Allied Health
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The Allied Health Sciences provide students with foundational knowledge necessary for health careers and for transfer programs to four-year colleges and universities. Students take courses that are taught with contextualized instruction to bring students in step with healthcare occupational practices, while providing hands-on instruction. Students also have the benefit of an Allied Health learning community to support their academic success.
Careers in Allied Health professions are among the fastest growing in Northern California. A degree in Allied Health prepares students for further education and for careers in a broad array of health careers.
Skyline College offers an Associate of Science Degree in Allied Health that is specifically geared towards students who wish to continue their education at a four-year institution and ultimately find a career in the health field. Skyline College also offers certificates and degrees in related areas of Allied Health such as surgical technology, anesthesia technology, central services technology, respiratory care, and emergency medical care.
Careers in Allied Health professions are among the fastest growing in Northern California. A degree in Allied Health prepares students for further education and for careers in a broad array of health careers. Salary ranges for these careers vary greatly depending on education level and most mid to advanced level careers require a four-year degree, and in many cases a graduate degree. The Skyline College program is an excellent resource to get you on the path to a higher degree.
Skyline College also offers certificates and degrees in the following Allied Health areas of study:
Looking for classes offered now? Check out the current schedule.
ANST 400 Professional Aspects of Anesthesia Technology (2 units)
Introduction to Anesthesiology's contribution to quality patient care and the relationship of the Anesthesia Technologist to other health care professionals. Focus is on patient safety, universal precautions, and student safety in the health care environment.
ANST 405 Basic Principles of Anesthesia Technology (3 units)
Introduction to the theory and concepts of functioning in a surgical environment including a fundamental understanding of a variety of anesthesia equipment and basic case set-up utilizing anesthesia supplies and equipment.
ANST 410 Basic Anesthesia Equipment (3 units)
Introduction to the theories and concepts in the proper function of anesthesia equipment to include: maintaining equipment, repairing defects and trouble-shooting complications.
ANST 415 Anesthesia Pharmacology (3 units)
Introduction to the theory and concepts in the proper use and safe practice of delivery and storage of anesthesia medications which includes: stocking of the drug cart and assisting the anesthesia care provider in the preparation of the medications.
ANST 420 Application of Principles in Anesthesia Technology (3 units)
Introduction to the theory and concepts of the use and function of anesthesia supplies and equipment used for various surgical procedures to include cases in: general, regional, and conscious sedation.
ANST 425 Anesthesia Technology Clinical Experience I (6 units)
Introduction to the theory and clinical practice of anesthesia to include: general, regional and conscious sedation techniques. Students will become familiarized with the surgical environment and practice skills and abilities in all basic areas related to role of the Anesthesia Technologist.
ANST 430 Advanced Anesthesia Equipment (3 units)
Introduction to the theory and concepts of advanced anesthesia equipment used in surgical procedures.
ANST 435 Anesthesia Technology Clinical Experience II (6 units)
Continued application of advanced theory and concepts of clinical practice skills to mastery. Students operate independently as an Anesthesia Technologist in all aspects of patient care including: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative surgical phases.
ANST 440 Anesthesia Technology Examination and Review (3 units)
Preparation and review for the Certified Anesthesia Technologist examination required by the American Society for Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians.
RPTH 410 Introduction to Patient Care & Respiratory Assessment Techniques (3 units)
The study and practice of basic patient care. Also included will be a review of basic science relevant to respiratory therapy and its application to respiratory system assessment. The class will include some hospital practice.
RPTH 415 Respiratory Pharmacology (2 units)
Study of general pharmacology principles, basic terminology, drug action, dosage, adverse reactions, and drug toxicity. Emphasis will include physiologic actions/interactions and cardio-respiratory medication categorization.
RPTH 420 Application of Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology (3 units)
Study of the healthy cardiopulmonary system with application to the types of alterations that occur with disease.
