General Catalog 2009-2010

Programs and Courses

Maricopa Community Colleges Allied Health or Nursing Program

In collaboration and partnership with the health care community and its response to the dynamic changes occurring in the health care arena and health care professions' practice, the Maricopa Community Colleges integrated the curriculum of all allied health and nursing programs. All allied health or nursing program pathways and educational offerings emphasize the achievement of relevant competencies and provide value to the individual, the employer, and the community. As a result, graduates of the various allied health or nursing program pathways will meet the community's demand for a flexible, multi-skilled health care workforce that meets employer and consumer needs. Refer to individual college catalogs for specific health care program pathways. For further information, http://healthcare.maricopa.edu is a comprehensive information source.

Allied Health or Nursing Assumption of Risk/Release of Liability

Most of the allied health or nursing program pathways include a program of study in a clinical training environment which may contain exposures to risks inherent in patient-oriented educational experiences, such as but not limited to, bodily injury or communicable and infectious diseases. Students enrolling in clinical educational courses will be asked to sign a statement assuming all risks inherent in their coursework.

Use of Confidential Information

Students enrolled in allied health or nursing program pathways will have learning experiences in a health care setting where they will have access to confidential information. Prior to beginning any clinical studies, the students will be asked to sign an agreement to adhere to the requirements of those clinical sites and applicable law, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

Allied Health or Nursing College of Attendance

As the allied health or nursing programs are integrated across the Maricopa Community College District, college of attendance requirements for the completion of the health care program pathways can be met through the completion of coursework taken at all the Maricopa Community Colleges and Skill Centers.

Requirement of Background Check

Students enrolled in an allied health or nursing program will be in clinical learning experiences, working with children, elderly persons, and other vulnerable populations. Healthcare agency policies require evidence of background clearance prior to entering such learning experiences. The background clearance will consist of a fingerprint clearance, verification of social security number, and a periodic query of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) List. ARS §15-1881 provides the Department of Public Safety the authority to conduct background checks and issue clearance cards to healthcare students for the purpose of meeting the requirements for clinical training. Students seeking enrollment into health programs will be required to provide a current clearance card provided by DPS as evidence of an independent background check that meets healthcare industry standards. Individual programs will establish program policy regarding when the background check needs to be completed, either at the time of application to or enrollment in clinical courses. Evidence of a completed background clearance must be maintained for the duration of time of program enrollment. It is advised that students carry proof of the background clearance at all times during any agency learning experience. Any change in status that would affect the background clearance of a healthcare student may result in the interruption of student progress or dismissal from the program.

Note: Certain licensing boards may require a separate background check or clearance card upon application for licensure or certification.

Duty to Report

All students enrolled in health programs holding or receiving certification or licensure as a healthcare professional from a US state or territory must remain in good standing with that agency. Students receiving any disciplinary action against their certification and/or license must notify the program director within five (5) business days. Any student who is placed on the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals/Entities List must notify their program director within five (5) business days. Any student who has his/her fingerprint clearance card revoked, suspended, or modified in any way must notify the program director within five (5) business days. The program director reserves the right to restrict the student’s participation in clinical experience and involvement in patient care until the certificate or license is valid and unrestricted as determined by the agency who issued the disciplinary action; the student is removed from the OIG Exclusion List; and/or the fingerprint card is valid and unrestricted.

Waiver of Licensure/Certificate Guarantee

Many of the nursing and allied health programs prepare graduates for application for State or National certificates or licenses. In some professions, such licensure and certification is required prior to employment or practice in the profession. Graduation from a nursing and allied health program does not guarantee the receipt of a license or certificate to practice in the field of study.

Maricopa Community Colleges Allied Health or Nursing Program

To respond to the dynamic changes occurring in health care arena and health professions’ practice, the MCCCD has integrated the curriculum of all allied health and nursing programs and identified common, shared, or program competencies for specific Health Care pathways.

