Ascension St. Vincent's
Medical Laboratory Science

Course Descriptions

Hematology I

This course provides the new student with an orientation to the laboratory and an introduction to laboratory safety, phlebotomy and specimen processing. Basic hematological principles and manual procedures are taught in the student laboratory.

Hematology: Study of Anemia

This portion of the HEM II clinical rotation will provide training in the operation, preventive maintenance and quality control of automated hematology instrumentation and routine hematology procedures. An emphasis will be placed on the principles and procedures used to diagnose and differentiate the anemia, as well as in developing proficiency in the evaluation of peripheral blood smears.

Hematology: Study of Coagulation

Upon completion of this area of study, the student will understand the theories of coagulation, accurately perform automated and manual techniques used in the study of coagulation and be able to correlate laboratory results with the evaluation of coagulation disorders.

Hematology:  Study of Leukemias

This clinical rotation reinforces the skills learned in HEM I and HEM II and provides training in specialized hematological stains and procedures used in the diagnosis and differentiation of leukemia and other white blood cell disorders.

Routine Chemistry

Students will become competent in the operation, preventive maintenance and quality control of sophisticated chemistry analyzers. Study will include the theories and principles that govern the operation of these automated chemistry analyzers including spectrophotometry, osmometry, ion selective electrodes, atomic absorption and blood gas analysis. Other topics will include enzymology and its use in the evaluation of cardiac, hepatic, pancreatic and prostate function, as well as renal function tests, electrolyte balance and glucose monitoring. The evaluation of routine chemistry data and the correlation of this data to the diagnosis of disease will be emphasized.

Electrophoresis

During this clinical rotation, students will become competent in the performance and interpretation of various electrophoretic techniques and the application of mathematical calculations in the clinical chemistry laboratory.

Special Chemistry

This course will teach students the principles and practice of chemical immunoassays, ion capture, chemiluminescence, radioimmunoassay, mass spectrometry, gas chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. Therapeutic drug monitoring, thyroid testing, hepatitis testing and testing for drugs of abuse will be highlighted.

Clinical Microscopy

Students will learn the principles of the microscope and demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental processes involved in the formation of urine and demonstrate knowledge of the principles and procedures used in the evaluation of renal function. They will also be able to perform routine examinations on urine, cerebrospinal fluid, seminal fluid and synovial fluid.

Microbiology I and II

Upon completion of these two clinical rotations students will be proficient in processing patient samples, evaluating culture findings, identifying bacteria, fungi and acid fast organisms, performing and interpreting antibiotic susceptibility tests and carrying out quality control testing on media, reagents and equipment. Students will also gain the skills necessary to perform cell culture techniques, direct fluorescent antibody tests and EIA procedures to diagnose viral infections.

Blood Bank

During the clinical rotation through the Transfusion Service, students receive training in ABO and Rh testing, antibody identification, compatibility testing and other specialized immune hematological procedures. Enrichment programs at The Blood Alliance supplement training received at St. Vincent’s.

Serology

Completion of this course allows students to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of immunology and of serological methods by performing and evaluating routine serological examinations including fluorescent microscopy techniques, enzyme immunosorbent assays, immunodiffusion methods and syphilis serology.

Mycology and Parasitology

Instruction will take place in the student laboratory setting and will concentrate on classifying fungi and the macroscopic and microscopic morphological characteristics used in their identification. Parasitology will emphasize the classification and identification of intestinal, blood and tissue parasites of man and the performance and evaluation of ova and parasite testing.