Purpose:
The Medical Laboratory Technology major is designed to prepare students for certification
and employment as Medical Laboratory Technicians.
Occupational Objectives:
Positions for Medical Laboratory Technicians are available in hospitals,
private laboratories, physicians’ offices, health departments, and industrial
medical laboratories.
Admission Requirements: General
college curricular admission
Additional Admission
Requirements: Students interested in the Medical Laboratory
Technology program must submit an application to the program director for
consideration prior to the deadline for acceptance in the corresponding
semester. Students should first enroll in the Pre-Nursing and Allied
Health Career Studies Certificate (CSC) to complete the prerequisite courses. Admission to the MDL
program is competitive, and only a limited number of students will be
accepted. Fully-qualified students will be ranked according to GPA,
prior degrees achieved, and a completed application packet. (See the
program application packet for full explanation of ranking of
applicants.) A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for consideration.
Completion of the Pre-Nursing and Allied Health, Medical Laboratory
Technology CSC does not guarantee admission into the AAS degree program
Program Notes: Students admitted
into this program will be approved for entry into major/clinical courses
(MDL 101 and higher) when they have satisfied the following requirements:
1.
Completion of one
unit of high school or college level biology with a grade of "C" or better or
its equivalent (JSRCC
BIO 1 or 101).
2.
Completion of one
unit of high school chemistry with a grade of "C" or better
or its equivalent (JSRCC
CHM 1).
3.
Completion of one
unit of high school mathematics with a grade of "C" or better or
the equivalent (JSRCC
MTH 2).
4.
Official transcripts
from all previously attended high schools and colleges submitted
to Central Admissions and Records.
5.
Completion of all
relevant JSRCC developmental coursework prescribed as a result
of JSRCC placement tests.
6.
Completion of health forms obtained from program head for
physical and eye examinations, including any required
immunizations
upon entry into the first MDL course. Students must be free of any
physical or mental condition that might adversely affect their
performance as laboratory technicians.
7.
Students must have a criminal background
check performed, and possibly a drug screen, depending on
clinical site requirements, prior to placement for clinical
rotations.
8.
All
applicants to the Medical Laboratory Technology AAS degree
program must declare their curriculum plan as the Pre-Nursing and
Allied Health Career Studies Certificate. (Please see
http://www.jsr.vccs.edu/curriculum/programs/Pre-Nursing_AlliedHealthCSC.htm for
information on this career studies certificate.) In
order to be officially accepted into the Medical Laboratory
Technology program, applicants will need to fulfill certain
prerequisites included in the career studies certificate, complete a Medical
Laboratory Technology Application packet, and submit to the
program director for consideration for entry. A
minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for consideration. See
Additional Admission Requirements above for full
explanation.
9.
The program is open to qualified students
who provide evidence of interest, aptitude, and motivation in
the areas of both medical laboratory science and direct patient
contact.
Essential Skills Requirements:
Students
entering the Medical Laboratory Technology program must possess the
following skills:
Sufficient eyesight, including color vision, to observe microscopic
cells and features within cells, read records, manipulate
equipment, and visually read procedures, graphs and test results.
Sufficient hearing to communicate with patients and members of
the health care delivery team, monitor patients using electronic
equipment, and hear necessary sounds during operation of equipment.
Satisfactory speaking, reading, and writing skills to effectively
communicate in English in a timely manner.
Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to exhibit excellent
eye-hand coordination and dexterity to manipulate equipment, lift,
stoop, or bend in the delivery of safe laboratory testing.
Satisfactory physical strength and endurance to be on feet for
extended periods and to move heavy equipment and supplies. Sitting,
walking, bending, and reaching motions are also requirements of most
positions.
Satisfactory intellectual, emotional, and psychological health and
functioning to ensure patient safety and to exercise independent
judgment and discretion in performing assigned tasks. The following
skills are required: time
management of multiple priorities, multiple stimuli, and fast paced
environments; analysis and synthesis; and comprehension of detailed instructions to effectively operate in a laboratory setting.
The program provides opportunities for advanced placement based on evaluation of transcripts, clinical work experience,
and training in other accredited medical laboratory education programs.
Individuals interested in advanced placement should confer with the
program head. Students may be required to retake all MDL courses if a
delay in the completion of the program is encountered. All students must
pass a clinical practicum prior to placement in clinical rotations.
