In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program.
This information should be reviewed prior to applying to the program.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made to ensure access to academic programs, activities, services, and employment in accordance with Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. If accommodations are needed, contact the campus Accommodations Specialist or the Northwood Tech Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Officer, at 715-645-7042, TTY 711, 30 days in advance of needed assistance. Services available are documented on the Northwood Tech Accommodations webpage:
Accommodation Services | Northwood Technical College.
For more information, please see Administrative Procedure J-111A Reasonable Accommodation for Student.
Area
Physical Skills
Standard
The student must demonstrate:
- Gross motor for data collection/assessment, intervention, and to promote a safe environment.
- Fine motor/dexterity to manipulate small objects and complete procedures or assessments.
- Endurance, strength, mobility, balance, flexibility, and coordination to perform client care activities and emergency procedures.
Examples (Not Inclusive)
- Gross motor skills-Push/pull/maneuver a medication cart and assist other staff with resident personal care tasks
- Push/ pull (up to 50 #), squat, reach below waist, climb/descend stairs, move quickly, and walk independently during resident care activities and in case of emergencies
- Fine motor skills-To open pill bottles, bubble packs, liquid medication bottles, medication tubes and other medication packages
- Endurance-Maintain physical activity for 5-8 hours
Sensory Skills
The student must demonstrate:
- Vision sufficient for observation and assessment of patient care.
- Tactile, auditory, visual, and olfactory ability for data collection/assessment and to promote a safe care environment.
- Ability to tolerate exposure to odors and common allergens.
- Vision-Ability to observe and report objective data and accurately report to Charge Nurse
- Tactile, auditory, visual, olfactory - Grasp, squeeze, pinch and manipulate equipment for at least 5 seconds
- Read and report vital signs including temperature, pulse, respiration and O2 sats
- See/feel subtle differences in skin texture/temperature and vibrations through skin and detect dangerous temperatures in food/beverages, water temps and the environment
- Detect changes in body and environmental odors
- Detect faint noises, see objects clearly at 20 feet, depth perception to identify dangerous objects or situations
- Tolerate exposure to lotions, soaps, shampoos, cleaning products, and pets. (Students must inform instructor of pet allergies BEFORE clinicals and attempts will be made to place student in a pet free facility if available)
- Tolerate heat and humidity up to 90 degrees for 30 minutes
Communication Skills
The student must have the ability to:
- Communicate effectively with patients/clients, families, peers, supervisors, members of the public, and other healthcare professionals.
- Observe, recognize, respond to, and use appropriate non-verbal communication.
- Listen and respond to others in a nonjudgmental, respectful manner.
- Speak, read, comprehend, interpret, and convey information.
- Produce written work legibly, accurately, and in a timely manner.
- Read and understand digital and computer displays, as well as enter data in a computerized client record.
- Cope with strong emotions and adapt to unpredictable situations.
- Ability to speak, write and understand English
- Read and understand a MAR, reference books and state regulations
- Ability to interact with others
- Ability to accurately and clearly relay resident/patient/client condition or change in condition to other team members verbally and in writing, in a timely manner
- Ability to advocate for the needs of the residents
- Ability to recognize non-verbal cues from residents and interact with residents experiencing stress, emotional upset
- Adapt to changing situation/emergencies while maintaining emotional control
- Cope with residents who have strong emotions/physical outbursts or cognitive impairment while remaining in a reasonable state of calm
- Focus their attention on residents’ needs despite interruptions and multiple demands
Safety Skills
The student must have the ability to:
- Apply knowledge, skills, and experience to provide a safe environment for the patient/client, self, and the healthcare team.
- Respond appropriately to threatening or emergent situations.
- Adhere to safety guidelines and regulations in a variety of healthcare settings.
- Demonstrate safety and infection control practices and have the ability to recognize emergencies and respond quickly to problems in a fast-paced environment
Critical Thinking Skills
The student must have the ability to execute the following skills in a timely/immediate manner:
- Problem solve creatively.
- Make decisions based on data and policy.
- Analyze, synthesize, and interpret information.
- Make safe and appropriate decisions, including when under stressful situations.
- Acknowledge limitations of knowledge or performance ability (stay within scope of practice).
- Perform basic mathematical skills.
- Make quick decisions during changing conditions based on resident safety while following facility policy and safety and infection control guidelines
- Apply legal/ethical standards to your practice
- Recognize a task that is beyond your scope of practice and have the ability to decline the task
- Basic math skills (add, subtract, multiply and divide without a calculator), read medication orders and recognize errors on orders
- Read time on a clock accurately
- Read emergency handbooks and directional signs during an emergency
- Read computer displays, and digital number displays on vital sign equipment
Professionalism
The student must demonstrate:
- Integrity, moral reasoning, ethical behaviors, and concerns for others.
- Respect for diverse populations.
- Ability to adapt to changing environments.
- Ability to function effectively under stress.
- Confidentiality when working with diverse individuals and communities.
- Ability to accept constructive feedback and responsibility for own actions.
- Accept constructive feedback and accept responsibility for your actions
- Feel comfortable reporting problems and errors to the charge nurse and be comfortable and confident asking questions when needed
- Establish appropriate relationships with residents, staff and family members
- Show respect for diversity in culture, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, socio-economic status and abilities/disabilities
Northwood Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to manage inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Amanda Gohde, Vice President, Talent & Culture, 1900 College Drive, Rice Lake WI 54868; Amanda.Gohde@NorthwoodTech.edu, phone: 715-645-7042.
