Goals and Competencies

Goals

• To provide the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Mayo Clinic with "entry-level" allied health staff trained in the profession of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS).
• To prepare MLS graduates for entry into the workforce in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Mayo Clinic in both Rochester, Minnesota and Jacksonville, Florida.
• To assure that entry-level practitioners of MLS are adequately trained in the following areas of laboratory medicine; clinical microbiology, hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, renal-analysis, clinical immunology, molecular diagnostics, phlebotomy, quality control, quality assurance, and laboratory management.
• To assure that entry-level practitioners of MLS are adequately prepared to withstand the pressures of the job including the ability to multi-task, maintain stability under pressure, and work accurately and efficiently.
• To assure that our graduates enter the work force with a strong understanding of "professionalism" as demonstrated by; their ability to work with a diverse group of individuals; participate as team-members towards the overall goals of the system; maintain competency in their field of study through board examination certification and maintenance; and by participation in professional societies and regular attendance at continuing education programs.
• To provide an educational clinical laboratory rotation experience that builds upon their academic education.
• To provide instruction and evaluation based on identified competencies and content of the medical laboratory science discipline.
• To provide student(s) with adequate knowledge and background experience to qualify for national certification examinations appropriate to their level of training.

Competencies

• Professional knowledge
  • Explain the principles underlying clinical laboratory testing, including the pathological indications for performing specific laboratory tests.
  • Understand quality system planning, including quality control and method validation, as applied to the laboratory setting.
  • Interpret a wide array of patient laboratory values and note when values are abnormal or erroneous.
  • Interpret and understand new protocols, technologies and advances in the field in order to practice and respond to evidence-based changes in clinical laboratory science.
• Professional skills
  • Perform a wide variety of laboratory tests from low to high-complexity.
  • Troubleshoot laboratory assays, identifying and correcting potential problems.
  • Correlate clinical laboratory results with differential diagnoses.
  • Demonstrate safe working practices and recognize patient samples as valuable extensions of the patient, placing the needs of the patient first.
  • Perform quality control of patient laboratory tests and apply quality assurance methodology to assure accuracy of laboratory testing.
  • Communicate patient test results clearly and accurately to clinicians.
  • Perform work efficiently and accurately under the pressure of time constraints and be able to multi-task.
• Professional attitudes, behaviors and cultural competencies
  • Adhere to the student policies of the MLS Program and the Mayo School of Health Sciences.
  • Display professionalism in communication and dress, and show respect for colleagues and superiors.
  • Demonstrate tolerance and establish effective working relationships with others from diverse backgrounds, including age, race, and gender.
  • Work effectively as a team member or independently, as required to accomplish the goals of the work unit (laboratory).
  • Demonstrate advocacy in the field of laboratory medicine, seeking to engage in activities that help to increase the awareness, status and quality of the MLS profession.
  • Value self-directed learning, maintain board certification, and participate in on-going continuing education to increase and update knowledge of laboratory medicine.

• Nov 21, 2012
• ART381386