Associate in Applied Science - Vascular Technology

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.

The Machinist/CNC Technology program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to gain employment in the manufacturing industry. The first year of the program will focus on skills used in a modern machine shop: machine shop math, blueprint reading, and conventional machine tool theory and lab. The last year offers advanced conventional machining and specialized training in CNC theory with introduction to CAD/CAM and procedures in quality control.

Each required course for graduation must be completed with a grade of 2.0 or higher before proceeding to the next quarter.

Learning Outcomes

• Operate a variety of CNC machines.
• Set up tooling for CNC machining operations.
• Perform quality control functions to ensure part compliance with required specification.
• Interpret blueprints.
• Possess knowledge of their role as an employee and factors that are critical to the company’s success.

The Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technician program teaches the skills necessary to succeed in the automotive collision repair industry.  Instruction is primarily in a shop situation where field conditions are simulated.  Students are able to learn by demonstration and direct hands on experience.

Students are instructed in a wide range of skills, including welding, sheet metal repair and replacement, fabrication and restoration techniques, frame and unibody repair, as well as repair and replacement of structural components.

The refinishing portion of our program provides students with a comprehensive education in modern refinishing techniques and materials, as well as material and damage estimation. Students will learn all phases of substrate preparation, color matching and application of the latest paint materials including water born products.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the characteristics of metal and the principles of metal correction.
• Repair damaged bodies, frames, suspensions and sheet metal; remove and replace glass.
• Refinish complete vehicles and spot damaged areas with the latest in refinishing products and equipment.
• Estimate damage costs.
• Understand automotive electrical principles and minor services.
• Weld (wire feed) to industry standards.
• Understand basic shop operation.
• Understand hazardous waste management.
• Demonstrate shop safety practices.

The Network Design and Administration program prepares students as local- and wide-area network administrators. Successful completion of the program provides students with the essential skills of network administration including network design, implementation, maintenance, optimization, and troubleshooting, utilizing a variety of network operating systems, and hardware platforms and protocols. These include but are not limited to Microsoft, Cisco and Linux/UNIX. Upon completion, students have covered objectives leading toward professional certification. Effective oral and written communications are emphasized throughout the program.

Learning Outcomes

• Install and configure servers, workstations, routers, switches, network cabling and wireless devices.
• Show knowledge of network topologies, protocols and technologies.
• Analyze and troubleshoot a network and its peripherals.
• Perform administrative tasks on a network.
• Establish communications between similar and dissimilar networking systems.
• Monitor network performance.
• Show a strong working knowledge of network security policies and procedures.
• Develop research skills and techniques.

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 challenge of management!  It takes a special kind of person with a special knack to be a good business manager.  Over 70 percent of the workforce in Spokane is employed in the fields of business, health care and marketing. This creates a big demand for entry-level managers and supervisors.

The management program at SCC is designed to prepare students for these positions.  The curriculum incorporates individual hands-on experiences while learning the basic principles of business management.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand organizational behavior and leadership, management, business operation, finances, location and layout, record keeping, merchandising and business promotion.
• Understand the planning, organizing, leading and controlling functions of running a business on a day-to-day basis.
• Incorporate information technology and computer applications, including Internet, to the business environment.
• Understand human relations and the importance of ethics, possess an awareness of cultural diversity, the role of international business, the fundamental principles of business law, credit and collections, problem solving, and group decision processes as used in today's business world.
• Understand and possibly accept the challenging entrepreneurial role of owning their own business.
• Communicate effectively.
• Utilize management skills and knowledge by participating in cooperative education and/or supervised volunteer experience.

As a paraprofessional in the accounting field, the accounting assistant analyzes and interprets the essential information about the operations of a business and contributes vitally to important policies and decisions.

An accounting assistant should have an above-average aptitude for working with numbers and the ability to concentrate and communicate. Accounting affords a continuing challenge to creative, alert minds.

