Theola N. Copeland, M.S., M.T., (ASCP), Interim
Education Coordinator
216 Industrial Arts
615-963-5001
Faculty: W. Burrell, K. McEnerney
General Statement: The Medical Technology Program is jointly
sponsored by Tennessee State University and Meharry Medical College and
consists of three years of pre-clinical course work and twelve months of
clinical training. A graduate of the program is eligible to sit for a
certification examination and apply for a license from the Tennessee
Department of Health and Environment.
The medical technologist performs a broad range of chemical, microscopic,
and bacteriological procedures to assist the physician in identifying and
treating diseases and to determine abnormal conditions including the
presence of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Medical
technologists also type and crossmatch blood samples for transfusions.
Description of Clinical Laboratory Practicum Sites: Nashville
Metropolitan General Hospital, Alvin C. York VA Medical Center, Centennial
Medical Center, and DCI Laboratory serve as clinical practicum sites for
medical technology students.
Nashville Metropolitan General Hospital has 150 beds, a fully automated
laboratory and serves patients in the departments of surgery, internal
medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics. The hospital is located
on Meharry Medical College’s campus. Alvin C. York VA Medical Center is
located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, approximately 40 miles from Nashville.
The VA Medical Center has 570 beds and a fully automated laboratory.
Columbia Centennial Medical Center is a 685 bed acute care facility located
near downtown Nashville with a fully automated laboratory. DCI Laboratory is
a comprehensive dialysis clinical laboratory located in South Nashville.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Pre-professional Component
Entering Freshmen
In addition to meeting minimum admission criteria of Tennessee State
University, applicants seeking admission to the Medical Technology program
must meet one of the following requirements:
- High school graduation with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- GED test scores of 50 or above for the five subjects tested.
- A minimum composite test score of 19 on the ACT (Enhanced).
TRANSFER STUDENTS
- Applicants will be accepted as transfer students from other colleges or universities, or from other departments of Tennessee State University. Applicants with fewer than 30 semester credit hours in courses required by this program must have an overall college grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and meet the admission requirements for first year freshman applicants. Applicants with 30 or more semester credit hours will be admitted if they have maintained an overall college grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Transfer credits for non-major courses will be accepted according to University policies on admission with advanced standing. All transfer credits from accredited medical technology programs will be accepted where evidence is provided that the content of courses previously taken is essentially the same as the content of courses in this curriculum. No credit will be accepted for major field courses in which the student has earned a grade lower than “C.”
Clinical/Professional Component
Application for admission to the professional/clinical year of the Medical
Technology program is required. Applicants must meet one of the following
criteria for acceptance.
- Tennessee State University students who have met retention requirements and completed the prescribed curriculum will progress directly into the clinical (professional) component of the program.
- Applicants from affiliated institutions who have successfully completed the agreed upon three-year pre-clinical curriculum will be admitted to the professional component on a competitive basis.
- Individuals who possess a baccalaureate degree in biology or chemistry and wish to receive a Certificate of Training in Medical Technology must have college credit in the following courses: Microbiology (Bacteriology), Immunology, Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry prior to being admitted to the professional component on a competitive basis.
- Individuals who possess an Associate of Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and who wish to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology must have completed a minimum of a sixteen (16) week clinical practicum in a NAACLS (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences) approved Medical Laboratory Technology program and must have a minimum of three years of experience as a generalist. These individuals must complete general education requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree, as well as science prerequisites for the Medical Technology program and at least nine (9) hours of 4000 level Medical Technology courses (Cooperative Lecture). Students must have completed a minimum of 42 credit hours at the 3000 to 4000 levels. Electives may be taken in Biology, Chemistry, or other related fields.
- Individuals who wish to receive a Certificate of Training in Medical Technology must complete all science prerequisite courses in the clinical/ professional component of the Medical Technology program.
All Applicants
Prior to enrolling in the clinical component of the program, the student
must be evaluated by the Medical Technology Department. Departmental
requirements include:
- Prerequisites: Chemistry - 20 semester hours to include Organic Chemistry; Biological Sciences - 16 semester hours to include Bacteriology, and Immunology (as a part of a course or as a separate course); and Mathematics - minimum of one college level course.
- Submission of two letters of recommendation from science professors, and one letter of recommendation from major advisor.
- Completion of the interview process which includes a review of the
Technical Standards of the Medical Technology Program.
At the time of the admissions interview, applicants are given a copy of the Technical Standards of the Medical Technology Program.
Technical standards represent the essential non-academic requirements of the program that students must master to participate successfully in the program and become employable. The following is a list of the technical abilities and skills applicants for admission must possess:
- Manual Dexterity: Ability to use hand(s) or terminal devices with coordination.
- Fine Motor: Ability to manipulate small objects with fingertips or adaptive devices.
- Mobility: Ability to maneuver in the laboratory and around instruments and in patient-care settings.
- Vision: Ability to distinguish red, yellow, and blue colors; distinguish clear from cloudy, and see through a microscope.
- Hearing: Ability to adapt with assistive devices (i.e., phone receivers, hearing aid, etc.)
- Speech: Ability to verbally communicate understandably in English.
- Writing: Ability to communicate effectively in the written form in English.
- Reading: Ability to read, understand, and follow directions printed in English.
RETENTION POLICY
Any student whose overall grade point average falls below 2.0 or who earns
lower than a “C” in two or more courses will be dismissed from the program.
No credit will be accepted for major field courses in which the student has
earned a grade lower than “C.”
Departmental Requirements for
Bachelor of Science
Medical Technology
General Education Core Courses: (41 credit hours) ENGL 1010, 1020;
COMM 2200; ENGL Literature; Humanities/Fine Arts (6 hours);
Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 hours); HIST 2010, 2020; BIOL 1010, 1011,
1020, 1021 (8 Hours); MATH 1110.
Major Core Courses: (36 credit hours) MEDT 3010, 4010, 4014; 4110,
4210, 4310, 4510, 4600, 4710, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4114, 4214, 4514.
Science Course Requirements: (36 credit hours) BIOL 2210, 2221, 2120,
2121, 2400, 2401, 4410, 4411; CHEM 1010, 1011, 1020, 1021, 2110, 2111, 2120,
2121, 3410, 3411.
Additional Course Requirements: (7 credit hours) HLSC 1000; MT 3010;
HIMA 1040.
| Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology | ||||
| FRESHMAN YEAR | ||||
| Fall Semester Courses | HR | Spring Semester Courses | HR | |
| HLSC 1000 | 1 | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| MATH 1110 | 3 | BIOL1020/1021 | 3/1 | |
| BIOL 1010/1011 | 3/1 | CHEM 1120/1121 | 4/0 | |
| CHEM 1110/1111 | 4/0 | ENGL 1020 | 3 | |
| ENGL 1010 | 3 | 14 | ||
| 15 | ||||
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | ||||
| Fall Semester Courses | HR | Spring Semester Courses | HR | |
| CHEM 2110/2111 | 4/0 | CHEM 2020/2021 | 4/0 | |
| HIST 2010 | 3 | HIST 2020 | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective | 3 | Social/ Behavioral Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| COMM 2220 | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| ENGL Literature | 3 | 13 | ||
| 16 | ||||
| JUNIOR YEAR | ||||
| Fall Semester Courses | HR | Spring Semester Courses | HR | |
| BIOL 2210/2211 | 4/0 | BIOL 2120/2121 | 4/0 | |
| BIO 2400/2401 | 4/0 | MEDT 3010 | 3 | |
| CHEM 3410/3411 | 4/0 | BIOL 4410/4411 | 4/0 | |
| 12 | HIMA 1040 | 3 | ||
| 14 | ||||
| SENIOR YEAR | ||||
| Fall Semester Courses | HR | *Spring Semester Courses | HR | |
| MEDT 4010 | 3 | MEDT 4100 | 4 | |
| MEDT 4110 | 3 | MEDT 4200 | 3 | |
| MEDT 4210 | 3 | MEDT 4014 | 3 | |
| MEDT 4310 | 1 | MEDT 4114 | 3 | |
| MEDT 4510 | 3 | MEDT 4214 | 3 | |
| MEDT 4600 | 1 | MEDT 4514 | 3 | |
| MEDT 4710 | 1 | *(13) | ||
| 15 | ||||
| *Students will enroll in 2 of the rotation courses in spring semester for a total of 13 credit hours (6 weeks per rotation). | ||||
| +Summer Session | HR | |||
| MEDT 4300 | 2 | |||
| MEDT 4014 | 3 | |||
| MEDT 4114 | 3 | |||
| MEDT 4214 | 3 | |||
| MEDT 4514 | 3 | |||
| +(8) | ||||
| +Students will enroll in 2 rotations not previously taken for a total of 8 credit hours (6 weeks per rotation). | ||||
| Total Credit Hours Required for BS in Medical Technology - 120 | ||||
ACCREDITATION
The Medical Technology Program is accredited by the National Accrediting
Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 8410 West Bryn Mawr
Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631-3415, and (773) 714-8880.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Medical Technology (MEDT)
MEDT 3010 Introduction to Medical Technology (3). This course is
designed to give students an introduction to the field of medical
technology. The focus will be on these disciplines: Hematology, Clinical
Chemistry, Immunology, Immunohematology, Clinical Microbiology and
Urinalysis. Students will be introduced to basic laboratory techniques in
each of the areas and be able to apply knowledge learned in undergraduate
science courses in the MT student clinical laboratory. (Formerly MT 301)
Prerequisites: BIOL 2210, 2211; MATH 1110; CHEM 1010, 1011, 1020, 1021.
MEDT 4010 Chemistry (3). The lecture course and student laboratory
will offer the student a brief review of basic chemistry before going into
the principles of clinical chemistry. Chemistry problems, automation, and
quality control are also included. The lectures include a review of anatomy
and physiology of body systems, contents of body fluids and special
techniques. (Formerly MT 401) Prerequisite: Admission to clinical
(professional) component.
MEDT 4014 Clinical Rotation I: Chemistry (3). A rotation in this area
of the laboratory will require the student to rotate a minimum time of six
weeks. Chemistry consists of routine chemistry, special chemistry and
toxicology. Students will work predominately with many different types of
automated clinical analyzers in service in clinical laboratories. Students
will perform manual procedures as required by the clinical site. A student’s
experience in clinical chemistry will be dependent on the instrumentation
available at a site, however all students will acquire experience with
automated analyzers and performance of daily maintenance. Students will gain
experience in organizing workloads and performing and monitoring quality
control in the chemistry laboratory. Prerequisite: Passing all courses in
the didactic program.
MEDT 4100 MT Seminar I (4). Through lecture presentations by MT
faculty, MMC Basic Science Faculty, guest lecturers and the use of other
teaching strategies, such as case presentations, small group discussions,
Web-enhanced lectures and field trips, the students will review selected
topics in Body fluids, Clinical Chemistry, and Microbiology. Prerequisites:
MEDT 4010, 4110, 4710.
MEDT 4110 Microbiology (3). The lecture course and student laboratory
will offer the student an introduction to the clinical aspects of
bacteriology with emphasis on morphology and physiology of bacteria,
preparation of culture media, and techniques used for identification, and
Kirby-Bauer sensitivity. An introduction to mycology is also presented.
(Formerly MT 411) Prerequisite: Admission to clinical (professional)
component.
MEDT 4114 Clinical Rotation II: Microbiology (3). A rotation in this
area of the laboratory will require the student to rotate a minimum time of
six weeks. Microbiology will encompass General Bacteriology (aerobic and
anaerobic organisms), Mycology, Mycobacteriology, and Parasitology. Students
will be responsible for learning the operation of a microbiology laboratory.
Students will perform initial inoculations of clinical samples, perform gram
stains, learn how to interpret growth characteristics of many different
organisms, examine blood cultures, perform ova and parasite studies and
perform any test determined by the bench instructor or supervisor. A
student’s experience in microbiology will be dependent on the
instrumentation available at a site, however all students will acquire
experience with automated analyzers and performance of daily maintenance.
Students will gain experience in organizing workloads and performing and
monitoring quality control in the microbiology laboratory. Prerequisite:
Passing all courses in the didactic program.
MEDT 4200 MT Seminar II (3). Through lecture presentations by MT
faculty, MMC Basic Science Faculty, guest lecturers and the use of other
teaching strategies, such as case presentations, small group discussions,
Web-enhanced lectures and field trips, the students will review selected
topics in Immunohematology, Hematology, Coagulation, and Immunology.
Prerequisites: MEDT 4210, 4310, 4510.
MEDT 4210 Immunohematology (3). The lecture and student laboratory
will introduce the student to the basic principles of blood banking with
emphasis on importance of accuracy in laboratory testing. Procedures
performed include blood grouping, compatibility testing, and identification
of antibodies. Preparation of components and component therapy, adverse
transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the newborn are presented in
the course. (Formerly MT 421) Prerequisite: Admission to clinical
(professional) component.
MEDT 4214 Clinical Rotation IV: Immunohematology and Immunology/ Serology
(3). A rotation in this area of the laboratory will require the student
to rotate a minimum time of 4 weeks in Immunohematology, and two weeks in
Immunology/Serology. Immunohematology procedures will include ABO and Rh
blood grouping, antibody screening and identification, compatibility
testing, preparation of components, maintaining inventory of blood products,
and quality control of reagents. Immunology/Serology procedures include RPRs,
RA, ANAs, Infectious Mono testing, Hepatitis, and HIV testing. Student’s
experience in Immunology/Serology will be dependent on the instrumentation
available at a site, however all students will acquire experience with
automated analyzers and performance of daily maintenance. Students will gain
experience in organizing workloads and performing and monitoring quality
control in the Immunohematology and Immunology/Serology laboratories.
Prerequisite: Passing all courses in the didactic program.
MEDT 4300 MT Seminar III (2). This course is designed to provide the
student an introduction to the principles of education and laboratory
management. The students will prepare a lesson plan and teach a unit of
instruction in the MT Program. Guest lecturers will provide some of the
experiences for students. Prerequisites: MEDT 4100, 4200.
MEDT 4310 Immunology/Serology (1). Formal lectures in this course
will include immune response, antigen-antibody reactions, hyper-
sensitivity, autoimmune disease and serologic procedures. (Formerly MT
431) Prerequisite: Admission to clinical (professional) component.
MEDT 4510 Hematology/Coagulation (3). The lecture and student
laboratory introduce the student to basic hematology procedures; manual and
automated CBC (complete blood count), which include red blood cells, white
blood cells, platelets, hematocrit, hemoglobin, RBC indices, and WBC
differential. Red and white cell kinetics, anemias, and leukemias are
presented. Theory and mechanisms of hemostasis, clotting and fibrinolysis
are explored. The use of the microscope and blood collection are explored.
(Formerly MT 451) Prerequisite: Admission to clinical (professional)
component.
MEDT 4514 Clinical Rotation III: Hematology/Coagulation/Urinalysis (3).
A rotation in this area of the laboratory will require the student to rotate
a minimum time of 4 weeks in Hematology, 1 week in Coagulation and 1 week in
Urinalysis. In Hematology students will work predominately with automated
cell counters and perform some manual tests. Coagulation consists of
performing tests for clotting disorders and bleeding disorders. In
Urinalysis students will perform physical, chemical and microscopic
examinations on urine. A student’s experience in
Hematology/Coagulation/Urinalysis will be dependent on the instrumentation
available at a site, however all students will acquire experience with
automated analyzers and performance of daily maintenance. Students will gain
experience in organizing workloads and performing and monitoring quality
control in the Hematology/Coagulation/Urinalysis laboratory. Prerequisite:
Passing all courses in the didactic program.
MEDT 4600 Parasitology (1). This course present the student with
techniques and methods used to recover and identify parasitic organisms that
produce diseases in humans. Life cycles of the organisms and the human
immunological responses will be presented. (Formerly MT460)
Prerequisite: Admission to clinical (professional) component.
MEDT 4710 Clinical Microscopy (1). The lecture and student laboratory
will offer the student general information regarding (1) the anatomy and
physiology of the urinary system and (2) the role of urine, and body fluids
in the diagnosis of diseases by laboratory methods. (Formerly MT 471)
Prerequisite: Admission to clinical (professional) component.