2011-2012 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2011-2012 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Allied Health Education - Clinical Laboratory Assistant Certificate


See program requirement sheet. 

The Clinical Laboratory Assistant Program is designed to prepare students for entry level positions in the clinical laboratory. These entry level positions include employment in medical centers, outpatient laboratories, research facilities, and doctor offices. Students are trained in all aspects of the clinical laboratory including, the skill of phlebotomy, waived testing, specimen processing, data entry, laboratory safety, result retrieval, quality control, laboratory billing, basic microbiology, and transfusion support services.

Upon completing AHE 141  and AHE 143 , students within this program will be eligible for ASCP certification and licensing as a Health Care Assistant “A” (WA State). The knowledge, skills, and abilities in this program were designed based on the standards defined by NAACLS and ASCP.

Graduation Application A completed Graduation Application form must be submitted to Enrollment Services by the 10th day of the quarter in which the student expects to graduate. Forms are available online or at Enrollment Services located in Lynnwood Hall.

Students are advised to:

  • Plan their schedule several quarters in advance in order to accommodate courses that are offered only once or twice a year,
  • Review the college catalog for required course prerequisites and include these in schedule planning, and
  • Communicate with a faculty adviser.
Advisers  
Erika Ferreri erika.ferreri@edcc.edu
Connie Lockwood connie.lockwood@edcc.edu
Elizabeth Patterson elizabeth.patterson@edcc.edu
   
Department website
www.edcc.edu/ahe
   

Credit/Grade Requirements This Certificate requires successful completion of a minimum of 26 credits as outlined. A minimum of one-third of the required credits must be earned at Edmonds Community College. Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in all college-level courses. Students who wish to waive AHE 141 , either through transfer credits or work experience, must receive instructor permission.

Prerequisites Proof of completion of the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of 2.0 or equivalent is required to enroll in the certificate classes. Course substitutions are allowed. Students with previous healthcare training may be able to waive prerequisites on adviser approval. Students must see their Allied Health program adviser to complete this process.

SPECIAL NOTES
Criminal background checks are required for all Allied Health programs. Students should be aware that certain gross misdemeanors and felonies may disqualify them from participating in clinical externships and unable to complete their certificate. Future employment opportunities in the health care field may also be affected. Students may request their background check from the Washington State Patrol (small fee required); students are encouraged to meet with an adviser if the background check reveals any activity that might disqualify them from the externship.

Summary of Occupational Exposure Students planning to enter the Clinical Laboratory Assistant program or any of the modules contained within the program need to know that, as a health care provider, they are at risk for exposure to blood borne pathogens. Tasks and procedure performed by the health care professional involve risks classified by the Center for Disease Control in the following ways:

• Category I – Direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids to which universal precautions apply
• Category II – Activities performed without blood exposure but exposure may occur in emergencies
• Category III – Task/activity does not entail predictable or unpredictable exposure to blood

College Resources:  
Edmonds CC website www.edcc.edu
How to enroll www.edcc.edu/es
Transfer center www.edcc.edu/transfer
Advising appointments 425.640.1458
College bookstore www.edcc.edu/bookstore
   

Note: This requirement planning sheet is not a substitute for meeting with an academic adviser. Meeting the requirements to graduate with an Edmonds Community College degree or certificate is ultimately the responsibility of the student.

PGM Code – 314C
Effective summer 2011 | Rev: 02/11

Certificate Prerequisites


The Clinical Laboratory Assistant certificate requires the following prerequisites (minimum 17 credits) before beginning any of the certifications. Substitutions are allowed and students with previous health care training may be able to waive prerequisites on adviser approval.

Certificate Requirements (26 credits):


Note:


* These electives meet prerequisite requirements for RN programs and may have prerequisite requirement of their own.

Certificate Outcomes


Students completing this certificate will be able to:

  • Define the role of the clinical assistant in the healthcare delivery system.
  • Effectively use common medical terminology.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of infection control and safety procedures.
  • Follow standard operating procedures to collect specimens.
  • Prepare blood and body fluid specimens for analysis according to standard operating procedures.
  • Prepare/reconstitute reagents, standards and controls according to standard operating procedures.
  • Perform appropriate tests at the clinical assistant level, according to standard operating procedures.
  • Perform and record vital sign measurements.
  • Follow established quality control protocols.
  • Communicate (verbally and non-verbally) effectively and appropriately in the workplace.
  • Use information systems necessary to accomplish job functions.
  • Perform blood draws in compliance with National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) requirements, CLSI standards (Clinical Laboratory Science Institute), with the knowledge to pass the ASCP (American Society of Clinical Pathologists) national exam, and with consideration of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) mandates.
  • Use critical thinking and problem solving appropriately in the role of a clinical lab assistant.
  • Demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail in the role of a clinical lab assistant.