OCG - Health Science 1

There are no prerequisites for this course.
Biology is recommended as a pre or corequisite. Students should have an interest in learning about all facets of healthcare.

$20

Foundation Standard 1: Academic Foundation
Healthcare professionals will know the academic subject matter, including medical math
principles, required for proficiency within their area. They will use this knowledge as needed in
their role. The following accountability criteria are considered essential for students in a health
science program of study.

1. Describe healthcare history and medical advances.
2. Identify components and solve computations of the metric and household
systems of measure.
3. Calculate mathematical conversions of temperature and weights and measures
related to healthcare such as height, weight/mass, length, volume, temperature, and
household measurements.
4. Demonstrate recording time using 24-hour clock/military time.
5. Recognize and convert traditional numbers to roman numerals.
6. Define and recognize entry level Medical Terminology and terms related to healthcare.
7. Identify body planes, directional terms, cavities, and quadrants.

Foundation Standard 2: Communications
Healthcare professionals will know the various methods of giving and obtaining information. They will
communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

1. Interpret and model verbal and nonverbal communication.
2. Recognize and Identify common barriers to communication.

a. Physical disabilities (aphasia, hearing loss, impaired vision)
b. Psychological barriers (attitudes, bias, prejudice, stereotyping)

3. Recognize and interpret elements of communication using a sender-receiver-message-
feedback model.

4. Apply and practice speaking and active listening skills.
5. Recognize elements of written and electronic communication (spelling, grammar,
formatting, and confidentiality).
6. Use appropriate medical terminology to communicate information in both oral and written
forms.

a. Common root prefixes and suffixes to communicate information
b. Medical abbreviations
c. Common Abbreviations
d. Joint Commission Official “Do Not Use List”

Foundation Standard 3: Systems
Healthcare professionals will understand how their role fits into their department, their organization, and the overall healthcare environment. They will identify how key systems affect services they
perform and quality of care.

1. Identify and compare healthcare delivery systems (public, private, government).

a. Profit and nonprofit-such as hospitals, ambulatory facilities, long term care facilities, home
health, medical and dental offices, mental health services) and explain factors that influence
them. (including emerging issues)
b. Regulatory bodies such as: CDC, FDA, WHO, OSHA, Public Health Systems/Health
Departments, Veteran’s Administration
c. Non-Profits such as March of Dimes, American Heart Association

2. Identify the importance of an organizational structure in health care.

Foundation Standard 4: Employability Skills
Healthcare professionals will understand how employability skills enhance their employment
opportunities and job satisfaction. They will demonstrate key employability skills and will maintain
and upgrade skills, as needed.

1. Identify and apply personal traits or attitudes desirable as a career ready member of the
healthcare team to include

a. Acceptance of criticism
b. Competence
c. Dependability
d. Discretion
e. Empathy
f. Enthusiasm
g. Honesty
h. Initiative
i. Patience
j. Responsibility
k. Self-motivation
l. Tact
m. Team player
n. Willingness to learn

2. Identify and apply employability skills desirable as a career ready member of the healthcare
team.

a. Chain of command
b. Correct grammar
c. Decision making
d. Flexibility
e. Initiative
f. Loyalty
g. Positive attitude

h. Professional characteristics
i. Promptness and preparedness
j. Responsibility
k. Scope of practice
l. Teamwork
m. Willingness to learn

3. Summarize and demonstrate professional standards and characteristics as they apply
to hygiene, dress, language, confidentiality, and behavior.
4. Compare careers within the health science career pathways (diagnostic services,
therapeutic services, health informatics, support services, or biotechnology research
and development).
5. Research and evaluate levels of education, credentialing requirements, employment
trends in health professions (opportunities, workplace environments, and career
earnings etc.).
6. Initiate development of components of a personal portfolio (healthcare project, writing
sample, work-based learning, oral presentation, service learning, credentials,
technology, and leadership experience).
7. Demonstrate professional and leadership skills by actively participating in learning
experiences through HOSA Future Health Professionals, student organization.
(either as a member or as a participant in some of their sponsored activities)

Foundation Standard 5: Legal Responsibilities
Healthcare professionals will understand the legal responsibilities, limitations, and implications of
their actions within the healthcare delivery setting. They will perform their duties according to
regulations, policies, laws, and legislated rights of clients.
** THIS STANDARD IS COVERED IN HEALTH SCIENCE 2.

