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WHAT IS A CLINICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM LIKE?

The clinical education program provides a comprehensive course of study designed to prepare individuals for a career in the clinical laboratory sciences and national certification. (Link to What is the value of national certification?) The programs include both didactic and practical components. These programs are designed to accept individuals who may have only three years of college background and for whom the clinical experience is the fourth year of their baccalaureate program. Therefore, the educational program includes lectures comparable to MSU courses in hematology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, etc. This repetition of content helps to cement learning for MSU graduates. (Students wishing to avoid this repetition should consider the MSU Clinical Laboratory Sciences major - Link.)

The majority of time during the clinical experience is spent in structured laboratory experiences in the various departments of the laboratories. Students may participate in enrichment opportunities in cytology, histology, nuclear medicine, toxicology, forensic pathology and others depending on the availability of these services and units in a particular hospital.

• Principles of representative procedures and instruments.
• Clinical significance of laboratory procedures in diagnosis and treatment.
• Principles and practices of quality control.
• Applications of laboratory information systems
• Principles of laboratory management, supervision, and problem-solving.
• Principles of methods of instruction.

Please see an advisor if you have any further questions regarding clinical education programs.

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HOW TO ASSESS EDUCATIONAL QUALITY OF CLINICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

• Library facilities available to students.



• Any additional rotations available other than those required.



• Opportunity and encouragement to do individual research projects; opportunity to present or report on the project in a student forum or to laboratory staff.



• Opportunity to discuss the program with other students during interview process.



• Success rate of students during last few years in passing certification examinations.



• Existence of journal club or case study conferences or any other regular ongoing form of continuing education among laboratory staff personnel.



• Amount of student interaction with Pathologist/Director and/or other staff Pathologists and/or pathology residents.



• Regular conferences with Education Coordinator to evaluate progress throughout program.



• Is there an individual designated as a "teaching tech'' to discharge the teaching responsibility during each clinical rotation.



• Interdisciplinary interaction opportunities with other hospital medical and/or allied health personnel and services; i.e. surgery, outpatient clinics, emergency department, ongoing research programs, nursing, O.T., dietetics, engineering/safety/maintenance, hospital administration, personnel, social services, chapel, etc.



• Encouragement for student participation and attendance at professional meetings, conventions, workshops, seminars.



• Opportunity to increase student self confidence through weekend and night shift rotation experience.



• Interaction with students in programs in nearby hospitals.



• Opportunities to visit, observe, learn about "special units," services or instrumentation available at other hospitals in the area.



• Attitude of laboratory personnel toward their jobs, careers and each other; their professional behavior and appearance; their views on the medical technology professional in general; their participation in their own continuing education.



• Starting salaries of certified medical technologists/clinical laboratory scientists at their institution.



• When the program was last reviewed by NAACLS, for how many years was it accredited? (Maximum is 7 years)

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CHOOSING A PROGRAM - WHAT TO CONSIDER

In addition to the indicators of quality listed above, students will want to consider factors that address their individual needs. These include:

• location and transportation
• housing
• financial aid/loan payment deferment
• fees/tuition
• class size
• stipend
• meals
• uniforms and laundry
• vacation
• sick time
• health care
• medical insurance
• legal liability insurance
• employment opportunities during and after the clinical education program.
• restrictions on working during the clinical experience

Students should be confident they can comply with the laboratory's expectations in regard to: attendance, punctuality, dress code, professional attitude and behavior. Students should be aware of the Grading and Evaluation procedures that will be in effect throughout the course of the curriculum to monitor the students' performance and progress and ultimate success in completing the clinical education program.

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FINANCING CLINICAL EDUCATION

Financing clinical education is a significant consideration. Few clinical programs offer stipends. As college graduates, MSU students in clinical programs are typically not eligible for financial aid, although loan payments may be deferred during clinical training.

Most students seek clinical programs that are located near family and friends where they can live inexpensively. There are a few scholarship programs that provide funds for students during their clinical programs. (Click here to view scholarship opportunities.) Many students work part-time during their clinical program. Often, the laboratory will hire students to work in a department once they have completed their training in that area. Programs typically have policies that limit outside employment to about 10 hours/week so the educational program remains the students' top priority.

