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Curriculum

The program provides personal, one-on-one instruction and didactic assignments in accordance with the particular needs of the student or class. Ordinarily there are at least six hours of formal classroom lecture per week. Students rotate through the Clinical Laboratory, learning "at the bench" for the remaining time. Approximate times for each clinical rotation and formal classroom lecture are as follows:

Courses Offered

Practical and clinical experience is provided in all major courses under the supervision of a faculty member.

MLS 4860* CLINICAL MICROSCOPY AND PARASITOLOGY

Clinical Microscopy

The examination of body fluids. Emphasis is placed on: physical examination, chemical analysis, and microscopic sediment, examination of urine and the correlation of results in the diagnosis of disease; the investigation of the urinary system with emphasis on kidney structure and function, as well as specimen collection, processing, quality control, LIS and safety.

Clinical Parasitology

The study of the concepts of parasitism to include collection and handling, preservation and transport, and criteria for parasite identification. Emphasis is placed on morphology, taxonomy, life cycles, mechanisms of transmission and the clinical aspects of infected patients.

MLS 4862* CLINICAL HEMATOLOGY

Designed to make the student more knowledgeable of hematological disorders, this course includes the examination of the cellular and fluid components of blood and body fluids and the role they play in the diagnosis of pathological diseases in man to include classification, mechanisms, and diagnosis of anemias, leukemias, myeloproliferation diseases and coagulation and platelet disorders. Also examined are: origin and development of blood and blood forming tissues; metabolic pathways of red blood cells; regulation and function of white blood cells, cell morphology; and the theory of coagulation. Principles and procedures to include both manual and automated equipment, operation, maintenance, quality control, LIS and safety.

MLS 4864* CLINICAL CHEMISTRY

A comprehensive study of the theory and principles of modern manual and instrumental techniques as applied to qualitative and quantitative analysis of body fluids. Emphasis is placed on: endocrinology; enzymology; toxicology; phlebotomy; pH and acid-base balance; electrolytes and water-balance; cardiac function; intestinal and pancreatic function; liver function; carbohydrates; proteins, non-protein nitrogen compounds; lipids; hormones; vitamins; iron; hemoglobin and hemoglobin derivatives; blood gases; gastric analysis; amniotic fluid analysis. Also examined are: the basic principles of metabolism; biochemical status as related to health and disease; method evaluation; statistical treatment of data, quality control, LIS and safety.

MLS 4863* CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY

A comprehensive study of bacteria, fungi, mycobacteria, rickettsia, and viruses involved in human infections with didactic and laboratory work directed to develop and understanding of basic disciplines in microbiology and molecular biology. Emphasis is placed upon the role of microorganisms as etiological agents of disease in man, signs and symptoms of disease, and antibiotic therapy. Technical aspects include: specimen collection handling and transport; media preparation; culture, isolation, identification; PCR & DNA analysis; quality control, automation, LIS and safety.

MLS4861* CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY AND SEROLOGY

Immunological and serological testing and correlation of test results with disease states in man to include: autoimmune disease; gammopathies; immunodeficiency disease; hepatitis; rubella; rheumatoid arthritis; syphilis and infectious mononucleosis. Pregnancy and beta HCG; febrile and heterophile antibodies; ASO; CRP and cold agglutinins are also investigated. Emphasis is placed upon the theory of the immune and cellular response; structure and function of immunoglobulins; antigens and antibodies as reagents and interaction of antigens and antibodies. Technical aspects include routine and special testing techniques, quality control, LIS and safety.

MLS4865* CLINICAL IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY

Application of the principles and techniques of blood banking in a hospital setting. The scope of this course includes: history of transfusions; immunology-basic genetics; donor selection; blood processing; the ABO, Rh, Lewis and other blood group systems; the HLA system; compatibility testing; antibody identification and titration; blood component preparation and therapy; transfusion reactions; hemolytic disease of the newborn; case histories and problem solving. Technical aspects include routine and special testing techniques as well as quality control, LIS and safety.

MLS 4866* LABORATORY SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT

The basic principles and processes of management are discussed with emphasis placed upon: fiscal management to include budgeting, workload, and cost containment, quality assurance and quality control, personnel management; regulatory agencies and medical-legal aspects of laboratory medicine; computer & LIS systems.

MLS 4038* INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Introduction to and review of the basic theories and principles of medical technology technique used throughout the clinical laboratory to include: theory of light, photometry, and Beer's Law; glassware - types, uses, calibration and cleaning; quality control and statistical analysis; specimen collection, handling and storage of body fluids, components, anticoagulants, and preservatives, analytical methods, reference values, standards, controls and standard curves; the microscope, analytical balance and centrifuge; types and grades of water and reagents; math and chemical calculations; preventative maintenance; safety; computer & LIS systems; professional ethics; antigen-antibody reactions & immunochemical methods.

BASIC EDUCATIONAL PRINCIPLES

Principles of learning are discussed in terms of the cognitive style. Specific applications are made to the development of instructional strategies to include: the preparation of objectives, lesson plans and examinations; the use of audiovisual and hand-out material; presentation, critique and evaluation and the administration of examinations.

MATHEMATICAL CONVERSIONS

Deals with the basic chemical concepts, scientific units, computational methods and conversions relevant to the clinical laboratory to include: solutions and expressions of concentration; standard solutions and dilutions, acid, base, pH, colorimetric analysis, radioactive decay, quality control and statistical problems.

* The above courses are listed with MLS course numbers. Conversion tables for course numbers of affiliated colleges/universities are available upon request.

1. General Education Objectives

1. The general educational objectives of Shands Jacksonville School of Medical Technology are to provide the medical technology students with the following capabilities upon graduation:

1. The student upon graduation will be able to perform at the level expected for certification as a Medical Technologist by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, Clinical Laboratory Scientist by the National Certification Agency for Clinical Laboratory Personnel, and for licensure as a Clinical Medical Technologist by the State of Florida.

2. The student will be able to satisfactorily perform all common analytical procedures done in the clinical laboratories.

3. The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of quality assurance and quality control terms, calculations and application to maintain accuracy and precision.

4. The student will be able to set up and evaluate new procedures from written protocols and to modify existing procedures.

5. The student will be able to recognize problems in the laboratory, identify their causes and initiate solutions.

6. The student will be able to make basic interpretations of test results based on acquired knowledge of pathophysiology and disease processes.

7. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the theories and principles involved in clinical laboratory tests.

8. The student will exercise due care and responsibility in carrying out his/her duties and will observe commonly recognized medical ethics.

9. The student should be able to perform satisfactorily in any hospital clinical laboratory with a minimum amount of review.

10. The student should recognize the importance of, and participate in, continuing education programs.

11. The student will demonstrate proper procedures for collection and processing biological specimens.

12. The student will apply the principle of educational methodology, supervision and management in leading supportive personnel and peers in their acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes.

13. The student will be able to perform preventive and corrective maintenance on equipment and instruments as well as identifying appropriate sources of error.

14. The student will be able to integrate and relate data from the various areas of the laboratory.

15. The student will observe Standard Precautions and use appropriate protective barriers to ensure his/her safety and the safety of others.

2. Specific career-entry competencies to be achieved upon completion of the program are described in the departmental and lecture series objectives.

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