Clinical Laboratory Technician Program Code 105131

Employment Potential

Most Clinical Laboratory Technicians work in hospitals or clinic labs. Some Clinical Laboratory Technicians may choose to work for veterinary laboratories, industrial labs, insurance companies, research facilities, environmental labs, or public health.

Clinical Laboratory Technician: applies knowledge of test procedures and quality control methods in the areas of hematology, chemistry, serology, urinalysis, blood bank, microbiology, and phlebotomy; performs tests accurately and efficiently using both automated and manual methodology; evaluates the clinical significance of test results.

Program Outcomes

. Apply modern clinical methodologies including problem solving and trouble shooting according to predetermined criteria.
. Perform preventative and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments according to predetermined criteria.
. Collect and process biological and other specimens.
. Perform and report results of clinical laboratory tests.
. Apply laboratory results to diagnosis of clinical conditions and/or diseases.
. Monitor and evaluate quality control in the laboratory.
. Practice laboratory safety and regulatory compliance.
. Communicate with colleagues and patients in a professional manner.
. Perform information processing in the clinical laboratory.
. Model professional behaviors, ethics, and appearance.

Wisconsin Caregiver Law

NWTC is required to comply with the Wisconsin Caregiver Law (1997 WISCONSIN ACT 27). The completion of a caregiver background check includes the review of criminal records for convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behavior. Students accepted into this program must complete a background information form disclosing any acts, crimes, or convictions prior to program entry. The information provided in the background information form must be truthful and match any findings on the criminal record check. Students with a criminal history may be denied access to placement at the discretion of the clinical or practicum site. Consequently, should a student have a history of convictions of serious crimes or a history of improper behaviors, NWTC cannot guarantee clinical/practicum placement or guarantee graduation within typical program timing.

Clinical Experience

. Students will be required to purchase a uniform, pay for liability insurance, provide their own transportation to assigned sites, and cover any other expenses related to clinical experiences. Dependent on availability of sites, students may need to travel distances for clinical experiences.
. Students are required to maintain a current Healthcare Provider CPR card to comply with affiliating agency requirements.

Accreditation

The Clinical Laboratory Technician program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018, (847) 939-3597

Board/Certification Examinations

Graduates are qualified to take the Board of Certification examination from the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Requirements for Program Application

. Completed application.
. High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
. Admission Skills Assessment or equivalent or ACT assessment taken within the last three years. (For a list of equivalents, please contact a counselor.)
. Two semesters High School, or one semester in College of Algebra and Advanced Math, completed with a “C” or better (or attain program benchmark for algebra on the Academic Skills Assessment).
. Two semesters High School, or one semester in College of Biology and Chemistry completed with a grade of “C” or better.
. Applicants with documentation of completion of Intro to Biochemistry, with a “B” or better, will receive priority standing amongst that year’s applicant pool.

Requirements for Program Entry

. As a requirement for program entry, an Academic Skills Assessment (Accuplacer) with appropriate benchmark scores is necessary or the minimum standard composite score of 20 on the ACT must be achieved. Students must receive the following scores prior to program entry. Reading Comprehension: 90; Arithmetic: 101; Sentence Skills: 94; Algebra: 60. Remediation options are available to reach required scores. Proof of remediation must be demonstrated by an Academic Skills Assessment post-test or completion of an approved course in the content requiring remediation. To learn more about these assessments and program benchmark scores, please contact a counselor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.
. Complete physical examination and provide current immunization information three months prior to entering program.
. Submit Caregiver Background Check paperwork.
. Complete mandatory four-hour job shadow.
. Attend mandatory spring program orientation.

Curriculum

The Clinical Laboratory Technician Associate Degree is a two-year, five-semester program. Upon completion, a student will have completed 67 credits.

FIRST SEMESTER

SECOND SEMESTER

SUMMER SEMESTER

THIRD SEMESTER

FOURTH SEMESTER

Curriculum Note
* No final grade lower than a “C” is acceptable in any of the courses marked with an asterisk. A student who withdraws or receives a grade lower than a “C” in a program course may apply for re-entry into the program. Consideration for re-entry will be at the discretion of the re-entry team and will be dependent on clinical availability.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

These courses provide an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding required for employment in this field.