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REQUESTS FOR PROGRAM INFORMATION AND APPLICATIONS

Refer to the sections below on In-state Application, Out-of-state Application and Other Professional Certifications to find programs to which to apply. The recommendations here on requesting program information and applications are pertinent for all three types of applications.

A. Address your letters to the Program Director (NOT Medical Director), School of Medical Technology (or appropriate title), Clinical Laboratories, Hospital, etc. Use the name of the Program Director if you know it.

B. Describe your status as follows:

1. Stress that you will have a B.S. degree in Medical Technology from MSU before you begin your clinical education program.
2. Indicate any reasons for selection of the geographical setting, i.e. husband has job in the city, or family lives near by, etc.
3. Clearly indicate when you will be able to begin your program.
   

C. Tactfully inquire about the items discussed above to assess program quality. This can be done by asking for any brochures or printed material they may have.

D. Ask for an application form and the date applications close.

E. If geographically possible, ask if you may visit the laboratory and whom to contact to make arrangements to do so.

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Most programs will expect you to provide letters for reference or recommendations.

A. Establish a letter file in the Placement Office, 103 Student Services Building. When you have established this file, the individuals completing references for you will send them to Placement Services. Then you direct Placement Services to send the letters in your file to the programs to which you have applied. This is much easier for your references since they write only one letter. Necessary forms and instructions to establish a file are available in the Placement Office upon request.

B. Contact three individuals to provide references for you. These may include campus faculty of current or past courses, but may also include employers. Most hospitals request evaluations from a biology and a chemistry instructor. MT Program faculty are also good references. They usually want a recommendation from someone who has seen your laboratory performance, so evaluations from laboratory instructors are very acceptable.

C. If you are applying in Michigan, ask your references to complete a Student Evaluation Form (available in 322 N. Kedzie Lab or click here) and send it to the Placement Office to be included in your Letter File. Remember to indicate on the top of the form whether or not you waive access to the form. Do this before giving the form to the instructor or reference.

If you are applying out of state or to another health profession program, there will likely be a unique evaluation form to be completed. Since these forms are accepted by only one institution, you do no need to forward them to Placement Services but have them sent directly to the clinical program. Supply a stamped, pre-addressed envelope for the convenience of your reference faculty.

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COMPLETING APPLICATIONS AND SENDING TRANSCRIPTS

Once you review the materials and select the programs of interest to you, you will complete the application form. All programs in Michigan use basically the same form. It is courteous to notify program directors if you will not be applying to their program after requesting information.

Be sure to follow any special instructions such as when to contact the program about interviews.

Clinical programs will usually want a copy of your University Transcript. The cost of a transcript is $5.00 and payment must accompany your request. Payment can be made in cash, by check or using a credit card. You may obtain a student copy of your transcript by fax (517-432-3347), by mail (MSU Transcripts, East Lansing, MI 48824-0210), by phone (517-355-3300), in person from the Administration Building, Room 150, or on the world wide web (www.reg.msu.edu/secure/TranscriptRequest/transcript.asp). Requests should include your name, student number, date of birth and social security number, as well as payment. Copies (rather than an original) of your transcript may be sent with each application. However, you may need to supply an official transcript once you are accepted to the program. Your transcript will be incomplete and you should indicate the courses you have yet to complete for graduation. Be sure to use course names they will understand, i.e., Microbiology, Physiology, NOT MIC or PAL.

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IN-STATE (MICHIGAN) APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process in Michigan is unique. Many years ago, program directors developed a computerized matching program to maximize the likelihood that students will be placed at their preferred institution, assuming the student is acceptable there. This program is called the Medical Technology Internship Matching Program of Michigan (MTIMPM). Students seeking a clinical program in Michigan MUST participate in the match. Details of the process are available at the MTIMPM website or in the Medical Technology Program office, 322 N. Kedzie Lab.

