The Victoria College Medical Laboratory Technology Program

Transcription

1 THE VICTORIA COLLEGE MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM INFORMATION LETTER MLT Information Letter Page 1 The Profession of Medical Technology Medical Technology is the laboratory science of medicine providing services to the patient through a wide variety of laboratory tests. The medical laboratory technician plays a vital role as a member of the health care team in providing the physician the test results he needs to aid in diagnosis and treatment of the patient. The medical laboratory technician must be proficient in the areas of hematology, coagulation, serology, clinical chemistry, urinalysis, parasitology, bacteriology, and immunohematology. The profession of medical technology offers a diversified choice of career opportunities. The majority work in the hospital laboratory, but opportunities also exist in independent laboratories, physicians offices, clinics, pharmaceutical firms, education, medical research, industry, or public health agencies. After further education and experience, the technician may choose to specialize in one of the areas of laboratory medicine. The field of Medical Technology is growing and advancing. New tests, new techniques, and new instrumentation are being added continually. There is always more to learn, new problems to solve, more answers to find. Laboratory careers are not for the impatient. Tests must be performed with precision and caution to ensure accuracy. Results must be reliable before they are reported. Sometimes tests are performed very quickly in emergency situations, and working in a busy hospital laboratory can be stressful at times. Medical laboratory technicians work with a variety of automated instruments. An interest in technical instrumentation adds enjoyment. Manual dexterity and the ability to concentrate are important attributes. Sometimes the medical laboratory technician works directly with the patient (drawing blood samples, etc.), but most of their time is spent in the lab performing the laboratory tests (see Essential Functions). The Victoria College Medical Laboratory Technology Program The Victoria College offers a two year Medical Laboratory Technology Program leading to an Associate Degree in Applied Science. The MLT program consists of seventy (70) semester hours over a twenty (20) month period. Classes begin every Fall semester and last for two Fall/Spring sessions and the summer in between. The classes are filled by qualified applicants only. The application process is outlined later in this letter. The students will gain a thorough background in all areas of the medical laboratory during the first twelve months by attending twenty eight (28) semester hours of MLT courses taught on campus. The college has its own medical laboratory which is very well equipped and where the student learns basic techniques in all areas of laboratory medicine. During the last eight months the students undergo clinical rotations through the laboratory facilities at Citizens Medical Center, DeTar Hospital, Cuero Community Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, and Memorial Medical Center. During this phase of learning the student gains valuable "on the job" experiences as he/she applies the knowledge gained in the first year. The student will also take the other support courses to fulfill the requirements for graduation. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be eligible to take a National Certifying Examination at the MLT level. The MLT program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL, , (773) , ).

2 Page 2 Additional Information 1. High school students should take two years of algebra and one year of chemistry and biology prior to graduation. 2. Students are encouraged to take as much of the curriculum as possible prior to entry into the program. It is especially helpful to take BIOL 2420 during the summer proceeding the fall semester. Contact the Program Chair at for more information or visit the MLT web site at 3. Due to financial or family responsibilities or the lack of background in math or chemistry, some students choose to take three years to complete the program. Students in this category should contact the Program Chair for counseling at Costs: The College Catalogue contains information on tuition and fees. The cost of books will vary with the number of courses taken. The following are only estimates (in county) based on taking the maximum course load as outlined in the catalogue. 5. Statement of Nondiscrimination Victoria College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, veteran s status, or limited English proficiency. It is our policy to comply, fully, with the nondiscrimination provision of all state and federal rules and regulations. PREQUSUISITE COURSES (10 hours) Tuition and Fees: $710 Books (est): 480 Total: $1190 FALL (13 hours) *Tuition and Fees: $ Books (est.): $ TOTAL: $ SPRING (16 hours) Tuition and Fees: $ Books (est.): $ TOTAL $ FIRST SUMMER (5 hours) Tuition and Fees: $ Books (est.): $ TOTAL: $ FALL (12 hours) Tuition and Fees: $ 876 Books (est.): $375 Uniforms: $200 TOTAL: $1451 SPRING (14 hours) Tuition and Fees: $ Books (est.): $ Graduation Fee: $ TOTAL: $ * BASED ON VICTORIA COUNTY RESIDENT RATES; INCLUDES LAB FEES - Students should contact the Financial Officer in the Administration Building concerning loans, grants, and scholarships.

