Our program begins in July. The program is one full calendar year. During the year the student rotates through our six departments: Clinical Chemistry/Coagulation, Urinalysis, Hematology, Serology/ Immunology, Immunohematology, and Microbiology. As students rotate through each department, they are given specific reading and laboratory assignments. Material is divided into weekly units with an exam every Friday. All laboratory training is done in our clinical laboratory by working technologists. Lectures are given by our three Pathologists, Program Director, Medical Technologists and guest speakers.

BIOCHEMISTRY: (13 Weeks Rotation)

Lecture and laboratory rotation will cover theory and performance of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis of blood and body fluids by manual and automated methods. Methodologies covered are: spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, chromatography, nephelometry, ion selective electrodes, and immunoassays using radioactive, enzyme, fluorescent, and luminescent labels. Other topics included are: explanation and correlation of diseases and other conditions that produce abnormal test results, safety, biostatistics, computer applications, point-of-care testing, molecular testing, HIPAA, quality control, quality assurance, calibration, and basic troubleshooting of chemistry analyzers.

URINALYSIS: (3 Weeks Rotation)

Lecture and laboratory rotation will cover the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the renal system. The theory, operation, quality control, and maintenance of the Clinitex, osmometer, and DiaSTAT are covered. Microscopic examination of urine and other body fluids, principles of tests, sources of error, and correlation of tests results to normal and abnormal physiological conditions are included. Laboratory safety, quality assurance, HIPAA, and computers applications are also included.

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY: (13 Weeks Rotation)

This department covers the theory and practical experience in the isolation and identification of clinically important bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Procedures covered will include: manual and automated methods; culturing techniques; identification by microscopic examination, biochemical, and serological tests; fluorescent tests; antibiotic sensitivity testing; quality control; computer applications; viruses and direct antigen testing for viruses; molecular testing, infection control, and safety. Quality assurance/quality improvement as applied to pre-analytical, analytical , and post-analytical components of laboratory services are also covered. All of the above topics are accomplished through lectures, laboratory experiences, and reading assignments.

IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY: (5 Weeks Rotation)

Lecture and laboratory rotation will cover: theory, record keeping, and performance of procedures prescribed by the American Association of Blood Banks and FDA relating to the collecting, storing, selecting, and testing of blood and blood components for transfusion. Other topics include quality assurance, computer applications, hemolytic diseases, and safety.

SEROLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY: (2 Weeks Rotation)

Lecture and laboratory rotation will cover the theory of immunology and serology, normal and acquired immunity, antigens and antibodies, antigen-antibody reactions, autoimmune diseases and other diseases associated with the immune system. Tests methods covered are precipitation, agglutination, immunoassay, and molecular. Precipitation and agglutination test are performed in Serology. Other serological tests are performed in Microbiology and Chemistry. Quality control, computer applications, and safety are also covered.

HEMATOLOGY: (9 Weeks Rotation)

Lecture and laboratory rotation will cover: proper collection of blood specimens; manual and automated testing; theory and principles of cells, i.e. formation, morphology, and functions; recognition of normal and abnormal cell morphology; special stains; molecular tests, and cell markers. Also included: description and classification of diseases producing abnormal test results; theory and principles of tests performed to assess the above factors; safety; computer applications; quality assurance; and basic troubleshooting of hematology analyzers.

COAGULATION: (1 Week Rotation)

Lecture and laboratory rotation will cover: the theory and principles of the blood coagulation/fibrinolytic systems, function of each coagulation factor, description of diseases and conditions producing abnormal results, and correlation of test results to abnormal conditions/diseases. Theory and performance of coagulation tests, quality control, computer applications, basic troubleshooting, and safety are also included.

INTRODUCTION TO LABORATORY EDUCATION/MANAGEMENT

Lectures will cover an introduction to the basic educational, statistics, research, and management tools needed by laboratory personnel.

• Management lectures include management roles and styles, communication, laboratory regulatory legislation, HIPAA, financial management, personnel management, and quality assurance.
• Education lectures cover the designing of instructional objectives, instruction, and evaluation tools.
• Research lectures covers research design and evaluation of published studies to determine the validity of the study.

Lecture and reading will cover the acquisition and evaluation of laboratory information system. During the clinical rotations students learn the computer applications used in each area.