Medical Laboratory Science Program Expected Essential Functions and Student Competencies: 

The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program at Saginaw Valley State University is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). As a NAACLS-accredited program, the curriculum is designed to prepare students for entry-level practice as Medical Laboratory Scientists through the development of scientific knowledge, technical competency, critical thinking skills, and professional behaviors. 

Throughout the program, students participate in classroom, laboratory, and clinical/applied learning experiences designed to support progressive development of cognitive, psychomotor, and affective competencies. Learning activities, assessments, and clinical experiences are aligned with nationally recognized entry-level competencies established by NAACLS and expectations of the medical laboratory profession. 

Student learning and competency development are evaluated through a variety of methods, including examinations, laboratory competency assessments, projects, assignments, and clinical practicum evaluations. Students gradually assume increasing levels of responsibility as they progress through the curriculum, demonstrating competency through supervised practice, direct observation, guided participation in laboratory procedures, and performance assessments appropriate to their level of training. 

The Essential Functions and Program Competencies described below represent the knowledge, skills, abilities, and professional behaviors expected of students and graduates of the SVSU MLS Program. Prospective students should carefully review these requirements to determine their ability to successfully complete program requirements and perform the essential duties of the profession. 

MLS Essential Functions 

Essential Functions represent non-academic requirements of the profession that all students must possess to become successful in the clinical laboratory environment and to become employable.  Students considering the program should be able to ascertain their ability to function successfully in the program and profession after reading the Essential Functions below, taking MLS200 (or equivalent), and meeting with the Program Director. By submitting an application to the program with a signed Verification of Policies form, students acknowledge an understanding of the requirements and believe they have the essential functions to succeed in the MLS Program. Once admitted to the program, failure to meet any Essential Function may result in dismissal from the program. 

1. Possess sufficient vision to easily read charts, graphs, instrument panels, printouts, small graduated scales, etc. 
2. Discriminate colors accurately to identify reagents, select proper tube types, distinguish physical properties of various body fluids and prepare and identify cells and tissues. 
3. Be able to read, write, and communicate in the English language to facilitate effective communication with patients, providers, and all other members of the health care team. 
4. Possess sufficient hearing ability with or without auditory aides to understand the normal speaking voice and discern audible instrument alert signals and timing devices. 
5. Demonstrate sufficient manual dexterity to safely and accurately perform required tasks such as phlebotomy, operating delicate instruments, manipulating tools, handling small containers of potentially bio-hazardous specimens, and utilizing sample measuring devices. 
6. Be sufficiently mobile to traverse about the laboratory, hospital corridors, patient’s rooms, offices and patient examining rooms, (minimum width approximately three feet). 
7. Possess the emotional health and psychological stability required to fully utilize their intellectual abilities under stressful conditions thus allowing them to be able to recognize emergency situations, take appropriate action, and be an effective problem solver. 
8. Be able to sit for extended periods of time at computer stations, read information from a monitor, and use the keyboard. 

NOTE: The Essential Functions must be met. If reasonable accommodations are needed, the student must meet with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Accommodations (ARA) and submit documentation regarding the required accommodations. Submission at least 6 weeks before the start of classes is recommended: https://www.svsu.edu/access/.  

MLS Program Competencies and Learning Outcomes 

At the conclusion of the MLS practicum, the student will be able to: 

1.    Perform (independently) routine and specialized laboratory procedures found in a typical full service clinical pathology laboratory. This includes all QA/QC requirements, preparing reagents and equipment, and managing problems. 

2.    Apply principles and practices of quality assurance/quality improvement to the pre-analytical, 

analytical, and post-analytical components of laboratory services utilizing statistical analyses. 

3.    Apply safety and governmental regulations and standards to laboratory practice.  

4.    Analyze and/or evaluate laboratory findings to incorporate critical pathways and clinical decision-making activities, such as; 

a.    Verifying patient results and QA for a given test 

b.    Correlating findings with health and disease states 

c.     Prescribing course of action for discrepancies 

d.    Recognizing possible inconsistent results 

e.    Developing algorithms 

5.    Apply acceptable principles of teaching and learning to a selected activity.  

6.    Apply basic principles of management in select activities. 

7.    Practice the ethics of the profession. 

8.    Apply concepts and principles of laboratory operations to include: 

a.    Critical pathways and clinical decision making; 

b.    Performance improvement