Medical Laboratory Scientist Program

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N. River Rd.
Suite 720
Rosemount, IL 60018
Ph: (773) 714-8880
Fax: (773) 714-8886

American Society for Clinical Pathology
33 West Monroe St.
Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
Ph: 1-312-541-4999

BEFORE ADMISSION:

A student must have completed all pre-clinical medical laboratory scientist courses;

Non-degree applicants must be eligible for a baccalaureate degree from the affiliated university at the completion of the clinical program or

Degree applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in Medical Laboratory Science or equivalent

Individual applicants who met program's minimum requirements seven or more years before application must update their biological science academic preparation.

ACADEMIC:

Prerequisites for admission to the program are as follows:

CHEMISTRY:

16 semester units (24 quarter units) acceptable toward a major in Chemistry or Medical Laboratory Science. Organic and/or biological chemistry must be included.

BIOLOGY:

16 semester units (24 quarter units) acceptable toward a major in Biology or Medical Laboratory Science. Microbiology, Anatomy/Physiology, Genetics/Molecular Biology, Mycology, Parasitology, and Immunology are required. Hematology, Blood Banking (Immunohematology) are preferred but not required. Instrumentation and computer sciences are preferred but not required.

MATHEMATICS:

A minimum of one college level course in mathematics is required. A course in Statistics is required. Remedial mathematics courses will not satisfy this requirement.

GPA REQUIREMENTS:

A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75/4.0 with a minimum grade point average of 2.75/4.0 in all science courses and mathematics courses must be achieved by the applicant. Grade point is calculated using grades from ALL colleges/universities the applicant attended.

PERSONAL:

Personal qualifications include motivation to become an active member of the health care team. Responsibility, reliability, cooperative spirit and good judgment are all important attributes to be considered. An interest in science is a basic requirement.

AFFILIATED ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS:

When the non-degree candidate is accepted from an affiliated university, the student is eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science degree upon satisfactory completion of the program.

NON-AFFILIATED ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS:

A non-degree student from a non-affiliated academic program may be considered under the following conditions:

1.     The degree-granting institution offers a bona fide major in medical laboratory science, including affiliation agreement(s) with accredited laboratory-based programs.

2.     The laboratory program officials are provided with a letter of agreement for the individual student, appropriately signed, specifying:

1.     That the student has completed all other degree requirements and will be granted the degree on satisfactory completion of the senior year professional major courses.

2.     The degree-granting institution's professional major course numbers, credit hours and course descriptions.

3.     The form and mechanism by which official course grades earned by the student are to be reported each term by the DMCUL Program to the degree-granting institution.

FOREIGN DEGREE:

If an applicant is basing his/her eligibility for the program on a degree from a foreign university, the official transcript or copy must first be evaluated by an evaluation agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services Inc. The evaluation must show U.S. degree equivalency and subject breakdown. Subject grades must be submitted with the application.

The foreign degree must be equivalent to a bachelor degree in medical laboratory science or equivalent in the U.S. and have completed 24 credit hours in medical laboratory science in the United States or Canada

• Michigan Technological University - Houghton, MI
• Wayne State University - Detroit, MI
• Program is accepted by the Affiliated Universities to fulfill requirements for the granting of a baccalaureate degree in Medical Laboratory Science.

APPLICANTS MUST BE A NON-SMOKER AND BE ABLE TO PASS A PHYSICAL EXAM, A DRUG SCREEN, AND T.B. TEST

1. Please complete the application form. The applicant may use the "Program Application" form for DMCUL or the "MTIMPM Application Form". Answer all questions. Applications are accepted from April 1^st to August 15^th. Application, application fee, transcripts and course plan must be postmarked by August 15^th for the class starting in September and January. The recommendations must be postmarked by September 15^th.
2. Application fee is $10.00 payable to THE DETROIT MEDICAL CENTER. Fee is not refundable.
3. Request an official transcript from ALL Colleges and Universities you have attended. Copies of transcripts students acquire on-line are NOT ACCEPTABLE and will be discarded. Send only official transcripts to:
   • DMC University Laboratories
     Program Director, School of Medical Laboratory Scientist
     UHC Room 3D-13
     4201 St. Antoine
     Detroit, Michigan 48201

4. Foreign degree transcripts must be accompanied by a U.S. degree equivalency evaluation. Foreign degree transcript evaluation must show break down of subject and subject grades. We do not accept international students. Our program is not recognized by immigrations.

   Listing of acceptable evaluation agencies for foreign transcript evaluations.

