I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Laboratory Techniques I

2. Course Prefix & Number:
MEDA 1120

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the clinical lab setting, including lab safety, glassware, weights, measurements, quality control and quality assurance. Basic testing techniques in chemistry, immunology, microbiology and simple hematology will be studied. The students will also learn to maintain the instruments and records for instruments used in this testing and create patient reports for this testing.

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Name of Institution	Course Number and Title	Credits
Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount	MDAS 1124 Laboratory Skills I	4
Anoka Technical College, Anoka	MAST 1025 Laboratory I	4

2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Medical Assistant, Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills	Provide appropriate explanation of laboratory testing collection procedures to patients.
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Complete a laboratory requisition; including reviewing the initial order, obtaining and processing the specimen, and completing paperwork using correct documentation.
Utilize appropriate technology	Demonstrate the ability to correctly perform laboratory tests using appropriate laboratory equipment.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

Expected Outcome	MnTC Goal Area
Apply principles of standard precautions and infection control.
Analyze the rationale behind proper patient preparation before laboratory testing.
Correctly perform all required waived laboratory procedures to assist with diagnosis and treatment.
Compare the normal versus abnormal values of all laboratory test parameters.
Compare and contrast the cross cultural concerns between patients and healthcare providers.
Determine the need for accurate documentation and reporting.
Adapt what is said to the recipient’s level of comprehension.
Differentiate between a professional attitude and unprofessional attitude.
Determine the role of HIPAA in patient privacy.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Safety and Regulatory Guidelines in the Medical Laboratory
• Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988
• OSHA Regulations
• Cumulative Trauma Disorders
2. Introduction to the Medical Laboratory
• The Laboratory
• Billing for Laboratory Service
• Quality Control/Assurance in the Laboratory
• Specimen Collection
• Laboratory Requisitions and Reports
• Microscopes
3. Urinalysis
• Urine Formation
• Urine Composition
• Quality Control and Safety
• Urine Containers
• Urine Collection
• Examination of Urine
• Drug Screening
4. Specialty Laboratory Tests
• Urine Pregnancy Tests
• Infectious Mononucleosis
• Blood Typing
• Semen Analysis
• Phenylketonuria Test
• Tuberculosis
• Blood Glucose
• Cholesterol and Lipids
• Blood Chemistry Tests

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

The laboratory sessions will involve practice and production of required work products to demonstrate proficiency of required competencies/skills related to the above outlined topics.

1. I. Safety and Regulatory Guidelines in the Medical Laboratory
• Fire Safety – Handling fire extinguishers
• Extinguishing fires
• Quality Control of Instruments
• Calibration 
• Control Sample Testing
• Proficiency Testing
2. Introduction to the Medical Laboratory
• Using the Microscope
• Collecting Specimens
• Processing Specimens
• Preparing Laboratory Requisitions
3. Urinalysis
• Assessing Urine Volume, Color and Clarity
• Using the Refractometer to Measure Specific Gravity
• Performing a Urinalysis Chemical Examination
• Preparing Slides for Microscopic Examination of Urine Sediment
• Performing a Complete Urinalysis
• Utilizing a Urine Transport System for C & S
• Instructing a Patient in the Collection of a Clean-Catch Midstream Urine Specimen
4. Special Laboratory Tests
• Pregnancy Test
• Performing Infectious Mononucleosis Test
• Obtaining Blood Specimen for Phenylketonuria Test
• Screening Test for PKU 
• Measurement of Blood Glucose Using an Automated Analyzer
• Cholesterol Testing