School of Medical Technology

The School of Medical Technology program includes five basic areas of laboratory assignments:

• Chemistry
• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Hematology
• Clinical microscopy

Time for management and education projects is included during rotations.

The first two to three weeks of most area rotations include lectures and a lab experience for the students assigned to that rotation. Students acquire the basic skills and knowledge needed for later bench assignments.

Following the lab assignments, students rotate through various bench assignments either singly or, more commonly, two at a time.

Practical work is supervised by instructors and supplemented by informal discussions, reading assignments and/or other self-study material.

Academic progress is closely monitored by weekly testing during laboratory rotations. Tests are scheduled to correlate as closely as possible with the general area of rotation and/or bench assignment material.

The program consists of 49 weeks of lecture and laboratory experience:

Total Length: 52 weeks (including vacation)
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Starting Date: Third week of July
Vacation: Three weeks (week of Thanksgiving, week of Christmas, and a week in the spring)
Holidays: Labor Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day

Medical technology students work with biohazards, chemical hazards and odorous materials during the course of their training. Safety training is included during the first week of training. Students are expected to use the safety equipment provided for employees and adhere strictly to laboratory safety procedures.

Cleveland Clinic is committed to providing a drug-free, smoke-free work environment. Cleveland Clinic, therefore, will not tolerate the unlawful or unauthorized use, manufacture, possession, sale or transfer of illegal or controlled substances of abuse or unauthorized use of alcohol or tobacco products on or around Cleveland Clinic property.

Cleveland Clinic will not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, color, creed, handicap, national or ethnic origins in the administration of its educational policies, training programs, stipend awards and all other such administered programs.

The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS):

5600 N. River Rd.
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119

The School of Medical Technology program is approved by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation.

Graduates will be eligible to sit for certification examinations given by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel, and/or other equivalent certifying agencies.

Successful completion of the program may be credited toward a baccalaureate degree through affiliated colleges and entitles the graduate to a Certificate of Completion from Cleveland Clinic.

• Bacteriology: Lectures offer a survey of the medically important bacteria, rickettsias and viruses, the infectious disease process and principles of basic laboratory techniques. Laboratory work emphasizes the isolation, identification and antibiotic susceptibility studies of bacteria and exposes the student to the serological identification of viral infection. Aspects of molecular identification of bacteria are covered.
• Mycobacteriology: Lectures and practical work cover the isolation, identification and clinical significance of mycobacteria.
• Mycology: Lectures and laboratory work cover the isolation and medical important fungi, their identification and clinical significance.
• Parasitology: Lectures and laboratory work cover life cycles, diagnostic morphology and pathology of human parasites. Laboratory work emphasizes the detection and microscopic identification of diagnostic forms of parasites and detection of blood in fecal specimens.

• Hematology: Lectures cover the production, function and morphology of blood cells; discussion of the diagnostic features of hematologic disorders; and the laboratory tests employed in their diagnosis. Laboratory work includes specimen collection, manual and automated enumeration and identification of cells, and performance of diagnostic test procedures.
• Coagulation: Lectures and laboratory work cover the process of hemostasis, hemorrhagic disorders, and the principles and performance of laboratory procedures used in diagnosing and monitoring them.

• Body Fluid Analysis: Lectures cover the physiology and clinical importance of examining body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluids and semen. Laboratory work includes performance of microscopic, chemical and biological procedures. Also included are Principles of Staining Techniques, and Use and Care of the Microscope.
• Urinalysis: Lectures and laboratory work cover the anatomy and physiology of the kidney in health and disease and the chemical, physical and microscopic examination of urine.

• Immunopathology: Lectures cover a review of characteristics of antigens, antibodies and their reactions, and the principles of laboratory tests involving antigen-antibody reactions. Discussions of the function and dysfunction of the immune mechanism and the laboratory tests used to measure its integrity are included. Laboratory work enables the student to perform some of the various types of tests available and includes exposure to research techniques.
• Immunoserology: Lectures offer a survey of infectious diseases for which serological testing is of diagnostic importance. Laboratory work emphasizes fundamental technique in the performance of some of the most commonly used test procedures.
• Immunohematology: Lectures and laboratory work cover the common blood group systems, serologic procedures performed prior to blood transfusion, transfusion reactions and their investigation, collection and storage of blood and its components, and disease conditions for which blood or its components are utilized as treatment.