5. Submit recommendations from a science instructor (chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory science), employer and program advisory. Please have evaluator use evaluation form "School of Medical Technology Student Evaluation Form" found on-line or the evaluation form from the MTIMP web site. Evaluations from friends and relatives are NOT ACCEPTABLE. General Letters of recommendation are NOT ACCEPTABLE.
6. Submit a course plan. You can get a form from the MTIMP web site. You must list classes you have taken and the ones you are planning on taking.
7. You will be notified by mail or email as items above are received. If you DO NOT receive notice within two weeks after sending an item, please call or email the Program Director.
8. Personal interviews are required. Interviews are scheduled from April 1^st to September 30^th. Interviews are not scheduled on Fridays or during holiday breaks. Interviews will only be scheduled if your application file is complete. When you have been notified that your file is complete, please call the Program Director, School of Medical Laboratory Scientist 313-993-0482. There are a limited number of dates and times available for interviews. Please ask the secretary to page the Program Director, School of Medical Laboratory Scientist, if he/she is not in his/her office, leave a telephone number with the time of day where you can be reached. The interview/tour will take about 1 to 11/2 hours. If a message is left on the answering machine, please talk slowly and clearly, giving telephone number twice.
9. It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify the Program Director if there are any changes in the information requested on the application form. Ex: name, address, phone number, e-mail address, etc.
10. PLEASE BE SURE TO USE OUR COMPLETE ADDRESS.

Any of the following may cause immediate dismissal or progressive discipline:

1.     Drinking alcohol, intoxication, smoking, gambling and drug abuse on hospital or laboratory premises.

2.     Falsification of records in areas of responsibility.

3.     Excessive absenteeism/tardiness.

4.     Grade below 2.0 in any clinical experience rotation.

5.     Acts of insubordination.

6.     Any act that may endanger others.

7.     Failure to follow safety policies and procedures.

8.     Failure to follow DMC/DMCUL policies and procedures

9.     Failure to follow confidentiality policies.

10.  Inappropriate use of DMC/DMCUL computer systems.

Appeal Procedure:

Any dismissal, except grades below 2.0, may be appealed to the Appeals Committee consisting of the Program Director, Medical Director of Program, and appointee of the Medical Director, the Chairman of the Department of Medical Laboratory Scientist from the student's university, and a Medical Laboratory Scientist from a local hospital that does not have a School of Medical Laboratory Scientist. The student shall have the opportunity to speak on his/her own behalf.

A student dropping out on his/her own accord, and wishing readmission, must reapply.

* Final update available one year after graduation

The clinical experience curriculum consists of approximately 36 weeks, with approximately one-week vacation at Christmas. Time off due to illness and other unscheduled time off must be made up.

Instruction is provided in a technologically advanced laboratory, and in a modern classroom. Students have written and practical examinations in each clinical experience. The student evaluates his/her clinical experience after each rotation.

The program is accepted by Wayne State University and Michigan Technological University to fulfill requirements for the granting of a baccalaureate degree.

The student receives a certificate upon completion of the clinical program and satisfies requirements for certification exams in Medical Laboratory Scientist by the various certifying agencies.

The following clinical experiences are offered:

ORIENTATION

To include: presentation and discussion of student policies and procedures, student grading system, practical evaluation system, and professional conduct. Also included are presentations and discussion on laboratory safety, ethics and professionalism and specimen collection.

LECTURE SERIES

To include physiology and pathophysiology in areas of Chemistry, Toxicology, Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Body Fluids, Serology, Immunology, Blood Banking, Microbiology, Virology, Molecular Microbiology, Diagnostic Cytogenetics, and Molecular Genetics.

SEMINARS

Topics of discussion include: Laboratory Safety (OSHA Standards), Quality Control, Continuous Quality Improvement, Legal Issues, Laboratory Accreditation, Management, Preparing Educational Objectives, Test Construction, Evaluation System, Educational Tools, Laboratory Computer Systems, Tissue Typing, Client Services, Specimen Processing, and writing a research paper.

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

All clinical rotations use case studies to assist the student in their understanding of the role laboratory tests have in the diagnosis of disease.

Blood Bank - includes practical experience in donor selection and processing, component, preparation and usage, typing, crossmatching, emergency crossmatching, antibody identification and screening, problem solving and quality control.

Chemistry - includes practical experience in specimen processing, utilizing manual and automated procedures, and quality control. Repair and maintenance of instruments. Recognition and differentiation of pathological abnormalities from procedural problems. Clinical correlation of individual results or profiles with disease.

Coagulation - includes practical experience in specimen processing, utilizing manual and automated procedures, and quality control. Clinical correlation or results with disease. Recognition and differentiation of pathological abnormalities from procedural problems. Repair and maintenance of instruments.

Flow Cytometry - includes experience in acquisition and analysis of immunophenotyping, lymphocyte subset enumeration and CD34 stem cell assay. Principles of Flow Cytometry and the laboratory’s test menu and medical applications.

Hematology - includes experience in specimen processing, utilizing manual and automated procedures, cytochemical techniques, enzyme testing, and quality control. Repair and maintenance of instruments. Recognition and differentiation of pathological abnormalities from procedural problems. Clinical correlation of results with disease.

Immunodiagnostics - includes practical experience in specimen processing, serological testing, flow cytometry, immunological testing, quality control, and clinical correlation with disease state.

Microbiology - includes experience in specimen processing, media preparation, sterilization, antibiotic susceptibility testing, organism identification, quality control, instrument operations, instrument maintenance, and instrument troubleshooting. Correlation of organisms with disease states and epidemiology. Groups of organisms studied are bacteria, mycobacteria, mycology, and parasitology.

