What are Technical Standards for Health Science Programs?
The technical standards aim to inform students choosing to enter a Health Sciences Certificate and Degree Program at WCC with the bare minimal technical standard requirements, which must be met to complete all coursework objectives and student outcomes.
The listed standards encompass what is minimally required to perform the tasks necessary, with a few associated examples provided. This list is not exhaustive and can be modified as the College deems necessary. Students enrolled in a Health Science program at WCC must provide safe and effective care. These technical standards apply to any student enrolling in any one of the health sciences programs.
To meet program technical standards, the student must demonstrate sufficient cognitive, emotional, professional, motor (physical), sensory, and other abilities, with or without accommodation.
DISCLAIMER: Examples provided are not an exhausted list of associated tasks to meet program technical standards.
Accommodations
Students with documented disabilities or who believe that they may have a protected disability can request accommodations that may assist with meeting the technical standards for Health Science Programs at WCC. Please contact the WCC Learning Support Services (LSS) office by calling (734) 973-3342 or emailing learningsupport@wccnet.edu.
Technical Standards for WCC Health Sciences Programs
| Requirements | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking and Cognitive Competencies | Sufficient critical thinking and cognitive abilities in classroom and clinical settings | Make safe, immediate, well-reasoned clinical judgments. Identify cause/effect relationships in all clinical situations and respond appropriately. Accurately follow course syllabi, assignments, directions, academic and facility patient protocols, and any action plan(s) developed by the dean, faculty, administration, or healthcare institution. Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and/or synthesize data as it applies to patient care. |
| Professionalism | Interpersonal skills sufficient for professional interaction with a diverse population of individuals, families, and groups | Establish effective, professional relationships with patients, families, staff, and colleagues with socioeconomic, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Capacity to comply with all ethical and legal standards, including those of the healthcare profession and the corresponding policies of the College and Clinical Sites. Respond appropriately to constructive criticism. Displays attributes of professionalism such as integrity, honesty, responsibility, accountability, altruism, compassion, empathy, trust, tolerance, and unbiased attitudes. Follow grooming guidelines set forth by the program and profession. |
| Communication | Communication sufficient for professional interactions | Explanation of treatment, procedure, initiation of health teaching (e.g., teach-back or show-me method). Accurately obtain information from patients, family members/significant others, health team members, and/or faculty. Documentation and interpretation of health-related interventions and client responses. Read, write, interpret, comprehend, and legibly document in multiple formats using standard English. |
| Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces | Functional movement about patient's room, workspaces, and treatment areas. Administer rescue procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The physical ability to transition quickly to accommodate patient needs and to maneuver easily in urgent situations for patient safety. |
| Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities that are sufficiently effective and safe for providing Allied Health Care | Ability to effectively calibrate and use equipment. Strength to carry out patient care procedures, such as assisting in the turning and lifting/transferring of patients. Perform and/or assist with expected procedures, treatments, and medication administration using appropriate sterile or clean techniques (for example, CPR). Physical endurance is sufficient to complete all required tasks during the assigned period of clinical practice. |
| Sensory | Auditory and visual ability sufficient for observing, monitoring, and assessing health needs | Ability to detect monitoring device alarms and other emergency signals. Ability to discern sounds and cries for help. Ability to observe client's condition and responses to treatments. Ability to collect information through listening, seeing, smelling, and observation and respond appropriately. Ability to detect foul odors, smoke, changes in skin temperature, skin texture, edema, and other anatomical abnormalities. |
| Observation | Ability to sufficiently make observations in a health care environment, consistent with program competencies | Accurate interpretation of information obtained from digital, analog, and waveform diagnostic tools such as temperatures, blood pressures, cardiac rhythms, and diagnostic tools. Observation and interpretation of the following: patient's heart and body sounds, body language, the color of wounds, sensitivity to heat, cold, pain, and pressure, and signs and symptoms of disease, pain, and infection. |
| Tactile Sense | Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment | Ability to palpate in physical examinations. |
Version 6/5/24
| Requirements | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
|
Critical Thinking, Emotional, and Cognitive Competencies |
Sufficient critical thinking and cognitive abilities in classroom and clinical settings |
