Welcome to the Austin Community College s online Medical Laboratory Technician Program Information Session.

Transcription

1 Welcome to the Austin Community College s online Medical Laboratory Technician Program Information Session. This presentation will cover basic information about Medical Laboratory Technology and the role of the Medical Laboratory Technician in the health care team. We are pleased that you are interested in a career as a Medical Laboratory Technician. 1

2 The focus of our discussion is to briefly describe the Medical Laboratory profession, and the professionals that work in the medical laboratory. We will discuss the abilities and characteristics, often referred to as Essential Functions, required of students to be successful in all aspects of the MLT program. And of equal importance will be a discussion about the requirements to be admitted into the Program. At the end of this information session you should be prepared to submit all of the documents necessary for application to the Medical Laboratory Technology program. You will be asked to complete an assessment at the conclusion of this information session to ensure you have achieved these objectives. 2

3 For more detailed information on any content presented in this online information session, click on the appropriate link located on the left side of this page. IMPORTANT: If you click on a link on the left side of this page DURING this presentation, the presentation will start over at the beginning rather than returning to the current position. If you have any questions during the presentation, click on the pause button located at the bottom of the slide, and write down your question. If your question is not answered during the remaining slides, or after viewing information at the appropriate links, we will provide you with contact information at the end of the session. 3

4 Welcome to the world inside the medical laboratory. Sometimes you will hear the medical laboratory called the clinical laboratory, or just the lab. Medical laboratory professionals analyze blood and body fluids, and provide these results to the physician to determine the presence and extent of disease. The reports produced by the laboratory can also provide the physician valuable data to determine the direction and effectiveness of a patient s treatment. 4

5 The fact is that the practice of modern medicine would be impossible without the wide variety of laboratory tests currently performed in the clinical laboratory. As advances in medicine occur, the number of laboratory tests offered and the methods used to analyze patient samples continues to grow at an incredibly rapid rate. 5

6 The modern clinical or medical laboratory is staffed with a wide variety of professionals. They all play a vital role and provide valuable service to the patient and medical community. Some of the professionals working in the clinical laboratory include phlebotomy technicians, Medical Laboratory Technicians, and Medical Technologists. However, for this information session only Medical Laboratory Technologists are discussed. Medical Laboratory Technicians, or MLT s, are the backbone of the clinical laboratory and perform basic to highly complex laboratory procedures. These laboratory professionals are trained at the Associate Degree level. The majority are trained in NAACLS accredited programs, such as the program here at Austin Community College. 6

7 A successful laboratory professional must be a problem solver who does not back away from a challenge, and is willing to take responsibility. Laboratory professionals set high standards for themselves and are driven to produce accurate, reliable test results even in emergency situations. The ability to communicate well is very important. The MLT laboratory professional must communicate appropriately with the patients, the doctors, the nurses, and with other laboratory staff. 7

8 The study of Medical Technology includes extensive instruction and training in each of the listed major departments in the medical laboratory. The following slides provide a brief description of each of these clinical laboratory departments. 8

9 In the hematology department, technicians are most concerned with the numbers and types of cells that are circulating throughout the blood. The most common test performed in this department is the CBC, or complete blood count. Technicians use modern, sophisticated instruments to count and analyze the cells of the blood. Blood may also be placed on a glass slide, stained and further evaluated under a microscope. The result of these tests may lead to a diagnosis of anemia or leukemia. This slide shows two blood smears, the one on the top has normal, round red blood cells; the one on the bottom is from a patient with sickle cell anemia. Notice how some of the red blood cells in the slide on the right have a sickled or abnormal appearance. 9

10 Whenever we are cut, a number of physical and chemical actions begin taking place to limit the amount of blood we lose. These actions result in the formation of a clot. The slide on the left is an illustration of the formation of a clot. Coagulation tests such as the prothrombin time are used to determine whether a patient s blood is capable of clotting normally. A person who inherits a deficiency in the ability to produce clotting factors could bleed to death from a simple injury. Coagulation tests are ordered on patients before going to surgery. The surgeon needs to make sure that their patient has normal clotting ability before they are taken into the operating room. Coagulation tests are frequently ordered on patients who have had a heart attack or stroke and have been prescribed medication that slows down the clotting process. It is very important that they do not clot too fast, but taking too much of the medication can also cause them to have bleeding episodes. Since every person is different in how the medication works on them, coagulation tests are used to monitor the clotting process. Medical Laboratory Technicians use sophisticated instruments such as the one pictured to analyze patient blood samples to determine the levels of coagulation factors. 10

