B.S. in Medical laboratory science Essential Functions
In addition to the academic requirements, applicants to the Medical Laboratory Science Program are required to meet Essential Functions which are non-academic requirements of the program and comprise of five abilities and skills, including: observation, movement, communication, intellectual and conceptual, and behavioral and social.
Essential requirements are performance related functions and provide criteria so that potential applicants can independently evaluate their own ability to fulfill the expected requirements of a medical laboratory scientist/medical technologist. These requirements are made available to facilitate a valid career choice by the potential applicant. The achievement of these cognitive and technical competencies should not endanger or compromise the health and welfare of other students, patients or allied health professionals and should not impose "undue hardship" upon the medical facility and/or its patients. If you are not sure that you will be able to meet the essential requirements, please consult with the Program Director for further information and to discuss your individual situation.
The MLS student needs to be able to meet the following minimum Essential Requirements:
1. Ability to perform visual requirements:
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a) read orders, policies, procedures, test results, charts, graphs, instrument printouts, number sequence, etc.
b) differentiate colors; e.g., test results, color codes, etc.
c) identify microscopic structures, cells, organisms
d) determine specimen suitability
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2. Ability to perform motor/movement requirements:
a) respond appropriately to alarms, pagers, telephones
b) able and willing to work with blood/body fluids and with infectious organisms and to work with a wide variety of chemical reagents
c) obtain and measure specimens and reagents precisely
d) manipulate reagents, materials, instruments and analytical equipment according to established protocol
e) stand and/or sit for prolonged periods
f) comply with safety regulations; e.g., potential exposure to infectious organisms, body fluids, and toxic chemicals
g) perform duties requiring manual and finger dexterity; e.g., using a computer keyboard to accurately enter and transmit data and information in a timely manner, manipulating and adjusting gauges, operating specialized equipment, using microscopes, performing venipunctures
h) reach laboratory bench tops and shelves, patients lying in hospital beds or
seated in specimen collection furniture
3. Ability to perform communication/behavioral requirements:
a) remain calm and exercise good judgment under stressful and/or emergency situations
b) communicate effectively in written/oral English with patients, fellow students, visitors, and healthcare workers by giving or receiving instructions, test results and various messages, verbally, in writing, by facsimile or via computer
c) maintain a cooperative and productive working relationship with patients, fellow students and healthcare workers
d) remain flexible, creative, and adaptive to professional and technical change
e) manage use of time and organizational skills to effectively complete professional and technical tasks
f) practice honest, compassionate, ethical and responsible conduct
4. Ability to perform intellectual/conceptional requirements:
a) possess these intellectual skills: comprehension, measurement, mathematical calculation, reasoning, integration, analysis, comparison, self-expression, and criticism
b) exercise sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance deviations
c) prepare, review, and evaluate papers, laboratory reports, reagents and materials in order to meet the needs of various procedural standards
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science requires us to define and publish "specific...technical standards" (essential requirements) "required for admission to the program" and to determine "that the applicants or students' health will permit them to meet the...technical standards..." (essential requirements).