Iowa Core Performance Standards for Health Care Career Programs

Iowa Community Colleges have developed the following Core Performance Standards for all applicants to Health Care Career Programs. These standards are based upon required abilities that are compatible with effective performance in health care careers. Applicants unable to meet the Core Performance Standards are responsible for discussing the possibility of reasonable accommodations with the designated institutional office. Before final admission into a health career program, applicants are responsible for providing medical and other documentation related to any disability and the appropriate accommodations needed to meet the Core Performance Standards. These materials must be submitted in accordance with the institution's ADA Policy.

Capability	Standard	Some Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all inclusive)
Cognitive-Perception	The ability to perceive events realistically, to think clearly and rationally, and to function appropriately in routine and stressful situations.	Identify changes in patient/client health status Handle multiple priorities in stressful situations.
Critical Thinking	Critical thinking ability sufficient for sound clinical judgment.	Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations. Develop plans of care.
Interpersonal	Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact appropriately with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.	Establish rapport with patients/clients and colleagues. Demonstrate high degree of patience. Manage a variety of patient/client expressions (anger, fear, hostility) in a calm manner.
Communication	Communication abilities in English sufficient for appropriate interaction with others in verbal and written form.	Read, understand, write and speak English competently. Explain treatment procedures. Initiate health teaching. Document patient/client responses. Validate responses/messages with others.
Mobility	Ambulatory capability to sufficiently maintain a center of gravity when met with an opposing force as in lifting, supporting, and/or transferring a patient/client.	The ability to propel wheelchairs, stretchers, etc., alone or with assistance as available.
Motor Skills	Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective care and documentation.	Position patients/clients. Reach, manipulate, and operate equipment, instruments and supplies. Electronic documentation/keyboarding. Lift, carry, push and pull. Perform CPR.
Hearing	Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess, or document health needs.	Hears monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, cries for help. Hears telephone interactions/dictation.
Visual	Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in patient/client care, accurate color discriminiation.	Observes patient/client responses. Discriminates color changes. Accurately reads measurement on patient/client related equipment.
Tactile	Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment, inclusive of size, shape, temperature and texture.	Performs palpation. Performs functions of physical examination and/or those related.to therapeutic intervention, e.g. insertion of a catheter.
Activity Tolerance	The ability to tolerate lengthy periods of physical activity.	Move quickly and/or continuously. Tolerate long periods of standing and/or sitting.
Environmental	Ability to tolerate environmental stressors.	Adapt to rotating shifts Work with chemicals and detergents. Tolerate exposure to fumes and odors. Work in areas that are close and crowded. Work in ares of potential physical violence.

Advance Placement

Contact Information

Office of Enrollment Services

Iowa Western Community College

Box 4-C, 2700 College Road

Council Bluffs, IA 51502

712-325-3277 or 1-800-432-5852