settings. Students perform self-evaluation and survey other cultures to allow examination of perceptions, individual biases, beliefs and their impacts on behavior.


HLTH 108 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Nurse Aide/Patient Care Assistant Training

Basic skills necessary to assist nurses and to be efficient health care team members. Supervised work in conjunction with health care professionals in hospitals and agencies appropriate for these experiences. (Prerequisite: High school diploma or permission of instructor. Student must have first two Hepatitis B immunizations prior to enrollment.)


HLTH 109 (1 - 3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Nurse Aide Skills: Theory, Lab, and Practicum (.5 - 1+1.5 - 9)

Course satisfies skills training requirements for Certified Nurse Aide in Alaska. Number of credits awarded determined by proficiency level targeted by the course. Skill mastery goals based on the job market and community needs at time of course offering. Materials fee: $30.00. (Prerequisite: High school graduation, GED, or permission of instructor. Concurrent enrollment in HLTH 108. Student must have first two Hepatitis B immunizations prior to enrollment.)


HLTH 114 (4 Credits) Spring
Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology (3+3)

Provides a basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Recommended for individuals interested in health careers or students desiring an introduction to anatomy and physiology prior to taking in-depth coursework in this field. Materials fee: $30.00. (Prerequisites recommended: HLTH 204, high school biology and chemistry.)


HLTH 116 (3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Mathematics in Health Care (3+0)

Practical application of mathematics in health care, including arithmetic review, decimal fractions, percent, interest, ratio proportion, and metric measurement. Mathematical applications in medical: measurement instruments, graphs, charts, medications, accounting and office management. (Prerequisites: DEVM 060 or placement in DEVM 105 or higher.


HLTH 118 (2 Credits) Spring
Medical Law and Ethics (2+0)

In-depth coverage of legal and ethical issues encountered in health care settings. Students will gain a practical knowledge of legal and ethical principles and application of these principles in health care settings. (Prerequisites: HLTH 105 and HLTH 106.)


HLTH 120 (1 Credit) As Demand Warrants
Industrial First Aid (1+0)

Includes CPR training, control of bleeding and shock, recognizing heart problems, stroke, poisoning, sugar diabetes, epileptic seizures, and dealing with major trauma injuries such as fractures, head, neck and back injuries. Also covered are hypothermia, frostbite, and cold water near-drowning. Upon satisfactory completion of course, students will receive a Mines Safety Health Administration Certificate, a State Industrial First Aid Card, and the American Heart Association CPR card. Materials fee: $15.00.


HLTH 122 (1 Credit) Fall, Spring
Medical Office First Aid (0.5+1)

Provides instruction on emergency first aid theory and techniques. Students acquire knowledge and skills necessary for dealing with emergencies in a medical office and other clinical settings. Includes First Aid Certification and Basic Life Support CPR Certification. Materials fee: $20.00.


HLTH 132 (2 Credits) Spring, As Demand Warrants
Medical/Dental Administrative Procedures I (1.5+1)

Administrative responsibilities performed by medical assistants in outpatient facilities. Includes duties of the office assistant, receptionist or secretary. Focus on reception, telephone procedures, public relations and professionalism. Material fee: $40.00. (Prerequisites: High school graduation, GED or permission of program coordinator. CIOS 150 or concurrent registration in CIOS 150.)


HLTH 150 (4 Credits) Fall, As Demand Warrants
Introduction to Dental Assisting and Dental Radiography (3+3)

Introduction to dental assisting and dental radiography. Includes safety in exposing, processing and mounting dental radiographs. Presents hazardous materials handling, equipment operation and maintenance. Prepares students for the Dental Assisting National Board's Radiology Health and Safety examination. Material fee: $125.00. (Prerequisites: High school graduation, GED, or permission of program coordinator.)


HLTH 151 (2 Credits) Fall, As Demand Warrants
Dental Infection Control (2+0)

Principles and practices of infection control in the dental office. Includes knowledge of disease, microbiology, transmission prevention, and methods of compliance with OSHA and CDC regulations. Prepares students for the Dental Assisting National Boards Infection Control examination. (Prerequisites: High school graduation, GED, or permission of program coordinator.)


HLTH 142 (4 Credits) Spring, As Demand Warrants
Clinical Procedures I (3+2)

Introduction to the theoretical basis and the performance competencies for the clinical duties performed by medical assistants in outpatient facilities. Includes care of patients in the examining room, use and care of medical instruments and supplies, assisting physicians with clinical procedures, administering medications, and introduction to clinical laboratory procedures. Material fee: $50.00. (Prerequisites: HLTH 116 and HLTH 204. Co-requisite: HLTH 114 or permission of program coordinator.)


HLTH 203 (3 Credits) Independent Learning Only
Science of Nutrition

Principles of nutrition and their relationship to the life cycle. Importance of nutrition awareness and good dietary habits stressed.


