CLS Technical Standards (Essential Functions) for Admission
The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation.
In adhering to this policy, the University abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Minnesota Human Rights Act and other applicable statutes and regulations relating to equality of opportunity. The CLS Program encourages all qualified individuals to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science.
The CLS Program curriculum, leading to eligibility for certification and licensure as a CLS practitioner, requires students to engage in diverse, complex and specific experiences critical to the acquisition and practice of essential laboratory professional skills and functions. Unique combinations of cognitive, affective, psychomotor, physical, and social abilities are required to satisfactorily perform these functions. In addition to being essential to the successful completion of the requirements of the BS degree, these functions are necessary to ensure the health and safety of patients, self, fellow students, faculty and other healthcare providers.
The Technical Standards are knowledge, skill, and attitude requirements necessary for successful admission and continuance by students for the CLS program. They are also necessary to acquire or demonstrate competence in a discipline as complex as diagnostic laboratory medicine. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) mandates that the Technical Standards (also called Essential Functions), required for admission to and continuance in the CLS program, be made available to prospective students and to the public.
The student must be able to meet the following Technical Standards to be admitted to and to continue in the CLS Program in addition to the academic conduct set forth by the UM Code of Conduct:
- Locomotion and Gross Motor Skills—Students must
- be able to move freely from one location to another in physical settings of the student classrooms and laboratories, medical laboratories and healthcare facilities;
- be able to operate equipment in the laboratory or healthcare facility and must be able to lift and move objects of at least 20 pounds.
- Fine Motor Skills—Students must
- have sufficient coordination to allow delicate and controlled manipulations of specimens, instruments, and tools.
- be able to safely grasp and release small objects (e.g., test tubes, microscope slides); perform fine movements such as the ability to twist and turn dials/knobs (e.g., for a microscope, balance, or spectrophotometer); and manipulate other laboratory materials (e.g., reagents and pipettes) in order to complete tasks.
- Communication Skills—Students must
- be able to communicate effectively and sensitively in written and spoken English;
- comprehend and respond to both formal and colloquial English, by person-to-person, telephone, and written communication
- appropriately assess nonverbal as well as verbal communication with other students, faculty, staff, patients, family and other professionals
- Visual Acuity and Sensory—Students must
- be able to identify and distinguish objects macroscopically and microscopically; read charts, graphs, and instrument scales as well as discern fine details of texture and color.
- have a sense of touch and temperature discrimination sufficient to perform laboratory testing.
- Cognitive Application Skills — Students must
- be able to apply knowledge, skills, and values learned from previous coursework and life experiences to new situations
- measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize information
- · Safety— Students must
- be able to work safely with mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical, radiologic, and biological hazards and follow prescribed guidelines for working with hazards
- be able to recognize and respond to safety issues appropriately
- be able to recognize emergency situations and take appropriate actions.
- Stability— Students must
- possess the psychological health required for full use of abilities and respond to others in a collegial manner
- be able to recognize emergency situations and take appropriate actions.
- maintain mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, students, faculty, staff and other professionals under all circumstances, including highly stressful situations.
- have the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and in unpredictable ways.
- Affective (valuing) Skills— Students must
- show respect for self and others and project an image of professionalism, including appearance, dress, and confidence
- have complete personal integrity and honesty.
- adhere to appropriate professional deportment.
- know that his or her values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and experiences affect personal perceptions and relationships with others.
- be willing to examine personal behavior when it interferes with productive individual or team relationships.
- possess skills and experience necessary for effective and harmonious relationships in diverse academic and work environments.
- Professional skills— Students must
- follow written and verbal directions
- work independently and with others and under time constraints
- prioritize requests and work concurrently on at least two different tasks
- maintain alertness and concentration during a normal work period.
- learn and abide by professional standards of practice.
- possess attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, responsibility and tolerance.
- be able to engage in patient care delivery in all settings and be able to deliver care to all patient populations including but not limited to children, adolescents, adults, individuals with disabilities, medically compromised patients and vulnerable adults.
Reference citation: (accessed August 17, 2011).
- Details Report for: 29-2011 Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists. O*Net Online (US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration), 2010. http://www.onetonline.org/link/details/29-2011.00
- National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) http://www.naacls.org