Clinical - Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, General Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Instructor Information

Office Location

West Campus Building C 106

Office Hours

Mondays-Thursday
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Fridays are available by appointment.

The best way to reach me outside of class time is to email me through the course in Blackboard (listed above). IF you e-mail me AFTER 5:00 ON FRIDAY, you will NOT receive a response until sometime on Monday.

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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-2260-001 Clinical - Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, General

Prerequisites

<p>Prerequisites: MRTS 1310 and MRTS 1260<br> Corequisites: MRTS 2432 and MRTS 2244</p>

Course Description

A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. Focus and emphasis in the portion of clinical experience will be concentrated in the area of embalming and restorative technique.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(2 sem hrs; 9 clinic)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

MRTS-2260 Embalming Lab Manual - may be downloaded and printed from within the course.

Suggested Text : Embalming History, Theory and Practice by Mayer ISBN 0-07-143950-1, McGraw-Hill.

Funeral Compend - Professional Training Schools.

The Conference National and/or State Board Exam - The International Conference.

Supplies

You must obtain a 3 ring notebook to place all clinical documents in.  This will be submitted during the final week of the semester.

You must have access to a computer, active internet service, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, RealPlayer, and exhibit computer competency

INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD / DELIVERY:

This course is computer based online instruction. Therefore, you are required to participate in online instructional activities. Each student will access the internet program known as AC ONLINE (ANGEL). Access to Blackboard through AC Connect is MANDATORY. The most compatible way to properly use AC ONLINE is through the Mozilla FireFox internet browser. You will log on to this course and be prepared to do the day's planned project, exercise, activity, group discussion, quiz or exam.

There is no foreseeable excuse for not being able to log on and complete any activity prepared by the instructor. There are computers at public libraries and numerous computer labs on the AC campus. If your computer is inoperable (or incapable) for whatever reason, you will need to make plans to access a computer at another location to do the work.  Incomplete work will receive zero credit, no exceptions.
 
The online-based instructional activities are delivered through a course website that is hosted on a learning management system called BLACKBOARD. Blackboard is accessed through AC Connect and may be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The online learning activities, using either on or off campus computers, are available on dates and times to be provided by the instructor. You must have access to and the willingness to use computers, the internet, and web browsers. You are expected to view audio and video assisted instructional modules, use e-mail, take quizzes and exams, read both paper and electronic materials, and locate internet or web based learning resources. The instructor will require students to participate in online and onsite discussions and engage in team and individual communication exercises. The online instructional materials and experiences are designed to supplement the course lectures and textbooks

Student Performance

 Course Objectives: Students should be able to do the followng on completion of this course:

Employ the concepts of sanitation, disinfection, temporary preservation and restoration of human body remains.Relate the implications of the types of death to embalming.

Employ the necessary terminology to facilitate communication with members of allied professions and the public.

Employ adequate methods of self-protection from communicable and infectious diseases and hazardous chemicals.

Demonstrate the proper disposal of contaminated materials from the embalming process.

Demonstrate the proper disposal of blood and body fluids.

Demonstrate the use of embalming instruments, equipment and sundries.

Demonstrate embalming techniques and procedures.

Document the embalming techniques and procedures with written reports.

Justify embalming treatments for infections, communicable diseases, traumatic and pathological conditions.

Observe those conditions whereby notification of death to public officials is required. To describe the problems related to the embalming procedures ecessitated by disaster situations.

Discuss how handling, treatment and disposition of the dead human body meet the sociological, psychological, theological, physical and legal requirements of family and community.

Active participation means hands-on and must include at a minimum the following tasks:

  • raising vessels
  • mixing fluids
  • injecting fluids
  • aspiration
  • suturing incisions
  • posing features

Completion of Embalming cases reports.  Each case report must include the following:

  • details of embalming treatment
  • case analysis, as well as types and quantities of embalming fluids used
  • a detailed list of the students participation in the case
  • a form that is uniform in nature as adopted by each program which is to be signed by both the student and preceptor. The form for this course is the Texas Funeral Service Commission Embalming report.  Copies can be download from your lessons within the course.  In order to receive credit for the pre-embalming procedures and the one embalming needed to obtain the Amarillo College Embalming Certification, the student must be observed by the Program Director, Brant E. Davis, Evaluation by a Preceptor will not be accepted.  The student will facilitate this requirement in Amarillo, while they are here the  Lab portion MRTS 2244 Technical Procedures I (Embalming).  If you are in MRTS 2260 Funeral Service Clinical II (Embalming) you will need to make arrangements to come sometime during that semester to fulfill this requirement.

