CLS 4225 LABORATORY MANAGEMENT & SUPERVISION

Course Syllabus - Summer 2020

Tom Patterson, Associate Professor Lecture: 9:30 am – 11:20 am – Rm 216

Office: HPB 360 Phone: 512-245-2719 Office Hours: By Appointment
Email: tp20@txstate.edu Fax: 512-245-7860
Course Website: tracs – CLS 4225 Lab Mgmt

Optional Textbook:

Hudson, Jane. Principles of Laboratory Management. A Study Guide and Workbook. 2004.
Prentice Hall Clinical Laboratory Science Series. Elizabeth Zeibig, Series Editor

Course Description: Lectures and active discussions of general principles of management and
supervision of the clinical laboratory and its personnel.

Course Objectives:
1. Explain professionalism and professional ethics as it relates to clinical laboratory science
2. Identify key requirements of a job resume, job description, and job advertisement
3. Discuss the job interview and selection process for prospective job applicants
4. Describe employee evaluation processes and employee discipline methods
5. Discuss effective writing and communication skills related to clinical laboratory management
6. Discuss the basic principles of leadership
7. Identify necessary features of laboratory safety programs
8. Identify the CLSI format for writing laboratory procedures and documents
9. Explain the basic principles of laboratory budgeting and finance
10. Describe laboratory workload recording methods and employee scheduling procedures
11. Explain how to evaluate and compare new laboratory test procedures
12. Describe principles of quality management and quality control
13. Discuss methods of analytical instrument selection in the laboratory
14. Explain the purpose of preventive and corrective maintenance programs
15. Identify important features when selecting a laboratory information system
16. Discuss accreditation and legal issues associated with the clinical lab
17. Identify necessary features of developing an education program for clinical laboratory
employees

Course Requirements and Evaluation:

Each student’s performance is monitored through the use of written examinations and other
assignments. With the exception of the final exam, all assignments and projects are due no later
than 5 p.m. on the assigned date. You are expected to attend each class and participate in group
discussions or other class activities.

Grading:
The following grading scale will be used to assign the course letter grade: A = 900-1000 points,
B = 800-899.99, C = 700-799.99, D = 651-699.99, F = 650 and below. The final grades are not
rounded up or down. The student’s performance determines the final grade, not the instructor.

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The final course grade is determined as follows:
Two course examinations (100 points each)………...... 200 points
Final examination (take home exam)…………………. 200 points
Written assignments, projects, oral presentations.........… 600 points

Written Assignments:
Class assignments are to be completed by turning in a hard copy or by using Microsoft Word or
Microsoft Excel and placing them in the TRACS drop box. Note the instructor’s requirements
for each assignment. Additional details about written assignments and projects will be discussed
during the first class meeting. Each written assignment is worth 100 points toward the final
grade. Remember that penalty points will be assessed for assignments submitted past the
deadline at the discretion of the instructor. Your take-home final exam is worth 200 points.

Written Assignments 1. Write a resume and six interview questions

2. Write a job description and advertising flyer
3. Write an SOP in CLSI format
4. Estimate billable cost per test
5. Determine staffing needs
6. Solve a laboratory quality problem

Final Examination: Compose a (1) lesson plan, (2) training checklist, and (3) a competency
(200 points).

Attendance:
Your participation in class discussions and activities is important. Please notify me if you are
unable to attend class due to illness or emergency. Points will be deducted from your
attendance/participation grade for each unexcused absence at the discretion of the instructor.

Academic Honesty Policy:

I expect clinical laboratory science students to do their own work on all graded test material
submitted for all course work requirements. Since dishonesty harms the individual, fellow
student, the CLS program, and the integrity of the University, policies on academic dishonesty
will be strictly enforced.

Special Accommodations in Classes:

Students having special needs/disabilities which require accommodations for the successful
completion of this course, must notify the Office of Disability Services (or course instructor who
will notify Office of Disability Services) as soon as possible after classes begin or
accommodations may be delayed.

