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Technical Procedures I Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

Instructor

Scott Rankin (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

jsrankin@actx.edu

Phone

Office Location

Building C, Office 104D

(Office can be accessed through 106)

Office Hours

I do not have office hours during the day as I work full-time for a funeral home.  However, if you have a question, please email me through the COURSE EMAIL.  Be sure to list a phone number.  If I cannot answer your question via email, I will call you in the evening when I leave the funeral home.  Thank you.

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

MRTS-2244-001 Technical Procedures I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: HITT 1305 Corequisites: MRTS 2260 and MRTS 2432

Course Description

Introduction to the fundamentals in the preservation, disinfection and restoration of human remains. Presentation of treatment planning and application in preparation for professional practice. If this course is offered online, it is an enhanced online course that requires students to come to Amarillo during the semester for an on-site lab. Students should be prepared to be in lab at their expense, M-F 8am to 5pm for one week. No exceptions will be made to the required lab.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(2 sem hrs; 6 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Embalming: History, Theory and Practice. Mayer, Robert G., Fifth Edition ISBN # 978-0-07-174139-2

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Supplies

You will be required to access course content through AC CONNECT.  The online-based instructional activities are delivered

Student Performance

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\ Subject Description:
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\ A study of the process of chemically treating the dead human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms to temporarily inhibit organic decomposition, and to restore an acceptable physical appearance. The subject includes the study of the phenomenon of death in the human body and government regulations applicable to the embalming process.
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  1. \ Login to online classes on a regular basis.Attend Class
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  2. \ Keep up to date with due dates and postings.
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  3. \ Read and understand required readings
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  4. \ Read assigned text book material
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  5. \ Complete learning tasks for each module
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  6. \ Be honest  
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  7. \ Do not violate the AC academic integrity policy. (Do not cheat) * 
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  8. \ Ask questions
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  9. \ Actively participate in classroom/online discussion
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  10. \ Do not judge other students
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  11. \ Treat everyone with respect
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  12. \ Follow and respect all rules and policies of this class, department and Amarillo College
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\ *Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class and will result in a grade of 0 on the exam or assignment involved that cannot be replaced or dropped. Please see Student Rights and Responsibilities for a specific description of academic dishonesty. Any cases of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students at Amarillo College.

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\  Objectives:
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\ Upon satisfactory completion of a course of study in embalming, the student should be able to:
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\ 1. Explain the concepts of sanitation, disinfection, temporary preservation, and restoration of human remains;
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\ 2. Explain the implications of the types of death to embalming;
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\ 3. Define and employ the necessary terminology to facilitate communication with members of allied professions and the public;
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\ 4. Demonstrate adequate methods of self-protection from communicable and infectious diseases and hazardous chemicals;
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\ 5. Demonstrate and explain adequate methods of personal and environmental protective measures in the art and science of embalming;
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\ 6. Demonstrate the proper disposal of contaminated materials from the embalming process;
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\ 7. Discuss the proper methods of    disposal of blood and bodily fluids;
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\ 8. Demonstrate the use of embalming instruments, equipment and sundries;
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\ 9. Demonstrate embalming techniques and procedures;
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\ 10. Document the embalming techniques and procedures with written reports;
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\ 11. Explain embalming treatments for infections, communicable diseases, traumatic and pathological conditions;
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\ 12. Explain those conditions whereby notification of death to public officials is required;
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\ 13. Describe and solve the problems related to the embalming procedures necessitated by disaster situations and;
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\ 14. Demonstrate and explain how the handling, treatment and disposition of the dead human body meets the sociological, psychological, theological, physical and legal requirements of family and community.
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Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students should:

 

  1. Attend class.  Will also be required to log-in to AC Connect.
  2. Be prepared.
  3. Read and understand required readings.
  4. Read assigned text book material.
  5. Be honest.
  6. Do not violate the AC academic integrity policy. (Do not cheat).
  7. Ask questions.
  8. Actively participate in group discussions.
  9. Do not judge other students.
  10. Treat everyone with respect.
  11. Follow and respect all rules and policies of this class, department and Amarillo College.
  12. Remember the oath of confidentiality.

*Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class and will result in a grade of 0 on the exam or assignment involved that cannot be replaced or dropped. Please see Student Rights and Responsibilities for a specific description of academic dishonesty. Any cases of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students at Amarillo College.

Due to unforseen contingencies, some of the class policies may be derived on a case by case basis.  This is for face to face courses.

