MEDT 1014 Medical Laboratory Skills Syllabus H01 Fall 2026

Goals and Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Follow established standards for laboratory safety and infection control.
2. Describe how medical laboratories function.
3. Perform calculations used in the clinical laboratory.
4. Describe the basic components of laboratory quality programs used to evaluate the accuracy and precision of lab procedures.
5. Demonstrate the safe use of common types of general laboratory equipment.
6. Identify the equipment and supplies utilized in blood and non-blood specimen collection and describe the methods of processing and handling.
7. Apply proper technique in collection of blood by venipunctures and capillary procedures.
8. Describe how the basic processes of the body are evaluated in relation to the clinical laboratory departments of urinalysis, coagulation, hematology, microbiology, clinical chemistry and immunology.
9. Safely perform and validate CLIA waived lab assays for hematology, coagulation, microbiology, urinalysis, immunology, and clinical chemistry.

Outcomes

Follow established standards for laboratory safety and infection control.

1. Identify roles of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in promoting safety in health care institutions.
2. Comply with provisions of the OSHA Lab Standard - right to know.
3. Describe the major lab hazards; physical, biological, and chemical
4. Describe the use of safety data sheet (SDS)
5. Describe the components of an exposure control plan.
6. Give examples of a safe working environment in a medical laboratory.
7. Using a lab safety worksheet identify physical, biological, and chemical hazards that are encountered in the clinical laboratory.
8. Use personal protection equipment (PPE) common to the clinical laboratory.

Describe how medical laboratories function.

1. Describe the function of a medical or clinical laboratory
2. Describe the organization of a typical hospital laboratory and the major departments.
3. Describe the qualifications and job functions of medical laboratory personnel.
4. Describe ethical responsibilities of the medical laboratory personnel.
5. Describe the purpose for accreditation
6. Identify the agencies of the state and federal government that regulate laboratories and set standards for the clinical laboratory
7. Identify the purpose of proficiency testing
8. Apply billing/coding procedures to common test performed.

Perform calculations used in the clinical laboratory.

1. Explain why the metric system is used.
2. Use formulas to make conversions between English and the metric system.
3. Use formulas to convert temperatures-Fahrenheit and Celsius.
4. Use formulas for preparing solutions and dilutions.
5. Use formulas for the calculation of proportions, ratios and percentages.

Describe the use of laboratory quality programs

1. Describe the role of quality assessment programs in the clinical laboratory.
2. Explain the importance of quality assurance and assessment in the laboratory and when using POCT
3. Describe the use of standards and controls
4. Use standards and controls when performing POCT tests
5. Describe the use of a standard distribution curve
6. Calculate a standard deviation for an analytical method.
7. Use a Levy-Jennings graph to detect the development of a trend in a method.
8. Find the degree of precision/accuracy using calculations and measurements.
9. Describe how confidence limits are determined and their significance in the clinical laboratory.
10. List components that must be included in instrumentation quality assessment.

Demonstrate the safe use of common types of lab ware and general laboratory equipment.

1. Identify the basic types of glassware used in the clinical laboratory
2. Differ between critical and non-critical equipment used for measurement
3. Measure and transfer liquids using pipets and micropipettes
4. Identify the different uses of plastic containers in the laboratory
5. Describe the function of the centrifuge
6. Demonstrate the safe use of a centrifuge to prepare specimens
7. Describe the function of the pH meter
8. Demonstrate the safe use of pH meter
9. Describe the function and of the autoclave
10. Identify rules followed when using the electronic balance
11. Demonstrate the safe use of an electronic balance
12. Describe how temperature control chambers are used in the laboratory
13. Identify the types of reagent water used in the lab
14. Locate the parts of a light microscope
15. Identify the function of the parts of a light microscope
16. Describe the importance of performing regular equipment maintenance and keeping maintenance or repair records

Identify the equipment and supplies utilized in blood and non-blood specimen
collection and describe the methods of processing and handling.

