Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Medical Laboratory Assisting 
Program Type:	Career Preparatory
Career Cluster:	Health Science

Career Certificate Program	
Program Number	H170306	
CIP Number	0351080201	
Grade Level	30, 31	
Program Length	465 hours	
Teacher Certification	Refer to the Program Structure section.	
CTSO	HOSA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	Please see the CIP to SOC Crosswalk located at the link below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	
Basic Skills Level	Computation (Mathematics): 	9	Communications (Reading and Language Arts):	11	

Purpose

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Health Science career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster. 

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as medical laboratory aides, Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians.

The content includes but is not limited to communication, interpersonal and professional skills, appropriate scientific principles of microbiology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology integrated into skill development and clinical learning.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 3 occupational completion points.

This program is comprised of courses which have been assigned course numbers in the SCNS (Statewide Course Numbering System) in accordance with Section 1007.24 (1), F.S.  Career and Technical credit shall be awarded to the student on a transcript in accordance with Section 1001.44(3) (b), F.S.

To teach the courses listed below, instructors must hold at least one of the teacher certifications indicated for that course.

The following table illustrates the postsecondary program structure:

OCP	Course Number	Course Title	Teacher Certification	Length	
A	HSC0003	Basic Healthcare Worker	LAB TECH @7 7G	90 hours	
B	MEA0520	Phlebotomist 	LAB TECH @7 7G
MED ASST 7G
PARAMEDIC @7 7G
REG NURSE   7 G
RESP THER @7 7G
PRAC NURSE @7  %7%G (Must be a Registered Nurse)	75 hours	
C	MEA0560	Medical Lab Assistant  	LAB TECH @7 7G	300 hours	

Career Technical Core – Career Ready Practices

Career Ready Practices describe the career-ready skills that educators should seek to develop in their students.  These practices are not exclusive to a Career Pathway, program of study, discipline or level of education.  Career Ready Practices should be taught and reinforced in all career exploration and preparation programs with increasingly higher levels of complexity and expectation as a student advances through a program of study. 

1. Act as a responsible and contributing citizen and employee. 

2. Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. 

3. Attend to personal health and financial well-being. 

4. Communicate clearly, effectively and with reason. 

5. Consider the environmental, social and economic impacts of decisions. 

6. Demonstrate creativity and innovation. 

7. Employ valid and reliable research strategies. 

8. Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 

9. Model integrity, ethical leadership and effective management. 

10. Plan education and career path aligned to personal goals. 

11. Use technology to enhance productivity. 

12. Work productively in teams while using cultural/global competence. 

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the healthcare delivery system and health occupations.
02.0	Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively.
03.0	Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibilities.
04.0	Demonstrate an understanding of and apply wellness and disease concepts.
05.0	Recognize and practice safety and security procedures.
06.0	Recognize and respond to emergency situations.
07.0	Recognize and practice infection control procedures.
08.0	Demonstrate an understanding of information technology applications in healthcare.
09.0	Demonstrate employability skills.
10.0	Demonstrate knowledge of blood borne diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
11.0	Apply basic math and science skills. 
12.0	Demonstrate accepted professional, communication and interpersonal skills.
13.0	Discuss phlebotomy in relation to the health care setting.
14.0	Identify the anatomic structure and function of body systems in relation to services performed by phlebotomist.
15.0	Recognize and identify collection reagents supplies, equipment and interfering chemical substances.
16.0	Demonstrate skills and knowledge necessary to perform phlebotomy.
17.0	Practice infection control following standard precautions.
18.0	Practice accepted procedures of transporting, accessioning and processing specimens.
19.0	Practice quality assurance and safety.
20.0	Identify the federal and state laws which serve to regulate the provision of laboratory services, including CLIA, Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code.
21.0	Demonstrate basic knowledge of microbiology.
22.0	Demonstrate basic knowledge of urinalysis.
23.0	Demonstrate basic knowledge of clinical chemistry.
24.0	Demonstrate basic knowledge of hematology.
25.0	Demonstrate basic knowledge of Immunohematology.
26.0	Demonstrate basic knowledge of and perform clinical laboratory Point of Care (POC) testing (Waived).
27.0	Successfully complete learning experiences in the clinical setting.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Medical Laboratory Assisting
Career Certificate Program Number:	H170306

The Basic Health Care Worker (HSC0003) is referred to as the Health Science Core and is the first OCP in the majority of the Career Certificate Program health science programs. Secondary and Postsecondary students completing the health science core will not have to repeat the core in any other health science program in which it is a part.  When the recommended sequence is followed, the structure allows students to complete at specified points for employment or remain for advanced training or cross-training.

Course Number:  HSC0003
Occupational Completion Point:  A 
Basic Healthcare Worker – 90 Hours	

To ensure consistency whenever these courses are offered, the health science core standards (1-11) and benchmarks have been placed in a separate document. To access this document, visit this link: 
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/20706/urlt/health-sci-core-psav-cc-2425.rtf

Course Number: MEA0520
Occupational Completion Point: B
Phlebotomist – 75 Hours	
12.0	Demonstrate accepted professional, communication, and interpersonal skills.  The student will be able to:	
12.01	Demonstrate the appropriate professional behavior of a phlebotomist.	
12.02	Explain to the patient the procedure to be used in specimen collection. 	
12.03	Explain in detail the importance of identifying patients correctly when drawing blood.	
12.04	Describe the scope of practice (job skills and duties) for a phlebotomist.	
12.05	List and describe professional organizations that provide accreditation, certification, and licensure to phlebotomists and phlebotomy programs.	
12.06	Explain the importance of continuing education in relation to certification to maintain competency and skills.	
13.0	Discuss phlebotomy in relation to the health care setting.  The student will be able to:	
13.01	List, classify and discuss various departments and services within the health care setting in which the phlebotomist must interact with to obtain laboratory specimens from patients.	
13.02	Identify the major departments/sections with the clinical laboratory, the major types of procedures run in each department/section, and their specimen requirements.	
13.03	Describe roles of the major classifications of clinical laboratory personnel (i.e., pathologist, chief/administrative technologist, CLS, MLS, MLT, MT, phlebotomist, lab assistant, etc.).	
14.0	Identify the anatomic structure and function of body systems in relation to services performed by phlebotomist.  The student will be able to:	
14.01	Describe and define major body systems with emphasis on the circulatory system.	
14.02	List and describe the main superficial veins used in performing venipuncture.	
14.03	 Locate the most appropriate sites(s) for capillary and venipuncture.	
14.04	Describe the function of the following blood components: erythrocytes, thrombocytes, leukocytes and plasma.	
14.05	Compare and contrast between serum and plasma as it relates to blood collection.	
14.06	Discuss hemostasis as it relates to blood collection.	
15.0	Recognize and identify collection reagents supplies, equipment and interfering chemical substances.  The student will be able to:	
15.01	Identify and discuss proper use of appropriate types of equipment needed to collect various clinical laboratory blood specimens by venipuncture.	
15.02	Explain the special precautions and types of equipment needed to collect blood from the pediatric patient. 	
15.03	Identify and discuss proper use of supplies used in collecting short-draw specimens or difficult draws.	
15.04	Identify and discuss the proper use of the various types of anticoagulants, preservatives and gels used in blood collection and the vacuum tube color-codes for these additives.	
15.05	Describe the types of specimens that are analyzed in the clinical laboratory and the phlebotomist's role in collecting and/or transporting these specimens to the laboratory.	
15.06	Describe substances potentially encountered during phlebotomy which can interfere in analysis of blood constituents.	
15.07	Define and utilize correct medical terminology and metric measurement needed for specimen collection.	
16.0	Demonstrate skills and knowledge necessary to perform phlebotomy.  The student will be able to:	
16.01	Follow approved procedure for completing a laboratory requisition form.	
16.02	Recognize a properly completed requisition.	
16.03	Demonstrate knowledge of established protocol for patient and specimen identification. 	
16.04	Discuss appropriate methods for facilitating and preparing the patient for capillary and venipuncture collection.	
16.05	List appropriate antiseptic agents useful in preparing sites for capillary and venipuncture.	
16.06	Perform venipuncture by evacuated tube, butterfly and syringe systems, demonstrating appropriate use of supplies, proper handling of equipment and specimens, and appropriate patient care.	
16.07	Describe the correct order of draw.	
16.08	Describe the use of barcoding systems used for specimen collection.	
16.09	 Convey an understanding of capillary puncture using appropriate supplies and techniques for both adults and pediatric patients.	
16.10	Describe the most common complications associated with capillary and venipuncture, their causes, prevention and treatment.	
16.11	Recognize and respond to possible adverse patient reactions such as allergies, convulsions, syncope, light-headedness, vomiting, and nerve involvement.	
16.12	Perform appropriate procedures for disposing of used or contaminated capillary and venipuncture supplies.	
16.13	Demonstrate the proper procedure for collecting blood cultures.	
16.14	Discuss the effects of hemolysis and methods of prevention. 	
16.15	Demonstrate a working understanding of how age and weight of patients impacts the maximum amount of blood that can be safely drawn.	
17.0	Practice infection control following standard precautions.  The student will be able to:	
17.01	Define the term hospital acquired infection.	
17.02	Describe and practice procedures for infection prevention including hand washing skills.	
17.03	Discuss transmission-based precautions.	
17.04	Identify potential routes of infection and their complications.	
18.0	Practice accepted procedures of transporting, accessioning and processing specimens.  The student will be able to:	
18.01	Follow the approved procedure for preparation and processing (e.g., centrifugation, separation, aliquoting, labeling, and storage) of serum, plasma, urine, sputum, stool, and wound culture specimens.  	
18.02	Demonstrate knowledge of accessioning procedures.	
18.03	Describe the significance of time constraints for specimen collection, transporting and delivery.	
18.04	 Describe routine procedures for transporting and processing specimens including DOT packaging requirements.	
19.0	Practice quality assurance and safety.  The student will be able to:	
19.01	Distinguish and perform procedures which ensure reliability of test results when collecting blood specimens.	
19.02	Practice appropriate patient safety.	
19.03	Practice safety in accordance with OSHA (State & Federal guidelines) for chemical, biological, and PPE established procedures including proper disposal of sharps and biohazardous materials.	
19.04	Follow documentation procedures for work related accidents.	
19.05	Implement appropriate Joint Commission patient safety goals and other accrediting/regulatory agency guidelines.	
	