3 Page 3 HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ABILITY POLICY MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM Essential Functions The Victoria College will provide services and training, without discrimination, to any academically qualified person who meets the following essential functions requisite to admission and/or participation in the medical laboratory technology program. ADMISSION QUALIFIERS: 1. Students must be free from contagious diseases and chemical dependence. 2. Students must specifically demonstrate that they are immune to Rubella virus and do not have active tuberculosis. 3. Students must be able to perform all functions and tasks required of a medical laboratory technician. VISUAL OBSERVATION: The student must possess visual acuity sufficient to allow each of the following: 1. Differentiation of colors and color changes during the performance of laboratory procedures. 2. Observation of patient conditions during phlebotomy procedures. 3. Differentiation and identification of specimens using microscopic examination. 4. Reading lab instrument technical procedure manuals, standard operating procedures, specimen labels and other pertinent materials for patient care and professional practice. MOTOR FUNCTION: The student must possess motor functions sufficient to permit each of the following: 1. Performance of venipuncture at patient's bedside or at other designated locations. 2. Lift and handle typical hand-held medical laboratory equipment tools. 3. Manipulate clinical laboratory instruments and equipment in a manner consistent with standard of medical laboratory practice. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: The student must possess each of the following: 1. Verbal and non-verbal skills adequate for transmitting information to patients and others. 2. Adequate hearing for communication skills with both the hospital personnel and patients. BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SKILLS: Student must exhibit behavioral and social skills that are acceptable to the college and hospital settings.

4 Medical Laboratory Technology: MLT Information Letter Page 4 Study of Medicine from a Laboratory perspective. The following represents examples of the some of the subjects the students learn in the program. Hematology: study of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets (all made in the bone marrow) For every 1 WBC in the blood there are 60 platelets and 800 RBCs. RBCs: 8 m in diameter; life span in circulation: 120 days; travel about 300 miles during their life; contain hemoglobin (caries oxygen to the tissues). Mature RBCs lack a nucleus. WBCs: 5 main types: Neutrophils: fight infection (life span in circulation: 10 hours) Lymphocytes: immunity Monocytes: tissue repair Eosinophils: parasitic infections, counteract basophils Basophils: promote inflammation (through the release of histamine) Platelets: 2-4 m in diameter; fragments of cytoplasm from a megakaryocyte (1 megakaryocyte can produce 1000 platelets); necessary for normal hemostasis (keeping the blood in the blood vessels); life span in the circulation: days; aspirin inhibits platelets from sticking together. Coagulation: study of factors involved in making clots and then breaking them down. Deficiencies of factors that cause clots to form result in excessive bleeding. Abnormalities in the process of breaking down clots results in thrombosis. Clinical Chemistry: measurement of many chemicals in the liquid portion of blood (serum). Used to help in the diagnosis of metabolic disorders (Diabetes mellitus) and abnormal organ function (heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, and others). Microbiology: identify pathogenic organisms from clinical samples; antibiotic susceptibility studies to determine appropriate antibiotic therapy. Blood Bank: run appropriate tests to provide safe blood transfusions. Immunology/Serology: study of antibody formation as it relates to infection or disease. Urinalysis: chemical and microscopic exam of urine to aid in the detection of kidney disease and urinary tract infection. Parasitology: identification of parasites in clinical samples. Disease examples: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: lymphocytes Sickle cell anemia: amino acid substitution of valine for glutamic acid in the 6 th amino acid of the beta chain in hemoglobin (the beta chain has 146 amino acids); at low oxygen concentrations the hemoglobin in the RBC will polymerize-causing the RBC to change shape (sickle). Results in hemolysis of RBCs(leading to anemia) and blockage of blood flow to tissues due to the sickled cells. Diphyllobothrium latum infection: Fish tapeworm; eat undercooked or raw fish; geographic distribution: Scandinavian countries; water flea fish humans (bears, dogs); adult tapeworms are up to 45 feet in length and can live in the host for 30 years (adult worm may produce from 35,000 1,000,000 eggs per day). Chronic infections can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency which results in an anemia ( RBCs). Malaria: parasitic infection of RBCs. Periodic fever and hemolysis of infected RBCs. Transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito.

5 Page 5 The Victoria College Medical Laboratory Technology Program Web Site: Program Director: Larry Dunn, M.S., MT(ASCP) larry.dunn@victoriacollege.edu Who should consider Medical Laboratory Technology as a career? Those who enjoy science: chemistry or biology Those who enjoy working with their hands Those who enjoy figuring out the solution to a problem Those who want to do all of the above and help people at the same time Where does a medical lab tech work? Hospital labs Reference labs Research labs Government labs Forensic labs Industry supporting the medical lab What are more career choices after completing the Med Lab Tech program? Bachelor degree in Medical Technology Bachelor degree in any of the sciences Physician Assistant Medical School What does a Medical Lab Technician make? According to the ASCP Wage Survey, the average salary is $38,438 or $18.48/hr.

