Program Information

Accreditation

The Mississippi Baptist Medical Center (MBMC) School of Medical Laboratory Science has active accreditation status with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018; phone 773-714-8880.

Further information about NAACLS can be found at www.naacls.org.

Clinical Facility and Educational Affiliates

The School of Medical Laboratory Science was established in 1946 and is a division of the Department of Pathology at MBMC. The largest private general hospital in the state, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission and is a member in good standing of the Mississippi Hospital Association. The Pathology Department is accredited by the College of American Pathologists and the American Association of Blood Banks. The School of Medical Laboratory Science offers a 12-month program for qualified applicants in the major disciplines of clinical laboratory medicine including Chemistry, Hematology, Immunohematology and Microbiology as well as special topics such as Education and Management.

All medical laboratory science programs accredited by NAACLS must culminate in a baccalaureate degree. Applicants may already have a baccalaureate degree (4+1 students) or may be planning to obtain one following successful completion of the year of clinical education at MBMC (3+1 students). The School of Medical Laboratory Science maintains affiliations with the schools listed below, which allow the proper transfer of required semester hours of credit to the university for those students whose senior year of college will be the year at MBMC.

Contact the Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science advisor at the following schools to learn more about 3+1 degree requirements:

Auburn University: www.auburn.edu

Mississippi State University: www.msstate.edu

The clinical education course at MBMC lasts 12 consecutive months. Students are in the laboratory Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They develop technical skills under the instruction and supervision of certified medical technologists/medical laboratory scientists by rotating through the major divisions of the clinical laboratory. Students learn to perform laboratory procedures by assisting with actual tests on hospital patients. Because their learning is directly related to patients and their illnesses, students develop an important professional concept–a sense of responsibility toward patients.

Students also attend lectures on a daily basis. Both lectures and lab rotations are accompanied by frequent written, oral and practical examinations. The entire clinical course is concluded with a comprehensive examination.

Upon successful completion of the clinical program, students receive a certificate from the School of Medical Laboratory Science and are eligible to take a national certification examination, such as the ASCP Board of Certification Medical Laboratory Scientist exam. Graduation from the program is not dependent upon the student passing any external certification or licensure examination.

Expenses and Financial Aid

There is no tuition fee; however a $1,000 activity fee is charged. Students must purchase their own textbooks and uniforms as well as provide for their own housing and transportation.

3+1 students should have access to the usual financial aid provided through their college or university. At times, stipend funds are available through the MBMC Clinical Laboratory for students enrolled in the School of Medical Laboratory Science. In addition, the Program Director provides information about various scholarships that may be available. Contact the Program Director for more information about the student stipend and scholarships.

Course Descriptions

Please send all requests for information regarding credit hours for the following courses to the Program Director.

Accessioning and Processing

Students learn to handle and process requisitions and specimens from inpatients, outpatients and Outreach accounts. Pre-analytical problems are discussed and solved during this rotation.

Phlebotomy

The didactic instruction covers basic venipuncture and skin puncture techniques. Approximately twenty hours of clinical practice is required following didactic instruction.

Special Topics: Education and Management

Basic education theory such as behavioral objectives, criterion and norm-referenced evaluation, methods of instruction and research techniques is presented. Students participate in a variety of group and individual journal article, case study and current event presentations. In addition, students complete a capstone project in which they assemble a project notebook during the clinical year comprised of various patient case histories and their clinical significance.

An overview of various managerial and supervisory theories and practices is also provided. Students solve management problems during clinical rotation and lectures. In addition, students complete a capstone project in which they create & manage their own laboratory.

Hematology/Coagulation

Students learn normal and abnormal morphology of formed elements in blood. Testing includes various hematological assays, bone marrow studies, special staining procedures and hemolytic studies. Mechanisms of hematopoiesis are correlated with clinical and laboratory findings through discussion of case studies. Operation, maintenance, quality control and trouble-shooting of the automated cell counters is taught and practiced. The lecture course also offers basic principles of cytogenetics and flow cytometry. Physiological mechanisms of normal human coagulation as well as hereditary and acquired defects of these mechanisms are taught. Therapeutic measures that alter the normal coagulation processes and monitor anticoagulant therapy are discussed. Techniques include evaluating specimen quality, screening procedures and specific assays.

Clinical Chemistry/Immunochemistry

Biochemical constituents of the human body such as lipids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, nitrogenous substances, electrolytes, acid/base analytes and heme derivatives are studied and analyzed. Toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring and molecular diagnostic procedures are discussed and performed. Immunoassays relating to hepatitis, HIV, tumor markers and hormones of the endocrine systems are taught and performed. Studies include theory of procedures and instrumentation, pathological significance of tests and normal values as well as maintenance, quality control, and trouble-shooting of various pieces of instrumentation.

Immunoserology/Immunofluorescence

Theoretical aspects of basic tests involving antigen-antibody reactions in relation to disease are presented. Testing includes immunofluorescence, hemolysin reactions, nephelometry, precipitation and agglutination as well as hemoglobin and protein electrophoresis.

Immunohematology

The course is a study of blood group systems and compatibility testing that includes case study problem solving, antibody detection studies, and evaluation of hemolytic disease of the newborn & post-transfusion problems. Methods of donor blood collection, component preparation, storage and distribution of blood and blood products are also covered.

Urinalysis and Body Fluids

Lecture and laboratory exercises cover physical, chemical and microscopic examination of urine and other body fluids. The course presents the basic anatomy and physiology of the kidneys and urinary system. Physiological changes and pathological conditions are emphasized as related to both normal and abnormal findings in urine and other body fluids.

