Laboratory Competency

FOR ONLINE STUDENTS

Our online programs require a laboratory component to meet our department's standards in Medical Laboratory Sciences education.

Most of the Medical Laboratory Sciences online theory courses have two major components:

1. The didactic "lecture" content. This is delivered online using various instructional approaches; and
2. The laboratory component. This is to be completed concurrently with the class in the laboratory where you are employed, or where you have found clinical support. In either scenario, please be sure to visit and submit a Statement of Support with your application.

A detailed list of laboratory competencies is provided for each course listed below. With the laboratory setting you have chosen, you will work closely with a mentor who has agreed to be available to answer questions, evaluate core laboratory competencies, and assist you as needed. Laboratory competencies should not be performed during your working hours, but on your own time off the time clock.

The role of the mentor is not to serve as a full-time clinical instructor. Various mentors may be utilized depending on the size of the laboratory. At the end of each course, the mentor provides the department with a completed competency list, including comments on your performance.

LABORATORY COURSE COMPETENCY CHECKLISTS

These checklists include information for each required laboratory component and additional information regarding laboratory hours and securing a laboratory space off campus. For assistance accessing these PDFs, email mls@weber.edu.

Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate 

• MLS 1010: Core Clinical Laboratory Skills (PDF)

Associate of Applied Science Degrees

• MLS 1113: Introduction to Medical Laboratory Practices (PDF)
• MLS 1114: Principles of Hematology & Hemostasis (PDF)
• MLS 2210: Principles of Clinical Immunohematology (PDF)
• MLS 2211: Principles of Clinical Chemistry I (PDF)
• MLS 2212: Principles of Clinical Microbiology I (PDF)
• MLS 2213: Principles of Clinical Chemistry II (PDF)
• MLS 2214: Principles of Clinical Microbiology II (PDF)

Bachelor of Science Degrees

• MLS 3310: Advance Immunohematology (PDF)
• MLS 3313: Advanced Hematology & Hemostasis (PDF)
• MLS 3314: Advanced Chemistry (PDF)
• MLS 3316: Advanced Clinical Microbiology & Molecular Diagnostics (PDF)

In addition to these courses there are several other bachelor of science program courses that require students to complete project-based assignments in the laboratory that may require QA/QC material. These courses do not have competency checklists or a minimum clinical hour requirement; however, access to laboratory supplies and documents may be required. 

Post-Bacc Technologist Certificates

• Microbiology: MLS 5204: Supervised Clinical Experience (PDF)
• Blood Banking: MLS 5304 Clinical Rotation in Immunohematology (PDF)

REQUIRED LABORATORY HOURS

Students enrolled in this program may (depending on the program of choice) complete various projects emphasizing workload recording, test method validation, procedure manual evaluation, CAP and CLIA requirements, and instrument selection.

To complete these projects, the student will need access to procedure manuals, laboratory data, instrument validation data, and (on occasion) utilize laboratory instruments from the supporting facility. Students should NOT work on these projects as a part of their regular work duties.

Minimum clinical competency hours required for each Weber State University Medical Laboratory Sciences course: the hours listed are a minimum and that the goal of the clinical experience is for the laboratory mentor to feel comfortable with the student's performance at the entry level. Students must pass the competency checklist in order to be deemed competent and pass their courses. If more time is needed than the minimum, the student should expect to spend additional time.