Associate in Applied Science - Natural Resource Management

at MSM Group - Spokane Community College USA

The Medical Assistant is an Allied Health professional who assists physicians and other health care providers in their offices or other medical settings. In accordance with respective state laws, they perform a broad range of administrative and clinical duties. In the Medical Assistant program at Spokane Community College, students learn about the administrative duties of scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, performing basic secretarial skills and medical transcription, handling telephone calls, writing correspondence, serving as a liaison between the physician and other individuals, and managing practice finances. The clinical phase of the program is taught through intense training and hands-on application. Students learn to perform clinical duties, including asepsis and infection control, taking patient histories and vital signs, first aid and CPR, preparing patients for procedures, assisting the physician with examinations and treatments, collecting and processing specimens, performing selected diagnostic tests, and preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician. In the 4th quarter the students will have a 198 hour unpaid clinical externship in a medical office working directly with providers.

Learning Outcomes

• The program goals are to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), and psychomotor (skills), and effective (behavior) learning domains. This program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in medical ambulatory care settings.

The software development program trains students in current web and desktop application development using diverse industry technologies. Software development is an evolving field of study requiring continuing education and the ability to adapt to constant change. Graduates from this program acquire problem solving skills, are encouraged to work independently and as a team, and be ethical in all interactions.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn programming concepts and techniques that enable students to be a lifetime learner as technology evolves.
• Understand and implement cost effective and efficient web sites.
• Understand how to properly create, store, and retrieve data from a normalized database.
• Solve problems while developing software or web sites.
• Communicate with clients while developing software or web sites.
• Demonstrate responsibility for meeting deadlines and addressing client needs.
• Understand how technology relates and impacts society.
• Design, develop, deploy and maintain software and web development projects specified by a client.
• Demonstrate professionalism and flexibility.
• Develop research skills and techniques.

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.

Echocardiography is an Allied Health profession specifically concerning the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac and peripheral vascular disease. The technologist performs examinations at the request or direction of a physician. Through subjective sampling and/or recording, the technologist proceeds with the examination to create an easily definable foundation of data from which a correct anatomic and physiologic diagnosis may be established for each patient.

The primary role of the cardiovascular sonographer is to obtain recordings of ultrasound images of the heart and related structures for the physician to interpret. The various types of ultrasound equipment require a highly skilled operator to obtain the imaging information or other data required. The cardiovascular sonographer must obtain appropriate clinical history, cardiac-related physical findings, and pertinent laboratory data in order to adapt the imaging techniques to obtain comprehensive and diagnostic echocardiographic information.

Learning Outcomes

• Perform high quality noninvasive cardiovascular tests on patients, while tailoring the examinations to bring out abnormalities present. Develop skill in performing m-mode, two-dimensional and doppler echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance testing, ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring and pacemaker reprogramming and monitoring.
• Quantitate, subjectively evaluate and interpret data collected to assist the physician in arriving at a diagnosis.
• Develop clinical understanding of the anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of the major adult and pediatric cardiac diseases and deformities.
• Communicate effectively in a professional manner with physicians, patients and members of health teams.

From smart phones to autonomous cars, electronic technology is an integral and constantly changing part of our world. An Electronics Engineering Technician degree provides the foundation necessary to pursue a career in this exciting field.

This lab intensive program provides practical, hands-on experience with a variety of equipment used in the industry. Classes are designed to develop the skills necessary to help engineers develop new electronic products and to evaluate, test, troubleshoot, and repair existing products. Graduates find employment with a wide variety of companies including electronic equipment manufacturers, medical equipment manufacturers, service companies, and hospitals.

To qualify for an associate in applied science degree, students must successfully complete seven quarters of study. The first five quarters are common to all the electronics programs. Students then choose to specialize in Avionics, Applications, or Mechatronics.

Learning Outcomes

• State the characteristics of electronic components and circuits.
• Calculate circuit parameters.
• Demonstrate proper safety procedures.
• Construct electronic parameters.
• Use electronic test equipment to evaluate and troubleshoot electronic circuits.
• Explain career related regulatory requirements.

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 objective of this program is to permit the student maximum flexibility in designing a two-year program of study in business. The student may specialize in a particular area of business such as marketing, management, project management or entrepreneurship; or select courses that provide a general exposure to several areas of business.

The AAS in Business curriculum serves the student by offering modalities for most every course within the degree path for student convenience.

All students graduating from this program must have a minimum grade of 2.0 on each of the Management, Accounting, Economics, and Business required courses. Students must also have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average on all required courses in the program.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the nature of operations, ownership, marketing, business environmental factors, ethics, human resources, finances, regulations, research methodology, and decision-making processes of business.
• Understand realistic mathematical problems relating to the various segments of today's business world.
• Use desk-top calculators efficiently and demonstrate computer user skills including Internet applications.
• Understand the theory of occupation behavior, the basis of human motivation, cultural diversity, organizational structure, and the leader/manager's role in developing a sound behavioral climate in the business organization.
• Communicate effectively--verbal and written--in order to function in the world of work.
• Emphasize skills in one or more areas of business as well as possess "generalist" skills.
• Participate in a supervised volunteer community service experience.
• Understand international business concepts.

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 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.