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Department of Allied Health Sciences

Course Descriptions

AHS101 Introduction to Health Careers (3 Credits)

This unit introduces students to the field of healthcare. It surveys the health profession and provides insight to career opportunities and the preparation needed to enter the various disciplines. Discussion with respect to the historical development of healthcare and current trends are also discussed.

 

AHS105 Introduction to Emergency Medical Technology(3 Credits)

Basic First Aid is an essential requisite for students pursuing any allied health or educational discipline. This course trains the student to identify a given accident or health emergency situation, the seriousness of situation, essential facts to be noted while observing the victim. It teaches the essential measures to perform to help the victim get out of the danger of losing life, until a much more trained personnel is available to deal with the current situation. A strong theoretical and practical foundation in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a part of the course. All majors’ aspects of first aid as it applies to body systems are taught.

Pre-Requisite:  BIO 215

 

HCA101 Introduction to Healthcare Administration(3 Credits)

This course is an introduction to the principles of management and leadership as the foundations for the administration of healthcare administration. Emphasis is on the evolution of healthcare management principles, ethics, organizing, decision making, strategic planning, information technology, writing, and human resources management.

Pre-Requisite:  BIO 215

 

HCA220 Public Policy & Healthcare Administration (3 Credits)

A discussion of public policy issues in the planning and delivery of health services. Special attention is given to the delivery of health services in the Bahamas and how public policy and planning impacts the quality of healthcare. The role of the private sector is also discussed.

Pre-requisite:  ENG 101

 

HCA260 Public Healthcare Management (3 Credits)

This course focuses on management within the public healthcare system. Increasingly, patients, communities, and payers are demanding higher levels of service and efficiency from public health facilities. Therefore, administrators and supervisors must demonstrate more than just the ability to hold a spot. They must display knowledge and skills in carrying out their assigned responsibilities. Matters relating to fiscal responsibility, inventory control, staff supervision, patient satisfaction and more fall under the ambit of the professional administrator. Students who successfully complete this course will be given opportunities to develop these skills particularly in relation to the management of public health facilities.

Pre-requisite: HCA 101

 

HCA290 Healthcare Accounting (3 Credits)

This course exposes students to general accounting practices as they apply to healthcare. Apart from understanding the accounting cycle students will also acquire an appreciation of how sound planning and financial decisions are impacted by accurate managerial accounting. Uses of internal accounting information needed by management and hospitals to satisfy continuous internal control and Financial Statement are also covered.

Pre-requisite: MAT 102 & ACC 218

 

HC300 Healthcare Administration Externship (6 Credits)

This course allows participating students to gain externship experience within healthcare organizations. It provides linkage between the theoretical concepts gained in the classroom and practical applications in real healthcare facilities. Emphasis will be placed on skills in the following fields: health care administration, public health, allied health, health communication, and health care ethics. Students will gain a sound understanding of the industry and the position of leadership within the industry as they experience the working environment.

Pre-requisite: Final Term

 

HCA320 Principles of Epidemiology (3 Credits)

This course introduces students to the study of the principles and methods of epidemiology. Public health issues and strategies employed to manage public health problems are covered. Students are given an understanding of disease outbreak and transmission, disease containment, data collection and analysis, epidemiological risk management, study design and surveillance strategies. The course will also differentiate among the various types of epidemiology.

 

HCA340 Quality Assurance in Healthcare Management (3 Credits)

This course focuses on techniques and strategies employed in delivering quality healthcare services. Students will be encouraged to examine healthcare delivery in the Bahamas and ways it can be improved to better serve patients. The role of technology in helping to increase patient satisfaction will be examined within the context of social and economic implications.