• Chemical Pathology: Lectures and laboratory work cover the biochemistry and normal and abnormal physiology of various classes of chemicals. A survey of laboratory methods used to measure various classes of chemicals, their interpretation and clinical application is included.
• Analytical Principles: Lectures cover the principles and use of laboratory instruments and equipment, preparation of reagents, and statistics and their application to the Quality Control Systems. The laboratory work emphasizes basic analytical techniques (manual and automated) in the performance of a variety of routine and specialized procedures.

• Methods and Math: Introduction to the basic principles of medical technology techniques including quality control, laboratory statistics, balances, pipetting, basic microscopy, glassware and FVPM.
• Laboratory Management: Lectures, group discussion and self-study material cover the basic principles of management and supervision. In order to demonstrate the practical application of basic principles as they apply to laboratory management, the student is required to complete several projects.
• Medical Terminology: Knowledge and understanding of medical terminology and jargon is a necessary part of good communication skills. Self instructional textbook assignments, written exams and day to day exposure during lab activities enable the student to develop these skills.
• Research: Ethics and principles of clinical research are covered. A laboratory experience with research personnel is given. The module culminates with a written research project designed by the student.
• Hazards and Safety: Lectures, audio/visual materials and reading assignments cover basic knowledge of various chemical and biological hazards, proper methods of handling and disposing of them, body fluid precautions and laboratory safety. The correct use of appropriate safety equipment and techniques are stressed during daily laboratory assignments.
• Education of Laboratory Personnel: Lectures and reading assignments cover the preparation of objectives, evaluation methods and some theory of adult education. Projects include teaching a bench skill, preparation and presentation of lecture material and preparation of examination items.
• Comprehensive Review: The last two weeks of the program are used to review the year’s work and to take the program’s comprehensive examinations. The exams are graded, and the student must pass all sections in order to complete the program successfully.

• Applicants must be enrolled as a medical technology (clinical laboratory science) student at an affiliated school as described below or have a baccalaureate degree, which includes the prerequisite chemistry, biology and math coursework.
• Cleveland Clinic School of Medical Technology has formal affiliation agreements with a number of universities and colleges. Contact your program advisor or the School of Medical Technology for affiliation status. We will accept application from 3+1 students from unaffiliated schools only under certain circumstances, as explained under the Application Process.
• The applicant must have a minimum of 90 semester hours (135 quarter hours) of academic credit in a baccalaureate degree program from an accredited institution, including the following courses:

Chemistry:

A minimum of 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) acceptable toward a chemistry major is required. A course in organic chemistry or biochemistry must be included. Biochemistry is strongly recommended. Courses in quantitative analysis and instrumentation are recommended.

Biological Sciences:

A minimum of 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) acceptable towards a biology major is required. Microbiology and immunology must be included. Genetics and parasitology are strongly recommended.

Mathematics:

One course in college mathematics is required. Remedial mathematics courses will not satisfy the mathematics requirement. A course in statistics is strongly recommended.

• All students must have their academic credits evaluated by an authorized individual.
• Before admission to the program, students must have completed all required pre-clinical courses and be eligible for a baccalaureate degree at the completion of the clinical program, or already have a baccalaureate degree.

Students must possess gross and fine manual dexterity sufficient to handle specimens or reagents and phlebotomy equipment and perform analytical procedures requiring the use of small, delicate tools, equipment and instruments.

Students must have visual acuity sufficient to use microscopes to perform analysis requiring distinguishing structural details and staining characteristics of cells and microorganisms.

• Each applicant must submit the following information/materials as instructed before any consideration of the application will be given:
  • Completed application form (Deadline: December 1)
  • Application fee: $20 (non-refundable)
  • Transcript from each college attended
• When all of the items listed above have been submitted, the applicant’s academic qualifications are evaluated. Those applicants who met the minimum criteria will be contacted to make an appointment for a personal interview. The application file must be completed by December 15. The interview may take place after December 15 but must be scheduled by then.
• After the interview, each applicant who has completed the process will be scored on non-academic characteristics, using information gathered from the application form and interview.
• The relative weights given to each source of information are:
  • Academic criteria: 60 percent of total score
  • Non-academic criteria
    • Application form:15 percent of total score
    • Interview: 25 percent of total score
• Acceptable applicants will be ranked in order of their total scores; the highest total score will be assigned the first position on the acceptance list.
• Demographic data such as Northern Ohio residency, state of Ohio residence and earliest date of application, may be used as tiebreakers in case two or more applicants have the same total score.
• All applicants must have their college credits evaluated. Degrees granted by foreign schools must be evaluated and judged to be equivalent of U.S. degrees. Contact the program director before applying.
• All students must have completed all prerequisite courses before beginning training. All pre-requisite coursework must be taken within 7 years of the class enrollment date.
• All students who do not have a baccalaureate degree before entering the program must submit evidence that they are enrolled in a 3+1 program and that their college will grant them a baccalaureate degree upon completion of the program.
• It is the responsibility of the applicant to see that deadlines for submitting applications and application materials are met.
• If deadlines are not met, we cannot guarantee the applicant will be considered for the July entrance date.

• A $1500 tuition fee (included in fees charged at some affiliated schools)
• Approximately $600 for text books
• Cost of supplies such as notebooks, shoes, etc.
• Cost of medical insurance (if needed)
• A $15 deposit on an ID badge and a $15 deposit for a parking sticker (for those who need parking)

Financial Aid

No stipends are available, but a limited number of loans and scholarships are available for students attending allied health programs at Cleveland Clinic. The program is approved for deferred payment of Guaranteed Student Loans. For more information, contact the program director.

Health and Professional Liability Insurance

Health care and hospitalization insurance and professional liability insurance are the responsibility of the student.

Housing

Cleveland Clinic has no student housing facilities. The cost of room, board and transportation is borne by the student.

The following materials must be mailed to the program director:

• The completed application form must be submitted by December 1 to ensure consideration for admission to the following year’s class.
• Application fee of $20. Do not send cash. Make your check or money order payable to: The Cleveland Clinic. This fee is non-refundable.
• Official transcript from each college or university attended.

Your credentials must be evaluated by an authorized individual in order to ensure that you have (or will have) completed the required prerequisite courses before the program starting date. Give the Evaluation of Credit form to your college advisor or registrar for completion.

Information regarding any further steps needed to complete your application file will be sent to you, along with an acknowledgement of receipt of your completed application form. Please wait for these instructions before submitting any other material.

The entire application file (except for interview) must be completed by December 15 in order to be considered for admission to the upcoming year’s class.

Students enrolled in 3+1 medical technology (clinical laboratory science) programs at unaffiliated colleges will be considered for admission only after all applicants from affiliated schools have been considered and only under certain circumstances:

• The student was not accepted at a hospital with which his or her school is affiliated. Letters of rejection or confirmation from the college’s medical technology advisor must be submitted.

• Circumstances dictate that the student’s training be done in the Cleveland area, as opposed to the geographic location of his or her school’s affiliates. A letter of explanation from the student must be included with the completed application form.

Anyone interested in this arrangement should contact the program director (after December 1) for information concerning availability of positions and instructions for submitting an application.

Individuals who are not enrolled in a Medical Technology (Clinical Laboratory Science) program, but who have their degree in biology or chemistry (including the required prerequisite chemistry, biology and mathematics coursework) will be considered for admission.

The application procedure is as described under Students from Affiliated Schools.

Preference will be given to applicants who are in medical technology programs at affiliated schools if a tie occurs in ranking scores.

Foreign credentials must be evaluated by an acceptable agency before application to the program can be accepted. The agency must generate a report that lists courses taken with their United States equivalent grade. Contact the Program Director for further instructions before making application.

Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are also required.