Medical Laboratory Assistant Program Curriculum

Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner

In this course, you will explore content related to communication and customer service in a healthcare office.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Identify the various types and styles of communication used in a healthcare office
• Summarize how verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills contribute to patient experience and outcome in a healthcare office
• Describe professional communication techniques for a healthcare office, including interviewing techniques and use of medical terminology and patient-accessible language
• Explain modified communication for patients with special considerations
• Outline protocols for providing customer service for a healthcare office

For healthcare professionals, a strong knowledge of anatomy and physiology is an integral aspect of caring for patients. Anatomy and Physiology Essentials will introduce you to the fundamentals of the human body by studying the various "systems" of the body in detail. Utilizing quick checks, reading, and activities, this course will prepare you for a role in a healthcare setting.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Recognize and explain all of the systems of the body
• Describe the structure of the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis
• Describe the process of osteogenesis
• Identify the bones in cell formation
• Describe the overall structure of the muscular system
• Describe the general functions of the nervous system
• Describe the major sources of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids
• List the general functions of the kidney
• Identify the mechanisms of regulating water input and output
• Describe the fetal stages and prenatal period

This course discusses what causes infection and how to manage it. You'll study diagnostic methods, protective measures, and treatments for responding to infection.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Review the causes and diagnostic methods of various infectious and communicable diseases
• Explore the protective measures required to prevent infection
• Outline the treatments and protective measures required to manage and control the spread of infectious disease
• Identify procedures and protocols for responding to infection control

As part of the frontline of healthcare, medical office professionals have a critical need to understand medical law and ethics. This course is designed specifically to help learners excel in an environment rife with legal and ethical issues and to educate in a way that helps minimize the risk of lawsuits by discussing the concepts of standard of care, scope of employment, criminal and civil acts, contracts, negligence, healthcare ethics, and more.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Describe the structure of the healthcare industry and how it relates to the medical office profession
• Identify laws and regulations related to the healthcare workplace
• Describe how law flows from the Constitution to the courtroom
• Identify criminal acts and intentional torts
• Recognize what makes a contract and who can contract
• Identify medical malpractice and other lawsuits
• Explain the characteristics, ownership, and confidentiality of the health record
• Recognize the importance of the laws and ethics of patient confidentiality
• Explain professional ethics and how they apply to patients
• Recognize ethical issues surrounding the beginning of life
• Recognize ethical issues surrounding death and dying

This course discusses the role of the phlebotomist, the equipment, and procedures necessary to perform phlebotomy processes. You'll study how to collect, store, and process blood and other special specimens, as well as how to interact with patients.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the health care delivery system and medical terminology
• Demonstrate understanding of quality assurance and quality control in phlebotomy
• Communicate (verbally and nonverbally) effectively and appropriately in the workplace
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of body systems and anatomic terminology in order to relate major areas of the clinical laboratory to general pathologic conditions associated with the body systems
• Demonstrate knowledge of collection equipment, various types of additives used, special precautions necessary, and substances that can interfere in the clinical analysis of blood constituents
• Demonstrate understanding of the importance of sample collection and sample integrity in the delivery of patient care
• Follow standard operating procedures to collect samples
• Demonstrate understanding of requisitioning, sample transport, and sample processing

This course guides you in mastering basic injection, and phlebotomy skills. The course offers information on the theory and practice of phlebotomy and associated techniques. The course covers topics such as collecting various samples for the laboratory, donating blood, injecting local anesthetics, and much more. The course explains the art and science of phlebotomy and related skills. Most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to obtain hands-on practice using the Venipuncture Trainer and Kit before entering a clinical setting.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Describe the importance of taking a medical history before performing any invasive procedures
• Describe the importance of adhering to basic principles of sterility and asepsis
• Describe the basic principles of venipuncture
• Discuss various techniques for drawing venous, arterial, and capillary blood
• Discuss various types of injections

This course is an introduction to procedures used in the medical laboratory. It will cover content related to specimen collection and laboratory results. You'll also study the basic techniques and instruments used in all areas of medical laboratories.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Identify how specimens are collected and handled
• Explore procedures and processes used in obtaining blood and urine samples
• Outline the standard components of vision and hearing screening tests
• Review common techniques and processes frequently used in medical laboratories

The Medical Lab Assistant Core course prepares learners to assist medical laboratory personnel in many areas of the clinical laboratory. The learner will learn how to collect specimens and ensure they are processed correctly and routed to the correct destination. The learner will learn about performing quality control and proper documentation to ensure equipment reliability and test validity. The goal of this course is to develop the learner into a medical lab assistant to ensure specimen integrity, prepare samples for testing, and perform CLIA-waived testing within their scope of practice.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Discuss and implement laboratory safety rules that must be followed to guard against chemical, physical, and biological hazards.
• Describe the composition of blood and the function of the blood components.
• Explain the processes involved in hemostasis.
• Discuss basic concepts of immunity and immune processes.
• Correlate results of urine physical, chemical, and microscopic examinations with physiological and disease states.
• Discuss the role of point-of-care testing in health care.
• Discuss the principles and importance of tests for glucose and hemoglobin A1c.
• Explain the significance of tests for cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Explain the principles and importance of electrolyte tests.
• Explain the importance and use of fecal occult blood tests.
• Discuss the types of diseases caused by different groups of microorganisms.
• Describe diagnostic techniques for blood, tissue, and intestinal parasites.

The purpose of this course is to provide you with career readiness skills necessary for both externship and career success. You'll explore a combination of interpersonal (people) skills, social skills, communication skills, emotional intelligence, and personality traits which will enable you to start your externship experience with a competitive advantage.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Develop effective time management skills
• Enhance your creative and critical thinking
• Integrate critical and creative thinking skills into your life
• Learn physical and emotional coping techniques to deal with stress
• Explore essential ingredients of the communication process
• Acquire methods to maximize verbal, nonverbal, and written communication
• Relate the importance of professional image to career success
• Learn strategies to write a powerful resume
• Identify key elements of successful interviews
• Relate the importance of good study habits to your personal success
• Identify traits related to self-motivation and self-esteem
• Incorporate a positive and professional attitude in dealing with others
• Understand that failures are important learning tools

Completing an externship successfully can help you build confidence in real-world conditions. This experience will allow you to practice hands-on skills that have been learned through your online coursework.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Demonstrate medical laboratory assistant skills learned throughout the program