Pre-requisite: HCA260

 

HCA350 Foundations of Healthcare Leadership (3 Credits)

This course concentrates on the importance of leadership in the healthcare field. It examines theories, principles and best leadership practices as applied to healthcare. Other topics covered include evolving trends in management, management and leadership theories and skills in planning, organizing, decision-making, staffing, leading, communicating and motivating health care personnel. Pre-Requisite: HCA260

Pre-requisite: HCA260

 

HCA360 Probability & Statistics for Healthcare Administration (3 Credits)

This course provides an introduction to the study of descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on procedures associated with vital statistics in healthcare. Students will be required to perform statistical computations and produce reports for medical and governmental purposes.

Pre-requisite: HCA101 & MAT210

 

HCA370 Strategic Planning & Evaluation in Healthcare (3 Credits)

In this course students will discover how to plan and execute successful strategies in healthcare organizations or department. They will be introduced to the concepts, philosophies, and techniques of strategic planning. Each student will be required to develop a strategic plan to improve patient services at a local facility.

Pre-requisite: HCA 101

 

HCA380 Healthcare Operations Management (3 Credits)

This course discusses the applications of operations management within the framework of healthcare organizations. Topics covered include facility planning, forecasting, supply chain and inventory management and queuing models, government regulations, quality improvement initiatives, systematic monitoring and the application of accepted analytic methods in performance assessment and evaluation. Students will be required to evaluate operations management of a healthcare facility and suggest strategies for improvement.

Pre-requisite: HCA206

 

HCA410 Issues & Trends in Healthcare (3 Credits)

This course examines emerging issues facing the healthcare field. Discussions center around issues such as new epidemiological threats, bioterrorism, human genome project, rising prescription drug costs, and urbanization, social stress, healthcare equality and mental illness/wellness.

Pre-requisite: Upper Classman

 

HCA420 Managing Human Resources in Healthcare (3 Credits)

An examination of best human resource management practices in the healthcare administration field. Students are introduced to policies and procedures fundamentals to managing effective teams and individuals in diverse healthcare facilities.

Pre-requisite: HCA 101 & HCA 260

 

HCA430 Healthcare Administration Budgeting & Finance (3 Credits)

This course covers the fundamentals of budgeting and financial management for healthcare organizations. Topics covered include the budgeting process, understanding the types of budgets, budget assessment, financial accounting principles, business plans, ethics, financial reports and the decision making process.

Pre-requisite: HCA101 & HCA260

 

HCA440 Understanding Health Behavior (3 Credits)

This is a theory-driven course that explores the contribution of social and behavioral sciences to understanding the ever expanding field of health behavior. Emphasis is placed on development of theory-based public health interventions and expanding the students appreciation of the theory constructs used in public health practices and various public health issues facing the Bahamas particularly in an age of globalization. Cultural and socioeconomic issues relating to public health are also discussed and examined within the context of the various theories.

Pre-requisite: HCA 320

 

HCA450 Professional Capstone Project (3 Credits)

In this course students are required to focus on a relevant problem in healthcare administration and present a written and oral report at the end of the semester. Planning and completion of either an empirical research project or a scholarly review of the relevant literature will be accepted.

Pre-requisite: Senior Year

 

Healthcare Administration Externship (3 Credits)

This course allows participating students to gain externship experience within healthcare organizations. It provides linkage between the theoretical concepts gained in the classroom and practical applications in real healthcare facilities. Emphasis will be placed on skills in the following fields: health care administration, public health, allied health, health communication, and health care ethics. Students will gain a sound understanding of the industry and the position of leadership within the industry as they experience the working environment.

Pre-requisite: Senior Year

 

MED201 Introduction to Medical Assisting (3 Credits)

An overview of Medical Assisting and related Health Professions, including duties and responsibilities. Public Relations and interpersonal relationships of the health team members are emphasized. Study of the various medical specialties and the history of medicine are included. Front Office procedures including telephone techniques, medical records management, mail processing and receiving patients comprise a major section of the course.

Pre-requisite: AHS 101

 

MED220 Medical Terminology (3 Credits)

This course provides students with the basics of vocabulary used in the medical and health professions. Fundamental medical language skills including, pronunciation, spelling, and definitions are stressed to develop the competency required to read and understand medical reports and communicate with personnel in the healthcare profession. A systematic, word-building approach to master the complex medical terminology will be employed.