11 The clinical chemistry department is the largest department in the medical laboratory, where huge numbers of patient blood samples are analyzed. The results of these tests can provide the doctor information related to the health of the patient s liver, heart, kidneys, and other major organ systems. Glucose, electrolytes, cholesterol and triglycerides are a few examples of tests in this busy department. Due to the massive number of samples which come into this department, the highly sophisticated equipment used to analyze the samples requires extensive maintenance, and the Medical Laboratory Technician is frequently called upon to troubleshoot mechanical malfunctions of the analyzer when they occur. 11

12 Immunohematology involves the study of blood group antigens and antibodies. The MLT performs appropriate compatibility testing in order to provide blood components for transfusion. The most important test performed is the blood type. Attention to detail is imperative as transfusion of the wrong blood type can result in the death of the patient. MLTs may be employed in hospital transfusion services or blood donor centers. 12

13 If the doctor suspects a bacterial infection, a specimen would be obtained from the infection site, and the microbiology department would perform the tests necessary to identify any pathogenic organism. Once the organisms have been identified, the MLT will perform special tests to determine which antibiotics would be most effective in treating the infection. The microbiology department is an essential component of infection control in the hospital setting, and would be actively involved in response to bioterrorism attacks. Parasitology and Mycology is a fascinating area of study where specimens are examined for presence of parasites and fungi that cause human infection. Parasitology and Mycology are considered part of the Microbiology department. 13

14 The by-products of many kidney and metabolic diseases can be detected in urine early in the disease process. In the urinalysis department, MLTs perform basic screening tests for these diseases. The urine sample is analyzed chemically using a dipstick as seen above. The urine sample may also be examined under the microscope for the presence of cells and other structures. 14

15 The Serology department tests for antigens or antibodies present in the blood to detect the presence of current or past disease processes, such as syphilis, mononucleosis, and rubella. MLTs perform a variety of testing techniques and analyzers to detect the substances important in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. There are many recent developments in testing procedures, such as molecular testing for DNA, which can accurately detect disease causing organisms, cancer markers, and genetic markers for diseases. 15

16 So where are the jobs for Medical Laboratory Technicians? Hospitals, doctor s offices, and reference laboratories are the largest employers of MLTs in the Austin area. However, skills learned in MLT training are applicable in a large number of other medical and commercial facilities. 16

17 Individuals interested in pursuing a career as an MLT must have a solid background in the sciences of biology, anatomy and physiology, and chemistry. Math calculations are required in all department areas. Computer skills, including word processing, entering data, etc. are also mandatory. An associate degree is required to practice in a modern clinical laboratory. Completion of a NAACLS accredited MLT program best prepares individuals to be successful on the national certification examinations. Such certification is a requirement of most area laboratory employers. 17

18 Second year MLT classroom courses are taught at the ACC Eastview and Round Rock campuses where dedicated MLT laboratories are housed. General course hours are 8 am until 3 pm at the Eastview campus and 3:30 pm until 10 pm at the Round Rock campus. All MLT courses are supplemented with online content using Blackboard, ACC s online learning platform. The MLT courses are taught in a purely online format or a hybrid online format. In the MLT lab, students have access to equipment for skills evaluation and student laboratories. MLT students obtain a variety of clinical experiences during the length of the program, including acute care facilities, clinics, and reference labs. Clinical rotations may be scheduled during day, evening, or overnight hours. MLT students must attend clinical rotations whenever and wherever assigned. 18

19 In addition to the traditional classroom course format, distance learning is also available. In order to enroll in this format, the student must be employed by an approved hospital site or clinical laboratory setting. MLT faculty oversee the didactic training and coordination of laboratory activities for the student. The approved clinical laboratory site is responsible for delivering laboratory instruction and wet labs. The student is responsible for scanning all laboratory reports and assignments to the appropriate ACC MLT instructor. The student is also responsible for keeping up with course schedules and deadlines. Communication between the MLT faculty, clinical site, and student are crucial for success. 19

