| Program Overview |
Description of program for prospective students and clinical experience sites
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Mission, Goals, Objectives
Idaho State University is a broad based regional public doctoral university providing a broad range of educational services to a culturally diverse population of students and to the state. The university is Idaho's center for education in the health professions. The university engages in sustained and significant research as an essential component of its academic and public service programs. Idaho State University is committed to providing accessible, high quality education to the diverse citizenry of its region and state, and delivers comprehensive and creative outreach programs using the latest available technology. (excerpted from the University Role and Mission Statement page 5)
The Clinical Laboratory Science program is located within the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Idaho State University. The mission of the program is to insure present and future affordable and accessible education for professionals who fulfill the diverse roles assumed by clinical laboratory scientists. A succinct description of the profession is provided by NAACLS in the preamble to the standards for accreditation.
The goal of the Clinical Laboratory Science program is to provide baccalaureate, post baccalaureate and graduate level education to the students of the State of Idaho which will provide those students with the background and tools necessary to enter the clinical laboratory science profession. The philosophy of the program embraces the concept that clinical laboratory science is a broad profession with job descriptions arrayed along a continuum of responsibility, requisite education and experience ranging from bench level practice in clinical facilities to managerial, research and educational positions in a variety of venues. Any educational program for the Clinical Laboratory Scientists must address this continuum and provide preparation for entry and advancement at a variety of places and provide tools and opportunities for lifelong advancement and professional engagement. Possible Jobs
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The objective of the Baccalaureate degree and post baccalaureate certificate is to provide the academic and clinical education that will prepare the student to pass one of the national credential examinations and with appropriate orientation gain and maintain employment as an entry level clinical laboratory scientist (medical technologist) and engage in a lifetime of professional learning and development. Using standard outcomes measures, (registry pass rate and employment rate) the Idaho State University program has met the first objective. By evaluating the achievements and professional development of our graduates we can demonstrate that the second has also been met. By implementation of continuous assessment driven change ISU will continue to meet these objectives in the future. Assessments
Assurance that these objectives are met is the implementation of a structured program of undergraduate science preparation followed by a professional component which includes didactic course work and supervised practice with an emphasis on the development of critical thinking skills. Major changes in the structure and delivery have been made over the last three years culminating in a new B.S in CLS, electronic and distance delivery; and major curricular changes approved in April of 2006. Faculty and budget have been added within the last year to implement the changes. A professional advisory committee consisting of university and community representatives drawn from practicing professionals and Pathologists across the state has had input into the content and delivery of the professional component of this program and in the selection of faculty. Continued participation of the outside advisory committee will assure relevancy of the program to professional practice. Surveys of professional clinical laboratory scientists have confirmed assumptions made about scope of practice and provided impetus and validation for the emphasis on critical thinking skills and professional development at the baccalaureate level.
The objective of the graduate program is to provide academic and clinical education which will prepare the student to successfully participate in education and supervision of other laboratory practitioners, and understand and conduct basic and clinical research and management activities applicable to both the profession of clinical laboratory science and related career pathways in biological sciences and clinical medicine. The graduate program offers two types of degrees, one for persons already holding national credentials through either ASCP or NCA and those wishing to prepare for those credentials as they do their MS degree. The entry requirements are slightly different for these two groups.
