Allied Health
Overview
The Allied Health curriculum is designed to prepare students for a variety of allied health careers and training programs.
Career Options
In some cases, this course is a requirement for application to, or completion of, allied health programs. Students should consult counseling for specific program requirements.
Highlights
- Course taught by healthcare professionals
- Included in a variety of degree programs and career certificates in health care
Program Maps
A.A./A.S. Degrees
- Division Dean John Skellenger
- Department Chair Jason Pedro
- Meta-Major Public Service, Health, and Education
- Phone (916) 608-6927
- Email skellej@flc.losrios.edu
Associate Degree
A.S. in Pre-Health Occupations
The Pre-Health Occupation major prepares students to enter a variety of allied health training programs. It contains coursework required for many allied health majors including Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology, and others. Since each training program requires a unique set of prerequisite coursework, it is imperative that students work closely with Counseling Services to ensure the appropriate courses are chosen for the training program they wish to enter.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2026
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum of 15 units from the following: | 151 | |
| BIOL 400 | Principles of Biology (5) | |
| BIOL 430 | Anatomy and Physiology (5) | |
| BIOL 431 | Anatomy and Physiology (5) | |
| BIOL 440 | General Microbiology (4) | |
| or BIOL 442 | General Microbiology and Public Health (5) | |
| CHEM 305 | Introduction to Chemistry (5) | |
| CHEM 400 | General Chemistry I (5) | |
| CHEM 401 | General Chemistry II (5) | |
| A minimum of 9 units from the following: | 92 | |
| AH 311 | Medical Language for Health-Care Providers (3) | |
| ANTH 310 | Cultural Anthropology (3) | |
| or SOC 300 | Introductory Sociology (3) | |
| or SOC 321 | Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3) | |
| COMM C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking (3) | |
| or COMM C1004 | Interpersonal Communication (3) | |
| or COMM 331 | Group Discussion (3) | |
| or COMM 361 | The Communication Experience (3) | |
| or COMM 311 | Argumentation and Debate (3) | |
| NUTRI 300 | Nutrition (3) | |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology (3) | |
| PSYC 370 | Human Development: A Life Span (3) | |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics (4) | |
| or PSYC 330 | Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3) | |
| Total Units: | 24 | |
1BIOL 400, CHEM 400 and CHEM 401 required for Folsom Lake College's Medical Laboratory Program.
2AH 110, COMM 301 or 311 or 321 or 331 and STAT 300 or PSYC 330 required for Folsom Lake College's Medical Laboratory Program.
The Pre-Health Occupations Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See FLC graduation requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- apply chemical principles to solve quantitative problems.
- demonstrate skills in laboratory procedures and apply critical thinking skills in laboratory experiments.
- describe the overall organization of the human body.
- describe the roles that culture and diversity play in various aspects of human behavior.
- demonstrate a workable knowledge of medical terminology.
- explain the principles of nutrition and their effect on health.
Career Information
This program prepares students to enter a variety of allied health training programs.
Allied Health (AH) Courses
AH 108 Introduction to Health Occupations
- Units:2
- Hours:36 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides an introduction to the healthcare field and to the core foundational skills needed by all healthcare workers. Topics include types of healthcare delivery systems and careers, history and trends of healthcare, law and ethics pertaining to healthcare, personal qualities of healthcare workers, confidentiality and reportable incidents, and infection control and safety policies for healthcare settings. Students will research healthcare careers and relate them to their own interests, values, and abilities. This course is open to all students wishing to explore the healthcare industry. A field trip to a local healthcare facility may be required.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- differentiate between the various healthcare agencies and facilities, their delivery systems, organizational structure, and major services provided.
- compare and contrast the roles, responsibilities, and educational requirements of different healthcare careers.
- identify and apply legal and ethical principles to common situations encountered in the healthcare setting.
- describe the basic principles and procedures for controlling the spread of infections and promoting safety in the healthcare setting.
- recognize the importance of cultural sensitivity and humility required of healthcare providers.
