Section outline

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    Welcome!

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    Welcome to Introduction to Health Professions!
     
    Course Introduction
    Welcome to Introduction to Health Professions! In this course, we will explore the vast variety of roles in health sciences to help you explore, understand and prepare for a career in healthcare. After taking this class, you should have a basic understanding of the traditional healthcare pathways and their roles and responsibilities. Students will also be able to align themselves with the healthcare profession/pathway that would best reflect their interests, strengths, and values.


    Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to achieve the following Course Level Objectives:

    1. Identify a range of career opportunities within the healthcare system including key pathways and services
    2. Summarize the education, training, and certification requirements for multiple healthcare professions
    3. Compare roles and responsibilities of various health professionals
    4. Reflect on the student's goals to contribute to patient care and public health and align with a potential healthcare career pathway
    5. Navigate online resources for career exploration and identify the digital tools and technology commonly required in healthcare settings
     
    Navigating the Course
    Adopting institution should provide learners information on how to navigate the course. Consider adding an introductory navigation video. Text description could include, for example:

    This course is set up in Modules covering various topics which may be accessed from the course navigation menu on the left or by scrolling below. Modules may be collapsed in the menu and it the body of the course to minimize scrolling. Each module includes the relevant chapters followed by various activities, which may include discussion forums, listening activities and quizzes, practice quizzes, module tests, and other relevant activities as appropriate for each module. Many items are required and may be marked as completed automatically when the activity has been submitted (the broken check box), but others will marked as done by the student (the solid check box). 
     
    Please move through the items below and continue through the Learner Support and Getting Started modules before moving on to Module 1. Be sure to check for announcements and due dates to stay on track.
     
    Creative Commons attribution license This course and its contents are developed by the authors: and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network, except where otherwise noted. 
     

    Adopting instructors should edit the About Your Instructor and Office Hours Information pages in this Module.

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    Learner Support

    Adopting instructors should edit all pages in this module to reflect their institution's policies.

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    Getting Started

    This module contains all the items you should review and complete before you begin Module 1. Before moving on, be sure to:

    1. Check the News and Announcements Forum
    2. Read the Course Syllabus
    3. Introduce yourself to the class
    4. Read the instructions for the Q & A Forum
    5. Review academic integrity expectations in the course
    Good luck in the course!
    • News and Announcements Forum
      This forum contains general news and announcements. You can find all announcements listed in the "Latest News" block in Course Tools within this course or on your My Courses page.
    • Syllabus and Schedule Page

      Doc Syllabus 

    • Introduce Yourself! Forum
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Use this forum to tell us a little about yourself and your interests. Some topic ideas:

        1. What is your field of study/research interest or concentration?
        2. What are you most interested in learning about in this class and why?
        3. Have you ever taken an online class before?
        4. Any other information you would like to share with your classmates, such as special interests or activities.

      Post a picture!  We look forward to meeting you.

    • Q & A Forum for Students
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Use this forum to ask your instructor any questions you have about the course. You may post at any time, and your instructor will respond here. Be as specific as possible.

      Please keep in mind that others can see your posts, so do not post any personal information. If you have questions about your grade, please email your instructor directly. You can expect a response to posts and emails within [X] hours. [Recommendation is 24 hours M-F, next business day on weekends.]

      Subscription should be set to Auto.

    • Academic Integrity Expectations Page

      Provide specific and contextualized information about how students can comply with institutional academic integrity policies and standards as they complete assessments in the course. 

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    FOR INSTRUCTORS: Using This Template and Additional Resources

    Use the information in this module to customize the template to your needs. This module is currently hidden from students, and available for you to refer to throughout the semester.

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    Module 1: Foundations and Self-Assessment

    Text: Foundations and Self-Assessment Picture: Blue background with multi-color hexagons and heartbeat line.

    Whether you are just beginning to consider a health profession or are already on your path toward a specific goal, an important part of working within healthcare is understanding how each role connects to the broader healthcare ecosystem.

    In this module, we will preview foundational aspects of the five primary pathways of health science professions. As you work through the activities, you will be asked to reflect on your own goals and strengths in relation to the key characteristics of each health science pathway. 

