MDLB 1221: Professional Practices and Safety in Health Care

• Define the responsibilities of the medical laboratory assistant and her/his role in the health care team.  
• Outline how professionalism applies to the role of medical laboratory assistants.  
• Describe effective interpersonal and communication skills.  
• Describe the features of quality-assurance improvement programs and the role played by medical laboratory assistants in such programs.  
• Define the legal and ethical considerations associated with being a medical laboratory assistant.  
• Describe biohazards and routes of transmission.  
• Identify the necessary precautions to take when handling infectious hazards.  
• Describe disinfection and sterilization techniques and recognize the importance of microbial control.  
• Describe the use, operating, and cleaning procedures for identified laboratory equipment.  
• Describe the use of safety equipment and outline the components of appropriate accident reporting.  
• Describe basic firefighting and first aid procedures.  
• Define the key features of Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and identify safety issues associated with laboratory chemicals.  

Module A: An Introduction to the Health Care Team and Important Issues Related to the Medical Laboratory Assistant

Module B: Effective Interpersonal and Communication Skills Applicable to Medical Laboratory Assistants

Module C: The Role of the Medical Laboratory Assistant within the Hospital and Clinical Laboratory

Module D: Quality Assurance/Improvement Programs

Module E: Legal and Ethical Issues Involving the Medical Laboratory Assistant

Module F: Infection, Infection Control, and Isolation Systems

Module G: Effective Handling of Biohazardous Material

Module H: Microbial Control, Cleaning and Operation of Laboratory Equipment, and Waste Disposal

Module I: Fire Fighting, First Aid and Other Safety Procedures

Module J: Chemical Safety and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Students require the following e-textbook for MDLB 1221, 1321 and 1521, which can be purchased directly from the TRU bookstore site at: https://thebookstore.tru.ca/site_digital.asp

1. McCall, R. E. (2024). Navigate Premier Access for Phlebotomy Essentials (8th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. 
   Type:  2-year Access for E-Textbook. ISBN: 9781284263541

Note: Premier Navigate is required for this course. If you prefer a physical print copy, look for ISBN 9781284263480, which is for the printed textbook plus Navigate Premier (it will also come with an e-textbook).

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam.

Note: Students applying this course towards any TRU Health Care program may be required to obtain a minimum 60% on the course overall to meet program requirements

An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.