Course Standards
Career Planning and Compliance
1) Research careers within the therapeutic field, and document educational requirements as well
as state and national guidelines governing practicing professionals (such as licensing,
certifications, training, compliance). Identify potential training programs, schools, and
examinations appropriate to obtain required credentials for a specific occupation.
2) Investigate and compare the range of skills, competencies, and professional traits required for
careers in the therapeutic field. Compare findings to current individual strengths and identify
opportunities for personal development. Translate real-time and projected labor market data
into narratives to identify local and national employment opportunities and determine areas of
growth within therapeutic health fields.
3) Compare and contrast the specific laws and ethical issues that impact relationships among
patients/clients and the healthcare professional (for example, patient confidentiality). Citing
specific textual evidence to support analysis, debate these issues in an oral or written format.
4) Demonstrate understanding of major legislation and policy affecting health care interaction and
delivery by explaining to a patient/client or classmate the American Hospital Association’s
“Patient Bill of Rights”; National Patient Safety Goals; and Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Health Organizations (JCAHO).
5) Summarize the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and explain
characteristics of advanced directives, living wills, durable power of attorney, and other legal
directives governing medical treatment. Explain, using domain-specific language and accurate
definitions of legal concepts, how the content of these legal documents impacts patients’ rights
for all aspects of care.
6) Construct an argumentative essay developing a claim about the impact of a specific piece of
local, state or federal legislation (such as, but not limited to, bans on smoking, changes to
entitlements, etc) on the health of Tennessee. Develop claim(s) and counterclaim(s) fairly,
supplying data and evidence for reasoning, including an accurate summary of the legislation.
7) Summarize the economic impact of healthcare delivery on the national debt and develop a
graph or other visual depicting findings, citing specific textual evidence.
8) Calculate the costs of a range of health insurance plans, including deductibles, co-pays, PPO’s
and HMO’s. Compare and contrast these plans with the provisions outlined in the Affordable
Care Act. For a selected disease/disorder/injury, predict the total cost (including but not limited
to the diagnostics, procedures, and medications involved) under each of these plans for the
course of the treatment.
9) Gather data related to a specific health issue in a local community (for example, dental health,
mental/social health, and chronic health). Identify all healthcare professionals practicing in that
community aligned to that specific health issue. Justify the need for an increase or decrease in
the number of practicing healthcare professionals based on current data.
Body Function and Structure
10) Outline the gross normal structure and function of all body systems, and summarize appropriate
medical text(s) in order to list signs and symptoms of common diseases and disorders associated
with each.
a. Integumentary and lymphatic systems
b. Nervous and musculoskeletal systems
c. Cardiovascular and respiratory systems
d. Digestive and urinary systems
e. Reproductive and endocrine system
Infection Control/Medical Microbiology
11) Demonstrate concepts and skills of asepsis, Universal Precautions, sanitation, disinfection, and
sterilization for patient/client care settings in adherence to standards and guidelines from the
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) in a lab/clinical setting.
12) Define the term normal flora and explain how its deviation can prevent or cause a disease or
disorder. Outline specific preventive measures to align to acceptable standards of care in the
healthcare field.
13) Compare and contrast healthcare-associated infections with non-healthcare-associated
infections, citing relevant surveillance statistics, preventive measures, and methodologies
concerning outbreak detection, management and education.
Health Records
14) Research the documentation requirements and styles for at least two therapeutic careers.
Demonstrate application of proper documentation techniques for a given patient assessment in
each of the identified careers.
15) Define the terms Health Informatics, Health Information Technology, and Heath Information
Management. Compare and contrast the features and purposes of each in different healthcare
settings (such as a physician’s office, hospital, or emergency services site). (TN Reading 5)
16) Summarize information found in news media, professional journals, and trade magazines to
examine how Telehealth has impacted the healthcare system and explain its benefits and
challenges.
