The School of Medical Technology

· About the Profession
· About the Program
· Admission Information
· Expenses and Financial Aid
· Course Descriptions
· Contact Information
· Related Links
· Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

About the Profession
Clinical laboratory science (CLS) is a dynamic field that allows one to be an integral part of the healthcare team. Clinical laboratory scientists perform laboratory analyses that aid physicians in diagnosing the absence, presence or extent of disease, along with monitoring therapy. They use sophisticated instrumentation and technology as well as manual dexterity to perform testing on blood and body fluids. Clinical laboratory testing involves disciplines such as chemistry, hematology, coagulation, immunology, immunohematology, urinalysis, molecular biology, microbiology, mycology and parasitology.

Men and women interested in helping others are the foundation of a successful laboratory. They must be accurate, reliable, have an interest in science and be able to recognize their responsibility for human lives. The importance of the role of the clinical laboratory scientist is recognized by physicians, hospitals, industry and government health agencies.

The practice of modern medicine would be impossible without the tests performed by the clinical laboratory scientist. Rapid advances in medicine have increased not only the number and complexity of laboratory procedures but also the need for clinical laboratory scientists. CLS is a profession of unlimited career opportunities. It offers job stability, choice of places to work, attractive futures for men and women and personal satisfaction in knowing that you are a valuable member of the healthcare team. :: back to top

About the Program
The School of Medical Technology offers a 12-month course in clinical laboratory science. The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018; phone (773) 714-8880. The School of Medical Technology, established in 1946, is a division of the Department of Pathology at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center (MBMC). The largest private general hospital in the state, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) and is a member in good standing of the Mississippi Hospital Association. The Pathology Department is accredited by the College of American Pathologists, the American Association of Blood Banks and the FDA.

All clinical laboratory science programs accredited by NAACLS must culminate in a baccalaureate degree. Applicants may already have a baccalaureate degree (4+1 students) or may be planning to obtain one following successful completion of the year of clinical education at MBMC (3+1 students). The School of Medical Technology maintains affiliations with Mississippi State University and William Carey University, which allow the proper transfer of credits to the university for those students whose senior year of college will be the year at MBMC.

Contact the Medical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science advisor at the following schools to learn more about 3+1 degree requirements:

Mississippi State University: www.msstate.edu
William Carey University: www.wmcarey.edu

The clinical education course at MBMC lasts 12 consecutive months. During the year of clinical education, students receive instruction in all phases of laboratory medicine including biochemistry, parasitology, mycology, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, urinalysis, coagulation, hematology, computer applications, client service operations, education and management.

Students are in the laboratory Monday–Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students develop technical skills under the instruction and supervision of certified medical technologists/clinical laboratory scientists by rotating through the major divisions of the clinical laboratory. They learn to perform laboratory procedures by assisting with actual tests on hospital patients. Because their learning is directly related to patients and their illnesses, students develop an important professional concept–a sense of responsibility toward patients.

Students also attend lectures on a daily basis. Both lectures and lab rotations are accompanied by frequent written, oral and practical examinations. The entire clinical course is concluded with a comprehensive examination.

Upon successful completion of the clinical program, students receive a certificate from the School of Medical Technology and are eligible to take a national certification examination. :: back to top

Admission Information
Students are selected for admission to the School of Medical Technology on the basis of college performance, aptitude for clinical laboratory science, interest, motivation, character, health status and Mississippi residency. Student, faculty and employment selection practices are non-discriminatory with respect to race, color, creed, sex, age, disability and national origin.

For either 4+1 or 3+1 students, academic requirements include successful completion of required courses in the following academic disciplines:
· Chemistry: A minimum of 16 semester (24 quarter) hours. Organic chemistry must be included. Biochemistry is recommended.
· Biological Sciences: A minimum of 16 semester (24 quarter) hours. Microbiology and Immunology must be included. Genetics, parasitology and molecular science courses are recommended.
· Mathematics: One course in mathematics is required. Minimum requirements are met by courses recognized as prerequisites for physics courses. Courses in statistics, computer science and physics are recommended.

A cumulative grade point average of 2.70 and a 2.70 math/science GPA are also required. In addition, all applicants must successfully complete the Graduate Record Exam. If the applicant’s native language is not English, successful completion of the TOEFL exam is required.

