MLT Medical Laboratory (MLT)

This course is designed to expose the student to basic skills and techniques used in the clinical laboratory. Topics to include: lab safety, lab units of measurement and calculations, preparation of solutions, care and use of lab equipment, pipetting and concepts of quality control. Phlebotomy, obtaining blood specimens by venipuncture and skin puncture is part of this course. TAG approved course- OHL008 effective Summer 2018

Course is structured to expose the student to the analysis of urine by macroscopic, chemical and microscopic techniques to determine the presence of soluble, insoluble substances and their relationship to disease. The class uses urine specimens, prepared slides and case histories. Course introduces topics of information, composition, and function of synovial, cerebrospinal, serous, amniotic, and seminal fluids. Course will describe the methods used in the routine analysis of these fluids, along with correlation of results with normal and disease states. TAG OHL010 approved Spring 2012.

This course covers basic hematological procedures. Topics include automated and manual blood cell counting techniques, red cell indices and morphology, reticulocyte counts, total eosinophil counts, platelet counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, normal white blood cell differentials and abnormal white blood cell differentials by using unknown blood samples, prepared abnormal slides, kodachromes and case histories. Also, reinforcement of venipuncture and finger stick techniques. Course will introduce the basic principles of hemostasis (coagulation) and the tests used to screen for disorders of hemostasis. TAG OHL009 approved Spring 2012. Must complete MLT123 & MLT124 to obtain TAG approval.

Course is designed to reinforce hematological techniques previously learned by the student in Hematology I. Emphasis is placed on white blood cell differentials with blood cell morphology and associated disease states. Other topics, with clinical application, include: cerebral spinal fluid cell counts, sickle-cell preps, the leukemias, infectious mononucleosis and other blood dyscrasias by prepared microscopic slide collection, kodachromes and case histories, and coagulation studies. TAG OHL009 approved Spring 2012. Must complete MLT123 & MLT124 to obtain TAG approval.

This course introduces the concepts of basic genetics of red cell antigens. The student will study the significance of the blood cell antigens and antibodies. The course includes ABO and Rh typing, crossmatching procedures, antibody detection and identification. A study of hemolytic disease of the newborn, its treatment and detection is included. Other topics in the course are composition and use of the specific blood component, overview of donor requirements.

The course introduces the immune system and the concepts of the immunologic response in health and in disease, as well as how serologic techniques are used in the clinical laboratory testing. Topics include the cells and components involved in the immune response, which will include the immunoglobulins and complement system. Abnormal immune responses such hypersensitivity and autoimmunity and their clinical significance will be discussed. Common serologic techniques which utilize antigen-antibody reactions for diagnostic testing are presented. The laboratory activities will include dilutions, agglutination, and other antigen-antibody serologic techniques.

The course is designed to introduce the student to the principles of laboratory instrumentation, clinical chemistry procedures and quality control concepts. The course covers renal and liver function; carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism; hormones; electrolytes and mineral balance; blood gases; and clinical enzymes and therapeutic drug monitoring. The class uses lecture, case studies and laboratory procedures.

The student will study the morphology and identification of microorganisms commonly found in humans, their relationship to disease states and their susceptibility to antibiotics. Topics include: basic structures and functions of bacteria; culture, growth and development requirements; classification of microbes; infectious disease; control of disease; laboratory safety; unknowns for identification from ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) seeded cultures; videotapes and kodachromes. Other topics include mycology, parasitology and virology.

Under supervision of MLT Program faculty, the student has the opportunity to practice the manual procedures from the previous MLT courses. In preparation for the affiliated hospital experience, the student will organize his/her daily workload to maximize productivity and attain competence in the manual methods. Emphasis is placed on manual hematology, normal and abnormal blood smears, routine urinalysis, body fluid cell counts and cytospins, routine serology, blood banking using tube and gel techniques.

Students are assigned to an affiliated clinical laboratory and have the opportunity to perform clinical laboratory testing using modern equipment, under the supervision of a practicing laboratorian. Students rotate through the main laboratory departments which include: hematology and hemostasis, blood bank, microbiology, chemistry. Experiences include operating and maintaining sophisticated laboratory analyzers, evaluation of test results, refining phlebotomy skills, interaction with the clinical laboratory staff, with other health care professionals, and with the patient.

Topics include professional development, creating resumes and cover letters, discussions of experiences at the clinical sites, discussions of problems that occur in the workplace and problem resolution. The topics of the certification process, professional ethics in the laboratory, and other related topics are included.