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Medical Laboratory Assistant

Program Courses

Orientation and Student Success Skills
This course will provide a comprehensive orientation to Stenberg College and the program you have enrolled in. As with all new things, there will be some challenges to overcome; however, with this course, you will become familiar with your new environment and the resources available for your use. You will gain effective learning and study strategies; become familiar with course and research online resources; enhance reading and writing skills; participate in activities to increase self-awareness, communication, and accountability; and develop teamwork skills.

Keyboarding
Students will be introduced to – and gain skill working in – the Windows environment, as well as Outlook, the Internet, Excel, and PowerPoint. Special emphasis will be placed on using MS Word proficiently. Students will also enhance their typing proficiency in this course by completing daily typing tutorials.

To maintain and exceed the high typing standards set by the pre-requisites for this program (40wpm) and to expand the variety of employment opportunities upon graduation, students will be tested on their typing skills at key points during the program. Students are encouraged to practice their keyboarding using the Cortez Peters Program outside of their regular classroom hours in our computer labs and/or on other campus computers.

Computer Fundamentals
You'll be introduced to – and gain skill working in –the Windows environment including Outlook, Internet Explorer, and Excel. Special emphasis will be placed on using MS Word proficiently.

Medical Terminology
This intensive, fast paced course is an introduction to the world of medical terminology and is designed to provide the foundation for all subsequent courses. You'll become familiar with various medical word parts, build fluency in the pronunciation and spelling of these parts and learn to build and break down medical terms to determine meaning. Understanding the language of medicine is essential for all healthcare professionals to be able to function effectively and safely in a health care environment. Students will also gain a general introduction to each of the body systems, developing a foundation in body systems terminology which will be built upon in subsequent program coursework.

Anatomy & Physiology/Pathology Fundamentals
Building upon the foundations developed in Medical Terminology / Intro to A & P, this course will develop students understanding of anatomy and physiology with emphasis on those body systems relevant to medical laboratory assistant practice. Students will also learn about diseases and common tests related to the body systems.

Medical Lab Communications & Patient Care
Participants will explore principles of communication and have the opportunity to engage in skill practice. Students will participate in exercises designed to increase their awareness of self and others. Students will develop effective oral, written and patient care and communication skills. This module discusses the professional behavior and uses specific examples that pertain to the MLA. It also describes the health care organization and the duties of the team members in the various departments. Students will become accustomed with the role of the MLA in providing professional patient/customer service learning how to use outstanding interpersonal skills. This module will teach the cardiovascular system, the components of the blood and the commonly used veins in phlebotomy. Lab structure and the commonly performed tests in each department will be discussed. Quality assurance and improvement as applied to the MLA will be briefly discussed along with the ethical, legal and regulatory issues. Students will learn basic laboratory terminology and measurements. Upon completion of this course the student will have a conceptual context and foundation to proceed to the Med Laboratory Procedures Module.

Medical Lab Procedures
This module focuses on the human anatomy and physiology giving attention to the different systems in the human body and the laboratory tests that aid in the diagnosis of disorder allowing the MLA to become familiar with the common diagnostics tests ordered for each of the different disease states. The cardiovascular system and the vascular system will be reviewed. The importance of documentation and the delivery methods of specimens in the health care organization will be discussed in this module. This module emphasizes on the successful completion of 75 blood draws and 10 micro-collections including capillary blood gases and PKU collection. The latest safety supplies and phlebotomy equipment will be will be utilized. All aspects of phlebotomy are the highlight of this module such as:

• The venipuncture, capillary, neonatal, pediatric and elderly
• Blood collection equipment
• Documentation, specimen handling and transportation
• Preanalytical complications in blood collection
• Point of care testing
• Urinalysis, body fluids and other specimens for laboratory evaluation
• Obtaining blood pressure (via the stethoscope method), height, weight, and pulse
• Medical history collection
• Forensic toxicology, workplace testing, sports medicine, and related areas
• Specimen handling and processing
• Microbiology and culture plating techniques
• Computerization in health care

Everything learned in the course is connected to anatomy and physiology, and the body systems with emphasis on the diagnostic tests of each system. Upon completion of this course the student will have a conceptual context and a solid foundation to proceed to the practicum and will have completed 75 successful blood draws and 10 micro-collections (including capillary blood gases and PKU collection).

Pre-Analytical Procedures and Microbiology
This course will address pre and post analytical procedures and processing and referral procedures required for the medical laboratory assistant to function proficiently in the front end of a medical laboratory environment. Topics covered include: labelling, requisitions, phone protocol, quality control management, packaging, inventory control, ordering of supplies as well as healthcare information systems. Students will also become competent in the specific preanalytical procedures for microbiology lab set-up.

Medical Lab Procedures-ECG
Students will review the anatomy of the heart and be introduced to the electrical conductive system of the heart. Students will learn procedures that will enable them to use, maintain and analyze electrocardiogram tracings of 12/15 lead electrocardiograms. Emphasis will be put on the theory and practice of correct application, including skin preparation and electrode application and activation. Troubleshooting will also be addressed. Students will also learn about ambulatory EGC monitoring (holter) and be able to identify indications to rule out arrhythmias. Focus will be placed on how to disconnect holters and care for equipment.

Career Search Strategies
This course is offered in a combined online and classroom delivery format. Students learn to network effectively (online and in person), to search and apply for jobs and to prepare targeted resumes and cover letters. Students are also provided with coaching and individualized instructor feedback on their resume, cover letter, and interview skills. 

Practicum Preparation / CPR-HCP-AED
In preparation for their consolidated practice experience, students will also complete Health Care Provider CPR and First Aid in preparation for placement in their practicum.

Consolidated Practice Experience
Students will perform phlebotomy, electrocardiography and specimen collection skills in a real laboratory setting. Students should be prepared to accept a practicum placement anywhere in British Columbia in a variety of settings.

Additional Certification(s)

The program also includes essential industry-related training and certification in:

CPR/HCP/AED
You'll receive Red Cross First Aid Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Health Care Provider (HCP) and Automated External Defibrillation (AED). This industry standard certification is valid for three years.

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
WHMIS provides information about materials in the workplace that can be hazardous, such as cleaning agents, compressed gases and flammable materials. Becoming WHMIS certified will demonstrate the ability to identify hazardous materials and handle them properly.

Personal & Professional Development Skills Certificate
Responding carefully to the needs of today's employers, a series of Personal and Professional Development Workshops have been integrated throughout the program to develop critical thinking and soft skills. Workshops include Giving and Receiving Feedback, Conflict Resolution, Active Listening, Providing Quality Service and Building Rapport, Leadership, and Employability Skills.

Provincial Violence Prevention Certification
The Provincial Violence Prevention Training Curriculum will teach you to recognize and respond to violent situations and learn about different types of violence and strategies for dealing with the risks in a variety of health care contexts. The Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum has been developed by a team of experts from Worksafe BC, the Occupational Health & Safety Agency for health care in BC, as well as BC health authorities and healthcare unions. This training and certification is offered in collaboration with Fraser Health Authority.