Foundation Standard 6: Ethics
Healthcare professionals will understand accepted ethical practices with respect to cultural, social,
and ethnic differences within the healthcare environment. They will perform quality healthcare
delivery.

1. Identify and discuss religious and cultural values as they impact healthcare (such as;
ethnicity, race, religion, gender) and demonstrate respectful and empathetic interactions
and treatment of all patients/clients within a diverse population (such as: customer service,
patient satisfaction, civility).

Foundation Standard 7: Safety Practices

Healthcare professionals will understand the existing and potential hazards to clients, coworkers,
and self. They will prevent injury or illness through safe work practices and follow health and safety
policies and procedures.

1. Identify major classes of microorganisms and describe the chain of infection.
2. Demonstrate infection control principles. (such as handwashing, gloving, environmental
cleaning)
3. Apply techniques pertaining to personal and environmental safety. (body mechanics,
ergonomics, safe operation of equipment, patient safety)
4. Apply common safety procedures based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regulations.
5. Comply with safety signs, labels, and symbols including all safety standards related to the
Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Standard (Safety Data Sheets).
6. Practice fire safety related to a healthcare setting.
7. Summarize principles of basic emergency response in natural disasters or other emergencies
(safe location, bioterrorism, active shooter, contact emergency personnel, following protocol).

Foundation Standard 8: Teamwork
Healthcare professionals will understand the roles and responsibilities of individual members as part
of the healthcare team, including their ability to promote the delivery of quality healthcare. They
will interact effectively and sensitively with all members of the healthcare team.

1. Explain and Evaluate roles and responsibilities of team members.

a. Examples of healthcare teams
b. Responsibilities of team members
c. Benefits of teamwork

2. Respect interdisciplinary roles of team members and act responsibly as a team member.
3. Recognize characteristics of effective teams and methods for building positive
team relationships.

a. Active participation
b. Commitment
c. Common goals
d. Cultural sensitivity
e. Flexibility
f. Open to feedback
g. Positive attitude
h. Reliability
i. Trust
j. Value individual contributions

4. Collaborate with others to formulate team objectives.

5. Explore and analyze attributes and attitudes of an effective leader:

a. Characteristics (interpersonal skills, focused on results, positive)
b. Types(autocratic, democratic, laissez faire)
c. Roles (sets vision, leads change, manages accountability)

6. Apply techniques for managing team conflict (negotiation, assertive communication, gather
the facts, clear expectations, mediation). Recognize methods for building positive team
relationships (such as: mentorships and teambuilding).

Foundation Standard 9: Health Maintenance Practices
Healthcare professionals will understand the fundamentals of wellness and the prevention of
disease processes. They will practice preventive health behaviors among the clients.

1. Apply behaviors that promote health and wellness (such as: nutrition, weight control, exercise,
sleep habits).
2. Describe strategies for prevention of diseases.

• Routine physical exams
• Medical, dental, and mental health screenings
• Community health education outreach programs
• Immunizations
• Stress management
• Avoid risky behaviors

3. Investigate complementary and alternative health practices as they relate to wellness and
disease such as Eastern medicine, holistic medicine, homeopathy, manipulative and natural
therapies.

Foundation Standard 10: Technical Skills
Healthcare professionals will apply technical skills required for all career specialties. They will
demonstrate skills and knowledge as appropriate.

1. Explore procedures for measuring and recording vital signs and height/weight including
normal ranges.
2. Demonstrate use of Snellen chart.
3. Introduction to first aid procedures. (Certification optional in level 1)

Foundation Standard 11: Information Technology Applications
Healthcare professionals will use information technology applications required within all career
specialties. They will demonstrate use as appropriate to healthcare applications.

1. Communicate using technology (fax, e-mail, and Internet) to access and distribute data
and other information. (including assignments and online assessments).

a. Demonstrate appropriate usage of email and social media in a work environment
(such as: work- related communications, personal texting on own time, appropriate
language and content, use full language sentences

7. Demonstrate basic computer skills.

a. Apply basic computer concepts and terminology necessary to use computers and
other mobile devices.
b. Demonstrate basic computer troubleshooting procedures (such as: restart, check power
supply, refresh browser, and check settings).
c. Demonstrate use of file organization and information storage.
d. Identify uses of basic word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

8. Recognize technology applications and key technology principles used in healthcare.

a. Identify types of data collected in Electronic Health Records/Electronic Medical
Records (EHR or EMR), such as history and physical, medications, diagnostic tests,
patient demographics.
b. Evaluate the validity of web-based resources.

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