The purpose of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at St. Christopher’s Hospital is to prepare women and men for a lifetime challenge and reward as members of the health care profession. The curriculum is designed to give the student a thorough background in the physical and biological sciences, stressing the application of theoretical principles and interpretations in the performance of medical laboratory procedures, and to develop in the student an appreciation for the professional responsibilities of rendering service to the sick. To realize this aim, the Program strives to graduate individuals who are competent medical laboratory scientists with a fund of knowledge, proficiency and experience that will enable them to follow a career in any aspect of the profession. The Program functions within the general policies of the medical laboratory and is supported by the hospital as a part of its commitment to provide health care and education to the community.
Medical Laboratory Science requires excellence - a willingness to maintain the highest standards. This implies attention to detail, fundamental integrity in all work and an application of this to the performance of tasks. Students must have an open mind, curiosity, determination, self-discipline, enthusiasm, and motivation. One must be capable of independent thinking and realize that education is a lifelong process.
As a measure of the pursuit of excellence and as a responsibility to students and the community, the Program shall meet the established requirements and maintain accreditation. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) is the agency designated by the Council of Postsecondary Accreditation for the specific accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs including Medical Laboratory Science programs.
Optimum patient care is the underlying premise against which all professional conduct must be measured. Medical Laboratory Scientists must treat all persons in the allied health fields with respect due them by their knowledge, skills, training, and position of contributing to the care of the patient. The medical laboratory scientist must be aware of the need for cooperation and friendly understanding between fellow workers. Over-zealous and capricious criticism of fellow medical laboratory scientists and other members of the health care team must be viewed as non-professional. Patience, humility and tact must be exercised toward the patient who by reason of his illness is not always as cooperative or as agreeable as might be desired and therefore is particularly in need of our understanding and kindness.
Within the medical community, situations arise during which medical laboratory scientists become recipients of privileged information. This knowledge should remain private unless its sharing is for the good of the patient, protection of fellow workers, benefit of mankind, or required by law.
The Medical Laboratory Scientist must maintain the standards and responsibilities of and contribute to the development of the profession. Confidence and respect for the field of medical laboratory science must be created and maintained with medical colleagues as well as in the eyes of the public at large.
The Medical Laboratory Science Program at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children offers equal opportunity education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, or ethnic origin.