Associate in Applied Science - Echocardiography

at MSM Group - Spokane Community College USA

The invasive cardiovascular technologist is a health care professional who, through the use of specific high-technology equipment and at the direction of a qualified physician, performs procedures on patients leading to the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease.

As a member of the cardiac catheterization team, the cardiovascular technologist is a surgical scrub assistant, monitors the patient's condition and operates other "CATH Lab." equipment.

The most important "CATH Lab" studies are coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention (where stents, balloons, plaque removal devices, and other treatments to restore blood flow are deployed), right heart catheterization (where blood flow measurements are made), electrophysiology (where irregular heartbeats are created, studied and treated) and pacemaker implantations.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate collaboration and effective communication among all health care team members in the delivery of cardiac care in all patient settings.
• Analyze information and research and apply it in the health care setting.
• Apply the principles of cultural awareness formulating appropriate modifications to health care plans to accommodate cultural differences.
• Design and implement appropriate treatment plans in all healthcare settings where cardiac care is delivered.
• Apply advanced cardiac care competencies in all health care settings.

Basic and advanced procedures in food preparation are included in the two-year Culinary Arts program. A detailed study is made of the various cooking methods for meats, fish, poultry, vegetables, soups and sauces. Menu terminology and cooking terms are defined and illustrated. Students are given the opportunity to study management factors affecting food cost control, specifications and standards for foods, sanitation, kitchen planning, kitchen equipment, and personnel policies.

Learning Outcomes

• Prepare and serve food in a first class restaurant environment.
• Develop menus listing menu items for a food service operation.
• Practice safe and sanitary work habits in a first class restaurant establishment.
• Produce menu items accurately from standardized recipes.
• Order, purchase and store foods in a commercial kitchen facility.
• Inventory food products.
• Operate commercial kitchen machinery in a safe manner.
• Calculate the costs of a standardized recipe.
• Prepare fine desserts for a first class restaurant.
• Hire and supervise kitchen employees.

The Customer Service degree is a two-year professional program.  The Customer Service Representative program provides the  business background and human relations skills needed to work successfully with clients and customers.  Students may participate in online or on-ground classes.  This degree prepares students for jobs as customer service representatives.  An associate degree in customer service introduces students to techniques used to deliver quality customer service care.  Students develop their communication, marketing, personnel supervision, and customer relations skills.  Subjects taught during a customer service training program are a combination of business and customer service specific courses.  These individuals are the face of the company and are the ones who deal with customers in a friendly and courteous manner.  Customer service professionals are required to interact with customers before, during, and after the sale has been made as well.  Customer service training program graduates will also have a better chance of reaching the supervisory or management levels in this field.

College credit toward degree completion may be earned by articulating from a high school business program, by prior learning assessment, or by completing comprehensive tests administered by the Business Technology Department.

Learning Outcomes

• Use positive human relations skills to successfully deal directly with customers personally or by telephone.
• Appreciate the importance of customer service and its direct relationship to the success of a company.
• Perform a variety of routine clerical duties which may include making photocopies and sorting mail.
• Use current office equipment and office-related software.
• Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Word (expert level) and at the specialist level of Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Apply knowledge of grammar and punctuation skills.

The Arboriculture program provides a study of ornamental trees; from selection and installation to irrigation, fertilization, pruning and care. Students learn how to identify, assess, diagnose and treat tree problems, as well as learn how to use the advanced arboriculture equipment and techniques. At the successful completion of the second year, passing all required coursework, the student will receive the associate in applied sciences degree.

The following is a typical student schedule. Individual student schedules may differ slightly depending on course availability. Courses may only be offered in the quarter indicated.  Outlined curriculum assumes students begin the program fall quarter and continue winter and spring quarters, with summer quarter off.  It is recommended that students work closely with the program advisor when planning classes.

Learning Outcomes
 Apply planting and maintenance practices to lawns, trees and shrubs during the course of a year.