 

  1. If you desire to utilize micro-cassette recorders, you must obtain permission from the instuctor.
  2. Unnecessary class room disruptions (including pagers, cellular phones, digital watches, etc) are not allowed and may have a negative effect on your final grade. Turn them off or put them on silent mode.
  3. Do not answer your phone in the classroom. Walk into the hallway
  4. Chewing gum will be allowed as long as I can not hear you chewing it. Popping, rolling, cracking or any other obnoxious oral noises will not be tolerated
  5. Sleeping in class is rude. For each occurrence, the student's grade will drop one letter and the student will be asked to leave the classroom
  6. Reading the newspaper, working on assignments or studying for an exam for another class is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. For each occurance, the student's grade will drop one letter grade and the student will be asked to leave the classroom
     
  7. No student should come to class under-the-influence of alcohol or drugs. If the odor of these substances are smelt upon your person will be asked to leave the classroom
     
  8. NOTE: Modifications or additions applied to this syllabus may be made by the instructor as needed.

 

Grading Criteria

Grading Policy:

  • Examinations = 40% of your final grade
  • Final Exam (comprehensive) = 30% of your final grade
  • 1 Project = 5% of your final grade
  • Quizzes/Short Assignments (Scheduled or unannounced) = 15% of your final grade
  • Class Participation/Additional Readings = 10% of your final grade

Any grade below a 75 is considered failing and the course will have to be repeated.  Two grades of 'F' within the program courses results in removal from the program.
 

Grading Scale

  • A=92-100
  • B=83-91
  • C=75-82
  • F=74 and below
  • (To pass the State and National Board Exams, you must score a 75 or better. Please note that we gear our grading policy towards that standard. Be aware of this as you take this class and all other MRTS courses.)

Each student is responsible for ensuring the integrity of his/her own work. Cases of academic dishonesty will result in either zero points or administrative withdrawl from the Mortuary Science Program. There will be no tolerance for missed due dates, assignments, projects, quizzes or tests. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET ASSIGNMENTS AND SUCH TURNED IN AND IN ON TIME. If you wait until the semester is over to resolve an issue with missing assignments, projects, exams, etc., then it will be too late. ALWAYS KEEP COPIES OF YOUR WORK (projects, assignments, clinical paperwork, etc.). Students should have a back up plan for computer problems. Most public libraries have internet access for students' use.

ALL course work is expected to be typed with correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. PROOF READ your work before submitting. Failure to do so will result in a lower grade.

Class Discussions Participation Grading Scale (In addition to 100 word minimum; and correct grammar, punctuation and spelling):

  • Outstanding Contributor: Contributions in class reflect exceptional preparation. Ideas offered are always substantive, provide one or more major insights as well as direction for the class. Challenges are well substantiated and persuasively presented.
  • Good Contributor: Contributions in class reflect thorough preparation. Ideas offered are usually substantive, provide good insights and sometimes direction for the class. Challenges are well substantiated and often persuasive.
  • Adequate Contributor: Contributions in class reflect satisfactory preparation. Ideas offered are sometimes substantive, provide generally useful insights but seldom offer a new direction for the discussion. Challenges are sometimes presented, fairly well substantiated, and are sometimes persuasive.
  • Non-Participant: This person says little or nothing in class. Hence, there is not an adequate basis for evaluation.
  • Unsatisfactory Contributor: Contributions in class discussions reflect inadequate preparation. Ideas offered are seldom substantive, provide few if any insights and never a constructive direction for the class. Integrative comments and effective challenges are absent.

LATE WORK (Assignments/Projects):

  • 1-2 days after due date (includes Saturday and Sunday) will result in an automatic 10 point deduction.
  • 3-4 days after due date (includes Saturday and Sunday) will result in an automatic 20 point deduction.
  • 5 days after due date (includes Saturday and Sunday) will result in an automatic 30 point deduction.
  • Any assignment submitted after the 5th late day, will receive a (0) ZERO.

QUIZZES/EXAM MAKE-UP POLICY:

  • No quiz or exam make-ups will be given.  If you know a quiz or exam has been scheduled and you are going to be out of town, you MUST communicate with the instructor prior.  This will not guarantee an opportunity for a make-up quiz or exam, but rather possibly setting up an earlier time.  Failing to communicate prior will result in a (0) ZERO for the quiz or exam.
  • If you miss the Final Exam, no make-up will be allowed.

MANDATORY SKILLS BUILDING/TUTORIALS

     In an effort to improve student retention, the following policy is in place for this course:

If a student fails an exam (excluding the final), they will be required to schedule a visit with the instructor (over the phone or in person), complete an additional assignment an retake the exam.  All this must be done prior to being able to take the next assigned exam.  If you fail the second attempt, the higher of the two grades will be entered in the grade book.  Failure to complete the tutorial and retake the exam during the required time will result in not being able to take the next assigned exam.  This will result in a zero (0) on the next exam and place you in serious jeopardy of failing the course.  Exams, quizzes and assignments in this course deserve serious attention on your behalf, and the tutorial requirements are instilled in this program to help you succeed.

Attendance

ONLINE ATTENDANCE for ONLINE COURSES:  You are expected to log-in at least twice a week.  It is recommended you log-in three times a week (beginning, middle and end of the week).  You will be expected to submit assignments when due and take/complete quizzes and exams during the assigned times.

COURSE COMMUNICATION: The instructor will make announcements through course email and course announcements. It is IMPORTANT that you log-in at least three times a week not only for course material, but for emails and announcements as well.

 

 

 

Calendar

NOTE: This class is set up for a 16-week semester. I have divided the course into 8 Modules. Each module contains two weeks of materials, assignments, quizzes/exams and such. I will open a new module every two weeks with Module 1 being opened on the first class day. Module 2 will be opened on the first day of Week 3 and so on. Below is a calendar describing what will be presented each module and week. As the instructor, I reserve the right to change materials, due dates, assignments, quiz/exam dates and such at my discretion.

