Medical Laboratory Technology

Vocabulary and terms used in the medical professions. Meanings of root words, prefixes and suffixes are studied. Proficiency is gained in analyzing medical words and in understanding how the word elements relate and apply to medicine. (A grade of ”C” or higher required to continue in medical programs.)

Basic anatomy and physiology of the human body. Systems studied include integumentary, musculo-skeletal, nervous, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, urinary, digestive, endocrine and reproductive. (A grade of ”C” or higher required to continue in medical programs.)

Introduction to medical laboratory work with specific reference to the role, ethics, conduct, certification, education, employment and fundamental knowledge and skills related to medical laboratory personnel. Basic mathematics review and lab related math such as the metric system, temperature conversions, concentration units, dilutions, ratios and statistics used in quality control are covered. Included in this course is laboratory safety to include physical, chemical and biological hazards, laboratory safety, barriers and isolation techniques. Students are instructed in the collection and preparation of specimens to include venipunctures and capillary sticks, reporting of laboratory results and quality assurance methods.

Basic design of advanced laboratory automation equipment. Course materials include laboratory glassware, microscopes, centrifuges, balances and scales, pipetting, spectrophotometry, turbidometry, nephelometry, ion selective electrodes, electrophoresis, chromatography and advanced quality assurance.

This course is designed to develop students’ problem-solving skills and quantitative reasoning through topics including: problem-solving processes, logic, percentages, measurement, ratios and proportions, statistics, linear equations, geometry and trigonometry, and personal finance.

Provides a foundation for gaining the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for college success. Students will learn to make a successful transition to higher education by setting up a pattern of success that will last the rest of their lives. Students will define goals and develop thinking skills, learning strategies and personal qualities essential to both academic and career success. Please note: Students who have served active military duty (excluding basic training and AIT) may be exempt from the Student Success course. Student must provide a copy of DD214 or other official military documentation to the registrar for verification.

Theory and practical application of the coagulation pathway to include factors involved in coagulation tests: capillary fragility, prothrombin times, partial thromboplastin times and fibrinogen assays. Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in ML 104 and ML 105.

Anatomy, physiology and related pathology of the circulatory system with specific reference to the formation, function and identification of blood cells. Major emphasis is on the related theory and performance of hematological procedures such as sample identification, collection and preparation; automated leukocyte and erythrocyte counts; hemoglobin and hematocrit measurements; WBC differential; leukocyte and erythrocyte morphology; RBC indices; erythrocyte sedimentation rate; platelet count; reticulocyte count; and eosinophil count. Automated hematological equipment is included. Specific methodologies in common use in medical laboratories and quality control standards are followed. Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in ML 104 and ML 105.

Anatomy, physiology and related to pathology of the urinary system. Major emphasis is on the related theory and performance of physical, chemical and microscopic analysis of urine as well as collection, preservation and proper reporting of analysis. Certain renal function tests and occult blood are covered. Emphasis is placed on anatomy, physiology and related pathology of body fluids to include feces, semen, seminal fluid, synovial fluid, serous fluid, spinal fluid and the collection, preparation, preservation and analysis of those fluids. An introduction to cell counts of other body fluids is covered. Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in ML 104 and ML 105.

General and biological chemistry with applications specific to the medical laboratory. The student will become familiar with chemical terminology, the atomic structure, ionic and molecular compounds, organic chemistry and acid and base balance. The biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes and hormones are presented and their relationship to the medical laboratory is studied. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in this course is required before enrolling in ML 230.

Basic genetics, immunology and serology. The student will acquire an understanding of the immune system including antigen/antibody reactions, origin, stimulation, body response and rejection. A study of the immunoglobulins, complement and classifications of immunity, precipitation and agglutination reactions is included. Serological tests include the related theory and performance of procedures to include hepatitis, rubella, Epstein-Barr virus, AIDS, CRP, RA, FANA, cold agglutinins, pregnancy, streptococcal diseases and autoimmune diseases. Immunoassay principles and practical applications are covered. Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in ML 104 and ML 105.

