Courses

The program accepts 8 students each year. The 52 week program begins the end of August, with a week of orientation. The

students will spend 15 weeks in student lab in a series of pre-clinical segments. They then enter the clinical lab. During a typical

day the students begin at 6:30 A. M. and either collect blood samples on the floors or learn startup procedures in the laboratory.

From 7:30 A.M. until 1:45 P.M., they learn practical and theoretical information in a designated department. This time includes

coffee breaks and half an hour for lunch. Students attend lectures or review sessions from 2:00 to 3:00 P.M. Students are

given the majority of weekends off. The students get two weeks of vacation including a week at Christmas and a week

in the spring. Seven holidays are observed. Students attend the spring state ASCLS (American Society for Clinical Laboratory

A student manual is used in each department and includes behavioral objectives, assignments, some procedures, reading lists,

Detailed course objectives are found in each manual. The orientation manual includes rules and regulations, probation/dismissal

Counseling sessions with the program directors are held three times a year and whenever problems arise.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Orientation ( 1 week ) BIOL 414 1 credit

This week includes tours of the hospitals, review of rules and regulations, schedules, microscope workshop, PPD testing, infection control, safety,

pre-tests etc. The probation/dismissal policies, as well as the rules and regulations of the clinical year and the appeals process are given to all

students during Orientation. Upon completion of the 4 days, a quiz is given over the material covered to ascertain that every one has completely

understood what will be required during the year.

Phlebotomy (ongoing) BIOL 414 1 credit

Phlebotomy includes lectures and demonstrations of proper venipuncture (blood-drawing) techniques. A manual is provided and practical

experience is acquired under direct supervision. After a student has passed an initial check list, experience is then gained through daily practice.

During the learning process advanced techniques will be taught. A comprehensive exam will be given after about five months of training.

An advanced check-list will be provided and will be due near the end of the year. At the completion of the internship year a final check-out

will be observed and an evaluation form will be filled out on each student.

Pre-clinical

A preclinical segment is taught in the student laboratory before the students go to the hematology and chemistry departments. Hematology-coagulation

basics are taught for two weeks and chemistry basics, pre-instrumentation, lab math and urinalysis basics for the remaining two weeks.

Mycology / Parasitology ( 4 weeks ) BIOL 416 3 credits

Mycology : Students study the medically important fungi. Culture and identification methods are covered in the student laboratory using

stock-cultures. Extensive use of kodachromes and a slide collection allows for observation of unusual fungi. Parasitology: All medically

important protozoans and helminths are discussed. Laboratory procedures include concentration methods and staining techniques in the

student lab. Extensive use is made of kodachromes, a slide collection and preserved fecal specimens.

Clinical Microbiology ( 10 weeks ) BIOL 423 - 4 credits / BIOL 424 - 3 credits

A study of microorganisms, both normal flora and pathogens is undertaken. The laboratories include means of isolation, identification, susceptibility

testing, anaerobic bacteria, virology (Herpes culture) and isolation of Mycobacteria.

Hematology ( 8 weeks ) BIOL 417 5 credits

This course consists of the study of the formed elements of the blood as seen normally and in the disease states. This includes manual

techniques and automated methods. Included in the course is the study of anemia and Red Blood Cell disorders, leukemia and other

White Blood Cell disorders as well as bone marrow interpretation. Extensive use of kodachromes and slide collections aid in disease correlation.

Urinalysis ( 2 weeks ) BIOL 418 3 credits

This course includes macroscopic and biochemical analysis, microscopic analysis and special procedures. Correlation of laboratory results

to clinical conditions is stressed. Kodachromes are utilized for clarification and unusual sediment findings.

This department covers clinical bleeding and clotting problems and consists of routine procedures as well as special procedures such as platelet

Basic principles taught in college immunology are reviewed and their clinical application stressed. This student lab course emphasizes the

principles of test methods such as agglutination, IFA, EIA, etc. as it applies to serological diagnosis. Infectious disease serology is stressed,

Students learn immunohematology principles and procedures in the hospital blood bank laboratories. Unlike larger hospitals that have student

facilities in a large centralized blood center, our students receive individual instruction and hands-on experience including cross-matching.

Emphasis is placed on case studies and problem solving. Students also spend time at the American Red Cross observing donor blood collection.

Clinical Chemistry (12 weeks) CHEM 425 - 4 credits / CHEM 426 - 4 credits

Topics included in chemistry are: instrumentation, blood gases, electrophoresis, manual chemistries, therapeutic drugs and toxicology,

special chemistry, immunochemistry and quality control. The students are exposed to a variety of instrumentation and are taught basic

troubleshooting. Biochemical, pathological and procedural aspects of each chemical test are discussed.

The week off in the spring is allotted for the time required in the completion of the projects.

Management: Students discuss prospective payments, budgets, purchasing equipment, handling of personnel and other management topics.

Mock laboratory scenarios are completed by the students. These include things like capital

Education: Students discuss educational theory in a lecture series and then put it into practice by teaching a one hour lecture and a two hour

laboratory segment on the department topic of their choice. The students are responsible for writing

objectives, lecture outline, AV materials, designing and carrying out a laboratory experience, testing and evaluating student performance.

Research: Students receive a formal lecture series and then will be assigned mentors who will aid them in the research process for actual clinical application.

Enrichment Sites: Students travel to several local enrichment sites that include Yakima Valley Farm Worker's Clinic, Toppenish Community

Hospital, Sunnyside Community Hospital, Kittitas Valley Community Hospital, Yakima Valley Memorial's NorthStar Lodge, and PAML.

Lectures and review sessions are given daily between 1:00 - 3:00 pm by section heads, registered medical technologists, microbiologists, and

pathologists as well as experts from other allied fields. The grade is based on quizzes given after each set of lectures. Case studies are presented

by the students every other month ( 3 total ) and are graded with the lecture series.

During this week students spend 2 days in Seattle visiting the Puget Sound Blood Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Public Health

Laboratory etc. Another day is spent doing a Job Opportunity experience. This can be either visiting a small rural laboratory, a doctor’s

office laboratory, research lab etc. Students with deficiencies in any department may make up the work during this week. On the last day a

comprehensive final examination similar in scope and number to the certification exam is given and the students are counseled as to their results

Graduation is held on the last Friday of the program and certificates are presented. Program officials, faculty, friends and family are invited.