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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
HTEC D185.
Course Title (CB02)
Clinical Chemistry Practicum
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course provides entry-level clinical laboratory practice/experience in the department of general and special chemistry. Emphasis is placed on technique, accuracy, and precision. Different instrumentation will be introduced as well as bench/manual methods. Competence will be evaluated based on final clinical evaluations. This practicum will be conducted at a clinical affiliate site that will be facilitated by the MLT (Medical Laboratory Technician) Program Faculty. This course must be successfully completed in order to take the national MLT examination and qualify for a California MLT license.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is part of a CTE program. This is a course that was developed based on the National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and California State Department of Public Health accreditation standards required for Medical Laboratory Technicians' training programs. This course fulfills the requirements for Chemistry training hours. This course belongs on the Certification of Proficiency-Advanced.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Not transferable

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
6.0
Maximum Credit Units
6.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours0.00.0
Laboratory Hours18.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
0.0
Laboratory
216.0
Total
216.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
0.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
0.0

Prerequisite(s)

HTEC D085B and HTEC D085D

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Discussion of weekly journal entries when meeting with MLT faculty.

Laboratory experience in a CLIA approved clinical laboratory which involves student participation in clinical testing and analysis.

Discussions and problem solving performed during scheduled meetings with MLT Program Faculty.

Discussion and problem solving performed daily in the clinical laboratory setting.

Assignments

  1. Perform work as assigned by supervising Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
  2. Discuss methodologies, theories, and interpretation of results with supervising Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
  3. Analyze progress, answer questions, address concerns and review daily laboratory worksheets during scheduled meetings with MLT Faculty.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Practice and demonstration of techniques in the clinical laboratory will demonstrate critical thinking skills and ability to problem solve as required in the MLT profession
  2.  Laboratory experience will demonstrate the student's ability to integrate the knowledge acquired in the course with the technical skills necessary for the MLT profession
  3. Working in the clinical laboratory setting will evaluate the student's ability to apply critical thinking skills to real clinical situations.
  4. Daily laboratory worksheets designed to track the student's progress in the clinical laboratory as well as evaluate the student's performance and understanding of the material
  5. Comprehensive Final Exam written test will require the student to demonstrate their ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze concepts examined throughout the practicum.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials
  • Availability for assigned dates, locations and times of clinical experience
  • Transportation to and from clinical site
Essential College Facilities
  • Current Foothill-°®¶¹´«Ã½ Community College District contract on file in the district office for each clinical site being used

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Bishop, Michael L., Fody, Edward P., Van Siclen, Carleen, Mistler, James March, Moy, MichelleClinical Chemistry: Principles, Techniques and CorrelationsJones & Bartlett Learning03/24/2022 9th edition13 978-1496335586

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Tietz, Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Practice departmental procedures for safety according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates.
  • Demonstrate safe use and disposal of biohazardous materials.
  • Participate in preparing clinical specimens for testing: including proper processing and handling, criteria for specimen rejection, and use of Laboratory Information System.
  • Demonstrate proficient operation (entry level) of automated or semi-automated instrumentation.
  • Summarize test methods and principles learned during this rotation by completing worksheets provided.
  • Perform and interpret all Chemistry and Special Chemistry tests performed in this department with results acceptable to the supervising Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

CSLOs

  • Safely and accurately perform analytical procedures in Clinical Chemistry department identifying normal and abnormal lab tests and factors affecting results and taking appropriate action.

Outline

  1. Practice departmental procedures for safety according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates.
    1. Demonstrate the basic aspects of infection control policies, by using personal protective equipment (PPD) or devices (gown, gloves, and goggles).
    2. Locate safety equipment such as safety showers, eyewash stations and spill kits, fire alarms and extinguishers, blankets and evacuation routes.
    3. Locate SDS (Safety Data Sheets).
  2. Demonstrate safe use and disposal of biohazardous materials.
    1. Demonstrate the proper segregation and disposal of various types of waste products generated in the clinical laboratory, including the use of sharp containers for needles, lancets and/or other sharps.
    2. Demonstrate proper disposal of biological samples, as instructed by procedure or instructor.
  3. Participate in preparing clinical specimens for testing: including proper processing and handling, criteria for specimen rejection, and use of Laboratory Information System.
    1. Receive specimens submitted to the Clinical Chemistry Laboratory. Determine if the specimen has been collected, stored and transported to the laboratory appropriately. If proper criteria has been met, process the specimen according to the procedures of the clinical site.
    2. Site criteria for sample rejection and follow procedure established by the clinical site for specimen rejection if necessary.
    3. Centrifuge patient samples as required.
    4. Familiarize self with testing workflow (what tests are performed on what analyzer).
    5. Identify tests requiring special specimen handling
    6. Pour off, when applicable, into sample cups appropriate for each test/analyzer.
    7. Perform dilutions of samples when appropriate with accurate results.
    8. Proficient in the use of the LIS including: pending worklists, generating worklists, enter and verifying results, access patient result inquiry and maintain patient confidentiality.
  4. Demonstrate proficient operation (entry level) of automated or semi-automated instrumentation.
    1. Name the instrumentation used in the laboratory and explain the principle of operation.
      1. State the advantages of using this specific instrument
      2. State the disadvantages of using this specific instrument.
    2. Successfully relate normal values to the appropriate test
    3. Check reagent inventories and load reagents when necessary.
    4. Perform daily startup according to clinical sites protocol.
    5. Analyze quality control products.
      1. Define the frequency of analyzing QC material
      2. Identify the correct QC material to be run per test
    6. Record and document the quality control results per clinical site protocol.
    7. Analyze patient samples
    8. Recognize abnormal results and troubleshoot accordingly.
      1. Identify the characteristics required in establishing critical values
      2. Follow clinical sites protocol for reporting a critical value
    9. Evaluate and perform acceptable troubleshooting activities relative to quality control or patient results.
    10. Perform daily shutdown according to clinical sites protocol.
    11. Perform routine instrument maintenance.
  5. Summarize test methods and principles learned during this rotation by completing worksheets provided.
    1. Document daily the procedures performed, including observations.
    2. Obtain signature from supervising technologist verifying work performed, principles covered, and skills competancy.
  6. Perform and interpret all Chemistry and Special Chemistry tests performed in this department with results acceptable to the supervising Clinical Laboratory Scientist. Testing should include but not be limited to:
    1. Testing for glucose abnormalities
    2. Testing for electrolytes and electrolyte balance
    3. Renal function testing, including BUN and Creatinine
    4. Testing for lipid metabolism
    5. Bilirubin metabolism and liver function testing
    6. Tests for pancreatic function
    7. Tests for arterial blood gases and acid-base balance
    8. Cardiac function testing
    9. Thyroid function testing
    10. Endocrinology testing
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