Pre-requisite: AHS 101 & BIO 215

 

MED230 Intro to Medical Records Management (3 Credits)

This course is designed to teach students the essentials of Health Information Management. The Medical Record, its development, types and basic details are discussed. Also, medical filing in alphabetic and numeric systems; performing color-coding procedures, demonstrating record for her control procedures and computer assisted filing form a part of the course.

Pre-requisite: AHS 101, BIO 215, MED 201 & MED 220

 

MED232 Medical Transcription (3 Credits)

This course is designed to introduce basic principles of medical transcription and to provide students with an opportunity to apply theory learned in medical terminology, health information science, anatomy and physiology and computer application courses to enhance their medical assisting skills. The student will transcribe a variety of medical documents and reports typically dictated in physicians' offices, hospitals, and other settings. Accuracy of information within the documents is stressed.

Pre-requisite: AHS 101, BIO 215, MED 220

 

MED240 Medical Clinical Practice (3 Credits)

The overall preparation of patients for examinations and procedures performed by the physician is the responsibility of a Medical Assistant; to gain full cooperation of the patient for a particular examination or procedure. That the patient must understand completely what is expected. The Medical Assistant must keep in mind that these procedures and examinations, although routine to the Medical Assistant, are usually not routine to patients. The student will learn valuable skills in getting patients comfortable, relaxed and ready for the doctor to see them. Patients will have appointments for a variety of reasons, The Medical Assistant’s duty is t ascertain the reason the patient is visiting the physician (triage) and prepare for the appropriate procedure or examination. This course is a precursor to medical assisting externship. Students will be required to demonstrate competence in carrying out various medical assisting duties

 

MED250 Medical Billing & Coding I (3 Credits)

This is an introductory medical coding course. It provides comprehensive training in the application of diagnostic codes from the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. Emphasis will be places on the history, format, conventions, guidelines and appropriate assignment of codes from the ICD-10-CM classification systems. Diagnostic clinical information is identified and abstracted from health records in various healthcare settings (outpatient and inpatient) and assigned the appropriate, accurate and specific ICD-10-CM codes. Some attention will also be given to the ICD-9-CM System. Various practical exercises and simulations will be included.

Pre-requisite: MED 220 & AHS 101

 

MED251 Medical Billing & Coding II (3 Credits)

This is a continuation of Medical Billing and Coding I with further emphasis on ICD-10-CM coding for specific procedural and diagnostic systems. Students are also introduced to the billing and claims process. Several cases and software simulations are presented so that the students can get hands-on experience on completing the coding and billing process.

Pre-requisite: BIO 215

 

MED252 Medical Billing & Coding III (3 Credits)

In this course students will be introduced to medical billing practices associated with various health facilities, insurance companies and various reimbursement methodologies. Topics covered include claim form preparation, submission, payment processing and various reimbursement issues. Students will be required to complete a simulated claims process and discuss the legal and regulatory issues related to billing and reimbursement. Although some aspects of coding will be covered, students must demonstrate competence in coding prior to taking this course.

Pre-requisite: BIO 215

 

MED260 Medical Office Administration (3 Credits)

This course is designed to introduce to the administrative functions and responsibilities of a medical assistant. Topics covered include computer skills, telephone skills, appointment scheduling, reception skills, interpersonal skills, record management as well as other skills related to efficient office management. Students are expected to complete a number of practical exercises including role play.

Pre-requisite: MED 201 & MED 230

 

MED272 Medical Law & Ethics (3 Credits)

This course presents and discusses legal, moral, and ethical issues confronting all health care professionals. A general discussion of the legal system is followed by discussion of specific laws relating to the medical field. Morals and morality are contrasted with law and ethics, Ethics (professional guidelines) are examined for the medical professional. Case studies will be utilized to demonstrate points of law and ethics.

