This is an archived copy of the 2017-2018 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.sierracollege.edu.

Contact Information

Contact Information
Division
Business and Technology
Dean
Susan Lucyga (Interim)
Associate Dean
Darlene Jackson
Location
Division Office
B 3, Rocklin Campus
Department Office
Roseville Center, Second Floor
Phone Number
Department Phone
(916) 781-6250

Overview

Health Science courses are primarily designed as first responder basic life support training for the fire service, emergency medical services and health care professions. Other courses in this area are intended to improve or update the skills of individuals providing emergency and primary health care services.

Faculty

Brianna Nathaniel

Assistant Professor, Health Sciences

B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara

David B. Sinclair

Professor, Health Sciences

A.A., Sierra College
B.S., University of San Francisco
M.P.A., University of San Francisco

Health Sciences/Emergency Medical Technician Advisory Committee

  • Dana Bentley, R.N., M.I.C.N., C.E.N., Mercy San Juan Medical Center
  • Greg Cavolt, Captain, Roseville City Fire Department
  • Shani Cornell, Captain, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department
  • Bill Daniels, Assistant Chief, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department
  • Bridget Farren, Vice Principal, Del Oro High School
  • Kathy Finney, Division Chief, Roseville City Fire Department
  • Brian Gonsalves, Captain, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department
  • Chris Greene, Captain, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department
  • Matt Lauchner, Captain, Roseville City Fire Department
  • Rob Riley, Operations Supervisor, Sierra Nevada Ambulance
  • Edward Silvas, Paramedic, American Medical Response
  • James Summers, Fire Chief, Rocklin City Fire Department
  • Heath Taylor, Firefighter, Rocklin City Fire Department

Degrees/Certificates

Health Science

AS Degree

The curriculum in Health Science focuses on providing a broad base of knowledge and skills to support students’ development into competent health care professionals.  The objective of the degree is to provide a foundation for continued study in Health Science or related field at a four-year college or university and for employment in the healthcare fields.  Students will develop a breadth of understanding and skills in health science, human health and human physiology. The curriculum encompasses courses that are relevant to many healthcare careers including: health administration, occupational therapy, environmental health, clinical laboratory, dental hygiene, paramedic, registered nursing, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, and physician's assistant. For the degree, students must fulfill the following major requirements with grades of “C” or better, complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable semester units (12 of which must be completed at Sierra College) with a grade point average of at least 2.0, and complete one of the following general education patterns:

Required Courses
BIOL 0005Human Anatomy4-5
or BIOL 0007A
BIOL 0007B
Human Anatomy I
and Human Anatomy II
BIOL 0006Human Physiology5
CHEM 0002AIntroduction to Chemistry I5
HSCI 0002Emergency Medical Technician6.5
HSCI 0003Medical Terminology3
MATH 0013Elementary Statistics4
Select 6-10 units from the following:6-10
Microbiology
Microbiology I
and Microbiology II
Financial Accounting I
Financial Accounting II
Introduction to Chemistry II
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Emergency Medical Responder
Introduction to Advanced Life Support
Principles of Nutrition
Basic Concepts in Physics
General Physics I
and General Physics I Laboratory
General Principles of Psychology
Psychology of Death and Dying
Alcohol, Drugs and Society
Total Units33.5-38.5

