Health Science Academy High School Tracks

ECRD-1211. Electrocardiograph. (2 Credits)

(2-1-3-0) This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Fundamentals of cardiovascular anatomy and physiology. Includes basic electrocardiography procedures, interpretation of basic dysrhythmias, and appropriate treatment modalities. Lab fee.

HPRS-1105. Essentials of Medical Law/Ethics for Health Professionals. (1 Credit)

(1-1-0-0) This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Introduction to the relationship between legal aspects and ethics in health care, with emphasis on the ethical and legal responsibilities of health care professionals. Lab fee.

MDCA-1160. Clinic Med Assist. (1 Credit)

This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. Lab fee $87 includes professional liability insurance and drug screen.

MDCA-1254. Medical Assisting Credentialing Exam Review. (2 Credits)

(2-2-1-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: MDCA 1417) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. A preparation for one of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies NCCA recognized credentialing exams. Lab fee.

MDCA-1317. Procedures in a Clinical Setting. (3 Credits)

This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Emphasis on patient assessment, examinations, and treatment as directed by a physician. Includes vital signs, collection and documented of patient information, asepsis, office clinical procedures and other treatments as appropriate for ambulatory case settings. Computer with web access is required. Lab fee.

MDCA-1348. Pharmacology & Administration of Medications. (3 Credits)

(3-2-4-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite: HRPS 1105 and NURA 1407) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Instruction in concepts and application of pharmacological principles. Focuses on drug classifications, principles and procedures of medication administration, mathematical systems and conversions, calculation of drug problems, and medico-legal responsibilities of the medical assistant. Lab fee.

MDCA-1452. Medical Assistant Laboratory Procedures. (4 Credits)

(4-3-3-0) This course is taken for academic credit. (Prerequisite or Corequisite: HRPS 1105 and NURA 1407) Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. Application of governmental health care guidelines. Includes specimen collection and handling, quality assurance and quality control in performance of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived laboratory testing. Lab fee.

NURA-1307. Body Systems. (3 Credits)

This course is taken for academic credit. Students will earn an A, B, C, D, F, or W. A basic study of the structures and functions of the human body. Lab fee.

A grade of 75 or better is required in all courses, nursing and non-nursing.

WHAT NURSING ASSISTANTS AND ORDERLIES DO

Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas.

SUMMARY

2021 Median Pay: $30,290 per year; $14.56 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education: See How to Become One
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
On-the-job Training: See How to Become One
Number of Jobs, 2021: 1,389,900
Job Outlook, 2021-31: 5% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2021-31: 64,900

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Most nursing assistants and orderlies work in nursing and residential care facilities and in hospitals. They are physically active and may need to help lift or move patients.

HOW TO BECOME A NURSING ASSISTANT OR ORDERLY

Nursing assistants often need to complete a state-approved education program and pass their state’s competency exam to become licensed or certified. Orderlies typically have at least a high school diploma.

Pay

The median annual wage for nursing assistants was $30,310 in May 2021.

The median annual wage for orderlies was $29,990 in May 2021.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 220,200 openings for nursing assistants and orderlies are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

SUGGESTED CITATION:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nursing Assistants and Orderlies, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm (visited January 18, 2023).

Some careers in this field will require a bachelor's degree.

TVCC's AA degrees are fully transferable to public universities in Texas. See an academic advisor or TVCC's university transfer webpage for more information on this transfer opportunity.
Many of TVCC's AAS degrees lead to an online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree with participating universities. See an academic advisor or the BAAS transfer website for more information on this transfer opportunity.