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School of Medical Laboratory Science - Application & Admission

It is the policy of Mercy Hospital Ardmore not to discriminate in admissions or access to its programs or activities for any lawful reason such as race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in violation of Section 504 or the Rehabilitation Act or applicable regulations.

In order to apply to the program, an applicant must have completed a baccalaureate degree or higher prior to the start of the program (4+1 applicant) or be currently enrolled in one of the program’s academic affiliates and eligible for a baccalaureate degree, from the respective university, upon successful completion of the MLS program (3+1 applicant).


The MLS program is affiliated with:

  • East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma
  • Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma
  • Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, Oklahoma
  • Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas
  • University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma
  • Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
  • Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Mercy Hospital Ardmore School of Medical Laboratory Science is required to accept only those students who have completed the following academic prerequisites with a minimum grade of  “C” in each required course:

 

Chemistry:
Minimum 16 semester hours or 24 quarter hours to include 2 courses of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and/or biochemistry and chemistry electives (such as quantitative analysis or instrument methodology).

 

Biological Sciences:
Minimum 16 semester hours or 24 quarter hours to include microbiology, immunology, physiology, and biological science electives (such as parasitology, genetics or anatomy).

 

Mathematics:
A minimum of one course in college level mathematics.  College algebra, math for biology majors or statistics is recommended.  Remedial mathematics is not accepted.

 

Prospective students who met the minimum requirements seven or more years prior to application for admittance must update their academic preparation.  Following consultation with their collegiate advisor and the program director, additional upper level chemistry and/or biology courses may be required before acceptance into the program.

 

Applicants who hold a foreign baccalaureate degree must submit their transcript to an ASCP approved agency for evaluation (Refer to www.ascp.org for a complete list of agencies). They must also meet the minimum academic requirements of the program.

Following completion of the interviews and after receiving fall grades, selection of prospective class members is made by an admissions committee after careful consideration of the applicant’s education background, general and science grade point averages, references and personal interview.  The admissions committee is usually comprised of the Medical Director, Program Director and at least two department heads.  Mercy Hospital Ardmore does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability (provided the disability does not interfere with the satisfactory performance of assigned tasks required by the profession) in any of its policies, practices or procedures.  The school participates in the OCCLSA matching program at the end of January and students are notified of their status by February 5th.  Applications received after the October 15th deadline will be considered if there are positions still available after the matching process.  Equal consideration is given to 3 + 1 and 4+1 students in the selection process. It is policy not to accept more students than we have rotations available.

Application forms are available from affiliated university advisors of Medical Laboratory Science, from any Oklahoma School of Medical Laboratory Science or downloaded from this website. 

 

 

For a complete application file, the following items are needed:

 

  • A completed application form
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Letters of reference from two professors using the standard “student evaluation form”
  • A list of courses in progress and/or planned
  • Student background check from “Certified Background”. The student package code will be available from the hospital program directors.
  • Cashier’s check or money order for $10.00 application fee (nonrefundable)

 

 A student who applies to only this program due to geographical, financial, and/or personal reasons may submit a hardship petition/request  with his/her application for special consideration.

 

The deadline for application is October 15th on the year preceding start of the class for which application has been made.  Applicants with a complete application file and a minimum science GPA of 2.5 will be advised of a date and time for a personal interview.  These interviews will be completed by the end of that calendar year.  Students are requested to send a copy of their fall grades as soon as possible in January in order to update their application file.

Qualified applicants will meet both the program’s academic requirements and its essential requirements (functions).  A complete listing of the essential requirements is distributed to all applicants prior to the personal interview.  They are used with the permission of the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science.


Essential Communication Skills

 

The student must be able to:

  • Communicate effectively in written and spoken English
  • Comprehend and respond to both formal and colloquial English:
  • person to person
  • by telephone
  • in writing

 

Essential Large and Small Motor Skills

 

The student must be able to:

  • Move freely from one location to another in physical settings such as the clinical laboratory, patient care areas, corridors and elevators
  • Possess sufficient eye-motor coordination to allow delicate manipulations of specimens, instruments and tools
  • Grasp and release small objects (e.g. test tubes pipette tips, microscope slides and coverslips); twist and turn dials/knob (e.g. on microscopes, balances, centrifuges, electronic analytical instruments)
  • Manipulate other laboratory materials (e.g. reagents, manual and automated pipettes)

 

Essential Physical Abilities

 

The student must be able to:

  • Identify and distinguish objects macroscopically and microscopically
  • Identify the physical characteristics of biological specimens such as color, clarity, odor and viscosity
  • Read charts, graphs and instrument scales/readout devices
  • Lift and move objects of at least 20 pounds

 

Essential Intellectual Skills

 

The student must:

  • Possess the psychological health required for full utilization of abilities
  • Be able to reason, analyze and integrate information, perform mathematical calculations, make comparisons and handle constructive criticism
  • Recognize emergency situations and take appropriate actions

 

Essential Professional and Applications Skills

 

The student must be able to:

  • Follow written and verbal directions
  • Possess and apply mathematical skills
  • Work independently and with others under time constraints
  • Prioritize requests and work concurrently on at least two different tasks
  • Maintain alertness and concentration during a normal work period
  • Apply knowledge, skills and values learned from course work and life experiences to new situations
  • Work safely with potential chemical, radiological and biologic hazards using universal precautions
  • Develop algorithms and suggest appropriate follow-up tests to providers of laboratory information
  • Show respect for self and others
  • Project an image of professionalism including appearance, dress and confidence

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