What To Expect From A Clinical Education Program

The clinical education programs are designed to provide a comprehensive educational experience to prepare individuals for a career in the respective laboratory science professions. Successful completion of the clinical education program enables students to sit for national certification examinations in the respective discipline. The programs include both didactic and practical components. The majority of time during the clinical experience is spent in structured laboratory experiences in the various departments of the laboratories. Additionally students may participate in "enrichment opportunities" in other (collateral) areas of the hospital, or related institutions, depending on the availability of these services and units in a particular program.

The clinical programs generally require the students to be in the hospital 40 hours per week, with additional time needed for homework and study. In addition to learning the technical skills of the individual professions, most programs require students to do homework assignments, take exams, write papers and (for some programs) do research projects.

The exact design of the curriculum and sequencing of subjects will vary among the different professional programs. Most accredited programs typically include:

• Principles of the procedures and instrumentation utilized by that profession
• Clinical significance of the laboratory procedures in the diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases
• Acquisition of critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Principles and practices of safety and quality control specific for that clinical setting
• Applications of laboratory information systems
• Principles of laboratory management and supervision
• Principles of methods of instruction