Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Use an understanding of laboratory organizational structure to make appropriate and effective professional decisions.
• Select and utilize laboratory safety measures and equipment to prevent accidents and exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
• Act professionally by maintaining patient confidentiality and communicating with other health workers in an effective manner according to laboratory protocol.
• Use an understanding of laboratory regulations and quality assurance to ensure accuracy of test results.
• Operate basic laboratory equipment to process and evaluate patient samples according to laboratory protocol.

The class is presented by means of lecture/discussion, audio-visual presentations, handouts, demonstrations, web based instructional media and other educationally sound practices. Comprehensive lab work requires demonstration of competency to receive a satisfactory grade. A laboratory manual is provided. The laboratory exercises provide an opportunity for students to employ the testing principles and methodologies discussed and allow for discussion, application and correlation of the concepts presented.  The student is expected to perform all laboratory procedures according to the criteria established by the department. 

Assessment methods may include written and practical examinations, homework assignments and discussion activities. Student knowledge application, laboratory performance, problem solving skills, punctuality and attendance, participation, and communication skills is assessed in each laboratory exercise utilizing an evaluation rubric that includes cognitive, psychomotor and affective learning domains.  

Course Themes:

• Laboratory Safety
  • Bloodborne pathogens
  • Universal precautions, safety measures, devices and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
  • Biohazard material disposal
  • Exposure Prevention Plan
  • Chemical Hygiene Plan
• Laboratory Operation
  • Organizational Structure
  • Laboratory Flowchart (pre-analytical, analytical, post analytical steps)
  • Laboratory Departments
  • Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs)
  • Laboratory Information System (LIS)
• Laboratory Regulations
  • Certification, Licensure,  Accreditation
• Professionalism
  • Code of ethics and conduct in the healthcare industry
  • Patient Confidentiality (HIPAA)
  • Reporting patient results, laboratory communication protocol
• Quality Assurance
  • Quality Control
• Laboratory Equipment and Techniques
  • Operation and maintenance of basic laboratory equipment (pipets, centrifuges, microscopes and safety equipment)
  • Microscopy
  • Staining
  • Point of care testing (POC)

Skills:

Knowledge and Application (Cognitive Skills):

• Cognitive processes
  • Explain laboratory organization, operation, safety and regulation that contribute for a high quality and effective clinical diagnostic laboratory
  • Integrate knowledge and make informed judgments about laboratory  test results  in the clinical setting
  • Formulate a clear, answerable question
  • Predict expected results
  • Follow written protocols and verbal instructions
• Analysis skills
  • Collect and organize data in a systematic fashion
  • Present data in an appropriate form
  • Assess the validity of the data (including integrity and significance)
  • Draw appropriate conclusions based on the results
• Troubleshooting and problem solving
  • Recognize errors or discrepancies in results during lab procedures
  • Select corrective actions for problem solving
• Safety skills
  • Recognize safety equipment and laboratory safety measures
• Communication skills
  • Discuss and present lab results or findings in the laboratory
• Interpersonal and citizenry skills
  • Work effectively in teams or groups so that the task, results, and analysis may be shared
  • Effectively manage time and tasks allowing concurrent and/or overlapping tasks to be done simultaneously, by individuals and/or within a group
  • Integrate knowledge and make informed judgments about general safety in everyday life

Performance (Psychomotor Skills):

• Utilize safety measures and equipment
  • Utilize adequate personal protective equipment, sharp container, fume hood and other safety devices
• Operate laboratory equipment
  • Operate centrifuge
  • Operate microscope
  • Manipulate pipets
  • Operate point of care instrumentation
  • Handle glassware and other fragile laboratory equipment
• Demonstrate to other students how to perform laboratory monitor duties

Professional (Affective) Skills:

• Demonstrate interest, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn as seen through active participation.
• Show initiative and motivation as demonstrated by independence in performing routine procedures, preparation before class, decreased need for supervision, willingness to go beyond the required assignments, and recognition of opportunities to improve quality and productivity of work.
• Adapt to stressful and/or new situations by maintaining composure and flexibility without compromising individual integrity.
• Exhibit teamwork through cooperation, courtesy, respect, and sensitivity towards others.
• Convey a professional attitude as shown by an appropriate level of confidence and a positive outlook toward work and other people.
• Demonstrate integrity as shown by the admission and documentation of errors, recognition of the potential danger of short cuts, and the maintenance of patient and co-worker confidentiality.
• Act responsibly and reliably as measured by punctuality, attendance, dependability, and quality of work.
• Respond favorably to supervision and feedback.
• Persevere until task is completed satisfactorily.