Appearance Matters

Walk into any hospital and you will notice that everyone is wearing a uniform of some sort. Sometimes the uniform indicates the job of that person or location of work within that medical facility. The bottom line is that the uniform is there to let the public know that you, as a medical worker belong in that environment. The uniform supports public confidence and perhaps just as important, puts the health worker "in the health frame of mind."

A uniform policy also addresses health worker safety. Long nails, while appropriate outside of the medical environment, are known to be a health hazard to both the health worker and patient. Hoop ear rings, bracelets and necklaces can be grabbed by a disoriented patient and cause injury to the health worker. In one of my first jobs I wore a Medic Alert necklace. A patient reached up, grabbed that necklace and began twisting it around my neck. It took some doing to get the patient to release me from their grip.

Since the medical environment has dress and behavior policies, so does the School of Health & Patient Simulation. We do this to help our students prepare for medical work. To get into the habit of looking and feeling like a health worker. As an example, when a student enters SIMS Medical Center, the Virtual Teaching Hospital @ STCC, proper uniforms must be worn. The same is true for all on campus and off campus clinical experiences.

Take a look at your program handbook so you know the uniform policy. Becoming a health work is more than just academic....it is also about getting into the right frame of mind.

HCAR 130 - Introduction to Patient Care Skills

This case based course has the student using the latest in full size patient simulation. Students learn vital signs, sterile techniques, handling of fluids, body mechanics, CPR, basic first aid, documentation, research techniques, professionalism, ethics, cultural diversity, and communication skills. While working with simulated patients in a realistic medical setting, students will explore a wide variety of job duties related to a career in health.

There are no pre-requisites for this 3 credit lecture and lab course.
Hands-on experience is provided through SIMS Medical Center, The Virtual Teaching Hospital of STCC.

To register call your advisor today or the Registrar's Office at 413-755-4321
Limited seating due to the hands on nature of the course.

Not sure a health career is for you?
Try HCAR - 110 Health Directions Seminar
Learn basic health concepts, study skills, and basic communication in the field of health. Emphasis is on career exploration and critical thinking.

SIMS Medical Center - The Virtual Teaching Hospital of STCC

SIMS Medical Center is a nationally recognized patient simulation facility with an experienced faculty and staff dedicated to the exploration of patient simulation with the goal of improved patient care.

SIMS Medical Center (SMC) provides a state of the art educational environment where students and health care personnel obtain new skills and refine existing competencies. SMC has provided workshops for a wide variety of participants, from beginners to "train the trainers." SMC also provides elementary through high school students a chance to explore health careers.

An emphasis on interdisciplinary scenarios closely replicates the medical workforce environment of today. SMC includes a four bed Acute Care Unit, Trauma Room, Surgical Suite, Basic care Unit, and the two bed Berkshire Bank Critical Care Unit. Students get direct hands-on experience with patient simulators from Laerdal, METI, and Gaumard placed in realistic medical settings.

Something important....a career in health

We need bright, determined and compassionate people to join us in meeting the health care needs of the future. There is a critical shortage in nursing and other health fields like Respiratory Therapy, Clinical Lab Science and Surgical Technology. You may not have heard about some of these fields since many people only know of doctors and nurses. The other 60% of the health care team is sometimes called "allied health" and is made up of over 100 different careers. They may not be well known to the public, but each contributes significantly to the care provided our patients. Take this opportunity to see if a career in health is right for you. Visit http://health.stcc.edu to explore the possibilities and put you in contact with people who want to help you do something important....a career in health.

-Dean Foss, School of Health