Make safe, immediate, well-reasoned clinical judgments. Identify cause/effect relationships in all clinical situations and respond appropriately. Utilize the scientific method and current standards of evidence-based medicine/practice (EBM) to plan, prioritize, and implement patient care. Evaluate the effectiveness of health-related interventions. Accurately follow course syllabi, assignments, directions, academic and facility patient protocols, and any action plan(s) developed by the dean, faculty, administration, or healthcare institution. Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and/or synthesize data as it applies to patient care and medication administration. Demonstrate emotional stability and to exercise independent judgment and discretion to ensure patient safety. |
|
Professionalism |
Interpersonal skills sufficient for professional interaction with a diverse population of individuals, families and groups |
Establish effective, professional relationships with clients, families, staff, and colleagues with varied socioeconomic, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Capacity to comply with all ethical and legal standards, including those of the healthcare profession and the corresponding policies of the College and Clinical Placements Facilities. Respond appropriately to constructive criticism. Displays attributes of professionalism such as integrity, honesty, responsibility, accountability, altruism, compassion, empathy, trust, tolerance, and unbiased attitudes. Project a well-groomed, neat appearance and maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact. Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and exercise ethical judgment. |
|
Communication |
Communication sufficient for professional interactions |
Explanation of treatment, procedure, initiation of health teaching (e.g., teach-back or show-me method). Accurately obtain information from clients, family members/significant others, health team members, and/or faculty. Documentation and interpretation of health-related interventions and client responses. Read, write, interpret, comprehend, and legibly document in multiple formats using standard English. Speak clearly to communicate with patients, families, healthcare team members, peers, and faculty. |
|
Mobility |
Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces |
Functional movement about patient's room, workspaces, and treatment areas. Administer rescue procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The physical ability to transition quickly to accommodate patient needs and to maneuver easily in urgent situations for client safety. |
|
Motor Skills |
Gross and fine motor abilities that are sufficiently effective and safe for providing Allied Health Care |
Ability to effectively calibrate and use equipment. Strength to carry out patient care procedures, such as assisting in the turning and lifting/transferring of patients. Perform and/or assist with expected procedures, treatments, and medication administration using appropriate sterile or clean techniques (for example, medication administration, CPR, phlebotomy). Physical endurance is sufficient to complete all required tasks during the assigned period of clinical practice. |
|
Sensory |
Auditory and visual ability sufficient for observing, monitoring, and assessing health needs |
Ability to detect monitoring device alarms and other emergency signals. Ability to discern sounds and cries for help. Ability to observe client's condition and responses to treatments. Ability to collect information through listening, seeing, smelling, and observation and respond appropriately. Ability to detect foul odors, smoke, changes in skin temperature, skin texture, edema, and other anatomical abnormalities and assess patient’s needs. Possess auditory acuity to communicate effectively. |
|
Observation |
Ability to sufficiently make observations in a health care environment, consistent with program competencies |
Accurate interpretation of information obtained from digital, analog, and waveform diagnostic tools such as temperatures, blood pressures, cardiac rhythms, and diagnostic tools. Observation and interpretation of the following: client's heart and body sounds, body language, the color of wounds, drainage, urine, feces, expectoration, sensitivity to heat, cold, pain, and pressure, and signs and symptoms of disease, pain, and infection. Assess the condition of a patient. Initiate proper emergency care protocols, including CPR. |
|
Tactile Sense |
Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment |
Ability to palpate in physical examinations and various therapeutic interventions. To detect temperature changes, feel vibrations (pulses), and palpate veins for phlebotomy. Possess tactile and hearing senses sufficient to identify patient vital signs |
Version 6/5/24
| Requirements | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking, Emotional, and Cognitive Competencies | Sufficient critical thinking and cognitive abilities in classroom and clinical settings | Make safe, immediate, well-reasoned clinical judgments. Identify cause/effect relationships in all clinical situations and respond appropriately. Utilize the scientific method and current standards of evidence-based medicine/practice (EBM) to plan, prioritize, and implement patient care. Evaluate effectiveness of health-related interventions. Accurately follow course syllabi, assignments, directions, academic and facility patient protocols, and any action plan(s) developed by the dean, faculty, administration, or healthcare institution. Measure, calculate, reason, analyze and/or synthesize data as it applies to patient care and medication administration. Show emotional resilience and exercise autonomous judgement and discretion to safeguard patient well-being. |