ON-CAMPUS CLASS:  We will stay as close to the calendar as possible to preserve the integrity of the course and time frames.

Expect exam questions to be from lecture material, assigned textbook readings, handouts, Websites, etc. Expect multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank and essay questions.

THE FINAL EXAMINATION WILL BE COMPREHENSIVE. Do not ask the instructor any questions regarding the exam. When finished with an exam, submit the exam and answer sheet to the instructor and leave the classroom quietly.

The final exam will be given on the date published in the official Amarillo College Schedule of Classes. It will be a comprehensive examination.

COURSE CALENDAR:

Module 1: August 24th – September 6th 

Module 2: September 7th - September 20th (Quiz)

Module 3: September 21st - October 4th (Exam #1)

Module 4: October 5th - October 18th (Quizzes)

Module 5: October 19th - November 1st

Module 6: November 8th - November 15th (Exam #2)

Module 7: November 16th - November 29th (Exam #3)

Module 8: November 30th - December 11th (Final Exam must be completed Dec. 7, 8, or 9)

OUTLINE OF MATERIAL TO BE INTRODUCED

I. ORIENTATION AND INTRODUCTION
A. General
B. Classification of embalming
C. Need for embalming
D. History of Embalming
E. Professional and ethical conduct
F. Sanitation
G. OSHA Rules
H. FTC

II. DEATH
A. Definition
B. Terms associated with death
C. Types of death
D. Signs of death
E. Tests for death

III. PRE-EMBALMING CHANGES
A. Antemortem
B. Postmortem

IV. TECHNICAL ORIENTATION OF EMBALMING
A. Equipment
B. Instruments
C. Supplies

V. PREPARATION OF THE BODY
A. Embalming analysis
B. Initial treatment of the body
C. Position of the body
D. Posing the features

VI. SELECTION OF ARTERIES
A. Considerations and precautions
B. Definitions
C. Most commonly used arteries in embalming
D. Factors governing selection
E. Proper technique for raising vessels
F. Sutures for closing incisions
G. Other methods of closing incisions

VII. VASCULAR INJECTION
A. Procedure
B. Methods
C. Pressure discussion

VIII. TYPES OF EMBALMING AND CHEMICALS
A. Vascular
B. Cavity
C. Supplemental Fliuds
D. Jaundice
E. High Preservatives
F. Accessory Chemicals
G. Mold Preservation

IX. DILUTION
A. Primary
B. Secondary
C. Signs of Distribution
D. Signs of Diffusion

X. DRAINAGE
A. Purpose
B. Procedures
C. Methods
D. Stimulating distribution and diffusion
E. Components of drainage
F. Difficult problems

XI. CAVITY TREATMENT
A. Considerations
B. Abdominal regions
C. Trocar Guids
D. Aspiration and injection equipment
E. Materials to be aspirated
F. Purge

XII. AUTOPSIES OR POSTMORTEM EXAMINATIONS
A. Regional
B. Exploratory
C. Partial Autopsy

XIII. ORGAN AND TISSUE RECOVERY
A. Organs recovered
B. Treatment of organs recovered
C. Tissue recovered
D. Treatment for tissue recovered

XIV. POSTMORTEM CONDITIONS AND THEIR TREATMENTS
A. Discolorations
B. Vascular difficulties
C. Decomposition
D. Dehydration
E. Body fluid accumulation
F. Deformities & malformations
G. Radiation
H. Infants
I. Treatment of the body to be shipped
J. Preparation of obese bodies

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Information

COURSE MATERIAL DELIVERY METHOD:

  • The FALL 2015 semester is a 16-week semester.
  • The course material will be divided into 8 Modules.
  • Beginning with the 1st week of the semester, Module 1 will be opened. It will contain Week 1 & Week 2 materials (readings, assignments, dates, etc.). Once a Module is opened, it will remain open until the day of the final exam.
  • Module 2 will be opened on the Monday of Week 3 and so on. Sometimes things change, so it is important to log-in atleast three times a week as stated before.

NOTE: The instructor may change materials, assignments, due dates, quiz/exam dates and such at his discretion.

 

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

If a student has a grievance with the course instructor, the following “due process” protocol will apply. The student must follow the protocol steps in the order shown.

1. Make every effort to resolve the concern directly with the course instructor. The instructor should be contacted by the student before the conclusion of the course.

2. If the concern cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student after meeting with the course instructor, the student should seek satisfaction from the immediate supervisor of the instructor within one week of the student–instructor meeting.

3. If the concern cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student after meeting with the Mortuary Science Program Director, the student should seek satisfaction from Dean of Health Sciences within one week of the student–division chairperson meeting.

4. If the concern cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student after meeting with the dean, the student should seek satisfaction from the Vice-President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) within one week of the student–Dean meeting.

5. If the concern cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student after meeting with the Vice-President of Academic Affairs, the student should seek satisfaction from the college President within one week of the student–VPAA meeting. The decision of the President will be final.

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM