MLS Program Goals

• Relate the role of the clinical laboratory to total patient care.
• Demonstrate a theoretical understanding of all basic laboratory testing, most specialized laboratory testing and some esoteric laboratory testing.
• Formulate answerable questions, review current knowledge and make clinical decisions regarding the correlation of patient results, validity of those results and the need for additional testing.
• Demonstrate proficiency by discussing, interpreting and utilizing quality control methods to maintain laboratory accuracy and precision.
• Apply established quality assurance practices in respect to patient care.
• Demonstrate entry-level competence regarding computer basics and laboratory information systems.
• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on laboratory instrumentation and recognize when to refer repairs to the appropriately trained source.
• Describe the rationale behind cost-effective surveys, comparison/correlation studies, normal patient studies to set normal ranges, studies to set control value ranges, proficiency testing and studies that set reportable ranges when starting a new procedure, instrument or methodology.
• Utilize problem solving and other critical thinking skills during all laboratory functions and endeavors.
• When necessary, apply the basic principles of laboratory education, management and supervision.
• Demonstrate an entry-level understanding of healthcare regulatory agencies and how they regulate and affect the clinical laboratory.
• Recognize potential troubleshooting opportunities through the evaluation of laboratory statistics.
• Obtain certification as a laboratory professional (medical laboratory scientist) by passing a national certification examination.

• Demonstrate an attitude of compassion, understanding, cooperation, care, friendliness and encouragement to patients, customers and coworkers.
• Demonstrate a commitment to organizational and professional policies regarding appearance, safety, confidentiality and ethics.
• Demonstrate a personal commitment to maturity by handling stressful situations calmly and hectic situations efficiently, defining and being aware of personal limitations, seeking help when needed and pursuing continuing education independently.
• Demonstrate a commitment to and belief in the value of good communication and team skills.
• Interact with professional personnel, peers and the public in a constructive manner, displaying tact, respect, cooperation and good team skills.
• Respond appropriately to directions from staff.
• Demonstrate educational initiative.
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic and ambition.
• Maintain a clean, orderly work area and maintain instrumentation properly so that instruments perform accurately and hold up to wear and tear well.
• Accept personal responsibility for consequences of one's own actions.
• Demonstrate adaptability and flexibility to change and learning (in contrast to rigidity and narrow-mindedness).
• Demonstrate a positive attitude toward the medical laboratory science profession by displaying enthusiasm, interest and an eagerness to learn.
• Display a firm commitment to accuracy and precision in professional endeavors by utilizing strict overall technique, competent quality control techniques, sound critical thinking skills and strong professional ethics.

• Inspect small objects, i.e. instrument components.
• Detect color in specimens and prepared slides.
• Hear in order to communicate with others, to answer telephones, to recognize instrument alarms, among other hearing-related skills.
• Have gross to fine motor skills for accomplishing grasps, inoculations, cutting, and phlebotomy, among other tasks.
• With coordination, manual dexterity and efficiency, accurately perform productive laboratory determinations with technical expertise commensurate with familiarity of procedures in use.
• Display sufficient coordination and manual dexterity to collect blood, perform daily laboratory tasks and report accurate/precise results.
• Productive and efficiently operate specific laboratory instruments following only the usual orientation needed by a new employee. Identify instrument malfunction and correct by oneself or by referring to operation and service manual at a level which requires moderate supervision on consultation with service representative.
• Keep organized records of work performed.

Upon completion of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at North Mississippi Medical Center, graduates will have obtained the skills to accomplish the following goals:

• Work as entry-level board-certified medical laboratory scientists.
• Continue to learn throughout their professional careers.
• Serve as leaders in the medical laboratory science profession in technical, educational and administrative roles.

The educational experiences in the Medical Laboratory Science Program at North Mississippi Medical Center are designed to ensure that students are well prepared to enter the profession of Medical Laboratory Science and continue to learn throughout their professional career. At the completion of the NMMC Medical Laboratory Science Program, students will:

• Perform and evaluate pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical procedures to ensure the quality of medical laboratory results.
• Perform laboratory tests, analyze and verify results, and resolve common problems in all the major areas of the medical laboratory.
• Recognize and explain the principles and methods used in laboratory tests in all major areas of the medical laboratory.
• Explain the clinical significance of laboratory procedures in diagnosis and treatment of disease and maintenance of health.
• Correlate information from different laboratory departments to verify results or resolve problems.
• Evaluate patient results and suggest or select appropriate additional testing.
• Determine the priority of laboratory requests and arrange the workload for optimal patient care and efficiency.
• Obtain acceptable blood samples for laboratory tests using standard phlebotomy procedures.
• Use quality assurance principles and practices to ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory information.
• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments.
• Use the principles of method evaluation to select new techniques and instruments.
• Explain and apply the major principles and practices of laboratory administration, supervision and budgeting.
• Explain and apply principles of effective test utilization.
• Comply with all standard safety regulations and monitor changes in safety regulations.
• Use educational methods to present information and develop instructional materials.
• Use computer systems to produce documents, research information, communicate with others and enter and retrieve laboratory information.
• Apply principles of management to the acquisition and evaluation of laboratory information systems.
• Communicate effectively with laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, patients and the public.
• Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals and the public.
• Demonstrate ethical standards in all matters related to medical information and patient care.