1. Select the types of equipment needed to collect blood by venipunctures and capillary puncture.
2. Identify, describe, and explain the purpose of the equipment and supplies needed to collect blood by venipuncture using the evacuated tube system, syringe, butterfly, and dermal puncture.
3. Describe the purpose of using a tourniquet for venipunctures.
4. Identify the types and use of additives and/or anticoagulants which are used in blood collection, their mode of action, and the color coding associated with each type of additive.
5. Identify the different types of specimens that are collected and analyzed in the various departments of the clinical laboratory.
6. Describe complications associated with blood collection and how they may affect the patient and/or the integrity of the specimen.
7. Describe the criteria used for determining the suitability of a specimen for analysis, and reasons for specimen rejection or recollection.
8. Describe substances that can interfere with the analysis of blood constituents and ways to avoid these occurrences.
9. Describe the proper methods of labeling, handling, and transporting specimens.
10. Describe the protocols for transport, storage, and processing of specimens both internal and external to the laboratory
11. Describe the use of non-blood specimens, methods of patient instruction for their collection, and proper methods of labeling and handling the specimen.
12. Identify special precautions necessary during blood collections by venipunctures and capillary puncture.
13. Describe the potential clerical and technical errors that may occur during specimen processing.
14. Identify potential pre-analytical errors that may occur during specimen collection, labeling, transporting, and processing.

Apply proper technique in collection of blood by venipunctures and capillary 
procedures.

1. Describe the importance of proper patient/sample identification and how to handle discrepancies.
2. Identify potential sites for venipunctures and dermal punctures and list factors to consider in each site selection.
3. Describe and/or demonstrate each step, in order, for capillary and venipuncture procedures.
4. Describe the protocol for collection of a blood sample from a sterile site.
5. Describe the situations that may lead to failure to obtain blood and list the acceptable reasons for inability to collect a specimen.
6. Describe point-of-care testing and its purpose.
7. Perform a minimum of 7 observed venipunctures, 5 using the evacuated tube system and 2 capillary punctures as assigned by the instructor.

Identify the basic processes of the body and how they are evaluated in relation 
to the clinical laboratory departments of hematology.

1. Describe the origin of blood cells
2. Describe the components of plasma
3. Describe the cellular elements of blood
4. Describe hematological disorders.
5. Explain the importance of blood cell identification.
6. Describe the purpose of performing a reticulocyte count.
7. Explain the purpose of performing hemoglobin determinations.
8. Explain the purpose for performing the hematocrit test.
9. Explain the purpose of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
10. Describe properties of blood that affect the ESR
11. Identify technical factors that can affect the ESR
12. Identify reference values for blood cells, hemoglobin, ESR, hematocrit, and Reticulocyte counts in adult males, females, and children.

Identify the basic processes of the body and how they are evaluated in relation to the clinical laboratory departments’ coagulation

1. Identify the four stages of clotting
2. Describe the intrinsic, extrinsic, and common pathways of hemostasis.
3. Explain the principle of the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).
4. Describe coagulation factor deficiencies detected by the aPTT.
5. Give normal reference values for the PT and the aPTT
6. Describe inherited and acquired abnormalities of coagulation factors

Identify the basic processes of the body and how they are evaluated in the clinical laboratory department of urinalysis.

1. Identify the organs of the urinary tract system.
2. Describe the function of the urinary tract system
3. Describe how urine is formed.
4. Describe the composition of urine.
5. Describe systemic diseases of the kidney.
6. Describe methods of collection for routine, clean catch midstream, and 24-hour urine collection
7. List the three parts of a routine urinalysis
8. Name the physical characteristics of urine evaluated during a routine urinalysis.
9. Describe the causes for abnormal characteristics of urine.
10. Identify the specimen requirement for the chemical examination of urine.
11. Identify the 10 urine chemical tests routinely performed by reagent strip method and the principle of each
12. Describe the cause for abnormal results during the chemical evaluation of urine.
13. Describe the purpose for measurement of the specific gravity of urine.
14. Describe the principle of the guaiac reaction
15. Identify causes of false-positive and false-negative reactions.
16. Describe the purpose for the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).
17. Identify reasons for false positive and false negative reactions when performing the HCG
18. Describe the use of the clinitest
19. Describe the use of the confirmatory tests for protein
20. Describe the use of the confirmatory tests for bilirubin.

