ECPI University

This program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Science-Medical Assisting. It prepares the student to perform clinical and administrative functions in a physician‘s office or other medical setting. The Program includes didactic classroom instruction, extensive hands-on laboratory experience, and externship in a local area medical facility. Medical Assisting graduates are CPR certified.

Students graduating from this program may be eligible to become Certified Medical Assistants, Registered Medical Assistants, Certified Phlebotomy Technicians, and EKG Technicians.

Medical Assisting Outcomes:

• Demonstrate characteristics of self-direction and accountability with strong educational foundations for lifelong personal and professional growth.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills to effectively address patient care and to adapt to the rapidly changing challenges in healthcare and medical assisting.
• Provide clinically competent, contemporary care that recognizes individual differences and promotes caring behavior in the health care community.
• Function as competent, beginning practitioner in both clinical and administrative procedures for the medical office.
• Be eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant Exam offered through AAMA and/or the RMA exam by AMT.
• Program provides comprehensive preparation of graduates for work in the career field.

People who work in the physical therapy field enjoy a certain type of gratification. They are often times privileged to help patients recover from serious injuries. Whether it’s back or neck issues, arthritis, neurological conditions, or just simply pains and strains, the rewards of helping someone regain their mobility is great.

Student/Graduate Level Goals:

• The PTA program is designed to help prepare graduates for entry-level practice as physical therapist assistants who will work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner.
• The PTA program is designed to help prepare graduates to demonstrate entry-level critical thinking skills to effectively address patient care situations and to adapt to the rapidly changing challenges in healthcare and physical therapist assistant responsibilities.

Inside an operating room, there is little margin for error. Everything must be precise and well-planned. It’s the job of the Surgical Technologist to make sure all equipment and instruments are right where they should be and readily available.

Known as scrubs or surgical operating technicians, Surgical Technologists work under the direction of doctors and nurses in a team environment.

They’re responsibilities include:

• Setting up surgical instruments, sterile drapes, equipment and solutions
• Assembling and checking equipment
• Positioning and draping patients on the operating table
• Operating lights, suction machines, and diagnostic equipment used during procedures
• Holding and passing instruments and sterile supplies to surgeons
• Holding retractors, cutting sutures, counting sponges, needles and supplies

Students who graduate from the Surgical Technology program will be equipped with the knowledge and skill to assist with basic and advanced surgical procedures.

This knowledge will prepare students to perform in the major operating rooms, minor surgery, surgi-centers, and surgeon‘s offices. Specific program objectives are designed to enable graduates to:

• Possess entry level knowledge of surgical technology and its place in the modern healthcare delivery system
• Understand basic surgical anatomy and physiology in the operating room
• Know the names and uses of all basic and advanced surgical instrumentation.
• Understand and utilize aseptic technique and sterile barriers.
• Discuss and know the flow of a surgical procedure from start to finish.
• Assure that there are accurate counts of all materials and instruments used in any surgical procedure
• Demonstrate ―surgical consciousness.

Dental assistants must have a strong foundation in the fundamental areas of dental assisting including: radiographic, clinical and administrative procedures. Depending on the office, state regulations and preferences of the dentist, assistants play a larger clinical or administrative role.

On any given day, dental assistants can be found in the lab, office area, or treatment area. Assistants are trusted with patient information and medical records, taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays), taking impressions of patients' teeth and teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health. In addition the dental assistant performs office management tasks that often require the use of a personal computer.

Strong communication skills and professionalism ensure the dental assistant with a rewarding job in a growing health care career.

Dental Assistant Outcomes:

• Acquire knowledge and skills necessary to provide a safe environment for patients and dental staff.
• Illustrate competency in the parts and sciences pertinent to dental assisting.
• Attain skills in chairside, clinical, practice management, radiographic and laboratory procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the American Dental Assisting Association's Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional conduct and its importance to the profession of dental assisting.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully complete the Dental Assisting National Examination.
• Participate in dental community events and learning opportunities.

During the course of this program, you could expect to:

• Familiarize yourself with imaging technology tools and equipment.
• Demonstrate the ability to operate diagnostic sonography technology.
• Be introduced to specialized areas of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
• Learn about human anatomy and physiology.
• Experience clinical education.
• Apply knowledge of ethical behavior and bedside manner.

If you are interested in working in the medical field, but don’t want to be confined to a lab with minimal human interaction, a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography could be a good fit for you.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Outcomes:

• Prepare students for the challenging responsibilities of the profession and provide opportunity to acquire a working knowledge of the field.
• Provide a clinical educational experience that enables students to be capable of performing routine sonographic procedures and related functions specific to general Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
• Provide an education experience that promotes effective communication skills, critical thinking abilities and professionalism.
• Promote the development of core values and ethical standards necessary for the delivery of quality, patient-centered care.

Healthcare Administration students first learn basic business and accounting skills as they apply to the healthcare industry. They then learn about health information systems, managed care systems, marketing a healthcare business, public health issues, and legal and ethical issues in healthcare. The acute care track prepares entry level managers for work in hospitals, clinics, and emergency centers. The long term care track prepares students for careers as long term care administrators in skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living.

Upon completion of this program, graduates are expected to:

• Critically analyze research findings for evidence-based medicine and management practices by applying core healthcare administration and fundamental knowledge of the arts and sciences for decision-making.
• Distinguish the legal and ethical standards of practice for healthcare administrators in a variety of healthcare settings and situations.
• Explain the complex relationships between healthcare payers, institutions, and customers within the state, nation, and foreign countries from economic and financial perspectives.
• Apply principles of healthcare administration within the continuum of care.
• Compare and contrast various U.S. healthcare delivery systems nationally and globally.
• Understand and utilize epidemiologic assessments, economic trends, population changes, and healthcare trends.
• Identify and recognize current and future health information technology, biotechnology, and other technological implications in the delivery of healthcare services.
• Apply skills, values, and knowledge from the coursework to present a complex business proposal for a healthcare unit.
• Assess community needs for healthcare technologies.