Pre-requisite: AHS 101

 

MED280 Introduction to Phlebotomy (3 Credits)

In this course students will be introduced phlebotomy theory and practice. It is designed to give participants a broad understanding of phlebotomy procedures, equipment and techniques used for capillary puncture, venipuncture, and bleeding times. The need for safety of the patient and the phlebotomist is stressed. Proper handling of specimens for testing and disposal along with diseases and their prevention are also discussed. Professionalism and the need to adhere to medical laws and confidentiality are among other topics covered in this course.

Pre-requisite: MED 201, BIO 215 & MED 220

 

MED284 Phlebotomy II                                                                                                       (3 Credits)

A continuation of MED280. It requires students in a controlled environment of the laboratory to demonstrate clinical competencies learned in Intro to Phlebotomy. Students receive extensive hands-on experienced designed to reinforce fundamental phlebotomy skills and techniques taught in the first course as well as information relating to the role of the phlebotomist as a professional member of the medical team. Topics covered include law and ethics, infection control, capillary punctures, venipunctures, procedures to handle phlebotomy complications, and proper procedures for handling and transporting specimens. Preparation to sit and pass external phlebotomy certification exams is included. Specifically the course complies with the guidelines published by the National Healthcareers Association (NHA) certification exam requirements.

 

MED300 Medical Assisting Externship (3 Credits)

Medical Assistant Students perform 160 hours of work experience (externship). The externship consists of unpaid work experience which combines preparing patients and assisting the physician, blood draws, front office procedures, and more. Students will perform functions in a physician’s office, hospital, clinic or clinical laboratory site under the supervision of appropriate personnel. The Medical Assistant Externship also counts as job experience, since many employers are asking for a certain amount of experience. And often, students obtain job offers from their externship providers.

Pre-requisite: Final Trimester

 

PHM101 Introduction to Pharmacy Technician (3 Credits)

An introductory course which examines the practice of pharmacy and focuses on the role of today's pharmacy technician. Students receive competencies necessary to work in an entry level; position in a community pharmacy. Topics covered include customer service, prescriptions, drugs, safety, record keeping and drug classification.

 

PHM120 Pharmaceutical Preparations & Techniques(3 Credits)

The course will cover types of pharmaceutical preparation, methods used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, different forms of drugs as well as mathematical calculations to solve pharmaceutical problems.

Pre-requisite: PHM 101

 

PHM210 Pharmacology I(3 Credits)

A course which examines the principal uses of selected therapeutic categories of pharmaceutical products. Topics covered include basic drug actions, indications for drug therapy, dosage, side effects and toxicity.

Pre-requisite: PHM 122 & BIO 215

 

PHM212 Pharmacology II (3 Credits)

A continuation of Pharmacology 1 involving the study of the principal uses of selected therapeutic categories. It also examines ways in which drugs interact and impact specific body systems including the vascular and renal systems, gastro-intestinal track and endocrine system.

Pre-requisite: PHM 210

 

PHM260 Community Based Pharmacy (3 Credits)

A course which examines the specific role of the Pharmacy Technician in the Community Pharmacy. This course is a structured introduction to pharmacy practice in a community pharmacy setting. The Community Pharmacy will allow students to engage in basic distributive and administrative processes in community pharmacies and gain initial experience interacting directly with patients, preceptors, technicians, and other health care providers and pharmacy personnel.

Pre-requisite: PHM 210 & PHM 212

 

PHM262 Institutional Based Pharmacy (3 Credits)

An examination of the specific role of the pharmacy technician in the institutional setting.

Pre-requisite: PHM 210 & PHM 212

 

PHM262 Pharmacy Technician Externship (3 Credits)

This course is designed to enable the pharmacy technology students to integrate the theoretical aspects of the courses taught in the curriculum with practical aspects of community/institutional pharmacy. Additionally, students will be required to perform all duties and carry out the responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician under the supervision of a Pharmacist. Students will have the opportunity to work both in an institutional and a Community Pharmacy.

Pre-requisite: Final Trimester