Program Goals and Competencies

ENTRY LEVEL GOALS

1. To provide students with both academic instruction and professional training in laboratory medicine to meet the employment needs of communities in the State of Maine and beyond.
2. To provide an environment conducive to further developing interest in MLT education by participation in professional organizations and encouraging awareness of changing trends in medical laboratory technology.
3. To produce graduates who will demonstrate the technical skills of an entry-level technician in an ethical and professional manner.
4. To produce skilled laboratorians who:
   • through general and technical education, are qualified to perform with minimal supervision, the tests routinely performed in clinical laboratories,
   • can identify, collect, label, and log in specimens accurately,
   • have a working knowledge of the principles of the tests they are performing,
   • keep accurate and legible records,
   • can communicate reports clearly to fellow medical personnel,
   • correlate laboratory test results with patient diagnosis and treatment,
   • will strive for accuracy in the performance of tests and will make every effort to eliminate error through their ability to recognize irregularities in test results,
   • follow procedures,
   • perform quality assessment within the clinical laboratory; recognize interferences with pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical test factors and take appropriate actions,
   • are skillful in the operation of laboratory instruments,
   • can recognize instrument failures and take appropriate actions by problem-solving and troubleshooting,
   • can demonstrate and explain routine procedures to others in the laboratory,
   • will take responsibility for their own work, and will have the qualities of honesty and integrity
   • can organize their work to make the most efficient use of time,
   • demonstrate the ability to adapt and perform under stress,
   • observe HIPPA regulations and maintain patient confidentiality,
   • will cooperate with their coworkers and all members of the healthcare team,
   • will strive to keep their competence and knowledge current in relation to the changing work environment,
   • demonstrate knowledge of infection control and safety practices and follow established guidelines and regulations,
   • will actively participate in professional organizations.
5. To maintain program accreditation through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
6. To produce graduates who pass certification exams as first-time applicants at a 90% pass rate.
7. To maintain high academic and professional standards in the program and its students.
8. To maintain a quality program through continuous assessment, evaluation, and revision.
9. To maintain qualified faculty that pursues life-long learning and continued professional development.
10. To promote diversity and cultural sensitivity among students and faculty in preparation for clinical practice.

ENTRY LEVEL COMPETENCIES

At career entry, the Medical Laboratory Technician will be able to perform routine clinical laboratory testing in the departments of hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, clinical microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular, and other emerging diagnostics as the primary analyst making specimen-oriented decisions on predetermined criteria, including a working knowledge of critical values. Communication skills will extend to frequent interactions with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service, and patient education. The medical laboratory technician will have diverse functions in pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes. The clinical Medical Laboratory Technician will be responsible for information processing, training, and quality control monitoring wherever clinical laboratory testing is performed.

Upon graduation and initial employment, the Medical Laboratory Technician should be able to demonstrate entry-level competencies in the areas of professional practice listed below:

1. Collecting and processing biological specimens and other substances for analysis;       
2. Performing analytical tests on body fluids, cells, and other substances;
3. Recognizing factors that affect procedures and results;
4. Performing appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated;
5. Performing and monitoring quality control within predetermined limits;
6. Performing preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or referring to appropriate sources for repairs;
7. Applying principles of safety and governmental regulations compliance;
8. Demonstrating professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other healthcare professionals, and the public;
9. Recognizing the responsibilities of other laboratory and healthcare personnel with regard to the patient;
10. Interacting with other laboratory and healthcare personnel with respect for their professionals and patient care;
11. Applying basic scientific principles in learning new techniques and procedures;
12. Relating laboratory findings to common disease processes; and
13. Maintaining continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.

Reference: Essentials and Guidelines of Accredited Educational Programs for the Medical Laboratory Technician, National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), revised 1995.

Standards for Accredited and Approved Programs, National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), revised November 2017.