Required Materials

1. Quick Review Cards for Medical Laboratory Science, 3rd ed., Polansky, Valerie, F A Davis, 978-0-8036-75698
2. Teal Scrubs - appropriately fitting and professional in appearance.
3. Tennis shoes
4. Gloves - latex or nitrile NOT vinyl. Nitrile is recommended due to the frequency of latex allergy.
5. Pocket calculator
6. 2-inch binder with dividers
7. Sharpie permanent marker, fine point, black or blue
8. Digital Timer - One that is capable of reading seconds.
9. Padlock, either combination or keyed (for Round Rock Campus only)
10. Face mask or covering, if applicable

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Introduction

Regular and punctual attendance on all clinical days is required. The attendance policy for clinical is much stricter than required for non-clinical college classes. Clinical sites are intolerant of tardies and absences. The following policies are the same regardless of whether the clinical activity is held on campus or off site at a clinical laboratory. It is the student’s responsibility to have a clinical faculty sign the attendance log sheet each clinical day.

Absences/Tardies

Absences from or tardiness to clinical (onsite or offsite) for reasons other than health or emergencies will not be tolerated and the student will be subject to actions of the Corrective Actions/Progressive Discipline Policy which may result in withdrawal from the program. Any request(s) for time away from clinical will not be accepted. The student must make up all absences, regardless of excuse; the student must coordinate the make-up time with the MLT faculty and the clinical site. Make-up exercises or alternative learning experiences will be planned according to the limits set by the instructor.

This syllabus serves as the verbal warning for any absence or tardy. A second absence and/or tardy will result in a formal conference. A third absence and/or tardy will result in probation. Illnesses of several days’ duration or emergency situations resulting in several consecutive days of absence will be considered one absence event. The time must be made up regardless of reason for absence.

The student must notify the clinical faculty and the MLT faculty of any absence or tardy. This is a requirement, which must be met whether the student is on-site at ACC or off-site in a clinical laboratory. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as involvement in a car accident, the clinical site must be notified as quickly as possible of a tardy and of any absence within the first hour that the student is scheduled to arrive.

Students who arrive in the clinical area unprepared for the clinical assignment may be sent home from the laboratory and required to make up the clinical day.

Leaving greater than 15 minutes before the end of class will incur the equivalence of a tardy. If a student leaves class early three days this will equal an absence. This rule applies to both on-site and off-site clinical, unless the class or student in clinical is dismissed by the instructor or clinical mentor.

Penalties for No Call/No Show

Failure to notify clinical faculty and MLT faculty of an absence one hour prior to the scheduled arrival time (no call/no show) will result in immediate probation and a 10-point deduction from the rotation grade.  A second “no call no show” will result in an additional 20-point deduction from the rotation grade, withdrawal from the course and all co-requisite MLT courses. If the deadline for withdrawal has passed the student will receive a grade of “D”.

Inclement Weather

For the most efficient and accurate information, students are strongly encouraged to enroll in ACC’s test message alerts at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency-information/acc-emergency-alert

Under the direction of the College Chancellor’s office, classes at Austin Community College may be canceled and the College closed due to inclement weather. Notification of class cancellation, College closing/reopening is made through local radio and television stations, through ACC text message alerts, and posted on the College’s home page at http://www.austincc.edu.

In compliance with the Texas Education Code, make-up classes may be scheduled to satisfy contact hour requirements. In such cases, students will be notified through their instructors who will receive instructions from their Department Chair.

If you are in an off-site clinical assignment when the official notice is released, you must leave the clinical area and use your best judgment as to whether it is safer to remain at the site in the cafeteria or public waiting area until conditions are safe or to leave immediately. All clinical time missed must be made-up, regardless of reason.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES

Student Evaluation

Medtraining - 100 points

The following 18 Medtraining modules must be completed and will be counted towards the appropriate clinical grade component:

1. Microscopy
2. Urinalysis-Part One
3. Urinalysis-Part Two
4. Urinalysis-Part Three
5. Urinalysis-Urine Sediment
6. Synovial Fluid
7. Cerebrospinal fluid
8. Amniotic Fluid
9. Serous Fluid
10. Seminal Fluid
11. Fern Test
12. Wet Prep
13. Laboratory Methods
14. Peripheral Blood (Hematology)
    1. Hem P1 Intro
    2. Cell Morphologies
    3. WBC Disease Associations
    4. RBC Disease Associations
15. Coagulation
    1. Coagulation Overview
    2. Physiology of Hemostasis
    3. Bleeding Disorders
    4. Coagulation Testing
    5. Anticoagulation Monitoring
16. ANA
17. Specimen Transport
18. Introduction to Molecular Diagnostics

A written assignment or, in some cases, multiple written assignments, or MTS exams will be given over each module.  The completed documents must be uploaded to the appropriate section of Blackboard into the folder heading with an abbreviated name of the assignment.