RPTH 430 Introduction to Respiratory Therapeutics (6 units)
Study and laboratory practice of basic respiratory care procedures. Oxygen and aerosol therapy, alveolar recruitment therapy, airway clearance procedures, advanced airway management, cleaning and care of respiratory therapy equipment, and introduction to ventilation concepts are included.
RPTH 438 Clinical Clerkship I (1 units)
Orientation and supervised experience in the medical/surgical areas of a local hospital, observing and performing respiratory care procedures to non-critical care patients.
RPTH 445 Respiratory Diseases I (2 units)
Using chronic pulmonary disease as models, the student will learn disease terminology, disease classification, history taking and physical examination. Also included will be basic radiologic, clinical and pulmonary diagnostics.
RPTH 448 Clinical Clerkship II (2.5 units)
Continued supervised experience in the medical/surgical patient care areas of a local hospital. Emphasis is on attaining further practice towards mastery of technical skills performed by a Respiratory Care Practitioner in basic therapeutics.
RPTH 450 Respiratory Diseases II (3 units)
Continuation of the study of cardiopulmonary diseases utilizing the model developed in RPTH 445 to include the treatment and pharmacotherapy of selected disorders.
RPTH 458 Clinical Clerkship III (6 units)
Orientation and supervised experience in various adult intensive care units of local hospitals. Emphasis is on orienting, observing, practicing and obtaining basic proficiency in skills performed by a respiratory care practitioner in these areas.
RPTH 460 Respiratory Critical Care (3 units)
Study and practice of techniques necessary to provide respiratory care to patients in adult critical care areas. Emphasis includes advanced airway management, ventilator care, respiratory assessment, monitoring and management, and effective communication.
RPTH 475 Hemodynamic Monitoring and Selected Topics in Respiratory Care (2 units)
The application of advanced principles of cardiopulmonary diagnostics and physiology to the care of critically ill patients. The application of above principles to other body systems.
RPTH 480 Diagnostic/Interventional Procedures and Outpatient Respiratory Care (2 units)
Fundamental diagnostic testing in pulmonary function, cardiopulmonary testing, and bronchoscopy procedures, as well as opportunities for Respiratory Care Practitioners in various outpatient settings will be explored. Through various diagnostic testing studies, the student will be able to identify changes in the patient’s pulmonary status and assist the healthcare team in the outpatient setting to improve patient’s health status and quality of life.
RPTH 485 Clinical Medicine Seminar and Professional Development (2 units)
Students will reinforce their current knowledge of respiratory care practices in selected areas of basic therapeutics, diagnostic procedures and critical care. Varying modes of instruction will be used – laboratory, research and skill development. Integration of pathology, pathophysiology, diagnostics techniques and therapeutic modalities through the utilization of patient case studies. Preparation for job placement by supporting professional development.
RPTH 488 Clinical Clerkship IV (7.5 units)
Continued supervised experience in the Adult Intensive Care Units. Orientation and supervised experience in Neonatal/Pediatric Care Units of a local hospital and other specialty areas. Emphasis is on attaining proficiency in skills performed by a Respiratory Care Practitioner in these areas.
RPTH 490 Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care (2.5 units)
Student will demonstrate the basic foundation and competent delivery of respiratory care with this age specific population by applying the normal and abnormal cardiorespiratory anatomy and physiology of the newborn and pediatric patient. Provides student with the necessary background to pursue further studies in this specialized area.
RPTH 495 Respiratory Care Board Examination Preparation and Review (2 units)
Designed for practicing and preparing second-year Respiratory Therapy Students as Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP) in California. After completing the Respiratory Care Program, graduates must achieve a high cut score in their Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) Exam to become eligible for the Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE). Next, graduates must pass the CSE to earn their Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) Credentials from The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Designed to review the information from the two-year program to prepare graduates better and improve their potential to pass these examinations.
RPTH 665 Selected Topics in Respiratory Care (0.5- 2 units)
This course is designed to develop specific skills that are utilized in the practice of respiratory care. The course may focus on new areas of practice or specialized skills.
