Laboratory Assistant, C.A.S.

Sherri Craddock, Program Coordinator
School of Health Sciences
102 Advanced Technology Center (ATC), Fairmont / (304) 367-4284
Sherri.Craddock@pierpont.edu

Program Purpose

The Laboratory Assistant certificate program is designed to educate and prepare students for work in a laboratory under the supervision of analysts, scientists, technologists, or technicians in the physical, chemical, biological and medical sciences. Students in this program receive one year (two semesters) of didactic instruction and laboratory training in basic and advanced laboratory skills, technical report writing, basic human anatomy and physiology, CPR (Basic Life Support) and safety procedures, communication, venipuncture and capillary puncture techniques, and computer concepts and applications.

Program Admission

Applicants are admitted each semester to the Laboratory Assistant Program. To be considered for admission, applicants must:

• Be admitted and enrolled in Pierpont Community and Technical College.
• Have a high school GPA and, if applicable, a college GPA of 2.0 or better.
• Meet the prerequisites for English 1104.
• Meet the prerequisites for MTH 1207 .
• All applicants are expected to meet nonacademic criteria (essential functions) in order to participate in the Lab Assistant Program and are accepted according to date of application.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Laboratory Assistant Certificate Program, graduates will be able to do the following:

• Attain basic skills in performing laboratory procedures, following quality control parameters and reporting results
• Attain knowledge and skill for preparation to qualify for a phlebotomy certification exam
• Attain cognitive knowledge of basic laboratory procedures and specimen processing, requisitioning, transport, and reporting in the delivery of patient care
• Demonstrate multitasking skills and flexibility in adapting to new situations
• Communicate verbally and non-verbally with patients, health care professionals and others in an effective, appropriate, and capable manner, respecting the confidentiality of patient results
• Exhibit conduct that reflects professional standards that are legal, ethical and safe

Opportunities

Graduates may go directly into the workforce. Laboratory Assistants may perform a variety of tasks depending upon where they are employed. They may perform phlebotomies, use computers and computer-interfaced equipment; perform quality assurance checks; collect and prepare samples for analysis; clean, maintain and set up equipment used in experiments or laboratory analyses; follow safety procedures; properly dispose of biological wastes; maintain laboratory supplies; perform routine mathematical calculations; or prepare chemical solutions, reagents and media.

Graduates may also choose to apply for admission into one of the competitive Associate degree health sciences programs at Pierpont Community & Technical College or transfer into a Baccalaureate degree program. Graduates of the Laboratory Assistant program who are admitted into a Pierpont Associate Degree Health Sciences Program can complete credit hours toward that degree (depending on the major) before beginning of the Associate degree program, including the Health Sciences (AAS).

Clinical Affiliates

The Laboratory Assistant program is currently affiliated with several medical institutions where students obtain practical experience in blood drawing techniques. Students are required to have background clearances, meet essential functions, and submit health documentation before attending clinical placements.

Program Requirements

To remain in and graduate from the Laboratory Assistant program, students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 and earn a grade of “C” or better in HLCA 1100 Medical Terminology ; HLCA 1110 Basic Clinical and Laboratory Skills ; HLCA 2205 ; ENGL 1108 Written English II ; Phlebotomy Practicum; HLCA 1170 /HLCA 1171  Human Anatomy and Physiology; ENGL 1104 Written English I ; ENGL 1109 Technical Report Writing ; LABA 2206 Advanced Lab Skills Theory ; LABA 2207 Advanced Lab Skills ; HLCA 1102  and/or HLCA 2200 ; HLCA 1200 ; and receive credit for HLCA 1101 . GPA’s are reviewed each semester. Failure to meet any of these requirements will result in dismissal from the program. Students who have been dismissed for academic reasons may reapply to the program.

Readmission to the Laboratory Assistant Program will be determined on an individual basis. The decision will be made by the Laboratory Assistant Admissions Committee on the basis of the student’s prior academic performance in the program, the student’s qualifications when compared to the other applicants, and the availability of space.