+ Medical Technology
(Clinical Laboratory Science)

504 Life Sciences Building, 419-372-8109

Certified medical technologists (clinical laboratory scientists) perform tests that aid in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Medical technology is composed of five clinical laboratory sciences: blood banking, clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology and microbiology. Collectively, applications taken from each of these disciplines enable clinicians to make a comprehensive assessment of each patient. Most medical technologists work in laboratories. They may be located in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, research centers, industrial and commercial settings. Medical technologists also work in the areas of biotechnology, toxicology and various specialties such as cytogenetics and transplantation. Medical technologists may pursue careers in laboratory supervision, management, education, customer training or sales (instrumentation, pharmaceuticals and new technology).

Students are encouraged to acquire a liberal arts education during the first three years while completing the prerequisite science courses. The senior year is devoted to professional study and training through lectures, laboratory instruction, seminars and supervised clinical practice at an affiliated hospital laboratory. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a bachelor of science in medical technology and certificate of clinical training, and are eligible to take either of the national certification examinations for medical technologists. The professional studies program in medical technology is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 8410 West Bryn Maur Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631-3415, (773) 714-8880. The major also prepares students for entry into graduate or professional school.

While acceptance to the major may occur at any time, application to professional training is required and is normally submitted during the junior year. Admission is granted to applicants who have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, have completed all major course requirements with a grade of "C" or better and are chosen for a clinical practicum position at one of the program's affiliate hospitals. These positions are assigned at the time of acceptance by a committee of hospital and University representatives. The clinical affiliates of the program include: Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center, Defiance Hospital, Medical College of Ohio, Northwest Ohio Integrated Laboratories, St. Vincent/Mercy Medical Center, St. Rita's Medical Center, Fremont Memorial Hospital, Fulton County Health Center and Wood County Hospital. The professional studies program provides experience in research as well as in clinical practice. As an alternative students may apply for their professional training through an accredited hospital-based program that is affiliated with the University.

Students who enter the major as a freshman should complete the degree in four-and-one-half years. Students who transfer from another university or major may require more time to complete the pre-professional portion.

A grade point average of 2.5 or better must be maintained throughout the professional training program. During professional training no more than one course in which a "D" or "F" has been earned may be repeated. A student may not proceed through the practicum portion until all prerequisites have been completed with a grade of "C" or
better.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in medical technology are expected to:

• Perform routine and complex laboratory procedures (blood banking, clinical chemistry, immunology, hematology and microbiology) accurately;
• Correlate results of laboratory tests to their clinical significance and make appropriate recommendations;
• Perform quality control and assurance procedures, implementing and documenting corrective action as appropriate;
• Recognize unsafe conditions, correct them and encourage others to improve laboratory safety techniques;
• Communicate effectively with physicians, patients and other members of the health care team;
• Meet professional expectations with respect to the code of ethics for medical technologists;
• Critically evaluate new instrumentation and methods, and develop new procedures;
• Read and understand medical literature and critically evaluate research findings.

Sample course plan for University-based program (course sequencing may vary)

• First term
  
  • ENG 111 (3)
  • MATH 122 (5) or 128 or 130 (3)
  • CS 100 (3)
  • CHEM 125 (5)
• Second term
  
  • ENG 112 (3)
  • BIOL 205 (5)
  • CHEM 127, 128 (5)
  • MATH 115 (3)
• Third term
  
  • Science elective (3-5)
  • BIOL 332 (4)
  • Social science elective (3)
  • Cultural diversity in the U.S. (3)
• Fourth term
  
  • Science electives (6-10)
  • BIOL 313 (4)
  • MEDT 201 (1)
  • Humanities and arts elective (3)
• Fifth term
  
  • CHEM 306 or 341 (4-5)
  • Social science elective (3)
  • Science elective (3-4)
  • Humanities and arts elective (3)
• Sixth term
  
  • CHEM 308-309 or 344 (3) and 346 (1)
  • MEDT 411-412 (4)
  • MEDT 434 (3)
  • MEDT 401 (3)
• Professional training
• Seventh term
  
  • Didactic and laboratory courses in clinical laboratory sciences MEDT 413, 414, 421, 422, 435, 451
• Eighth term
  
  • Didactic and laboratory courses in clinical laboratory sciences MEDT 431, 432, 436, 441, 442, 423
• Clinical practicum
• Ninth term—clinical practicum
  
  • As scheduled at one of the clinical affiliates mentioned above MEDT 415, 416, 424, 433, 443, 465, 480
• Students may take CHEM 341-344/346 as physical science/math electives if using CHEM 306-308-309 as program requirements. Students who take CHEM 341-344/346 as program requirements may take 308-309 as physical science electives (but not 306). Students taking both CHEM 306 and 341 may apply credit from one or the other toward the 122-hour graduation requirement.
• Science elective courses (four required)
  • BIOL 331, 350, 405, 407, 408, 421, 426, 438, 439, 443, 449 MATH 131, PUBH 330, CHEM 201, 445, PHYS 201, 202
  • Other courses by departmental approval

With departmental approval students may complete their senior year at an accredited hospital-based training program in medical technology which has an affiliation agreement with BGSU. Courses that comprise the hospital-based program are MEDT 402 through 407.