There are five independent clinical programs in Michigan, all of which participate in the match. Follow the steps above to request applications and information.

Hospital Based Clinical Education Programs in Michigan

OUT-OF-STATE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CLINICAL PRACTICUM OPPORTUNITIES

Educational programs that lead to eligibility to take the certifying examination for Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology are variable in their structure. All programs have a didactic component in which instruction focuses on the theory and practice. Also included is a clinical education component that emphasizes application of basic principles in a working setting. However, there are two general formats: College/University-based programs and Hospital-based programs.

College/University-based programs (like MSU's Clinical Laboratory Science major) that integrate preprofessional, professional and clinical courses that culminate in a baccalaureate degree. May accept MSU Medical Technology graduates.

• Participation in these programs will require meeting institutional requirements.
  Thus, an individual who seeks only a clinical practicum may still be required to take preprofessional courses prior to the actual clinical experience. Most of these programs charge tuition based on in-state and out-of-state rates.
  
• For individuals who already possess a baccalaureate degree in a related field (e.g. MSU MT grads), these programs typically last at least one year.
• University-based programs may begin at several times.
  Many start in September only. Some may allow for a January start(see below).
  

Hospital-based programs are oriented toward individuals who seek only the professional and clinical education that will make them eligible to take the certifying exam. Thus they are usually the best option for individuals that already possess a baccalaureate degree.

• Some of these programs may be affiliated with educational institutions. Others are independent.


• Some of these programs may charge tuition. Others are free.
• Independent programs may have a flat charge for all students.
• Many independent programs are free or offer ways to pay back tuition by student employment opportunities in the lab.
• Programs affiliated with educational institutions may charge at a credit hour rate
  
• These programs typically last less then one year.



• Hospital-based programs typically start in the summer.
• Most begin between June and September.

 

A listing of all accredited Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology program in the United States can be viewed the NAACLS Website (http://www.naacls.org/search/ ).

A more detailed listing can be found in the American Medical Association publication titled Health Professions Career and Education Directory. This book can be found in the Medical Technology office (322 North Kedzie) or in many libraries. This directory is organized alphabetically by state.

Selecting Locations to Apply

The listing of NAACLS programs provides a lot of information. There are several key headings that should be evaluated to help in selecting programs to which to apply.

Award: There are several possible awards that can be granted through accredited programs.

Cert: These grant a certificate (Cert) upon completion. These programs are intended for individuals who already possess a baccalaureate degree and seek nothing more then eligibility to take a certifying exam.

BS: These programs have an affiliation with a university in which credit hours will be awarded for successful completion of the clinical experience. In most cases, programs with this classification charge tuition at the rate of the affiliated educational institution. BSMT and BSCLS are other acronyms used for this classification.

Cert/BS: These are hybrid programs that offer more than one track through the clinical practicum: one that offers college credit(BS), the other which grants a certificate.

Class Capacity: In general, the greater the capacity the better your chances are for acceptance.

Length: The length of these programs can vary in the range of 10 to 36 months. In general, hospital-based programs are most often 12 months, while university/college-based programs are longer.

Begins: This is the month in which the clinical practicum begins. Most start in the summer months. A listing of January and February starts is provided below.

Program Director: This is the name and address of the individual who should be contacted for information and application to the program.

Tuition: In many cases no cost is listed. This indicates the clinical program is free or only charges for books and sometimes uniforms. In some instances, the listed tuition is negotiable dependent on willingness to participate as a student employee.

Hospital-based Programs with Jan/Feb start dates:
The following is a listing of select hospital-based CLS/MT clinical practicum programs that start in the winter. This list is intended to aid Fall graduates in finding clinical practicums that would start immediately after graduation. This list was compiled from the 2000/2001 Health Professions Career and Education Directory. This directory also includes university-based programs that start in winter. Complete information regarding these and other programs can be acquired by referencing this publication available in the MT Program office (322 N. Kedzie Lab).

