MLT 274 - Medical Laboratory Assistant Practicum

2 credit hours - 100 hours clinical; one term
Apply practical theory and skills learned in previous MLT courses in the clinical laboratory assistant laboratory setting under the supervision of a clinical preceptor. Rotate through the areas of a clinical laboratory with a focus on the accessioning process either through simulation or at an assigned clinical rotation laboratory or a combination of both. Clinical fee $120.

Prerequisite(s): MLT 100 , MLT 101 , MLT 102  and MLT 103  or by permission of the department chair.

Note: Students who receive a final grade below C are awarded an F in the course. Eligibility for national certification includes a final grade of C or better, or work experience as a clinical laboratory assistant, and payment of an additional fee to the certifying organization.

Location(s) Typically Offered: Off Campus (OF)

Term(s) Typically Offered: Fall and spring

Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify the areas in the clinical laboratory setting that utilize the skills and knowledge of a Medical Laboratory Assistant.
2. Procure patient/client whole blood and serum or plasma specimens and process according to procedures and clinical site policies in a core laboratory setting.
3. Procure patient/client body fluid specimens other than whole blood and serum or plasma according to procedures and clinical site policies in a core laboratory setting.
4. Procure patient/client whole blood specimens according to procedures and clinical site policies in an immunohematology laboratory setting.
5. Perform donor processing duties according to the procedures and clinical site policies of the immunohematology laboratory.
6. Procure patient/client specimens and process according to the procedures and clinical site policies of the clinical microbiology laboratory.
7. Communicate with laboratory staff and other health care professionals in a professional, courteous manner when receiving specimens into the laboratory or communicating by phone or person when a problem occurs with the integrity of a patient specimen.
8. Utilize the laboratory information system (LIS) to accession all samples into the clinical laboratory workflow.
9. Perform microbiological testing, including attaining the specimen under aseptic technique, preparing culture media, performing staining techniques, and correctly using a microscope.
10. Maintain federal and state regulations for standard precautions and OSHA.
11. Correlate the effects of healthy vs. non-healthy choices and their effects on body systems.