Course Number: MEA0560
Occupational Completion Point: C
Medical Lab Assistant – 300 Hours	
20.0	Identify the federal and state laws, which serve to regulate the provision of laboratory services, including CLIA, Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code.  The student will be able to:	
20.01	Explain the CLIA test complexity model and describe the characteristics required for FDA classification of a test as waived.	
20.02	Understand the CLIA 88 classification of laboratory testing into waived, moderate, and highly complex including the personnel qualified to perform each.	
20.03	Explain the categories of testing personnel established by both CLIA and Florida regulations and describe the basic educational and/or experiential qualifications for each category.	
20.04	Explain the differences in requirements for a physician practice laboratory, a hospital laboratory and an independent clinical laboratory.	
20.05	Describe Alternate Site Testing requirements as they apply to hospitals in Florida, and compare and contrast these with the requirements of the Federal CLIA program and their four typed of certificates:
•	Certificate of Waiver
•	Certificate of Provider Performed Microscopy.  
•	Certificate of Compliance
•	Certificate of Accreditation
Apply the concepts of Point-of-Care or Near Patient testing to these requirements.	
20.06	Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of “scope of practice”, “professional judgment”, and “duty/obligation to report”.	
21.0	Demonstrate basic knowledge of microbiology.  The student will be able to:	
21.01	Perform techniques of microbiology related to disinfection techniques.	
21.02	Discuss techniques of microbiology related to isolation techniques.	
21.03	Perform techniques of microbiology related to sterilization techniques.	
21.04	Perform techniques of microbiology related to slide preparation. 	
21.05	Describe the basic operation and principles related to usage of microscopes.	
21.06	Understand the staining and microscopic examination of gram stains.	
21.07	Discuss techniques of microbiology related to primary inoculation media, specimen types, and transfer of cultures.	
21.08	Perform basic techniques of microbiology in respect to routine and emergency specimen collection including time constraints. 	
21.09	Discuss classification, composition and preparation of culture media.	
22.0	Demonstrate basic knowledge of urinalysis.  The student will be able to:	
22.01	Understand urinalysis techniques related to normal and abnormal components of the urine.	
22.02	Perform urinalysis techniques related to collection and preservation of specimens including time constraints.	
22.03	Perform urinalysis techniques related to physical properties of urine. 	
22.04	Perform urinalysis techniques related to dipstick urine pH and describe clinical significance.	
22.05	Discuss urinalysis techniques related to urine specific gravity techniques.	
22.06	Perform dipstick or tablet (non-automated) urinalysis techniques related to performance of chemical tests.	
22.07	Discuss urinalysis techniques related to microscopic identification of significant elements.	
22.08	Perform urinalysis techniques related to principles and use of centrifuge.	
23.0	Demonstrate basic knowledge of clinical chemistry.  The student will be able to:	
23.01	Perform techniques of clinical chemistry related to metric measurement.	
23.02	Perform techniques of clinical chemistry related to lab ware and clinical equipment. 	
23.03	Perform techniques of clinical chemistry related to reagent preparation, laboratory equipment and laboratory techniques.	
23.04	Discuss techniques of clinical chemistry related to standardization of procedure and use of standards, blanks and controls.	
23.05	Discuss the importance of Quality Assurance as it relates to patient results.	
23.06	Discuss techniques of clinical chemistry related to visual colorimetry, calibration and use of the spectrophotometer.	
23.07	Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between common clinical chemical tests and specific body systems and disorders.	
24.0	Demonstrate basic knowledge of hematology.  The student will be able to:	
24.01	Discuss techniques of hematology related to counting formed elements of blood.	
24.02	Perform techniques of hematology related to preparation and staining.	
24.03	Discuss techniques of cell differential microscopic examination of blood films.	
24.04	Perform appropriate techniques for making a peripheral blood smear for hematologic evaluation.	
24.05	Perform techniques of hematology related to spun hematocrit tests.	
24.06	Discuss techniques of hematology related to the use of platelet function analyzing instruments in addition to performing bleeding times. 	
24.07	Perform techniques of hematology related to hemoglobin tests.	
24.08	Understand the use of and importance of red blood cell indices. 	
24.09	Discuss basic techniques of hematology related to normal and abnormal physiology.	
25.0	Demonstrate basic knowledge of Immunohematology.  The student will be able to:	
25.01	Discuss the functions of the Immunohematology department.	
25.02	Understand the four blood groups in the ABO system, the inheritance of the blood group antigens, and their corresponding antibodies.	
25.03	Discuss techniques of forward and reverse grouping.	
25.04	Perform ABO slide and tube grouping and interpret the results.	
25.05	Discuss the importance of the Rh blood groups system, the inheritance of the Rh antigen, and their corresponding antibodies.	
25.06	Perform Rh D slide typing and interpret the results.	
25.07	Explain the process of blood donation and the requirements necessary to donate blood.	
25.08	Discuss tests performed on donated blood before it can be transfused	
25.09	Explain the three blood components that can be obtained from a unit of donated blood and how these components would be beneficial to patients.	
25.10	Describe safety precautions that should be observed while performing ABO and Rh D typing.	
25.11	Discuss quality assessment policies and procedures that must be followed to ensure reliable ABO and Rh typing results.	
26.0	Demonstrate the basic knowledge of and perform clinical laboratory Point of Care (POC) testing (Waived).  The student will be able to:	
26.01	Demonstrate the ability to interpret instructions of point of care testing specific to microbiology, hematology, urinalysis, and clinical chemistry including, but not limited to the following:   
•	Test principle
•	Storage and stability
•	Internal vs. external quality control 
•	Specimen collection and preparation 
•	Directions for use 
•	Interpretation of results 
•	Interfering substances	
26.02	Explain the purpose of performing lot-to-lot correlations. 	
26.03	Identify normal limits and associate abnormal results with disease and disorders. 	
26.04	Perform instrument maintenance	
26.05	Discuss the significance of reporting critical values as it applies to Point of Care testing. 	
26.06	Demonstrate knowledge of the frequency in which quality control procedures should be performed.	
27.0	Successfully complete learning experiences in the clinical setting.  The student will be able to:	
27.01	Observe and participate as appropriate the skills outlined in outcomes for medical lab assisting. 	
27.02	Complete clinical rotations. 	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Special Notes

This program meets the Department of Health’s education requirements for HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence and Prevention of Medical Errors.  Although not a requirement for initial licensure, it is a requirement for renewal, therefore the instructor may provide a certificate for renewal purposes to the student verifying these requirements have been met.

If students in this program are seeking a licensure, certificate or registration through the Department of Health, please refer to 456.0635, F.S. for more information on disqualification for a license, certificate, or registration through the Department of Health. 

The Core should be taken first in the program. Following the successful completion of the core, the student is eligible to take the National Health Care Foundation Skill Standards Assessment with instructor approval and the completion of a portfolio.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

HOSA: Future Health Professionals is the co-curricular career and technical student organization providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. 

Cooperative Training – OJT

On-the-job training is appropriate but not required for this program.  Whenever offered, the rules, guidelines, and requirements specified in the OJT framework apply. 

Basic Skills 

In Career Certificate programs offered for 450 hours or more, in accordance with Rule 6A-10.040, F.A.C., the minimum basic skills grade levels required for postsecondary adult career and technical students to complete this program are:  Computation (Mathematics) and Communications (Reading and Language Arts). These grade level numbers correspond to a grade equivalent score obtained on a state designated basic skills examination. 
 
Adult students with disabilities, as defined in Section 1004.02, Florida Statutes, may be exempted from meeting the Basic Skills requirements (Rule 6A-10.040).  Students served in exceptional student education (except gifted) as defined in s. 1003.01, F.S., may also be exempted from meeting the Basic Skills requirement.  Each school district and Florida College System Institution must adopt a policy addressing procedures for exempting eligible students with disabilities from the Basic Skills requirement as permitted in Section 1004.91, F.S.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Note: postsecondary curriculum and regulated secondary programs cannot be modified.