St. Georges Technical High School
Instructor: Ms. M. McCloskey
Course: Health Information Technology – Level 1 (10th grade)
Phone: 302-449-1973
Room: 208
Email: mary.mccloskey@nccvt.k12.de.us
Planning Period: 1st period
COURSE OVERVIEW
Course Description:
Level 1
This is the introductory course in the Medical Insurance Coding Specialist pathway. Students will study legal/ethical guidelines,
effective communication techniques, commonly used patient and office forms, health care contracts, common insurance plans
such as Medicare, Medicaid, Worker’s Compensation, managed care and others, medical terminology and basic human
anatomy, medical office procedures, commonly employed infection control measures, and clinical skills including blood pressure,
temperature, and respiration according to National Health Career Association standards. This course will provide the foundation
for the learning of more advanced skills in Level II and Level III of the pathway.
Course Goal(s):
Level 1
After completing this course students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of
Legal and ethical guidelines, effective communication techniques, commonly used patient and office forms, health care
contracts, common insurance plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Worker’s Compensation, managed care and others, medical
terminology and basic human anatomy, medical office procedures, commonly employed infection control measures, and vital
sign procedures through both classroom and hands on experiences.
Course Objective(s):
Level 1
Students will be able to, according to National Health Career Association standards:

Explain ethical and legal considerations that govern work in a medical office.

Demonstrate effective communication techniques.

Identify forms commonly placed in patient records.

Identify forms commonly used in a medical office.

Explain the major points in health care contracts.

Explain the major points in Medicare.

Explain the major points in Medicaid.

Explain the major points in Worker’s Compensation.

Explain how managed care plans operate.

Explain the major points in other medical insurance plans.

Appropriately use medical terminology

Demonstrate understanding of human anatomy.

Correctly demonstrate infection control measures.

Demonstrate beginning understanding of vital sign measurement.
REQUIRED SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING:
Students will need to purchase a few items to work in the career area:

Loose leaf paper

Pen, pencil, yellow highlighter, colored pencils

Scissors, ruler

1 large three ring binder with dividers

Class shirt ( approx. 25.00)

Handheld calculator- electronic or solar is fine.

Modeling clay- white and color assortment (Wal-Mart, Kmart etc.)

Stethoscope (optional)
Students will have hands on projects this year that may require supplies to be brought in or used for homework projects. It is
encouraged that these items be purchased at a dollar store to keep cost to a minimum. For example, poster boards, straws, pipe
cleaners.
GRADING POLICY:
There will be grades on two major categories, Formative and Summative Assessments consisting of (Notebooks, Journals, Test,
Quizzes, Class Work, Projects, Presentations, Homework, Labs and Reports). Each area of the student’s work will be graded as
follows:
St. Georges Technical High School
Summative (70%) – Total student performance on major task list items related to the academic/theory performance.
Formative (30%) - Notebook, tests quizzes, presentations, class work, homework and reports used to assess students academic
performance in the career program.
Mid Term Exam (10%)
Final Exam (10%)
* Note-- as a district requirement, full year courses will count for 80% (20% each marking period) for the student’s course grade. The
mid term 10% and final exam 10% will count as 20% of the total course grade.
ATTENDANCE and LATENESS:
Regular attendance and punctuality are critical. A student will be considered late if they are not seated when the bell rings. All
housekeeping should be completed before the bell rings. If a student is late or absent from school, he or she must call the
attendance monitor and the career instructor to notify each person of the absence to receive partial employability points towards
the employability grade.
CONSEQUENCES: Early in the school year I will establish classroom and career area procedures related to how I will conduct my
classroom. After the expectations have been established, I will use the following method to correct my student’s misbehavior.
Although I will make multiple attempts to resolve issues in my classroom, at some point I will use the following procedure.
1st offense = Verbal warning (if the violation is serious or deemed by the instructor to be a safety violation, a referral to the
student advisor will occur).
2nd Offense = Verbal warning and a phone call to parent/guardian (if the violation is serious or deemed by the instructor to
be a safety violation, a referral to the student advisor will occur).
3rd offense = Written referral to the student advisor and a phone call to the parent/guardian. Consequence(s) will be
decided at the discretion of the student advisor.
CO-OPERATIVE EMPLOYMENT, EXTERNSHIPS, INTERNSHIPS AND PRACTICUM REQUIREMENT:
As an integral part of the vocational and technical training experience, cooperative employment or related externships are a
critical part of the senior student training experience. This experience broadens the students training in addition to providing them
with valuable “real world” work opportunities required to complete this career-training program. It is required that all students
participate in these experiences during their senior year. Typically, at the end of the junior school year, the students are ready for
the co-op experience.
MAKE-UP & LATE WORK POLICY:
An excused absence is an absence for which parents note or documentation is provided. Following such an absence, the student
will be allowed to make up all work missed, to take tests which were missed, and to submit any assignments which became due
during the absence. The time allowance for taking tests or turning in assignments shall be equal to the number of school days or
number of class meetings missed due to the excused absence. A teacher may extend the time allowance for making up work
missed if the specific circumstances of the situation merit such action. The time allowances should not exceed more than double
the days the student was absent. THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR INITIATING MAKE-UP WORK AND TURNING IN ASSIGNMENTS RESTS WITH THE
STUDENT.
EXTRA HELP SESSIONS:
If a student’s grades are below an 80% in any class, it is highly recommended that the student stay after school for Extra Help with
that instructor. The student needing extra help must arrange in advance the date and time they will be staying for extra help with
the teacher. If there is a scheduling conflict, the student, teacher or counselor can arrange help with another instructor. Saturday
Academy is available from 8-11am and Tuesday or Thursday buses are available at 4:00pm for students that stay for extra help
sessions.
ACCEPTANCE OF STANDARDS:
St. Georges Technical High School
This course syllabus is to be signed by each student and their parents/guardians to ensure that everyone understands the
expectations for the course. If there are any questions or concerns, please call or email me at the contact information above. The
continued cooperation of the student, parents, and the instructor is vital to the success of each student.
I, __________________________, have read through the course requirements, course outline, and classroom procedures. I agree to
Student Name (Print)
follow all class rules and procedures. I agree to bring my required materials and covered textbook to class everyday. I agree to try
my best and to come to class each day ready to learn.
________________________________
Student Signature
_________
Date
I, __________________________ have read through the course requirements, course outline, and classroom procedures. I agree to
Student Name (Print)
help my son/daughter obtain the required materials needed for the class. I agree to help my son/daughter to do their very best in
this class and to encourage them to succeed.
________________________________
_________
Parent Signature
Date
Note: I find it much quicker, time wise, to respond to email than by phone but I will respond either way. Your child’s success is very
important to me and communication is the primary key to success. I am looking forward to a great school year!