| Professionalism | Interpersonal skills sufficient for professional interaction with a diverse population of individuals, families and groups | Establish effective, professional, relationships with clients, families, staff and colleagues with varied socioeconomic, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Capacity to comply with all ethical and legal standards, including those of the healthcare profession and the corresponding policies of the College and Clinical Placements Facilities. Respond appropriately to constructive criticism. Displays attributes of professionalism such as: integrity, honesty, responsibility, accountability, altruism, compassion, empathy, trust, tolerance, and unbiased attitudes. Ability to maintain patient confidentiality. |
| Communication | Communication sufficient for professional interactions | Explanation of treatment, procedure, initiation of health teaching (e.g., teach-back or show-me method). Accurately obtain information from clients, family members/significant others, health team members, and/or faculty. Documentation and interpretation of health-related interventions and client responses. Read, write, interpret, comprehend, and legibly document in multiple formats using standard English. Speak clearly in order to communicate with patients, families, healthcare team members, peers, and faculty. |
| Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces | Functional movement about patient's room, workspaces, and treatment areas. Administer rescue procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The physical ability to transition quickly to accommodate patient needs and to maneuver easily in urgent situations for client safety. |
| Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities which are sufficiently effective and safe for providing Health Care | Ability to effectively calibrate and use equipment. Strength to carry out patient care procedures, such as assisting in the turning and lifting/transferring of patients. Perform and/or assist with expected procedures, treatments, and medication administration using appropriate sterile or clean technique (for example, medication administration, CPR, insertion of catheters). Physical endurance sufficient to complete all required tasks during the assigned period of clinical practice. |
| Sensory | Auditory and visual ability sufficient for observing, monitoring and assessing health needs | Ability to detect monitoring device alarm and other emergency signals. Ability to discern sounds and cries for help. Ability to observe client's condition and responses to treatments. Ability to collect information through listening, seeing, smelling, and observation and respond appropriately. Ability to detect foul odors, smoke, changes in skin temperature, skin texture, edema, and other anatomical abnormalities and assess patient’s needs. |
| Observation | Ability to sufficiently make observations in a health care environment, consistent with program competencies | Accurate interpretation of information obtained from digital, analog, and waveform diagnostic tools such as temperatures, blood pressures, and cardiac rhythms as well as diagnostic tools. Observation and interpretation of the following: client heart and body sounds, body language; color of wounds, drainage, urine, feces, expectoration; sensitivity to heat, cold, pain and pressure; and signs and symptoms of disease, pain, and infection. Initiate proper emergency care protocols, including CPR. |
| Tactile Sense | Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment | Ability to palpate in physical examinations and various therapeutic interventions to detect temperature changes, and feel vibrations (pulses) and palpate veins for cannulation. Possess tactile and hearing senses sufficient to identify patient vital signs. |
Version 6/5/24
| Requirements | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking, Emotional, and Cognitive Competencies | Sufficient critical thinking and cognitive abilities in classroom and clinical settings | Make safe, immediate, well-reasoned clinical judgments. Demonstrate emotional stability and the ability to exerciseindependent judgement and discretion to ensure resident safety. Accurately follow course syllabi, assignments,directions, academic and facility resident protocols, and any action plan(s) developed by the dean, faculty, administration, or healthcare institution. |
| Professionalism | Interpersonal skills sufficient for professional interaction with a diverse population of individuals, families and groups | Establish effective, professional, relationships with clients, families, staff and colleagues with varied socioeconomic, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Capacity to comply with all ethical and legal standards, includingthose of the healthcare profession and the corresponding policies of the College and Clinical Placements Facilities. Respond appropriately to constructive criticism. Displays attributes of professionalism such as: integrity, honesty,responsibility, accountability, altruism, compassion, empathy, trust, tolerance, and unbiased attitudes. Project awell-groomed, neat appearance and maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact. |
| Communication | Communication sufficient for professional interactions | Read, write, interpret, comprehend, and legibly document in multiple formats using standard English. Speak clearly in order to communicate with residents, families, healthcare team members, peers, and faculty. |
| Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces | Functional movement about patient's room, workspaces, and treatment areas. The physical ability to transition quickly to accommodate patient needs and to maneuver easily in urgent situations for client safety. |
| Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities that are sufficiently effective and safe for providing Allied Health Care | Ability to use equipment. Strength to carry out patient care procedures, such as assisting in the turning and lifting/transferring of patients. Physical endurance sufficient to complete all required tasks during the assigned period of clinical practice. |
| Sensory | Auditory and visual ability sufficient for observing, monitoring and assessing health needs | Ability to detect monitoring device alarm and other emergency signals. Ability to discern sounds and cries for help. Ability to observe client's condition and responses to treatments. Ability to collect information through listening, seeing, smelling, and observation and respond appropriately. Ability to detect foul odors, smoke, changes in skin temperature, skin texture. |
| Observation | Ability to sufficiently make observations in a health care environment, consistent with program competencies | Accurate interpretation of information obtained from digital tools such as temperatures and blood pressure readings. Ability to observe, and record the following: change in skin integrity, color of wounds, drainage characteristics, urine output, bowel movements (how often and consistency of stool). |
| Tactile Sense | Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment | Possess tactile and hearing senses sufficient to identify patient vital signs. |
| Requirements | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking, Emotional, and Cognitive Competencies | Sufficient critical thinking and cognitive abilities in classroom and clinical settings | Adhere precisely to course outlines, assignments, instructions, academic and clinical protocols, and any directives outlined by the dean, faculty, administration, or healthcare organization. Apply measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis skills in the context of patient care. Recognize cause-and-effect relationships within various clinical scenarios and respond accordingly. Grasp and establish connections among specific ideas, concepts, and theories as they emerge and are discussed simultaneously. Formulate prompt, well-founded clinical judgments that prioritize safety. Employ the scientific method and adhere to current evidence-based practice (EBP) standards to strategize, prioritize, and execute patient care. Assess the efficacy of health-related interventions. Keep track of tasks and assignments for yourself and others, whether they are short-term or extended or longer durations. Show emotional resilience and exercise autonomous judgment and discretion to safeguard patient well-being. |
| Professionalism | Interpersonal skills sufficient for professional interaction with a diverse population of individuals, families and groups | Cultivate effective, professional, and collaborative relationships with patients/clients, families, colleagues, and staff, acknowledging diverse socioeconomic, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Demonstrate the capability to adhere to all ethical and legal standards, encompassing those specific to the healthcare profession, accreditation and regulatory bodies, and the pertinent policies of the College and Clinical Placement Facilities. Uphold patient confidentiality while exercising ethical judgment. Exhibit professionalism through values and qualities such as integrity, honesty, responsibility, accountability, altruism, compassion, empathy, trust, tolerance, and unbiased attitudes. Embrace constructive criticism, identifying opportunities for professional development and lifelong learning within the dynamic healthcare landscape. Present a well-groomed, tidy appearance, and uphold standards of cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact. |
| Communication | Communication sufficient for professional interactions | Exhibit proficient and respectful verbal and non-verbal communication skills with all stakeholders, encompassing patients/clients, family members, caregivers, practitioners, interprofessional team members, consumers, payers, and policymakers. Demonstrate sensitivity to patients'/clients' differences, values, and needs, including educating on the plan of care and securing informed consent. Accurately gather information from clients, family members/significant others, health team members, and/or faculty. Interpret and document health-related interventions and client responses accurately. Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, interpreting, comprehending, and legibly documenting in various formats using standard English. Communicate effectively and clearly in real-time interactions with patients, families, healthcare team members, peers, and faculty. Effectively educate all stakeholders using methods appropriate to meet the needs of the individual. |
| Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces | Ensure adequate mobility within the patient's room, workspaces, and treatment areas. Rearrange objects, such as repositioning a hospital bed or chair, to create a safe environment for patient care. Demonstrate agility and swift adaptation to meet patient needs promptly, navigating small spaces with ease, particularly in urgent situations to ensure client safety, including safely assisting a patient to the floor. Execute physical tasks and functions for durations of up to 60 minutes, as well as tasks exceeding this timeframe. Engage in physical activities like bending, squatting, kneeling, and climbing stairs to proficiently carry out patient-related duties. |
| Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities that are sufficiently effective and safe for providing Allied Health Care | Administer emergency procedures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Demonstrate proficiency in calibrating and utilizing equipment for patient monitoring, data collection, and providing clear patient instructions on equipment usage. Execute entry-level manual therapy interventions following professional regulatory standards. Possess the physical strength necessary to perform patient care procedures, including assisting in turning, lifting, and transferring patients, and adapting to the diverse mobility levels of adult patients. Exhibit strength and manual dexterity for precise measurement of a patient's or client's movement while maintaining full control over the limb or extremity. Perform or assist in anticipated procedures, treatments, and patient management tasks using proper sterile or clean techniques, such as wound care. Demonstrate physical endurance adequate to fulfill all required tasks throughout the designated clinical practice period. |
| Sensory | Auditory and visual ability sufficient for observing, monitoring and assessing health needs | Demonstrate proficiency in recognizing monitoring device alarms and responding to emergency signals effectively. Exhibit the capability to discern subtle sounds, including cries for help. Display keen observational skills to assess a patient's or client's condition and evaluate treatment responses. Collect information through attentive listening, keen observation, and utilizing senses like sight and smell, responding appropriately to gathered information. Detect and identify various sensory cues, including foul odors, smoke, changes in skin temperature, skin texture, edema, and other anatomical abnormalities, to assess the patient's needs accurately. Possess auditory acuity to effectively communicate with patient’s. |
| Observation | Ability to sufficiently make observations in a health care environment, consistent with program competencies | Effectively interpret data derived from digital, analog, and waveform diagnostic tools, such as blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and cardiac rhythms. Observe, systematically collect data, and interpret various indicators, including patient postures, movements, movement patterns, heart and lung sounds, integumentary changes, body language, wound/tissue color, drainage, urine, feces, expectoration, sensitivity to heat, cold, pain, pressure, light touch, and manifestations of disease, pain, and infection. Effectively evaluate a patient's condition. Promptly initiate appropriate emergency care protocols, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). |
| Tactile Sense | Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment | Demonstrate proficiency in palpation during physical assessments and therapeutic interventions, including the ability to identify temperature changes, perceive vibrations (pulses), and discern variations in tissue textures. Detect both normal and abnormal tissue mobility with precision. Possess tactile and auditory acuity adequate for identifying and interpreting patient vital signs. |
Version 6/5/24
| Requirements | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking and Cognitive Competencies | Sufficient critical thinking and cognitive abilities in classroom and clinical settings | Make safe, immediate, well-reasoned clinical judgments. Identify cause/effect relationships in all clinical situations and respond appropriately. Utilize the scientific method and current standards of evidence-based medicine/practice (EBM) to plan, prioritize, and implement patient care. Evaluate the effectiveness of health-related interventions. Accurately follow course syllabi, assignments, directions, academic and facility patient protocols, and any action plan(s) developed by the dean, faculty, administration, or healthcare institution. Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and/or synthesize data as it applies to patient care and medication administration. |
| Professionalism | Interpersonal skills sufficient for professional interaction with a diverse population of individuals, families, and groups | Establish effective, professional relationships with clients, families, staff, and colleagues with varied socioeconomic, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Capacity to comply with all ethical and legal standards, including those of the healthcare profession and the corresponding policies of the College and Clinical Placements Facilities. Respond appropriately to constructive criticism. Displays attributes of professionalism such as integrity, honesty, responsibility, accountability, altruism, compassion, empathy, trust, tolerance, and unbiased attitudes. |
| Communication | Communication sufficient for professional interactions | Explanation of treatment, procedure, initiation of health teaching (e.g., teach-back or show-me method). Accurately obtain information from clients, family members/significant others, health team members, and/or faculty. Documentation and interpretation of health-related interventions and client responses. Read, write, interpret, comprehend, and legibly document in multiple formats using standard English. |
| Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces | Functional movement about patient's room, workspaces, and treatment areas. Administer rescue procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The physical ability to transition quickly to accommodate patient needs and to maneuver easily in urgent situations for client safety. |
| Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities that are sufficiently effective and safe for providing Allied Health Care | Ability to effectively calibrate and use radiography equipment, accessories, and ancillary devices as needed for patient imaging. Strength to carry out patient care procedures, such as assisting in the turning and lifting/transferring of patients. Perform and/or assist with expected procedures, treatments, and contrast media administration using appropriate sterile or clean techniques (for example, barium and iodinated contrast administration, CPR, a n d insertion of catheters for barium-based procedures). Physical endurance is sufficient to complete all required tasks during the assigned period of clinical practice |
| Sensory | Auditory and visual ability sufficient for observing, monitoring, and assessing health needs | Ability to detect monitoring device alarms and other emergency signals. Ability to discern sounds and cries for help. Ability to observe client's condition and responses to treatments. Ability to collect information through listening, seeing, smelling, and observation and respond appropriately. Ability to detect foul odors, smoke, changes in skin temperature, skin texture, edema, and other anatomical abnormalities. |
| Observation | Ability to sufficiently make observations in a health care environment, consistent with program competencies | Accurate interpretation of information obtained from digital, analog, and waveform diagnostic tools such as temperatures, blood pressures, and cardiac rhythms as well as diagnostic tools. Observation and interpretation of the following: client's heart and body sounds, body language, the color of wounds, drainage, urine, feces, expectoration, sensitivity to heat, cold, pain, and pressure, and signs and symptoms of disease, pain, and infection. |
| Tactile Sense | Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment | Ability to palpate topographic landmarks for radiographic positioning. Feel vibrations (pulses) to detect temperature changes and palpate veins for cannulation. |
Version 6/5/24
| Requirements | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking, Emotional, and Cognitive Competencies | Sufficient critical thinking and cognitive abilities in classroom and clinical settings | Make safe, immediate, well-reasoned clinical judgments. Identify cause/effect relationships in all clinical situations and respond appropriately. Utilize the scientific method and current standards of evidence-based medicine/practice (EBM) to plan, prioritize, and implement patient care. Evaluate the effectiveness of health-related interventions. Accurately follow course syllabi, assignments, directions, academic and facility patient protocols, and any action plan(s) developed by the dean, faculty, administration, or healthcare institution. Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and/or synthesize data as it applies to patient care and medication administration. |
| Professionalism | Interpersonal skills sufficient for professional interaction with a diverse population of individuals, families and groups | Establish effective, professional, relationships with clients, families, staff, and colleagues with varied socioeconomic, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Capacity to comply with all ethical and legal standards, including those of the healthcare profession and the corresponding policies of the College and Clinical Placements Facilities. Respond appropriately to constructive criticism. Displays attributes of professionalism such as integrity, honesty, responsibility, accountability, altruism, compassion, empathy, trust, tolerance, and unbiased attitudes. Keep a neat appearance and maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact. |
| Communication | Communication sufficient for professional interactions | Explanation of treatment, procedure, initiation of health teaching (e.g., teach-back or show-me method). Accurately obtain information from clients, family members/significant others, health team members, and/or faculty. Documentation and interpretation of health-related interventions and client responses. Read, write, interpret, comprehend, and legibly document in multiple formats using standard English. Speak clearly to communicate with patients, families, healthcare team members, peers, and faculty. |
| Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces | Functional movement about patient's room, workspaces, and treatment areas to keep sterile technique. The turnover and transfer of instruments to CSR/Decontamination or case carts to the O.R. |
| Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities that are sufficiently effective and safe for providing Allied Health Care | Ability to effectively use equipment. Use appropriate sterile or clean techniques (for example, transferring items to a sterile field in the O.R., or CPR). Physical endurance is sufficient to complete all required tasks during the assigned period of clinical practice. Possess sufficient strength to push/pull case carts for transfer and lift overhead and bend to lift to transfer surgical instrument sets within the department. |
| Sensory | Auditory and visual ability sufficient for observing, monitoring and assessing health needs | Ability to detect monitoring device alarms and other emergency signals. Ability to discern sounds and cries for help. Ability to observe client's condition and responses to treatments. Ability to collect information through listening, seeing, smelling, and observation and respond appropriately. Ability to detect foul odors, smoke, changes in skin temperature, skin texture, edema, and other anatomical abnormalities. Possess auditory acuity to hear healthcare team members talk in a normal range with or without hearing devices. |
