PGM Code – 314C
Program Description The Clinical Laboratory Assistant Program is designed to prepare students for entry level positions in the clinical laboratory. These entry level positions include employment in medical centers, outpatient laboratories, research facilities, and doctor offices. Students are trained in all aspects of the clinical laboratory including, the skill of phlebotomy, waived testing, specimen processing, data entry, laboratory safety, result retrieval, quality control, laboratory billing, basic microbiology, and transfusion support services.
Upon completing AHE 141 and AHE 143 , students within this program will be eligible for ASCP certification and licensing as a Health Care Assistant “A” (WA State). The knowledge, skills, and abilities in this program were designed based on the standards defined by NAACLS and ASCP.
Prerequisites Proof of completion of the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of 2.0 or equivalent is required to enroll in the certificate classes. Course substitutions are allowed. Students with previous healthcare training may be able to waive prerequisites on adviser approval. Students must see their Allied Health faculty adviser to complete this process. New students must contact Enrollment Services, 425.640.1458, for initial advising appointment.
Special Notes
Criminal background checks are required for all Allied Health programs. Students should be aware that certain gross misdemeanors and felonies may disqualify them from participating in clinical externships and unable to complete their certificate. Future employment opportunities in the health care field may also be affected. Students may request their background check from the Washington State Patrol (small fee required); students are encouraged to meet with an adviser if the background check reveals any activity that might disqualify them from the externship.
Summary of Occupational Exposure Students planning to enter the Clinical Laboratory Assistant program or any of the modules contained within the program need to know that, as a health care provider, they are at risk for exposure to blood borne pathogens. Tasks and procedure performed by the health care professional involve risks classified by the Center for Disease Control in the following ways:
• Category I – Direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids to which universal precautions apply
• Category II – Activities performed without blood exposure but exposure may occur in emergencies
• Category III – Task/activity does not entail predictable or unpredictable exposure to blood
Common Course Numbering Please refer to www.edcc.edu/ccn for more information.
Credit/Grade Requirements This Certificate requires successful completion of a minimum of 26 credits as outlined. A minimum of one-third of the required credits must be earned at Edmonds Community College. Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in all college-level courses. Students who have met the AHE 141 requirement, either through transfer credits or work experience, need to go through the formal transcript evaluation or Prior Learning Assessment process.
Students Are Advised To
- Plan their schedule several quarters in advance in order to accommodate courses that are offered only once or twice a year,
- Review the college catalog for required course prerequisites and include these in schedule planning, and
- Communicate with an academic adviser.
- Submit an “Evaluation Request - Transfer Credits” form (available in Enrollment Services) to activate the process of transferring credits to Edmonds Community College
Graduation Application A completed Graduation Application form must be submitted to Enrollment Services by the 10th day of the quarter in which the student expects to graduate. Forms are available online or at Enrollment Services located in Lynnwood Hall. Note: Applications for summer quarter are due by the 8th day of the quarter.
College Resources
College Website | www.edcc.edu
How to Enroll | www.edcc.edu/es
Transfer Center | www.edcc.edu/transfer
College Bookstore | www.edcc.edu/bookstore
Advising Appointments | 425.640.1458
Advisers
The advisers for this program are
Erika Ferreri | erika.ferreri@edcc.edu | 425.640.1924
Connie Lockwood | connie.lockwood@edcc.edu | 425.640.1691
Elizabeth Patterson | elizabeth.patterson@edcc.edu | 425.640.1061
Department website
Allied Health Education | www.edcc.edu/ahe
Gainful Employment
Gainful Employment information is available for this program.
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