Health Sciences Introduction

Qualified health care professionals are essential in today's society. Southeastern Tech's Health Sciences Division currently offers degree, diploma and certificate programs in health care. These programs provide classroom instruction, as well as laboratory and/or clinical experiences, to make certain that students obtain the most current skills in their chosen health profession. Students interested in Health Sciences programs may obtain admission requirements information from the Admissions Office.

General Education Core Competencies

The overall goal of a college education is to help students become productive citizens. The General Education core contributes to this concept by providing a variety of learning experiences which ensure that graduates are intellectually prepared for lifelong learning.

STC has identified the following general education core competencies that graduates will attain.

The ability to utilize standard written English.
The ability to solve practical mathematical problems.
The ability to read, analyze, and interpret information.

Technical Standards for Health Sciences Education

Southeastern Technical College has a moral and ethical responsibility to select, educate, and graduate competent and safe students/practitioners. The College has identified technical standards critical to the success of students in the health sciences programs. These standards are designed not to be exclusionary, but to establish performance expectations that will enable students to provide safe professional practice with or without reasonable accommodations. All students enrolled in a health science program will be asked to review the technical standards and initial a form certifying they have read, understand, and are able to meet the standards. Students should provide a copy of this form to their healthcare provider at the time of the health assessment.

Technical Standard	Description	Example
Motor Skills	Physical Ability, Flexibility, Strength, Coordination, Dexterity	Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to perform required functions of patient care. Hand-wrist movement, hand-eye coordination, grasping, manipulation, and finger dexterity. Standing, walking, sitting, bending, flexing, lifting, twisting, stooping, kneeling, reaching, stretching, pushing and pulling to gather and stock supplies, operate equipment, and perform required functions of patient care. Often must lift, carry or move objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Assist patient position, transfer, or transport requiring lifting in excess of 40 pounds. Perform basic life support and first aid in the event of an emergency.

Technical Standard

Description

Example

Motor Skills

Physical Ability, Flexibility, Strength, Coordination, Dexterity

Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to perform required functions of patient care.

Hand-wrist movement, hand-eye coordination, grasping, manipulation, and finger dexterity. Standing, walking, sitting, bending, flexing, lifting, twisting, stooping, kneeling, reaching, stretching, pushing and pulling to gather and stock supplies, operate equipment, and perform required functions of patient care. Often must lift, carry or move objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Assist patient position, transfer, or transport requiring lifting in excess of 40 pounds. Perform basic life support and first aid in the event of an emergency.

Physical Stamina	Endurance	The ability to stay on task for a prolonged period while sitting, standing, or moving.
Sensory Skills	Auditory/hearing, Visual, Tactile, Olfactory	Sense heat, cold, pain, pressure, etc. Ability to hear and correctly interpret what is heard; i.e., orders, telephone, patient complaints, cries for help, physical assessment, alarms, etc. Visually detect signs and symptoms, body language, read calibrations on containers, assess color (cyanosis, pallor, etc). Read small print on labels and equipment. Ability to detect smoke or noxious odors, etc.
Communication Skills	Speak, Read, Write, & Use English Language	Effectively interact with others verbally, nonverbally & in writing. Communicate appropriately with patients, family members and other healthcare professionals using communication styles that are appropriate and understandable for all situations. Read, write, record, and document critical patient information. Proper use and spelling of medical terms. Engage in written and oral directives related to patient care, retain information given by faculty/healthcare providers to assimilate and apply to patient care.
Intellectual Skills	Comprehend and Process Information, Perform Calculations	Possess abilities necessary to gather information essential for decision making in health care situations. Organize responsibilities and solve problems involving measurement, calculation, reasoning, and analysis. Possess critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. Follows instructions.
Behavioral and Social Attributes	Compassion, Integrity, Motivation, Effective Interpersonal Skills, Concern for Others	Function effectively under stress; maintains flexibility, demonstrates concern for others; provide safe patient care and work in an environment with multiple interruptions and noises, distractions, and unexpected patient needs; interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. Establish rapport with others. Work with teams.

