MLS Graduate Expected Competencies

1. Competencies in which the graduate should be productive with the usual orientation provided a new employee:
   1. Performs analyses on body cells, fluids and products by manual and automated methodology
   2. Assumes full accountability for the consequences of his/her actions and test results
   3. Organizes work effectively and maintains accurate records
   4. Demonstrates an attitude of cooperation and concern in interpersonal relationships with patients and health care personnel
   5. Recognizes the necessity for effective communication with patients, health care personnel and the public
2. Competencies in which the graduates should be productive with minimal direction and experiences:
   1. Applies the laws and principles of basic sciences to clinical laboratory practice
   2. Utilizes ethical and legal behavior appropriate for delivery of health care
   3. Utilizes quality control to evaluate the validity and reliability of test results
3. Competencies in which the graduate should be productive with moderate direction and experiences:
   1. Correlates laboratory data and recognizes when a problem exists. Identifies the nature of the problem (instrumentation, reagents, controls, personnel, etc.) and selects appropriate actions for resolution
   2. Determines the significance of data generated through an understanding of physiologic function, principles, techniques, and methods related to clinical laboratory practice
   3. Continues learning to enhance personal competency and impart knowledge to others
4. Competencies in which the graduate should be productive with moderate direction and experiences with additional education:
   1. Applies basic management principles of planning, organizing, directing and controlling personnel, data, space, equipment and moneys associated with the clinical laboratory
   2. Plans, prepares, teaches and evaluates instructional materials for laboratory personnel

Marketable Skills

Marketable Skills for Medical Laboratory Scientists include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Monitor operations to ensure compliance with regulations or standards.
• Verify personal information.
• Follow standard healthcare safety procedures to protect patient and staff members.
• Analyze biological or chemical substances or related data.
• Determine operational methods or procedures.
• Develop safety standards, policies, or procedures.
• Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise.
• Clean medical equipment or facilities.
• Research healthcare issues.
• Refer to graphs contained in medical journals, textbooks, trade publications, and web sites to learn about pathologies.
• Locate and collect data from many graphs and accompanying texts to fully distinguish between health and disease.
• Prepare comprehensive, unambiguous procedures and protocols.
• Refer to user manuals to troubleshoot equipment and describe the failures and repairs in maintenance logs. If they are unable to repair equipment, they call service technicians for assistance.