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 (log-in to AC Connect) class.
  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.

 WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU AT YOUR CLINICAL SITE:

  • Always show respect to the Funeral Home establishment/Mortuary Service, its owner(s), employees and patrons.
  • Dress according to the guidelines set forth by Amarillo College Mortuary Science Program.  www.actx.edu/mortuary
  • Remember that you are a guest as well as a student.
  • Although your clinical experience is unpaid, you should always look to the owner(s) and preceptor(s) as your supervisor(s).

Grading Criteria

Grades:

  • Clinical Notebook is 50% of your final grade
  • Prep-room Project is 30% of your final grade
  • Discussions/Participation is 10% of your final grade
  • Preceptor Information is 10% of your final grade

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 withdraw 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.

Anything below a 75 is failing and the course will have to be repeated.

Students will be graded on their notebooks  and certification of embalming skills by instructor of this course 60% and 40% on their preparation room project.  The bulk of the students' grades will be based on clinical documentation and completion of the lab manual.  There will be a specific guideline to follow for clinical documents.  You should read and reread your guidelines before turning in your final notebook. Students can not count hours or cases until the Basic Memorandum Agreement and all Preceptor Documentation is signed by all parties.The Program Director/Instructor will notify you when you can start counting your cases and hours.  You will need to complete 15 embalming cases/reports, lab manual, and preparation room project.

No student will be issued a grade in this course without the instructor/program director observing the student embalming 1 case and certifying embalming competencies.  This should be done near the end of the semester.

There is no Makeup policy.  Students are given plenty of time to complete all course work assigned and will not be allowed extension for any reason.

 

Attendance

Failure to show up to clinical sites is grounds for removal from the program.

If you are going to miss clinical days you MUST contact your clinical supervisor and your instructor!

This course requires 144 hours of work in a preparation room/funeral home throughout the semester. You must work at least 9 hours per week during a 16 week semester (fall/spring).   You must have by the end of the semester 144 documented hours and 15 embalming documented cases, completed lab exercises, competencies certified by the instructor, and prep room project.  You will complete the clinical lab manual and submit all necessary documentation at the end of the semester.

 ONLINE ATTENDANCE:  This is an online course and is intended to give you flexibilty.  However, it is still the same time frame of a full 16-week semester.  You are expected to make an effort to log-in atleast twice a week.  It is recommended that you log-in at the beginning of a week and at the end.  Often times, changes have to be made and are announced through course e-mail and announcements.  If you fail to log-in regularly, you may miss vital information concerning changes within the course.  Online learning requires the student to be disciplined to keep up with online participation, assignments, scheduled quizzes and exams.   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.

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

Calendar

Week I (January 15 - January 21) -Read syllabus/get organized

Week 2 (January 22 - January 28) -Turn in clinical schedule to instructor, discussion

Week 3 (January 29 - February 4) -Continue working on Lab Manual and clinical hours, discussion

Week 4 (February 5 - February 11)Prep Room Project Assigned/Continue with clinical hours, discussion

Weeks 5-13 (February 12 - April 8) -Continue with clinical hours.  Work on Clinical exercises found in your clinical lab manual. Discussions.

Week 13-15 (April 8 - April 22) -set a time for instructor to watch you embalm.

Week 15 (April 23 - April 29) -Complete all exercises, notebook, project and turn in to instructor. Prep-room project DUE this week.

Week 16 (April 30 - May 6) -This is Finals Week.  Your CLINICAL NOTEBOOK should be in the instructor's office no later than Friday, May 4th, 2018. 

DISCLAIMER

Serious effort and consideration were used in developing this syllabus, course outline, and calendar.  While the syllabus is considered an education contract between the instructor and student, unforeseen events may require a change (e.g. a change in schedule).  Every effort will be made NOT to change policy that affects a final grade.  However, the instructor reserves the right to make other changes deemed necessary to best fulfill the course goals and objectives.  Students registered for this course will be made aware of any such change in a timely fashion using reasonable means.

Also the instructor reserves the right to make an exception for any student who has the misfortune to encounter a severe illness, accident, or other serious event that causes excessive course disruption.  Any such exception will be made on an individual basis and will not be grounds for setting a precedent.

 

Additional Information

 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 Allied Health division chairperson, 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.

I have read the above information and I hear by am in accordance with the obligations set before me by signature____________________________________________.

Syllabus Created on:

08/07/17 8:13 PM

Last Edited on:

01/08/18 8:19 AM