Course Descriptions

Health Science - HS

General Information

Unless stated otherwise, all courses are non-repeatable except under certain conditions.

Open Enrollment

It is the policy of West Hills College Lemoore, unless specifically exempted by statute, that every course section or class, the average daily attendance of which is to be reported for state aid, wherever offered and maintained by the District, shall be fully open to enrollment and participation by any person who has been admitted to the College and who meets such prerequisites as may be established pursuant to Chapter 11, Division 2, Part VI, Title 5 of the California Administrative Code, commencing with Section 41820.

Unit or Credit Value

Each course carries a certain credit or unit value. The amount is indicated in parentheses at the right of the title. A lecture class requires the equivalent of one academic hour, (50 minutes) per week for each semester unit conferred. Laboratory classes require three academic hours, (150 minutes) per week for each semester unit conferred.

Prerequisite

Prerequisites are prescribed courses covering skills and/or knowledge that are normally expected to be acquired prior to enrolling in another course. The intent of prerequisites is to ensure that any student enrolling in a course in which specific information is required will have the necessary background so that every opportunity exists to experience success. Therefore, any course with a prerequisite presumes that subject matter will be acquired in a sequential way.

Students enrolling in courses without the appropriate prerequisite may find that they are ill-prepared to continue their studies in that course. Prerequisites are designed to enhance success. Please refer to the West Hills College Lemoore prerequisite policy in the Academic Regulations portion of this catalog for additional information.

Corequisite

Corequisites are courses that a student is required to take simultaneously in order to enroll in another course. (Successful completion is defined as a grade C or better for the minimum prerequisite/corequisite requirement.)

Class Hours

The total number of class lecture and laboratory hours for each course is indicated in its course description. The schedule of classes, which is available at the time of class registration, will indicate which dates, days and times a given class is scheduled to meet.

Course Subject

Courses are classified by subjects as they exist at West Hills College Lemoore. All courses within an area usually count towards a major in that area. Other institutions may classify their courses differently. Transfer students should consult the catalog of the four-year college to which they intend to transfer for its classification of identical or comparable courses.

Course Numbering

Courses numbered 001-049 are baccalaureate level (transfer) courses. These courses are transferable to four-year institutions. However, the institution that the student transfers to determines the specific transferability of courses.

Courses numbered 050-99 are associate degree level courses. These courses are primarily for the student who does not plan to continue his/her education beyond the community college level; however, occupational education courses may transfer according to articulation agreements. Complete information on articulation is available through the Counseling Center.

Courses numbered 100-199 are non-transfer and are non-degree applicable; they are skill building or remedial courses.

Courses in some subject areas that are traditionally taught as combination lecture- laboratory courses at four-year colleges are split into two separate courses:  one a lecture course for transfer students and one a laboratory course for both transfer and non-transfer students. Students wishing to transfer must take both the lecture and laboratory courses.

  • NOTE:  In case of transfer and non-transfer courses taught concurrently, a student may receive credit only for the course in which he/she is enrolled, not both. A student cannot change from one course to the other except according to regular drop/add procedures. He/She should be guided by the course description and may need to consult a counselor or advisor for aid.
Abbreviations for Degree, Non-Degree and Transfer Courses

The following abbreviations designate degree applicable, transfer and non-degree applicable courses:

(AA/AS) Associate Degree Applicable

(CSU) Transferable to California State University System

(UC) Transferable to University of California System

(NDA) Non-Degree Applicable

  • HS-005
  • Medical Terminology
  • Credit(s) 3

Medical Terminology
HS 005 is designed to give students an understanding of terminology used in the medical field. Students will learn to build medical terms by using prefixes, suffixes, roots and stems. Students will be taught to spell properly, pronounce medical terms and use commom medical abbreviations. (AA/AS, CSU)

Class Hours:
54 Lecture
Transfers to:
Transfers to CSU only
  • HS-015X
  • Occupational Work Experience
  • Credit(s) 1 - 8

Occupational Work Experience
Cooperative Work Experience Education (CWEE) develops skills and knowledge by integrating classroom study with planned, supervised work experience. It is based on the principle that well-educated individuals develop most effectively through an educational plan that incorporated work experience. Through these structured experiences, the students enrich their college studies, which enhance their total development. Occupational Work Experience is supervised employment which is intendend to asssit students in acquiring desirable work habits, attitudes, and career awareness in the field of the student's major. Students may earn up to 8 units per semester for a maximum of 16 total units. Credits are awarded for paid or voluntary work. For every 75 hours of paid work completed within the semester, 1 unit or credit is awarded. For every 60 hours of volunteer work completeted within the semester, 1 unit of credit is awarded. Occupational Work Experience credits are counted as electives toward an Associate's Degree at West Hills College Lemoore and are transferable to four year universities (for specific transfer elibility, please contact a counselor or an advisor).

Class Hours:
Work Experience
Transfers to:
Transfers to CSU only
  • HS-050
  • Sterile Processing Tech Prep
  • Credit(s) 5

Sterile Processing Technician Preparatio
This theory course is consistent with the sterile processing industry, local and county regulations that pertain to processing instruments and equipment in a medical facility. HS 50, along with the laboratory corequisite course HS 050L prepares students to function as Sterile Processing echnicians. This theory course will include important practice and background information on basic concepts of asepsis, universal precautions,AIDS, medical disease processes, medical terminology, medical ethics, legal aspects of patient contact, respiratory therapy assisting,laboratory sterile processing to process instructments, equipment and supplies for utilization in the operating room, in-house departments and clinics; this includes appropriate record keeping and distribution. Students wishing to use this course toward a health degree or ertificate must obtain a 77% or higher.Successful students will be eligible to sit for the IAHSCMM exam for certification. (AA/AS)

Class Hours:
90 Lecture
Take HS-50L (Required, Previous or concurrent).:
Transfers to:
Not transferable
  • HS-050L
  • Sterile Processing Tech Prep
  • Credit(s) 8.5

Sterile Processing Technician Preparatio
This is the laboratory portion of the Sterile Processing Technician Preparation Program. This course will include important practice and background information on basic concepts of asepsis, universal precautions, AIDS, medical disease processes, medical terminology, medical ethics, legal aspects of patient contact, laboratory sterile processing to process instruments, equipment and supplies for utilization in the operating room, in-house departments and clinics; this includes a appropriate record keeping and distribution. Additionally, students will practice with equipment and perform hands on labs including introduction to the function and proper use of the autoclave machines, reprocessing of instrumentation and sterilization principles, universal precautions including decontamination, instruction preparation, and general sterilization. Students are required to take HS 50 as a corequisite. Students wishing to use this course toward a health degree or certificate must obtain a 77% or higher. Successful students will be eligible to sit for the IAHSCMM exam for certification. (AA/AS)

Class Hours:
459 Laboratory
Take HS-50 (Required, Previous or concurrent).:
Transfers to:
Not transferable
  • HS-051
  • Medical Assisting Back Office
  • Credit(s) 9

Medical Assisting Back Office
This course consists of theory and clinical practice that will enable the student to acquire the skills necessary to function as a medical assistant in the back office of a healthcare provider or in a healthcare clinic. It also requires the student to enroll in at least 1 unit of CWEE courses, course HS 015X.(AA/AS)

Class Hours:
126.00 Lecture | 108.00 Laboratory
Corequisite(s):
HS 015X (Required, Previous or concurrent).
Advisory(s):
HS 005, Healthcare Provider CPR card, negative TB screening, background clearance may be required by facilities (Recommended, Previous or concurrent).
Transfers to:
Not transferable
  • HS-052
  • Medical Assisting-Administrati
  • Credit(s) 9

Medical Assisting -Administrative
This course consists of theory and clinical practice that will enable the student to build on computer skills and acquire the office skills necessary to function as an administrative medical ssistant and/or receptionist in the front office of a healthcare provider or in a healthcare clinic. (AA/AS)

Class Hours:
126.00 Lecture | 108.00 Laboratory
Corerequisite(s):
HS 015X (Required, Previous or concurrent).
Advisory(s):
Healthcare provider CPR card, negative TB screening and background clearance may be required by facilities (Recommended, Previous or concurrent).
Transfers to:
Not transferable
  • HS-061
  • Nurse Assistant Training
  • Credit(s) 6

Nurse Assistant Training
The Nurse Assistant Training course is a class in compliance with the regulations of the California Department of Public Health. This course includes theory content, skills practice and delivery of care to acute patients and long term residents. This course meets on campus for both theory and skills lab and in healthcare facilities. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be eligible to take the California Certified Nursing Assistant examination. (AA/AS)

Class Hours:
63.00 Lecture | 135.00 Laboratory
Advisory(s):
ENG 051A, students must be at least 17year of age, physical exam clearance, negative TB screen, and negative criminal background (Recommended, Previous or concurrent).
Transfers to:
Not transferable
  • HS-090
  • Medical Mathematics
  • Credit(s) 2

Medical Mathematics
This course focuses on the development of mathematical and analytical skills related to the delivery of drugs and solutions by registered nurses. Topics will include the calculation of oral medications, intravenous medications, intravenous drip rates, and injective medications. This course will prepare the student for entry into nursing school. Due to the nature of the course, students will be required to earn at least an 80% in order to pass. (AA/AS)

Class Hours:
36 Lecture
Advisory(s); HS 005, MATH 101:
Transfers to:
Not transferable
  • HS-30.3
  • Cardiovascular (ekg) Tech
  • Credit(s) 5

Cardiovascular (ekg) Technician
This comprehensive EKG Technician Course prepares students to function as cardiovascular (EKG) Technicians. This Course will include important practice and background information on anatomy of the heart and physiology, medical disease processes, medical terminology, medical ethics, legal aspects of patient contact, respiratory therapy assisting, and electrocardiography. Additionally, students will practice with equipment and perform hands on labs including introduction to the function and proper use of the machine, the normal anatomy of the chest wall for proper placement, 12-lead placement and other clinical practices. Students whishing to use this course toward a health degree or certificate must obtain a 77% or above. (AA) Advisory: Strongly Recommended Preparation of HS 5, BIO 32, Math 101, and ENG 105B.

Class Hours:
54.00 Lecture | 108.00 Laboratory
Transfers to:
Transfers to CSU only
  • HS-30.5
  • Sterile Processing Tech Prep
  • Credit(s) 13.5

Sterile Processing Tech Preparation
This comprehensive Certified Sterile Processing Technician course functions within the sterile processing industry local and county regulations that pertain to processing instruments, equipment Certified Sterile Processing Technician course prepares students to function as Sterile Processing Technicians, This course will include important practice and background information on basic concepts of asepsis, universal precautions, AIDS, medical disease processes, medical terminology, medical ethics, legal aspect of patient contact, respiratory therapy assisting, laboratory sterile processing to process instruments, equipment and supplies appropriate record keeping and distribution. Additionally, students will practice with equipment and perform hands-on labs, including introduction to the function and proper use of the autoclave machines, reprocessing of isntrumentation and sterilization principles, universal precautions including decontamination, instruction preparation, and general sterilization. Students wishing to use this course toward a health degree or certificate must obatain a 77% or higher. Successful students will be eligible to take the IAHSCMM examination certification. Advisory: Strongly Recommended Preparation of HS 5, Bio 32, Math 101, and ENG 105B.

Class Hours:
90.00 Lecture | 459.00 Laboratory
Transfers to:
Transfers to CSU only