Student Required Courses


Class Room Instruction:

Improving Communication At Work - 4 hours
"Communication" is one of the most-cited sources of both successes and failures in the workplace.  It is also one of the most highly valued qualities in employees and managers alike.  Finally, in the health care setting, communication is essential to building not only positive relationships with coworkers and supervisors, but to providing outstanding customer service and quality clinical care to patients.  However, communication is highly complex, and often difficult to do well, particularly in an emotional or high-stress situation.  In this class, participants learn how verbal, nonverbal, and contextual elements can lead to communication breakdowns.  They gain understanding of inferred versus surface messages, and how relationship history, frame of reference, and environment affect communication.  Participants also practice using concrete tools for effective communication such as active listening, verify/clarify/confirm, getting and giving feedback, and eliminating judgment.

Advanced Communication Skills for the Workplace - 4 hours
Those who have taken "Improving Communication At Work" or "Creative Approaches to Managing Conflict (for staff)" are invited to participate in this skill development class.  Concrete tools for effective communication will be reviewed and practiced.  Participants will be introduced to additional models for effective and assertive communication, such as invitational rhetoric, non-violent communication and powerful non-defensive communication.  The impact of culture and conflict style on communication will also be reviewed, all within the context of the healthcare environment.  Prerequisite: competencies met on a previous "Improving Communication At Work" or "Creative Approaches to Managing Conflict (for staff)" class.

Cultural Diversity - 4 hours
In any health care environment, both clinical and non-clinical staff come into contact with a vast array of human diversity- different ages, languages, races and ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, social classes, and personalities.  During this class, participants explore the meaning and nature of "culture" and the many cultural factors that influence an individual's way of being in the world.  Participants build awareness of their own cultural makeup and how it affects their perceptions and behaviors, and begin to develop an understanding and appreciation of how others' cultures influence their perceptions and behaviors as well.  The effects of ethnocentrism are explored, and ethno-relativity is presented as a way to value and respect difference.  Class participants also identify some "best practices" in navigating cultural diversity in the health care setting, and build practical skills through role-plays, critical viewing of video clips, and discussion of critical incidents.

Diversity in the Healthcare Environment - 4 hours
Staff and managers who have taken "Cultural Diversity" and want to explore diversity issues in more depth are encouraged to take this course.  An important recommendation for improving clinical and non-clinical health care professionals' sensitivity and service is to become better familiar with the cultural practices of the different cultural groups they serve.  Participants will be exposed to some of the basic practices of cultural and ethnic groups frequently served at UNM Hospitals, and have an opportunity to add their own insights and experiences.  Through activities, the class will also expose participants to the way prejudice works, to build greater self-awareness and increased sensitivity to patients.  Prerequisite: competencies met on a previous "Cultural Diversity" class within the last year.

Respiratory Protection
Employees will be trained and fit-tested on the specific respirator they will be wearing.  Class focuses on hands-on and individualized instruction.  Length of class will vary depending on type of respirator, prior respirator experience and complexity of respirator.  To be fit-tested, facial hair (e.g., beard, long sideburns, large mustache or goatee) cannot interfere with the seal between the respirator and the face. Prerequisite: None


UNMH Online Instruction:

Respiratory Protection

  • Code of Conduct/Organizational Ethics
  • HIPAA Training

General Safety OSHA/JCAHO

  • Diversity
  • Electrical Safety
  • Security Management
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Fire Safety
  • General Safety
  • Hazardous Materials & Waste Management
  • Safe Body Mechanics

Infection Control/Blood Borne Pathology

  • Hand Hygiene
  • Standard Precautions