Essential Functions

These are generally required for all College of DuPage Health Career Programs. Variations of this will be addressed in program or course specific information. If the ability to perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations result in the inability to meet identified student learning outcomes, the student may be at risk of not successfully completing the course and/or program.
--Approved: April 2010


  1. Move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.
  2. Squat, crawl, bend/stoop, reach above shoulder level, use standing balance, and climb stairs.
  3. Lift and carry up to 50 lbs., and exert up to 100 lbs. force or push/pull.
  4. Use hands repetitively; use manual dexterity; sufficient fine motor function.
  5. Must be able to walk and stand for extended periods of time.
  6. Perform CPR.
  7. Travel to and from academic and clinical sites.


  1. Coordinate verbal and manual instruction.
  2. Auditory ability sufficient to hear verbal communication from clients and members of the health team; includes ability to respond to emergency signals.
  3. Discern soft sounds, such as those associated with taking a blood pressure.
  4. Visual acuity to acquire information from documents such as charts.
  5. Comfortable working in close physical proximity to patient.


  1. Communicate effectively in English with patients, families, and other health care providers, both verbally and in writing.
  2. Effectively adapt communication for intended audience.
  3. Interact; establish rapport with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
  4. Assume the role of a health care team member.
  5. Function effectively under supervision.
  6. Sufficient command of the English language in order to read and retrieve information from lectures, textbooks, as well as understand medical terminology.
  7. Skills include computer literacy.


  1. Function effectively under stress.
  2. Respond appropriately to emergencies.
  3. Adhere to infection control procedures.
  4. Demonstrate problem-solving skills in patient care. (Measure, calculate, reason, prioritize, and synthesize data.)
  5. Use sound judgment and safety precautions.
  6. Address problems or questions to the appropriate persons at the appropriate time.
  7. Organize and prioritize job tasks.


  1. Follow policies and procedures required by academic and clinical settings.
  2. Adheres to College of DuPage Academic Honesty Policy (per College Catalog).
  3. Adheres to College of DuPage Code of Conduct (per College Catalog).
  4. Abides by the guidelines set forth in the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (i.e., the national privacy act).


Contact Information

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please

    1. Attend an advising session
