COURSE NAME/NUMBER:
Professional Development
CREDITS:
2 Credits
CLASS LOCATION/TIMES:
Location:
Building B, Room 125
Days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Times: 8:00-9:50
PREREQUISITES:
None
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course emphasizes the creation of different styles
of resumes and interview techniques. Cover letters, thank you letters and job
search protocol are covered. Students also participate in mock interviews. The
extern experience, career planning and workplace etiquette are also explored.
A review of test taking strategies and previously covered topics are also covered
in this course in preparation for the Certification Medical Assistant Exam.
INSTRUCTOR: Lea Hoffman, CMA
OFFICE HOURS/CONTACT INFORMATION:
Office Hours: 7:30-8:00 a.m.; 2:30-3:00 p.m.
(By appointment)
Office Location: Building B, Room 125
Phone: (425) 235-2352 Ext. 5734
Email: [email protected]
COURES OBJECTIVES (Course Competencies): Upon successful completion of this
course the student will be able to:
1. Identity three factors that positively impact recognition as a health
care professional.
2. List eight health care jobs that are important and require
professionalism.
3. Explain the importance of a systems perspective.
4. Identify five factors that demonstrate a strong work ethic.
5. Differentiate between the term accountable, reliable, and diligent.
6. Describe the attitudinal differences between optimists and
pessimists.
7. Define corporate compliance, conflict of interest, and whistle
blower.
8. Discuss the importance of confidentiality and HIPPA.
9. Identify how competence and scope of practice impact quality of
care.
10. Define corrective action and list five behaviors that could result in
job dismissal.
11. Explain the purpose of performance evaluations and list three ways
to prepare for one.
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12. Differentiate between objective and subjective evaluation criteria.
13. Define character and personal values and explain how these
affect your reputation as a professional.
14. List four examples of lack of character in the workplace.
15. List four examples of positive values in the work place.
16. Explain how character, personal values, and priorities define who
you are as a person and how you conduct your life.
17. List three important questions to ask yourself when making difficult
ethical decisions.
18. Discuss the importance of your word being as “good as gold.”
19. Give three examples of dishonest behaviors and describe the
impact of dishonesty in the workplace.
20. Define ethics and morals and discuss how they impact decisionmaking and behavior.
21. Define fraud and give three examples.
22. Define reputation and list three factors that influence a person’s
reputation.
23. Describe the concept of interdependence and list three
techniques to strengthen teamwork and interpersonal relationships.
24. Explain why coworkers should be treated as customers.
25. Discuss two ways to demonstrate loyalty to your coworkers and
your employer.
26. Identify four types of workplace teams and explain how they differ.
27. Discuss how personality differences can cause conflicts in the
workplace.
28. Define diversity, list five examples of cultural differences, and
explain why it’s important to have a diverse health care workforce.
29. Explain the role of respect, good manners, and courtesy in the
workplace.
30. Describe why communication skills are the basic for effective
relationships.
31. List three problems that may occur when communicating
electronically and describe three ways to prevent them from
happening.
32. Define conflict resolution and explain its importance.
33. List the four styles of communication, identify which is most
effective in conflict resolution, and describe the potential impact of
each style.
34. List four types of customers found in health care settings and give
five examples of good customer service.
35. Describe five ways to provide good customer service for
hospitalized patients and their family members.
36. Define personal skills and explain how they affect your success as a
health care worker.
37. Define personal image and describe how your personal image
affects the patients you serve.
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38. List five appearances and grooming factors that result in a
professional image.
39. Discuss stereotypes and how they impact first impression.
40. List three examples of annoying and troublesome personal habits.
41. Describe how grammar and vocabulary impact your professional
image.
42. Discuss the importance of maintaining professionalism after hours.
43. Define personal management skills and give three examples.
44. Explain the importance of good time management skills and list five
techniques to improve them.
45. Explain the importance of good personal financial management
skills and list five techniques to improve them.
46. Explain the importance of good stress management skills and list
five techniques to improve them.
47. Describe the importance of critical thinking and problem solving
skills and list the steps involved in problem solving.
48. Identify one challenge unique to your profession and describe how
information in this text can help you tackle that challenge.
49. Define adaptive skills and explain why the ability to manage
change is so important in health care today.
50. Identify the purpose of a practicum.
51. List three benefits of a practicum experience.
52. Describe three ways to prepare for a practicum.
53. Discuss four examples of proper etiquette while on a practicum.
54. Describe three ways to ensure success during a practicum.
55. Explain the importance of patient confidentiality during a
practicum.
56. Discuss the value of keeping a journal during a practicum.
57. Explain the importance of putting the practicum site first.
58. Describe the connection between a practicum and employment
after graduation.
59. Identify four general policies, procedures, and issues related to a
successful practicum experience.
60. Explain the difference between a stagnant career and a dynamic
career.
61. List five questions to ask yourself in career planning and identify
three helpful resources.
62. Describe personal assessments and what can you learn from them.
63. List four ways to explore employment opportunities where you live.
64. Define goals, short-term goals, long term goals, and realistic goals
and explain why goals are important.
65. Describe role models and mentors and explain their value.
66. Identify the importance of computer skills in career advancement.
67. Explain the importance of job application forms and identify four
factors in completing them appropriately.
