Course overview
The aim of this course is to familiarise students with the operations and functions of diagnostic pathology and biomedical research laboratories through gaining an awareness of: current analytical equipment and biomedical procedures; occupational health and safety issues; professional ethics, competencies and responsibility; the role of information technology; the collection, handling and reporting of clinical material; legislation, regulation and accreditation; personal development in terms of communication skills, problem solving, decision making, initiative and teamwork. Supervised clinical work in which students will apply knowledge to, gain experience in, and develop a broad appreciation of, professional practice in diagnostic medical science.
Course learning outcomes
- Process, examine, analyse and/or test clinical material using a range of techniques, procedures and equipment appropriate to the laboratory(ies) in which they have completed their clinical practice
- Interpret the results of such procedures giving due weight to issues of validity, test controls, ranges, and acceptable variation
- Discuss, where appropriate and commensurate with their knowledge and training, the clinical significance of test results
- Demonstrate an awareness of ethical, health and safety, and regulatory issues appropriate to the laboratory(ies) in which they have completed their clinical practice
- Discuss the role of information storage, retrieval and processing in laboratory operations
- Give an account of the organisational and administrative structure and functions of the laboratory(ies) in which they have completed their clinical practice and relate this to the wider provision of health care services and/or medical research; display maturation in written and oral communication skills through the presentation of reports and seminars