Medical Laboratory Science (MS)

Mission

Our mission is to prepare highly qualified graduates equipped to perform as laboratory professionals in a collaborative, diverse and rapidly changing health care environment. Students will be active participants in learning and developing into a competent, ethical professional. We prepare graduates who have a spirit of inquiry, a commitment to lifelong learning and service, and who are dedicated to advance the quality and availability of health care.

Vision

Our vision is to provide the highest quality Medical Laboratory Science programs and curricula that are recognized for excellence in preparation of diverse students who will be leaders in the laboratory profession.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to conduct the following:

• Demonstrate entry-level competence in medical laboratory science
  • Perform venipuncture with 80 percent success
  • Identify tubes along with the correct order of draw for blood collection and label tubes with 100 percent accuracy
  • Perform, with a high level of competence, analytical tests on body fluids, cells and blood products
  • Identify possible sources of error in in pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical stages of laboratory testing
  • Predict the effect of error in pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical stages of laboratory testing
  • Prepare a written laboratory report with accurate laboratory test results
• Practice principles of quality control related to laboratory practice
  • Identify appropriate quality control for different laboratory tests
  • Evaluate quality control data and follow a corrective action protocol if necessary
• Apply all safety and governmental regulations and standards
  • Follows established safety practices
• Demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills
  • Formulate a reasonable differential diagnosis from information contained in a patient case description.
  • Evaluate laboratory test results in order to determine their relevance to a case and determine if and what additional tests need to be ordered.
• Demonstrate professional and effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrate effective oral communication skills in a thorough and creative presentation of a research article that engages the audience and relates the study to current clinical practice.
  • Deliver a clear and well-organized oral defense of the research project.
  • Compose a written manuscript for the research project that conforms to departmental specifications
• Behave in an ethical, culturally-sensitive, and professional manner in a diverse environment.  
  • Display courteous and respectful behavior of others
  • Participate as a productive and positive member of a team.
• Describe and practice instructional techniques and terminology
  • Develop and present a lecture to include learning objectives and evaluation.
• Conduct a research project with faculty/mentor guidance
  • Assume a leadership role in conducting research in medical laboratory science
• Create a professional plan which supports ongoing professional career development
  • Construct a portfolio including evidence of professional service and continuing education.
  • Join a professional society as a student member 

The Medical Laboratory Science professional program consists of two parts: didactic (classroom learning) and clinical (practice in the medical laboratory). After program completion, graduates should take a national certification examination.

All students entering one of the Medical Laboratory Science degree programs are required to have a criminal background check before matriculating. The student’s ability to begin the clinical portion of the program and to complete certification and licensure requirements for entry into the profession may depend on documentation of such things as drug screening and a background check for a history of criminal offenses. A drug screen is required before entering the clinical practica. Students are prohibited from using academic or professional credentials until the satisfactory completion of a degree and appropriate credentials are awarded.

Medical Laboratory Science (MS): Technical Standards

Rush University is committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will make the population of health care professionals representative of the national population.

Our core values - I CARE (innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence) - translate into our work with all students, including those with disabilities. Rush actively collaborates with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and creates a respectful, accountable culture through our confidential and specialized disability support. Rush is committed to excellence in accessibility; we encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations.

The following technical functions are required of all students enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Science program:

Acquire Information

• Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in courses, such as lecture, group and physical demonstrations
• Acquire information from written documents and computer systems (e.g., literature searches and data retrieval)
• Identify information presented in accessible images from paper, slides, videos with audio description and transparencies

Use and Interpret

• Use and interpret information from assessment techniques/maneuvers/procedures
• Use and interpret information generated from diagnostic tools

Motor

• Possess psychomotor skills necessary to perform or assist with day-to-day responsibilities commensurate with the student’s discipline
• Practice in a safe manner and perform universal precautions against contamination

Communication

• Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families
• Communicate effectively with faculty, preceptors, employees, other professionals and all members of the health care team during practicum, internship and/or other learning experiences

Intellectual Ability

• Measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize data related to the diagnosis and treatment of patients and populations
• Exercise proper judgment and complete responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner according to the medical laboratory science role
• Synthesize information, problem-solve and think critically to judge the most appropriate theory, assessment, management or treatment strategy

Behavioral

• Maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with clients/patients, families, students, faculty, staff, preceptors and other professionals under all circumstances
• Exercise skills of diplomacy to advocate for patients in need
• Possess emotional stability to function under stress and adapt to rapidly changing environments inherent to the classroom and practice settings

Character

• Demonstrate concern for others
• Integrity, accountability, interest and motivation are necessary personal qualities
• Demonstrate intent and desire to follow the Rush University and Medical Laboratory Science code of ethics

The technical standards delineated above must be met with or without accommodation. Students who, after review of the technical standards, determine they require reasonable accommodation to fully engage in the program, should contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to confidentially discuss their accommodations needs.

Given the clinical nature of our programs, time may be needed to create and implement the accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged. Contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to learn more about accommodations at Rush University:

Marie Ferro-Lusk, MBA, MSW, LSW
Director, Office of Student Accessibility Services
600 S. Paulina St., Suite 440
Chicago, IL 60612     
(312) 942-5237
Marie_S_Ferro-Lusk@rush.edu

Accreditation

The Master of Science program in Medical Laboratory Science is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, or NAACLS:

NAACLS
5600 N. River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
(847) 939-3597 or (773) 714-8880
www.naacls.org

State Licensure Requirements

Some states require medical laboratory scientists to be licensed in the state in order to work in the medical laboratory in that state. Illinois does not license medical laboratory scientists. The Medical Laboratory Science program at Rush University satisfies requirements for certification by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification and complies with the standards of accreditation established by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, but may not satisfy the licensing requirements for some states. In particular, our program may not satisfy the requirement for clinical training set by the state of California.