| Observation | Ability to sufficiently make observations in a health care environment, consistent with program competencies | Accurate interpretation of information obtained from digital, analog, and waveform diagnostic tools such as temperatures and humidity of each portion of the Sterile Processing Department. Observation and interpretation of the following: alarms and lights within the department. Assess the condition of surgical instrumentation and equipment by having vision with or without corrective lenses. Initiate proper emergency care protocols, including CPR. |
| Tactile Sense | Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment | Ability to detect temperature changes, and feel vibrations (sterilization equipment). |
Version 6/5/24
| Requirements | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking, Emotional, and Cognitive Competencies | Sufficient critical thinking and cognitive abilities in classroom and clinical settings | Make safe, immediate, well-reasoned clinical judgments. Identify cause/effect relationships in all clinical situations and respond appropriately. Utilize the scientific method and current standards of evidence-based medicine/practice (EBM) to plan, prioritize, and implement patient care. Evaluate the effectiveness of health-related interventions. Accurately follow course syllabi, assignments, directions, academic and facility patient protocols, and any action plan(s) developed by the dean, faculty, administration, or healthcare institution. Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and/or synthesize data as it applies to patient care and medication administration. |
| Professionalism | Interpersonal skills sufficient for professional interaction with a diverse population of individuals, families and groups | Establish effective, professional, relationships with clients, families, staff, and colleagues with varied socioeconomic, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Capacity to comply with all ethical and legal standards, including those of the healthcare profession and the corresponding policies of the College and Clinical Placements Facilities. Respond appropriately to constructive criticism. Displays attributes of professionalism such as integrity, honesty, responsibility, accountability, altruism, compassion, empathy, trust, tolerance, and unbiased attitudes. Keep a neat appearance and maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact. |
| Communication | Communication sufficient for professional interactions | Explanation of treatment, procedure, initiation of health teaching (e.g., teach-back or show-me method). Accurately obtain information from clients, family members/significant others, health team members, and/or faculty. Documentation and interpretation of health-related interventions and client responses. Read, write, interpret, comprehend, and legibly document in multiple formats using standard English. Speak clearly to communicate with patients, families, healthcare team members, peers, and faculty. |
| Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces | Functional movement about patient's room, workspaces, and treatment areas to keep sterile technique. Administer rescue procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The physical ability to transition quickly to accommodate patient needs and to maneuver easily in urgent situations for client safety. The transfer of patients as needed, turnover, and transfer of instruments to CSR/Decontamination. |
| Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities that are sufficiently effective and safe for providing Allied Health Care | Ability to effectively calibrate and use equipment. Strength to carry out patient care procedures, such as assisting in the turning and lifting/transferring of patients. Perform and/or assist with expected procedures, treatments, and medication administration using appropriate sterile or clean techniques (for example, medication administration, CPR, insertion of catheters). Physical endurance is sufficient to complete all required tasks during the assigned period of clinical practice. Possess sufficient strength to push/pull patients and case carts for transfer and lift-to- transfer surgical instrument sets. |
| Sensory | Auditory and visual ability sufficient for observing, monitoring and assessing health needs | Ability to detect monitoring device alarms and other emergency signals. Ability to discern sounds and cries for help. Ability to observe client's condition and responses to treatments. Ability to collect information through listening, seeing, smelling, and observation and respond appropriately. Ability to detect foul odors, smoke, changes in skin temperature, skin texture, edema, and other anatomical abnormalities and assess patient’s needs. Possess auditory acuity to hear a patient or healthcare team members talk in a normal range with or without hearing devices. |
| Observation | Ability to sufficiently make observations in a health care environment, consistent with program competencies | Accurate interpretation of information obtained from digital, analog, and waveform diagnostic tools such as temperatures, blood pressures, and cardiac rhythms as well as diagnostic tools. Observation and interpretation of the following: client's heart and body sounds, body language; the color of wounds, drainage, urine, feces, expectoration; sensitivity to heat, cold, pain, and pressure; and signs and symptoms of disease, pain, and infection. Assess the condition of a patient by having vision with or without corrective lenses. Initiate proper emergency care protocols, including CPR. |
| Tactile Sense | Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment | Ability to palpate in physical examinations and various therapeutic interventions. To detect temperature changes, feel vibrations (pulses). |
Version 6/5/24