• Apply concepts of landscape design, construction, and installation of residential and small commercial projects.
• Understand and apply the concepts of residential irrigation.
• Diagnose causes of plant problems (i.e. insect, disease, and abiotic problems) and suggest appropriate remedies.
• Understand and apply the principles of weed science to landscape weed management.
• Understand and apply the principles of business management and human relations to agribusiness management.

The Criminal Justice curriculum is made up of courses and a carefully selected group of general education requirements designed to prepare each student for a career in the field of criminal justice. These courses prepare students with theory and practical skills in the areas of criminal law, investigations, interview, communications, human relations, and other criminal justice topics.

Students in this field are encouraged to seek academic counseling. Only a portion of this two-year AAS degree is transferable to four-year institutions. Students interested in four-year degrees should inquire at the college to which they plan to transfer for specific information.

Credits from the police academy training can apply toward meeting the course requirements of this program.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply their knowledge and skill toward successful completion of any criminal justice related job screening process.
• Apply their knowledge and skill toward successful completion of basic training in the criminal justice service industry.
• Apply their knowledge and skill to efficiently and effectively complete criminal justice field work.

The Pharmacy Technician program trains students in all phases of the pharmacy field: drug products, calculations, dosages, dispensing techniques, inventory management, and Washington pharmacy law. Graduates will be prepared to work in both community and hospital pharmacy settings.

Each required course for graduation must be completed with a 2.0 grade or better before proceeding to the next quarter and must be maintained in all classes. The student may enroll in liberal arts either preceding or following the professional curriculum. For an associate in applied science degree, the student must complete 25 credit hours of required courses and 7 hours of department approved electives numbered 100 or above in addition to the one-year professional curriculum.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate accountability as a health care professional.
• Communicate effectively in a professional manner with members of the healthcare team.
• Able to solve math-oriented problems posed to the technician by a pharmacist.
• Practice principles of implementing physician orders in a pharmacy setting.
• Demonstrate standards of aseptic technique and safety in a pharmacy setting.
• Demonstrate knowledge of legal requirements involved in a pharmacy operation.
• Identify appropriate information regarding standard dosing, generic versus trade name and other drug information.
• Understand the role of the technician – the pharmacist/patient/tech interaction; i.e. confidentiality.

The Automotive Technology program prepares students for employment in many areas of the automotive field including dealerships, independent garages, fleet shops, service stations, and specialty shops which cover areas such as tune-ups and brakes. Students may enter the program only in the first quarter. The one-year certificate requires completion of any three quarters of the Automotive Technology program and the four related classes identified in footnote 1. This flexible schedule also enables students to receive short-term certificates while pursuing their degree. Students must complete all courses with a 2.0 grade or better before advancing to subsequent quarters.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe how an automotive heating, ventilation, and air-conditions system works.
• Discuss the refrigerants used and their impact on the environment.
• Explain airflow management and sensors and actuators used.
• Comprehend the refrigerant recycle importance and effects on the environment.
• Discuss engine constructions, energy and power of an engine.
• Discuss compression ratio, torque and horsepower.
• Discuss synthetic engine oils and their advantages.
• Discuss hybrids engine precautions.
• Learn theory and principles of computerized engine controls, automotive exhaust emissions, and fuel injection and ignition systems.
• Working knowledge of the brake system and component identification.
• Basic knowledge of the diagnostic process of the brak system.
• Working knowledge of the suspension system and component identification.
• Working knowledge of the alignment equipment and basic adjustments.
• Principles of late model automatic transmissions, transaxles and sub-assemblies.
• Operation of automotive manual transmissions and transaxles, differential, transfer case, drive line, and constant velocity joints.

This regionally respected American Bar Association (ABA) approved program consists of basic and specialty legal courses designed to prepare students for employment in the legal services field. The program offers an Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS) in Paralegal Studies, and Paralegal Certificate.

