Course Description

MLS Program Course Description

Two options are offered for students interested in a career in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)/Medical Technology (MT)

1. 4 + 1 = Four years of undergraduate studies and one additional year of study in an MLS program. This option is for students who already have a bachelor’s degree from Heritage University or another university and have completed the pre-requisite courses.  Upon completion of the program, a Certificate of Completion will be issued.
2. 3 + 1 = Three years of undergraduate studies and one year of study in an MLS program. This option is for students at Heritage University that are entering their last year of study for the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.  At the completion of the program the student will be awarded a certificate of completion as well as a Bachelor of Science in MLS.

Program Course Progression

August – December (Fall Semester):

Students spend the first 18 weeks (Fall Semester) of the full academic program year in the classroom on campus in Toppenish in the classroom and the laboratory. This semester sets the foundation for the students to build upon during their spring semester and summer clinical rotations.

Course #*	Course Name	Credits
BIOL 405	Essentials of Clinical Laboratory Science I	2
BIOL 413	Immunology/Serology	2
BIOL 418A	Urinalysis and Body Fluids	2
BIOL 421	Preclinical Rotation Course**	4
BIOL 421L	Preclinical Lab**	2

*Please refer to the HU Catalog for detailed course descriptions.

**Hematology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Immunohematology

January – March (Spring Semester):

Students will continue attending classes on campus in Toppenish.  This semester will build upon the knowledge and skills learned during the Fall Semester.

BIOL 406	Essentials of Clinical Laboratory Science II	3
BIOL 416	Mycology/Parasitology	2
BIOL 418A	Hematology/Hemostasis	3
BIOL 420	Immunohematology	3
BIOL 423	Clinical Microbiology	3
CHEM 425	Clinical Chemistry	3

April – August (Summer Semester):

Clinical Rotations – Hands-On Learning

BIOL 450

Clinical Rotations

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Through the sophisticated scientific tests technologists perform on blood, tissue, and body fluids, medical laboratory scientists (medical technologists) aid pathologists and physicians in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease. Technologists are asked to perform complex analyses and make important decisions that affect patient treatment. In fact, many medical diagnoses come from the work performed in medical labs. Technologists must be able to see the interdependence of the test and know the physiological conditions affecting test results.

To gain knowledge in the use of sophisticated instruments and the procedures involved in laboratory testing, our students do hands-on clinical rotations in our affiliate laboratories:

• Astria Toppenish Hospital, Toppenish, WA
• Astria Sunnyside Hospital, Sunnyside, WA
• MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital, Yakima, WA
• Prosser Memorial Hospital, Prosser, WA
• Kadlec Medical Center, Richland, WA
• Trios Hospital Southridge, Kennewick, WA
• St Mary Medical Center, Walla Walla, WA
• Good Shepherd Hospital, Hermiston, OR
• Yellowhawk Tribal Health, Mission, OR

During their rotations they will be performing testing in the following departments:

• Hematology/Hemostasis
• Chemistry
• Immunohematology
• Microbiology
• Urinalysis/Body Fluids

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To remain in good standing, students must maintain a minimum grade of 70% in each section.  Upon completion of the Heritage MLS Program, graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam. Learn more: ASCP BOC