Clinical Experiential Description

The Wayne State University Undergraduate Professional Program in Clinical Laboratory Science / Medical Technology requires a clinical experiential in all areas of the clinical laboratory to earn the B.S. degree in Clinical Laboratory Science / Medical Technology.

The Wayne State University Post-Graduate Certificate Program in Clinical Laboratory Science / Medical Technology requires that B. S. credentialed candidates successfully complete the full clinical experiential in addition to any additional coursework that may be needed to qualify for the ASCP national registry examination.

The Clinical Experiential is scheduled for a period of six month, usually commencing in January and ending in June of the calendar year. Exceptions may be made.

Students will spend a scheduled amount of time in the following disciplines: Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, and experience hands-on training in each department following the prescribed list of clinical diagnostic tests and instrument training as provided by Wayne State University faculty.

A Clinical Coordinator, provided by the clinical site, is available at each site to maintain students' schedules, facilitate the educational experience, and answer questions.

WSU provides a Clinical Education Coordinator (Mrs. Jean Garza) who works with each site to standardize the clinical experiences and coordinate all activities.

Each clinical course is available on Blackboard for review, study questions, and final examinations. Practical examinations will be given at the sites by clinical instructors. Materials for the clinical experience will be provided by WSU.

Students will be expected to attend the Clinical Pathology Correlation course twice per month on the WSU campus (or on the web). They are also asked to attend the MSCLS annual convention scheduled every April.

Students will be graded on BOTH the written and the practical examinations, AS WELL AS their professional conduct and personal growth to determine their grades for each segment of the clinical experiential.

The student will perform, in many ways, as an employee of the clinical institution during the clinical experiential. The student will be responsible for maintaining a full work schedule in keeping with the assigned department's work schedule. The student will be responsible for adhering to all rules and policies of the institution throughout the duration of the clinical training. Deviations will count against the student's grades.

Requirements for Clinical Experiential Placement

GPA of 2.5 or greater
Active liability insurance
Hepatitis B vaccination
Pass the clinical institution physical exam

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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CLINICAL EXPERIENTIAL

The goal of the Clinical Experiential segment of the CLS/MT program for both Undergraduate students and Post-Baccalaureate students is to complete the preparation of the didactically prepared student in every way to meet the full professional requirements of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist / Medical Technologist. It is expected that upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to:

1. Perform routine and complex analyses requiring work with a number of variables, fine line discrimination of several items, the use and maintenance of complicated instruments, and apply computer technology in clinical laboratory data processing and information retrieval.

2. Recognize a problem or discrepancy in test results, identify the cause, and determine what action, if any, should be taken to correct the situation.

3. Prepare criteria and strategies which would assist subordinates and co-workers in solving anticipated problems and routine decisions.

4. Maintain a high standard of ethical behavior, being willing to discharge all duties with accuracy, thoughtfulness, and care. Recognize that all patient knowledge is confidential, and that personal integrity, and that of the profession, must be pledged to the absolute reliability of one's work.

5. Communicate intelligently with all patients, other lay individuals, physicians, and other health professionals regarding all phases of the laboratory operation at its several interfaces with the public, and with others on the health care team.

6. Use basic management skills to work with others and be accountable for all work performed.

7. Actively participate in continuing education programs.

8. Be active in professional organizational and community affairs for the continuing improvement of health care.

Clinical Experience Service Work Policy

At no time during the clinical experiential may students be substituted for regular staff in order to assume their responsibilities. During the regularly scheduled clinical experience hours, students may perform procedures or be responsible for a workstation after the objectives for those procedure or for that area of the laboratory have been successfully completed. These responsibilities will be performed under the supervision of a clinical instructor.

Students, during their clinical experience, may voluntarily work for the clinical affiliates if service work is permitted by the affiliate and a position is available. Students must be progressing satisfactorily in the clinical experience in order to be hired and remain employed. Service work must not be performed during scheduled clinical experience hours. Students may perform such work in an area of the laboratory they have successfully completed with a grade of "C" or better. Service work may not interfere with a student's satisfactory progression in the clinical experience. Student must be compensated and must follow the employment policies of the institution.

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EVALUATION OF A CLINICAL SITE

The Site Visit

Clinical affiliates are happy to provide a tour and visit at each institution at which you are interested. The site visits are conducted at the end of Winter term, prior to the beginning of the clinical experience which starts the following January.

The Junior Class Representative is asked to compile the Site Visit Request Forms from all students, and to provide a list of interested students for each site to the Program Director and Clinical Coordinator. After review, the Junior Class Representative will be given contact information and asked to arrange the site visits for the interested students.

Only ONE visit per site will be arranged. It is the student's responsibility to be available for the site visit.

Students are expected to arrive promptly, be courteous, and ask appropriate questions.

How to Evaluate a Clinical Site

Students should analyze each site in a comparative manner. Each site has unique capabilities and should be evaluated with respect to the student's career goals. Consider:

1. Proximity to the clinical site. You will have long hours and will not want a commute.

2. Size of the institution and experiences available.

3. Number of students - will you be in a group or have individual attention?

4. Is there a stipend? Do you have to pay tuition?
5. Employee morale, and employee interest in students.

The Match Program

How the Clinical Site Chooses a Student

Each clinical site that the student visits will receive a "Student Interest Form" that the student has prepared. The clinical site is also apprised of the student's GPA and transcript information.

When the student goes on a site visit, the clinical site will be evaluating you and your potential "fit" into both their educational program and your potential fit as an employee into their organization. Remember, the sites are interested in training future employees, as well as supporting the profession.

The deportment of the student on a site visit should be equivalent to that of an employee searching for a job. Be on time, be respectful, show interest, exhibit knowledge about the organization you are visiting.

After the site visit, the clinical site will be asked to to a brief evaluation of the students and either recommend or not recommend placement at their respective institution.

How WSU Matches a Student to the Clinical Site

Every consideration is given to the preferences of first - the clinical site requests and second - the requirements of the student, when matching students for their clinical experiential.

At times, there may be difficulties or special needs when matching the preferences of the clinical sites and the students. If this occurs, the faculty of the CLS/MT department will make every effort to work with the participating clinical affiliates to meet the needs of the students. Final decisions are mutually agreed upon between the clinical site and the Program Director.

Clinical Experience Placement Policy

Students are admitted into the WSU CLS/MT Professional Program in Clinical Laboratory Science and Cytotechnology with the understanding that they will be granted a clinical experience upon successful completion of the required academic coursework and demonstration of acceptable laboratory skills.

Every effort will be made to assure the admitted student of clinical experience within the capabilities of the university. WSU cannot assure that events beyond the control of the university, such as natural disasters, labor disputes, war, etc. might not prevent completion of a clinical internship by a student.

Students who do not complete an assigned clinical rotation due to unforeseen circumstances, such as health problems, will be given the opportunity to complete their clinical experience at the discretion of the CLS department faculty.

Students who do not complete an assigned clinical rotation due to poor performance are eligible to reapply for the program only once.

Students admitted into the Cytogenetics program are NOT guaranteed a clinical placement, but will be in competition with other students from other universities for the clinical opportunities that are available.