Bobby Approved (v 3.2)

Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology

Just Added/Revised:

3/18/09: A Life Saved video from ASCLS -- see High Tech Materials below.
9/22/08: Meet the class of 2010 -- see NEWS.

U.H. campus with Diamond Head background

 

IMPORTANT: August 4, 2009. Due to our present economical challenges, there will be some important changes in admission at the Department of Medical Technology. Students interested in medical laboratory profession should seek academic and professional advising. Please call the office at 956-8557 to set up an appointment with an advisor to discuss options. Mahalo!

This is the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, with Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean in the background. The world famous Waikiki is just to the right of Diamond Head. We are on the island of O'ahu, in the city of Honolulu. The pagoda structure at the lower left is the Biomedical Sciences Building where we are located.

University of Hawai'i at Manoa
John A. Burns School of Medicine
Department of Medical Technology

1960 East-West Road, Biomed C-206
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
U.S.A.

(808) 956-8557

ALOHA!

NEWS

Class of 2010: Meet Martin, Cory, Stacie, Clarence, Christine, Miyoko, Nicole, and Stacie. Sean was also admitted, but is now on a military tour of duty -- we wish him well. Good luck to everyone!

Class of 2010 picture

ASCLS-HAWAII Student Forum is on the web. Visit NiceNet and join the class with class key m39347hz9.

High Tech Materials

A Life Saved: A video from ASCLS promoting the CLS profession.

Labs Are Vital: Great professional stories, from Abbott. Read what CLS's really do.

Diagnositic Detectives, a recruiting video by Michigan State University.

Med Tech Online: A career awareness project (LEI Aloha Digital Media Group) by the UHM College of Education with the Department of Medical Technology. University Lab School students (high school level) learn about Medical Technology through various electronic communication systems.

A recruitment flyer made by Kaiser Permaente.

A PDF presentation about CLS profession made by Kaiser Permanente.

CONTENTS

  1. INTRODUCTION
  2. WHAT IS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY?
  3. CURRICULUM
  4. ADMISSION
  5. FACULTY AND STAFF
  6. USEFUL LINKS
  7. FOR FUN

INTRODUCTION

[UH Logo]The University of Hawai'i at Manoa, is located in Honolulu, not very far from the world famous Waikiki beach. Being in the middle of the Pacific, we see people and cultures from all parts of the world.

The University has a number of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and the University of Hawai'i system includes Community Colleges on four islands. Research and service units such as the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii and the Waikiki Aquarium are also part of the University.

The bachelor of science degree in Medical Technology is offered through the Department of Medical Technology in the John A. Burns School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences and Social Welfare. The program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631-3415, Phone 773-714-8880, URL http://www.naacls.org)

Our Vision:

We aspire to be the top academic and technological center of Clinical Laboratory Science in the world and maintain a focus on Asian-Pacific issues.

Our Mission:

For more information, link to the following sites.

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WHAT IS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY?

C.L.S. using a video microscopeHere is a medical technologist (clinical laboratory scientist, C.L.S.) examining a microscopic specimen. Among many skills a trained C.L.S. is able to perform, a C.L.S. can identify leukemia cells, urinary sediments, microorganisms and other microscopic elements proficiently.

C.L.S. showing cells on video microscope monitorUsing video microscopy, many people can view the image together. This technology is useful in professional conferences as well as a learning tool. The video image can be captured onto a videotape or transferred to a videodisc for future reference.

Medical technology, also known as clinical laboratory science, is a healthcare profession where C.L.S. perform laboratory procedures to help diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases, and to promote health. Many of the C.L.S. work in hospital or clinic laboratories. Their work directly affects the patients' welfare. A C.L.S. must be able to perform such things as microscopic examinations, obtain blood samples by venipuncture, manipulate various labware, operate automated and semiautomated instruments, and make critical decisions.

C.L.S. preparing bacteriology culturesThere are many areas in the hospital laboratory. One area is Microbiology where a C.L.S. isolates and identifies bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites that cause illnesses and also determines the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents.

C.L.S. examining tubes for agglutinationImmunohematology, also known as blood banking, is where a C.L.S. tests and prepares blood units for transfusion. The blood type must be compatible between the patient and the donors and there must not be any harmful antibodies that could cause a transfusion reaction.

C.L.S. pipeting a solutionAnother area is the Clinical Chemistry, where chemical constituents of blood and body fluids are measured using computerized instruments. Some of the constituents include glucose, electrolytes, cholesterol, and enzymes. This C.L.S. is pipetting a reagent to begin a manual test.

C.L.S. viewing through a microscopeIn Hematology and Hemostasis areas, a C.L.S. uses automated cell analyzers and a microscope to detect blood disorders such as anemia or leukemia, and determines the cause of various bleeding problems. Molecular diagnostic techniques are used to diagnose genetic disorders.

