The Ambulatory Two Day Clinical Orientation Program provides a robust curriculum incorporating current evidence-based science and best practice principles in the provision of direct patient care in the ambulatory setting.

The didactic curriculum component includes the following topics: scope of practice-DC/MD/VA, physician delegation, adult/pediatric body systems review/common conditions or diseases/treatments, adult and pediatric vital signs/biometrics, oxygen therapy/ safe medication administration, medication calculation, falls in the ambulatory setting, infection prevention, ambulatory procedures-visual acuity/ear lavage, specimen collection, and emergency situations.

Skills assessment requirements are validated on day two to ensure the associates are performing clinical skills at the appropriate level of competency and utilizing effective interpersonal communication during patient interactions. with patients. The following skills are assessed for competence: hand hygiene, two patient identifiers, manual blood pressure/pulse/respirations, ECG-chest/limb lead application, pediatric weight/length/rectal temperatures, medication administration-intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular injections, epinephrine auto-injection for anaphylaxis, visual acuity-Snellen chart, “First Five” training (what to do in the first 5 minutes of an emergency). 

A variety of teaching strategies in conjunction with simulation and learning technologies are employed to promote engagement and content retention. Associates are given an orientation binder containing tools and resource material that can be used for quick reference, especially during the on-site clinical orientation process.