1	A Career in the Clinical Laboratory Augusta Medical Center Fishersville, Virginia
2	Would you like to know… How you can help doctors diagnose and treat disease? How you can have an exciting and rewarding career helping others? How you can join a growing field with flexibility and job security?
3	Then, A Career in Clinical Laboratory Science is your answer!
4	Why Choose to Become a Laboratory Professional… Laboratory tests are extremely valuable Contribute up to 70% to all medical decisions made by doctors Modern medicine could not function without lab tests. Demand for laboratory professionals will exceed supply in the near future
5	Demand on the Rise Demand for service professions in wake of September 11 attacks. Increase need for Public Health workers Key role in Bioterrorism. Laboratory professionals identify diseases like Anthrax.
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7	Job Satisfaction
8	Do You Have What it Takes? Problem solvers Challenge and high level of responsibility Focus on accuracy and reliability Perform many tasks at the same time High standards that demands quality Commitment to help others
9	Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Also known as Medical Technologist (MT) Four year Bachelor of Science Degree Work in all areas and perform routine and complex tests with little or no supervision Work with Microscope, electronic equipment, computers. Provide accurate and reliable results to doctors.
10	Basic Working Levels…. Clinical Departments: Hematology, Chemistry Blood Bank, Microbiology, Immunology “Bench” testing Supervisor of any department Manager or any or all departments
11	Education, Training, Preparation High School: Solid skills in Math and Sciences like Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science College: Combo of classroom and clinical training. Clinical Laboratory Science: 2+2 University based 3+1, 4+1 Hospital based
12	Education, Training, Preparation cont... “Real life” training directly prepares you for the job immediately after graduation NCA or ASCP Certification Exam State Licensure: Few states require State Licensure exam Others require national certification Masters Degree in Specialties PhD level available as terminal degree
13	Where you will work….. Hospitals Laboratories Physician Office Laboratories Independent or Reference Laboratories Public Health Laboratories Pharmaceutical Companies Fertility Clinics Veterinary Laboratory Industry: Research & Development, Sales, Technical support Etc, etc,
14	Salaries Source: ASCP 2003 Wage and Vacancy Survey Medical Technologist Median Beginning Wage: $32,600 per year. 2003 national averages: Staff Medical Technologist $37,710 - $46,092 Laboratory Supervisor $41,392 - $53,976 Laboratory Manager $52,000 - $65,000 ( South Central Atlantic Region)
15	Career Options… Educational Program Director Research/ Clinical Trials Product Development Sales and Marketing/Consulting Genetics Information Technology Multi-departmental Manager/Hospital Administration Medical Informatics
16	Augusta Medical Center School of Clinical Laboratory Science Bernie Bekken, CLS (NCA), MT(ASCP)BB Program Director
17	Accredited School of Clinical Laboratory Science Accreditated by NAACLS National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science 8410 W. Bryn Mawr Chicago Illinois 60351-3415 773-714-8880 12 months clinical training to be eligible to sit for national certification examinations
18	Program Description 12 months Lecture phase = 6 months Pathophysiology of Disease Clinical Rotation = 6 months Practical Application Accept up to 8 students max. Enhance learning with non-lab speakers Learning Experiences – UVA, VBS, DCLS Rounds with physicians
19	Academic Requirements GPA - Overall 2.3 GPA - Science 2.5 If attending during Senior yr, must meet all graduation requirements before entering Receive 30 - 36 semester hr. credit
20	Expenses Tuition $1,000 Books $ 500 - $550 Manuals $ 250 Housing - approx. $400 - 600/mon. (Staunton/Waynesboro area)
21	Financial Aid Approved financial aid from College/Universities AMC Tuition Assistance Program $3300 per year Payback is to work for 1 year as new technologist after graduation Part-time employment as Phlebotomist or Specimen Processor
22	Application process Completed application form 3 References Character reference 2 Science instructors Transcripts Personal interview Deadline, November 1^st (longer if fewer applicants)
23	Interview Follow-up Letters sent out by mid Jan Acceptance, Sign commitment form $200 non-refundable tuition deposit Remaining in 2 $400 payments, (Sept, Jan.) Alternate list Will contact when position available Not accepted
24	Overview of Laboratory Departments Chemistry Blood Bank Hematology Microbiology Parasitology Urinalysis Mycology Coagulation Immunology
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26	Microbiology Deals with identification of microorganisms that cause disease Organisms include Bacteria Parasites Fungi Antibiotic susceptibility testing
27	Gram Positive/Negative Organisms Positive gram stain rx Pathogenic & normal flora Cocci or Bacilli forms Negative gram stain rx Pathogens cause severe infections - Food Poisoning Urinary tract infections
28	Antiobiotic Susceptability Antibiotic sensitivity testing done on all pathogenic organisms Test for type, and concentration that will kill organism
29	Parasitology:
30	Mycology Specialized area of Microbiology dealing with study of fungi that are capable of causing disease 1.5 million fungal species 400 pathogenic species
31	Immunohematology (Blood Bank) Once unit of blood arrives in hospital the type is verified Compatibility testing Assures blood safe for that patient Testing based on antigens & antibodies
32	Chemistry Test body fluids for several hundred different chemical substances Fluids usually blood, serum, urine or CSF Dept. using most instrumentation
33	Hematology Screen bld for abnormalities of WBC, RBC, Platelets, Reticulocytes Detects and classifies Leukemias & Anemias Uses automated instruments, cell counters and microscopes
34	Coagulation Concerned with testing associated with bleeding and clotting problems Conditions assoc. with low numbers or poorly functioning Platelets Clotting factors Vessel disorders Example – Hemophilia
35	Immunology/Serology Study of Immune System Component of lab deals with: Immunopathology Diagnosis of infectious disease Quantitation of serum components utilizing immunologic methods
36	Urinalysis Oldest test still performed in lab but one of the most valuable Used to detect disease related to Kidney i.e. kidney or bladder infections Also used to monitor metabolic diseases Diabetes Phenylketonuria (PKU) Bladder Cancers
37	Would I… Like to help doctors diagnose and treat disease? Like to have an exciting and rewarding career helping others? Like to join a growing field with flexibility and job security? Like a career with almost limitless job opportunities?
38	If your answer is “yes” then Let your adventure begin at AUGUSTA MEDICAL CENTER
39	For More information Bernie Bekken, CLS(NCA) Program Director Augusta Medical Center School of Clinical Laboratory Science 78 Medical Center Dr. Fishersville, Virginia 22939 540-332-4539 Email: bbekken@augustamed.com Website: http://www.augustamed.com/cls (download or apply online)