Courses

Understanding course descriptions

HSCI 0002. Emergency Medical Technician

Units: 6.5
Prerequisite: Students must be 18 years of age at start of course; provide two (2) negative TB tests two-step PPD process, or a negative chest x-ray; provide proof of immunizations for Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR); Varicella zoster-vaccination or positive titer; Hepatitis B status screening or signed declination; Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (Tdap); current influenza vaccine; provide drug screen test demonstrating the absence of evidence of controlled substance use; and provide criminal background screening satisfying the requirements of the State EMS Authority and EMT program clinical providers
Corequisite: Concurrent enrollment in HSCI 0012 to complete mandated Bloodborne Pathogen and Infection Control Training and American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support/CPR certification for Healthcare Providers
Advisory: Completion of HSCI 3, HSCI 7 or BIOL 55 with grades of "C" or better; eligibility for ENGL 11
Hours: 166 (104 lecture, 38 skills laboratory, 24 field clinical laboratory)
Provides knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to deliver Emergency Medical Care in a prehospital environment. Covers legal and moral aspects, scene safety, primary and secondary patient assessments, intervention and stabilization skills, proper use of emergency medical equipment, awareness of bloodborne pathogens and communicable diseases, recognizing signs and symptoms, and pathophysiology of medical emergencies and traumatic injuries. Includes practical hands-on skills training and interactive simulations. Clinical experience is an assigned field ride-along and/or clinical hospital observation. Attendance and participation are mandatory; a cumulative score of 80% on all written quizzes and exams, and passing score on all practical skills testing are required for successful course completion. Meets updated National Education Standards for EMT curriculum, and all requirements of the California Code of Regulations Title 22, the California EMS Authority and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Upon successful completion, student is eligible to take the NREMT EMT examination and qualify for a California State EMT certification. (CSU)

HSCI 0003. Medical Terminology

Units: 3
Hours: 54 lecture
Comprehensive overview of the medical language using a systems oriented approach of the human body. Covers the formation, spelling, correct pronunciation, and proper usage of common medical terms and abbreviations. The terminology is relative to the medical applications used within a wide variety of health care professions. Course meets the prerequisite requirements of numerous allied health care training programs, and is highly recommended as a preparatory course for EMT, Paramedic and Nursing programs. (CSU)

HSCI 0007. Emergency Medical Responder

Units: 3.5
Hours: 80 (62 lecture, 18 laboratory)
Provides the knowledge and practical skills training required to be certified as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR). Comprehensive training includes oxygen therapy and delivery, basic airway adjuncts, positive pressure ventilation, bleeding control, extremity splinting and spinal immobilization. Emphasizes a systematic patient assessment, critical thinking and medical interventions at the first responder level. Provides the American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support/CPR certification for Healthcare Providers, and the mandated training for recognizing the risks of bloodborne pathogens, infection control, body substance isolation (BSI), and personal protection equipment in accordance with OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1030 specific to the EMS first responder and healthcare professional. Upon completion with a grade of "C" or better, students are issued a certificate of completion and are eligible to apply for an EMR certification through the state of California. (CSU)

HSCI 0012. Professional CPR and Infection Control for the EMT

Units: 0.5
Corequisite: Concurrent enrollment in HSCI 0002
Hours: 16 (10 lecture, 6 activity)
Meets the mandated professional CPR training requirements for students enrolled in the Emergency Medical Technician program. Provides the American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support/CPR certification for Healthcare Providers. Also provides mandated training for recognizing risks of bloodborne pathogens, infection control, body substance isolation (BSI), and personal protection equipment in accordance with OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1030 specific to the EMT and healthcare professional. Training in proper body mechanics of patient movement and lifting techniques, proper operation of patient gurneys during emergency and non-emergency situations. (not transferable)

HSCI 0050. Introduction to Advanced Life Support

Units: 3.5
Prerequisite: Completion of HSCI 0002 with grade of "C" or better, or a similar state certified EMT course; must be currently certified as an EMT in the state of California or certified through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)
Advisory: Completion of HSCI 0003 and BIOL 0055 with grades of "C" or better
Hours: 80 (60 lecture, 20 laboratory)
Introduction to the advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to prepare for a paramedic program, advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) training, registered nursing (RN), physician assistant (PA), and other allied health training programs. Assessment based course focuses on advanced life support (ALS) interventions; electrocardiogram (EKG) recognition and interpretation; pharmacology; advanced airway management; intravenous and intraosseous fluid and drug infusion; basic anatomy, physiology and principles of pathophysiology; introduction to local, state and national ALS protocols. Practical skills labs focus on improving patient assessment techniques, managing realistic case study scenarios, and introduction to AEMT, paramedic skills, protocols, and interventions. Course format is interactive and simulates the intense pace and discipline required of AEMT, paramedic and other allied health vocational training. Mandated student participation, passing of written exams and practical skills assessments required for completion. Course is approved for eighty (80) hours of instructor based continuing education (CE) by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and as a California state EMS CE Provider. (CSU)

