Programs handbooks

Medical Laboratory Technology: Standards and procedures

Procedures

Professional standards and conduct requirements

Students are expected to demonstrate a professional attitude at all times. Students must be responsible for their own actions, demonstrate tolerance for others, and participate as members of the laboratory team.

Professional objectives

Theoretical knowledge, technical skills, interpersonal relations, and professionalism provide the cornerstones for success as a medical laboratory technician. Students must demonstrate competence in each of these areas to become competent medical laboratory technicians.

Knowledge and knowledge application (cognitive skills)

Upon completion of the MLT program, students will:

  1. Communicate effectively through reading, writing, listening, and verbal skills.
  2. Explains facts and principles related to laboratory test procedures.
  3. Apply knowledge to working situations.
  4. Recognize problems, errors in performance, and discrepancies in test results.
  5. Troubleshoot and solve problems as required and/or suggest appropriate corrective actions.
  6. Interpret and correlate test results.
Performance (psychomotor skills)

Students will demonstrate the following skills with increasing ease throughout the sequence of laboratory courses:

  1. Adhere to laboratory safety policies.
  2. Demonstrate good organizational skills as seen by a logical workflow and ability to prioritize tasks.
  3. Strive to increase productivity to include timely output, and economy of time and materials.
  4. Exhibit good manual dexterity, coordination, and ease in handling equipment with a minimum of mishaps or abuse.
  5. Achieve accuracy in test results.
  6. Perform techniques in a skillful and orderly technique with good attention to details of the test procedure.
  7. Employ good record keeping skills so that reports are complete, accurate, legible, and according to established protocol.
Professional skills (affective skills)

Interpersonal skills and professionalism are essential for the medical laboratory technician in providing high quality patient care and in performing as a member of the health care team. Upon completion of the MLT program, students will:

  1. Demonstrate interest, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn as seen through active participation.
  2. Show initiative and motivation as demonstrated by independence in performing routine procedures, preparation before class, decreased need for supervision, willingness to go beyond the required assignments, and recognition of opportunities to improve quality and productivity of work.
  3. Adapt to stressful and/or new situations by maintaining composure and flexibility without compromising individual integrity.
  4. Exhibit teamwork through cooperation, courtesy, respect, and sensitivity towards others.
  5. Convey a professional attitude as shown by an appropriate level of confidence and a positive outlook toward work and other people.
  6. Demonstrate integrity as shown by the admission and documentation of errors, recognition of the potential danger of short cuts, and the maintenance of patient and co-worker confidentiality.
  7. Act responsibly as measured by punctuality, attendance, dependability, and quality of work.
  8. Respond favorably to supervision and feedback.
  9. Persevere until tasks are completed satisfactorily.
  10. Present an acceptable level of cleanliness as seen by one’s personal hygiene, professional appearance, and maintenance of the workspace.
Required supplies
  • Eye protection (safety glasses) (supplied by MLT program)
  • Scientific calculator (non-programmable only)
  • Lab coat (one per term)
  • Scrubs (dark navy blue only)
Schedules

Term and holiday schedules can be found in the PCC academic calendar. Campus class and laboratory schedules will be published and distributed to students at the beginning of each term. Clinical lab practice schedules will be distributed prior to clinical rotations. These schedules may be revised as necessary.

Supervision of work

All MLT student work must be supervised at a level mutually-acceptable to the clinical lab coordinator, program director, faculty chair, the pathologist in charge, and the laboratory supervisor or manager. After demonstrating proficiency in a specific area, with approval of the supervisor, it is not essential that direct supervision be maintained at all times; however, someone in the laboratory must assume responsibility for the student’s work and be immediately available to answer questions. Students should become knowledgeable of each laboratory section’s established (1) guidelines for any tests that may be reported by students without direct approval, and (2) parameters for any test results that must be approved before reporting (i.e., abnormal results, “panic” values, questionable results, complex tests, etc.).

Students must not be involved in the collection of specimens known or suspected to have legal implications (e.g. tests for legal blood alcohol levels or legal drug testing, or when a patient consent form is requested, or when police are present, etc.).

College policies

Students are required to read, understand, and follow college and program policies, standards, and ethical guidelines. In addition to reviewing the policies linked in this section, any additional requirements described in the section for one’s program of study should be reviewed and followed. Students assigned to clinical sites are required to learn and follow the policies, rules, and regulations required by the site. Students are encouraged to reach out to program faculty and staff with any questions or clarification needed.

