Technical Standards

The technical standards outlined below are the physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities required for students to successfully complete the Cytology 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 ADA Coordinator at DisabilityServices@uams.edu  or 501-526-5641.

Observational Requirements

The student must be able to: use a microscope and differentiate microscopic components of cells, tissues, etc.; observe laboratory demonstrations of techniques and procedures; discriminate color reactions; and read text, numbers, and graphs displayed in print or on a video monitor.

Movement Requirements

The student must be able to: move freely and safely about a laboratory and in patient rooms; reach laboratory benchtops and shelves, free-standing laboratory instruments, patients lying in hospital beds or patients seated in specimen collection furniture; control 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; and perform moderately taxing continuous physical work, often requiring prolonged standing and/or sitting, over several hours.

Communication Requirements

The student must be able to: read and comprehend technical and professional materials (i.e. textbooks, journal articles, handbooks, and instruction manuals); effectively communicate with 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; and independently prepare papers, prepare laboratory reports, and take paper, computer and laboratory practical examinations.

Intellectual and Conceptual Abilities

The student must be able to: measure, calculate, reason, analyze, evaluate and synthesize; recognize emergency situations and take appropriate actions in a timely manner; exercise critical thinking skills to solve problems; and exercise sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance deviations.

Behavioral and Social Attributes

The student must be able to: maintain patient confidentiality and to exercise ethical judgment, integrity, honesty, dependability and accountability in the performance of their course studies and 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 risk of injury to patients, self and nearby individuals; and function as a supportive member of the health care team, maintaining highest laboratory standards in delivery of patient care.