Identify the basic processes of the body and how they are evaluated in the clinical laboratory department of microbiology.

1. Describe the fields of study in microbiology.
2. Identify differences among normal flora, pathogens, and opportunistic pathogens.
3. Describe rules of nomenclature
4. Name the three basic shapes of bacteria
5. Explain the principle of the Gram stain.
6. Explain methods used to prepare bacterial smears.
7. Explain the differences between primary, selective, and indicator media
8. Describe the clinical significance for the identification of Group A Streptococcus
9. Describe methods used to identify Group A Streptococcus.
10. Explain the functions of the parasitology laboratory and how to prepare a specimen for examination
11. Describe procedures for collecting, storing, and processing specimens used for the identification of parasites
12. Name the major morphological parasite groups.

Identify the basic processes of the body and how they are evaluated in the clinical laboratory department of chemistry and immunology.

1. Describe qualitative, semi qualitative, and quantitative methods of analysis
2. Explain the significance or function of each of the constituents commonly included in chemistry panels.
3. Describe methods of collection and processing specimens in chemistry.
4. Identify basic principles of instrumentation in chemistry.
5. Describe the structure of an immunoglobulin molecule.
6. Name the five immunoglobulin classes and give characteristics of each.
7. Explain the principle of agglutination and how it is used in the laboratory.
8. Explain the cause of infectious mononucleosis (IM) and clinical symptoms associated with IM.
9. Explain the significance of rheumatoid factors.

Perform and validate results for assays performed in the clinical laboratory 
section of hematology.

1. Perform and validate results for the determination of hemoglobin.
2. Perform and validate results for the spun hematocrit.
3. Prepare and stain blood smears for differentiation of blood cells.
4. Prepare and stain blood smears for reticulocyte counts.
5. Perform and validate results for the ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).

Perform and validate results for selected assays performed in the clinical laboratory section of coagulation

1. Perform and validate results for the prothrombin time (PT) to include the calculation of the INR (international normalization ratio)
2. Perform and validate results for the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)

Safely perform and validate CLIA waived lab assays for urinalysis.

1. Demonstrate the proper use of the refractometer when measuring the specific gravity of urine.
2. Perform a physical analysis of urine.
3. Perform the chemical analysis of urine
4. Interpret and validate results for the chemical analysis of urine.
5. Use a reagent strip reader to analyze urine specimens
6. Perform the copper reduction test – Clinitest.
7. Perform confirmatory tests for protein and bilirubin.
8. Perform a test for fecal occult blood.
9. Perform a urine HCG.

Safely perform and validate CLIA waived lab assays for microbiology.

1. Perform the gram stain
2. Use safety precautions when performing the Gram stain.
3. Use the microscope to identify Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.
4. Demonstrate the use of aseptic techniques during bacteriological procedures.
5. Demonstrate the methods used to inoculate different forms of media.
6. Interpret the results of a throat culture
7. Perform a urine culture for a colony count.
8. Perform the catalase and coagulase tests
9. Perform an antibiotic susceptibility test to determine minimum inhibitory concentration.

Safely perform and validate CLIA waived lab assays performed in immunology and clinical chemistry

1. Perform a qualitative and/or semi-quantitative latex agglutination test and interpret the results.
2. Prepare serial dilutions
3. Use the spectrophotometer to demonstrate Beers Law.
4. Perform point -of-care chemistry procedures including maintenance and calibration of equipment as assigned by the instructor.