Achievement of these objectives is through the delivery of a structured program of advanced course work and research culminating in the production of a thesis and granting of an M.S. degree. A multidisciplinary advisory committee consisting of representatives of the department of Biological Sciences and other health care programs has input into this process at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. One or more members from the community professional advisory committee will be included on this committee as appropriate. Graduate courses are subject area specific and students are strongly encouraged to participate in courses outside the department, particularly in public health, computerization, education, and management. Masters Option
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Accreditation
The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science head quartered in Chicago Illinois. (Link to accreditation page) This body sets forth the standards for accreditation including descriptions of the profession and pre-professional and professional preparation expectations. Idaho State University is accredited by an extensive list of agencies. The facilities which participate as clinical experience sites maintain accreditation through several agencies. |
Faculty
The Program Director assumes diverse responsibility for the administration and accreditation of the program and ensures that the requirements for continued accreditation are met. That individual has a Master of Science degree and certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist and Medical Technologist and experience in clinical education. Additional roles include budget, curricular input and coordination of the program. Sonja Nehr-Kanet, MT (ASCP), CLS (NCA)
Didactic faculty is qualified by education and experience to teach their respective subjects and have faculty appointments. CLS faculty include: Susan Galindo, MT (ASCP), Clinical Associate Professor, Yong Sheng Ma, PhD/MD, Clinical Assistant Professor. Other supporting CLS faculty include: Malcolm Shields, PhD, Associate Professor, and retired CLS Program Director/Clinical Professor, Dr. Kathleen M. Spiegel, MT (ASCP).
Clinical site faculty/supervisors are qualified by education and experience to supervise students at the clinical site. Affiliate faculty status is granted to site coordinators.
The content in didactic courses and clinical experiences is determined by the University faculty with input from the professional advisory committee, professional organizations as deemed appropriate, and NAACLS. The University is responsible for providing and maintaining records and assessment instruments for these courses and insuring that appropriate content area for the professional preparation is included. CLS Courses
Final grades are the responsibility of the professor responsible for the didactic courses and the professor of record for the clinical experience. Syllabi for all courses within the program are available to students.
Faculty attends and participates in professional and scientific meetings as indicated in their C.V.s.
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Clinical Affiliates
Contractual arrangements are made with the clinical sites specifying duties assumed by each party in agreement with the NAACLS guidelines. Decisions about content of the clinical experience are made in conjunction with the clinical faculty. A list of clinical experience sites is available. Clinical site arrangements are made by the program in consultation with clinical site coordinators. Even though students may get the clinical practice at a variety of sites, a minimum list of experiences is provided to affiliate sites along with the ASCP consensus report for entry level knowledge and practice. |
Resources
Students are eligible for all other financial aid sources including graduate teaching assistant positions.
Enrollment is limited to 30 total students. Up to 20 are selected in the spring and the remaining 10 are selected in August.
Facilities consist of regular teaching labs and student labs in Boise and Pocatello Campuses. Representative equipment is available for teaching purposes in both locations. Supervised clinical experience is obtained at affiliate sites chosen to represent the diverse clinical practice in Idaho.
Extensive teaching collections of slides, photographs, case studies and samples are maintained by the Program. Idaho State University is the site for the State of Idaho Health Sciences Library. Monographs, periodicals and electronic journals are available to all students whether on campus, online or at clinical affiliate sites through the library. Instruction for use of the Health Sciences Library is provided at the beginning of each year, or as needed. This information is provided by the Health Sciences Library Staff.
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Curriculum, Prerequisites, and Admission Requirements
Course structure is designed to address with increasing complexity the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. Didactic course content is identical for all B.S. level students. This first level of courses addresses the cognitive domain. Delivery is through lecture (beamed between Boise and Pocatello both directions, simultaneously recorded, digitized and made available on the Web). Supplementary material, quizzes exercises and examinations are offered via the Web. These level one courses are prerequisites for the second level and clinical experience, and unlike level II and clinical experience do not require a formal admission process. Laboratory and critical thinking courses (level II) addressing the affective domain are conducted with minimal beamed/recorded lectures coupled with on-site and electronic laboratory/interactive sessions. This is where the courses diverge from either traditional lecture or Web-based delivery. These level II classes carry dual undergraduate and graduate designation. The supervised clinical experience addresses the psychomotor domain) and is provided by the clinical sites (hospitals and clinics throughout the state and selected out of state sites. A list of minimum expectations of both the site and the students are distributed to each site. A full description of the individual courses, curriculum, prerequisites and admission requirements are in the current catalogs for undergraduate and graduate school.
