|
The
Field
Clinical
laboratory scientists perform scientific, fast-finding tests in the
medical laboratory that help track down the cause and cure of disease.
They are the top-level laboratory workers - the supervisors, the
specialists, the teachers - for a wide range of complex tests essential
to diagnostic and treatment procedures. Some of the roles and
responsibilities of this profession and the specialty areas of the
medical laboratories where they function include:
- Blood Banks -
identify blood groups and match blood samples to determine and verify
the final cross-match for blood transfusions.
- Hematology -
examine the blood for such diseases as anemia, hemophilia, and
leukemia.
- Microbiology -
culture microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans) to
identify disease - causing organisms, then perform tests to help
determine the most effective antibiotic.
- Clinical
Chemistry - determine the presence and quantity of chemical substances
in the blood, urine, and other body fluids to diagnose a variety of
illnesses - including diabetes and kidney and liver disorders.
Undergraduate
Program
This innovative
program combines basic biomedical sciences with health professional
training. The curriculum leads to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
degree. During the first three years, the emphasis is on general
education and basic courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and
physics necessary as background in the applied sciences. Pre-clinical
coursework includes courses taught in the new Oh Family Clinical
Laboratory, and an internship at the state-of-the art URI Health
Services Laboratory. The clinical courses of the senior year are taught
off campus by the staffs of the affiliated hospital schools of clinical
laboratory science.
The senior year is a 12-month program of study and starts soon after
completion of the third year of the curriculum, in August. It is taken
at one of the following hospitals: Miriam Hospital, Rhode Island
Hospital, and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, which are in Providence,
within about 30 miles from the Kingston campus. The clinical program
includes lectures and laboratory instruction in the various areas of
clinical laboratory science and prepares the student for the national
certification examinations. Students majoring in Clinical Laboratory
Science must complete a minimum of 130 credits of coursework, including
36 credits of clinical laboratory science courses. Upon completion,
graduates are eligible to sit for the ASCP and NCA examinations and
licencure by the Rhode Island Department of Health, and comparative
agencies in other states.
Students may
enter the Undergraduate Clinical Laboratory Science Program directly
from high school. It is advisable to have taken biology, chemistry,
physics, and mathematics in high school. Students at other colleges and
universities, those with an associate's degree in clinical laboratory
technology, and those who have medical laboratory training from the
military, may transfer into the program. Transfer credits will be
determined on an individual basis.
Courses
Freshman Year
Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Science
General Chemistry
General Biology
Mathematics and Computer Science
General Education Courses
Sophomore Year
Introductory Hematology and Clinical Chemistry
Introductory Microbiology
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Organic Chemistry
General Physics
General Education Courses
Junior Year
Introductory Clinical Microbiology
Immunology
Medical Microbiology
Biochemistry
Education
Statistics
Electives
Senior Year
Clinical Microbiology I and II
Clinical Chemistry I and II
Immunohematology I and II
Hematology I and II
Molecular Pathology
Clinical Immunology
Professional Issues
Options
Flexibility in the curriculum permits the student to fulfill
requirements for a degree in another major such as microbiology,
biology, or related health sciences. A popular combination is a
bachelor's degree in microbiology with the hospital internship taken as
a fifth year of study.
Career
Opportunities
Job availability in the profession is usually extensive, and it is
increasing. A recent report issued by the United States Department of
Labor indicates an increasing demand for professionals in all area of
health care, including clinical laboratory science. Graduates of the
program have an opportunity for careers in clinical practice,
laboratory supervision and management, health regulatory agencies,
sales and technical representation for scientific equipment companies,
research, and education.
Further
Studies
The undergraduate program provides an excellent basis for students
planning to pursue graduate education, particularly in programs leading
to advanced degrees in science, medicine, education, or business.
Recent placements of graduates have been at Georgetown Dental School,
Tufts Medical School, Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine, Brown
Medical School, and University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
|
|
