GENERAL POLICIES FOR CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE STUDENTS

ADVANCED STANDING

Any student may earn credit by examination for BIMS 3302, BIMS 4325, BIMS 4331, BIMS 4365, and BIMS 4370. Students must enroll in the course and receive permission from the instructor, the Director of Clinical Laboratory Science and the Dean of the College of Science and Technology. The test will be administered by the instructor and must be passed with an 80% or above. A written and practical examination may be given. Students failing the challenge examination must complete the course for a grade.

PASS-FAIL POLICY

All Clinical Laboratory Science courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or above. Professional Practicum II and III (BIMS 4598 and BIMS 4599) have comprehensive examinations which are major portions of the course grade. In addition, students graduating from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi must satisfy other graduation requirements described in the current University Catalog. Students must obtain special permission from the Director of Clinical Laboratory Science and from the Dean of the College of Science and Technology to repeat courses in which they have a grade below a "C" or were dropped after the second examination.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE

Clinical Laboratory Science students must have…

• good manual dexterity to manipulate laboratory instruments and equipment;
• visual capability to differentiate colors, identify structures microscopically and read written materials;
• communication skills for transmitting information;
• intellectual ability for critical thinking and
• good general health. (Students may be exposed to opportunistic and pathogenic organisms.)

Standing and walking may be necessary for performance of some duties.

SAFETY

Students must follow all safety regulations and standards during all laboratory sessions and clinical experiences. General safety policies are described in the Laboratory Safety Seminar (SMTE 0091) which is a co-requisite for all courses in the Department of Life Sciences that have a laboratory component. Additional safety information and regulations will be given during the laboratory periods and clinical experiences. Laboratory samples are from clinical laboratories and must be treated as biohazards. Failure to comply with the safety regulations will result in dismissal from the laboratory.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Clinical laboratory science students must follow the professional standards for personal appearance, personal conduct, patient care and medical ethics. The students must follow hospital regulations during the clinical experience. After proper counseling, the program has the right to dismiss any student who refuses to follow these professional standards.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

Any problem should be discussed with the instructor or supervisor involved. Unresolved problems should be brought to the attention of the Director of Clinical Laboratory Science. Additional appeals should follow the procedures found in the University Catalog.

ADMISSION TO THE CLINICAL EXPERIENCES

Enrollment in the CLS Professional Practicum courses (BIMS 4297, BIMS 4598 and BIMS 4599) is limited by the number of sites available for clinical laboratory experiences. Students will be admitted to the spring and summer clinicals based on grades in the fall clinical laboratory science courses. Eligible students not admitted to the summer clinicals will be admitted to clinicals the following fall and will graduate in December.

Students planning to enroll in BIMS 4297, BIMS 4598 or BIMS 4599 must submit the following forms and information to the Director of Clinical Laboratory Science one month before the enrollment date:

• Completed clinical application
• Proof of liability insurance
• Criminal background check
• Medical examination and vaccinations
• Proof of completion of Bachelor's degree

(Revised 2005/2006)

For more information about Clinical Laboratory Science, visit the Biomedical Sciences Program website:
http://lsci.tamucc.edu/bims

… or contact the Director of Clinical Laboratory Science, Dr. Christina Thompson