CLS Courses
Prerequisites
Clinical curriculum pertaining to specific tests and equipment is structured using the ASCLS Body of Knowledge and the Consensus report from ASCP describing entry level expectations. |
Admission Documents and Procedures
An application process is required which includes recommendations. When the number of qualified students exceeds the number of slots available, they are ranked and accepted according to an established point system which is supplied with the application documents. Non ISU students also need to apply to the University (ISU Admissions).
Admission to the M.S. program is identical to that for other graduate students within the department. There are two routes for the M.S., one for already practicing professionals who have been credentialed by a national agency as meeting the requirements by education and experience. The second route is for students who wish to obtain credentials concurrent with an M.S. degree. The sustained enrollment in the graduate program is targeted for six students.
ISU Graduate School
Dept of Biological Sciences
Grad Program
CLS Masters
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Progression - Undergraduate and Professional Program
Progression through the program begins with undergraduate preparation (Undergraduate Catalog Description) appropriate to the degree or certificate goal followed by the professional block of courses which culminates in the supervised experience. Professional block courses may not be taken out of sequence without the express permission of the director and the professor of the class in question.
A grade of C or better must be earned in all professional level courses. Grades are determined by the professor assigned to the individual course. Evaluation of student performance is within the courses and at the discretion of the individual professor.
Online course work at the level of the professional block is available with the exception of the supervised experience. Innovative delivery via distance learning, Web, and other electronic media is available. Online participation requires extra-ordinary motivation, discipline, high speed computer connections and established computer skills, as well as the completion of laboratory exercises on campus. Students contemplating online participation will be required to consult with the Scientific Instructional Designer (Dr. Carolyn Bunde) and demonstrate adequate computer skills. Courses offered online will not be offered out of sequence and will be parallel to on-campus students. Permission of the program director and the individual course instructor is required.
Undergraduate and graduate projects and research may be in a number of areas including basic research, clinical and environmental, management and education. Presentation of research projects is expected as part of the professional block at the annual ASCLS - ID (American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science - Idaho) meetings.
Biological Sciences Research |
Future
There is ongoing national discussion within the profession to make entry level a minimum post baccalaureate certificate or second degree or an MS degree. Currently the minimal entry level is a BS degree. ISU can accommodate all the options and will reflect changes as they occur. The CLS BS is an attractive degree for other health profession programs which have transitioned to an MS or higher training program so demand for that degree will probably remain strong in the future. Provision for a shortened clinical experience will allow for growth in this type of degree for other health professionals without overwhelming the clinical experience sites.
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Student Policies
Please refer to college catalog for all student policies. Only those that are specific to the program are indicated here.
Students may be dismissed from the program for any breach in University codes (ISU Student Handbook). Additionally, any breach of confidentiality concerning teaching specimens, patient or proprietary information from clinical sites is cause for immediate dismissal from the program. Any behavior, whether at the University or at clinical sites which endangers the life or health of any patient, student or employee of the clinical facility or the University is also grounds for immediate dismissal.
Tuition is the same as for any other graduate or undergraduate program. Please refer to current electronic catalog for the most recent changes in fees. Withdrawal and refund policies are also the same as for other students - refer to appropriate section of electronic or print catalog.
Health Care availability while on campus are identical to other students and is outlined in the student handbook. Students at clinical experience sites are informed as to the procedures necessary at each site for the provision of emergency care.
Proof of immunization and a background check may be required by specific affiliate locations. That information will be made available to the student prior to assignment to clinical experience. Such immunizations may include MMR, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and TB test and others as specified by site. |
Assessments
Continuous assessment of program content, delivery and effectiveness is made. Evaluation instruments and instructions for on line completion and/or submission are available. Graduation rates, pass rates on external examinations, assessment of professional development of past graduates as well as the formal assessment instruments are used in the continuous changes and improvements of this program.
CLS Assessment
Student Sign Off Sheet
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