Clinical Laboratory Science
Purpose
The purpose of the Clinical Laboratory Science Degree, a Bachelor of Science program, is to provide a comprehensive curriculum to prepare students to practice clinical laboratory science/medical technology in diagnostic laboratories and other healthcare-related settings. Successful completion of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program qualifies the student to sit for national certification examinations.
Educational Objectives
The program's expectation is to graduate individuals who:
- are professionally competent;
- possess a commitment to life-long learning;
- exhibit a sense of commitment to the ethical and humane aspects of patient care;
- appreciate the need for research to develop knowledge of health, disease, healthcare management and education;
- recognize the role of the clinical laboratory scientist in the assurance of quality health care
Expected Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation from the program, students will be able to demonstrate:
theoretical knowledge and technical skills in the clinical laboratory according to established laboratory standards;
error recognition, and the ability to integrate and interpret analytical data, and establish a course of action to solve problems;
professionalism and ethical behavior.
administrative skills consistent with philosophies of quality assurance, continuous quality improvement, laboratory education, fiscal resource management, and appropriate composure under stressful conditions;
safe laboratory practice to include maintenance of working environment, adherence to all safety rules and regulations, and appropriate test sample acquisition and handling;
communication skills to ensure correct, effective, courteous and appropriate information transfer.
Curriculum Map
The curriculum map for the Clinical Laboratory Science program can be found on the program's web page on the OIT web site.
Summary of Student Learning Outcomes
During the 2007-08 academic year, the Clinical Lab Science faculty formally assessed the student learning outcomes summarized below. Additional details can be found in the attached assessment report and in department assessment records.
Student Learning Outcome #1: Theoretical knowledge and technical skills in the clinical laboratory according to established standards.
Strengths: Externship students performed above expectations for all clinical laboratory practice areas, including chemistry, immunology, hematology, microbiology, transfusion medicine (blood banking), urinalysis, and laboratory operations. On average students scored well above the minimum pass level on national certifying exams and externship exams.
Areas needing improvement: None at this time.
Student Learning Outcome #2: Error recognition, and the ability to integrate and interpret analytical data and establish a course of action to solve problems.
Strengths: All externship students performed at or above expectations for recognition of errors in techniques, calculations, and instrument malfunctions. All students utilized learned skills at the appropriate level to determine course of action to solve problems and determine correct solutions.
Areas needing improvement: None at this time.
Student Learning Outcome #3: Professionalism and ethical behavior.
Strengths: All externship students, in all clinical laboratory sections, performed at or above expectations for personal responsibility. This included promptness, dependability, and following institutional and laboratory practice policies. Minimum benchmarks for professional attributes were met or exceeded for integrity and ethical behavior. Feedback from externship coordinators indicated that all students promoted and practiced at high level all the indications for promoting pleasant work atmosphere, cooperation, volunteerism, acceptance of constructive criticism, seeking out appropriate learning opportunities, co-worker help, and respect for patient dignity.
Areas needing improvement: None at this time.
Student Learning Outcome #5: Safe laboratory practice to include maintenance of working environment, adherence to all safety rules and regulations, and appropriate test sample acquisition and handling.
Strengths: All externship students either met or exceeded expectations, in all clinical areas, for appropriate laboratory technique, which included compliance with facility and established safety policies, maintenance of clean and stocked work areas, documentation of accurate and precise results, interpretation of lab results, and chemical and biological safety protocols. Externship coordinators noted that every student was able to acquire and maintain safe laboratory procedures with minimum supervision, thus meeting and exceeding expectations for laboratorians in hospital work environments.
Areas needing improvement: None at this time.