1. Foundations in Healthcare 

• Medical Terminology: Understanding the basic language used in healthcare, anatomy, diseases, and procedures. 

• Medical Law & Ethics: Confidentiality, patient rights, HIPAA compliance, and ethical decision-making.  

• Exposure to neurosurgery and pain management: Focus on brain and spinal cord structures and their functions, critical for understanding neurosurgical terminology and procedures. 

• Cross-specialty collaboration skills: effective communication between medical assistants, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and pain management and rehabilitation specialists. 

• Patient Relations & Communication: Techniques for interacting effectively with patients, including empathy, active listening, and professionalism. Handling emotionally sensitive conversations with patients and families, such as discussing surgical risks or treatment outcomes. 

 

2. Administrative Skills 

• Medical Office Procedures: Managing phone calls, scheduling appointments, handling patient check-ins and check-outs. 

• Electronic Health Records (EHR): Training on using EHR systems, data entry, updating records, and maintaining patient confidentiality. At SDN, students will learn to use eCW, as well as others used by different hospitals. 

• Medical Billing & Coding: Introduction to coding systems (ICD-10, CPT), insurance authorization requests and claims processing, and payment collection. 

• Medical Scribing: Real-time documentation of patient encounters, including history taking, physical examination findings, diagnostic plans, and physician instructions, to improve workflow efficiency. 

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3. Clinical Skills 

• Patient Care Fundamentals: Vital signs measurement, patient history collection, and basic patient care skills in diverse patient care scenarios. Hands-on experience in state-of-the-art facilities. 

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4. Pharmacology 

• Medication Administration: Types of medications, dosage calculations, preparation, and prescribing of oral and injectable medications. 

• Drug Interactions and Side Effects: Understanding potential interactions, contraindications, and common side effects.

 

5. Medical Procedures and Assisting 

     Minor Surgical Procedures: The curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation in practical clinical skills, focusing on both routine and advanced medical practices. Key components include: 

• Wound Care and Dressing Changes: Techniques for wound cleaning, dressing changes, and infection control. 

• Radiology Basics: Safety protocols, understanding radiology procedures. Interpreting neurosurgery-specific imaging (e.g., spinal MRIs, CT scans of the brain). 

• Bracing: Fitting patient with cervical, thoracic, and lumbar braces. 

• Removal of Sutures/Staples: Expertise in removing sutures and staples with precision and ensuring proper wound healing. 

• Preparation of Examination/Procedure Rooms: Preparing examination rooms to meet procedural requirements and ensuring patient comfort. 

• Preparation and Maintenance of a Sterile Field: Maintaining aseptic conditions to minimize infection risk during procedures. 

 

6. Infection Control and Safety 

• Sterilization Techniques: Methods for sterilizing instruments and maintaining a sterile environment. 

• OSHA Guidelines: Safety regulations, personal protective equipment (PPE), and waste disposal. 

 

7. Externship or Clinical Practicum 

• Hands-on Experience: Gaining real-world experience in a healthcare setting. 

• Skills Application: Applying learned skills under supervision, engaging with patients, and performing clinical tasks. 

 

Timeline organization: 

1. Month 1-3: Clinic Rotation  

• Purpose: Establish a baseline of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. 

• Focus: 

• Onboarding to the practice 

• Basic administrative and clinical skills (e.g., medical terminology, patient interaction). The trainee will have a workflow available with all the instructions to do all the tasks required of him. Mentors will also be available for the trainee to navigate the learning process. 

• Scheduling patients.  

• General Patient care 

• Patient intake and Vitals 

• Rooming in patients. 

• Medical scribing skills. 

• Operating electrical health records system (EHR) 

• Administrative Assisting 

• Evaluation Tools: 

• Observation during tasks. 

• End of Rotation Performance Review 

• Assess early progress and identify areas for improvement. 

• Competence in routine tasks such as taking phone calls, rooming patients, vital signs, and EHR documentation. 

• Professional behavior, time management, and adaptability. 

• Supervisor/Instructor feedback. 

• Student self-assessment 

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2. Months 3-6: Surgery Rotation 

• Purpose: Provide detailed instructions on how to proceed with a surgical candidate from the patient’s consent to surgery to follow up after surgery, requesting authorization for surgery, CPT and ICD coding, use of hospital EHR, pre- and post-surgical scribing, follow up of patients after surgery. Shadowing surgeries. 

• Focus: 

• Proficiency in intermediate tasks and integration of skills with patient care scenarios. 

• Handle patients’ consent to surgery, request authorization for surgery, CPT and ICD coding, use of hospital EHR, scheduling surgeries, and coordinating surgical teams such as reps and co-surgeons. 

• Pre- and post-surgical scribing. 

• Follow-up of patients after surgeries. 

• Shadowing surgeries. 

• OR Shadowing Etiquette. OR shadowing experience. 

• Demonstrated ability to handle real-life patient care under supervision. 

• Evaluation Tools: 

• Practical skills assessments in clinical settings. 

• Written exams to test knowledge retention. 

• Feedback from peers, instructors, and patients (if applicable). 

 

3. Months 7-9: Research Rotation 

• Purpose: Train students on data collection, basic statistical tools, and how to assist with research studies and patient consent. 

 

4. Final Evaluation: Month 9 (End of Program) 

• Purpose: Assess overall competence and readiness for exams and employment. 

• Focus: 

• Mastery of all clinical and administrative competencies. 

• Professional behavior and adherence to ethical standards. 

• Evaluation Tools: 

• Final comprehensive exam (written and practical). 

• Exit interview or portfolio review. 

 

5. Post-Training Follow-Up (Optional) 

• Purpose: Reflect on the training experience and provide long-term feedback for program improvement. 

• Timeline: 1–3 months after program completion. 

• Focus: 

• Student’s feedback on preparedness for the workforce. 

• Employer feedback if graduates have been hired. 

 

Additional Tips: 

• Integrated Learning Days: 

• Even though the program has an outline, there will be many days dedicated to interweaving clinic, surgery, and research concepts. 

• Professional Development: 

• Resume writing, interview preparation, and professional etiquette in specialized medical fields like neurosurgery.