Technical Standards for the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Program

The technical standards outlined below are the physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities required for students to successfully complete either option of the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Program.

These requirements must be met by all students, with or without reasonable accommodations, entering the program.

Students have the responsibility to self-identify as a person with a disability with a need for accommodation(s). Students who have or believe they may have a disability requiring accommodation(s) should contact the UAMS Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator at DisabilityServices@uams.edu or 501-526-5641.

The medical laboratory sciences student must be able to do the following:

• Manipulate a microscope and differentiate microscopic components of cells, tissues, etc.
• Observe laboratory demonstrations of techniques and procedures
• Discriminate color reactions
• Interpret text, numbers and graphs displayed in print or on a video monitor

The medical laboratory sciences student must be able to do the following:

• Move freely and safely from one location to another in physical settings of the student classrooms and laboratories, medical laboratories and health care facilities
• Reach laboratory benchtops and shelves, free-standing laboratory instruments, patients lying in hospital beds or patients seated in specimen collection furniture
• Operate laboratory equipment (i.e., pipettes, inoculating loops, test tubes) and adjust instruments to perform laboratory procedures
• Perform delicate manipulations which require good eye-hand coordination
• Travel to clinical laboratory sites for practical experience
• Perform moderately taxing continuous physical work, often requiring prolonged standing and/or sitting, over several hours

The medical laboratory sciences student must be able to do the following:

• Read and comprehend technical and professional materials (i.e., textbooks, journal articles, handbooks and instruction manuals). Accurately convey information and interpretation of information using one or more means of communication (verbal, written or assisted such as interpreter or TTY) to faculty, classmates, patients, physicians and other health care personnel in a professional, positive and tactful manner
• Follow verbal and written instructions in English in order to correctly and independently perform laboratory test procedures
• Legibly record laboratory data
• Independently prepare papers, prepare laboratory reports and take paper, computer and laboratory practical examinations

The medical laboratory sciences student must be able to do the following:

• Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, evaluate and synthesize information
• Recognize emergency situations and take appropriate actions in a timely manner
• Exercise critical thinking skills to solve problems
• Exercise sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance deviation
• Participate in a variety of learning activities including but not limited to the following:
  • Classroom instruction
  • Small group, team and collaborative activities
  • Individual study
  • Preparation and presentation of reports
  • Application of theory to clinical practice
  • Use of computer technology

The medical laboratory sciences student must be able to do the following:

• Maintain patient confidentiality and to exercise ethical judgment, integrity, honesty, dependability and accountability in the performance of their laboratory responsibilities
• Perform laboratory tests carefully while maintaining efficiency and organization
• Maintain personal hygiene and wear garments appropriate to the work setting
• Tolerate taxing workloads, function effectively under stress and adapt to changing technology and environments
• Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment and situations and proceed safely in order to minimize the risk of injury to patients, self and nearby individuals
• Function as a supportive member of the health care team, maintaining the highest laboratory standards in the delivery of patient care