Molecular Diagnostics (Molecular Microbiology, Biochemical Genetics, and Molecular Genetics) - includes practical experience in specimen processing and testing, quality control, and clinical correlation with disease states.

Specimen Processing - includes experience in order entry into the Laboratory Information System, identification of specimen type required for testing, and the techniques for preparing the patient specimen for analytical testing or shipment to a reference laboratory.

Toxicology - includes practical experience in specimen processing, identification and quantization of therapeutic drugs and drugs of abuse utilizing manual and automated procedures and quality control. Correlation of drug levels with patient management.

Urinalysis - includes practical experience in techniques of routine urinalysis, microscopic examination, special tests, quality control, and clinical correlation of results with disease.

Virology - includes practical experience in specimen processing and virus identification, quality control, instrument operation, instrument maintenance, and instrument troubleshooting. Correlation of viruses with disease state and epidemiology.

ADMISSION COMMITTEE

The Admission Committee is composed of Program Director, and Supervisors or designate.

Applicants are required to have a GPA of 2.75/4.0 or higher and a Math/Science GPA of 2.75/4.0 or higher. Individuals with less than 2.75, will not be considered as possible applicants. They will be notified immediately. Repeated classes, D's and E's in excess, can eliminate your application.

The following factors are considered in the selection process:

MATCHING PROGRAM OF MICHIGAN
1140 Abbott Rd
#4054
East Lansing, MI 48826

All final admissions to the program are contingent upon successful completion of:

A physical exam, a drug screen, and T.B. test

Reference Verification

Criminal background check

Foreign applicants must provide verification which supports their legal rights to be in the U.S.

DMC UNIVERSITIES LABORATORIES RESPONSIBILITIES:

Employee I.D Badge

Equipment and Supplies

Free Parking

Health Coverage for Job Related Injury

Personal Protective Equipment

Part-time employment if desired and available

Physical Exam

Student Library and Classroom

Student Manuals

T.B Testing & Drug Screening

Stipend

Immunization against Hepatitis B & influenza

Criminal Background Check

These Technical Performance Standards/Essential Functions represent the non-academic requirements that students must possess, with or without a reasonable accommodation to successfully participate in DMCUL Hospital-Based Clinical Practicum Program. Applicants MUST be able to affirm their ability to comply with the following:

1. MANUAL DEXTERITY:
Possess the gross/fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination to safely manipulate, maneuver, adjust, control, and/or use:

- chemicals - laboratory equipment/instruments
- specimens - computers, including keyboard and mouse;
- phlebotomy/culture equipment - collect valid laboratory specimens from patients

2. VISION:
a. Characterize the color, clarity, and viscosity of biological specimens, reagents, or
chemical reaction products
b. Discriminate color, shading, and fine structural differences of microscopic specimens
using a clinical grade binocular microscope;
c. Read text, numbers and graphs displayed in print and using laboratory technology
d. Judge distance and depth accurately

3. HEALTH:
a. Possess the physical, mental, and emotional health to function effectively during an 8-hour day
under the stressful conditions of technical malfunctions, time constraints, and a
distracting environment
b. Move freely and safely around the laboratory and hospital facilities
c. Possess normal, corrected or aid-able hearing
d. Possess the ability to:
- bend, stoop, stand and lift 20 pounds
- grasp with one or both hands
- reach laboratory bench tops, shelves and patients lying in beds or seated in
a specimen collection chair
- perform moderately taxing and repetitive tasks, often requiring prolonged
standing/sitting over several hours

4. BEHAVIOR:
a. Possess the ability to be independent, flexible, creative and adaptable to change
b. Possess the willingness to work with sharp objects, hazardous chemicals an
infectious/biohazardous materials
c. Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment and situations
- able to proceed safely in order to minimize risk of injury to patients, self and
co-workers
d. Demonstrates honest, compassionate, ethical and responsible conduct in all actions
- straightforward about error or uncertainty
e. Promotes a team approach to learning, task completion, problem solving and
patient care
- supports and advances the activities of fellow students and health care professionals

5. INTELLECTUAL:
a. Apply complex thought processes to problem solving, troubleshooting and exercising
sound judgment
b. Use reasonable judgment in stressful conditions to recognize and correct performance
deviations
c. Prioritize and perform tasks productively, accurately and within a realistic time allowance
- with and without direct supervision, as required

6. COMMUNICATION:
All verbal/written communications are in English as the primary language

a. Follow verbal and written instructions
b. Read and comprehend text, numbers and graphs in professional and technical materials, e.g.,
textbooks, journals, instructional technology, Internet and procedure manuals
c. Independently prepare papers, reports or posters
d. Deliver oral presentations to fellow students and health care professionals
e. Take paper, oral, computer and laboratory practical examinations at the post-secondary level
f. Interact and communicate effectively and confidentially with all patients, hospital staff,
administrators and co-workers
g. Effectively use computer software, instructional technology and the Internet for
communication, education and professional purposes

Modified from: Fritsma, G.A., Fiorella, B.J., and Murphey, M. Essential Requirements for Clinical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science 1996, Vol. 9, pp. 40-43.