Patient/Client Interaction
17) Evaluate factors that contribute to effective patient/client communication, demonstrating
sensitivity to barriers, cultural differences, and special needs individuals. Use role-plays to
demonstrate effective practices within a clinical or classroom setting. (TN Reading 3)
18) Accurately define and demonstrate an understanding of basic medical terminology in order to
monitor patient/client status through assessment of:
a. History and Physical (H&P) include but not limited to: family, environmental, social and
mental history.
b. Head-to-toe assessment
c. Vital Signs assessment (VS)
d. Height/weight, BMI calculation
e. Dietary assessment
f. Dental Assessment
g. Visual examination
h. Evaluation of diagnostic test results
19) Develop a detailed treatment plan, incorporating accurate medical language, for a case study
patient using applicable assessment information following an interview with patient or family
member.
20) Develop a patient health education plan including preventive measures, signs and symptoms of
exacerbation of disease/disorder/injury, pharmacological needs, and support systems. Include
citations from at least three medical texts.
21) Monitor, evaluate, reassess and report significant changes in a patient/client’s physical, social,
or mental status and relate findings to normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology using
either a case study or family member.
22) Construct a chart or graph to identify and document all healthcare professionals involved in the
assessment, monitoring, treatment, and rehabilitation (if applicable) for the patient/client used
in previous standards.
Therapeutic Statistics
23) Synthesize charts, statistics, and other health-related data to understand the distribution and
determinants of disease in target populations as related to therapeutic services (such as heart
disease in women), and communicate this knowledge to the public through role-plays, written
materials, or other informational resources to improve the health of the community.
24) Evaluate research related to diseases, statistical information, and epidemiology to determine
the unique needs of a target population as related to therapeutic services (such as
cardiovascular rehabilitation services). Compare the incidence of a particular disease/disorder
within this population to its prevalence on local, state, regional, and national levels.
25) Investigate the research and development of pharmaceutical agents, trends related to
biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, immunizations, and pharmacogenomics. Conduct a longterm
independent research project to craft an explanatory text narrating scientific procedures
or technical processes (such as DNA-specific medications). Cite evidence from articles in
scientific journals, defining the questions the author seeks to address.
Community Health
26) Successfully perform American Red Cross or American Heart Association adult, child, and infant
Basic Life Support (BLS) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for Healthcare Providers and First
Aid skills.
27) Research a local community emergency response team. Investigate therapeutic careers involved
with emergency response; describe the education and training required for these healthcare
professionals.
Career Planning and Compliance
1) Research careers within the therapeutic field, and document educational requirements as well
as state and national guidelines governing practicing professionals (such as licensing,
certifications, training, compliance). Identify potential training programs, schools, and
examinations appropriate to obtain required credentials for a specific occupation.
2) Investigate and compare the range of skills, competencies, and professional traits required for
careers in the therapeutic field. Compare findings to current individual strengths and identify
opportunities for personal development. Translate real-time and projected labor market data
into narratives to identify local and national employment opportunities and determine areas of
growth within therapeutic health fields.
3) Compare and contrast the specific laws and ethical issues that impact relationships among
patients/clients and the healthcare professional (for example, patient confidentiality). Citing
specific textual evidence to support analysis, debate these issues in an oral or written format.
4) Demonstrate understanding of major legislation and policy affecting health care interaction and
delivery by explaining to a patient/client or classmate the American Hospital Association’s
“Patient Bill of Rights”; National Patient Safety Goals; and Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Health Organizations (JCAHO).
5) Summarize the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and explain
characteristics of advanced directives, living wills, durable power of attorney, and other legal
directives governing medical treatment. Explain, using domain-specific language and accurate
definitions of legal concepts, how the content of these legal documents impacts patients’ rights
for all aspects of care.
6) Construct an argumentative essay developing a claim about the impact of a specific piece of
local, state or federal legislation (such as, but not limited to, bans on smoking, changes to
entitlements, etc) on the health of Tennessee. Develop claim(s) and counterclaim(s) fairly,
supplying data and evidence for reasoning, including an accurate summary of the legislation.
7) Summarize the economic impact of healthcare delivery on the national debt and develop a
graph or other visual depicting findings, citing specific textual evidence.
8) Calculate the costs of a range of health insurance plans, including deductibles, co-pays, PPO’s
and HMO’s. Compare and contrast these plans with the provisions outlined in the Affordable
Care Act. For a selected disease/disorder/injury, predict the total cost (including but not limited
to the diagnostics, procedures, and medications involved) under each of these plans for the
course of the treatment.
