Standard

Rev.03/17/03

MLT 101 - Introduction to Medical Laboratory Technology

Course Description

Introduces students to the terms, concepts, procedures, and equipment used in a professional medical laboratory. Topics include: professional ethics and regulatory agencies; basic laboratory safety, equipment, and techniques; phlebotomy/specimen processing; quality control concepts; process improvement; documentation; and point of care testing. Practical experience in phlebotomy will be provided in the institution laboratory and/or the clinical setting.

 

Competency Areas

Hours

 

Professional Ethics and Regulatory Agencies

Class

2

Laboratory Safety, Equipment, and Techniques

D. Lab

0

Phlebotomy/Specimen Processing

P. Lab/O.B.I.

3

Quality Control Concepts

Credit

3

Process Improvement  

 

 

Documentation            

 

 

Point of Care Testing   

 

 

 

 

 

Prerequisite:

program admission

Corequisite:

 

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND REGULATORY AGENCIES  

4

0

0

Professional and ethical behavior

Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior associated with the medical field.

 

 

 

Registries and certification

Explain certification, accreditation, and licensure.

 

 

 

State and federal lab licensure laws

Discuss state and federal laboratory licensure laws.

 

 

 

Hospital organization

Illustrate a typical hospital laboratory organizational chart.

 

 

 

 

Discuss career ladders and continuing education.

 

 

 

 

Discuss legal and ethical implications of the profession.

 

 

 

LABORATORY SAFETY, EQUIPMENT, AND TECHNIQUES

5

0

8

Instrumentation

Demonstrate the basic use and maintenance of the following instruments: centrifuge, microscope, spectrophotometer, and balances.

 

 

 

Lab glassware and pipetting

Measure volume using appropriate glassware and pipettes.

 

 

 

Lab safety

Demonstrate safety techniques in the storage and use of chemicals and related hazardous materials.

 

 

 

PHLEBOTOMY/SPECIMEN PROCESSING

     6

0

20

Venipuncture

Demonstrate proper patient identification techniques.

 

 

 

 

List the anticoagulants for each color coded evacuated tube.

 

 

 

 

List types and sizes of needles.

 

 

 

 

Assemble materials for blood collection.

 

 

 

 

Identify appropriate venipuncture sites.

 

 

 

 

Perform appropriate venipuncture with both syringe and evacuator tube using universal precautions.

 

 

 

 

List common problems related to venipuncture and the solutions.

 

 

 

Skin punctures

Describe finger and heel stick procedures and related safety precautions.

 

 

 

 

Perform finger stick procedures using aseptic technique and universal precautions.

 

 

 

Specimen processing

Describe specimen handling and processing including variables affected by improper technique.

 

 

 

 

Demonstrate selected processing procedures.

 

 

 

QUALITY CONTROL CONCEPTS

3

0

2

Standards

Define standards and controls.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the functions of a quality assurance program.

 

 

 

Statistics

Define selected statistical terms.

Prepare quality control charts.

 

 

 

PROCESS IMPROVEMENT

0

0

 

 Describe the methods used by clinical laboratories to improve performance.

 

 

 

DOCUMENTATION

0

 

 Demonstrate ability to complete documentation in a legible manner.

 

 

 

 

Explain the importance of maintaining documentation.

 

 

 

POINT OF CARE TESTING

 0

 0

 

 List “waived tests”.

 

 

 

 

Describe the usage of POCT and its implications in laboratory testing.

 

 

 

 

Perform POCT testing, documenting controls and competency evaluations.

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

 

Books

Beck, S. J. (2002) NCA Review for the clinical laboratory sciences, 4th ed. Little, Brown and Co.

Campbell, J. M., & Campbell, J. B. (Eds.). (1997). Laboratory mathematics: Medical & biological applications (5th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.

Castleberry, B. (1996). Board of registry study guide. Chicago: ASCP Press.

Clerc, J. M. (1992). An introduction to clinical laboratory science. St. Louis: Mosby.

Cuviello, P.V. (2000). Cuviello’s reference manual for medical technology volumes I and II, 3rd ed. Texas: Cuviello.

Davis, B.K. (1997). Phlebotomy: a client-based approach. ITP: Delmar.

Dirckx, J.H. (2001). Stedman’s concise medical dictionary for the health professions, 4th ed. Baltimore: Lippincott.

Doucette, L.J. (1997). Mathematics for the clinical laboratory. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

Flynn, J.C. (1999). Procedures in phlebotomy, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

Garza, D., & Becan-McBride, K. (2001). Phlebotomy question & answer review, 5th ed. New jersey: Prentice Hall.

Garza, D., & Becan-McBride, K. (1999). Phlebotomy Handbook, 5th ed. Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange.

Harr, R. R. (2000). Clinical laboratory science review, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

Hubbard, J. D. (1997). A concise review of clinical laboratory science. Philadelphia: Williams & Wilkens.

Karselis, T.C. (1994). The pocket guide to clinical laboratory instrumentation. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

Karni, K (1997). Opportunities in medical technology careers(clinical laboratory science). Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook.

Kennamer, M. (2002). Basic infection control for health care providers. Thomson Learning: Delmar.

Linne, J. J., & Ringsrud, K. M. (1999). Basic techniques in clinical laboratory science. St. Louis: Mosby.

Strasinger, S. K. & Di Lorenzo, M. S. (1999) Skills for the patient care technician. Philadelphia: F.A .Davis.

Strasinger, S. K. & Di Lorenzo, M. S. (1996) Phlebotomy workbook. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Thomas, C. L. (Ed.). (2001). Taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary (19th ed.). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

Vitale, B.A. & Nugent, P.M. (1996). Test success: test-taking techniques for the healthcare student. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

Ward, K.M, Leiken, A.M. & Lehmann, C.A. (1994) Clinical laboratory instrumentation and automation. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

 

CD-ROM

Phlebotomy Tutor, Lippincott 1998.