Comprehensive links to college policies can be found on the following webpages:

The policies of particular relevance to students include:

Conduct, professional standards, and ethics

It is especially important for students to comply with the following policies regarding conduct, professional standards, and ethics.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the HIPAA Privacy Rule to implement the requirements of HIPAA (Centers for Disease Control Public Health Law). Under this law, patients’ health information is protected. This includes individually identifiable health information that is transmitted or maintained in any form or medium (electronic, oral, or paper).

What does this mean for Healthcare and Emergency Professions students?

In the course of their study, healthcare and emergency professions students will work in patient-focused settings, which could include providing patient care at the dental clinic, at off-site clinics, with ambulance services, and in hospitals, and/or could include responsibilities for managing patient data. Additionally, patient data and images, including radiographic images, will be part of the classroom and lab instruction. Often, students will act as patients during lab and practice sessions and confidentiality policies will apply. Students will have access to confidential patient data in these settings and are expected to:

  • protect patient and student confidentiality at all times,
  • comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA),
  • strictly follow all policies and procedures at the facilities in which off-site clinicals, internships, practicums, and co-ops are held,
  • uphold the professional ethics guidelines of their field of study, and
  • adhere to Portland Community College’s confidentiality policies, including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Specific guidelines related to HIPAA and confidentiality include, but are not limited to:

  • Any information (including images, and written or verbal) related to patient care is strictly confidential and is:
    • not to be shared, copied, or discussed with anyone outside of the direct care of the patient, and
    • not to be removed from a healthcare facility or service unless written permission has been given by the clinical agency to remove such information. Information may be disclosed only as defined in HIPAA guidelines for educational purposes.
  • Radiographic images that are used for image critiques, case study, or lab sessions must have all patient and hospital identification removed. Students attending critique sessions away from their home sites may bring radiographic images only on approved devices that follow HIPAA requirements. No images taken with cell phones are allowed.
  • Photographs, recordings, and videos of patients must never be taken, whether a patient gives permission or not. If patient images are being considered for an educational purpose, the student must check with the instructor who will determine policies at the practicum site.
  • Absolutely no reference to a patient, even if de-identified, should ever be shared electronically via email outside of MyPCC email or on social networking sites such as Facebook. The instructor may direct students to share select de-identified patient information via MyPCC email or D2L for course preparation or learning purposes.
  • No facility or facility staff information should be shared via personal email, on social networking sites, or by other means outside the learning environment.
Required training
  • Read about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
  • Students are required to complete a HIPAA training module through the college’s third-party vendor, CastleBranch.
  • Ongoing training and guidance will be provided as appropriate throughout the instructional courses.
  • Students participating in off-site clinicals, internships, practicums, and co-ops are required to attend their clinical site’s HIPAA training to become educated on the facility’s confidentiality policies and procedures.
Violations of HIPAA and confidentiality

Any action that violates patient or student confidentiality will have long-lasting consequences for the student’s career and a serious impact on their standing in the program. All actions will be addressed quickly and will prompt a review process in which program probation or dismissal is considered. See Due process for violations. The off-site clinical, internship, practicum, or co-op facility could impose further disciplinary actions, including immediate dismissal from the site.

Dress code

The purpose of these guidelines is to establish clear dress code and appearance standards to maintain a safe, professional, and inclusive environment at Portland Community College (PCC) in the Healthcare and Emergency Professions Pathway (HEP). These requirements ensure safety and infection control, as well as prepare students for clinical and professional settings. These guidelines are in accordance with applicable PCC policies. Students participating in clinicals, internships, practicums, co-ops, and other external educational settings may need to adhere to additional procedures and guidelines set by their assigned facility.

