Student Handbook
MT Program Goals and Competencies

Purpose
Welcome
Organization
   College of Allied Health
   Health Related Programs
   Clinical Lab Sciences
   Program Accreditation Information
Description of the Programs
Program Check Sheets
   MLT Check Sheet
   MT Check Sheet
   MLT/MT Comparison
MLT Program Goals
MT Program Goals
Facilities
   CLS Labs
   Classrooms
   Computer Resources
Student Organization

Part I Part II Part III Part IV
  1. To define clearly what is expected of students in the program, to make these expectations clear to all students, and to help students fulfill those expectations.
  2. To incorporate appropriate liberal arts, management, and communications courses into the curriculum and to educate professionals aware of the needs and values of a changing world.
  3. To provide evaluation mechanisms which recognize individual competencies and allow for advanced placement where appropriate.
  4. To provide the opportunity for worthwhile clinical experiences for all qualified students.
  5. To provide a mechanism that coordinates on campus preparation with the clinical experience.
  6. To provide the opportunity for certified Medical Laboratory Technicians to obtain a baccalaureate degree that builds on their associate degree, and earn national certification.
  7. To offer appropriate continuing education opportunities to medical laboratory professionals.

An additional program goal is to prepare graduates for employment in a variety of clinical laboratory settings at career entry level, with the following general entry level competencies:

* to follow all safety policies of the laboratory, and to recognize and correct unsafe conditions.
* to be able to work as members of the health care team.
* to be capable of professional advancement, whether in technical, industrial, management, or educational positions.
* to be able to maintain their technical competence under the normally stressful conditions of a clinical laboratory.
* to be able to integrate theory and practice effectively in campus laboratories, as well as at clinical affiliates.
* to be able to generate data to be used in patient care, evaluate the validity of those data and assure reliability before reporting test results.
* to recognize the importance of quality control and quality assurance programs in the production of laboratory results, and to be familiar with, and able to participate in, Total Quality Management and Continuous Quality Improvement programs.
* to collect and process samples of blood and other body fluids, and evaluate the suitability of those samples for analysis.
* to perform routine tests and suggest appropriate additional follow-up or problem solving tests where needed.
* to maintain instruments and identify and correct malfunctioning systems.
* to manage and supervise other laboratory professionals, providing clinical instruction, and continuing education where appropriate.
* to communicate effectively with other members of the health care team and with patients and their families.
* to develop and institute new methodologies and systems as the need arises.
* to be aware of the impact of external regulatory requirements, such as those of CLIA 88, OSHA, and NAACLS, and to comply with those requirements.
* to correlate results from all areas of the laboratory and relate these results to the clinical condition of the patient.
* to perform as laboratory professionals by respecting the confidentiality of patient data; maintaining neatness in personal habits, work areas, and laboratory reports; performing to the best of their abilities; following established employment policies; and assuming responsibility of their conduct as well as their work.
* to recognize the need for lifelong learning, within the field of laboratory practice and in life.