Course Descriptions

BIOL A441 Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Science, Phlebotomy, and Point of Care Testing (1 Credit)

The fundamentals of Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS), principles and concepts of phlebotomy, and Point of Care Testing (POCT). CLS topics include laboratory safety, regulatory requirements, basics of quality control and assurance, standards of behavior, professionalism, ethics, compliance, specimen handling procedures, laboratory equipment, education methods, effective communication, and team building.  An introduction to phlebotomist duties, universal precautions, factors to be considered in venipuncture sites, equipment and supplies needed to collect blood, the proper order of draw and specimen collection techniques, adverse effects of improper venipuncture technique, and documentation procedures. An overview of the emerging specialty of point of care testing (POCT) through discussions on the history and utility of POCT, various aspects of the analytical performance, regulatory requirements, and laboratory hospital management. 

BIOL A442 Clinical Immunology (Serology) (3 Credits)

A study of the principles of clinical immunology relative to antigen/antibody structure and function, disease states and clinical serologic testing methodologies. 

BIOL A443 Clinical Hematology and Hemostasis (4 Credits)

A study of the principles of clinical hematology, cellular components, and hemostasis (coagulation) relative to disease states and clinical testing methodologies. 

BIOL A444 Clinical Immunohematology (Blood Bank) (4 Credits)

A study of the principles of clinical immunohematology (blood bank) relative to the ABO and Rh blood group system, various other erythrocyte antigen systems, ABO discrepancies, antibody screening, antibody identification, compatibility testing, donor requirements, preparation of blood components relative to transfusion medicine, disease states and clinical testing methodologies. 

BIOL A445 Urinalysis and Body Fluids (2 Credits)

A study of the principles of the physical, chemical and microscopic analysis of urine and non-blood body fluids relative to disease states and their clinical testing methodologies. 

BIOL A451 Clinical Laboratory Operations & Management; Introduction to Anatomic Pathology & Cytopathology (2 Credits)

A study of the principles of laboratory operations and management, and an introduction to anatomic pathology and cytopathology.  Topics include today’s hospital and laboratory structure, healthcare delivery systems, human resource management, principles of financial management and laboratory process improvement and research design. An overview of anatomical pathology and cytopathology, basic specimen preparation and processing, and pathological diagnosis. 

BIOL A452 Clinical Chemistry (4 Credits)

A study of the principles of the clinical chemistry relative to qualitative and quantitative analysis of blood and other body fluids, disease states and their clinical testing methodologies.  Discussion and identification of the quantitative and qualitative analyses of body fluids that includes the study of acid-base, electrolytes, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, nitrogen-containing compounds, vitamins, endocrinology, as well as toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring. 

BIOL A453 Clinical Microbiology (6 Credits)

A study of the principles of clinical microbiology relative to disease states and clinical testing methodologies.  The course will focus on the discussion and identification bacterial, mycobacterial, parasitic, viral and fungal human pathogens and their pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, infectious diseases and antimicrobial agents. 

BIOL CLS USCA599 CLS PROGRAM PRACTICUM

The Clinical Practicum Rotation completes the final component of the student’s professional phase of study. The practicum’s purpose is designed to enhance the student’s application of clinical laboratory science theories and practical skills. Each clinical rotation is designed to enhance the student’s entry level discipline specific competencies. The clinical practicum rotations constitute the following disciplines:

Clinical Chemistry/Immunology (Serology): The theoretical and practical applications of analytes and antibodies testing including, but not limited to, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nitrogen-containing compounds, electrolytes, enzymes, and immune disease antibodies. Students will be introduced to automated as well as manual methods used to analyze the previous analytes and antibodies. This rotation is 120 hours.

Clinical Hematology, Hemostasis/Coagulation, Urinalysis and Body Fluids: The study of human blood cellularity and the testing used to determine hematological disease states and conditions. Practical and theoretical concepts will be utilized in the clinical setting by automated and manual methodologies. Also, relative to the previous, study and focus will include material and exercises in hemostasis and urinalysis. This rotation is 120 hours.           

Clinical Immunohematology: A hybrid of hematological and immunological concepts included in testing for (a) a patient’s blood type, (b) unexpected antibodies to red cell antigens, and (c) compatible blood components used in transfusion medicine. Students will be exposed to manual blood banking methodologies, including, but not limited to (a) tube testing, (b) gel card technology, and (c) blood component irradiation. This rotation is 120 hours.  

Clinical Microbiology: An amalgam of bacteriology, virology, parasitology, and mycology, the microbiology rotation will introduce students to methodologies used to isolate and identify organisms typically associated with and cause pathological conditions of infection. Conventional and current modes of analysis, including (a) plate reading, (c) MICs, and (c) PCR will enable students to distinguish between species and aid in performing assigned unknowns. This rotation is 120 hours.

For more information, view the USC Aiken academic bulletin.

Clinical Practicum Placement

Students will be scheduled for the clinical practicum/clinical rotation experience after successful completion of both Biol A440 CLS Internship I and Biol A450 CLS Internship II.  Students will be scheduled at the following Piedmont Augusta clinical laboratory sites:

Clinical Faculty

The CLS faculty and guest speakers consist of Piedmont Augusta lab directors, lab managers, lab coordinators, lab techs (i.e., MT, MLT, HT, CT), infectious disease doctors, and lab community leaders. To ensure quality instruction for the students, only those individuals who meet the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and state guidelines to work in a clinical laboratory and licensed medical doctors are allowed to be considered for a didactic and clinical faculty position in the CLS program or guest lecturer. No regard is given to race, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, veteran status, or disability in regards to the selection of Piedmont Augusta-CLS program faculty and clinical instructors. The Piedmont Augusta-CLS program will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified faculty and clinical instructors with disabilities. The following individuals are the main instructors for the following online and/or on-campus teaching disciplines:

BIOL A441 Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Science, Phlebotomy, and Point of Care Testing 

Rebecca Ross, MA, MLT (ASCP), Blood Bank Technologist- (*D)

BIOL A442 Clinical Immunology (Serology)

TBA

BIOL A443 Clinical Hematology and Hemostasis

TBA

BIOL A444 Clinical Immunohematology (Blood Bank)

Sharion Marshall, MS, MLS (AMT), Blood Bank Manger- (*D)

Brittany Newman, MLS (ASCP), Lead Blood Bank Technologist- (*C)

BIOL A445 Urinalysis and Body Fluids

TBA

BIOL A451 Clinical Laboratory Operations & Management; Introduction to Anatomic Pathology & Cytopathology

David King, BS, MLS (ASCP), Clinical Lab Director- (*D)

BIOL A452 Clinical Chemistry

TBA

BIOL A453 Clinical Microbiology

TBA

Notations Above:  D = Didactic Instructor, C = Clinical Instructor for Clinical Practicum,   TBA = To Be Announced * = Primary Instructor,   ASCP = American Society of Clinical Pathology,   AMT = American Medical Technologists