Due dates for the MTS modules are posted on the Clinical I webpage.  Each module will open one week prior to the assignment of the MTS module. Full credit will be awarded for assignments turned in by the posted due date. If the MTS module assignment is turned in past the due date, zero credit will be given. To access the modules, log on to http://www.medtraining.org.

Your username and password will be your ACCeID without the first letter. Example:  ACCeID x123456 would be “123456”. If you were exempt from phlebotomy, contact your instructor.

MediaLab

Students will be enrolled in a program called MediaLab to help recognize various red and white blood cells while performing a differential. These will be assigned at given times during the course and due dates will be posted on the Hematology schedule. Points will be awarded for the completion of each case and recorded in Blackboard with the title "ML WBC #0" or ML RBC #0. If the student achieves an 80% or better on each case study, a grade of 10 points will be recorded. If the student scores less than 80%, the student is required to repeat the case study to receive full credit. If the student scores less than 80% and does not repeat the case study, a grade of 5 points will be recorded. In order to receive credit (full or partial), the case study must be completed by posted deadline.

To log in: https://www.medialabinc.net

Your username and password are your ACC eID:for example, k032451

Skills/Assignments - 400 points

There will be 100 points awarded per section and includes the following:

1. Hematology
2. Coagulation
3. Urinalysis/Body Fluids
4. Serology/Immunology

Individual professors will determine points awarded for each clinical skill or activity. These activities may include, but are not limited to laboratory procedures, case studies, study questions and assignments, group activities, presentations, as well as assigned Blackboard discussion board postings.

Quizzes and Clinical Rotation Exams

Quizzes may be given during the rotation and are used to assess the student’s level of knowledge. At the end of the clinical rotation, the student will be given, and must pass, a clinical rotation examination. The rotation exam will be given in Blackboard. This exam must be completed by the posted due date. Failure to take the exam by the deadline will result in a 10-point deduction in the Clinical Rotation Exam grade and the student will be placed on Corrective Actions/Progressive Discipline. In addition, the student will be expected to take a Version B of the Clinical Rotation Exam. Failure to take the Clinical Rotation exam within 2 days of the deadline will result in a 20-point deduction in grade and immediate probation.

The clinical rotation exam is worth 45%.

Failure to achieve a 70% on a clinical rotation exam constitutes a failed rotation. At the faculty’s discretion, the student may be allowed to take a second version of the final. If the student passes the second final the grades of the first and second exams will be averaged together for the final exam grade. Failing a clinical final for the same rotation a second time will result in an unsuccessful clinical rotation and will result in the student being withdrawn from the course and all co-requisite MLT courses. If the withdrawal deadline has passed the student will be awarded a grade of “D”.

BLACKBOARD ONLINE SYSTEM

A considerable portion of this course will be conducted via the computer online Blackboard Learning System.  Announcements, email communication, and course examination activities will be conducted through the Blackboard platform. Students may use their home computers OR may access all materials, and perform required course activities at any public computer, including those in the 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. Course examinations will be timed and may be taken in Blackboard Respondus LockDown Browser/Monitor or proctored by ACC faculty. Students who have provided their instructor with an SAS form, requesting accommodation(s) should meet with the instructor the first week of class.
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. 1. A missed exam cannot be taken for “practice”. The Corrective Actions/Progressive Discipline process will also be initiated at the student conference level.
      2. If a Clinical Rotation or Capstone Exam is missed, and there is an extenuating circumstance, such as severe illness/injury, death of an immediate family member, participation in legal proceedings or military duties, the student will be required to provide documentation of the extenuating circumstances. The student must arrange time with the instructor to reschedule the missed exam. A rescheduled exam must be completed prior to the end of the semester. 

1. Exams taken off campus, 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. The “force-completion” will also be in use for the allotted time window for an exam. For example, if the exam time limit is two hours, the exam will close automatically at the two-hour mark.”  If you have any questions, please review with the instructor. 
   1. 1. Failing to complete an exam includes Internet access problems or personal computer problems. The Progressive Discipline process will also be initiated at the Student Conference level.