This class is designed to develop students’ skills in critical reading and in a range of writing tasks. It allows students to go beyond matters of comprehension and summary to evaluate and extend everything they read. It will assist students in discovering something meaningful to say and to use writing as a way to actively participate in discussions about certain subjects; it will also enable students to approach a topic in a creative manner, gather and evaluate information, organize ideas, write coherent sentences, and learn to revise and edit drafts.

This course includes review techniques for correct mechanics, grammar, and sentence construction. It introduces students to professional and technical writing, and it assists students in developing strategies for collaborative writing.

Prerequisite: ENGL 098 or qualifying placement score.

Basic clinical chemistry and diagnostic analysis. Included are analytical chemical procedures such as identification, collection, handling, standardization and quality control, carbohydrate tests, renal function tests, proteins including electrophoresis, electrolytes, enzymes, liver function tests, therapeutic drug monitoring, endocrinology and toxicology. Automated instrumentation is emphasized. Prerequisite: a grade of C or higher is required in ML 104, ML 105 and ML 144.

Classification, identification and pathology of disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, fungus, yeasts, viruses, rickettsiae and parasites. Major emphasis is on the related theory and performance of microbiological procedures such as sterilization, collection and preparation of specimens, culturing methods, media preparation, staining techniques, antibiotic sensitivity testing and identification of commonly cultured bacteria. Prerequisite: a grade of C or higher is required in ML 104 and ML 105.

Basic immunohematological aspects of blood factors and their relationship to blood transfusion and disease states. Topics include the history, identification, inheritance of blood factors and antigen-antibody relationships involving detection of blood factors. Major emphasis is on the related theory and performance of immunohematological procedures such as ABO grouping, Rh typing, identification of blood factors, direct coombs, antibody screening and identification, compatibility testing, transfusion of blood and blood components, selection, collection, storage of donor blood and quality assurance. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ML 171.

This course meets CDC, OSHA and NFPA guidelines for basic life support. It focuses on immediate life-threatening situations, demonstrates quick, effective responses and presents perspectives on how frequently these situations occur. It is ideal for professionals such as firefighters, police, paramedics, lifeguards, athletic trainers, medical assistants and other medical professionals. Topics covered include the professional rescuer’s role in emergencies; victim’s condition assessment; basic life support; rescue breathing; cardiac emergencies; airway obstructions; AED use; and resuscitation in special situations. This class is offered for credit as a Pass/No Pass course.

Hematology which includes hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte count; WBC differential; sed rate; erythrocyte count; platelet count; reticulocyte count; eosinophil count; clotting time; prothrombin time; activated partial thromboplastin time; preparation of bone marrow smears. Experience is gained through obtaining blood samples to include venipuncture, capillary puncture and arterial blood gases. Additional hematological procedures may be performed at the option of the affiliated laboratory. This course is included in the clinical practicum semester.

Urinalysis which includes physical and chemical tests; microscopic identification of formed elements; collection and preparation of 24-hour samples for quantitative tests; pregnancy tests; renal function tests of urine, feces and spinal fluid and other body fluids. Additional urinalysis procedures may be performed at the option of the affiliated laboratory. This course is included in the clinical practicum semester.

Microbiology includes collecting, setting up, plating, incubating, transporting and transferring microbiological cultures; identification of organisms involving common techniques such as gram stain, special stains, biochemical tests, coagulase and catalase tests and antibiotic susceptibility tests. Serological procedures might include RPR, streptococcus antigens and antibodies, infectious mono tests, RA, pregnancy, HIV, hepatitis, FANA, RSO, influenza A and B and C-RP tests. Preparation of samples for parasitology, mycology and virology study are included at the option of the affiliated laboratory. This course is included in the clinical practicum semester.

Immunohematology: which includes blood banking, ABO grouping, Rh typing, direct and indirect coombs testing, antibody screening and compatibility testing. Selection of blood donors, collection of blood for transfusion, storage of blood and blood components and quality control are included. Additional blood banking procedures may be included at the option of the affiliated medical laboratory. This course is included in the clinical practicum semester.