Biomedical Laboratory Technician Student Version

Transcription

1 Draft Revised Nov. 5 th, 2013 Biomedical Laboratory Technician Student Version Exploring the Profession

2 2

3 Prospective Student Profile Prospective students should enjoy learning about the human body and have a passion for science. Students should be dedicated to working in the health care environment. The ability to learn and adapt to developing technology in the workplace is a quality that will allow prospective students a full and exciting career as a medical technologist. Program Information The Biomedical Laboratory Technology program is a three- year program designed to give students the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of a medical technologist. As healthcare professionals, medical technologists contribute to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease by providing laboratory services to physicians and other clients. This rewarding career allows conscientious students to work in a large variety of laboratories encompassing six major medical specialties: hematology and hemostasis, the study of blood and blood coagulation; clinical biochemistry, the study of body functions; histology, the study of body tissues; clinical microbiology, the study of microorganisms; and transfusion science, the study of blood transfusions. Students are also trained in other emerging areas that are growing in importance, such as molecular biology (DNA technologies) and immunology. Technologists use highly specialized instruments and techniques to analyze body tissues and fluids and identify microorganisms to help in the diagnosis of patients diseases and in research into medical conditions and treatments. Their broad based training prepares them to be able to work in many different venues including clinical, research and pharmaceutical settings. Plus, students develop interpersonal skills that allow them to interact as team members and communicate with patients during the procurement of laboratory specimens. In the first and second years, students acquire a broad theoretical knowledge in the classroom and complement this knowledge with specific skills developed and practiced in the laboratory component of their courses in the program. In the third year, students continue with on- the- job training while they intern full time for 26 weeks in accredited hospitals and rotate through the major clinical laboratories. Graduates of the program can become nationally certified, upon successfully passing the certification examinations of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). Graduating students can also become members of the Ordre Professionnel des Technologistes Médicaux du Québec (OPTMQ). For American certification, graduating students may write the exams for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or the National Certification Agency (NCA) for Medical Laboratory Personnel. 3

4 Some important points about the Program: National Recognition and Mobility: Graduates can become certified nationally, which means that they can work anywhere in Canada as a medical technologist. Summer Employment: In the summer between the second and third year, students can experience the workplace and get jobs working in hospital clinical labs. Procurement (Blood- taking) Internship at the end of second year: Students learn the techniques of taking blood specimens from patients in an intensive internship in the hospital at the end of the second year, which helps to prepare them for summer employment in the hospital labs. On- line Pharmacology Course: The Pharmacology course in the third year is given on- line, while students are in their internship. Seminar course in third year: A Seminar course in third year covers new competencies in the profession, such as critical thinking, research skills, and management, using interactive methods to explore areas of professional ethics, team building, communication and professionalism. Jobs: A multitude of jobs exist in both the public sector (clinical diagnostic labs) as well as in the private sector (pharmaceutical labs, biotechnology labs, research labs, private labs, government labs). There is a critical demand, which will increase as many medical technologists are expected to retire over the next 5 to 10 years. University Programs: Graduates can continue their education and obtain a Bachelor s degree. Many universities across Canada accept Biomedical Laboratory Technology Program graduates into their degree programs. In some cases, advance credit is given to students for their DEC. Also, many programs now offer their course on- line, which means you can take them while working here in Montreal. Objectives of Program Upon completion of the program, the graduate will have acquired the professional knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to fulfill the job requirements of an entry- level medical laboratory technologist in a clinical diagnostic laboratory. Specifically, graduates will be able to: procure specimens from a variety of sources perform a broad spectrum of laboratory analyses in different laboratory environments (clinical, research, point- of- care) perform delegated acts according to the regulations governing the profession use knowledge, problem- solving and critical- thinking skills apply health and safety practices to protect themselves, patients, co- workers and the environment 4