HSCI 0051. Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Didactic

Units: 6
Prerequisite: Current AHA Healthcare Provider CPR certification and current California State EMT certification required
Advisory: Completion of HSCI 0003, HSCI 0050, and BIOL 0055 with grades of "C" or better; eligibility for ENGL 0011
Hours: 144 (90 lecture, 54 laboratory)
Course provides academic preparation and psychomotor skills training to prepare the student for HSCI 52, the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) clinical and field Internship. Successful completion of HSCI 51 and HSCI 52 make the student eligible to take the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) Advanced EMT certification exam. Topics include Limited Advanced Life Support (LALS) knowledge, application and problem solving skills necessary to work as an AEMT in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field for an ambulance service, fire department, hospital emergency department or other specialized service. A "C" letter grade, as well as successful completion of the HSCI 51 exit exam and psychomotor skills test, are required to be eligible for HSCI 52. This course conforms to the 2007 National EMS Scope of Practice Model and the 2009 EMS National Education Standards, complies with Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 3 of the California State Code of Regulations, and is approved by the Sierra Sacramento-Valley Emergency Medical Services Agency. Field trips or off-campus lab assignments are required. (not transferable)

HSCI 0052. Advanced Emergency Medical Technician - Clinical/Field Experience

Units: 3.5
Prerequisite: Completion of HSCI 0002 and HSCI 0051 with grades of “C” or better, or equivalent training; HSCI 0052 must be completed no more than seven months after the completion of HSCI 0051; current AHA Healthcare Provider CPR certification and current California State EMT certification required; must submit to a drug screen test demonstrating the absence of any evidence of controlled substance use and provide a criminal background check satisfying the requirements of the State EMS Authority, and the AEMT program clinical providers; must provide two negative TB tests by two-step PPD process, or a negative chest x-ray; provide proof of immunizations for Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR); Varicella zoster-vaccination or positive titer; Hepatitis B status screening or signed declination; Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (Tdap); current influenza vaccine
Advisory: Completion of HSCI 0003, HSCI 0050, and BIOL 0055 with grades of "C" or better; eligibility for ENGL 0011
Hours: 200 laboratory
Provides the supervised clinical and field experience training requirements for Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, at the limited advanced life support (LALS) scope of practice. Successful completion of HSCI 51 and HSCI 52 makes the student eligible to take the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)certification exam. Course is approved by the Sierra Sacramento Valley - Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency, and conforms to the 2007 National EMS Scope of Practice Model, the 2009 EMS National Education Standards and complies with Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 3 of the California State Code of Regulations (not transferable)

HSCI 0600. Emergency Medical Technician Continuing Education

Unit: 1
Prerequisite: Must be eligible for certification or re-certification as an EMT in the State of California
Hours: 24 (16 lecture, 8 laboratory)
Provides 24 hours of continuing education required for state re-certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Reviews current standards for airway management and ventilation, patient assessment, cardiac care and resuscitation, injury management and stabilization, legal and ethical issues, vital signs, assisting with medication administration, and review of the updated and optional EMT scope of practice. Students update their psychomotor skills and demonstrate proficiency in organized skills labs. Students that successfully complete the course receive a certificate of completion. May be repeated for credit to meet legally mandated continuing education and re-certification requirements. (pass/no pass grading) (pass/no pass grading) (not degree applicable)

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs)

  • Demonstrate and confirm knowledge of current industry standards by successfully completing all course requirements and successfully passing the certifying written examination of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
  • Demonstrate effective and clear communication skills required for patient care, completing critical skills and incident management, using both verbal and written medical summarizations.
  • Demonstrate ability to perform a primary assessment on a medical or trauma patient, manage a simulated emergency scenario, and determine the appropriate critical care interventions.
  • Determine the role of legal, ethical, and professional standards of conduct within the Emergency Medical Services and other health care professions.
  • Demonstrate proficiency of all required practical skills as mandated to qualify for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Certification and for EMT and EMR licensing with the State of California.