Clinical Lab Science BS

This program is jointly offered by Ramapo College of New Jersey and Rutgers Health-School of Health Professions (Rutgers-SHP).

Students must complete 96 credits, including the General Education requirements, and a preprofessional core. Students who transfer to Ramapo College must complete 48 credits at Ramapo, 28 of which are science and/or math courses in the major before completing the program at Rutgers-SHP. They then complete a 45-credit professional program at Rutgers-SHP. This latter part takes 15 months starting in the summer after the third year.

Medical lab scientists are professionals who are involved in providing laboratory data crucial for clinical diagnoses essential for patient therapy. Responsibilities of medical lab scientists vary and may include analysis of blood and body fluids, microorganism identification and diagnosis of infection, and managing laboratory information.

Because all Ramapo College requirements need to be completed in the three years the student spends at Ramapo, students should anticipate taking 16 to 18 credits per semester. Of these, at least two courses per semester will be in the sciences in order to fulfill the prerequisites.

Notes:

• The application deadline for the Rutgers-SHP Clinical Lab Science program is January 15th for classes beginning in June (Applications can certainly be submitted earlier). Thus the typical student should submit their application in the Fall of the third year to be eligible to commence the professional component at Rutgers-SHP after the Spring semester.

• Applications received after the deadline will be considered only if enrollment capacity in the majors has not been reached.

• In order to be eligible for acceptance in the professional component of the program at Rutgers-SHP, students must have a minimum 2.85 GPA with no grade below “C” in their science courses.

• Program requirements and admissions criteria may change as a result of changes at Rutgers that is beyond Ramapo’s control. For updated information consult the Rutgers program page.

Upon completion of the Clinical Lab Science program, graduates will be able to:

• Obtain, review, and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.

• Record, analyze, and process specimens and diagnostic data and other pertinent lab data and work independently for presentation to the interpreting physician.

• Identify pathogens and determine their susceptibility to various drugs.

• Prepare stem cells, red blood cells and platelets for safe transfusion.

• Identify leukemic cells so appropriate therapy can be initiated.

• Identify mutations associated with genetic diseases by analyzing patients’ DNA, RNA or proteins.

• Monitor therapy with anticoagulants and other drugs to ensure patient safety.

• Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues.

• Act in a professional and ethical manner.

• Develop and cultivate the confidence and responsibility needed to perform as a competent medical lab scientist.

• Understand and recognize the importance of adaptability.

• Implement and perform diagnostic procedures adhering to acceptable departmental, institutional, governmental and professional standards.

• Encompass strategies that assure professional development at a level of clinical practice consistent with acceptable standards.

• Establish values and attitudes congruent with professional standards and ethics.

• Demonstrate awareness of and operate within the Clinical Lab Scientist’s scope of practice.