Technical Standards for Health Science Programs at Washtenaw Community College (WCC): Nursing (APNURL and APNURS)
The purpose of the technical standards is to inform students choosing to enter into a Health Sciences Certificate and Degree Programs at WCC with the basic minimal technical standard requirements which must be met in order to complete all course work 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 at any time. Students enrolled in a Health Science program at WCC must provide care that is safe and effective. These technical standards apply to any student enrolling in any one of the health sciences programs. The student must be able to demonstrate sufficient cognitive, emotional, professional, motor (physical), sensory, and other abilities, with or without accommodation, to meet program technical standards. Students with documented disabilities, or who believe that they may have a protected disability, can request accommodations which may assist with meeting the technical standards for Health Science Programs at WCC. Please contact the WCC Learning Support Services (LSS) office at (734) 973-3342 or email: [email protected].
DISCLAIMER: EXAMPLES PROVIDED ARE NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ASSOCIATED TASKS TO MEET PROGRAM TECHNICAL STANDARDS.
| 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 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. |