Course descriptions
Orientation
A two (2) week orientation session includes lectures on the following:
- Phlebotomy
- Computer
- Policies
- Safety
- Infection Control
- Compliance
- Client Sensitivity
- Lab Math
Chemistry
The chemistry series includes nine (9) weeks of lecture and seven (7) weeks of bench that combines chemistry, special chemistry, and immunology.
Clinical Correlations
Case studies are presented, and the student must evaluate and correlate test results to obtain a total picture of the patient's disease state.
Coagulation
Students study the theory and practice of testing for coagulation mechanisms during two (2) weeks of lecture and two (2) weeks of clinical application.
Education
A lecture series will provide students with information on test writing, lecturing, objectives and clinical instruction. Students are required to present a lecture during this time.
Hematology
Hematology includes a rotation of six (6) weeks of lecture and seven (7) weeks of clinical study. Students gain experience in collecting, staining and counting cells in blood and other body fluids, techniques of sedimentation rates, reticulocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit determinations, special stains and instrumentation. The series includes extensive study of differentials and observation of bone marrow procedures.
Immunohematology
During this time, students spend three (3) weeks in lectures and six (6) weeks in clinical study. Topics include antibody screening and identification, typing, blood banking theory and practice, and component therapy.
Immunology
This series includes three (3) weeks of lecture and two (2) weeks of clinical study that is included in the chemistry bench rotation. The bench rotation covers agglutination testing, fluorescent microscopy, and theory and practice of testing for immune response, both acquired and autoimmune, to invasion by bacterial and viral agents.
Management
A lecture series covering management functions such as scheduling, budgeting, and regulations/compliance is conducted.
Microbiology
Students devote seven (7) weeks of lecture and eight (8) weeks of clinical application to microbiology. Topics include diagnostic theory and practice, infection control, instrumentation, media preparation, mycobacteriology, mycology, susceptibility testing and virology.
Parasitology
Students are presented three (3) weeks of lecture and one (1) week of clinical work covering the theory and practice of parasite identification. This includes identification of those parasites that infect humans.
Research
Students have a lecture series on statistics, method evaluation and research techniques.
Urinalysis
This session includes two (2) weeks of lecture and two (2) weeks of clinical study. During this course, students study chemical techniques, gastric analysis, instrumentation, microscopic techniques, routine urinalysis and special testing.
Special Rotations
Special rotations are planned to give the student understanding of other departments and services that the laboratory interacts with. These rotations include visits to Histology, Client Response, and the blood bank at the American Red Cross.
Program calendar
Classes begin each year in July. The program is 11 months in length. There are three breaks granted during the program year: one (1) week of fall break, two (2) weeks of Christmas vacation and one (1) week of spring break.
The following holidays are observed:
- Memorial Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- New Year's Day
Student employment (service work)
Once students have successfully completed a rotation, they may be given the opportunity to work as a paid student lab tech. Hours offered for service work are dependent on the needs of the laboratory. Each laboratory section manager will determine the work hours available for their area of responsibility. Service work hours are strictly voluntary and are in addition to the regular student day. Student service work is paid and will not be used to make up or shorten bench rotations. Students are not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week.
Students who want to work during the program year will need to show that they are in conformance with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986, and properly identify themselves and have proof of authorization to work in the United States.
Graduation and certification
Students must pass a final exam to successfully complete the Parkview Medical Laboratory Science Program. Upon completion, students receive a graduation certificate. They are then eligible to pursue certifications offered by the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, or other nationally recognized accreditation agency.
Faculty
Yi Zhuang, M.D., Medical Director
Brian Goff, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, Program Director
Lecturer: Orientation, Education, Research, Management, Parasitology
Caitie McGowan, MLS(ASCP)CM
Hematology/Urinalysis
Cristina Lantz, MLS(ASCP)
Coagulation
Lynn Subler, MLS(ASCP)CM
Chemistry/Special Chemistry/Immunology
Vickie Niblick, MT(ASCP)
Microbiology/Parasitology
Audrey Clauser, MT(ASCP)
Blood Bank
Kristen Boucher, MLS(ASCP)CM
Blood Bank
Laura Gregg, MT(ASCP)
Blood Bank
Rules and regulations
Academic Standards
The Parkview Medical Laboratory Science Program believes that high standards of performance are a basis for quality education. All students are provided with written copies of school policies at the beginning of each year.
They include the following:
- Students are considered to be "on probation" during the first three months of the clinical year.
- Students are expected to uphold the school's honor system.
- Students must not obtain a failing grade in more than one course. If the student has a failing grade, the student must still show mastery of the course objectives.
- Daily attendance, Monday through Friday, during the normal hours of operation for the program, is required. Normal hours of attendance are usually 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Occasionally, the student may have learning experiences on a different shift.
- Students must remain at the hospital until officially dismissed by the instructor and the Program Director.
- Breaks during class are at the discretion of the instructor.
- Excessive tardiness or absenteeism may lead to probationary status.
Dismissal
A student may be dismissed from the program for:
- Failure to maintain academic standards
- Failure to observe the program's policies
- Documented evidence of cheating or plagiarism
- Excessive absenteeism
- Insubordination
Appeal Mechanisms
If the student grievance is over an academic issue that is directly involved with the program, the grievance must be discussed with the individual instructor. If the grievance is not resolved, it may be taken to the Program Director for further action. Should a grievance remain, the Medical Director, Faculty Committee, Campus Advisor, and a neutral evaluator may be contacted. If the issue is one that involves work performed on the student's own time and as an employee of Parkview/Parkview Health Laboratories, then the procedure listed in the Employee Handbook will apply.
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