Academic Catalogs

Integrative Health

Integrative health takes a balanced approach to wellness. Instead of reacting to illnesses and diseases, it strives for prevention by dealing with issues before they become serious enough to have a negative impact. It considers the patient’s unique circumstances to determine the most appropriate treatments and therapies for achieving optimum health and well-being. 1

The Integrative Health (INHL) Department at Orange Coast College is unlike any other within the California Community College system. IHNL provides cross-disciplinary programs that train health care workers who see people for their unique selves and who understand the holistic approach to health, body, mind, and soul. Students in this program understand the value of prevention, want to educate people in health behaviors, and have the ability to express empathy and compassion to those they serve.

Currently, the INHL department offers a Certificate of Achievement and an Associate of Science in Integrative Health Coaching. An Integrative Health Coach is a new and growing allied health specialty that supports patients by focusing on prevention, health and wellness. Coaches serve as a patient advocate by assuring they understand their clinician's written and verbal directions. The Integrative Health Coach also assists to improve the patient's health literacy and understanding of their condition and treatment plan. To assist patients in changing their health behaviors, Integrative Health Coaches use:

Department Contact Information

Konick, Sharyn, MSW
Project Manager
skonick@occ.cccd.edu
(949) 307-3117

Diane Brown, MS
Chair, Public and Integrative Health
dbrown226@occ.cccd.edu

Integrative Health Department Website

1. Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. (2020). Integrative Health. Retrieved from https://ssihi.uci.edu/integrative-health/

Credit Courses

INHL A1003 Units (36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
Integrative Health Coach Principles & Practice I  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Transfer Credit: CSU.

Prepares students for work as Integrative Health Coaches in clinics, hospitals, and other health provider locations. The course emphasizes skill development in areas of client-centered theory and practice. Topics include the role of the IHC in the delivery of medical care and services as related to client-centered professional skills, behavior change theory, goal setting, and motivation. Students will also explore professional practices related to self-care teamwork, ethics, and conflict resolution.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing INHL A100

INHL A1152.5 Units (36 lecture hours; 36 lab hours)  
Clinical Skills for the Integrative Health Coach  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Transfer Credit: CSU.

This course provides students with an understanding of basic clinical skills to be effective liaisons between medical clinicians and patients. Topics covered include listening skills, common screening assessments, legal and ethical issues in health care, death and dying, and professional burn out. Students will also be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and receiving AHA CPR certification. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing INHL A115

INHL A2003 Units (36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
Principles & Practice II  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Transfer Credit: CSU.

This course will focus on motivational interviewing techniques for use by the Integrative Health Coach. Topics will include a discussion of the spirit of MI, MI techniques, empathy, and goal setting in relation to a client's/patient's health behavior change. MI is an important tool used to translate a clinician's treatment plan into behaviors that support a patient's motivations and life-goals. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing INHL A200

INHL A2103 Units (36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
Navigating the U.S. Health Care System, Health Insurance, Public Assistance, and Benefits Programs  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Transfer Credit: CSU.

This course provides students with an understanding of the U.S. healthcare system and health insurance options to provide for efficient navigation through the healthcare system. Topics include the history of health insurance in the U.S. and the role of government in healthcare; the U.S. healthcare workforce; basic health insurance terminology; types of insurance and the healthcare marketplace; different types of care, including outpatient, ambulatory and long-term care; public assistance programs and disability programs; and, ethical and bioethical issues. Same as PUBH A210. Students who complete PUBH A210 may not enroll in INHL A210. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing INHL A210

INHL A2203 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Techniques and Topics in Health Education  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Transfer Credit: CSU.

This course will provide students with the skills and knowledge to be successful health educators in both group and individual setting. Topics will include the principles and practice in the planning, facilitation, and evaluation of public health education and training. This course covers basic theories and participatory training methods, with a focus on meeting the needs of diverse communities and adult learners. Same as PUBH A220. Students who complete INHL A220 may not enroll in PUBH A220. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing INHL A220

INHL A2253 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Introduction to Complementary and Alternative Medicine  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Transfer Credit: CSU.

This course will focus on the role of alternative medicine in health behavior, disease, treatment, coping, and healing. Topic covered will include history, philosophy, development, and use of CAM modalities to treat and manage disease. Traditional/alternative medical systems, such as Chinese, Tibetan, and Ayurvedic medicine, will be examined. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing INHL A225

INHL A2303 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Assessing and Analyzing Health Information  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Transfer Credit: CSU.

This course prepares students to perform the information-related duties of an Integrative Health Coach, health educator, and other public health professions. Students develop skills and knowledge required to locate and critically appraise online health information; review measurements and methods to access public health data located in surveillance systems and vital records, and provide an overview of public health informatics. Same as PUBH A230. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing INHL A230

INHL A2502 Units (4.5 lecture hours; 120 other hours)  
Integrative Health Coach Supervised Practice  
Prerequisite(s): ALH A111, ALH A120, INHL A100, and INHL A115 or ALH A115.

Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Transfer Credit: CSU.

Supervised clinical practice in clinics, medical facilities, community agencies other facilities that utilize Integrative Health Coaches (IHC). This course will provide the student with an opportunity to practice the skills and competencies developed through the IHC course work within a job setting. Placement will be determined based on the availability of approved sites and student's interests. Students will be required to follow the dress standards set by the facility. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing INHL A250