HLTH 204 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Medical Terminology (3+0)

Study of medical terminology including analysis and origin of word roots, prefixes and suffixes. Understanding the word components, students will be able to build and define medical words. Content will be presented by body systems focusing on terms for anatomy, diagnostic, laboratory, and medical specialties. Includes use of medical dictionary, word pronunciation, and abbreviations. Designed for health care providers.


HLTH 234 (4 Credits) Fall, As Demand Warrants
Medical/Dental Administrative Procedures II (3+2)

In-depth examination of office management and financial procedures used in medical and dental offices. Includes medical and dental financial recordkeeping systems: pegboard manual systems and computerized office management systems. Includes DRGs (Diagnostic Related Groups), ICD-9, CPT and dental coding systems, patient insurance billing/reimbursement procedures, and accounts payable/accounts receivable in the health care setting. Material fee: $40.00. (Prerequisites: High school graduation, GED or permission of program coordinator. CIOS150, HLTH132 and 204.)


HLTH 244 (4 Credits) Fall, As Demand Warrants
Clinical Procedures II (3+2)

Theoretical basis and performance competencies for the clinical duties performed by medical assistants in outpatient facilities. Includes urinalysis, electrocardiograph, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, routine laboratory procedures, venipuncture, emergencies, and assisting with specialty examinations. Material fee: $50.00. (Prerequisites: HLTH 114, 116, 204, and 142; and HLTH 120 or 122.)


HLTH 245 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Phlebotomy Principles and Methods (2.5+1)

Advanced class in medical laboratory procedures with an emphasis on hematology, blood collection and specimen handling. Function of the circulatory system, proper blood collection and handling techniques, and quality control and quality assurance issues when dealing with blood and other patient specimens. Review of universal precautions and OSHA regulations, asepsis and disinfection, and microbiology concepts. Addresses issues involved in sample collection from difficult patients and young children. Satisfies the educational requirements for the student seeking national certification as a phlebotomist by the American Society of Clinical Pathology. After completion of the class, completion of 120 hours of hands-on practicum work required to satisfy the externship requirements of ASCP. Materials fee: $50.00. (Prerequisite: Student must have first two Hepatitis B immunizations prior to enrollment.)


HLTH 248 (3 Credits) Spring
Introduction to Pharmacology and Administration of Medications (2+3)

An introduction to the use of therapeutic medications in medical settings. Students learn the main classifications of drugs, the use and abuse potential of commonly prescribed medications, and methods for calculating drug dosages. Appropriate procedures for the acquisition, storage, handling, and administration of medications are covered. Materials fee: $25.00. (Prerequisites: HLTH 114, 242.)


HLTH 261 (2 Credits) Fall
Medical Reception Externship (1+5)

Provides the student with 70 - 90 hours of hands-on practicum work, with additional time required for meeting with the campus externship coordinator and participation in externship seminars. Satisfies hands-on externship requirement for Medical/Dental Reception Certificate. May be used to partially satisfy externship experience requirement of Medical Assistant A.A.S. degree. Students will be expected to perform any and all duties of a receptionist in a medical care setting. Materials fee: $15.00. (Prerequisites: HLTH 122, 232, 233. Enrollment by special permission only.)


HLTH 265 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Phlebotomy and Hematology Externship (0+8.5+.5 - 1)

Clinical experience in phlebotomy, hematology, and lab assisting. Requires 120 hours of hands-on experience in the clinical setting and 8 to 15 hours in extern seminars. Progress is assessed by work supervisor and externship coordinator. Satisfies the clinical externship requirement for the student seeking national certification as a phlebotomist by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Materials fee: $35.00. (Prerequisite: HLTH 245. Student must have first two Hepatitis B immunizations prior to enrollment.)


HLTH 267 (2 - 4 Credits) Fall
Medical Assisting Externship Completion (1+5+12)

Provides the student with 70 - 180 hours of hands-on practicum work for students who have previously completed one or more externship. Additional contact time required for meeting with the campus externship coordinator and participation in externship seminars. Hours and credits required are determined based on individual students' previous externship experiences. Substitutes for HLTH 268 for students who have successfully completed one or more certificate(s) within the program. Materials fee: $35.00. (Prerequisite: Enrollment by special permission only.)


HLTH 268 (4 Credits) Fall
Medical Assisting Externship (1+12)

Provides the student with 180 hours of hands-on practicum work, with additional time required for meeting with the campus externship coordinator and participation in externship seminars. This is the last course in the Medical Assistant A.A.S. degree program for students who have not taken any specialized certificate externships during their course of study. Students will be expected to perform any and all duties of a medical assistant in a health care setting. Materials fee: $35.00. (Prerequisite: Enrollment by special permission only.)


HLTH 281 (1 Credit) As Demand Warrants
Pharmacology Update (1+0)

Update on pharmacology including review of old drugs and information on new drugs. Review of pharmaceutical calculations and pharmacodynamics. (Prerequisite: Practicing or licensed nurse.)