In addition to earning and AAS at the completion of the six-quarter program, students will earn an Accounting Clerk Certificate after completing the first three-quarters of the AAS degree, and an Accounting Assistant AAS after completing the full six quarters of the program. All students graduating from this program must have a minimum grade of 2.0 in each of the accounting, business, economics, and management courses. Students must also have a 2.0 cumulative minimum grade point average in all required courses in this program.

This degree is non-transferable to a four-year university. Students working toward the associate in arts degree for transfer to a four-year institution should consult individually with an advisor or counselor for planning the Business DTA or AA degree program. For information on Business DTA and AA degree requirements, refer to the Degree and Certificate Requirements section of the CCS catalog. More information on specific transfer programs can be found in the Academic Programs section of the CCS catalog.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyze financial data and prepare statistical comparisons for use in the budgeting process.
• Assist in determination of inventory order quantities, cash requirements, capital investment decisions, and break-even analysis.
• Use various types of office machines.
• Post and/or supervise the posting of accounts receivable and payable.
• Help maintain data processing applications of routine accounting systems.
• Have a basic comprehension of business operations, a knowledge of business vocabulary, and an understanding of economic systems.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly or annual business and payroll tax reports.
• Process payroll related transactions.

The Greenhouse and Nursery Management program provides students with knowledge and practice in plant production.  Graduates of the program are experienced in topics including plant propagation, pest and disease management, greenhouse management, floral design, plant identification, and business management. 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 the concepts of floral design and management to a commercial florist business.
• Apply growing and maintenance practices to greenhouse and container grown stock during the course of the year.
• Identify and be able to care for the major indoor plants used in interiorscaping.
• Understand and apply the principles of business management and human relations to agribusiness management.

Completion of the two-year Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) program at Spokane Community College prepares the student for an entry-level position in one of the most challenging occupations available.

Entry-level HVAC/R technicians typically work on residential and light commercial systems performing equipment installations, preventative maintenance, and service and repair functions. Opportunities also are available in systems design and sales.

Areas of study include basic HVAC/R systems, electricity, heating, local gas and oil codes, load calculations, cooling, refrigeration, duct design, and troubleshooting. These skills are taught from lab applications coordinated with classroom theory and actual jobsite experience.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate the ability to wire, perform a startup, and evaluate the operation of a natural draft gas furnace.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the operation of, troubleshoot, and repair an electric furnace.
• Obtain a City of Spokane Gas Heating Mechanic's 1 license.
• Demonstrate the abilty to evaluate the operation of, troubleshoot, and repair 80%-95% gas furnaces.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the operation of, troubleshoot, and repair basic medium-temp and low-temp commercial refrigeration systems.
• Obtain an EPA 608 Universal Refrigerant Handling License.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the operation of, troubleshoot, and repair air conditioning systems.
• Demonstrate the ability to follow and comply with local and national safety codes.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the operation of, troubleshoot, and repair a heat pump system.
• Demonstrate the ability to design, install, and commision a basic Direct Digital Control system for a commercial rooftop unit of refrigeration system.

The Fire Science Technology program is designed to prepare students for entry-level careers as firefighters for municipal, industrial, state, and federal fire departments. The primary mission of the Fire Science Technology program is the identification and mitigation of emergencies in order to preserve life and property.

Program Requirements: admittance to the Fire Science Lab classes requires the student's age to be at least 18 or with the instructor's permission. All students are required to carry student accident insurance throughout their enrollment in the Fire Science program.  A 2.0 grade or better must be maintained in all courses required for a degree.

Learning Outcomes

• Have a well–rounded technical background for entry into fire service or rescue related fields.
• Apply knowledge and skill to a successful entrance into the fire service.   

Handle basic Fire, Rescue, and EMS duties.
The duties of the firefighter include, but are not limited to, extinguishing and controlling fires, performing rescue and evacuation work incidental to fire control, accidents, natural disasters, and other incidents where human life is threatened. Firefighters also render emergency aid to those in need. The responsibilities of fire prevention, inspection, and public relation programs aimed at reducing death and property loss are also undertaken.