1. Penalties for exceeding examination time limit.
   1. 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.

1. Students arriving late to a scheduled on-campus exam will not receive additional time.
2. 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Instructors will perform a limited review of exams, with the class, once they close. Students may review their exam, within a week of the exam closing, with the instructor during office hours or by appointment.
4.  Respondus LockDown Browser Requirement
   This course requires the use of LockDown Browser for online exams. Additional information concerning the use of LockDown Browser for this course will be provided in Blackboard. Software for Respondus LockDown browser can be found by using the following link: https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=999134577. 

Affective Evaluation

The MLT Student Clinical Evaluation form completed at the end of each off-site clinical rotation is worth 45% of the rotation’s grade. The student must achieve an overall average of 70% or better on the student clinical evaluation form. Failure to obtain the minimum of 70% will result in an unsuccessful clinical rotation. The student will be withdrawn from the course and all co-requisite MLT courses. If the withdrawal date has passed, the student will receive a grade of “D”.

Summary of Grading for Clinical Rotations

            Affective Evaluation 45%

            Final Exam 45%

            Clinical Paperwork Submission 10%

The final calculated grade for the rotation will be multiplied by the appropriate multiplier to determine points for the rotation.

Student Clinical Obligations Following Offsite Rotations

By Monday of the week following the last day of the rotation, it is mandatory that the following completed forms be turned in to MLT faculty on Monday following the rotation:

Students MUST make an appointment with an ACC instructor to turn in clinical paperwork. During the meeting, the instructor will review the following paperwork:

1. Originals of all clinical paperwork in the portfolio packet
2. Student must show faculty either scans or pictures of all clinical paperwork in the portfolio packet
3. Daily attendance and competency check
4. Competency checklist sheet(s)
5. Result sheet
6. Evaluation-complete with signature of student and clinical mentor
7. Completed clinical site evaluation survey in Survey Monkey- completed ONLINE

If a student encounters any problem preventing them from complying with this policy, they must notify the course professor. Failure to submit paperwork by the stated deadline will result in a penalty of 1 point per day being deducted from the clinical rotation grade. Repeated failure to comply with this policy will result in probation.

Unsuccessful Clinical Rotation

To summarize, any of the following may cause a student to be unsuccessful in a rotation resulting in withdrawal or, if the deadline has passed, a “D” for the course AND all co-requisite MLT courses:

• Failing to achieve the minimum competency level after the final attempt
• Failing a clinical rotation exam twice.
• Failure to obtain a minimum of 70% on the overall grade of the student clinical evaluation.
• Second failure to notify clinical and program instructors of tardies and/or absences from clinical.

Competencies - Pass/Fail

Competency is defined as receiving the designated level for 95% of listed criteria for a specific laboratory skill. Competency is determined by performing a certain number of procedures within predetermined limits, i.e., 10 hematocrits performed with 95% accuracy.

It is expected that each student will demonstrate competency in each of the following:

1. Serial dilution
2. Manual White Blood Cell (WBC) counts
3. Manual hematocrit
4. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
5. Blood smears
6. WBC estimates
7. Platelet estimates
8. Hematology cell differential/cell identification
9. Body fluid cell counts
10. Complete urinalysis with microscopic
11. Microscope including dry slide, Kova, & oil immersion

Clinical competencies are pass/fail and must be completed successfully to pass the course. If the student has an unsuccessful competency attempt, the corrective actions/progressive discipline policy will be initiated and an action plan generated. The student will be allowed a total of four competency assessment attempts per procedure. If a student is unable to demonstrate competency after the final attempt, a grade of “D” will be awarded for the course regardless of the course average. If this occurs prior to the end of the semester, withdrawal procedures will be initiated for all MLT courses. If the time for withdrawal has passed a grade of “D” will be given. Please refer to the MLT Student Handbook for a detailed description of the process.

Fall Capstone Comprehensive Exam - Pass/Fail

At the completion of the fall semester, the students will be given a comprehensive exam over Hematology, Urinalysis/Body Fluids, Coagulation, and Serology/Immunology. If a student is unable to successfully pass the initial fall capstone exam, with a 70% or greater, the Progressive Discipline policy will be initiated and the student will be allowed to take a second exam following remediation. The student must pass the second exam with a 70% of greater. If the student is unsuccessful on the second attempt, a grade of “D” will be awarded for the course regardless of the course average. The student will be unable to continue in the MLT program and must meet with the program director for an exit interview to discuss potential readmission for the following year. A student may be readmitted only one time. A second dismissal from the program for failing grades will result in permanent dismissal from the program.

