Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
HTEC D184.
Course Title (CB02)
Clinical Immunology/Immunohematology Practicum
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course provides the student with entry-level clinical laboratory practice/experience in the department of Immunology and blood banking. Emphasis is placed on technique, accuracy, and precision. Different instrumentation will be introduced as well as bench/manual methods. Competence will be evaluated based on final clinical evaluations and exams. This practicum will take place at a clinical affiliate site that will be facilitated by the MLT (Medical Laboratory Technician) Program Faculty. Students must successfully complete this course in order to take the national MLT Examination and qualify for a California MLT license.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is part of a CTE program. This is a course that was developed based on the National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and California State Department of Public Health accreditation standards required for Medical Laboratory Technicians' training programs. This course fulfills the requirements for Immunology/Immunohematology training hours. This course belongs on the Certification of Proficiency-Advanced.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Not transferable

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.5
Maximum Credit Units
4.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours0.00.0
Laboratory Hours13.50.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
0.0
Laboratory
162.0
Total
162.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
0.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
0.0

Prerequisite(s)

HTEC D084. and HTEC D084A

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Discussion of weekly journals with MLT program Faculty

Discussions and problem solving performed during clinical visit from MLT Program Faculty.

Laboratory experience in a CLIA approved clinical laboratory which involves students' participation in clinical testing and analysis.

Discussion and problem solving performed daily in the clinical laboratory setting.

Assignments

  1. Perform work as assigned by supervising Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
  2. Discuss methodologies, theories, and interpretation of results with supervising Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
  3. Analyze progress, answer questions, address concerns and review daily laboratory worksheets during meeting with MLT Faculty.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Lab activity - Practice and demonstration of techniques in the clinical laboratory will demonstrate critical thinking skills and ability to problem solve as required in the MLT profession.
  2. Problem solving - Working in the clinical laboratory setting will evaluate the student's ability to apply critical thinking skills to a real clinical situation.
  3. Skill Demonstration - Laboratory experience will demonstrate the student's ability to integrate the knowledge acquired in the course with the technical skills necessary for the MLT profession.
  4. Verbal critiquing by the clinical laboratory trainer.
  5. Daily laboratory worksheets/ journal designed to track the student's progress in the clinical laboratory as well as evaluate the student's performance and understanding of the material.
  6. Comprehensive Final Examination - Written test requiring the student to demonstrate their ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze concepts examined throughout the practicum.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials
  • Availability for assigned dates, locations and times of clinical experience
  • Transportation to and from clinical site
Essential College Facilities
  • Current Foothill-°®¶¹´«Ã½ Community College District clinical education agreement on file in the district office for each clinical site being used

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Harmening, Denise M.Modern Blood Banking & Transfusion PracticesPhiladelphia, F.A. Davis Company2019/ 7th Edition978080366888-1
Miller, Linda E., Stevens, Christine D.Clinical Immunology and SerologyF.A. Davis2021/ 5th Edition13: 978-0-8036-9440-8

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Practice departmental procedures for safety according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates.
  • Demonstrate safe use and disposal of biohazardous materials.
  • Explain departmental organization to include specimen processing and handling, criteria for specimen rejection, and use of laboratory information system (LIS).
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the operation of automated or semi-automated instrumentation.
  • Summarize test methods and principles learned in this rotation by completing the worksheets provided.
  • Perform and interpret all blood bank (immunohematology) procedures with 100% accuracy. Confirm results with supervising Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
  • Perform procedures relating to blood and blood components following the guidelines of the clinical site.
  • Observe and discuss with the supervising Clinical Laboratory Scientist, a transfusion reaction workup at the clinical site.
  • Perform and interpret all serology (immunology) assays run in the department with results acceptable to the supervising Clinical Laboratory Scientist. These may include, but are not limited to:

CSLOs

  • Safely and accurately perform analytical procedures in Clinical Immunology/ Immunohematology identifying normal and abnormal lab tests and factors affecting results and take appropriate action.

