Clinical Laboratory Scientist

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Medical Technologist

NAACLS provides the following description: at career entry, the medical technologist/clinical laboratory scientist will be proficient in performing clinical laboratory tests in areas such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular and other emerging diagnostics and will be able to play a role in the development and evaluation of test systems and interpretive algorithms. The graduates will have diverse responsibilities in areas of analysis and clinical decision-making, regulatory compliance with applicable regulations, education, and quality assurance/performance improvement. They will also possess basic knowledge, skills and relevant experience in:

Communications to enable consultative interactions with members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education
Financial operations, marketing and human resource management of the clinical laboratory to enable cost-effective high quality, value added laboratory services
Information management to enable effective, timely, accurate and cost-effective reporting of laboratory-generated information
Research design/practice sufficient to evaluate published studies as an informed consumer.

Upon graduation and initial employment, the medical technologist should be able to demonstrate entry level competencies in the above areas of professional practice. Students are eligible to sit for national certification exams in medical technology/clinical laboratory science after completion of the program.

Program Outcomes - BS MT

The specific educational outcomes for the program are to produce graduates who:

Demonstrate entry-level competencies for medical technologists/clinical laboratory scientists in the following disciplines: Hematology, Chemistry, Immunology, Blood Bank, Urine and Body Fluid Analysis, Microbiology and Laboratory Operations.
Demonstrate professional behavior including sound work ethics, cultural responsiveness and appearance while interacting with patients and healthcare professionals.
Find gainful employment as laboratory professionals.
Demonstrate continuing competency through participation in continuing education and providing continuing education.
Demonstrate professional advancement by involvement in administrative and/or supervisory roles in the employment setting or through completion of specialty or certification exams.
Demonstrate a commitment to the laboratory profession through sustained membership and active involvement in professional organizations.

Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements for all students entering programs offered by the Medical Laboratory Technology Department include:

Complete the Student History Form application.
Review the Essential Requirements for Admission and return the signed form to the department.
High School diploma or GED equivalency.
Prior to enrollment in either MEDT A101 or MEDT A132, students complete the Pre-entrance Medical Record. All immunizations must be signed by a health care provider. The Hepatitis Series must at least be started.
Prior to enrolling in a practicum (MEDT A195A, MEDT A195B, MEDT A295 or MEDT A495) students must:
- Demonstrate computer competency in the prerequisite MEDT courses.
- Have completed a backgound check from www.CertifiedBackground.com ($72). Please click here for instructions.
- Provide proof of personal medical insurance coverage.

The Medical Laboratory Technology Department assumes no responsibility for illness or injuries experienced by students in conjunction with student labs. It is strongly recommended that students maintain personal medical insurance while enrolled in any of the programs offered by the Medical Laboratory Technology Department. Students enrolled in practicum (MEDT A195A, MEDT A195B, MEDT A295 or MEDT A495) must provide their own transportation to the clinical facility. Personal protective equipment is provided by the training facility. The clinical facilities require proof of medical insurance coverage; therefore, students are required to maintain personal medical insurance while enrolled in practicum courses. Medical insurance is available through the Student Health Center. Liability insurance is purchased by the Medical Laboratory Technology Department to cover the student’s practicum. The Occupational Endorsement certificates, AAS and BS degrees are not contingent upon the students passing any type of external certification or licensure examination.

Program Admission Requirements

Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Programs Admission Requirements listed in the UAA Catalog.
Complete the General Admission Requirements for all programs in the Medical Laboratory Technology Department that are listed at the beginning of this section.
Meet with the Medical Technology Program advisor regarding application, program admission and development of a program of study.

Application Process

Complete the admission process for UAA.
Complete and submit the following forms to the Medical Laboratory Technology Department:
- Student History
- Pre-entrance Medical Record
- Essential Requirements for Admission
Meet with the Medical Laboratory Technology Program advisor regarding your application, program admission and development of a program of study.

Course Sequencing

Graduation Requirements

A total of 123-127 credits is required for this degree, of which 42 credits must be upper-division (300-level or above).

General University Requirements

Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees

General Education Requirements

Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees. In the Medical Technology program, the required support courses meet the Quantitative Skills and Natural Science Requirements.

Required Support Courses

Complete all 32-35 credits of support courses for the Medical Technology major with a satisfactory grade of C or better.

BIOL A111
BIOL A112
CHEM A103/L or CHEM A105/L
CHEM A104/L or (CHEM A106/L and CHEM A321)
MATH A107 or higher (Except for MATH 205)
STAT A252 or higher
ENGL A212
CIS A305
PHIL A302

Major Requirements

MEDT courses. Complete the following major courses with a satisfactory grade of C or better.

MEDT A132 - Introduction to Laboratory Medicine OR
MEDT A101 Phlebotomy Procedures AND MEDT A133 Basic Techniques in Laboratory Medicine
MEDT A202 - Clinical Chemistry
MEDT A203 - Clinical Microbiology
MEDT A204 - Hematology and Coagulation
MEDT A206 - Immunology and Blood Banking
MEDT A208 - Urine and Body Fluid Analysis
MEDT A301 - Clinical Molecular Biology
MEDT A302 - Clinical Laboratory Education and Management
MEDT A303 - Advanced Clinical Microbiology
MEDT A401 - Introduction to Research
MEDT A495 - Medical Technology Practicum

Recommended Course Sequencing

Each student’s course schedule sequence may vary according to required prerequisite courses.

First Year

Please note that students must complete 12 credits of Tier 1 GER courses prior to completing 60 credits.

Semester I

ENGL A111 - Methods of Written Communication
Oral Communication Skills
BIOL A111 - Anatomy and Physiology I
CHEM A103/L - Survey of Chemistry/Lab or CHEM A105/L General Chemistry I/Lab
Fine Arts (GER)

Semester II

ENGL A212 - Technical Writing (recommended)
BIOL A112 - Anatomy and Physiology II
CHEM A104/L - Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry/L or CHEM A106/L General Chemistry II/Lab
MATH A107 - College Algebra or Higher (Except MATH 205)
MEDT A132 - Introduction to Laboratory Medicine

Summer

CHEM A321 - Organic Chemistry I

Second Year

Semester I

MEDT A203 - Clinical Microbiology
MEDT A204 - Hematology and Coagulation
MEDT A208 - Urine and Body Fluid Analysis
Social Science (GER)

Semester II

MEDT A202 - Clinical Chemistry
MEDT A206 - Immunology and Blood Banking
STAT 252 or Higher
Social Science (GER)

Third Year

Semester I

MEDT A302 - Clinical Laboratory Education and Management (Meets the Capstone GER Requirement)
PHIL A302 - Biomedical Ethics
CIOS A305 - Managerial Presentations
Humanities (GER)