Failure to take the Fall Capstone exam by the deadline will result in a 5-point deduction in the overall Clinical I course grade and the student will be placed on Corrective Actions/Progressive Discipline. In addition, the student will be expected to take a Version B of the Fall Capstone Exam.

Submission of Work and Late/Missed Work

• Assignments, study questions, and laboratory exercises must be uploaded into the Dropbox found in the Blackboard course by the posted due date on the course webpage, unless otherwise directed by the instructor.
• Laboratory exercises are DUE the day of the laboratory by 11:59pm.
• Study questions will reinforce theory and must be turned in on time. Unless otherwise noted, lab study questions are due the Friday of the week of the lab procedure. If you are absent for the lab, you are still required to submit the completed study questions by the stated deadline.
• NO assignments will be accepted by email.
• Any assignment turned in after the due dates posted will receive a zero. NO exceptions.
• It may not be possible to make up a missed laboratory assignment due to specimen, reagent and/or instructor availability.  However, the study questions can be turned in for full credit, if turned in by the posted due date.  It is the student’s responsibility to coordinate with the instructor regarding potential lab make-up time. Rescheduling must be done within 2 days of the absence. If rescheduling is not requested, a zero will be recorded on the lab report. 
• Blackboard discussion postings are due by the assigned date/time. Failure to post by the assigned time will result in a point deduction and posts later than 6 days will have a grade of “0". Specific point deductions are outlined in the rubric posted in the Blackboard discussion board.

Course grade

The course grade will consist of the following:

Grading

The following scale is used to determine the letter grade. Important: Failure to achieve competency in the clinical competencies will result in a failing grade regardless of the score earned. A minimum grade of 75% is required to be successful in the course.

A = 90 -100%

B = 80 - 89%

C = 75 - 79%

D = 60 - 74%

F = 59% or below

1. Quick Review Cards for Medical Laboratory Science, 3rd ed., Polansky, Valerie, F A Davis, 978-0-8036-75698

Course Web Site & Schedule: http://www.austincc.edu/mlt/clin1/clin1

This schedule is tentative. Do NOT print the schedule or course materials until instructed by the professor. The schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be communicated by the professor in class and posted as an announcement in Blackboard. Students will access and print out course materials from the course web site. Assessment activities are provided as a means of assisting students in determining their level of competence in given areas as well as to assist in reviewing for examinations. Some clinical assignments will be completed outside of class hours and are included in the total number of hours.

Course Goals

Successful completion of MLAB 2360 Clinical I requires that the student be able to do the following:

• Develop proficiency in the clinical objectives of each rotation to which assigned by reviewing basic principles and procedures and, openly demonstrating organizational and technical skills.
• Demonstrate initiative by reviewing course materials prior to and during the rotation, asking questions to advance understanding, research areas of weakness, and asking for additional work as needed.
• Understand the importance of punctuality and attendance at each day of clinical as demonstrated by a good attendance record and promptly notifying the MLT faculty and, if applicable, the clinical facility of any absences or tardiness.
• Demonstrate professional behavior by maintaining a strong positive attitude, exhibiting a proactive attitude in developing the competencies required, developing and using good professional judgment in all matters concerning laboratory safety and interaction with patients, specimens, hospital/clinic staff, faculty and fellow students.
• Demonstrate understanding of the many needs/requirements of the clinical laboratory through awareness of the departmental workloads, maintaining accurate records, restocking supplies as necessary and cleaning up work area at the completion of clinical activities.
• Maintain a safe laboratory environment by adhering to all applicable safety regulations as presented throughout the MLT Program, which include, but not limited to, appropriate disinfection of work area, maintaining a neat, uncluttered, work area, wearing of appropriate PPE, and reporting hazards observed.

Course Affective Objectives

In the development of traits sought after by area employers and to be successful in this course, the student will:

A.         Demonstrate professionalism by

            1.         complying with the attendance policy

            2.         complying with the dress code

            3.         submitting assignments by the stated deadline

B          Demonstrate enthusiasm and interest in the profession of clinical laboratory sciences by asking questions, participating in class discussions and meeting with professors during office hours as needed.

C.         Demonstrate initiative by reviewing objectives and completion of reading assignments prior to class.

D.         Demonstrate progression in laboratory skills by effective organization, coordination of multiple tasks and insightful evaluation of results obtained.

E.         Utilize constructive criticism to correct deficiencies and improve performance.

F.         Work cooperatively with professors and fellow students to achieve the goals of each activity assigned.

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.