20 Austin Community College is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This accreditation allows the students to transfer courses to other regionally accredited colleges and universities. The Medical Laboratory Technology program at Austin Community College is also accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Accreditation by this agency assures students that they will be provided a quality education in laboratory medicine, AND upon graduation, are eligible to sit for the national certification examinations. 20

21 Upon successful completion of the AAS degree in Medical Laboratory Technology students are eligible to sit for a national certification exam through the American Society of Clinical Pathology. The American Society of Clinical Pathology or ASCP, is the most widely recognized agency certifying laboratory technologists and technicians. Additional information, including certification eligibility requirements can be found at their website. 21

22 Please note that every health science program here at ACC has technical standards and essential functions. The general categories and definitions apply to all programs. Each program then lists a few specific examples for that program and profession. The MLT program has established a set of essential functions, or technical standards, to ensure that students have the abilities required to successfully participate and complete all aspects of the program. Students are required to meet the Essential Functions outlined by the Medical Laboratory Technology program. Satisfactory completion of the MLT program, and successful employment following graduation are dependent upon a student s ability to meet these requirements. For more detailed information, click the Program Requirements link on the left side of the page and view Essential Functions. 22

23 During the two year associate degree program students must commit themselves fully to the program, especially during the second year. While the first year courses may be taken on a part time basis, and be spread over more than 3 semesters, once students enter the second year they must be committed to a full-time course of study, as all MLT courses will be completed during this time according to the degree plan. It is essential that during the first year you develop exceptional time management and study skills as the program is academically challenging. Traditional college courses require a grade of 70% or better to pass; MLT courses require a course grade of 75%, in both the didactic and laboratory components of the course. All courses in the second year must be passed each and every semester to progress to the next level in the Medical Laboratory Technician program. Students must look ahead and prepare themselves academically and financially for the time commitment required in the second year. Statistics show that students who work more than 20 hours per week are more likely to be unsuccessful in any health science program. 23

24 Another area that an applicant should carefully consider are the costs associated with attending the MLT program full time. ACC tuition and fees that are charged to the student are found in the ACC Semester Course Schedule. Health Science students will have additional fees for labs and liability insurance. To view the total estimated costs of the AAS degree plan in Medical Laboratory Technology just click on the program cost link to the left of the screen. The applicant should plan for costs that include supplies, books, uniforms, and travel to campus and clinical sites. Once admitted to the MLT program, the student will need funds for housing, food, clothing, car up keep and family expenses. All of the above should be taken into consideration for financial planning. 24

25 During the Program s first year, the students complete the pre-requisite courses: Introduction to Chemistry and Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Science. The completion of these courses is one of the requirements in order to submit an MLT application. In addition to these courses, the student will also take Cellular and Molecular Biology, an oral communications course, Parasitology /Mycology, a math course, a behavioral or social science, a written communications course, medical terminology, and Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology. All pre and co-requisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the second year. Students must complete the Phlebotomy Technician program OR be a certified/practicing phlebotomist to enter the second year of the MLT program. Collecting blood samples from patients is an essential skill for the MLT. To enroll in the Phlebotomy program at ACC, you must submit a separate application to that program. Please review the application process for the Phlebotomy program at the website provided. 25

26 During the second year, the curriculum for the first semester appears very heavy since there are five MLT courses worth 14 credit hours. The course work is divided so that, at any one time during the semester, the student is taking 3 courses. This is made possible by the flexible scheduling offered by ACC. Hematology is taught for 12 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of Coagulation. Urinalysis is taught for 8 weeks, followed by Serology for 8 weeks. Clinical I is taught for 16 weeks, and students practice and apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the semester in a simulated laboratory on campus. In the spring semester students take Chemistry, Blood Bank, and Clinical II. Clinical II is performed both in a simulated laboratory on-site and in off-site rotations in local medical laboratories. In the final semester students take Microbiology and Clinical III. The majority of clinical is performed off site at local medical laboratories. Having all MLT courses in the final year of the program allows students to be immersed in learning and practicing in all areas of the medical laboratory, and results in increased retention when taking the national certification exam.

