Schedule: There are NO scheduled classes; all instruction will be on-line using Blackboard and other websites. The schedule for submitting assignments and taking exams is listed in the course Blackboard under “Course Materials / Schedule” button located on the left side of the screen. Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.  Any changes will be posted as a Blackboard Announcement.

Distance Learning Orientation: All students MUST complete the Distance Learning On-Line Orientation found in Blackboard under the Assignments button. Directions for completing the Orientation are provided in Blackboard.

Course Description

This course is an introduction to medical laboratory science. Topics include professional ethics, quality control, laboratory math, laboratory safety, care and use of basic laboratory equipment, laboratory structure, accreditation and certification. Upon successful completion of this course the student will: demonstrate laboratory safety; perform laboratory math; and describe quality control. The student will demonstrate the use of basic laboratory equipment; and explain accreditation and certification.

Transferability of workforce courses varies. Students interested in transferring courses to another college should speak with their Area of Study (AoS) advisor, Department Chair, and/or Program Director.

Prerequisites

None

Course Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course the student should be able to:

1. List important milestones in the history of the clinical laboratory and describe the type of professionalism desired in clinical laboratory personnel.
2. Describe behavior consistent with the ethical practice of clinical laboratory medicine.
3. Apply principles of confidentiality for all patients and test results.
4. State the special knowledge and talent of other members of the health care team needed for quality patient care.
5. Explain the impact of federal and state regulatory agencies on the clinical laboratory.
6. Detail the transmission of the AIDS (HIV) virus and state how the virus affects the immune system.
7. Name other pathogens, in addition to the HIV virus, that could be transmitted by blood or body fluids.
8. List and describe safety hazards in the laboratory and discuss the proper techniques to avoid accidents.
9. Use basic metric systems for laboratory procedures and use formulas to calculate strengths of dilutions and solutions.
10. Discuss processing clinical specimens according to established procedures.
11. List and explain the basic laboratory procedures in clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, and immunology/serology.
12. Evaluate quality control values.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, the student will be able to:

1. Collect and process biological specimens for analysis.
2. Perform analytical tests on body fluids, cells, and products.
3. Recognize factors that affect procedures and results, and take appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated.
4. Monitor quality control within predetermined limits.
5. Perform preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or refer to appropriate source for repairs.
6. Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and with the public.
7. Recognize the responsibilities of other laboratory and health care personnel and interact with  them with respect for their jobs and patient care.
8. Apply basic scientific principles in learning new techniques and procedures.
9. Relate laboratory findings to common disease processes.

Required Materials

NO TEXTBOOK IS NEEDED FOR THIS COURSE. 

Students must be able to access on-line material via a computer with Internet access, either from home or some other place, such as a library or learning resource center.

Instructional Methodology

• MLAB 1101 course outline, objectives, and lecture presentations
• Blackboard On-line Course System (http://acconline.austincc.edu/)

• Internet Resources
• Laboratory Tour, as available

SCANS

The U.S. Department of Labor established the Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills

(SCANS) to examine the demands of the workplace and whether the nation’s students are capable of meeting those demands. The SCANS information may be found at: http://www.academicinnovations.com/report.html

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is now requiring all degree plans in institutions of higher education incorporate these competencies and identify to the student how these competencies are achieved in course objectives.

Examples of SCANS competencies being incorporated are as follows:

Attendance

Although there are no on-site classes for this course, the student will be expected to communicate regularly with the instructor via e-mail or phone (at least once per week), to post communications on the Blackboard Discussion Board at assigned intervals, and to complete all assignments and exams by the deadlines posted in the Course Schedule found in Blackboard.

Students are responsible for proactively communicating any extenuating circumstance(s) that may interfere with the student’s ability to progress in the course. The student is responsible for communicating with the instructor during any partial or entire college closures and completing any assignments or other activities designated by the instructor.

Course Requirements, Examinations, and Grading

Pre-instructional Course Requirements

During the first week of the semester students must complete the following:

• Review the course syllabus and 
  • Complete the on-line orientation assignment as outlined in Blackboard – Assignments
  • Complete the Statement of Understanding (SOU) quiz as outlined in Blackboard - Syllabus
• Send the course instructor a test email from their ACC email account
• Complete the Respondus Lockdown Browser Practice Test.

Students who fail to complete the 'Week One' checklist by the posted due date will be dropped from the course for non-attendance.

