The Program

The School of Medical Technology program provides the educational environment necessary to produce professional entry-level medical technologists through our didactic lectures and hands-on experience. Students experience all aspects of the daily operation of Eisenhower's state-of-the-art clinical laboratory.

The laboratory is licensed by the State of California and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the College of American Pathologists. Five pathologists who are board certified in clinical and anatomical pathology direct the laboratory and administrative functions are carried out by the laboratory director and leadership team. Over one million procedures are performed annually. Services are provided to the emergency department, critically ill in-patient population and a busy outpatient services department.

Students spend 12 months learning the specialties of each area of the clinical laboratory. Interpersonal skills are fostered through interactions with patients, physicians, clients and colleagues. The Education Facilitators, or appropriate designees, supervise instruction and training. The importance of quality control and quality assurance is strongly emphasized. Safety in the laboratory is a priority, both for students and all laboratory personnel.

Program Goals and Competencies

The ultimate goal of the program is to graduate professional entry-level clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists of the highest caliber who will be able to:

Perform routine laboratory procedures and more complex analyses that require a high level of cognitive understanding with skill and efficiency, producing accurate and precise results within a specified period of time.
Exhibit attitudes of honesty and integrity in the performance of all laboratory procedures, with an understanding of the ultimate consequences gained from a knowledge of medical ethics.
Describe and relate the theoretical and practical aspects of each test performed in the laboratory.
Relate normal, abnormal and critical values with their significance by demonstrating correct follow-up actions.
Relate laboratory results to clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients by being able to describe the etiology, clinical symptoms and laboratory results of each diagnosis.
Demonstrate understanding of the principles and practices necessary to establish and evaluate quality control procedures.
Operate and maintain laboratory instruments and test equipment with the utmost care and conscientiousness.
Demonstrate safety precautions, derived from the institutional and laboratory safety policies, for each and every individual involved, including patients.
Exhibit independent judgment and responsibility in evaluating test results and trouble-shooting instrument malfunction and methodologies by recognizing and acting on problems.
Demonstrate one's unique potential and talents in the field of laboratory science.
Demonstrate an attitude of professionalism to patients, visitors, hospital employees and health professionals, always respecting patients' rights and safety.
After completing 12 months of training, successfully utilize the knowledge and education provided during the clinical year to become a licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist.

Benefits

There are no application or entrance fees. Students currently receive a monthly stipend of $1300. This amount may vary each year. Class size is currently two to four students, which allows for one-on-one instruction.

Seven holidays and three personal days per year are standard benefits. Sick leave is offered, but excessive time off must be made up prior to graduation. Emergency health care is available and professional liability insurance is provided by Eisenhower Medical Center.

Required textbooks are provided by the School of Medical Technology. Students will have access to additional resources located in the School office, the Clinical Laboratory and the Eisenhower Medical Library.

Rules and Regulations

Students are expected to adhere to all hospital and school policies and all state and federal regulations. Policies, procedures and regulations will be reviewed with the students during the orientation process.

Evaluation/Causes for Dismissal

Each student must adhere to the medical technologists' Code of Ethics. After completion of each laboratory subject area, the facilitator evaluates each student based on the objectives presented at the beginning of the section rotation. Students may be placed on probation for the following reasons:

Consistently poor performance on examinations or during clinical rotations
Attitudes that are incompatible with medical technology and which may affect other laboratory personnel and/or the quality of health care to patients.
Unprofessional conduct
Chronic or excessive tardiness or absenteeism as determined by the Program Director and the Laboratory Services Director

Each student must fulfill the program criteria required by the School or be subject to dismissal. If a student withdraws from the program, there are no refunds, since the student does not pay tuition or fees.

Appeal Procedure

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to express complaints or grievances and/or appeal a decision involving a disciplinary action.

Time limits given in the appeals procedure are intended to ensure prompt and thorough action on the appeal. However, any of the time limits specified in the procedure may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties involved.

A student having a problem should discuss it with the program director and may be asked to submit a written statement.
If dissatisfied, the student may then present the problem to the laboratory services director and program director, who shall (within in 5 working days) offer their solution to the problem.
Is still unresolved, an Education Review Committee consisting of four persons appointed by the medical director and program director, plus the laboratory services director, will hear the student's complaint. The student may select another student of their choice to be present at any time during the appeal process. The recommendation of the committee shall be submitted to the medical director and/or program director within three working days following the investigation.
The decision of the Committee will be reviewed by the Program Director and conveyed to the student in writing within one week following receipt of the Committee's recommendation. This decision will be final.