2024-2025 University of Wyoming Catalog
Medical Laboratory Science
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Aley Hall, UW-Casper, (307) 268-2753
FAX: (307) 268-2416
Web site: www.uwyo.edu/pharmacy/mlsprogram/index.html
Director: Jed M. Doxtater, MS MLS (ASCP)
Assistant Clinical Faculty:
JED M. DOXTATER, B.S. University of Montana 2007; M.S. University of North Dakota 2013; Assistant Clinical Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science 2015.
Assistant Lecturer:
CHARLIE P. CRUZ, B.S. Lorma Colleges 1998; M.A. Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University 2003; M.S. Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas 2016; Ph.D. Saint Louis College 2014; Assistant Lecturer of Medical Laboratory Science 2016.
Mission and Goals
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program at the University of Wyoming-Casper is to educate, train, and produce highly competent, ethical professionals who are committed to lifelong learning. Curriculum is designed to prepare students to meet current and future workplace challenges and technological advancements in the profession.
Program Goals
1. Provide education in accordance with the National Accrediting Agency for clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) standards for Medical Laboratory Science programs.
2. Provide students with adequate knowledge and background experience to successfully complete the national certification examination appropriate to their level of training.
3. Provide opportunity for students to develop skills in effective communication sufficient to serve the needs of patients, public, and other healthcare professionals.
4. Graduate well qualified Medical Laboratory Scientists who can function at a career entry level, and are prepared to meet the workforce needs of the state of Wyoming and the nation.
5. Provide students with professional role models so that they may develop and practice professional behaviors, attitudes and ethics necessary to work in, and promote the field of Medical Laboratory Science.
6. Periodically undergo program review to meet the diverse educational needs of students, accreditation standards and industry demands for qualified, skilled entry level practitioners.
7. Establish an advisory board of professionals, community partners and stakeholders for program development, evaluation and improvement.
8. Promote membership and active participation in professional societies.
Outcomes
Description of Entry Level Competencies of the Medical Laboratory Scientist
At entry level, the medical laboratory scientist will possess the entry level competencies necessary to perform the full range of clinical laboratory tests in areas such as Clinical Chemistry, Hematology/Hemostasis, Immunology, Immunohematology/Transfusion medicine, Microbiology, Urine and Body Fluid Analysis and Laboratory Operations, and other emerging diagnostics, and will play a role in the development and evaluation of test systems and interpretive algorithms.
The medical laboratory scientist will have diverse responsibilities in areas of analysis and clinical decision making, regulatory compliance with applicable regulations, education, and quality assurance/performance improvement wherever laboratory testing is researched, developed or performed.
At entry level, the medical laboratory scientist will have the following basic knowledge and skills in:
• Application of safety and governmental regulations and standards as applied to clinical laboratory science;
• Principles and practices of professional conduct and the significance of continuing professional development;
• Communications sufficient to serve the needs of patients, the public and members of the health care team;
• Principles and practices of administration and supervision as applied to clinical laboratory science;
• Educational methodologies and terminology sufficient to train/ educate users and providers of laboratory services;
• Principles and practices of clinical study design, implementation and dissemination of results;
• Theoretical knowledge and technical skills of concepts relating to all content areas required by NAACLS, including Clinical Chemistry, Hematology/Hemostasis, Immunology, Immunohematology, Microbiology, Urine and Body Fluid Analysis, Laboratory Operations and
biohazard and safety
Accreditation
The Medical Laboratory Science Program at the University of Wyoming is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Accreditation is a process of external peer review in which an agency grants public recognition to a program of study or an institution that meets established qualification and educational standards. Participation in the accreditation process is voluntary since there is not a legal requirement for specialized programs and institutions to participate. However, when students complete a NAACLS accredited program they become eligible to sit for national certification examinations for the profession. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) is a nonprofit organization that independently accredits medical technologist (MLS), clinical laboratory technician/medical laboratory technician (CLT/MLT), histotechnologist (HTL), histologic technician (HT), pathologists’ assistant (Path Asst), diagnostic molecular scientist (DMS) and cytogenetic technology (CT), Phlebotomist (PBT), and clinical assistant (CA) educational programs. Contract information: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 http://www.naacls.org
Prerequisites for Admission to the MLS Professional Program
Students must meet the following minimum criteria to be considered for Admitted Major status:
• Completion of the Casper College A.S. degree in MLT within 5 years or B.S. degree in a related science.
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.000 on all course work transferred into the University of Wyoming at Casper from other academic institutions.
• Successful completion of the Medical Laboratory Technician BOC exam is preferred. Students that have not completed the BOC may be admitted with MLS program directors approval.
• Students admitted to the program that do not hold an A.S. in MLT or a B.S. in a related science may be required to complete the University of Wyoming University Studies program in addition to the basic requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory
Science degree.
See the current requirements at http://www.uwyo.edu/unst/
Applying for Admission to MLS Professional Program
Upon completion of the prerequisite requirements of the program, students may apply to the professional program in the fall semester of their senior year. Applications for the program must be submitted to the MLS program director before finals week of the fall semester prior to entering the professional program Advanced Clinical Practicum (ACP) coursework. It is the students’ responsibility to complete and submit applications by the defined due date.
Students are required to complete an observational enrichment experience during the final MLS semester. This observational experience is designed to demonstrate advanced concepts and topics presented in the MLS curriculum, in a practical setting.
Prior to participating in the enrichment experience, students may be subjected to that agency’s requirements for HIPAA training, a background check, drug testing and/or drug abuse prevention policies. Students may be subject to the random drug testing policy of that agency. These background checks are routinely required by schools, hospitals, and other agencies that participate in on-site training. Background checks should be obtained from Viewpoint screening (https://www.viewpointscreening.com/uwyo).
Students must meet the vaccination and health insurance requirements of the university. Vaccinations are available through the county health department or through student health on the UW-C campus, and liability health insurance is available through the University of Wyoming. Current enrichment site affiliates do not require a background check, drug screen or proof of vaccination, as the university vaccination requirements exceed that of the facility. If a student finds an appropriate observational enrichment experience outside of the opportunities available through the MLS program, the student must communicate the site to the MLS program director for approval. This notification should occur well in advance to entering the professional program. It will be the responsibility of the student to arrange the experience with the appropriate site personnel/HR and program director, to ensure all required documentation is provided. The student must provide proof of health insurance and Hepatitis B vaccination (or declination) to participate in on-campus student laboratory sessions. Hepatitis B vaccinations are available on the UW-C campus at student health, or at the county health department for a small fee.
Essential Functions
Applicants must meet certain essential functions as defined by NAACLS. If you feel that you do not meet these essential functions, careful consideration should be made and advisement received before entering the MLS Program. Essential functions are the abilities and essential functions that a student must be able to perform to be successful in the learning experiences and completion of the program.
Observational Requirements
The MLS student must be able to:
• Observe laboratory demonstrations in which biologicals are tested for their biochemical, hematological, immunological, microbiological, and histochemical components.
• Characterize the color, odor, clarity, and viscosity of biologicals, reagents or chemical reaction products.
• Employ a clinical grade binocular microscope to discriminate among the structural and color (hue, shading, and intensity) differences of microscopic specimens.
• Read and comprehend text, numbers, and graphs displayed in print and on a video monitor.
Movement Requirements
The MLS student must be able to:
• Move freely and safely about a laboratory.
• Reach laboratory bench-tops and shelves, patients lying in hospital beds or patients seated in specimen collection furniture.
• Travel to numerous clinical laboratory sites for practical experience. • Perform moderately taxing continuous physical work, often requiring prolonged sitting, over several hours.
• Maneuver phlebotomy and culture acquisition equipment to safely collect valid laboratory specimens from patients.
• Control laboratory equipment (i.e., pipettes, inoculating loops, test tubes) and adjust instruments to perform laboratory procedures.
• Use an electronic keyboard to operate laboratory instruments and to calculate, record, evaluate, and transmit laboratory information.
• Perform fine hand manipulations with dexterity.
Communication Requirements
The MLS student must be able to:
• Read and comprehend technical and professional materials.
• Follow verbal and written instructions in order to correctly and independently perform laboratory test procedures.
• Clearly instruct patients prior to specimen collection.
• Effectively, confidentially and sensitively converse with patients regarding laboratory tests.
• Communicate with faculty members, fellow students, staff, and other health care professionals verbally and in a recorded format.
• Independently prepare papers, prepare laboratory reports, and take paper, computer, and laboratory practical examinations.
Behavioral Requirements
The MLS student must:
• Be able to manage the use of time and be able to systematize actions in order to complete professional and technical tasks within realistic constraints.
• Possess the emotional health necessary to effectively employ intellect and exercise appropriate judgment.
• Be able to provide professional and technical services while experiencing the stresses of task-related uncertainty and a distracting environment.
• Be flexible and creative and adapt to professional and technical change.
• Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment, and situation and proceed safely in order to minimize risk of injury to patients, self, and nearby individuals.
• Adapt to working with unpleasant biologicals.
• Support and promote the activities of fellow students and of health care professionals.
• Realize that the promotion of peers helps furnish a team approach to learning, task completion, problem solving and patient care.
• Be honest, compassionate, ethical and responsible.
Request for Accommodation
All students are held to the same academic and technical standards. Applicants/students with disabilities seeking accommodation must discuss their disability and accommodation needs with the University Disability Support Services (udss@uwyo.edu or (307) 766-6189; TTY: (307) 766-3073). If appropriate and upon request and registration of the applicant, a reasonable accommodation will be made consistent with University of Wyoming guidelines.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science
Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. degree plan
Courses
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