    Image: Stylish blue medical background with hexgon by Starline on freepik.com (website opens in a new window)

     

    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

    1. Identify the five pathways of health science careers
    2. Describe the primary functions of each pathway
    3. Reflect on your goals to contribute to patient care and public health


    To achieve these objectives: 

    1. Read the Module 1 Introduction
    2. Read Chapter 1 Introduction to Health Professions
    3. Complete the questions in the textbook and refer to those answers to complete the Module 1 discussion forum


    Note the check boxes to the right that help you track your progress: some are automatic, and some are manual.

    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.

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    Module 2: Legal and Ethical Implications

    Text: Legal and Ethical Considerations Picture: Blue background with multi-color hexagons and heartbeat line.

    While the five pathways contribute to patient care and the greater healthcare system in different ways, all roles have shared ethics and legalities. In healthcare settings, your rights and responsibilities, your privacy, and your safety is of the upmost importance. This applies to your patients, you as a healthcare professional and you as a patient.

    In this module, we will explore the legal and ethical considerations for healthcare professionals. Concepts such as patient privacy, HIPAA, Hippocratic Oath, and the Patients' Bill of Rights will be covered.

    Image: Stylish blue medical background with hexgon by Starline on freepik.com (website opens in a new window)

     
    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

    1. Identify the important oaths for healthcare professionals
    2. Identify the important documents to inform patient consent
    3. Reflect on your goals in relation to the legal and ethical concerns of healthcare professionals


    To achieve these objectives: 

    1. Read the Module 2 Introduction
    2. Read Chapter 2 in Introduction to Health Professions
    3. Complete the discussion forum.

    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.

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    Module 3: Therapeutic Services

    Text: Therapeutic Services Picture: Blue background with multi-color hexagons and heartbeat line

    Now that we have covered the foundations of the health science pathways and legal and ethical considerations, we can dive into the first of the pathways we will cover: therapeutic services.

    In this module, we will explore how professions in therapeutic services serve the role of supporting patient recovery and promoting overall health. The major areas we will cover include emergency services, therapeutic healthcare, and clinical office service providers.

     Image: Stylish blue medical background with hexgon by Starline on freepik.com (website opens in a new window)
     
     

    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

    1. Identify a range of healthcare careers in the therapeutic services pathway
    2. Compare the roles and responsibilities of featured therapeutic services professions within the broader healthcare system
    3. Summarize the education, training, and certification requirements for therapeutic services professions
    4. Navigate online occupational databases for career exploration in therapeutic services.


    To achieve these objectives: 

    1. Read the Module 3 Introduction 
    2. Read Chapter 3, 4, and 5 in Unit 2 of Introduction to Health Professions
    3. Complete the questions in the textbook for Chapter 3, 4 and 5
    4. Complete the Module 3 discussion forum (Instructors are still working on the textbook, in which the questions in those chapters will be turned into quizzes and a discussion forum in this course to count for credit)

    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.

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    Module 4: Diagnostic Services

    Text: Diagnostic Services Picture: Blue background with multi-color hexagons and heartbeat line.

    As we move deeper into learning about health science careers, this module shifts focus from professions that support patient recovery and promote overall health to the professions within diagnostic services that focus on patient care through identifying and monitoring diseases, conditions and injuries through the use of tests, imaging and laboratory analysis.

    In the module, we will explore three major areas for diagnostic services: medical imaging, laboratory and wellness support, and diagnostic testing. These professionals use specialized equipment and techniques to gather data that helps physicians make accurate medical decisions.

    Image: Stylish blue medical background with hexgon by Starline on freepik.com (website opens in a new window)



    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

    1. Identify a range of healthcare careers in the diagnostic services pathway
    2. Compare the roles and responsibilities of featured diagnostic services professions within the broader healthcare system
    3. Summarize the education, training, and certification requirements for diagnostic services professions
    4. Navigate online occupational databases for career exploration in diagnostic services.


    To achieve these objectives: 

    1. Read the Module 4 Introduction 
    2. Read Chapter 6, 7 and 8 in Unit 3 of Introduction to Health Professions
    3. Complete the questions in the textbook for Chapter 6, 7 and 8
    4. Complete the Module 4 discussion forum


    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.

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    Module 5: Health Informatics

    Text: Health Informatics Picture: Blue background with multi-color hexagons and heartbeat line.