Outline

  1. Practice departmental procedures for safety according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates.
    1. Demonstrate the basic aspects of infection control policies, including how and when to use personal protective equipment (PPE) or devices (gown, gloves, and goggles).
    2. Locate safety equipment such as safety showers, eyewash stations and spill kits, fire alarms and extinguishers, blankets and evacuation routes.
    3. Locate SDS  (Safety Data Sheets).
  2. Demonstrate safe use and disposal of biohazardous materials.
    1. Describe how to properly segregate and dispose of various types of waste products generated in the clinical laboratory, including the use of sharp containers for needles, lancets and/or other sharps.
    2. Demonstrate, via weekly performance, proper disposal of biological samples, as instructed by procedure or instructor.
  3. Explain departmental organization to include specimen processing and handling, criteria for specimen rejection, and use of laboratory information system (LIS).
    1. Receive specimens submitted to the Immunology/Immunohematology laboratory. Determine if the specimens have been collected, stored and transported to the laboratory appropriately. If proper criteria has been met, process the specimens according to the procedures of the clinical site.
    2. Cite criteria and follow the clinical site's procedure for sample rejection regarding:
      1. Blood bank specimens
      2. Component processing
      3. Serology specimens
    3. Centrifuge patient samples as required.
    4. Familiarize yourself with testing workflow (what tests are performed on what analyzer).
    5. Identify tests requiring special specimen handling.
    6. Pour off, when applicable, into sample cups appropriate for each test/analyzer.
    7. Perform dilutions of samples when appropriate with accurate results.
    8. Proficient in the use of the LIS including: pending worklists, generating worklists, enter and verifying results, access patient result inquiry and maintain patient confidentiality.
  4. Demonstrate proficiency in the operation of automated or semi-automated instrumentation.
    1. Name the instrumentation used in the laboratory and explain the principle of operation.
      1. State the advantages of using this specific instrument.
      2. State the disadvantages of using this specific instrument.
    2. Successfully relate normal values to the appropriate test.
    3. Check reagent inventories and load reagents when necessary.
    4. Perform daily startup according to clinical sites protocol.
    5. Analyze quality control products.
      1. Define the frequency of analyzing QC material.
      2. Identify the correct QC material to be run per test.
      3. Explain the system function checks related to quality assurance of serology and blood banking.
    6. Record and document the quality control results per clinical site protocol.
    7. Analyze patient samples.
    8. Recognize abnormal results and troubleshoot accordingly.
      1. Identify the characteristics required in establishing critical values.
      2. Follow clinical sites protocol for reporting a critical value.
    9. Evaluate and perform acceptable troubleshooting activities relative to quality control or patient results.
    10. Perform daily shutdown according to clinical sites protocol.
    11. Perform routine instrument maintenance.
  5. Summarize test methods and principles learned in this rotation by completing the worksheets provided.
    1. Document daily the procedures performed, including observations.
    2. Obtain signature from supervising technologist verifying work performed, principles covered, and skills competency.
  6. Perform and interpret all blood bank (immunohematology) procedures with 100% accuracy. Confirm results with supervising Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
    1. Determine the ABO and Rh type of any specimen, including forward, reverse and weak D testing and be able to recognize discrepancies in typing results.
    2. Perform cord blood testing and properly evaluate cord bloods with positive direct antiglobulin tests.
    3. Select blood for transfusions and perform major crossmatch procedures for persons with negative antibody screens. Determine which units are suitable for transfusion.
    4. Identify unexpected red blood cell antibodies.
    5. Confirm the ABO and Rh type of donor units received in Transfusion service.
    6. Perform Rhogam workups and explain the criteria for appropriate use of antenatal and postpartum Rhogam.
  7. Perform procedures relating to blood and blood components following the guidelines of the clinical site.
    1. Correctly issue RBC packed cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrates.
    2. Correctly issue autologous/direct blood donation units.
    3. Discuss the considerations involved when switching the ABO and /or Rh type of blood transfused to a patient.
  8. Observe and discuss with the supervising Clinical Laboratory Scientist, a transfusion reaction workup at the clinical site.
    1. List patient's symptoms
    2. List causes
    3. Record laboratory findings
  9. Perform and interpret all serology (immunology) assays run in the department with results acceptable to the supervising Clinical Laboratory Scientist. These may include, but are not limited to:
    1. Pregnancy testing
    2. Infectious mononucleosis testing
    3. Antinuclear antibody testing
    4. Rheumatoid factor testing
    5. Syphilis testing
Back to Top