Orientation (1 week) BIOL 414 1 credit
This week includes a review of rules and regulations, schedules, workshops, infection control and safety training, etc. The probation/dismissal policies, as well as the rules and regulations of the clinical year and the appeals process are given to all students during orientation. Upon completion, a quiz is given over the material covered to ascertain that every one has completely understood what will be required during the year.
Phlebotomy(ongoing) BIOL 414 1 credit
Phlebotomy includes lectures and demonstrations of proper venipuncture (blood-drawing) techniques. A manual is provided and practical experience is acquired under direct supervision. After a student has passed an initial check list, experience is then gained through daily practice. During the learning process advanced techniques will be taught. A comprehensive exam will be given after about five months of training. An advanced check-list will be provided and will be due near the end of the year. At the completion of the internship year a final check-out will be observed and an evaluation form will be filled out on each student.
A preclinical segment is taught in the student laboratory before the students go to the hematology and chemistry departments. Hematology-coagulation basics are taught for two weeks and chemistry basics, pre-instrumentation, lab math and urinalysis basics for the remaining two weeks.
Mycology / Parasitology ( 4 weeks ) BIOL 416 2 credits
Mycology: Students study the medically important fungi. Culture and identification methods are covered in the student laboratory using stock-cultures. Extensive use of digital images and a slide collection allows for observation of unusual fungi. Parasitology: All medically important protozoans and helminths are discussed. Laboratory procedures include concentration methods and staining techniques in the student lab. Extensive use is made of kodachromes, a slide collection and preserved fecal specimens.
Clinical Microbiology( 8 weeks ) BIOL 423 - 3 credits / BIOL 424 - 3 credits
A study of microorganisms, both normal flora and pathogens is undertaken. The laboratories include means of isolation, identification, susceptibility testing, anaerobic bacteria, virology (Herpes culture) and isolation of Mycobacteria.
Hematology (5 weeks ) BIOL 417 3 credits
This course consists of the study of the formed elements of the blood as seen normally and in the disease states. This includes manual techniques and automated methods. Included in the course is the study of anemia and Red Blood Cell disorders, leukemia and other White Blood Cell disorders as well as bone marrow interpretation. Extensive use of digital images and slide collections aid in disease correlation.
Urinalysis ( 1.5 weeks ) BIOL 418 3 credits
This course includes macroscopic and biochemical analysis, microscopic analysis and special procedures. Correlation of laboratory results to clinical conditions is stressed. Kodachromes are utilized for clarification and unusual sediment findings.
Coagulation ( 1.5 weeks )
This department covers clinical bleeding and clotting problems and consists of routine procedures as well as special procedures such as platelet aggregation and factor analysis. Problem solving is emphasized.
Immunology/Serology( 3 weeks ) BIOL 413 2 credits
Basic principles taught in college immunology are reviewed and their clinical application stressed. This student lab course emphasizes the principles of test methods such as agglutination, IFA, EIA, etc. as it applies to serological diagnosis. Infectious disease serology is stressed. Allergy testing and autoimmune disorders are discussed.
Immunohematology (Blood Bank) (8 weeks) BIOL 420 3 credits
Students learn immunohematology principles and procedures in the hospital blood bank laboratories. Unlike larger hospitals that have student facilities in a large centralized blood center, our students receive individual instruction and hands-on experience including cross-matching. Emphasis is placed on case studies and problem solving. Students also spend time at the American Red Cross observing donor blood collection.
Clinical Chemistry (8 weeks) CHEM 425 - 3 credits / CHEM 426 - 3 credits
Topics included in chemistry are: instrumentation, blood gases, electrophoresis, manual chemistries, therapeutic drugs and toxicology, special chemistry, immunochemistry and quality control. The students are exposed to a variety of instrumentation and are taught basic troubleshooting. Biochemical, pathological and procedural aspects of each chemical test are discussed.
Special projects BIOL 495 3 credits
There are three parts to the special project course: project in education, project in management, and research project.
Management: Students discuss prospective payments, budgets, purchasing equipment, handling of personnel and other management topics. Mock laboratory scenarios are completed by the students. These include things like capital equipment purchases, problem solving, team building, human resources and yearly budgets.
Education: Students discuss educational theory in a lecture series and then put it into practice by teaching a lecture segment on the department topic of their choice. The students are responsible for writing objectives, lecture outline, AV materials, and designing and carrying out a a community CE Day.
Research: Students receive a formal lecture series and then will be assigned mentors who will aid them in the research process for actual clinical application.
Enrichment Sites: Students travel to several local enrichment sites to include the Yakima Health Department, Pacific Northwest University of Health Science, and the American Red Cross.
Lectures and review sessions are given every Friday during clinical rotations and include guest speakers, certified medical technologists, microbiologists, and pathologists as well as experts from other allied fields. Two case studies are presented by each student.
During this week students travel to Seattle to visit labs that provide services beyond what they see in the Yakima Valley; the Puget Sound Blood Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Public Health Laboratory etc. Students with deficiencies in any department may make up the work during this week. On the last day a comprehensive final examination similar in scope and number to the certification exam is given and the students are counseled as to their results in each area.
Students attend the spring state ASCLS (American Society for Clinical Laboratory Scientists) seminar.
A grade for each department is based on four parameters:
- Practical examinations - 35%
- Written quizzes - 25%
- Department evaluations from each section head - 10%
- Comprehensive final examination - 30%
- A minimum of 70% in each department must be maintained.
Counseling sessions with the program director and/or instructor are held after each rotation and whenever problems arise.
A student manual is used in each department and includes behavioral objectives, assignments, some procedures, reading lists, study questions and other appropriate materials. Detailed course objectives are found in each manual. The Student Handbook includes rules and regulations, probation/dismissal criteria, methods of appeal, etc.
Typical Daily Schedule (8 hours)
Early AM or PM – Depending on training site, students collect blood samples from patients or practice laboratory start up procedures.
Monday through Thursday– Practical and theoretical bench work fills the bulk of the day with one 15 minute break and a 30 minute lunch period.
Afternoons– Time for special projects when not performing phlebotomy.
Fridays- Classroom for 8 hours lectures and exams.