Baptist Medical Center - Montgomery, Alabama
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center - Colton, California
Columbia San Jose Medical Center - San Jose, California
Baptist St. Vincent's Health System - Jacksonville, Florida
University Medical Center - Jacksonville, Florida
Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center - Tallahassee, Florida
Good Samaritan Hospital - Vincennes, Indiana
Lake Charles Memorial Hospital - Lake Charles, Louisiana
St. Francis Medical Center - Monroe, Louisiana
Overton Brooks VA Medical Center - Shreveport, Louisiana
St. John's Regional Medical Center - Joplin, Missouri
Cox Health Systems - Springfield, Missouri
Palmetto Baptist Medical Center - Columbia, South Carolina
Shannon West Texas Memorial Hospital - San Angelo, Texas
Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center - Waco, Texas

Recommended sites

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APPLYING TO PROGRAMS IN OTHER LABORATORY SPECIALTIES

A variety of post-baccalaureate educational programs/internships are available to individuals with B.S. degrees in a life science including Medical Technology or Clinical Laboratory Science.

If you are interested in programs in cytotechnology, nuclear medicine or other health professions, the application process is the same as the out-of-state process for a CLS/MT clinical experience. Use the Health Professions Career and Education Directory (available in the MT Program office) to identify programs to which to apply. The Health Professions Directory also contains descriptions of these professions.

Below is a listing of select fields and the resources needed for further information. A more complete listing can be acquired through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (http://www.naacls.org/) or the Commission on Accredition of Allied Health Education Programs (http://www.caahep.org/).

Cytogenetics
Cytogenetics is a highly specialized discipline that studies the morphology of chromosomes and their relationship to disease. Information on this field can be found at http://www.agt-info.org/

Cytotechnology
Using special techniques, cytotechnologists prepare and evaluate samples microscopically for the diagnosis of cancer and related conditions. A select listing of programs can be found at http://www.cytology.com/ctscls.htm The professional society can be accessed through http://www.asct.com/

Diagnostic Medical Sonography
This field is primarily involved in production and interpretation of medically relevant images using ultrasound techniques. Overlap exists between this and Cardiovascular Technology. Both are under the same professional society at http://ardms.org/

Histotechnology
The primary responsibility of this field is the preparation of tissue for microscopic evaluation. Identification of tissue and cellular structures that relate to disease states is also a focus. Information regarding this field can be accessed through http://www.histology.to/main.html or http://www.nsh.org

Medical Illustration
These programs are typically two years long and culminate in a Master's degree. Information regarding this field can be accessed through http://medical-illustrators.org/buttons.html

Nuclear Medicine
This is a medical specialty that uses radioactive material for the purpose of diagnosis and therapy. http://www.snm.org

Pathology Assistant
These individuals participate in the examination, dissection and processing of tissues acquired from surgery and autopsy. http://pathologistsassistants.org/

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CAREER RESOURSES RELATED TO THE MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES

The following is a listing of related professions that offer career opportunities to MT/CLS students and practitioners

Forensics
American Academy of Forensic Science http://www.aafs.org/
Society of Forensic Toxicologist http://www.soft-tox.org/
MSU Forensics Program http://www.cj.msu.edu/~academic/forenhome.html

Genetic Counseling
National Society of Genetic Counselors http://www.nsgc.org/
American Board of Genetic Counselors http://www.faseb.org/genetics/abgc/abgcmenu.htm

Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics
American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics http://www.swmed.edu/home_pages/ASHI/ashi.htm

Ligand Assay
Clinical Ligand Assay Society http://www.clas.org/

Add your website

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INTERVIEWING

If you are invited for an interview, you should follow standard recommendations regarding attire and behavior. Check out the following web sites:

http://www.thomas-staffing.com/jobtip1.htm

http://www.careercity.com/Content/interview/index.asp

Interviews will vary. Sometimes you may speak with a single individual. At other institutions you will meet with several individuals, occasionally in a group. Typically you will have the opportunity to meet with a student and tour the facilities.

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LINK TO THE NATIONAL ACCREDITING AGENCY FOR CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
(http://www.naacls.org)

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