Notes:

1. Students are responsible for completing General Studies coursework required for their particular Health Care Pathway.
2. All students must successfully demonstrate required reading, writing, and mathematics competencies. Academic remediation is available.
3. It may be possible for some students to meet Health Care Competency requirements for Level I and Level II common competencies through assessment of prior experience and/or education.
4. Completion of Level I and Level II does not guarantee admission into Level III Health Care Pathways.

Waiver of Licensure/Certificate Guarantee

Many of the HCIES programs prepare graduates for application for State or National certificates or licenses. In some professions, such licensure and certification is required prior to employment or practice in the profession. Graduation from a HCIES program does not guarantee the receipt of a license or certificate to practice in the field of study.

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LEVEL I - Common Competencies 2.0 Credits
ALL Health Care Students must satisfactorily achieve the Level I Common Competencies found in the following courses.

HCC130AA Health Care Today HCC130AB Workplace Behavior in Health Care HCC130AC Personal Wellness and Safety HCC130AD Communication and Teamwork in Health Care Organizations

.5 credit .5 .5 .5

LEVEL II - Common Competencies Credits Vary
ALL Health Care Students must satisfactorily achieve the Level II Common Competencies. See your advisor for which Medical Terminology course satisfies your pathway’s course requirements.

HCC130AE Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care HCC130AF Decision Making in the Health Care Setting HCC145AA Medical Terminology for Health Care Workers I HCC145AB Medical Terminology for Health Care Workers II HCC145AC Medical Terminology for Health Care Workers III

.5 credit .5 1 1 1

LEVEL II - Shared & Program Competencies Credits Vary
Required of only certain health occupations program pathways. Refer to specific program pathway curriculum or check with a program advisor. Shared Competencies are shared by several health program pathways. Program Competencies are specific to individual health occupations program pathways.

Level III - Shared & Program Competencies* Credits Vary
Shared Competencies are shared by several Health Care Pathways. Program Competencies are specific to individual Health Care Pathways. These are required for certain Health Occupations Program Pathways. Refer to specific Pathway requirements or check with an advisor.

*Certain Health Care Pathways require satisfactory achievement of all Level I and II Common Competencies prior to being admitted and registering for courses in Level III. Admission into Level III Health Care Pathways is based on meeting additional requirements and involves a separate admission process. See your advisor for more information.

Examples of Level II Health Care Pathways**

Clinical Research Coordinating (GWCC)
Community Health Advocate for Diabetes (MCC)
Dental Assisting (PC, RSC)
Dental Office Management (PC)
Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (GWCC)
Direct Care Practice (MCC)
Health Information Technology (PC)
Health Services Management (GWCC)
Health Unit Coordinating (GWCC)
Histology Technician (PC)
Hospital Central Service (GWCC)
Laboratory Assisting (PC)
Medical Assisting (MSC, PC, SWSC/EMCC)
Medical Billing (PC)
Medical Coding: Physician or Hospital Based (PC)
Medical Transcription (GWCC, SWSC/EMCC)
Nuclear Medicine Technology (GWCC)
Nurse Assisting (GCC, GWCC, MCC, PC, PVCC, RSC, SCC)
Patient Care Technician (PC)
Perioperative Nursing (GWCC)
Phlebotomy (PC)
Surgical Technician First Assistant (GWCC)
Surgical Technology (GWCC)
Teaching Healing Meditation & Stress Management (PVCC)
Therapeutic Massage (CGCC, PC)

** Subject to change

Examples of Level III Health Care Pathways **

Dental Hygiene (PC, RSC)
Dental Office Management (PC)
Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (GWCC)
Direct Care Practice (MCC)
Health Information Technology (PC)
Histology Technician (PC)
Medical Assisting (MSC, PC, SWSC/EMCC)
Medical Radiography (GWCC)
Nuclear Medicine Technology (GWCC)
Nursing (GCC, GWCC, MCC, PC, PVCC, RSC, SCC)
Physical Therapist Assisting (GWCC)
Practical Nursing (GCC, GWCC, MCC, PC, PVCC, RSC, SCC)
Health Services Management (GWCC)
Respiratory Care (GWCC)
Surgical Technology (GWCC)
Therapeutic Massage (CGCC, PC)

** Subject to change

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