68. Describe the role of pre-employment assessments.
69. List five important factors in participating in a job interview.
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70. Describe why continuing education is important for health care
workers and list two ways to obtain continuing education.
ATTENDANCE AND MAKE-UP POLICY: Throughout the Medical Assistant Program,
an outstanding work ethic is emphasized and encouraged. Participation and
professionalism are essential to your success as a student and as a Medical
Assistant. Ten percent of your grade involves participation and professionalism.
Professionalism points will be deducted at a total of 1 point per 60 minutes of
class time missed for each subject. Point deductions will be broken down in 15
minute increments. For example: 0-15 minutes = 0.25 points, 16 -30 minutes = 0.50
minutes, etc.
If you must be absent, make arrangements beforehand to have a fellow student
obtain any handouts and reading assignments you miss.
You are also
responsible for getting assignments from a fellow student by phone or email
when you are absent in order to complete an assignment on time. Students
missing three (3) or more consecutive class days due to illness are required to
submit a note from their healthcare provider certifying they are physically able to
return to the classroom. The full attendance policy is outlined in your medical
assistant packet.
NATURE OF THE COURSE: To accommodate a wide variety of learning and
personal styles many different instructional approaches may be used including:
lecture, group discussion, demonstrations, interactive exercises, role playing,
video programs, computer based training, student research, self directed
learning projects and collaborative teaching with Program Instructors.
COURSE OUTLINE: See attached document
GRADING: Grades are based on the following weighted categories and
assigned the corresponding decimal grade:
Professionalism/Participation
Homework
Quizzes
Professional Portfolio
Mock Interview
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
TEXT: Makely, Sherry. Professionalism in Health Care: A Primer for Success, Fourth
Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS:
Pens: Blue or black ink; no erasable or gel pens
Pencils
Calendar for assignments
USB Drive to store work
Portfolio
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RESOURCES:
Accompanying text CD
www.rtc.edu/library
EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER: In case of weather closure
of the RTC Campus, class will be cancelled. Call the school at (425) 235-2352 and
choose option 9 for weather closure information. Information will also be
available on the website (www.RTC.edu) and local television and radio stations.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT POLICIES:
Renton Technical College recognizes and values diversity between students on
campus, including cultural diversity, diversity of age, life style, race, religion, and
financial backgrounds. Students are expected to listen respectfully to others and
conduct themselves professionally in the classroom, at clinical sites, and at all
campus related activities.
Certain behaviors will not be tolerated. Students engaging in those behaviors will
be asked to leave the classroom and appropriate disciplinary steps will be taken.
Students will also lose all their professionalism points for the day.
Examples are:





Unprofessional or disruptive behavior
Sleeping in class
Inappropriate attire
Foul language
Sexual harassment
Cheating and Plagiarism: As outlined in the Allied Health Department Handbook,
Renton Technical College has a zero tolerance policy towards cheating and
plagiarism. On a paper or presentation, if wording is taken directly from any
source without giving credit to the source, the student will receive a zero (0) on
that paper or presentation. When there is doubt, the instructor will make the final
judgment on whether plagiarism has occurred.
Cheating occurs on a quiz, mid-term or final the student will not receive credit
and will be subject to disciplinary action.
Disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to, the student receiving a zero (0)
on a test, paper or presentation up to and including immediate expulsion from
the program.
Reading Assignments: The student is responsible for reading all assigned material
prior to the lecture. Much more can be gained from the classroom discussion if
there is some basic familiarity with the content.
Quizzes: There will be quizzes given approximately once a week. A Pop Quiz
could be given at any point when the instructor needs to evaluate how much
information is being assimilated by the students. Pop Quizzes cannot be made
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up. The first time an absence occurs 10% of the total possible points will be
deducted from the quiz; the second absence 30% will be deducted and the
third absence 50%will be deducted from the quiz. Students will not receive credit
for a pop quiz if they are absent. The student must make arrangements with the
instructor outside of class time to make up a quiz. Arriving more than 10 minutes
late for a quiz will be considered an absence.
Mid Term and Final: There will be a mid-term given after which the student and
instructor will meet and discuss progress as necessary. A final exam will be given
during the last week of the quarter. You will lose one letter grade for every day
the final examination is not taken from the date it is offered to the rest of the
class. The mid-term and cumulative final will be proctored and may be
administered in any form (written, oral, online, etc.).
Homework: is due on the assigned date and must be complete to earn
homework points. If a student is absent on the day homework is due the
homework is considered late and must be submitted the day the student returns
to school to earn points, unless a copy of the homework is submitted via email
before class starts. Points are earned as follows:
Submitted on time and complete
Submitted late and complete
10 points
5 points
Note: Information contained in this syllabus is subject to change
Decimal
Grade
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Grade
Percent
4.0
3.9
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.3
3.2
3.1
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.3
2.2
2.1
2.0
1.9
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.0
100
99
98
97
96
95
94
93
92
91
90
89
88
87
86
85
84
83
82
81
80
79
78
77
76
75
74
73
72
71
70
69
68
67
66 or less
Note:
Grade
Equivalent
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F
Students must earn at least a grade or 2.0 (80%) in each course to
continue in the Medical Assistant Program.
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