6 Medical Laboratory Technology Catalog MLT Information Letter Page 6 MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY The Victoria College offers a two-year program in Medical Laboratory Technology, which leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree. Upon successful completion of the program the graduate will be eligible to take a National Certification Examination at the MLT level. The MLT program is accredited by NAACLS (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science, 8410 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 670, Chicago, IL , (773) , ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Applicants must meet special entrance requirements and complete a department application. For information contact the MLT Program Chair ( or larry.dunn@victoriacollege.edu) or visit the MLT web site at Students are recommended (not required) to complete as many general education, non-mlt courses as possible prior to admission to the MLT program. 1. The student must meet the admission requirements for the Victoria College as stated in the current college catalog (contact Admissions and Records Office). 2. TSI (Texas Success Initiative) satisfied. (Contact Counseling Services for further explanation if necessary) 3. ACT Composite score of 18 or SAT I total score of 870. Students who have earned at least 12 hours credit on the Program of Study with a GPA of at least 2.25 or that have high school transcripts demonstrating a strong academic background may have either an ACT of 16 or SAT I of 780. (College or high school transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis; ACT scores before October 1989 and SAT scores before April 1995 will be considered on an individual basis) 4. Overall GPA of 2.0 or above on all college hours attempted. Students with less than a 2.0 GPA will be evaluated on an individual basis. 5. The following courses must be completed with a C or better prior to entry in the program: CHEM 1406 ENGL 1301 Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective (Student must choose a course from the following disciplines: Economics, Geography, History, Government, Psychology, or Sociology.) 6. Complete the MLT application and return to the Program Chair. 7. Interview with the Program Chair (call or to schedule an appointment). 8. Official high school and college transcripts must be on file in the Admissions and Records office. Transfer students will be accepted on an individual basis. 9. Science courses taken more than five years ago will be considered on an individual basis and may have to be repeated. 10. Selections will be made in early June. Class size is limited. Qualified applicants are ranked based on SAT or ACT scores and non- MLAB courses taken in the curriculum, with the majority of the ranking point value coming from courses the student has already taken that are part of the MLT curriculum. Therefore, it is advantageous for the student to complete as many non-mlab courses beyond the prerequisites as possible. Students may apply as late as the first of August if openings still exist. Students are encouraged, but not required, to complete immunizations prior to beginning the program. Prior to enrollment qualified applicants who have been accepted must submit a completed physical examination form and must meet the following immunization requirements: a. Two step TB skin test b. Tetanus-diphtheria toxoid (Td) within the last 10 years c. Measles/Mumps/Rubella vaccination/s d. Varicella vaccination/s or proof of disease e. Three-injection hepatitis B vaccination series or serologic confirmation of immunity to hepatitis B virus 11. Some clinical agencies may require criminal background checks prior to clinical learning experiences; students who do not have clear criminal background checks may not be able to meet al course objectives.

7 Page 7 MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY DEGREE PLAN PREREQUISITE Credit Hours 1 SDEV 0301 Strategies for Success 0 CHEM 1406 Introductory Chemistry 4 ENGL 1301 Rhetoric and Composition 3 2 Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective Required for all first time in-college students. EDUC 1300 may be a substitute for SDEV (Student must choose a course from: Victoria College Social & Behavioral Sciences core curriculum courses (Economics, Geography, History, Government, Psychology, or Sociology.) FRESHMAN YEAR FALL SEMESTER Credit Hours SPRING SEMESTER Credit Hours BIOL 2420 Microbiology 4 POFI 1204 Computer Fundamentals 2 MLAB 1201 Intro to Clinical Lab Science 2 MLAB 2401 Clinical Chemistry 4 MLAB 1335 Immunology/Serology 3 MLAB 2431 Immunohematology 4 MLAB 1415 Hematology 4 MLAB 2434 Clinical Microbiology 4 13 MLAB 1227 Coagulation 2 16 SUMMER SESSON Credit Hours MLAB 1311 Urinalysis & Body Fluids 3 MLAB 1231 Parasitology/Mycology 2 5 SOPHOMORE YEAR FALL SEMESTER Credit Hours SPRING SEMESTER Credit Hours Humanities or Fine Arts Elective* 3 BIOL 2404 Intro Anatomy & Phys. 4 MATH 1314 or PHE 1101 Physical Activity 1 PHE 1101 Physical Activity 1 MLAB 2371 Advanced Topics I 3 MLAB 2372 Advanced Topics II** 3 MLAB 2460 Clinical I 4 MLAB 2461 Clinical II * Student must choose a course from Victoria College Humanities/Visual and Performing Arts core curriculum courses (American or British Literature, Art, Music, Drama) ** Capstone course

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9 THE VICTORIA COLLEGE MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM STUDENT APPLICATION MLT Information Letter Page 9 Date: Social Security #: Telephone Name: Last First Middle Initial Residence Address: Number&Street City State Zip Code Mailing Address: (If Different) Number&Street City State Zip Code Cell Phone: Education: High School Attended: Name of School City State Did you graduate? When? GED? Vocational Training, College or University Attended: Institution Dates Attended Semester Hours Have you ever worked in a Medical Laboratory? When: Where: How Long: Months Are you color-blind? In case of emergency, notify: Nearest Relative: Name Telephone Number Relationship

10 Page 10 If you have ever been employed, list names and addresses of the three (3) most recent employers and the dates of employment: Personal References Other Than Relatives: Full Name Complete Address-Zip Code Telephone Occupation RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION TO: THE VICTORIA COLLEGE Medical Laboratory Technology Program 2200 East Red River Victoria, TX Desired Date of Entry: I have read the Health and Physical Ability Policy for the MLT Program (Essential Functions) contained in this information letter and to the best of my knowledge I meet of all of the items as listed. Signature of Applicant Date TSI: ACT/SAT: GPA: Interview: Physical: FOR OFFICE USE ONLY