RPTH B10 Advanced Cardiopulmonary Respiratory Care (3 units)
Provides an analytical framework through which students will expand their knowledge of respiratory diseases, diagnostic procedures, and symptom management. Includes detailed assessment of cardiopulmonary and neurorespiratory diseases, performance of diagnostic testing, medical interventions, and analysis of treatment benefits.
RPTH B15 Sleep Medicine and Respiratory Care (3 units)
Prepares students to apply polysomnography to diagnose sleep disorders. Students will gain knowledge and skills related to the normal development of sleep patterns and demonstrate the ability to identify specific sleep disorders as well as score sleep stages and respiratory patterns. Emphasis is placed on pediatric and adult assessment, monitoring, and sleep disorders.
RPTH B20 Advanced Respiratory Case Management (3 units)
Applied case management in Respiratory Care highlighting facilitation, integration, coordination and transition of patients through the continuum of care. Students effectively apply strategies for collaboration between the case manager, the client, the payer and appropriate service personnel, in order to optimize the outcome while maintaining client privacy and confidentiality, health, and safety through advocacy and adherence to ethical, legal, accreditation, certification and regulator standards or guidelines.
RPTH B30 Principles of Health Education (3 units)
Provides an analytical framework to teach adult learning theory and prepare the student to teach effectively in healthcare and classroom settings. Topics include learning styles, curriculum development, effective teaching techniques, and assessment of learning.
RPTH B40 Health Care Research Design and Methodology (3 units)
Analysis of research design and methodology in health care and health sciences. Emphasis will include research evaluation and interpretation of results, design methodology, the planning and approval process, data collection and analysis, and communication and presentation of the results.
RPTH B50 Respiratory Care Leadership and Management I (3 units)
Leadership and management theories in effective practices in the healthcare setting. Focuses on introducing roles and responsibilities of a leader and manager. Emphasis is placed on development of skills in leadership, communication, and critical thinking that facilitates positive change, and growth within the Respiratory Care profession. Specific attention is focused on the role of the transformational leader in assuring value, efficiency, and continuous quality improvement.
RPTH B52 Respiratory Care Leadership and Management II (3 units)
Application of advanced level of skills learned in Respiratory Care Leadership and Management I through a case based model approach in various aspects of providing respiratory health care management. Students will identify and apply strategic models to analyze problems, formulate solutions, and make sound decisions.
RPTH B60 Advanced Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care (3 units)
Advanced concepts of neonatal and pediatric respiratory care. Emphasis placed on neonatal and pediatric: Anatomy, cardiopulmonary disease, pathophysiology, high risk procedures, transport, inter-professional collaboration and communication, professionalism, evidence-based medicine, quality assurance and the advanced therapeutic needs of children. Students will demonstrate competence in assessment skills, formulation of patient care plans and application of specific respiratory care modalities for neonatal and pediatric patients.
RPTH B90 Respiratory Care Capstone Project (4 units)
Capstone course in Respiratory Care focuses in areas of advanced cardiopulmonary respiratory care, leadership and management, case management, research, education, or other special areas of interest. Students will identify and complete a project applying knowledge and skills learned in the program. Projects will be developed in collaboration with faculty and community members and are aligned with student areas of interest.
SURG 440 Basic Sciences for Surgical Technology (6.5 units)
Reviews human anatomy and physiology for surgical procedures and common disease states requiring surgical intervention. Also covers medications used during surgery. Concepts of microbiology and basic physics are discussed as they are applied to operating room procedures and practices.
SURG 441 Surgical Patient Care Concepts (5.5 units)
Provides the student with a theoretical and practical understanding of the technology and practices used in caring for a patient undergoing a surgical procedure. Additional material covers the structure and function of a healthcare facility and specifically the Operating Room.
SURG 442 Surgical Specialties (6 units)
Covers the most common procedures and equipment utilized by the surgical technologist during specialty surgery. These specialties include neurosurgery, vascular surgery, orthopedic surgery and others. Prepares the student for the national certification exam.