9) Gather data related to a specific health issue in a local community (for example, dental health,
mental/social health, and chronic health). Identify all healthcare professionals practicing in that
community aligned to that specific health issue. Justify the need for an increase or decrease in
the number of practicing healthcare professionals based on current data.
Body Function and Structure
10) Outline the gross normal structure and function of all body systems, and summarize appropriate
medical text(s) in order to list signs and symptoms of common diseases and disorders associated
with each.
a. Integumentary and lymphatic systems
b. Nervous and musculoskeletal systems
c. Cardiovascular and respiratory systems
d. Digestive and urinary systems
e. Reproductive and endocrine system
Infection Control/Medical Microbiology
11) Demonstrate concepts and skills of asepsis, Universal Precautions, sanitation, disinfection, and
sterilization for patient/client care settings in adherence to standards and guidelines from the
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) in a lab/clinical setting.
12) Define the term normal flora and explain how its deviation can prevent or cause a disease or
disorder. Outline specific preventive measures to align to acceptable standards of care in the
healthcare field.
13) Compare and contrast healthcare-associated infections with non-healthcare-associated
infections, citing relevant surveillance statistics, preventive measures, and methodologies
concerning outbreak detection, management and education.
Health Records
14) Research the documentation requirements and styles for at least two therapeutic careers.
Demonstrate application of proper documentation techniques for a given patient assessment in
each of the identified careers.
15) Define the terms Health Informatics, Health Information Technology, and Heath Information
Management. Compare and contrast the features and purposes of each in different healthcare
settings (such as a physician’s office, hospital, or emergency services site). (TN Reading 5)
16) Summarize information found in news media, professional journals, and trade magazines to
examine how Telehealth has impacted the healthcare system and explain its benefits and
challenges.
Patient/Client Interaction
17) Evaluate factors that contribute to effective patient/client communication, demonstrating
sensitivity to barriers, cultural differences, and special needs individuals. Use role-plays to
demonstrate effective practices within a clinical or classroom setting. (TN Reading 3)
18) Accurately define and demonstrate an understanding of basic medical terminology in order to
monitor patient/client status through assessment of:
a. History and Physical (H&P) include but not limited to: family, environmental, social and
mental history.
b. Head-to-toe assessment
c. Vital Signs assessment (VS)
d. Height/weight, BMI calculation
e. Dietary assessment
f. Dental Assessment
g. Visual examination
h. Evaluation of diagnostic test results
19) Develop a detailed treatment plan, incorporating accurate medical language, for a case study
patient using applicable assessment information following an interview with patient or family
member.
20) Develop a patient health education plan including preventive measures, signs and symptoms of
exacerbation of disease/disorder/injury, pharmacological needs, and support systems. Include
citations from at least three medical texts.
21) Monitor, evaluate, reassess and report significant changes in a patient/client’s physical, social,
or mental status and relate findings to normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology using
either a case study or family member.
22) Construct a chart or graph to identify and document all healthcare professionals involved in the
assessment, monitoring, treatment, and rehabilitation (if applicable) for the patient/client used
in previous standards.
Therapeutic Statistics
23) Synthesize charts, statistics, and other health-related data to understand the distribution and
determinants of disease in target populations as related to therapeutic services (such as heart
disease in women), and communicate this knowledge to the public through role-plays, written
materials, or other informational resources to improve the health of the community.
24) Evaluate research related to diseases, statistical information, and epidemiology to determine
the unique needs of a target population as related to therapeutic services (such as
cardiovascular rehabilitation services). Compare the incidence of a particular disease/disorder
within this population to its prevalence on local, state, regional, and national levels.
25) Investigate the research and development of pharmaceutical agents, trends related to
biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, immunizations, and pharmacogenomics. Conduct a longterm
independent research project to craft an explanatory text narrating scientific procedures
or technical processes (such as DNA-specific medications). Cite evidence from articles in
scientific journals, defining the questions the author seeks to address.
Community Health
26) Successfully perform American Red Cross or American Heart Association adult, child, and infant
Basic Life Support (BLS) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for Healthcare Providers and First
Aid skills.
27) Research a local community emergency response team. Investigate therapeutic careers involved
with emergency response; describe the education and training required for these healthcare
professionals.