Introduction to Healthcare Practices

Offered by: Heart of Quest
Category: Health & Social Work
Duration: 12 Weeks
Target Audience: Beginners (youths, adults, school leavers, aspiring caregivers or nurses)
Format: Instructor-led sessions + hands-on demonstrations + role plays
Certification: Certificate of Completion upon successful participation

🎯 Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Understand the structure of healthcare systems and the roles of healthcare professionals

• Demonstrate foundational skills in patient care and communication

• Learn and apply safety, hygiene, and ethical practices in healthcare

• Be equipped for entry-level support roles or further healthcare training

🗓️ Course Modules & Weekly Breakdown

📘 Month 1: Healthcare Foundations & Ethics

Week 1: Overview of the Healthcare System

• Introduction to healthcare sectors (hospitals, clinics, NGOs, public health)

• Key roles (nurse, doctor, technician, caregiver)

• Healthcare documentation and terminology basics

Week 2: Ethics and Legal Responsibilities

• Medical ethics (autonomy, confidentiality, consent)

• Introduction to patient rights and professional conduct

• Case study: Responding to ethical dilemmas

Week 3: Infection Control and Workplace Safety

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Hand hygiene and sanitation protocols

• Simulated practice: Proper PPE use and infection control

Week 4: Communication in Healthcare

• Patient-provider communication

• Empathy and active listening

• Role-play: Conducting a patient interview

🩺 Month 2: Basic Clinical Skills & Patient Care

Week 5: Vital Signs & Basic Assessments

• Understanding and measuring temperature, pulse, BP, and respiration

• Interpreting readings and documenting results

• Hands-on practice on mannequins or peers

Week 6: Mobility and Daily Living Support

• Assisting with daily activities (bathing, dressing, feeding)

• Safe body mechanics and patient transfer techniques

• Using walkers, gait belts, and wheelchairs

Week 7: Wound Care & Hygiene

• Types of wounds and stages of healing

• Basic wound dressing and skin care

• Pressure ulcer prevention

Week 8: Medication Safety Basics

• “Five Rights” of medication administration

• Common medication errors and how to avoid them

• Practice: Reading prescription labels (simulated)

🧠 Month 3: Specialized Topics & Readiness

Week 9: Chronic Disease Awareness

• Understanding diabetes, hypertension, asthma

• Lifestyle changes and community health education

• Role-play: Educating a patient about diabetes

Week 10: Mental Health and Cultural Sensitivity

• Recognizing signs of stress, depression, and anxiety

• Respecting cultural beliefs in caregiving

• Case study: Responding to a mental health emergency

Week 11: First Aid and Emergency Response

• Basics of CPR and first response (certification optional)

• Managing bleeding, choking, allergic reactions

• Emergency drills and simulations

Week 12: Final Assessment & Career Planning

• Final review quiz

• Group capstone project: Health outreach or simulation

• Job readiness: Resume tips, interview role-play, and career pathways

📋 Assessment Methods

• Weekly quizzes and skill demonstrations

• Role-plays and simulation scenarios

• Final capstone presentation

• Attendance and participation

📌 Prerequisites

• Basic literacy

• Willingness to participate in hands-on exercises

• A commitment to attend weekly sessions

🚀 Opportunities After Completion

• Apply for internships or entry-level jobs (e.g., caregiver, health aide)

• Proceed to formal nursing or community health worker programs

• Volunteer in clinics, health outreaches, or NGOs

• Gain a solid foundation for further healthcare education