MLT210

Overview of laboratory services, laboratory professionals, and the role of a medical laboratory technician. An understanding of health care reform, reimbursement, cost analysis, coding, credentialing, accreditation, and regulatory agencies is included. Emphasis is on process improvement, laboratory mathematics, statistics, documentation, medico-legal implications, education, management and personnel, and specimen integrity. Additional focus is on application of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical principles, infection control, and laboratory safety. Also covered is recognition of acceptable quality control and quality management principles, phlebotomy principles, and lab equipment, glassware, labware, and water purification. Additional topics are information systems and information management in laboratories, the importance of professional growth, communicating with the patient and public, ethical conduct and medical laboratory technician terminology. Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Medical Laboratory Science program and permission of Program Director.