Student Evaluation – Examinations

Two (2) course examinations and one (1) final examination will be given in Blackboard over on-line instructional material and will comprehensively assess the student’s knowledge of concepts and principles. ALL THREE MAJOR EXAMS (EXAM I, EXAM II, & FINAL EXAM) MUST be taken through Respondus LockDown browser on a computer. 

BLACKBOARD ONLINE SYSTEM

This course will be conducted via the computer on-line Blackboard learning system. All students will be required to use the email address issued by ACC and to access course materials, learning activities, and exams on-line. Students may forward their ACC email to their personal email accounts, if desired. Directions on forwarding Gmail accounts can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/forward-accmail.  

Students may use their home computers OR may access all materials and take exams at any public computer, including those in Learning Labs and libraries at all ACC campuses. The schedule (including open lab hours) for ACC Computer labs can be found at https://www.austincc.edu/students/student-technology-services.

BLACKBOARD EXAMINATION POLICY - Students are expected to exhibit the highest level of ethical and honest behavior.

1. These examinations will be taken in Blackboard and will be timed. 
2. Unless otherwise stated, NO unauthorized study materials are to be used during the examination. This includes, but is not limited to, internet resources, notes, lab materials, dictionaries, translators, or textbooks. In addition, cell phones must be set to “silent” or turned off during exams. The Program’s Corrective Actions/Disciplinary Measures policy will be implemented at the Probation level if a student is found using unauthorized materials
3. Students are expected to take each test at its assigned time and within the posted time limit.
   1. If a student fails to take or complete a lecture exam, the grade of the comprehensive final exam will be averaged in the place of the first missed exam grade.

1. 1. A missed exam cannot be taken for “practice”. The Corrective Actions/Progressive Discipline process will also be initiated at the student conference level. If any additional exams are missed, grades of “0” will be recorded and a probation form administered.

1. 1. If the final exam is missed, a grade of “0” will be recorded unless there is an extenuating circumstance, such as severe illness/injury, death of an immediate family member, participation in legal proceedings or military duties. Additionally, students who miss the final exam due to extenuating circumstances must provide documentation and arrange time with the instructor to reschedule the missed final exam. A rescheduled exam must be completed prior to the end of the semester. Note:  documentation of extenuating circumstances is required.

1. 1. The exams will be marked in Blackboard as “force-completion” exams. For example, if the exam is scheduled from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, the exam will close promptly at 7:00 pm. Give yourself plenty of time to begin the test and complete it. If you begin at 6:55 pm, the exam will automatically close at 7:00 pm. You will not be able to return back to the exam. If you have any questions, please review with the instructor.
   2. Failing to complete an exam includes Internet access problems or personal computer problems. The Corrective Actions/Progressive Discipline process will also be initiated at the student conference level. If any additional exams are missed, grades of “0” will be recorded and a Probation form will be administered.  Additionally, it is the student responsibility to exercise any communication to the instructor should any extenuating circumstance arise which prevents the student from taking any remaining exams. 

1. Penalties for exceeding examination time limit.
   1. Each examination must be completed in one sitting; once opened, the exam must be  completed within the allowed time limit. 
   2. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor the examination’s time. Students should set an external timer to assist in monitoring the time left. 
   3. Students arriving late to a scheduled exam will not receive additional time.
   4. Extension of time on exams: Only students providing a current signed Student Accessibility Services (SAS) letter / form requesting an accommodation for extension of time for examinations will be permitted additional time for examinations. SAS letters/forms must be provided to the course instructor at the beginning of the semester, at which time, the instructor will consult with the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office to make the needed arrangements. For more information, see STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES section.
2. Students are strongly advised NOT to use iPads, tablets, or cell phones to take course examinations. These devices may not be able to properly display the questions, graphics, or photographs in the exam, as Blackboard may not be fully functional on these devices. Additionally, these devices may not be compatible with the Respondus Lockdown Browser, which is required for all major exams and finals.
3. Note: Students are forbidden from electronic copying or printing of any course examination or quiz. Electronic copying or printing of exams and/or quizzes will be considered an act of cheating and student will be subject to penalties outlined in the Scholastic Dishonesty policy.
4. Students may review their exam, within a week of the exam closing, with the instructor during office hours or by appointment.
5. Respondus LockDown Browser/Monitor Requirement
   1. This course requires the use of Respondus LockDown Browser/Monitor for online exams. The student MUST have a laptop or PC with internal/external camera. Additional information concerning the use of LockDown Browser for this course will be provided in Blackboard. Software for Respondus LockDown Browser/Monitor can be found by using the following link: https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=999134577.  

