Medical Laboratory Technology Technical Standards

Purpose Statement

All students in the Medical Laboratory Technology program are expected to meet certain technical standards which are essential for the successful completion of all phases of the program, and which reflect industry requirements and standards. To verify the student’s ability to perform these essential functions, students may be required to demonstrate the technical standards below.

Meeting these technical standards does not guarantee employment in this field upon graduation. The ability to meet the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for any certification exams or successful completion of the program.

 

Technical Standard Definition of Standards Examples
Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving Skills Ability is sufficient for clinical judgment.
  • Ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize information.
  • Ability to prioritize and perform multiple procedures accurately, efficiently, and safely under stressful conditions within significant time constraints.
  • Ability to exercise independent, ethical judgment and to think logically in the performance of duties.
  • Ability to employ critical thinking skills in the performance of duties and problem-solving in the laboratory environment.
  • Be able to access information from books, reference manuals, computers, paper, and electronic medical documents to perform duties and safely use equipment without assistance.
  • Be able to progress toward minimal supervision as with advancement through the program.
Interpersonal Skills Abilities are sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
  • Adaptable to circumstances in a highly stressful, rapidly changing clinical environment.
  • Effectively deal with anxiety, stress, hostility, and fear in a calm manner.
  • Interact appropriately and respectfully with patients and coworkers of diverse characteristics, beliefs, and lifestyle practices.
  • Display compassion, empathy, and concern for others.
  • Ability to maintain patient confidentiality.
  • Exhibit honesty, integrity, dependability, and accountability in the performance of one’s laboratory responsibilities.
  • Project an image of professionalism including appearance, dress, and attitude.
  • Demonstrate a cooperative, supportive, positive, and professional attitude.
Communication Skills Abilities are sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
  • Read, write, speak, and report accurately and effectively in English.
  • Comprehend and carry out complex written and oral instructions given in English.
  • Evaluate and communicate diagnostic information in a professional manner to the healthcare team.
  • Create organized, legible, and coherent written documentation.
  • Communicate with patients and members of the healthcare team in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
Coping Skills Ability to adapt to challenging situations in a professional manner.
  • Effectively deal with anxiety, stress, hostility, and fear in a calm manner.
Mobility/Motor Skills Physical abilities are sufficient to move in one’s environment with ease and without restriction.
  • Move freely and safely in the laboratory, patient care areas, elevators, and stairways.
  • Reach and bend to access laboratory benchtops and shelves, patients in hospital beds, and phlebotomy collection stations.
  • Assist patients in and out of phlebotomy collection stations.
  • Sufficient physical endurance to perform prolonged periods of walking, standing, and sitting.
  • Lift and move objects of at least 25 pounds.
  • Ability to safely maneuver and perform laboratory procedures with chemicals and biohazardous specimens.
Auditory Skills Auditory abilities are sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
  • Possess auditory ability sufficient to communicate with patients and members of the healthcare team.
  • Detect and evaluate the sounds of equipment and alarms.
  • Ability to communicate through a telephone.
Visual Skills Visual ability is sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in Medical Laboratory Technology.
  • Possess adequate visual ability that allows the determination of minute and microscopic areas of detail, very small variations in color, and adequate depth perception (Size, shape, and texture).
  • Ability to distinguish color, clarity, and viscosity of specimens, reagents, and other testing products.
  • Be able to manipulate a clinical binocular microscope to discriminate among fine structural and color differences in microscopic specimens.
  • Read and comprehend text, numbers, and graphs in small print and on a monitor screen.
Tactile Skills Tactile ability is sufficient for physical assessment.
  • Have the ability to palpate and interpret the findings.
Environmental Possess the ability to tolerate environmental stressors.
  • Have the ability to focus and concentrate in a high-stress, fast passed work environment.
  • Able to perform all Medical Laboratory tasks adhering to regulatory agencies’ guidelines.
  • Safely work with potentially infectious specimens and other hazardous materials.
Emotional/Behavioral Possess emotional stability sufficient to maintain composure in stressful situations and assume responsibility/accountability for actions.
  • Ability to perform multiple procedures accurately, efficiently, and safely under stressful conditions and significant time constraints.
  • Ability to exercise independent, ethical judgment and to think logically in the performance of duties.
  • Be adaptable and professional to unpleasant situations common in the clinical setting.
  • Demonstrate integrity and accountability in both academic and clinical settings.
  • Present self in a professional manner in both academic and clinical settings.

 

In the case of an otherwise qualified individual with a documented disability, appropriate and reasonable accommodations will be made unless doing so would fundamentally alter the essential training elements, cause undue hardship, or produce a direct threat to the safety of the patient or student.

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is invested in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Support Services is part of Student Services and is located in the K. Ray Bailey Student Services Center. For detailed information or to request accommodations visit Support Services. An appointment is recommended prior to enrollment in order to discuss any special concerns.