The AAS in Paralegal Studies is awarded after completion of 90-98 credits of required coursework. If full class loads are taken each quarter, the program requires 6-7 quarters to complete. The supervised legal work experience required for graduation or the internship must be approved by the program director. A grade of 2.0 or higher in each class (including prerequisites) is required for both the AAS degree and the certificate.

Students may enroll in the certificate program instead of the AAS program if the student is in the process of or has completed an Associate in Arts degree (AA), a bachelor's degree, or advanced degree from an accredited college and/or university.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply knowledge of law and legal procedures through legal research, writing, document drafting, analysis of facts, interviewing and investigation.
• Develop skills in civil and criminal pretrial and trial practice, real estate, business, family law, commercial transactions and litigation, bankruptcy proceedings, intellectual property, estate planning, probate and other specialty areas.
• Develop technological and organizational skills, including categorizing and organizing documents, calendaring, assessing and prioritizing work; managing time; creating and maintaining databases; and using standard forms and checklists.
• Develop understanding of rules of professional and ethical conduct, competence, professionalism and client service.

The associate in applied science degree in Natural Resource Management prepares students to work in the forestry area. This program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Two additional options are available: Parks and Recreation or Wildlife Fisheries. The Parks and Recreation option prepares students for park maintenance and/or interpretive positions.  The Wildlife/Fisheries option prepares students to perform field sampling as well as habitat restoration work.

All students must complete an internship of at least 400 hours to complete the degree.  Second year: Student may remain in the main program which is forestry based, or they may select one of the two options for an AAS degree which requires a total of 105 credits.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify selected forest trees, shrubs, and forbs native to the Pacific Northwest.
• Use various instruments to measure the height, diameter and age of trees and apply this data to volume, site and growth determinations.
• Identify species and habitat needs of common northwest freshwater fish, birds and wildlife.
• Operate hand compasses, level, global positioning systems, and electronic instruments in determining slopes, turning angles, running traverses, locating ownership boundaries, and determining locations.
• Utilize maps and aerial photographs in the management of natural resources, including through the use of geographic information systems.
• Recognize common diseases and insect pests of forest trees and assess their damage.
• Use the computer as a tool for solving natural resources problems.
• Apply field techniques to sample, measure, and monitor wildlife, birds and fish species and their habitat.
• Demonstrate human relationship skills and professional behavior needed for successful job performance.
• Parks maintenance and equipment.
• Recognize and apply the various silvicultural systems and techniques used in ecosystem management.
• Understand concepts of ecology, conservation and management for fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
• Understand concepts involved in soil science including soil management, conservation, and use of soils in forestry and agriculture.
• Maintain and safely operate a chainsaw.
• Write technical reports and give presentations.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is an allied Health Profession where non-physician professionals perform a diagnostic procedure using high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce dynamic visual images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body.  Sonography is used to examine many parts of the body:  abdomen, breasts, OB/GYN, thyroid, scrotum, and blood vessels.  It is also used to guide needles for tissue biopsy or drain an abnormal fluid collection from a body cavity.  Sonography is a radiation-free imaging modality and procedures are performed at the request of a physician.

A diagnostic medical sonographer is a highly-skilled professional who uses specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body that are used by physicians to make a medical diagnosis.  Prior to starting a procedure, the sonographer must obtain an appropriate history, assess physical findings and review pertinent laboratory data.  This information is used to tailor the procedure to ensure comprehensive and diagnostic images are acquired.

Learning Outcomes

• Communicate effectively and in a professional manner with physicians, patients and other members of the healthcare team.
• Competently perform sonographic examinations of the abdomen, superficial structures and obstetrics & gynecology disciplines on patients, while tailoring the examinations to enhance the presence of abnormalities.
• Comprehend a clinical understanding of the anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of the major adult and fetal diseases and deformities.
• Establish the ability to quantify, subjectively evaluate and interpret the data collected to assist the physician in arriving at a diagnosis.
• Strive to meet the health care needs of the community.