Individuals who have met the minimum educational requirements, including GRE and TOEFL exams, seven or more years prior to application must complete additional academic work before qualifying. All “updated” academic work must be approved by the Program Director.

Applications may be submitted at any time. The application deadline is January 1 for entrance into the following Fall class. If the regular Fall class is not filled, students may be admitted at other times during the year at the discretion of program officials.

:: back to top

Expenses and Financial Aid
There is no tuition fee; however the $1,000 activity fee includes the necessary textbooks. Students must purchase their own uniforms and provide for their own housing and transportation.

3+1 students should have access to the usual financial aid provided through their college or university. At times, stipend funds are available through the MBMC Clinical Laboratory for students enrolled in the School of Medical Technology. In addition, the Program Director provides information about various scholarships that may be available. Contact the Program Director for more information about the student stipend and scholarships. :: back to top

Course/Rotation Descriptions
· Specimen Acquisition and Outreach Services: Students learn to process lab requests and specimens from inpatients, outpatients and Outreach Accounts in the Accessioning, Central Processing and Referrals areas. Pre-analytical problems are discussed and solved during this rotation.
· Clinical Chemistry, Toxicology and Immunochemistry: Biochemical constituents of the human body such as lipids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, nitrogenous substances, electrolytes, acid/base analytes and heme derivatives are studied and analyzed. Toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring and molecular diagnostic procedures are discussed and performed as well. Immunoassays relating to hepatitis, HIV, tumor markers and hormones of the endocrine systems are taught and performed. Studies include theory of procedures and instrumentation, pathological significance of tests performed, and normal values. Maintenance, quality control, and trouble-shooting of various instruments is taught and practiced.
· Hematology/Coagulation: Students learn to recognize normal and abnormal morphology of formed elements in blood. Techniques include obtaining blood for analysis, evaluating specimen quality, and completing hematological assays, bone marrow studies, special staining procedures and hemolytic studies. Hematopoietic mechanisms are correlated with clinical and laboratory findings through discussion of case histories for problem solving and diagnosing hematological disorders. Operation, maintenance, quality control and trouble-shooting of the automated cell counters is taught and practiced. The lecture course also offers basic principles of cytogenetics and flow cytometry. Physiological mechanisms of normal human coagulation as well as hereditary and acquired defects of these mechanisms are taught. Therapeutic measures that alter the normal coagulation processes are also discussed. Techniques include obtaining and evaluating quality of specimens for analysis, coagulation screening procedures, specific assays, and procedures that monitor anticoagulant therapy.
· Immunohematology: The course is a study of blood group systems and compatibility testing that includes case study problem solving, antibody detection studies, hemolytic disease of the newborn, and post-transfusion problems. Methods of donor procurement, donor blood collection, component preparation, processing, storage, and distribution of blood and blood products are also covered. Lectures include discussion of many of the blood group systems and their genetic determinants.
· Immunoserology/Immunofluorescence: Lectures present the theoretical aspects of basic tests for demonstration of antigen/antibody reactions in relation to disease. Serological testing in the laboratory rotation includes precipitation, agglutination, hemolysin reactions, nephelometry, immunofluorescence and electrophoresis.
· Microbiology: The course covers a systematic study of medically important bacteria. Emphasis is placed on isolation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of pathogenic bacteria. Epidemiology and mechanisms of pathogenesis of infectious disease are included. The didactic instruction covers the pathogenesis and identification of major viral pathogens. Attention is given to collection of the proper specimens for culture and chemical and serological methods of diagnosis.
The parasitology portion involves a study of the protozoan, helminthic, and arthropod parasites of medical significance with emphasis placed on life cycles, pathogenicity, and epidemiology. Wet preparations, permanent mounts, and slides are used to aid in the instruction of the identification of parasites. The mycology portion presents a comprehensive study of pathogenic fungi. These include the dermatophytes, systemic, and opportunistic fungi. Culture characteristics, clinical manifestations, and microscopic morphology are presented. Slides are used to supplement actual isolates found in the clinical laboratory.
· Phlebotomy: The phlebotomy program consists of didactic instruction and at least 10 hours of empirical training. After reaching the minimum competency level in blood specimen collection, as determined by the instructor, the student may choose to continue phlebotomy practice on a voluntary, paid basis.
· Special Topics-Education and Management: The course examines basic education theory covering such topics as behavioral objectives, criterion and norm-referenced evaluation, methods of instruction and research techniques. For the practicum, each student selects a case study and provides a learning experience for staff and other students. In addition, students collect instructional aids (slides, graphs, flowcharts, etc) throughout the clinical year, along with brief reviews related to interesting cases they’ve encountered, in a project notebook. The course also provides an overview of various managerial and supervisory theories and practices. Each student is given management problems to solve during clinical rotation and lectures. Special projects may be assigned in Quality Management, Public Relations, Scientific Writing, and other management-related topics.
· Urinalysis and Body Fluids: Lecture and laboratory exercises cover physical, chemical and microscopic examination of urine and other body fluids. The course presents the basic anatomy and physiology of the kidneys and urinary system. Physiological changes and pathological conditions are emphasized as related to both normal and abnormal findings in urine and other body fluids.

