Externship Requirements

Each student is responsible to ensure that adequate documentation of the following requirements are provided. Documentation is required to ensure the health and safety of students and clients in healthcare agencies that provide clinical learning experiences.

The Allied Health department at Bellevue College has contracted with Castle Branch to provide several services for students. Learn more about Background Check and Immunization Tracker.

During Foundation Courses

While completing the foundation courses students must complete the following:

  1. Meet with the Work Based Learning Coordinator, schedule an externship planning meeting online.
  2. Setup a Castle Branch account online.
    • The Allied Health department has specific package codes and pin numbers that must be used when setting up a Castle Branch account.
    • You will be placed in the AHE Externship Canvas course 2-3 weeks after the start of your last quarter before externships. In this course there are instructions on how to set up your Castle Branch account and how to upload the required documentation. In the meantime please collect the required immunization documents so that you will be prepared.
  3. Complete your program specific Preferences Form and draft your Educational Resume. The Work-Based Learning Coordinator will request these documents via email in week 3 of the quarter prior to your practicum.
  4. Complete all required immunizations and have a background check completed.
  5. Request an entry code for a program introduction course.
    • This should be done during the registration for the quarter when the course will be taken (DO NOT REQUEST AN ENTRY CODE EARLY).

Note: All required immunizations must be completed with supporting documents uploaded into the Clinical Profile prior to receiving an entry code for a program introduction course.

The following are program introduction courses:

AHEL 110: Introduction to Phlebotomy 5 cr.

Covers phlebotomy skills and responsibilities. Includes venipuncture (blood draw) techniques and safety techniques with laboratory equipment and needles. Suitable for individuals with limited health care experience interested in venipuncture. Recommended: First 2 of 3 Hepatitis B vaccinations completed (allow 4 weeks). Manual dexterity and ability to safely handle sharp needles. See bellevuecollege.edu/ahe for prerequisite details. Fees: $120.00 Allied Health (AHE) Lab supply Tier 1; $35.00 CastleBranch tracker. Only charge a student once during their time at BC, no matter which class/program they started in. The compliance tracker allows HSEWI students to collect and share documents online. Once students setup the account it is their forever.

During Pre-Externship Courses

While completing the pre-externship courses students must complete the following:

  1. At midterms request access to the Externship Non-Credit Canvas course from the Work-Based Learning Coordinator.
  2. Complete ALL On-Boarding paperwork for assigned clinical site, sign in ink, scan into a PDF document, and upload all information to AHE externship Canvas course.
    •  If you do not have a scanner there are several located on campus, or you may try the Cam Scanner App
    • Schedule and attend any required badging or fingerprinting appointments.
  3. Request an entry code for the externship course.
    • This should be done during the registration for the quarter when the course will be taken (DO NOT REQUEST AN ENTRY CODE EARLY).

Note: All On-Boarding paperwork must be completed and submitted prior to receiving an entry code for an externship course.

The following are pre-externship courses:

AHEM 120: Clinical Procedures I 5 cr.

This course prepares students for key responsibilities in clinical medical assisting, including patient communication, medical documentation, infection control, and teamwork in healthcare settings. Emphasis is placed on patient interviewing and screening; vital signs assessment; rooming procedures; patient nutrition; and assisting in gynecologic, prenatal, pediatric, eye, and ear examinations. Students gain practical knowledge to deliver professional, compassionate care in diverse clinical environments.  Recommended: AHE 100, AHEA 100. Fee: $60.00 Allied Health (AHE) Lab supply Tier 2.

AHEM 122: Clinical Procedures 3 cr.

This is the second in a series of courses covering Medical Assistant skills. The focus is on clinical procedures, preparation and set up, sterile fields, instrument handing and sterilizing, procedure follow up and education. Fee: $60.00 Allied Health (AHE) Lab supply Tier 2.

AHEM 124: Clinical Procedures II 5 cr.

This course introduces laboratory practices, including specimen collection and processing, urinalysis, venipuncture, hematology, basic microbiology, and specialized laboratory tests. Topics cover relevant pathology, interpretation of normal and abnormal values, computations, charting, and the scope of practice. Clinical skills include EKG, allergy and asthma testing, spirometry, peak flow measurement, venipuncture, and CLIA-waived tests. Students will practice lab procedures within the context of assisting providers, following physician orders, and adhering to clinical protocols. Fees: $60.00 Allied Health (AHE) Lab supply Tier 2; $85.00 CastleBranch background check. CastleBranch runs national, state, and county background checks that meet requirements for clinical and other work-based learning sites, which must be completed annually in order for students to participate.

During Externship Courses

Prior to beginning externship students must complete the following:

  1. Register for the externship course.
  2. Sign and return the externship agreement form.

Note: Students must complete all of the required hours to pass the externship course.

The following are externship courses:

AHEL 118: Phlebotomy Practicum 5 cr.

Provides practical experience in the role of the phlebotomy technician. Grading: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Fee: $23.50 Student Liability and Malpractice Insurance, charged once per year.

AHEM 128: Medical Assistant Practicum 8 cr.

This capstone course combines weekly lectures, labs, and a supervised 160-hour unpaid practicum in a medical care setting under the direct supervision of a medical professional. Students will refine and practice clinical and administrative skills, engage in discussions, and prepare for certification exams and employment. The course meets the requirements for certification by the State of Washington Department of Health and aligns with the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) standards, equipping students with the proficiency and professionalism needed for entry-level medical assisting roles.  Prerequisites: Completion of ALL medical assisting certificate program courses AND externship requirements. Grade for each program course is a C (2.0) or better. No more than 1 quarter between completion of AHEM 124 and AHEM 128. Department consent required. See bellevuecollege.edu/ahe Fees: $75.00 Allied Health (AHE) clinical tracking; $23.50 Student Liability and Malpractice Insurance, charged once per year.

Last Updated March 25, 2024