5 interact and communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing demonstrate attitudes and ethical behaviour essential to professional practice that promote excellence in healthcare and maintain principles of quality assurance transfer acquired skills and knowledge across disciplines Professional Conduct As health care professionals, Medical Laboratory Technologists are governed by a professional code of ethics, which demands a high level of integrity, honesty and responsibility. Professional conduct must be displayed in all activities associated with the program. Respect of patient confidentiality; Complete honesty in the submission of all work and results; Strict adherence to established protocols; Application of safe work practices; Behaviour which is consistent with the rules and regulations governing the general operation of the laboratory environment; Appropriate communication and collaboration with other students, teachers, clinical instructors, and other hospital staff; Sense of professional and personal responsibility in all aspects of the training; Ability to deal with stressful situations in the laboratory in a responsible manner; Respect for cultural and ethnic diversity; Dependability (reliability, punctuality, attendance, follow through on responsibilities, cooperation). Accrediting Bodies The Biomedical Laboratory Technology Program is accredited by the Canadian Medical Association through the Conjoint Accreditation Services. The accreditation process strives for high quality patient care throughout Canada by maintaining national educational standards for designated health professionals. This process ensures that the Biomedical Laboratory Technology Program at Dawson College adheres to national standards through a periodic assessment of the quality of the training and the competence of its graduates. Affiliated Organizations Ordre professionnel des technologistes médicaux du Québec: Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science: 5

6 Affiliated Hospitals McGill University Health Center - Montreal General Hospital - Royal Victoria Hospital - Montreal Children's Hospital - Montreal Neurological Hospital Jewish General Hospital St. Mary's Hospital Centre Lakeshore General Hospital Dawson Admission Requirements Diploma of Secondary Studies (DES), including: Secondary V Language of Instruction Secondary V Second Language Secondary IV Science Secondary IV Mathematics Secondary IV History or academic background judged equivalent to the DES. (Students with a DES missing any of the above subjects may be admitted, space permitting, but may be required to complete remedial courses.) Additional Admission Requirements Mathematics or * Chemistry * An interview is required to assess the candidate s readiness to pursue Biomedical Laboratory Technology studies** Candidates who place below the preparatory level in both English and French will not be admitted into the Program. * For Students graduating before June 2010 or from an Adult Education Centre, the prerequisites are Physics 534, Chemistry 534 and Mathematics 526. ** Candidates may be asked to complete a pre- interview assignment, which will be reviewed at the time of the interview and may contribute to the overall assessment of the candidate. 6

7 For all inquiries concerning this program, please contact: Karen Gabriele Program Coordinator Biomedical Laboratory E- mail: Dawson College (514) Local: 1520 Office: 5A.11 Mini-Biomed Lab Day If you would like to get a more hands-on experience in the field of Biomedical Laboratory Technology, you can attend our Mini-Biomed Lab Day event. ****You must be in Secondary 4 or 5 to attend. (See the invitation attached for further information.) 7

8 Lesson Plan: Activity Title: Introduction to Biomedical Laboratory Technology The Role of the Biomedical Laboratory Technologist in diagnosing diseases Overview: Duration: 60 minutes Students will be introduced to the Biomedical Laboratory Technology program at Dawson College by viewing a program video located on the Dawson website ( The students will be introduced to the world of hematology through a YouTube video. Hematology is the study of blood, its components, and their function. This learning experience gives students the opportunity to become familiar with the fascinating field of hematology and the pathology of common blood disorders. Objectives: Become familiar with the cellular components of blood Understand the roles of the cellular components of blood Understand the underlying cause of iron deficiency anemia Program video (5:51 minutes) Program questionnaire (5 minutes) (2:33 minutes) Blood detective questionnaire (10 minutes) (0:25 minutes) Blood component questionnaire and exercise (10 minutes) (2:45 minutes) Anemia (5 minutes) Materials: Grouping: Artifacts: Critical thinking exercise (15 minutes) Computer, LCD projector, internet access Program video: Click on Programs from the menu bar Select Science, Medical Studies, and Engineering Select Biomedical Laboratory Technology: Click on Program video Program questionnaire (2:33 minutes) Blood detective questionnaire (10 minutes) (0:25 minutes) Blood component questionnaire and exercise (10 minutes) (2:45 minutes) Anemia (5 minutes) Critical thinking exercise (15 minutes) Individual / Pair / Small Group / Whole Class Watch the program video and answer the program questionnaire. Watch the YouTube videos and fill in the questionnaires. 8