Dress code
  • Attire:
    • Clothing should be clean, neat, and appropriate for an academic setting.
    • Attire should not have offensive language, images, or messages in accordance with the college’s Nondiscrimination and Non-harassment Policy.
    • Footwear should be safe and suitable for the lab and clinical environment. Closed-toe shoes made of leather or a similar material that is resistant to needles and liquids are required.
    • Hats are not permitted in clinical settings (hair coverings worn for religious purposes are not an issue).
  • Uniform standards:
    • Certain programs may require uniforms or specific attire. These requirements must be followed.
    • Uniforms and shoes should be clean with no wrinkles or tears, properly fitted, and worn as intended.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
    • Students in labs, workshops, and other hands-on environments must wear appropriate PPE as specified by their instructors.
    • PPE may include items such as safety glasses, gloves, lab coats, and closed-toe shoes. There may be additional/different PPE requirements based on the nature of the program.
Appearance
  • Grooming standards:
    • Students are expected to practice good personal hygiene.
    • Hair, including facial hair, should be clean and well-maintained.
      • Hair should be secured to prevent it from getting caught in equipment or interfering with the task at hand.
      • Facial hair should be groomed to ensure a proper seal with an N-95 mask, if required.
    • Students should avoid strong fragrances that may cause discomfort or allergic reactions.
    • Nails: Federal and state laws specify that artificial nails should not be worn when having direct contact with patients. The maximum nail length is 1/4 inch and nails should not pose a risk of tearing gloves. Nail polish, if worn, should be tidy and unchipped for hygiene purposes.
    • Ensure hands are clean and washed before touching or performing clinical procedures.
  • Tattoos and piercings:
    • Visible tattoos that conflict with professional standards and college policies may need to be covered.
    • Piercings are allowed provided they do not interfere with tasks, such as patient care. In some settings, jewelry that could get caught on equipment and pose a safety risk is not allowed. Please refer to program-specific requirements for further details.
Accommodation and exceptions

In cases where assigned facilities for clinicals, internships, practicums, and co-ops have specific dress and personal appearance codes, those regulations and any applicable process for accommodations will be used by the facility. For circumstances when PCC is the decision maker, the college will provide reasonable accommodations or modifications that do not fundamentally alter any program standard or compromise safety, health, and hygiene standards.

All students are responsible for adhering to the appearance and dress code standards of the Healthcare and Emergency Professions pathway, program, and the clinical setting (if applicable). For safety reasons, students who do not comply with the dress code will be asked to leave the course session to correct their attire and return only after making the necessary changes. Attendance and tardiness rules will apply when such corrections are necessary. Students not in compliance with these standards could be subject to a disciplinary review process. See Due process for violations.

Program-specific requirements

In addition to the Healthcare & Emergency Professions pathway dress code and appearance standards, Medical Laboratory Technology program students are required to adhere to the guidelines below.

Required clothing
  • Lab coats: Must be worn in the laboratory, kept clean and neat, and buttoned at all times. Lab coats must be removed before leaving the lab.
  • Scrubs: Students must wear PCC standard dark blue navy scrubs during clinical rotations. Scrubs in any other color or pattern are not permitted.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Lab coats and gloves are required when in the lab. Ensure that clothing allows for the full range of motion while wearing PPE.

Attendance

Absences

Students are expected to notify their instructors if they are going to be absent. Contact information for instructors can be found on all course syllabi. Excessive absences may impact the student’s grade or their ability to pass the course.

Tardiness

Tardiness is defined as arriving in class after the instructor has started or leaving class before it has officially ended. Students are expected to be on time for scheduled class and/or laboratory sessions and to stay for the duration of the class or lab. In the event that a student will be late to a course, lab, or appointment with program staff/faculty, it is expected that they will notify the appropriate instructor or staff member as soon as possible. Excessive tardiness may impact the student’s grade and ability to pass the course.

Attendance requirements for Clinical Lab Practice
  • Students are required to attend Clinical Lab Practice (CLP) orientation.
  • Students are expected to adhere to their assigned clinical practice schedule. Any changes to the CLP schedule must receive prior approval by the clinical lab coordinator and the affiliated lab supervisor. Changes made by the student without approval place the student at risk for not completing the program.
  • Students will be considered late if they are not in their assigned area at the start of their scheduled shift.
  • All students who foresee that they will be absent or late must notify their supervisor or manager prior to the time of their scheduled shift. Additionally, students must contact the clinical lab coordinator or leave a message at 971-722-5671. Failure to do so is unexcused and may result in a lowered CLP grade for that term.
  • Time missed in clinical practice must be made up. The student must schedule make-up time with their supervisor and inform the clinical lab coordinator as to when the make-up time is scheduled. Unusual or extenuating circumstances will be taken into account on a case-by-case basis.
    • In rare circumstances, make-up time may have to be scheduled during weekends, holidays, or between term break periods. Arrangements will be made so that make-up time and paid work are not in conflict.
    • It is inappropriate to request time off from rotations during finals week and expect to make-up the time during term break. Such requests will be denied.
  • Excessive unexcused absences and/or tardiness may result in a grade of “Incomplete,” a lower grade, or prompt a program dismissal review process. See due process for violations of policies, procedures, standards, and ethics. Each case will be reviewed by the clinical lab coordinator and program director.
  • With the exception of orientation, students are allowed one unexcused absence or tardy each term. With a second occurrence of either, the student will receive a verbal and/or written warning. A third occurrence is deemed excessive and may result in a grade of “Incomplete,” a lower grade, or prompt a program dismissal review process, as noted above. Again, each case will be reviewed by the clinical lab coordinator and program director.

