Clinical Laboratory Sciences: Program Overview

The Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences offers three degree programs: the Bachelor of Science, major in Clinical Laboratory Science; Master of Science, major in Clinical Laboratory Science; and Master of Science, major in Clinical Laboratory Management. A certificate program -the Specialist in Blood Bank - is offered on-line. The Department also offers a specialized career mobility option for certified clinical laboratory technicians/medical laboratory technicians. Certified CLTs/MLTs may be able to complete the bachelor of science program in four quarters. Entry into the program requires additional prerequisite coursework in addition to an associate of science degree and CLT/MLT certification.

Bachelor of Science Program
It is the aim of the baccalaureate program to educate clinical laboratory scientists to meet effectively the changing needs of laboratory medicine.

Educational Goals

  • Graduate competent practitioners who possess the skills and knowledge to function at an optimal level in various clinical laboratory settings.
  • Graduate competent laboratorians who can meet the changing needs of the profession.
  • Foster and develop critical thinking and problem solving.
  • Instill the highest degree of professionalism.
  • Instill and foster a high degree of professional ethics.
  • Promote the importance of continuing education and professional association participation.

Functional Expectations for Students

The following is an outline of the expectations for students enrolled in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences degree programs. This information is provided so students can be knowledgeable about performance skills that are expected during coursework and clinical rotations, and also to allow students to determine whether accommodations may be needed due to a disabling condition. Further information regarding accommodations is available at: http://www.rushu.rush.edu/catalog/aboutrush/disabilityrights.html

Each student is expected to perform the following, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation is defined as any change in the environment or in the way activities are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to participate as fully as possible in the academic program. Accommodations may include modification of policies, practices and procedures or the provision of auxiliary aids for communication. Students must not pose a threat to the safety or well-being of patients, other students, staff or themselves.

  1. Observation: The students must be able to observe demonstrations and exercises in the clinical laboratory sciences involving body fluids and products being tested for biochemical, hematologic, and microbiologic constituents, including the use of simple and complex instruments and microscopes.
  2. Communication: The student must be able to communicate clearly and sensitively with patients and family members. The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with all members of the health care team.
  3. Motor: Students must be able to perform tasks using laboratory instruments and glassware dealing with specimen collection and test analysis.
  4. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: These intellectual abilities include measurement calculations, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. Problem solving is a critical skill requiring all of these intellectual abilities.
  5. Behavioral and Interpersonal Attributes: Students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of intellectual abilities. This includes, but is not limited to, the exercise of good judgment and the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the performance of procedures with maximal attention to safety of self and others in dealing with potentially hazardous equipment and materials. Students must be able to tolerate periods of taxing workloads and function effectively under stress and with unpleasant materials. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems that come to the laboratory. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation as well as the ability to maintain confidentiality of patient results, are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the education process.
  6. Academic Performance: The student must obtain information from lectures, laboratory sessions/exercises, audiovisual materials and written materials. Students must take essay and multiple-choice tests, complete papers, deliver presentations and perform required lab practice.

A request for accommodation or modification is not cause for withdrawal of the offer of acceptance. Any student can request accommodations once enrolled in the program. If an accommodation is requested, the department may require additional documentation and information and will follow up with the student to discuss the specifics of the request and the appropriate plan of action. Further information regarding accommodations is available at: http://www.rushu.rush.edu/catalog/aboutrush/disabilityrights.html

Specific Program Outcomes

Graduates are expected to demonstrate entry level competence in the following areas:

  • Know and understand procedures for proper specimen collection and processing of biological specimens.
  • K now and practice all safety regulations for the proper handling of chemical and biological specimens.
  • Be able to perform, with a high level of competence, analytical tests on body fluids, cells and blood products.
  • Establish procedures for, evaluate and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on equipment and instruments.
  • Integrate and relate data generated by various clinical laboratory departments while making judgments regarding possible discrepancies and adherence to quality control protocols.
  • Evaluate the adequacy with which decisions are made from clinical data.
  • Evaluate new techniques and incorporate new procedures into daily laboratory operation.
  • Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal skills with patients, fellow employees, other health-care providers and the public.

The Clinical Laboratory Sciences professional program consists of two parts: didactic (classroom learning) and clinical (practice in the clinical laboratory). After the completion of the program, graduates usually take national certification/registration examinations.

All students entering one of the programs are required to have a criminal background check before matriculating. The student's ability to begin the clinical portion of the program and to complete certification/registration and licensure requirements for entry into the profession may depend on documentation of such things as drug screening, a background check for a history of criminal offenses and psychiatric screening. A drug screen is required before entering the clinical rotation. Students are prohibited from using academic or professional credentials until the satisfactory completion of a degree and appropriate credentials are awarded.

Accreditation

The BS and MS programs in Clinical Laboratory Sciences are accredited by the:

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
8410 W. Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 670
Chicago, IL 60631-3415
(773) 714-8880
http://www.naacls.org

The Specialist in Blood Bank certificate program is accredited by the:

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
1361 Park St
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 210-2350
http://www.caahep.org