A C.L.S. also performs Urinalysis, Body Fluid Analysis, Immunology, and Serology. Clinical Laboratory Science is one of the few scientific careers that you can enter with just a bachelor's degree. Today, career opportunities in hospital and clinical laboratories are plentiful nationwide.

The education and training in C.L.S. can also open doors to lots of other careers. Many of our graduates are successful physicians, biomedical researchers, information (computer) system specialists, hospital administrators, laboratory managers, infection control specialists, college professors, research project coordinators, and governmental program coordinators (eg, health, agriculture, environmental). Some have also gone into fields like forensic science, cytotechnology, nuclear medicine, and business.

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CURRICULUM

Our curriculum leads to a bachelor of science degree in Medical Technology. Students majoring in Medical Technology study the various laboratory disciplines in the last two years on campus. They will be expected to learn the knowledge base, master the laboratory skills, and acquire professionalism.

Clinical experience is obtained at affiliated laboratories. Our clinical affiliates (2007) are:

Castle Medical Center
Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii
Diagnostic Laboratory Services
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
Kuakini Medical Center
Tripler Army Medical Center
University Health Services Manoa
Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center

After successful completion of the clinical training (MEDT 366 and MEDT 591), a student becomes eligible to take a national certification exam from agencies such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA). A professional license as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist is also required to be employed in Hawai'i.

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ADMISSION

Before one becomes a Medical Technology major, the following courses (or equivalent) must be completed:

Introductory Medical Technology courses: MEDT 151 and 251
CHEM: General, Organic, and Analytical
BIOL: Cellular
MICR: Biology of Microorganisms
MATH: Calculus
PHYS: College Physics
ENG: Expository Writing

The application for admission to Medical Technology is accepted once per year during the Spring semester. The application form is available through our office.

Applicant will be asked to file a complete academic record, submit an essay, and schedule an interview. Personal evaluations from two people must also be submitted. Criteria for admission include:

Clinical Laboratory Scientists perform various procedures which directly impact patient care. While the University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution, it is important that every applicant meets certain technical standards (essential functions) prior to being admitted to the Medical Technology program. With appropriate accommodations if needed, all applicants must be able to perform activities such as those listed below. They are assessed in the introductory MEDT courses:

While in the curriculum, additional professional skills are taught. For example, you will obtain blood samples from patients using proper phlebotomy techniques. You will also perform laboratory procedures of high complexity and learn to make critical decisions.

One C-, D+ or D grade is allowed in pre-requisite math/science courses (eg, CHEM, BIOL, PHYS, MATH) but not in MEDT or senior MICR courses. An MEDT course may be repeated once only.

In addition to the courses in the major, you must fulfill the University's General Education Core and Graduation requirements for a BS degree (see UHM catalog for details):

For more detailed information about the University's General Education Core requirements, visit the Gen Ed website.

A graduate from the Kapi'olani Community College's Medical Laboratory Technician program (KCC-MLT) who meets the following criteria is provisionally accepted to the program while attending UH Manoa to complete pre-requisite courses.

Once the following additional criteria are met, such student will be transferred to the Medical Technology program without following the usual admission procedures.

A KCC-MLT graduate who does not meet the above criteria must follow the usual admission procedure.

All KCC-MLT graduates who are admitted are waived certain requirements as specified in the Articulation Agreement between KCC-MLT and UHM Department of Medical Technology. Since UHM General Education Core and Graduation requirements (see above) still apply, KCC students who are considering matriculation to UHM are encouraged to take transferable or equivalent courses while completing the KCC-MLT program. Contact an advisor for more specific information regarding the Articulation Agreement.

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FACULTY AND STAFF

For additional information, please feel free to contact us! Click on a picutre below to email.

Email Dick Teshima

Dick Y. Teshima, MPH, MT(ASCP)
Associate Professor, Chair

Email Sheri Gon

Sheri M. Gon, MPH, MT(ASCP), CLS(NCA)
Lecturer

Email Marsha Kato

Marsha Kato
Secretary

There are many other lecturers and clinical instructors!

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Now, how would you like to see some scenic spots around Hawai'i? Or would you like to take a dip in the Shark Tank at The Waikiki Aquarium? Are you planning a visit to Hawaii?

USEFUL LINKS

Here is a short list of links to related sites.

Local Sites

Educational and Reference Sites

Professional Reference and Academic Institute Sites

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FOR FUN

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This document was first created in August, 1995, and is being maintained by Dick Y. Teshima, MPH, MT(ASCP). Much mahalo (that means "thanks" in Hawaiian) to Mr. Jon Nakasone of Information Technology Services, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, for technical support.