SURG 443 Clinical Practice for Surgical Technology (10 units)
Provides the student with hands-on experience in the surgical suite caring for patients under the supervision of a surgical technologist or a registered nurse. They will also gain experience in patient and staff interaction and communication. It prepares the student for the national certification examination.
SURG 445 Introduction to Central Service Technology (6.5 units)
The first of three courses providing an introduction to concepts and practical applications of central service processing, distribution and instrumentation. This includes basics of human anatomy, infection control, aseptic technique, sterile processing, decontamination and disinfection.
SURG 446 Clinical Practice for CST (4 units)
The third of three courses in Central Service Technology. Provides the student with supervised experience in sterile processing, supply distribution and inventory control.
SURG 448 Clinical Lab Practicum for Central Service Technology (2 units)
The second of three courses providing the student with hands-on experience in the processing of surgical instruments and medical supplies for disinfection and/or sterilization in a simulated lab and prepares them for the program's clinical phase. The student will practice decontamination, disinfection, inspection, packaging, and sterilization of selected items.
SURG 451 Surgical Skills Lab (5.5 units)
Student practices the clinical skills required to demonstrate competency in the operating room. Skills include, but are not limited to aseptic practices such as scrubbing, gowning and gloving, setting up the instrument table, positioning the patient, and passing instruments supplies and medications to the surgeon. Prepares the student for clinical internship.
SURG 455 Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam Preparation (0.5 units)
Preparation and review for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
SURG 665 Selected Topics in Surgical Technology and Central Service/Sterile Processing (0.5- 2 units)
Designed to develop specific skills that are utilized in the practice of surgical and central service technology. Topics will rotate and will focus on new areas of practice or specialized skills.
| Program | Type | Total Units |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Science | AS | 60 Units |
| Program | Type | Total Units |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Care | BS | 60 Units |
| Respiratory Care | AS | 60 Units |
| Program | Type | Total Units |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesia Technology | AS | 60 Units |
| Surgical Technology | AS | 60 Units |
| Anesthesia Technology | CA | 32 Units |
| Central Service Technology With Clinical Practice | CC | 12.5 Units |
The Skyline College STEM Center brings together academic and student support services for students taking science, technology, engineering and math courses.
The center supports student success by ensuring students have access to resources such as academic tutoring, counseling services, a resource depository for STEM pathways and transfer, a hub for internships and work based learning opportunities, as well as a place where students and staff can collaborate and build a community and supportive connection.
Check out the STEM CenterSkyline College Allied Health Sciences has a new Simulation Laboratory located in Building 7, Room 7-211. The lab features state-of-the-art Gaumard adult, infant and premie tetherless simulators. The lab also includes full patient monitors, beds, standard clinical supplies and a video recording system.
Patient simulators can provide all vital signs, including heart & respiratory rates, pulses, lung sounds, pupil response and oxygen saturation. The manikins are able to realistically simulate virtually any medical problem or condition, including cardiac, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal and metabolic issues.
The patient simulators provide a total hands-on experience in which students are able to see the results of their actions in real time. Currently, the Simulation Lab is used for training students in the Surgical Technology, Respiratory Care, Anesthesia Technology, and Central Services Technology programs.
If faculty at Skyline have any questions or would like to schedule some time in the lab, please contact Barbara Tovar, Lab Coordinator & Technologist at (650) 738-7928.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Use aseptic technique in clinical and laboratory environments.
- Discuss and understand the role of microorganisms in healthy individuals and in infectious diseases.
- Demonstrate understanding of the structure of the human body.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the functions of the organ systems of the human body.
- Apply the concept of homeostasis to basic principles in medicine.
- Discuss and understand the principles of cellular metabolism, molecular genetics, and immunology.
- Demonstrate the ability to report scientific information appropriately and effectively.
- Utilize the scientific method to analyze and interpret data.
- Use the periodic table and other reference sources to gather information needed to solve chemical problems.
- Identify functional groups or reaction types and understand the role of biologically important molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) in the body.
There are no classes offered during this semester.
Areas of Study
Skyline College also offers certificates and degrees in the following Allied Health areas of study: