Essential Functions: Medical Laboratory Technician

Medical Laboratory Technician program students must be able to demonstrate critical, logical and analytical thinking while also possessing motor, auditory and visual skills that enable them to meet program objectives and perform job duties required by the profession.

Disability Act Statement: Madison College complies with all provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and makes reasonable accommodations upon request for qualified individuals. If you believe you may need accommodations to assist you in performing the functions listed below, please contact the Disability Resource Services (DRS) office at (608)246-6716 or (800)322-6282 ext. 6716 (deaf students via Relay 711) or via email(link sends e-mail). To promote your success, accommodation requests must be received by the end of the second week of your first course.

Critical Thinking: Ability sufficient for clinical judgment and professional behavior.

  • identify cause-effect relationships in laboratory situations
  • solve problems
  • consider consequences of solutions
  • make and defend sound judgments
  • establish priorities
  • distinguish significant from insignificant
  • note relationships and patterns
  • evaluate outcomes
  • organize workload and manage time in order to complete technical tasks within realistic time limits

Interpersonal: Abilities sufficient to interact with others from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds

  • support peers and health care professionals in order to promote a team approach to learning, task completion, problem solving and patient care
  • be honest and forthright about errors
  • critically evaluate performance, accept constructive criticism, and be responsible for improving performance
  • be compassionate and ethical

Communication: Abilities sufficient for interaction with others

  • read and comprehend technical and professional materials (textbooks, journal articles, handbooks, technical inserts and procedure manuals)
  • follow instructions in order to correctly perform laboratory test procedures
  • communicate concisely, effectively and courteously with patients regarding test orders and specimen collection instructions
  • communicate effectively with instructors, peers, laboratory staff and other health care professionals
  • maintain clear, concise and accurate laboratory records and reports

Physical: Abilities sufficient to maneuver as required to perform laboratory procedures

  • move freely and safely about the laboratory
  • perform moderately taxing continuous physical work
  • reach laboratory benchtops and shelves, patients lying in hospital beds or patients seated in blood collection furniture

Gross and fine motor: Abilities sufficient to work safely and effectively in a laboratory

  • maneuver phlebotomy and culture equipment to collect laboratory specimens from patients
  • control laboratory equipment (pipettes, inoculating loops, test tubes, etc.) and adjust instruments to perform laboratory procedures
  • use electronic keyboard to operate laboratory instruments and calculate, record, evaluate and transmit data

Visual: Ability sufficient to observe and perform laboratory procedures

  • observe laboratory demonstrations of specimens, techniques and instruments
  • differentiate the color, consistencey and clarity of biological specimens and reagents
  • distinguish detail in minimal contrast mediums
  • read and comprehend text, numbers and graphs displayed in print or on a video monitor

Ability to work in a high-stress environment: Respond to emergencies and maintain emotional control

  • calmly react to urgent situations
  • recognize own stress level and communicate need for assistance appropriately
  • set realistic expectations to meet requirements
  • perform multiple tasks and establish priorities

Ability to protect self and others from environmental risks and hazards

  • follow established safety procedures
  • utilize appropriate laboratory safety equipment
  • perform frequent hand washing
  • utilize disinfectants and cleaning agents appropriately
  • work safely with potentially biohazardous and unpleasant biological specimens