9 Links with the POP program Competencies Competency 1 Carries out a process of career exploration Key features Process PART 1 Before Follow-up Uses documentary resources in academic and career information Role of student(s) What is a Medical Technologist? View the program video (5:51 minutes) Program video: Click on Programs from the menu bar Select Science, Medical Studies, and Engineering Select Biomedical Laboratory Technology Click on Program video Take out the program questionnaire 1 The role of the medical technologist is to carryout, review, and report lab analysis to physicians in a healthcare environment or other healthcarerelated environment. Have you ever had blood tests? Do you know what happens to your samples in the laboratories? 2 Play the program video. Answer the program questionnaire as the video is playing. 3 Review your answers and discuss with a peer, a teacher or a parent. Visit the Dawson website if you would like to explore the program further. Competency 2 Contemplates his/her learning and work possibilities Considers possible career paths in a time frame. Notes PART 2 What is hematology? Take out the exercise sheets. Before View the YouTube videos Load the Hematology YouTube videos: Take out the exercise package detailpage&v=e3_xmmzvid8 detailpage&v=rxaolb8b4ri &feature=player_detailpage Program video: Click on Programs from the menu bar Select Science, Medical Studies, and Engineering Select Biomedical Laboratory Technology Click on Program video 9

10 1 List the components of blood. Discuss which blood disorders you are aware of and what symptoms may be observed in these diseases with a peer, a teacher or a parent. 2 Play the videos. Complete each exercise following the videos. Follow-up Discuss the results of each of the exercises with a peer, a teacher or a parent. PART 3 Before Critical Thinking exercise Take out the critical thinking exercise package 1 Review the instructions and follow the directions in the exercise package. Please note that the normal range is a range of values 95% of healthy individuals fall within for a given test.) 2 Compare the results provided within each case study. It should take approximately five minutes per case study to analyze your findings. Determine if the patient values are within the normal range or are abnormally high or low. 3 Then compare the patient results to the normal ranges provided. After analysing the data for each case study, come to a conclusion about the status of the patient and select one of the disorders provided. Follow-up Discuss your findings with a peer, a teacher or a parent. Review the Dawson College Mini-Biomedical Laboratory Day flyer. 10

11 Program Questionnaire As you watch the program video about the Biomedical Laboratory Technology program, answer the following questions: 1. What type of student would be interested in the field of biomedical laboratory technology? 2. Name the 5 disciplines that make up the biomedical laboratory program. 2. What is the role of a Biomedical Laboratory Technologist? 3. Can you go to university after graduating from this program? 4. How long will it take you to become a Biomedical Laboratory Technologist? 5. What is the externat program? 6. Name 3 other members of the healthcare team that Biomedical Laboratory Technologists communicate and interact with in the hospital setting: 11

12 Activity Package Identifying and Understanding the Components of Blood 1. Blood Detectives Hematology is the study of blood: the cells that make up the blood, how they function, and if abnormal, how they may cause disease in the body. As a biomedical laboratory technologist working in a hematology laboratory, you will be taking blood specimens from patients and testing them to find out if there are the correct number of blood cells and if they appear normal. If there are too many or too few cells, this may indicate a disease. If the cells are not formed properly, they cannot carry out their proper functions. These findings are given to the patient s physician so that proper treatment can be provided. After viewing the first video, you should have a basic understanding of each of the components which make up the blood. Each component has its particular function. Fill in the chart below. Component Function According to the video, what is the largest organ in the body? What is the role of a hematologist? Think about this. If a patient is frequently out of breath and tired, he or she may have a decreased amount of which blood component? If you fall down skateboarding and you bleed for several hours from what seems to be a small wound, which blood component may be in low numbers or perhaps not functioning properly? 12

13 2. The Blood Sample Blood is taken from a patient by a biomedical laboratory technologist through a procedure called venipuncture. A thin needle is placed into a vein in the arm and blood is drawn into a tube containing an anti-coagulant. An anticoagulant prevents the blood from clotting (changing from liquid to solid form). The blood sample is sent to the hematology lab where it is tested by another biomedical laboratory technologist. The blood is aspirated into an analyzer which detects the size and characteristics of the cells in the sample. The analyzer produces a report which indicates the quantity of each cell type and any abnormalities with the appearance of the cells. This information can then be sent to the patient s physician so that the patient can receive appropriate treatment. Label the layers found in the blood after it has been centrifuged (The blood is spun at high speed to separate the components into layers.) Which component of the blood is elevated when a person has a bacterial infection? This type of blood cell is also involved in a blood disorder called leukemia. In leukemia, too many cells are made and the cells do not function correctly. 13

14 3. Anemia What is anemia? Name three symptoms of anemia: What is a common cause of anemia? How can iron deficiency anemia be prevented? How can we obtain iron from our diet? 14

15 Critical Thinking The results from the analysis of a blood sample are sent to the patient s physician. The physician analyzes the results and determines if the patient is suffering from a blood disorder. In order to do this, the physician must compare the patient s results to a normal reference range. A reference range is a range of values into which 95% of the population s results will fall; values falling in this range are considered normal. If a particular patient s values are found to be below or above this range, the patient test result is abnormal compared to the majority of the population. Based on an abnormal result or set of results, the physician can make a diagnosis. You have been provided with three case studies. Using the data provided, determine if the patient is suffering from a blood disorder. Select one of the following disorders for each case study: Iron deficiency Anemia Thrombocytopenia (Low platelet count) Bacterial Infection Case Study#1 A 23year-old male has been suffering from fatigue, sore throat, and fever and chills. Unable to run his usual 25 miles per week, he decided to see a doctor. The physician ordered a blood test (CBC) to figure out what is going on: CBC (Complete Blood Count) Patient s values Normal Reference Range Values Red Blood Cell 5.25 x /L x /L Hemoglobin 154 g/l g/l White Blood Cell 12.9 x 10 9 /L x 10 9 /L Platelet 333 x 10 9 /L x 10 9 /L Patient is: high/low/normal Once you have completed your observation of the table, can you say which disorder this patient may have? Answer: 15

16 Case Study#2 A 37 year-old female was seen by her physician for a routine check-up. The physician noted that the patient complained of fatigue and dizziness over the past 2-3 months. She appeared pale, but otherwise her physical exam seemed normal. The CBC blood test results were as follows: CBC Patient s values Normal Reference Range Values Red Blood Cell 1.26 x /L x /L Hemoglobin 70 g/l g/l White Blood Cell 6.2 x 10 9 /L x 10 9 /L Platelet 260 x 10 9 /L x 10 9 /L Patient is: high/low/normal Once you have completed your observation of the table, can you say which disorder this patient has? Answer: 16

17 Case Study#3 An 11 year-old male was admitted to hospital because he was bruising too easily and had bleeding gums and many nose bleeds. The mother stated he was "never sick before in his entire life." He had no family history of bleeding disorders. In the physical examination, the physician noted numerous bruises mostly on his arms and legs. CBC Patient s values Normal Reference Range Values Red Blood Cell 4.8 x /L x /L Hemoglobin 134 g/l g/l White Blood Cell 5.3 x 10 9 /L x 10 9 /L Platelet 33 x 10 9 /L x 10 9 /L Patient is: high/low/normal Once you have completed your observation of the table, can you say which disorder this patient has? Answer: You have now explored the components of blood, their function in our bodies and how a physician determines if a patient is suffering from a disease related to the composition of their blood. This is the world of hematology! Mini-Biomed Lab Day If you would like to get a more hands-on experience in the field of Biomedical Laboratory Technology, you can attend our Mini-Biomed Lab Day event. ****You must be in Secondary 4 or 5 to attend. (See the invitation attached for further information.) 17

18 18