GRADUATION GUIDE
Clinical Laboratory Assistant
Certificate of Completion
Major Code: 510802
About the Program
A clinical laboratory assistant is a health care practitioner qualified by education, experience, and
examination to assist in the performance of routine laboratory testing. This multi-skilled practitioner performs, or assists in performing, clinical laboratory tasks as regulated by law, administrative
tasks, and select tasks involving patient contact. Quality improvement, safety, procedural accuracy,
and knowledge of regulatory practice standards are defining aspects of this practitioner’s role. Some
possible careers for this certificate include lab processor, clinical laboratory assistant, and phlebotomist. For more career information visit the CLA website atwww.roguecc.edu/AlliedHealth/CLA.
Successful completion of this three-term program prepares students for the American Society of
Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Phlebotomy certification exam. Students do not automatically become
certified through this program, but may take the appropriate test through ASCP after completing
the program. The curriculum for the program was written using the standards and guidelines for
the clinical assistant and ASCP phlebotomy certifications and can be reviewed on the following
website: ASCP www.ascp.org/. Students attend classes as part of a cohort structure and most of the
courses will be offered online or in the evening.
Clinical laboratory assistants can advance and become technicians or technologists through additional education and experience. Professional certification, specialization, and/or a graduate degree
in medical technology, one of the biological sciences, chemistry, management, or education usually
speeds advancement.
The U.S. Department of Education requires disclosure of specific information about career and
technical certificate programs to prospective students. Data includes Standard Occupational
Classification (SOC) codes, graduation rates, tuition and fees, typical costs for books and supplies,
job placement rates for students completing the programs, and median loan debt incurred by students completing the programs. For more information visit www.roguecc.edu/GainfulEmployment.
The curriculum in RCC courses is derived from a set of identified learning outcomes that are relevant to the discipline. For a list of learning outcomes for this discipline or program, see
www.roguecc.edu/Programs/LearningOutcomes.
Entry Requirements
Due to limited laboratory space and clinical facilities as well as the delicate balance of job opportunities in medical laboratory science, Clinical Laboratory Assistant is a competitive-entry program.
Students are required to take a placement test to determine skill level and readiness in math, reading and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within
their skill levels as determined by placement test scores. Cohort students must meet certain minimum academic requirements (CS120 or proficiency, AH100, MTH65 or higher level math, RD30,
and WR115 or BT113 or higher level composition or designated placement score) before starting
the program.
During the first term of the program, students must show evidence of beginning the Hepatitis B
immunization series or sign a waiver acknowledging the risk factors involved without the immunization. They must complete all health and immunization requirements, a criminal background
check prior to enrolling in any clinical lab practice classes, and a drug screen prior to going into
their practicum experience. This screening process is through Certified Background and has an
associated fee. Contact the Allied Health Department for more information.
Selection Process
Program admission occurs once per year. Deadline for submitting program application material is
May 1 of each year for fall term admission (see program website and/or application packet for more
information). Transcripts showing satisfactory completion of prerequisite/preparatory courses (see
below) must be in the Enrollment Services office by the application deadline to be considered eligible. All prerequisite/preparatory courses must have been taken with a letter grade and completed
with a “C” or better. Selection is based on a points system. Contact the Allied Health Department
for information regarding the application and selection process.
All applications will be date stamped and reviewed in the order received. Applicants will be selected
by committee on criteria developed in advance. This is a competitive program and not all qualified applicants may be accepted. There will be a waitlist established for those not accepted into the
cohort immediately in case new clinical space is open or students decline their seats in the cohort.
Any application received after the application deadline will be waitlisted.
2015-16 ACADEMIC YEAR
Accepted students must have a Basic Life Support (BLS) Health Care Provider card from the
American Heart Association (AHA) and an AHA Heartsaver first aid certification prior to starting
the program. Both certifications must be maintained throughout the program. Contact the Allied
Health Department to schedule a class.
Advanced Standing
Coursework from accredited colleges and universities will be accepted in accordance with college
policies and the program coordinator’s recommendation. In order to ensure coursework is current,
program courses over five years old must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate department
coordinator before being accepted toward core requirements. College Now credit earned in conjunction with local high schools will be accepted in accordance with the current agreement.
Graduation Requirements
These requirements apply only to Clinical Laboratory Assistant students admitted to the program
during the 2015-16 academic year. Students contemplating admission in a later year may have different requirements and must obtain the graduation guide or catalog for that year. Students must
complete all courses on this graduation guide with a grade of “C” or better to continue in and
complete the program and receive their certificates. If certain required courses are graded only on a
pass/no pass basis, a grade of “P” for these courses indicate a student earned a “C” or better grade.
National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
Students will be encouraged to take the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) during the
second quarter of the program. The NCRC is used by many health care employers nationwide to
find applicants who meet or exceed standards in mathematical reasoning, critical thinking, and
problem-solving techniques or work-related problems. The exam also includes reading for understanding and locating information such as using charts, graphs and tables to find information.
Local health care employers (including Asante and Valley Immediate Care) use the NCRC in applicant screening and/or hiring preference. Preparation for the NCRC will take place in conjunction
with students’ practicum experience
Prerequisites
Course No.
AH100
CS120
HE252 MTH65 RD30
WR115
Course Title
Credits
Medical Terminology: Introduction 3
Concepts in Computing I within the last 10 years or documented
computer proficiency 0-4
First Aid/CPR or
HE261CPR and HE112 Emergency First Aid 12-3
Fundamentals of Algebra II or higher level math or designated placement test score as shown on current indicator chart
0-4
College Reading or designated placement test score as shown on
current indicator chart
0-4
Introductory to Expository Writing or
BT113 Business English I or higher level composition class or
designated placement test score as shown on current indicator chart
0-4
Total Prerequisite Credits 5-22
Required Courses Course No.
First Term
Course Title
AH104
Phlebotomy with lab
AH105
Communication and Professional Behavior
CHEM104
Introductory Chemistry I with lab and recitation or
CHEM221 General Chemistry I with lab and recitation
CLA111
Clinical Lab Practice with lab
Credits
3
2
5
3
13
Second Term
AH110
Medical Terminology: Clinical
3
BI100SB
Biology of Human Systems 23
BI211
Biology with lab
4
CLA150
Hematology with lab 3
13
(over)
Third Term
BI234
Microbiology with lab
BT101
Human Relations in Organizations or
PSY101 Psychology of Human Relations
CLA160 Immunohematology with lab
CLA170
Clinical Lab Assistant Practicum and Seminar
TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS
4
3
3
3
13
39
AHA Heartsaver First Aid (HE112) and BLS CPR for Health Care Providers (HE261) cards are
required. HE 252 covers both certifications. Courses completed or certification received on or after summer 2015 satisfies the requirement.
1
BI100SB is not required if BI121/BI122 Elementary Anatomy and Physiology I/II or BI231/BI232/
BI233 Anatomy and Physiology I/II/III have been completed with a “C” or better grade.
2
For more information regarding the program and selection process, contact the Allied Health
Department:
Grants Pass or Medford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541-245-7845
Toll free in Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-460-6766, Ext. 7845
email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dwu@roguecc.edu
Web address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.roguecc.edu/AlliedHealth/CLA
TTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oregon Telecom Relay Service, 711
This advising guide is for advising purposes only. Please see current college catalog for additional information on specific college policies and graduation requirements.
In compliance with state and federal laws, Rogue Community College does not discriminate
on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, marital status or disability in employment, or in any of its educational programs or in
the provision of benefits and services to students.
3345 Redwood Highway • Grants Pass, OR 97527
www.roguecc.edu