Students who intend on moving to a state that has licensure after completion of the program are encouraged to check with the requirements for state licensure before starting the program to make sure the Rush University curriculum will satisfy the requirements for licensure in that state.

Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination

Before students are allowed to begin the program, they must have on file documentation that they have either begun or have finished the course of inoculations for the hepatitis B virus vaccine. This documentation must be sent directly to Castle Branch.

If the student has started but not yet finished the series of inoculations at the start of the program, documentation showing completion of the course of inoculations should be provided as soon as possible in order for the student to remain in the program. This information will be reviewed quarterly, and the student will be notified if not in compliance with this requirement. Students who fail to complete the hepatitis B virus vaccination protocol in a timely manner will not be allowed to register for the following term until providing documentation of compliance. In addition, students must submit a hepatitis B virus titer as proof of immunity.

Tuberculosis Testing

All students must provide the results from tuberculosis screening tests in order to begin the program. Students must be tested annually for tuberculosis and must submit the results to Castle Branch. Failure to comply with this policy can lead to dismissal from the program or prevention of attendance at the clinical site regardless of GPA.

In cases where the tuberculosis screen is positive or contraindicated, students must be screened annually by a physician for symptoms of active tuberculosis and submit documentation that they have been screened and are symptom-free.

OSHA, HIPAA and Safety Training

Students are required to take all Rush University Medical Center training courses that apply to medical laboratory scientists. These courses must be taken annually and are available through Rush University’s LEAP Online system. Students failing to remain current in these training areas will not be allowed in the clinical laboratories.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen

All students entering the Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program are required to have a criminal background check before matriculating. The student’s ability to begin the clinical portion of the program and to complete certification and licensure requirements for entry into the profession may depend on documentation of such things as drug screening and a background check for a history of criminal offenses. A drug screen is required before entering the clinical practica.

Midterm Warning Notices

Students not maintaining a passing-level grade at midterm time will be given a written warning notice. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the course instructor immediately to ascertain how the grade can be improved.

Academic Progression

High academic performance in required courses is expected. Students will be considered in good standing at Rush University unless placed on academic probation.

A cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0 is required in the graduate programs. Cumulative grade-point averages will be reviewed after each term. No student will be permitted into the clinical rotation portion of the program unless they have the required GPA.

The faculty reserves the right to request the withdrawal of a student whose conduct, health or performance demonstrates lack of fitness for continuance in a health profession. Any such student not voluntarily withdrawing will be dismissed from the University.

Academic Probation

Academic probation is assigned to any student who receives a term grade-point average below 3.0 or whose cumulative grade-point average falls below 3.0. Students placed on probation have two terms to regain the status of good standing as follows:

• In the next term after being placed on probation, the student must attain a term grade-point average of at least 3.0.
• Two terms after being placed on probation, the student must have a cumulative grade-point average above 3.0.
• Failure to make the minimum term grade-point average one term after probation, or the minimum cumulative grade-point average two terms after probation, will result in dismissal from the University.
• Note that the receipt of financial aid may also be impacted when the grade-point average falls below 3.0.

C, D, F or N Grades

Graduate students may not receive more than two grades of C or lower in the program. Graduate students who receive a third grade of C or lower will be dismissed from the program. Graduate students who receive a D, F or N grade in any course must repeat that course. If that a student is required to repeat a course that is a prerequisite for an advanced course, the advanced course may not be taken until the student successfully passes the prerequisite course. Thus, the student’s progression in the program may be affected. Students who receive a second D or F grade will be dismissed from the program.

All work in practicum courses must be at or above the B grade level. If a student earns a grade less than B in a clinical practicum course, the course must be repeated but may be repeated only once and must be taken within one year, with the new grade replacing the failing grade in the cumulative grade-point average. A second grade below B in any practicum course will result in dismissal from the program.

Comprehensive Examination

All students must take and pass a comprehensive examination at the end of the second year in order to graduate from the Medical Laboratory Science program. Any student who fails the cumulative examination must retake the examination until passing. A diploma will not be given until the student has passed all sections of the comprehensive examination.

Graduate Research Projects

See the Graduate Research Bulletin and Department of Medical Laboratory Science policy document for policies and procedures regarding graduate research projects. This bulletin lists specific deadlines for each component of the research project. Failure to meet these deadlines will delay acceptance of the research project and graduation from the program.

Certification

The comprehensive technical curriculum at Rush University prepares the student to enter the practice of medical laboratory science. Graduates are eligible to take the medical laboratory scientist’s certification examination given by the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification.

First Year

Second Year

Clinical Practica**

• MLS - 586P Patient Care Techniques Credit(s): 2
• MLS - 587P Clinical Practicum-Microbiology Credit(s): 6
• MLS - 580P Clinical Practicum-Chemistry Credit(s): 3
• MLS - 581P Clinical Practicum-Hematology Credit(s): 3
• MLS - 584P Clinical Practicum-Immunohematology Credit(s): 3
• MLS - 585P Clinical Practicum-Education Credit(s): 3

• * Courses offered online

  ** Clinical Practica schedule will be determined by Program Administration

Program Total: 80 Credit Hours