Student Evaluation – 

• Unit Assignments:
  • There are six (6) Unit Assignments, one for each learning module. Directions for each assignment are found under ‘Assignments’ button in Blackboard. Assignments are to be completed in Blackboard and submitted via the course Blackboard Assignments page.  
  • Assignments MUST be submitted by midnight of the posted due date.  Assignments submitted AFTER the posted due date will be corrected with feedback to the learner and entered as a ZERO. 

• Lab Tour Course Project:
  • This major course assignment will be a report of a planned tour of a clinical laboratory, either in the Austin area for near students or at a site to be determined for long-distance students. 
    • In the event of a college closure, or other limitations, which may prevent students from attending a clinical laboratory tour, the course instructor will provide an alternative lab tour project for an equivalent point value.  
  • Failure to attend one of the scheduled lab tours will result in an automatic deduction of one letter-grade from the student’s final course grade.  Additionally, students who fail to attend a lab tour are also required to contact their instructor for an additional course assignment.  

• The timeline for submission of assignments and Lab Tour project are found in the Blackboard course, under the Schedule button. 

Determination of Final Grade

            1.         Average of two examinations =              35%

            2.         Final Exam =                                         20%

            3.         Clinical Laboratory Tour Project =           20%

            4.         Six (6) Unit Assignments =                     25%

Submission of Work and Late/Missed Work

• Assignments, must be uploaded into the Assignments section found in the Blackboard course by the posted due date on the course webpage, unless otherwise directed by the instructor. 
• Assignments WILL NOT be accepted by email.  

A passing grade (70% or better) is required in order to receive a passing grade for this course.

                        A = 90-100%

                        B = 80-89%

                        C = 70-79%

                        D = 60-70%

                        F = 59% and below

Incomplete – To receive an “I”, a student must have a passing average (70% or better) and have completed at least 80% of the course work. An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade in a course. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Departmental Policies

Withdrawal Policy

 It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decides to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a “W”) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.”

Promotion, Failure, and/or Dismissal from the Department

1. The student must achieve a grade of "C" (75%) or higher in all Medical Laboratory Technology courses.
2. Any student may ultimately be withdrawn from the program for excessive absences, consistently failing to meet assignments, disruptive conduct, or for displaying conduct detrimental to the ethics of Medical Laboratory Technology. 
3. The MLT program follows the college’s general policies for student complaints as outlined at http://www.austincc.edu/handbook#complaints. 
4. The MLT faculty and staff understand that learning in group situations can be beneficial. However, each student is expected to demonstrate their own competency by doing their own work. Any student caught cheating on examinations, during lab practicals, copying written work of another or sharing lab results will be subject to the ACC Academic Discipline Policy which includes possible withdrawal from the program. 
5. Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper, projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework. See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at https://www.austincc.edu/catalog

Corrective Action / Progressive Discipline Policy

Health Science students who are not meeting the course objectives in class, lab, or clinical/practicum will be notified of their performance status and standing in the course using the progressive discipline process.

This process is a progression through four (4) steps:

1. Warning (verbal or written) 
2. Conference 
3. Probation
4. Withdrawal

NOTE: Due to their severity, some situations or violations do not allow for each step of the progressive discipline process and the student involved may be immediately placed on probation or may be dismissed from the course and program. 

COLLEGE POLICIES

ACC EMAIL

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/activation-and-login-assistance 

BLACKBOARD ONLINE SYSTEM

A considerable portion of this course will be conducted via the computer online Blackboard Learning System.  Announcements, email communication, assignments, and course examination activities will be conducted through the Blackboard platform. 

How to Log into Blackboard

1. To access Blackboard, go to: http://acconline.austincc.edu/http://acconline.austincc.edu/
2. Enter your ACCeID and ACCeID Password in the provided boxes, and then click on the “Login” button.
3. Access your course(s) by clicking the course title located in the My Courses module.

