School At Work

"Building a Career Ladder in Healthcare" Program Components

“School at Work serves as a springboard for employees to go on with their studies to attend college, or may position them for a promotion within the hospital. It not only gives them information, but also the confidence to pursue other opportunities, whether educational or promotional in nature.”

Steve Melton
North Texas Division VP, Human Resources HCA Healthcare
Irving, TX

"SAW enhances the mercy values of Dignity, Justice and Stewardship; it increases retention and rewards loyalty. SAW promotes diversity and positions St. John's Health System as an Employer of Choice."

Jim Brookhart
Vice President of Human Resources
Chief HR Officer
St. John's Health System
Springfield, MO

Course Outline:

1: How to Succeed in SAW and Climb the Career Ladder
2: Reading Workplace Documents
3: Grammar in the Workplace
4: Writing in the Workplace
5: Effective Communications in the Workplace
6: Math in the Workplace, Part I
7: Math in the Workplace, Part II
8: Continuing in SAW & Proceeding up the Career Ladder

Course Outline:

1: Introduction to Medical Terminology, Part I
2: Introduction to Medical Terminology, Part II
3: Anatomy and Physiology, Part I
4: Anatomy and Physiology, Part II
5: Medical Ethics, Privacy, and Professionalism
6: Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Healthcare
7: Organizational Skills and Stress Management for Healthcare Professionals
8: Additional Math for Healthcare Professionals and Interviewing Skills

	"I would have never had the nerve to even apply for a scholarship, if I hadn't been in the SAW program."
	Lisa Williams University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Authority. Madison, WI Awarded Betty Franklin- Hammonds Returning Adult Student Scholarship

	“SAW helped me gain the determination to finish school. Last spring, I became an LVN. I plan to continue my education and become an RN in 2010!.”
	Shasta Hughes, LVN CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System Texarkana, TX

Course Module Descriptions:

Module 1: How to Succeed in SAW and Climb the Career Ladder

Describe the components for success in SAW.
Identify your individual learning style.
Review study skills, including note taking, concentration, and reading speed.
Create a time management calendar.
Begin developing a Career and Learning Plan.

Module 2: Reading Workplace Documents

Read for meaning and the main idea.
Name the four main purposes of workplace documents.
Highlight important aspects of a workplace document.
Effectively handle difficult words.

Module 3: Grammar in the Workplace

Understand common grammar rules.
Identify and avoid some of the most common grammatical errors in workplace documents and in spoken communication.
Recognize and prevent some of the common vocabulary errors in workplace documents and in spoken communication.

Module 4: Writing in the Workplace

Demonstrate the steps of the writing process.
Proofread a document.
Compose a paragraph.
Begin Math practice.
Understand whole number concepts and functions.

Module 5: Effective Communications in the Workplace

Explain the differences between verbal and nonverbal communication.
Understand the steps in the communication process.
Describe barriers to effective communication.
Utilize the communication cycle in the workplace.
Understand and apply customer service skills.

Module 6: Math in the Workplace, Part I

Perform the basic math operations of multiplication and division using whole numbers.
Perform the basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions.
Apply basic math operations in workplace settings.

Module 7: Math in the Workplace, Part II

Perform the basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimals.
Understand the relationship between percents, decimals, and fractions.

Module 8: Continuing in SAW & Proceeding up the Career Ladder

Consider strategies for moving up the career ladder, including continuing education and job advancement opportunities.
Describe various healthcare careers.
Examine clinical roles, competencies, and career opportunities in healthcare.
Apply your writing skills to create business letters, develop a resume, and complete job applications.

Course Module Descriptions:

Module 1: Introduction to Medical Terminology, Part I

Define common prefixes, suffixes, and root words in medical terminology.
Combine prefixes, suffixes, and root words in medical terminology to form new medical terms.
Find the meaning of medical words by using the medical terminology book.
Identify and define medical abbreviations.

Module 2: Introduction to Medical Terminology, Part II

Find the meaning of medical words by using the medical terminology reference book.
State the medical terms used to describe body positions.
Identify and state the parts of the cell including the nucleus, cytoplasm, and chromosomes.
Identify and define medical abbreviations.

Module 3: Anatomy and Physiology, Part I

Describe the purposes of the skeletal, circulatory, respiratory, and muscular systems.
Name at least three structures in each of these body systems.
Correctly identify where at least three structures in each system are located within the human body.

Module 4: Anatomy and Physiology, Part II

Describe the purposes of the nervous, digestive, urinary, and endocrine systems.
Name at least three structures in each of these systems.
Correctly identify where at least three structures in each system are located within the human body.

Module 5: Medical Ethics, Privacy, and Professionalism

Describe the importance of ethics in the healthcare setting.
Give examples of unethical behavior in the use of medical records.
Describe the basic aspects of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) as it relates to patient privacy and confidentiality.
Describe professionalism in healthcare and discuss examples of unprofessional behavior.
Develop a professional resume and cover letter for a healthcare position.

Module 6: Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Healthcare

Review the basics of effective communication skills in healthcare.
Identify the interpersonal skills that are necessary for effective communication to occur.
Identify cultural differences that may affect communication.
Identify strategies for interacting with special needs patients.

Module 7: Organizational Skills and Stress Management for Healthcare Professionals

Identify strategies for organizational effectiveness.
Describe effective time management strategies.
Explore stress management strategies.

Module 8: Additional Math for Healthcare Professionals and Interviewing Skills

Apply mathematical skills to healthcare related problems.
Identify and apply appropriate behavior for successful job interviews.