27 The first step in the admission process is to apply to Austin Community College, if you have not already done so. The ACC admission process can be accessed by copying and pasting the link into your web browser. Follow the instructions for completing this application process. Visit with a campus advisor to determine the need for ACC assessment testing and transcript review. To be considered for admission into the MLT program you must complete, or be exempt from, State required testing which meets the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements. For TSI requirements you must contact an ACC advisor or counselor. 27

28 Applicants to the MLT program must provide proof of completed immunizations at the time of application. It is important the you begin immunizations as soon as possible as some dosage sequences require several months to complete. Additional information, including forms and community sites providing immunizations, can be found at the website listed or by clicking on the appropriate button to the left. MLT and Phlebotomy Technician program requirements can be found under the All other Health Sciences programs link. A physical examination and negative TB test will be required before beginning the last year of MLT coursework. 28

29 Successful completion of this information session is required of all applicants. Completion of the post test at the end of this session will provide documentation of this requirement. You will need to print out and retain the verification form to submit with the MLT application. 29

30 As part of the MLT Program admission process, you must meet with a MLT program faculty advisor. Following the completion of the MLT Information Session, the student can expect to hear from a faculty advisor within two weeks of completion of the information session. At this time, the faculty advisor will set up an appointment with the student to review transcripts and prepare a degree plan, that will lead to successful completion of the MLT program and graduation from the College. You will benefit most from these meetings if you come prepared with a list of questions and concerns, copies of transcripts, and course descriptions if the courses were taken at schools other than ACC. The MLT application cannot be submitted until the faculty advisor meets with the applicant. In addition, at the conclusion of the advising session, the faculty advisor will the student a verification letter which must be included with the submitted application. 30

31 All degree plan coursework grades must be C or better. 31

32 The MLT Program application can be downloaded and printed from the Application Packet button at the left of this screen. The completed Program application must be received by 5 pm of the first working day in February prior to the fall semester of the second year. Also include with your application, copies of official transcripts if you plan to apply courses taken at another institution toward the MLT degree plan. Courses taken at another school may need department review to determine if they fulfill MLT coursework. 32

33 Do not submit a criminal background check or urine drug screen until you are notified by the Medical Laboratory Technology Department. 33

34 Please see the MLT website application process section for the application checklist. Be sure to include a copy of the assessment form from this information session and your faculty advising documentation sheet. The Health data form, Criminal background check, and urine drug screen are completed only when an applicant has received conditional acceptance to the MLT program. If you have previously completely the Criminal background check for another program, you will be required to re-submit for another criminal background check if admitted into the MLT program. Be sure to read through the information on the criminal background check and urine drug screen found on the health science website. If you have any questions about the process please contact the compliance coordinator at Submit all documentation, with the application, to the Health Sciences Admission Office at either the Eastview or Round Rock Campus. Incomplete applications will be returned and are not eligible for consideration.

35 Here is the link to the applicant selection process. Please note the criteria and the system for awarding points. The MLT program applicant pools are fresh each year and no waiting lists are used. The number of applicants and their rankings can not be predicted prior to the close of the application period. This means that all applicants receive the same information regarding the admissions process and all are likely trying to earn as many points as possible on the applicant ranking worksheet. There is no magic number of points on the worksheet that will guarantee admission to the MLT program. The MLT program and MLT advisory committee consider all the criteria on the applicant ranking worksheet important. 35

36 Cohort selection will follow this timeline. Students are admitted to a cohort once a year, beginning in the fall semester and complete the curriculum as a class group. If you are not accepted into the MLT Program, you are encouraged to schedule an advising appointment with the MLT program director before applying for the next admission class. Documents submitted during the application process are kept on file by the MLT program for three years. 36

37 There are several areas of assistance available to all ACC students including student services, financial aid, special needs, and the libraries. Students are encouraged to utilize all the resources that are available at the college, including counseling, to improve learning, studying, and test taking skills.

38 If you have questions that were not answered during this information presentation, please contact the health Sciences information office. If they were not able to answer your questions about the medical laboratory program, you will be referred to the MLT Program for assistance. A link to the MLT department chair is found in the Contact Us section to the left of the slide. This completes your MLT Program information session. Please click on the verification tab at the top of the slide to begin the assessment post-test. You must submit a copy of your completed assessment with your application documents. 38

39 The MLT Program website is updated and revised throughout the year. Be sure to stay current on all MLT information, processes, and procedures by checking the website frequently as you work through the application process. The MLT homepage announces the date of changes so it is easy to note when changes occur. If you have any questions as to how updates or changes affect you as you progress toward applying for admission to the MLT Program, please contact the department by to have your questions answered. The MLT department chair contact information is found at the Contact Us link on the left side of the screen. 39