Statement on Academic Integrity

Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process.  Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources.  Further information is available at https://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students at ACC have the same rights and protections under the Constitution of the United States. These rights include freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition and association. As members of the community, students have the right to express their own views, but must also take responsibility for according the same rights to others and not interfere or disrupt the learning environment. Students are entitled to fair treatment, are expected to act consistently with the values of the college, and obey local, state, and federal laws. www.austincc.edu/srr

As a student of Austin Community College, you are expected to abide by the Student Standards of Conduct. https://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-standards-of-conduct 

Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements 

Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the faculty and all College employees are required to report any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking committed by or against an ACC student or employee. Federal Title IX law and College policy also require reporting incidents of sex- and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. This means faculty and non-clinical counseling staff cannot keep confidential information about any such incidents that you share with them.

If you would like to talk with someone confidentiality, please contact the District Clinical Counseling Team who can connect you with a clinical counselor on any ACC campus:  (512) 223-2616, or to schedule online:  https://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling . 

While students are not required to report, they are encouraged to contact the Compliance Office for resources and options:  Charlene Buckley, District Title IX Officer, (512) 223-7964;  compliance@austincc.edu .

If a student makes a report to a faculty member, the faculty member will contact the District Title IX Officer for follow-up.

Student Complaints

A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved.

Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.

Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-complaint-procedures

Statement on Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects confidentiality of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over the phone, by e-mail, or to a fellow student.

Recording Policy

To ensure compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student recording of class lectures or other activities is generally prohibited without the explicit written permission of the instructor and notification of other students enrolled in the class section.  Exceptions are made for approved accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Recording of lectures and other class activities may be made by faculty to facilitate instruction, especially for classes taught remotely through BlackBoard Collaborate or another platform.  Participation in such activities implies consent for the student to be recorded during the instructional activity.  Such recordings are intended for educational and academic purposes only.

Safety Statement

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.  All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency

Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action.

In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency situation or an outbreak of illness, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, students will be provided an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version.

Campus Carry

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy. It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times.  Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 512-223-1231.   Please refer to the concealed handgun policy online at http://austincc.edu/campuscarry

Discrimination Prohibited

The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Faculty at the College are required to report concerns regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms of sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination) to the Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance.  Licensed clinical counselors are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for students.

Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be found in the ACC Compliance Resource Guide available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xfmZHOPD_H1wgGKq1N7Irv6gvXxOXzbZ/view

Use of the Testing Center

The Testing Centers will allow only limited in person testing and testing time will be limited to the standard class time, typically one and one-half hours.  Specifically, only the following will be allowed in the Testing Centers:

• Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Testing: All approved SAS testing
• Assessments Tests: Institutionally approved assessment tests (e.g., TSIA or TABE)
• Placement Tests: Placement tests (e.g., ALEKS)
• Make-Up Exams (for students who missed the original test): Make-up testing is available for all lecture courses but will be limited to no more than 25% of students enrolled in each section for each of four tests

• Programs incorporating industry certification exams: Such programs (e.g., Microsoft, Adobe, etc.) may utilize the ACC Business Assessment Center for the industry certification exams (BACT) at HLC or RRC

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The success of our students is paramount, and ACC offers a variety of support services to help, as well as providing numerous opportunities for community engagement and personal growth.

Student Support

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these campus services and resources is available at  http://www.austincc.edu/students.  A comprehensive array of student support services is available at: https://www.austincc.edu/student-support

Student Accessibility Services

Austin Community College (ACC) is committed to providing a supportive, accessible, and inclusive learning environment for all students.  Each campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through Student Accessibility Services (SAS).

Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of each semester they are enrolled, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the legal document titled “Notice of Approved Accommodations (NAA)” from SAS.

Until the instructor receives the NAA from the student accommodations should not be provided.  Once the NAA is received, accommodations must be provided.  Accommodations are not retroactive, so it is in the student’s best interest to deliver the NAA on the first day of class.  

Please contact SAS@austincc.edu for more information.

Academic Support

ACC offers academic support services on all of its campuses. These services, which include online tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction, are free to enrolled ACC students. Tutors are available in a variety of subjects ranging from accounting to pharmacology. Students may receive these services on both a drop-in and referral basis. 