:: back to top

Contact Information
For more information about the School of Medical Technology or to request a tour of the laboratory, contact the Program Director at 601-968-3070 or via email: jknight@mbhs.org.

Send completed applications, reference evaluation forms, test scores and official college transcripts to:
Program Director
School of Medical Technology
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center
1225 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39202

:: back to top

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is a clinical laboratory scientist and what do they do?
A clinical laboratory scientist is a highly skilled individual who performs and evaluates laboratory procedures on blood and body fluids to aid physicians and other healthcare professionals in diagnosing and monitoring disease states. They may also be involved in developing new diagnostic procedures, supervising and conducting biomedical research, providing technical expertise, consulting and teaching as well as analyzing and implementing laboratory information systems. The primary disciplines in laboratory medicine include clinical chemistry, hematology, clinical microbiology, clinical immunology, immunohematology (transfusion medicine) and molecular diagnostics.

What is the difference in a clinical laboratory scientist and a clinical laboratory technician?
The clinical laboratory science profession offers multiple career tracks based on level of education. A Medical Laboratory Technician/Clinical Laboratory Technician (MLT/CLT) is an associate degreed individual involved in the performance of lab procedures, the maintenance of instruments, and the relating of lab findings to common diseases/conditions. Medical Technologists/Clinical Laboratory Scientists (MT/CLS) obtain a baccalaureate degree and have a more extensive theoretical knowledge base. They perform high-level laboratory procedures as well as evaluate and interpret test results, integrate data, problem solve, consult, conduct research and develop new test methods.

What is the difference between a clinical laboratory science degree program and a certificate program?
University-based programs are typically degree programs. They are often two years in length and offer a slower pace for students. Upon completion of the program, students may be awarded a baccalaureate degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. Hospital-based programs are typically certificate programs. They are often one year in length and offer a more intensive fast pace for students. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate of completion. As hospital-based programs typically are unable to grant degrees, the students they accept must have completed a baccalaureate degree already (4+1 student) or be in the final year of degree completion (3+1 student). Hospitals maintain affiliation agreements with colleges or universities that allow the CLS program to send grades to the college or university that will grant the degree for the 3+1 student. Regardless of whether a student has a degree in CLS from a university-based program or a certificate of completion from a hospital-based program, once a student completes a NAACLS accredited program, he or she is eligible to sit for a national certification exam.

What job opportunities and career paths are available to CLS graduates?
Currently there is a nationwide shortage of clinical laboratory science personnel. Graduates have many options related to where and what hours they want to work. CLS graduates work in hospital laboratories, physician office laboratories, veterinary laboratories and reference laboratories. They work in public health laboratories, at the CDC, in research and in molecular science. They work in reagent sales, instrument sales and service, marketing, education and management. They work in information systems, industry and forensics. Many graduates use CLS as a stepping-stone to medical school or law school. The possibilities are endless.

What salary will a CLS graduate earn?
Salaries vary depending on geographic location and type of position. Graduates who work evening or night shifts frequently receive a “shift differential” in addition to their base pay. Those working in physician office labs may receive a lower salary, but they usually do not work nights, weekends or holidays. Contact a local CLS Program Director or see www.salary.com for more information related to CLS salaries in your area.

What prerequisite courses will prepare me for a clinical laboratory science program?
Most programs require basic biology and chemistry courses. The following is a non-inclusive list of the types of courses that will prepare you for a CLS program: Microbiology, Immunology, Cell Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Molecular Biology, Parasitology, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics and Research Methods.

:: back to top