SAU TECH CAREER ACADEMY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS

You've probably heard the term "nursing shortage" before. Repeatedly. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, medical professions will continue to be in high demand at least through 2012. It sure seems like now's a good time to get your foot in the proverbial door.

Med Pro Ed Concepts and Procedures - basic health care concepts that concentrate on skills are vital to those interested in a career in the health field. Included are Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid, Vital Signs, various medical procedures, exploration of different health careers and preparation for work with entry-level skills. The Arkansas Nurse Assistant Training Program is taught and students may receive their CNA certification if Arkansas state requirements are met. Sixteen hours of clinical instruction are required in a local nursing home and must be completed on Saturdays. The opportunity to earn 7 hours college credit is available following specific guidelines for SAU Tech.

The Medical Professions program is available at the Career Academy at SAU Tech and at the Academy satelites at Magnolia High School and Fordyce High School.

Core Courses Defined by the Department of Workforce Education:

Human Anatomy and Physiology - Human Body in Health and Disease is a one-semester course that focuses on anatomy and physiology of body systems and the diseases of those systems. Specific areas of study include the structure of the human body, processes of disease, and the following body systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, lymphatic, nervous, sensory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive.

Medical Procedures - Medical Procedures is a one-semester course which helps students develop specific skills needed in the health care profession. Emphasis is given to the development of competencies related to safety, infection control, vital signs, first aid, dental assistant skills, laboratory assistant skills, medical assistant skills, nurse assistant skills, physical therapy techniques, animal health care, and secretarial techniques.

Medical Science Technology I (Introduction to Medical Professions) - Experiences in Medical Science Technology is designed to provide students with basic information and skills needed for a career in the health care field. In this comprehensive one-year course, emphasis is given to the development of competencies related to Career and Technical Education Student Organizations(CTSO), study skills, medical history and events, health care systems, health care careers, qualities of a successful health care worker, medical ethics and legal responsibilities, medical terminology, communication, medical math, nutrition and health, human growth and development, classification of disease, and job-seeking skills.

Elective Courses  Defined by the Department of Workforce Education:
 

Medical Terminology - Medical Terminology is a one-semester course that assists students in developing the language used for communication in the health care profession. Areas of study include fundamental word structure, organization of the body, diagnostic and imaging procedures, pharmacology, general medical terms, and the following body systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, digestive, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, urinary, endocrine, nervous, sensory, and reproductive.

Medical Info Systems/Human Behavior and Disorders - High Tech/High Touch in Health Care is a one-semester course that addresses the rapidly expanding role of technology in the health care field and with it the increasing need for high touch skills for its workers. High Tech aspects of the course will focus on computer applications in health care, uses of technology in patient diagnosis and treatment, the use of technology for communication, current status of medical technology, and future trends. The High Touch component of the course will emphasize challenges and responsibilities of health care providers, patient rights, influences on behavior, human development, human needs, defense mechanisms, illness and patient behavior, responding to patient behavior, nonverbal behavior, verbal communication, sympathy and empathy. Upon completion of this course, students should appreciate the basic values of respect for human life and dignity of the individual and see that they are not compromised due to the increasing use of technology in the health care field.

Nursing Assistant - The Nursing Assistant Training Program (NATP) combines classroom instruction with clinical experience. Students successfully completing the program are awarded a Certificate of Proficiency and are then qualified to take the skills test and the state certification exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). CNA's work in various areas of the health care community including long term care facilities, hospitals, and home health.


Concurrent College Credit earned through the Medical Professions program:

NA1207 Nursing Assistant

NA1003 Medical Professions

NA1103 Medical Procedures

AH1143 Medical Terminology

By completing the sequence of concurrent credit courses, students earn the Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Professions at SAU Tech.