Department of Medical Laboratory Science

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Faculty and Fields of Interest

Dorothy A Bergeron immunohematology, health education, professional issues

Brenda Bouchard coagulation, serology, science education, immunology

Lynne Brodeur medical laboratory science, clinical chemistry, biochemistry, community health

Eileen Carreiro-Lewandowski clinical chemistry, biochemistry, laboratory regulation

Elizabeth Correiro medical laboratory science, immunohematology, genetics

James T Griffith (Chairperson) microbiology, antimicrobial agents, health legislation

Susan J Leclair hematology, health planning

Frank J Scarano molecular epidemiology, clinical microbiology

The clinical laboratory science, the options in clinical laboratory science, biotechnology, and cytotechnology in Medical Laboratory Science provide students with the concepts, professionalism, scientific theory and skills essential for practicing in clinical laboratories. Medical laboratory science enables students to understand the health care delivery system and the roles in it of clinical laboratory scientists and cytotechnologists. Students learn to function as professionals and gain the skills and attitudes necessary for entering practice. All graduates are eligible for national certification and licensure.

Students use state-of-the-art equipment and laboratory methods in a modern laboratory facility. The faculty are professional laboratory scientists and leaders in local, regional and national professional and scientific organizations who influence the practice of the profession by serving on committees and as consultants.

Entrance to Medical Laboratory Science

In addition to the general course requirements for admission, the Department of Medical Laboratory Science requires 3 units of Natural Science and 3 units of college preparatory mathematics which must include 2 units of algebra.

Admission of Transfer Students and Certified Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Credits earned at another institution are evaluated for their equivalence to existing UMass Dartmouth courses. Unless approved by the department, all required medical laboratory science courses must be taken at the UMass Dartmouth.

Health Policies

Students admitted to medical laboratory science programs are must have a complete physical examination and appropriate immunizations. For each item listed below students must show evidence of vaccination and documentation of history of disease.

Hepatitis B vaccine
Tetanus/diphtheria
Measles/mumps/rubella
Polio
Varicella (chicken pox)
Mantoux test

Clinical Laboratory Science Option

The option in clinical laboratory science is an integrated program, accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Academic and technical competence are developed in major areas of clinical laboratory practice: hematology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology and immunohematology. In the second semester of the senior year clinical laboratory theory and methods culminate with a clinical practicum in an affiliated hospital. Laboratory instrumentation, use of computers in laboratories and quality assurance are emphasized throughout.

Medical Laboratory Science leads to careers as scientists and researchers in hospital, independent, public health, industrial, pharmaceutical and private settinga; some clinical laboratory scientists work as educators, administrators and consultants. With their backgrounds in science, analytical skills, and problem-solving, medical laboratory science students are ready for post-graduate studies in the sciences; including chemistry, microbiology and pathology; administration, including human resource management, health service administration and business administration; and professional schools, including medical, osteopathy and as physician’s assistants.

Learning Outcomes

After completion of this program, graduates will be able to demonstrate entry level competence in:

collecting and processing biological specimens for analysis
performing analytical tests on body fluids, cells, and other samples
make critical judgments by integrating and relating data generated by the various clinical laboratory departments
evaluating quality control and instituting corrective procedures
performing preventive and corrective maintenance on equipment and instruments or referring to appropriate sources for repair
evaluating new techniques and procedures for their applicabiity to a given laboratory
demonstrating concern for patients and cooperating with laboratory personnel and other health care professionals
communicating effectively and professionally with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals and the public
assuming responsibility for continuing professional development
assuming leadership to effect positive change in the profession
applying principles of safety, management and supervision
being familiar with education methodologies and current information systems

Entrance to the Upper Division of the Option in Clinical Laboratory Science

The Committee on Advanced Standing meets each year to evaluate the academic and professional progress of students who have completed sophomore-level requirements. and recommeds admission to the upper division of the curriculum. Each student’s record is reviewed and, if necessary, grants conditional acceptance, noting deficiencies that must be addressed.

Admission to the upper division of the option in clinical laboratory science requires:

completion of all prerequisites
a minimum cumulative science grade point average of 2.0 in all completed courses required by the major
evidence that the student is making satisfactory progress toward satisfying degree requirements and certification requirements
the student’s signed statement indicating understanding that the following non-academic criteria (essential functions) will be met:

Observation: ability to participate actively in laboratory exercises and clinical experiences.
Communication: ability to communicate with fellow students, faculty, staff and members of a health care team.
Motor: having sufficient motor skills to perform basic diagnostic tests
Intellectual/conceptual, integrative, and quantitative competence: ability to problem solve and comprehend spatial relationships of structures
Behavioral and social attributes: abiltiy to interact appropriately with fellow students, faculty, staff and members of a health care team.

A more detailed listing of the essential functions and the necessary form are available from the CLS Program Director

Clinical Practicum

The faculty assigns students to the clinical practicua at the following affiliates: Brockton Hospital, Charlton Memorial Hospital, Jordan Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Morton Hospital and Medical Center, New England Medical Center, Roger Williams Medical Center, St. Anne’s Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, and South Shore Hospital. Students may be assigned to a rotation at enrichment sites: Rhode Island Blood Center and State Laboratory Institute or Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Should an affiliate be unable to fulfill its obligations, the CLS program director will find an alternative assignment.

Cytotechnology Option

Cytotechnology, a specialty in the clinical laboratory, evaluates cell microscopically to detect morphologic changes related to benign and malignant disease. The first three years are spent on campus building a foundation in biology, chemistry, math and medical laboratory science, followed by a one year clinical practicum in an accredited hospital program. A strong sense of responsibility, ability to concentrate and an interest in natural science are necessary qualities for a cytotechnologist. Career opportunities are excellent.

Cytotechnologists are employed as laboratory managers, educators, medical sales representatives, technical representatives and scientists in private and hospital-based laboratories; state, federal or industrial laboratories; research laboratories and veterinary laboratories. Graduate study possibilities include pathology, anatomy or genetics.

Entrance to the Option in Cytotechnology

Students interested in this option are encouraged to discuss cytotechnology with the department chairperson as early as possible so that appropriate courses may be selected. Application for this option should be made during the spring semester of the sophomore year and no later than the fall semester of the junior year. Generally, students apply for admission to the accredited hospital program in the spring semester of the junior year.

Each hospital cytotechnology program determines the number of credits in a specific course based on the nature of the laboratory and the range of case presentations. A minimum of thirty credits from the courses listed in the fourth year are granted at the completion of the hospital cytotechnology program.

All students must be recommended by the department chairperson to the approved hospital program. The university cannot guarantee placement in an approved hospital program.

Clinical fees are established by the hospital program. Students are required to pay this fee in addition to the usual university fees.

Biotechnology Option

The option in biotechnology is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and technical abilities necessary to pursue a career in the biotechnology world after graduating.

Entrance to the Option in Biotechnology

Students interested in this option are encouraged to discuss biotechnology with the department chairperson. Application for this option should be made during the spring semester of the sophomore year and no later than the fall semester of the junior year.

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