AH 120 Human Disease
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:AH 311 with a grade of "C" or better
- Advisory:BIOL 100 with a grade of "C" or better
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course is a study of pathological processes imparting basic knowledge to paramedical personnel. The student will study the basic concepts, terminology, etiology and characteristics of pathological processes. Diseases are classified according to both causative agent and the body system to which they relate.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- evaluate the basic concepts and characteristics of the disease process in the human body.
- assess the interaction and collaboration of body systems in maintaining overall health.
- examine the impact of disease on the functioning of interconnected body systems.
- identify and discuss common diseases associated with each body system.
- analyze patient signs, symptoms, and clinical history to determine potential disease processes, diagnostic tools, and treatment options.
AH 124 Pharmacology for the Health Care Professional
- Units:2
- Hours:36 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course introduces pharmacology, the knowledge of basic pharmacological terminology and concepts, administration, common generic and trade name medications, with an emphasis on the clinical application of pharmacology of the treatment of disease.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- correctly spell and pronounce commonly prescribed generic and proprietary drugs, identify definitions of drug abbreviations, and interpret key pharmacology terms including routes of administration, drug interactions, and adverse effects.
- match generic drugs to their proprietary names, drug categories, and related disease treatments.
- analyze healthcare records and connect symptoms, diagnoses, and diagnostic tests with the medications administered.
- use a drug guide to locate and interpret information about pharmacological agents, including chemical, brand, and generic names, as well as therapeutic effects and usage.
- explain the stages and regulatory requirements involved in approving drugs for clinical use.
- interpret prescriptive terms and apply foundational principles of drug dosage in clinical scenarios.
AH 311 Medical Language for Health-Care Providers
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides an orientation to medical language including basic structure of medical term prefixes, suffixes, and roots, and combining forms with emphasis on analysis, spelling, and pronunciation. The course builds a medical vocabulary applicable to the specialties of medicine, the systems of the body, names of major diseases, and terms used in physical examination, diagnosis, and treatment. The purchase of a standard medical dictionary is required. This course was formerly known as AH 110.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- analyze the structural design of medical terms and understand the meaning of combinations of word elements.
- spell and pronounce medical terms.
- utilize medical terms correctly as they apply to the systems of the body - anatomy, physiology, disease, diagnosis, and treatment.
- interpret medical abbreviations and descriptive terms.
- translate healthcare reports and records into plain English words.
AH 498 Work Experience in Allied Health
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Hours:27 - 216 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Enrollment Limitation:Students must have a paid or unpaid internship, volunteer position, or job that aligns with their career goals, and a cooperating worksite supervisor who will sign all required course documents. Before students can participate in the Work Experience program, Los Rios Community College District must have a signed Employer Agreement on file. If the employer already has an active agreement with the district (viewable at losrios.edu/wexpemployeragreement), no further action is required. Dual enrollment students are not permitted to enroll in Work Experience courses.
- Transferable:CSU
- General Education:Local GE L7B
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2026
This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment in their major field of study or advancement within their career. Course content will include understanding the application of education to the workforce; completing required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at the work site; and developing career readiness skills and workplace competencies. During the semester, the student is required to attend orientation. Students must complete 27 hours of related paid or unpaid work experience for .5 unit. An additional 27 hours of related work experience is required for each additional .5 unit. This course may be taken for a maximum of 16 units. Federal regulations allow students to receive financial aid for a total of two times when repeating the same course that was previously passed.Students should have access to a computer, the Internet, and some computer media such as a USB drive to store data files. Online students must have an email account. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- apply industry knowledge and theoretical concepts in a field of study or career as written in the minimum 3 learning objectives created by the student and their employer or work site supervisor at the start of the course.
- manage personal career plans and decision making by developing an awareness of own strengths, seek out opportunities to learn, incorporate feedback, and foster relationships with those who can help one professionally.
- exhibit effective communication, build and maintain collaborative teamwork relationships, and demonstrate professionalism with consideration to workplace dynamics, equity and inclusion.
- demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills as they apply to the workplace, proactively anticipate needs, and prioritize action steps.
- demonstrate a willingness to learn and adapt to new and unfamiliar technologies to improve efficiency, productivity and decision-making.
Faculty
This program is part of the Public Service, Health, and Education Meta-Major.