10-501-101 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY ...focuses on the component parts of medical terms: Prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Students practice formation, analysis and reconstruction of terms. Emphasis on spelling, definition and pronunciation. Introduction to operative, diagnostic, therapeutic and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, as well as systemic and surgical terminology.

10-513-110 BASIC LAB SKILLS ...explores health career options and the fundamental principles and procedures performed in the clinical laboratory. Learners will utilize medical terminology and basic laboratory equipment. Learners will follow required safety and infection control procedures and perform simple laboratory tests. (Prerequisite: Accepted into Clinical Laboratory Technician Program or Phlebotomy Certificate)

10-513-111 PHLEBOTOMY ...this course provides opportunities for learners to perform routine venipuncture, routine capillary puncture and special collection procedures. (Corequisite: 10-513-110, Basic Lab Skills)

10-513-113 QA LAB MATH ...focuses on performing the mathematical calculations routinely used in laboratory settings. Learners will explore the concepts of quality control and quality assurance in the laboratory. Learners will review regulatory compliance requirements, and certification and continuing education programs. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the Clinical Laboratory Technician program)

10-513-114 URINALYSIS ...prepares learners to perform a complete urinalysis which includes physical, chemical and microscopic analysis. Learners will explore renal physiology and correlate urinalysis results with clinical conditions. (Prerequisites: 10-513-110, Basic Lab Skills and 10-513-113, QA Lab Math)

10-513-115 BASIC IMMUNOLOGY CONCEPTS ...provides an overview of the immune system including laboratory testing methods for diagnosis of immune system disorders, viral and bacterial infections. (Corequisite: 10-513-110, Basic Lab Skills)

10-513-120 BASIC HEMATOLOGY ...covers the theory and principles of blood cell production and function, and introduces the learner to basic practices and procedures in the hematology laboratory. (Prerequisites: 10-513-110, Basic Lab Skills; 10-513-113, QA Lab Math; 10-513-111, Phlebotomy; 10-513-115, Basic Immunology Concepts)

10-513-121 COAGULATION ...introduces the theory and principles of coagulation and explores mechanisms involved in coagulation disorders. Emphasis is placed upon laboratory techniques used to diagnose disease and monitor treatment. (Prerequisites: 10-513-110, Basic Lab Skills; 10-513-113, QA Lab Math; 10-513-115, Basic Immunology Concepts; 10-513-111, Phlebotomy; Corequisite: 10-513-120, Basic Hematology)

10-513-122 INTRODUCTION TO BLOOD BANK ...introduces basic blood banking concepts and procedures including blood typing and compatibility testing. (Prerequisites: 10-513-110, Basic Lab Skills; 10-513-113, QA Lab Math; 10-513-115, Basic Immunology Concepts)

10-513-123 ADVANCED BLOOD BANK ...focuses on advanced blood banking concepts and procedures including work ups for adverse reaction to transfusions and disease states. (Corequisite: 10-513-122, Introduction to Blood Bank)

10-513-130 ADVANCED HEMATOLOGY ...explores mechanisms involved in the development of hematological disorders. Emphasis is placed upon laboratory techniques used to diagnose disorders and monitor treatment. (Prerequisite: 10-513-120, Basic Hematology)

10-513-131 CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 1 ...introduces Clinical Chemistry techniques and procedures for routine analysis using photometric, potentiometric and separation techniques. Topics in this course include pathophysiology and methodologies for carbohydrate, lipids, proteins, renal function and blood gas analysis. (Prerequisites: 10-513-110, Basic Lab Skills; 10-513-113, QA Lab Math; 10-513-114, Urinalysis; 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology; 10-806-186, Intro to Biochemistry)

