Department of Medical Laboratory Science

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Dorothy A Bergeron, Professor Emerita, Program Director

Eileen Carreiro-Lewandowski, Professor (Chairperson), clinical chemistry, biochemistry, laboratory standards and regulation, pre-med director

James T Griffith, Chancellor Professor, microbiology, antimicrobial agents, health legislation

Elizabeth Hart, Lecturer, medical laboratory science, Immunohematology, genetics

Susan J Leclair, Chancellor Professor, hematology, health planning

Caterina Miraglia, Assistant Professor, osteopathic medicine, physiology

James Mistler, Lecturer

Yun (Melody) O’Donnell, Lecturer

Karen Rezendes, Lecturer, body fluids, urinalysis, phlebotomy

Kyle Ryding, Lecturer

Frank J Scarano, Professor, molecular epidemiology, clinical microbiology

The Department of Medical Laboratory Science offers degree options in Clinical Laboratory Science, Biotechnology, Cytotechnology and Health Services Administration. These courses of study provide students with the concepts, professionalism, scientific theory and skills essential for practicing in clinical and biotechnology laboratories. Students studying the Health Services option are often practicing, certified health practitioners who develop skills needed for management and health care administration.

Medical laboratory science enables students to understand the health care delivery system and roles in it of clinical laboratory scientists and cytotechnologists. Students learn to function as professionals and gain the skills and attitudes necessary for entering the practice field. All CLS and cytotechnology graduates are eligible for national certification and licensure.

Students may 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 organization who influence the practice of the profession by serving on committees and as consultants.

Mission Statement

In accordance with the mission statements of the University system and UMass Dartmouth campus and standards of the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science, the Department of Medical Laboratory Science perceives its mission to be the education of professional clinical laboratory scientists, cytotechnologists, biotechnologists, and health care practitioners as defined by the following attributes:

ability to relate knowledge and skills to other fields of endeavor
competency in the chosen practice area
ability to appropriately communicate orally and/or in writing with scientists, health care professionals, and the patient public
development of a broad understanding of the issues that underscore the imperatives of our times
commitment to life-long learning and professional competence
development of professionalism

Goals

The Department goals for students focus on education in their specified option plus those that (1) help students identify their personal goals and development with a sense of self-worth, self-confidence, and capacity to have an impact on events in their lives, (2) involve students in professional organizations and activities that support their personal development, (3) develop students’ scholarly and intellectual capacities to the fullest and instill in them a permanent commitment to learning, (4) interrelate subject matter throughout their academic career, and (5) raise the students’ awareness of their role as competent, ethical, and caring healthcare practitioners.

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 UMass Dartmouth.

Health Policies

Students admitted to medical laboratory science programs must have a complete physical examination and appropriate immunizations. For each item listed below students must show evidence of vaccination and documentation or 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. (NAACLS) 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 (847-939-3597). Academic and technical competence is developed in major areas of clinical laboratory practice: hematology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology and immunohematology. During 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. Service learning and a capstone project are also completed during the clinical practicum.

Medical Laboratory Science leads to careers as scientists and researchers in hospital, independent, public health, industrial, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and private settings; 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:

scientific content in major disciplines: clinical biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, genetics, hematology, hemostasis, statistics, phlebotomy, urinalysis/body fluids, and molecular diagnostics
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, instituting corrective procedures, and developing a quality assurance plan
performing preventive and corrective maintenance on equipment and instruments or referring to appropriate sources to repair
evaluating new techniques and procedures for their applicability 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
applying principles of safety, management and supervision, governmental regulations and standards related to laboratory practice
being familiar with education methodologies, current information systems, and research methodology
interpret clinical data as it relates to patient diagnosis and treatment
assessing critical pathways and performing outcome analyses

Progression Through the Major

Because of the integrated curriculum and importance of student mastery of key diagnostic information, students must achieve a C minus (C-) or better to progress to the next course levels. Pre-requisite courses are listed in COIN. Failure to achieve a C- grade requires the student to repeat the course. Courses may only be repeated once. Each semester students must maintain a 2.0 GPA within the major. The first failure to achieve the minimum will result in an academic warning, the second instance will result in academic probation and a third instance will result in dismissal from the major.

Courses used for GPA calculation includes: CHM 151, 152, 161, 162, 251, 263, and the remaining MLS required courses. Additional class requirements may apply and are listed on individual course syllabus.

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 including those at an assigned affiliate or enrichment site) will be met:
Observation: ability to participate actively in laboratory exercises and clinical experiences
Communication: ability to independently communicate with fellow students, faculty, staff and members of a health care team in English
Motor: having sufficient motor skills to independently perform basic diagnostic tests and meet the minimum affiliate standards
Intellectual/conceptual, integrative, and quantitative competence: ability to problem solve and comprehend spatial relationships of structures
Behavioral and social attributes: ability to interact appropriately in a professional manner with fellow students, faculty, staff and members of a health care team and to demonstrate honesty and integrity by adherence to MLS, UMD and affiliate’s code of conduct and academic honesty policies

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

Clinical Practicum

The faculty assigns available practica seats to student at the following affiliates: Baystate Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cape Cod Hospital, Jordan Hospital, Kent Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Milford Hospital, Milton Hospital, Morton Hospital, MIT Medical Laboratory Department, New England Baptist, Providence VA Medical Center, Signature Healthcare (Brockton), Southcoast Hospital Group (Charlton and St. Luke’s sites), South Shore Hospital, St. Anne’s Hospital, Tufts Medical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, and Women and Infant’s Hospital. Students may be assigned to a rotation at enrichments sites: Rhode Island Blood Center and State Laboratory Institute or Massachusetts Department of Public Health. In the unlikely event placement cannot be made in one of the above institutions or other appropriate affiliate, students will be placed in the next available clinical site. Should an affiliate be unable to fulfill its obligations, the CLS program director will make every attempt to find an alternative assignment. Students will be placed in the next available clinical site.

Outcomes Measures

Students are evaluated throughout their academic career through the use of graded projects, examinations, reports, capstone projects, laboratory exercises and practical examinations as well as observations by clinical and academic faculty throughout the clinical practica. Student assessment is based on stated learning objectives provided by university faculty for each MLS course offering.

Cytotechnology Option

Cytotechnology, a specialty in the clinical laboratory, evaluates cells 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 representative 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 MLS cytotechnology advisor 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 MLS cytotechnology advisor 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 their MLS advisor. 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.

Health Services Option

The option in Health Services is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue supervisory and management roles in the healthcare industry.

Entrance to the Option in Health Services

Students interested in this option must have completed an Associate’s Degree in one of the allied health professions. This program is administered in conjunction with the Office of University Extension.

MLS Pre-Health/Pre-Med

The Department of Medical Laboratory Science has an excellent track of successful medical school applicants and enjoys a very close working relationship with area medical and physician’s assistant programs.

Students interested in pursuing graduate professional degrees in patient care practice fields such as medical, osteopathic, dental, physician’s assistant, or physical therapy programs may do so as a medical laboratory science major. The Pre-Health program at UMass Dartmouth is an advising program. Once accepted to their Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) major option, students can also register as pre health students with the MLS secretary. Once done, students will be assigned a special Pre-Health MLS Advisor to help them navigate the necessary requirements for such graduate programs.

In addition to the MLS courses, students generally take a year of physics (PHY101,103,102,104), and a second semester of Organic Chemistry (CHM 252,264). Students interested in physician’s assistant program may take Anatomy and Physiology (Bio 221,222) in lieu of MLS 211.