Essential Functions Required for Admission

The Clinical Laboratory profession has defined certain abilities are being essential for performing the role of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. When you formally apply to the program, you will be asked if you are capable of fulfilling these essential functions. If a student is able to perform these functions with reasonable accommodation, they will be eligible for acceptance to the program. Students should evaluate their abilities before applying.

Required Essential Functions & Examples

Function	Standard	Example Activity
Communication	Ability to interact with others in English, both verbally and in legible written form. Ability to read English.	Keep accurate records. Read and write procedures. Read and follow instruction in manufacturer's inserts. Explain procedures and results to patients, health care providers, coworkers.
Hearing	Ability to gather information aurally or to adapt.	Recognize instrument signals, alarms. Use telephone.
Interaction	Ability to interact with individuals or groups from a range of social, cultural, emotional and intellectual backgrounds.	Establish and maintain rapport and trust with patients, coworkers, other health care professionals and general public.
Mobility	Ability to move from room to room, and to maneuver in small places, e.g. around instruments, between beds, benches, etc.	Move around hallways, laboratory, patient room, storage areas as necessary.
Motor Skills	Demonstrate/possess gross and fine motor skills to operate dials, switches, pipetting devices, smoothly inoculate agar, and to assist patients.	Reach and manipulate equipment, reagents and supplies. Assist patients as necessary.
Self Care	Ability to present a professional appearance as a lab representative. Maintain own health, hygiene and safety on the job.	Observe safety/OSHA policies. Practice Universal precautions.
Olfaction	Demonstrate sufficient olfactory sense to maintain environmental safety.	Use odors to assess specimens, tests, instrument malfunction and smoke in case of fire. Maintain a safe work environment.
Temperament	Ability to work in high stress work place environment.	Perform duties in emergency situations; in situations with time and manpower constraints and high stress conditions.
Vision	Ability to accurately perform and assess laboratory procedures requiring microscopic examination as well as gross visual examination.	Distinguish colors and opacity. Discern fine agglutination, precipitation. Resolve 1 micron objects using a bright field microscope. Identify cells, parasites and other elements in microscopic procedure for diagnosis.