Attendance during one summer session may be required.
Any student who receives a final
grade lower than "C" in any core course (MDL prefix) must
repeat the course. Students failing to obtain "C" or better
in any two MDL prefix courses will not be able to progress the Medical Laboratory Technology
program. Courses with the MDL prefix must be completed successfully
prior to entering
the final Coordinated Internship courses.
Malpractice insurance coverage
will be furnished by the college. It is recommended that the student
have appropriate
health insurance. The student is responsible for covering the cost of
medical care required while in the clinical setting. Students are responsible for securing any required uniforms and
lab coats as required by the clinical site.
Upon satisfactory completion
of the five-semester program, the graduate will be eligible to take Medical
Laboratory Technology registry examinations (e.g., ASCP, AMT or equivalent)
for national certification.
The Medical Laboratory Technology
(MDL) classes may be taken for retraining by certified technologists who
have been out of the field for a period of time. Permission of the program
head is required prior to registration.
Courses in the program are
offered on campus as well as via distance learning with in-person or
proctor required. Students in the distance program must attend mandatory
laboratory classes offered at the distance learning sites. Tests may be
taken at an approved Testing Center as determined by the faculty member
and the program head.
Progression
through the Program: The college offers this program in
affiliation with the healthcare agencies and practitioners in the
communities the college serves. The college relies on its community
affiliates to provide clinical education opportunities for its students,
expert clinical preceptors, and course instructors for many courses.
The often rapid changes in healthcare law, standards of practice,
technology, and content of credentialing examinations increasingly
necessitate sudden changes in the program’s course content, policies,
procedures and course scheduling. As a result, the college cannot
guarantee every student continuous and uninterrupted clinical and course
instruction as outlined in the printed catalog curriculum for this
program. Circumstances beyond the control of the college may
necessitate the postponement of course offerings or changes in the
sequencing and/or location of scheduled courses or clinical
assignments. Additionally, the college may have to change the instructor
for courses after instruction has started.
Financial Requirements:
In addition to the regular college tuition and fees, the Medical
Laboratory program requires the items listed below:
Books and Supplies (varies):
$2,000.00
Uniforms and Shoes:
$200.00
Physical, Lab Test, Immunizations:
$300.00
Laboratory Coat:
$25.00
Background Check (varies):
$45.00
Drug Screen (varies):
$25.00
Travel to Clinical Affiliates
Variable
Note: An additional fee for
the national registry examination is not a requirement for graduation
and is not included above. The fee is approximately $185.00.
Computer Competency Requirement:
Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement
by successfully completing
ITE 115.
Students can also meet this requirement by passing the college’s computer
competency exam, administered in the testing centers on each campus, in
which case they will receive college credit for
ITE 115.
Students not passing the computer competency exam may retake the exam only
once.
Program Accreditation and Administration:
The Medical Laboratory Technology program is accredited by the National
Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N River
Rd, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 (773-714-8880 and
NAACLSinfo@naacls.org ).
The program's faculty medical director is Dr. Brad T. Siegmund, M.D., a board
certified Pathologist, also serving as medical director, Southside Regional
Medical Center, Petersburg, Virginia. The program director is Becky M. Clark,
M.Ed., MT (ASCP), Ph.D(c), an experienced medical laboratory scientist and
Certified
Medical Technologist.
Total Minimum Credits
for AAS Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology
70
* This course is included in the Pre-Nursing and Allied Health
Career Studies Certificate.
1MTH 120 meets the graduation requirement for the AAS degree in Medical
Laboratory Technology. Students planning to pursue a four-year
degree should take MTH 163.
2CHM 101 meets the graduation requirement for the AAS degree in Medical
Laboratory Technology. Students planning to pursue a four-year
degree should take CHM 111.
3A list of approved general education
electives (humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences,
mathematics, science, and personal wellness) is provided in the
General Education section of the catalog under Curriculum
Planning and Design.
4This course is offered only in the spring term.
5MDL 210 is a prerequisite or co-requisite for MDL 216.
6This course is offered only in the fall term.
7CHM 101 or CHM 111 is a prerequisite or co-requisite for MDL 262.
8The last semester is a 13-16 week
clinical rotation at a local hospital or clinic.