Communication

Personal and professional communication

Students in the Healthcare & Emergency Professions pathway are trained to become professionals in their chosen careers. In these roles, they will have the privilege of interacting with a diverse group of people. During the course of their professional education, students will strengthen their personal communication skills to improve effectiveness with people. Communication involves interactions between students, patients, faculty, staff, and guests located on campus or at off-campus learning sites (agencies, clinical facilities, or other settings). Respect for individual differences in opinions, beliefs, gender, lifestyle practices, religious, racial, cultural, or social backgrounds should be demonstrated by using effective listening and communication skills, as well as showing respect for physical space and privacy issues.

Communication methods and standards
  • Email: The primary mode for program and instructor communication will be via students’ PCC email address. See PCC’s Communication Policy.
  • D2L Brightspace: Communications specific to each course will be delivered via announcements and postings in D2L Brightspace learning platform.
  • Office hours: Full-time instructors are available for selected in-person and virtual office hours each week. Appointments are made through the individual instructor.
  • Chain of communication:
    • Course syllabus and D2L Brightspace: Refer to the course syllabus and D2L Brightspace for questions and concerns related to course requirements.
    • Course instructor: Refer questions and concerns directly to the assigned faculty instructor. Students who have difficulties with individual faculty should first aim to resolve the issues directly with that faculty. For clinical experiences, reach out to the assigned clinical instructor and clinical coordinator, if applicable.
    • If the preceding steps have been followed without questions or concerns being adequately addressed, the student may next contact the faculty department chair (FDC).
    • Individual questions, concerns, and comments about the program overall can be discussed with the program dean, as escalated by FDC.
    • There are opportunities for students to provide feedback about courses throughout the year through course evaluations. Some programs invite student representation on committees.
Use of electronic devices

Use of cellular phones or other electronic devices that may interfere with learning activities are prohibited during classroom, laboratory, and clinical laboratory practice activities and examinations, unless features such as amplification, magnification, or transcription tools are used as learning aids. Students should limit use of such devices to breaks and turn them off (or silence them) upon return. Use of cell phones for recording or taking images in the clinical setting is prohibited as it can be a HIPAA violation (see the HIPAA section). Permission from fellow students, faculty, and staff is required prior to any pictures taken on campus.

Social media

Students are expected to adhere to the following guidelines in order to maintain the professional and ethical standards of the program and the clinical affiliates:

  • Do not post anything that would violate FERPA (student privacy) and HIPAA (see the HIPAA section) (patient privacy) regulations. Activities that occur during clinical rotations or that involve patients are not to be shared.
  • Photos which contain any animal not owned by the student or activities surrounding the use of these animals in classes or labs shall not be posted to social media accounts unless as related to adoption, or when given express permission by the owner of the animal.
  • Be mindful of the language used when discussing the affiliate, program, fellow students, faculty, or staff, and avoid any comments that could be perceived as derogatory or harmful. Instead, address concerns by following the Grievance process.
  • Do not ask to connect with instructors on social networks in order to maintain an appropriate professional relationship. Upon graduation, instructors and students may connect if all parties agree.
  • Use good judgment before posting personal pictures. Be aware that information you post online may be available to anyone, and could be misconstrued.
  • See related college policies and guidelines:

Nothing in this social media section is intended to restrict any expressive activity that is legally protected.

Employment while in program

Due to the program’s rigorous academic schedule, the program recommends that the student’s employment responsibilities not be so excessive as to be detrimental to the educational process. Students are responsible for balancing any employment with the heavy demands of the MLT program. Part-time employment of more than 12 to 16 hours a week is discouraged. (See the “student employment at the clinical affiliate laboratory” section below).

Student employment at the clinical affiliate laboratory

Paid work in a clinical affiliate laboratory must not interfere with the student’s regularly scheduled clinical time and educational process. In addition, students must not be used by the clinical affiliate to replace or supplement members of the facility’s regularly paid staff.

Students may be hired to work for an affiliate. Students are not permitted to perform work for pay at any time during scheduled clinical rotations.

The decision to hire a student in a facility is the prerogative of the laboratory manager with supervision being the responsibility of the department supervisor. The laboratory will provide appropriate supervision at all times when students are present.

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Fieldwork