An online tutor request can be made here:

https://de.austincc.edu/bbsupport/online-tutoring-request/

Additional tutoring information can be found here:

austincc.edu/onlinetutoring

Library Services

ACC Library Services offers both in-person and extensive online services, with research and assignment assistance available in-person during limited hours of service. Although all college services are subject to change, plans include ACC students signing up for study space and use of computers at open libraries, extensive online instruction in classes, online reference assistance 24/7 and reference with ACC faculty librarians. In addition, currently enrolled students, faculty and staff can access Library Services online (also 24/7) via the ACC Library website and by using their ACCeID to access all online materials (ebooks, articles from library databases, and streaming videos). ACC Libraries offer these services in numerous ways such as: "Get Help from a Faculty Librarian: the 24/7 Ask a Librarian chat service," an online form for in-depth research Q and A sessions, one-on-one video appointments, email, and phone (voicemail is monitored regularly).

• Library Website: http://library.austincc.edu
• Library Information & Services during COVID-19: https://researchguides.austincc.edu/LSinfoCOVID19
• Ask a Librarian 24/7 chat and form: https://library.austincc.edu/help/ask.php
• Library Hours of Operation by Location: https://library.austincc.edu/loc/
• Email: library@austincc.edu

Student Organizations

ACC has over seventy student organizations, offering a variety of cultural, academic, vocational, and social opportunities.  They provide a chance to meet with other students who have the same interests, engage in service-learning, participate in intramural sports, gain valuable field experience related to career goals, and much else.  Student Life coordinates many of these activities, and additional information is available at http://sites.austincc.edu/sl/.

Personal Support

Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more, ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services are free and confidential. Some examples include, among others:

• Food resources including community pantries and bank drives can be found here:

https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/food-assistance/get-food-now

• Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center: http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center.
• The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes: http://www.austincc.edu/SEF.
• Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office: http://sites.austincc.edu/money/.  
• A full listing of services for student parents is available at: https://www.austincc.edu/students/child-care

• The CARES Act Student Aid will help eligible students pay expenses related to COVID-19: 

https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/cares-act-student-aid 

Mental health counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns: http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling .

If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help.  However, if you are afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.

Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:

• Austin / Travis County 24-hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)
• The Williamson County 24-hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255
• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755
• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:   1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Application for Admission to the ACC MLT Program

Completion of this course does NOT guarantee admission to the MLT Program. Students wishing to apply for MLT Program admission should visit: https://sites.austincc.edu/health/mlab/

Required Materials

NO TEXTBOOK IS NEEDED FOR THIS COURSE. Students must be able to access on-line material via a computer with Internet access, either from home or some other place, such as a library or learning resource center. High-speed Internet connection is preferable to more quickly download web sites and information. Visit this Blackboard website https://acconline.austincc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_11_1 to see the computer system requirements and for software downloads. The schedule (including open lab hours) for ACC Computer labs can be found at http://irt.austincc.edu/ict/computer/.

Introduction

An Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Science, including quality control, laboratory math, laboratory safety, care and use of basic laboratory equipment, laboratory settings, accreditation and certification. Upon successful completion of this course the student will: demonstrate laboratory safety; perform laboratory math; and describe quality control. The student will demonstrate the use of basic laboratory equipment; and explain accreditation and certification

Course Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course the student should be able to:

1. List important milestones in the history of the clinical laboratory and describe the type of professionalism desired in clinical laboratory personnel.
2. Describe behavior consistent with the ethical practice of clinical laboratory medicine.
3. Apply principles of confidentiality for all patients and test results.
4. State the special knowledge and talent of other members of the health care team needed for quality patient care.
5. Explain the impact of federal and state regulatory agencies on the clinical laboratory.
6. Detail the transmission of the AIDS (HIV) virus and state how the virus affects the immune system.
7. Name other pathogens, in addition to the HIV virus, that could be transmitted by blood or body fluids.
8. List and describe safety hazards in the laboratory and discuss the proper techniques to avoid accidents.
9. Use basic metric systems for laboratory procedures and use formulas to calculate strengths of dilutions and solutions.
10. Discuss processing clinical specimens according to established procedures.
11. List and explain the basic laboratory procedures in clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, and immunology/serology.
12. Evaluate quality control values.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, the student will be able to:

1. Collect and process biological specimens for analysis.
2. Perform analytical tests on body fluids, cells, and products.
3. Recognize factors that affect procedures and results, and take appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated.
4. Monitor quality control within predetermined limits.
5. Perform preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or refer to appropriate source for repairs.
6. Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and with the public.
7. Recognize the responsibilities of other laboratory and health care personnel and interact with them with respect for their jobs and patient care.
8. Apply basic scientific principles in learning new techniques and procedures.
9. Relate laboratory findings to common disease processes.