Applied Health Sciences, Medical Laboratory Concentration

COURSES IN THE MLS CONCENTRATION | 50 credits

AHS 310	Clinical Microbiology I	2 credits
AHS 311	Clinical Microbiology II	3 credits
AHS 320	Clinical Immunology I	3 credits
AHS 321	Clinical Immunology II	2 credits
AHS 335 / CHEM 335	Clinical Chemistry I	3 credits
AHS 336 / CHEM 336	Clinical Chemistry II	3 credits
AHS 340	Hematology and Hemostasis I	3 credits
AHS 341	Hematology and Hemostasis II	2 credits
AHS 350	Diagnostic Molecular Biology	3 credits
AHS 400	Immunohematology I	2 credits
AHS 401	Immunohematology II*	2 credits
AHS 405	Cellular Morphology*	2 credits
AHS 406	Clinical Fluid Analysis*	2 credits
AHS 410	Mycology, Parasitology and Virology	3 credits
AHS 420	Laboratory Operations	2 credits
AHS 450	Clinical Correlations/Board of Review Test Preparation	2 credit
AHS 495	Clinical Practicum I	2 credits
AHS 496	Clinical Practicum II	2 credits
BIOS 260	Genetics	4 credits

*These 3 courses (6 credits) will satisfy the AHS 494 – Internship/Fieldwork (6 credits) requirement within the AHS major.

One of the unique aspects of the AHS major is its strong emphasis on hands-on, clinical experiences for its students. Each student within the major is required to obtain a minimum of three hundred hours of patient contact experience within their chosen concentration area. This exposure to the actual “job” not only is a requirement for most professional programs, but, more importantly, helps students obtain a deeper understanding of the professional careers they are considering.

The Code of Ethics of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science sets forth the principles and standards by which Medical Laboratory Professionals and students admitted to professional education programs practice their profession.

I. DUTY TO THE PATIENT

Medical Laboratory Professionals’ primary duty is to the patient, placing the welfare of the patient above their own needs and desires and ensuring that each patient receives the highest quality of care according to current standards of practice. High quality laboratory services are safe, effective, efficient, timely, equitable, and patient-centered. Medical Laboratory Professionals work with all patients and all patient samples without regard to disease state, ethnicity, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Medical Laboratory Professionals prevent and avoid conflicts of interest that undermine the best interests of patients.

Medical Laboratory Professionals are accountable for the quality and integrity of the laboratory services they provide. This obligation includes maintaining the highest level of individual competence as patient needs change, yet practicing within the limits of their level of practice. Medical Laboratory Professionals exercise sound judgment in all aspects of laboratory services they provide. Furthermore, Medical Laboratory Professionals safeguard patients from others’ incompetent or illegal practice through identification and appropriate reporting of instances where the integrity and high quality of laboratory services have been breached.

Medical Laboratory Professionals maintain strict confidentiality of patient information and test results. They safeguard the dignity and privacy of patients and provide accurate information to patients and other health care professionals. Medical Laboratory Professionals respect patients’ rights to make decisions regarding their own medical care.

II. DUTY TO COLLEAGUES AND THE PROFESSION

Medical Laboratory Professionals uphold the dignity and respect of the profession and maintain a reputation of honesty, integrity, competence, and reliability. Medical Laboratory Professionals contribute to the advancement of the profession by improving and disseminating the body of knowledge, adopting scientific advances that benefit the patient, maintaining high standards of practice and education, and seeking fair socioeconomic working conditions for members of the profession.

Medical Laboratory Professionals accept the responsibility to establish the qualifications for entry to the profession, to implement those qualifications through participation in licensing and certification programs, to uphold those qualifications in hiring practices, and to recruit and educate students in accredited programs to achieve those qualifications.

Medical Laboratory Professionals establish cooperative, honest, and respectful working relationships within the clinical laboratory and with all members of the healthcare team with the primary objective of ensuring a high standard of care for the patients they serve.

III. DUTY TO SOCIETY

As practitioners of an autonomous profession, Medical Laboratory Professionals have the responsibility to contribute from their sphere of professional competence to the general well being of society. Medical Laboratory Professionals serve as patient advocates. They apply their expertise to improve patient healthcare outcomes by eliminating barriers to access to laboratory services and promoting equitable distribution of healthcare resources.

Medical Laboratory Professionals comply with relevant laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of Clinical Laboratory Science and actively seek, to change those laws and regulations that do not meet the high standards of care and practice.

PLEDGE TO THE PROFESSION

• As a Medical Laboratory Professional, I pledge to uphold my duty to Patients, the Profession and Society by:
• Placing patients’ welfare above my own needs and desires.
• Ensuring that each patient receives care that is safe, effective, efficient, timely, equitable and patient-centered.
• Maintaining the dignity and respect for my profession.
• Promoting the advancement of my profession.
• Ensuring collegial relationships within the clinical laboratory and with other patient care providers.
• Improving access to laboratory services.
• Promoting equitable distribution of healthcare resources.
• Complying with laws and regulations and protecting patients from others’ incompetent or illegal practice
• Changing conditions where necessary to advance the best interests of patients.

Certification and Licensure

Certification

Certification is a voluntary process; however, most employers prefer to hire certified practitioners. After graduation, students are eligible to sit for exams to receive national certification from the ASCP Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC). We urge all graduates of our programs to seek certification, as it is an investment in your future in the profession. We recommend scheduling your exam soon after graduation (give yourself a little time to review!), while all that you have learned is fresh in your mind. Additional application information needed for certification examinations will be provided to students prior to completion of the program.

Licensure

Licensure is granted by individual states. Currently, Wisconsin and Illinois lack a licensing process for laboratory personnel.

The following states/territories do currently require licensure for clinical laboratory personnel: California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Requirements vary by location.

Students who are thinking of working in a state that has licensure for clinical laboratory personnel should contact that state licensing board as early as possible for information on the state’s requirements.  Completion of the University of Wisconsin – Parkside MLS program does not guarantee that a graduate will meet all state licensure requirements.

More information on state licensure and contact information can be found on the ASCLS website.

This list describes in general the documentation that is required of all students in the Division of Clinical Laboratory Science. Students will receive instructions for documenting completion of the requirements, including deadlines for each requirement.

• Required immunizations, including the requirements for Health Science Students.
• Note that the flu shot is required when students are in clinical rotations during flu season (4th year MLS students).
• Annual tuberculosis screening.
• Annual review of MLS Policies and Procedures.
• Annual safety training.
• University of Wisconsin – Parkside’s online HIPAA Training, renewed annually.
• Criminal background check prior to clinical placements, renewed annually.
• Drug screen prior to clinical placements.
• Major medical insurance coverage in force during clinical rotations.
• MLS students who do not submit a waiver with proof of personal coverage will be automatically enrolled in the  mandatory student hard waiver plan.
• Students who are (or may be) assigned to a rotation at institutions other than Froedtert South Hospital may be required to complete additional training and documentation. Also, students completing a rotation at other sites may also have to fulfill additional requirements (safety orientations, training modules, etc.). The requirements of our clinical sites are subject to change at any time. You will be informed of these as we are made aware of them.