Microbiology

A systematic study of medically important bacteria is conducted. Emphasis is placed on isolation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of pathogenic bacteria. Epidemiology and mechanisms of pathogenesis are included. Didactic instruction also covers pathogenesis and identification of major viral pathogens. Attention is given to proper specimen collection as well as chemical and serological methods of diagnosis. A study of protozoan, helminthic, and arthropod parasites of medical significance is presented, with emphasis placed on life cycles, pathogenicity and epidemiology. Wet preparations, permanent mounts and slides are used in instruction of parasite identification. A comprehensive study of pathogenic fungi, including dermatophytes, systemic and opportunistic fungi, is presented. Culture characteristics, clinical manifestations and microscopic morphology are included. Slides are used to supplement actual isolates found in the clinical laboratory.

Mission, Goals, Competencies

The mission of the School of Medical Laboratory Science is to guide the educative process of students to a professional level of competency, as measured by a national certification examination and feedback from employers of our graduates. Further, it is our mission to serve the community through continuously improving quality medical care and effective use of education and technology for our staff and students in a personal and compassionate environment.

Program Goals

The overall goal of the Medical Laboratory Science Program is to provide excellent professional education in clinical laboratory science and to assist in carrying out the mission of Mississippi Baptist Medical Center by continuously improving the quality of education for our employees and students in the laboratory environment. The quality of patient care is enhanced by the presence of educational programs in the hospital, since it provides an academic environment that stimulates and challenges the staff. The program not only provides well-trained graduates to the healthcare pool, but it keeps our staff professionally motivated and enhances their knowledge and skills. The staff functions at a higher level of competence by examining new analytical tools, justifying new methodologies, and continuing education as a necessity of quality service to our customers. Both MBMC and the Pathology Department are committed to supporting and promoting educational programs.

Our goal is to develop Medical Laboratory Scientists who are proficient in:

  1. Establishing and following procedures for collecting and processing biological specimens for analysis.
  2. Accurately performing analytical tests on body fluids, cells and cell products, demonstrating an awareness of professional limitations, and understanding when to request assistance.
  3. Evaluating, interpreting, and relating analytical data, while making judgments regarding possible discrepancies; confirming abnormal results; utilizing and verifying quality assurance procedures and developing solutions to problems concerning the generation of laboratory data.
  4. Operating equipment properly, and establishing and performing preventive and corrective maintenance of laboratory instrumentation, as well as identifying appropriate sources for repairs.
  5. Evaluating the efficacy of new techniques, instruments and procedures in terms of their usefulness and practicality within the context of a given laboratory’s personnel, equipment, space and budgetary resources.
  6. Demonstrating ethical behavior and integrity by recognizing and repeating questionable results, and maintaining confidentiality of patient information.
  7. Demonstrating professional conduct, interpersonal communication skills, and compassion with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care personnel, and with the public.
  8. Recognizing and assuming responsibility for individual needs for education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.
  9. Applying principles of educational methodology, and leading support personnel, peers, and students in the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
  10. Applying principles of management and supervision.

The desired outcomes of the School of Medical Laboratory Science are high caliber, entry-level graduates who can meet the employment demands of the local medical community, and the continued competence of the laboratory staff that is augmented through participation in the training of medical laboratory scientists.

General Program Objectives and Competencies

  1. Design, develop, monitor and update the Medical Laboratory Science educational program consistent with quality assurance through NAACLS accreditation, relationships with academic affiliates, and our customer needs.
  2. Establish and implement policies related to the quality of education for our employees and students.
  3. Conduct the program in Medical Laboratory Science in accordance with NAACLS standards.
  4. Provide appropriate educational opportunities for the technical staff and students.
  5. Counsel current and prospective students regarding the MLS career path, academic and behavioral performance, and personal matters that may affect their performance in the program.
  6. Monitor, evaluate, and document effectiveness of curriculum and faculty through student, graduate & instructor evaluations, and implement improvements as needed.
  7. Provide cooperative curriculum development and recruitment between academic and clinical facilities.

School Policies and Procedures

All School of Medical Laboratory Science policies and procedures, including those related to service work, dress code, attendance and conduct, progression through the program, disciplinary action, contingency plans and record retention, etc. are available from the Program Director upon request.

Faculty

Clinical and didactic instruction takes place under the direction of the following individuals:

Program Director

Jennifer Knight, MHS, MLS (ASCP)

Core Lab

  • Technical Specialist – Sarah Boyd, MPFDC, MT(ASCP)
  • Senior Medical Technologist – Tammy Grimes, MT (ASCP)
  • Senior Medical Technologist – Julie Harkins, MLS (ASCP)
  • Senior Medical Technologist – Porter Hudson, MT (ASCP)

Serology Lab

  • Technical Specialist – Carolyn Campbell, MT(ASCP)
  • Senior Medical Technologist – Teri Gieb, MT (ASCP)

Special Hematology Lab

  • Technical Specialist – Scott Wilkinson, MT(ASCP)
  • Senior Medical Technologist – Kenya Heath, MT (ASCP)

Blood Bank Lab

  • Technical Specialist – LaResa Swisher, MHS, MT(ASCP)
  • Senior Medical Technologist – Caitlin Patterson, MLS (ASCP)

Immunochemistry Lab

Technical Specialist – Paul Montgomery, MHS, MT(ASCP)

Microbiology Lab

  • Technical Specialist – Brittany Davis, MLS (ASCP)
  • Senior Medical Technologist – Faye Lucius, MT (ASCP)

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your interest in Missippi Baptist Medical Center School of Medical Laboratory. As you consider our program, we invite you to review our informative list of frequently asked questions (FAQs).

View Frequently Asked Questions