Students who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act must follow the College’s procedures outlined in the STC Catalog and Handbook and provide appropriate documentation.

Vaccinations

As aspiring healthcare professionals, it is strongly recommended that you receive vaccinations against infectious diseases that you may encounter during your clinical or practicum placements. We advise you to consult with your personal physician regarding these vaccinations.

It is mandatory for students to adhere to the medical clearance policies set by their assigned clinical and practicum sites. Some of these sites may require vaccinations for specific diseases, such as COVID-19 and influenza, or testing for diseases like tuberculosis. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in your inability to participate in clinical or practicum activities. In the absence of the necessary immunizations and tests, your access to clinical or practicum sites will be limited, potentially delaying or preventing your program completion.

While vaccines are not required for program admission, it is important to acknowledge that each clinical and practicum site has the authority to deny a student's entry based on their own policies and procedures. If a student is refused entry due to insufficient vaccinations or testing, they will be unable to complete the clinical or practicum course, ultimately jeopardizing the successful completion of the program. For specific vaccine and testing requirements, please refer to the respective program materials.

Please note that the information provided is intended as guidance and does not establish specific vaccination or testing policies. Southeastern Technical College, the Health Sciences Division, and the Technical College System of Georgia bear no responsibility for any adverse reactions that may result from vaccines or testing.

Bloodborne/Airborne Pathogen Exposure

An inherent risk with any health science profession is the possibility for exposure to blood borne and infectious diseases. Southeastern Technical College's Exposure Control Plan is designed to provide the faculty and students with recognition of tasks, procedures, and activities which present the potential for occupational exposure to blood and air-borne pathogens and a means of eliminating or minimizing exposures in the performance of their instructional duties or activities. Each Health Science program at Southeastern Technical College follows all state and federal regulations for the protection of faculty, students, patients, and staff. A complete manual of our compliance policies and procedures is available in each classroom and laboratory or upon request.

Special Note

Conviction of a felony could prevent a health science program student from participating in any clinical experience if the student does not meet the clinical affiliate’s requirements. Furthermore, other negative background check information (misdemeanors included) may also prevent clinical participation. If a student is unable to complete the clinical component, he or she will be withdrawn from the enrolled course and be unable to complete the program. Additionally, conviction of a felony could make a student ineligible to take the licensing exam(s) required by the profession upon graduation. Early notification to the appropriate board may be required. Specific licensing board requirements and contact information may be found on respective websites.

Allied Health Math Applications – ALMA 1000 Requirement

The ALMA 1000 course is an institutional non-credit course that will assist specific Health Science program students succeed in their chosen program of study. ALMA 1000 is a requirement for all students who are pursuing a specific Health Science program study track. Health Science students should consult their advisor and/or their Health Science program catalog listing for specific program admission requirements.

Capstone Courses

An integral part of a student's education as they move through a given program of study is the ability to transfer and apply knowledge to the workplace. As a key component of degree, diploma and select technical certificates, capstone courses have been identified which include any of the following: a specific exit exam, project, portfolio, or skills check-off, etc. measuring student knowledge. When students are able to pass the exit assessment, they demonstrate they have retained knowledge throughout their program of study which will carry over to their chosen career. Students who do not pass the exit assessment will not be able to graduate and the capstone course will need to be repeated and passed along with the exit assessment.

In instances in which a student transfers from another college (having taken a course there-which is a capstone course here) into the same program at STC, they will need to complete STC's program exit assessment. This will be a requirement before credit for the course is given. In cases in which a student transfers from another college that has a capstone course for same program, the student will need to take the exit assessment for STC's designated capstone course. Students who do not pass this assessment will not be able to graduate and the capstone course will need to be repeated and passed along with the exit assessment.

For any questions regarding STC's capstone courses, please see your program advisor.