Department of Medical Laboratory Science

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

In medical laboratory science, the clinical laboratory science option, the biotechnology option, and the cytotechnology option all provide students with the concepts, professional attitudes, scientific theory and skills essential for practicing clinical laboratorians. Medical laboratory science leads students to understand the health care delivery system and the role of the clinical laboratory scientist and cytotechnologist in that system, to function as professionals and to gain the skills and attitudes needed to enter their practice. All graduates are eligible for national certification and licensure.

Students use state-of-the-art equipment and laboratory methods in the new, modern-design laboratory facility. The medical laboratory science 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 more specifically 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 will be evaluated for transferability and equivalency to existing UMass Dartmouth courses. All required Medical Laboratory Science courses must be taken at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, unless approved by the department.

Health Policies

Students admitted to medical laboratory science programs are expected to have a complete physical examination and the appropriate immunizations as outlined by the department. 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, 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631-3415, telephone 312-714-8880. The accreditation official is Dorothy A Bergeron, MS (Program Director). Academic and technical competence are developed in the major areas of clinical laboratory practice: hematology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology and immunohematology. The clinical laboratory theory and methods integrated throughout the four-year curriculum culminate with a clinical practicum in an affiliated hospital during the second semester of the senior year. Laboratory instrumentation, use of computers in laboratories and quality assurance are emphasized throughout.

Careers are available in hospital, independent, public health, industrial, pharmaceutical and private laboratories as scientists and researchers; and some clinical laboratory scientists work as educators, administrators and consultants. By presenting a diverse background in science, analytical skills, and problem-solving, medical laboratory science prepares students 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 physician assistant).

Learning Outcomes

After completion of this program, the graduate will be able to demonstrate entry level competencies in the following areas of professional practice:

collect and process biological specimens for analysis;
perform analytical tests on body fluids, cells, and other samples;
make critical judgments by integrating and relating data generated by the various clinical laboratory departments;
evaluate quality control results and institute corrective procedures;
perform preventive and corrective maintenance on equipment and instruments or refer to appropriate source for repair;
evaluate new techniques and procedures in terms of usefulness and practicality within the context of a given laboratory’s resources;
demonstrate concern for the patient and cooperate with laboratory personnel and other health care professionals;
communicate effectively and in a professional manner with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals and the public;
assume responsibility for continuing professional development and competence;
assume leadership to effect positive change in the profession;
apply principles of safety, management and supervision, 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. After reviewing the records, the committee recommends to the department faculty those students to be admitted to the upper division of the option in clinical laboratory science. Each student’s record is reviewed individually and, if indicated, conditional acceptance with academic qualifications is granted.

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

completion of all prerequisites in the first two years as outlined in the requirements;
a minimum cumulative science grade point average of 2.0 in all completed courses required by the major;
evidence that the student is making progress toward satisfying degree requirements and certification requirements;
signed statement from the student indicating understanding and belief that the following non-academic criteria (essential functions) can be met:

Observation. The student must be able to participate actively in laboratory exercises and clinical experiences.
Communication. The student must be able to communicate with fellow students, faculty, staff and members of a health care team.
Motor. The student must have sufficient motor skills to perform basic diagnostic tests.
Intellectual/Conceptual, Integrate and Quantitative Abilities. The student must be able to problem solve and comprehend spatial relationships of structures.
Behavioral and Social Attributes. The student must be able 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 signature statement are available by contacting the CLS Program Director at 508-999-8329.

Clinical Practicum

The faculty assigns the students to the clinical practicum at the following affiliates: Brockton Hospital (Brockton, MA), Charlton Memorial Hospital (Fall River, MA), Jordan Hospital (Plymouth, MA), Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA), Morton Hospital and Medical Center (Taunton, MA), New England Medical Center (Boston, MA), Roger Williams Medical Center (Providence, RI), St. Anne’s Hospital (Fall River, MA), St. Luke’s Hospital (New Bedford, MA), and South Shore Hospital (South Weymouth, MA). Students may be assigned to a rotation at enrichment sites: Rhode Island Blood Center (Providence, RI) and State Laboratory Institute or Massachusetts Department of Public Health (Jamaica Plain, MA). Should an affiliate be unable to fulfill its obligations, the CLS program director assumes the responsibility for finding an alternative assignment for the student.

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 to select the most appropriate courses. 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.