Classroom Behavior:
Students are full partners in fostering a classroom environment which is conducive to learning. In order
to assure that all students have the opportunity to gain from time spent in class, students are prohibited
from engaging in any form of behavior that detracts from the learning experience of fellow students.
Inappropriate behavior in the classroom may result in a request for the offending student to leave class.
Examples of inappropriate behavior include activated cell phones and pagers, frequent episodes of
leaving and then returning to class, eating or drinking in the classroom, excessive tardiness, leaving
class early, making offensive remarks, missing deadlines, prolonged chattering, reading newspapers,

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notes, or other reading materials that are not relevant to this class, dominating discussions, and shuffling
backpacks or notebooks. Texas State University System Regents rules do not allow persons to attend
class who are not officially enrolled in the class, unless they have been invited by the instructor. This
includes family members.

Cell Phones and Beepers:

As a courtesy to your classmates, please turn your cell phone or pager off. If it is necessary for
you to have your cell phone/pager on during class, it should be in “silent” mode.

Class Schedule: WA = writing assignment

Jun 1 Syllabus/Lect 1 - Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4

2 Lect 2 - Chapters 5, 6, 7
3 Lect 3 – Chapters 10, 11, 14 WA 1 – Resume/Interview Questions
4 Lect 4 – Chapters 15, 16, 19
5 Lect 5 – Chapters 21, 22, 24 WA 2- Job Description/Flyer

Clinical Rotation 5 June 8-24

Jun 25 Lect 6 - Chapters 25, 26, 27

26 Written Examination 1 (Lectures 1 – 6)

NOTE: AS OF JULY, FACE TO FACE CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO

RESUME UNLESS THE SITUATION CHANGES

Clinical Rotation 6 Jun 29-July17

Jul 20 CLASS EXERCISE – INTERVIEWING SKILLS

21 CLASS EXERCISE – INTERVIEWING SKILLS
22 Lect 10 - Chapters 41, 42 WA 3 – SOP WA4- Cost per Test
23 Lect 7 - Chapters 29, 30, 31 WA 4 – Cost per Test
24 Lect 8 - Chapters 32, 33, 34 WA 5 - Staffing

27 Lect 9 - Chapters 37, 38, 40

28 Written Examination 2 (Lectures 7-9)
29 No Class – turn in WA 6-Quality Problem
30 Make-Up Day (if needed)
31 No Class - TURN IN FINAL EXAMINATION (by noon)

Aug 3 GRADUATION! (2:00 pm)

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Bibliography:

Garcia, Lynne S. 2004. Clinical Laboratory Management. Washington, DC: ASM Press. (RB
860.C56 2004)
Hudson, Jane. 2004. Principles of Clinical Laboratory Management.
Upper Saddle River NJ: Prentice Hall. (R860.P75 2004)
Kurec, A.S. et al. 2000. The CLMA Guide to Managing a Clinical Laboratory. Wayne, PA:
Clinical Laboratory Management Association. (RB36.3.F55 C56 2000)
MacMillan, Donna H. Elements of a Typical Laboratory Budget. Laboratory Medicine, Vol. 34,
No. 7, July, 2003, 515-519.
Zaccarelli, H.E. 1988. Training Managers to Train. Menlo Park, CA: Crisp
Publications, Inc. (HF5549.5.T7 Z25 1988)
1997. Clinical Laboratory Regulation: A Guide to CLIA Compliance. Washington, DC:
Washington G-2 Reports. (KF3826.L3 C55 1997),

Journals & Periodicals:

CAP Today (RB1.C36)

Clinical Laboratory Management Review (RB37. A1 C44)
Clinical Laboratory Science (RB37. A1 C45)
Clinical Leadership and Management Review (RB37.A1C44)
Laboratory Medicine (Q183.A1 L33)
Medical Laboratory Observer (R860. M2)

Management Resources on the Internet:

• http://www.clma.org -- Clinical Laboratory Management Association

• http://www.mlo-online.com/ -- Medical Laboratory Observer on-line journal

• http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/dls/default.asp -- CDC: CLIA Regulations

• http://www.osha.gov/ -- