Seniors in the Health Assistant program participate in a supervised clinical internship at Newton Wellesley Hospital where they develop advanced nurse assisting skills. The students study the pathology and treatment of the patient in acute care. Students are introduced to phlebotomy and performing electrocardiograms. Senior students in Health Assisting, if eligible, may participate in the Cooperative Education program. By their senior year, students have created portfolios which they present at the end of their senior year to the members of the program advisory committee.
Module | Timeframe | Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions) | Major Learning Experiences from Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
The Immune and Lymphatic Systems and Cancer | September -October | How do the immune and lymphatic systems work together to protect the body from disease? What are the normal changes of aging for these systems? Define HIV/AIDS. What activities do and do not spread HIV/AIDS? What is cancer? What are the risk factors, treatment, and care guidelines? | Students will: ￭Define important words in this chapter ￭Explain the structure and function of the immune and lymphatic systems ￭Discuss changes in the immune and lymphatic systems due to aging ￭Describe a common disorder of the immune system ￭Discuss infection prevention guidelines for a resident with HIV/AIDS ￭Discuss care guidelines for a resident with HIV/AIDS ￭Describe cancer ￭Discuss care guidelines for a resident with cancer |
II. Rehabilitation and Restorative Care | November- December | What is supportive care? Why is a positive attitude toward recovery, coupled with an excellent comprehension of the rehabilitation process, the basis of supportive care? What is the purpose of range of motion exercises? What assistive devices are used in rehabilitative care? | Students will: ￭Define important words in this chapter ￭Discuss rehabilitation and restorative care ￭Describe the importance of promoting independence ￭Explain the complications of immobility and describe how exercise helps maintain ￭Describe canes, walkers, and crutches ￭Discuss other assistive devices and orthotics ￭Discuss range of motion exercises |
III. Subacute Care | January -February | What types of residents will a nursing assistant see in subacute care? What are the responsibilities of a nursing assistant in sub acute care? | Students will: ￭Define important words in this chapter ￭Discuss the types of residents who are in a subacute setting ￭Describe preoperative and postoperative care ￭List care guidelines for pulse oximetry ￭Describe telemetry and list care guidelines ￭Explain artificial airways and list care guidelines ￭Discuss care for a resident with a tracheostomy ￭Describe mechanical ventilation and explain care guidelines ￭Describe suctioning and list signs of respiratory distress ￭Describe chest tubes and explain related care ￭Describe alternative feeding methods and related care ￭Discuss care guidelines for dialysis |
IV. End-of-Life Care | March -April | What are the stages and signs of dying, as well as the grieving process? Explore personal attitudes about death. What is Hospice? What is the philosophy and goals of hospice care? Why is it important to maintain as much dignity as is possible for the resident going through the dying process? Review The Dying Person’s Bill of Rights, on page 486 of the textbook. | Students will: ￭Define important words in this chapter ￭Describe palliative care ￭Discuss hospice care ￭Discuss the grief process and related terms ￭Explain legal rights for a resident who is dying ￭Explain how to care for a resident who is dying ￭Discuss factors that influence feelings about death and list ways to meet residents’ individual needs 488 8. Identify common signs of approaching death ￭List changes that may occur in the human body after death ￭Describe ways to help family and friends deal with a resident’s death ￭Describe ways to help staff members cope with a resident’s death ￭Describe postmortem care |
V. Admission, Transfer, Discharge, and Physical Exams | May | What is the nursing assistant’s role in the admission, transfer, and discharge of residents? What assistance will the nursing assistant provide during physical exams? What do families look for when choosing a facility for a loved one? How, during the admission process, can a nursing assistant help a resident to feel welcome and wanted? | Students will: ￭Define important words in this chapter ￭List factors for families choosing a facility ￭Explain the nursing assistant’s role in the emotional adjustment of a new resident . ￭Describe the nursing assistant’s role in the admission process ￭Explain the nursing assistant’s role during an in-house transfer of a resident ￭Explain the nursing assistant’s role in the discharge of a resident ￭Describe the nursing assistant’s role during physical exams |
VI. Your New Position | June | Stop and think about career directions, including how to secure a job, how to have a good relationship with an employer, and the importance of maintaining continuing education. How can a nursing assistant manage their stress effectively? Why is it important to set goals and to stay as mentally and physically healthy as possible? Review examples of hiring paperwork and employee applications. What are positive and negative things seen? | Students will: ￭Define important words in this chapter ￭Describe how to write a résumé and cover letter ￭Identify information that may be required for filling out a job application ￭Discuss proper grooming guidelines for a job interview ￭List techniques for interviewing successfully ￭Describe a standard job description and list steps for following the scope of practice ￭Identify guidelines for maintaining certification and explain the state’s registry ￭Describe continuing education for nursing assistants ￭Describe employee evaluations and discuss feedback ￭Discuss conflict resolution 500 11. Define stress and explain ways to manage stress ￭Describe how to be a valued member of the healthcare community |