    After reviewing the "behind-the-scenes" type roles represented in diagnostic services, there are still may examples of professions that are front line service with direct patient care. Our next pathway, health informatics, represents the information-driven work of healthcare where many professions require little to no direct contact with patients. 

    In this module, we will explore major areas for health informatics: information management, quality and utilization, medical coding and recording. These professions provide critical support for smoother and more secure transmission and use of health information.

     

    Image: Stylish blue medical background with hexgon by Starline on freepik.com (website opens in a new window)

     
     
    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

    1. Identify a range of healthcare careers in the health informatics pathway
    2. Compare the roles and responsibilities of featured health informatics professions within the broader healthcare system
    3. Summarize the education, training, and certification requirements for health informatics professions
    4. Navigate online occupational databases for career exploration in health informatics.


    To achieve these objectives: 

    1. Read the Module 5 Introduction 
    2. Read Chapter 9, 10 and 11 in Unit 4 of Introduction of Health Professions
    3. Complete the questions in the textbook for Chapter 9, 10 and 11
    4. Complete the Module 5 discussion forum

    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.

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    Module 6: Support Services

    Text: Support Services Picture: Blue background with multi-color hexagons and heartbeat line.

    After reviewing the work and support provided by health informatics professions in relation to the transmission and use of information, we will shift focus now to the support services careers that encompass a wide range of roles which sustain the work of the other career pathways.

    In this module, we will explore the major areas for support services: assistants, technicians, and administrators. These professions provide critical support for the balance and flow of the actions and operations of the other pathways within the healthcare system.



    Image: Stylish blue medical background with hexgon by Starline on freepik.com (website opens in a new window)

     
    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

    1. Identify a range of healthcare careers in the support services pathway
    2. Compare the roles and responsibilities of featured support services professions within the broader healthcare system
    3. Summarize the education, training, and certification requirements for support services professions
    4. Navigate online occupational databases for career exploration in support services.


    To achieve these objectives: 

    1. Read the Module 6 Introduction 
    2. Read Chapter 12 and 13 in Unit 5 of Introduction to Health Professions
    3. Complete the questions in the textbook for Chapter 12 and 13
    4. Complete the Module 6 discussion forum

    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.

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    Module 7: Biotechnology Research and Development

    Text: Biotechnology Research and Development Picture: Blue background with multi-color hexagons and heartbeat line.

    The career pathways explored so far have featured mostly professions that can be completed at the undergraduate and graduate level and are closely tied to patient care. Our next and final pathway we will explore is the pathway that makes all of the other pathways possible as the foundation for expanding on medical knowledge and practice. 

    In this module, we will explore the major areas of biotechnology research and development: pharmacology, biomedicine, and regulation/quality. These professions are research intensive and are at the front lines of shaping the future of healthcare.


    Image: Stylish blue medical background with hexgon by Starline on freepik.com (website opens in a new window)

     
    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

    1. Identify a range of healthcare careers in the biotechnology research and development pathway
    2. Compare the roles and responsibilities of featured biotechnology research and development professions within the broader healthcare system
    3. Summarize the education, training, and certification requirements for biotechnology research and development professions
    4. Navigate online occupational databases for career exploration in biotechnology research and development.


    To achieve these objectives: 

    1. Read the Module 7 Introduction 
    2. Read Chapter 14 and 15 in Unit 6 of Introduction to Health Professions
    3. Complete the questions in the textbook for Chapter 14 and 15
    4. Complete the Module 7 discussion forum

    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.

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    Module 8: Health Career Exploration

    Text: Health Career Exploration Picture: Blue background with multi-color hexagons and heartbeat line.

    In this module you will submit your final assessment for this course. As part of the student-centered approach to this course, the final assessment will be a self-reflective paper. Read the instructions carefully and take note of any special submission guidelines.

    Image: Stylish blue medical background with hexgon by Starline on freepik.com (website opens in a new window)





    Upon completion of this module, you will have:

    1. Read and viewed the final assessment instructions
    2. Prepared and submitted your final assessment

    To achieve these objectives:

    1. Review the final assessment guidelines in your syllabus to make sure you are ready. Click on [Title of Assessment below] and follow the instructions.

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