10-513-132 CLINICAL CHEMISTRY 2...a continuation of Clinical Chemistry Diagnostics, techniques and procedures for analysis using sophisticated laboratory instrumentation. Topics include pathophysiology and methodologies for hepatic, bone, cardiac markers, tumor markers, endocrine function, fetal function, miscellaneous body fluids, and toxicology. (Corequisite: 10-513-131, Clinical Chemistry 1)

10-513-133 CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY ...presents the clinical importance of infectious diseases with emphasis upon the appropriate collection, handling and identification of clinically relevant bacteria. Disease states, modes of transmission and methods of prevention and control, including antibiotic susceptibility testing, are also discussed. (Prerequisites: 10-806-197, Microbiology; 10-513-110, Basic Lab Skills; 10-513-133, Basic Immunology Concepts)

10-513-140 ADVANCED MICROBIOLOGY ...overview of acid fast organisms, fungi, parasites, and anaerobic bacteria. The organisms, their pathophysiology, epidemiology, the diseases and conditions that they cause, laboratory methods of handling, culturing and identification will be discussed. (Corequisite: 10-513-133, Clinical Microbiology)

10-513-151 CLINICAL EXPERIENCE 1 ...clinical applications of knowledge and procedures in hematology/coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, blood bank, chemistry/serology, preparation for MLT certification examinations. (Prerequisite: 10-513-132, Clinical Chemistry 2; Corequisites: 10-513-152, Clinical Experience 2; 10-513-153, Clinical Experience 3)

10-513-152 CLINICAL EXPERIENCE 2 ...clinical applications of knowledge and procedures in hematology/coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, blood bank, chemistry/serology, preparation for MLT certification examinations. (Prerequisite: 10-513-132, Clinical Chemistry 2; Corequisites: 10-513-151, Clinical Experience 1; 10-513-153, Clinical Experience 3)

10-513-153 CLINICAL EXPERIENCE 3 ...clinical applications of knowledge and procedures in hematology/coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology, blood bank, chemistry/serology, preparation for MLT certification examinations. (Prerequisite: 10-513-132, Clinical Chemistry 2; Corequisites: 10-513-151, Clinical Experience 1; 10-513-152, Clinical Experience 2)

10-806-177 GENERAL ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY ...overview of the human anatomy/physiology using a body-systems approach, emphasizing the interrelationships between form/function at the gross and microscopic levels. (Prerequisite: 10-806-134, General Chemistry OR 10-806-155, Chemistry-Basic OR High School Chemistry with a "C" or better OR College Chemistry transfer credit with a grade of "C" or better) 4 cr.

10-806-186 INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY ...covers organic and biological chemistry necessary for application within Nursing and other Allied Health careers. Emphasis is placed on recognizing the structure, physical properties and chemical reactions of organic molecules, body fluids and acids. Discussion of biological functions and their relationship to enzymes, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and DNA. (Prerequisite: 10-806-134, General Chemistry or equivalent with lab component with a "C" or better within the past five years) 4 cr.

10-801-136 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 ...learners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. 3 cr.

10-806-197 MICROBIOLOGY ...history, morphology, physiology, nutritional growth requirements, metabolism, methods of identification. Focus on disease-causing microorganisms, appropriate prevention, treatment, control mechanisms. Specific/non-specific host defense mechanisms, applications of immunology examined. (Prerequisite: 10-806-177, General Anatomy & Physiology, with a "C" or better.) 4 cr.

10-801-196 ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION ...the communication process, perception and self-concept, language, listening, nonverbal communication, interpersonal relationships, communication in groups and public communication; prepare and deliver an oral presentation. 3 cr.

10-809-198 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY ...survey of theoretical foundations of human behavior such as sensation and perception, motivation, emotions, learning, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, stress, and human diversity in personal, social and vocational settings. 3 cr.

10-809-172 RACE ETHNIC & DIVERSITY ...basic American values of justice and equality by teaching vocabulary, history of immigration/conquest, transcultural communication, legal liability, multicultural majority/minority relations, ageism, sexism, gender, sexual orientation, the disabled/ADA. 3 cr.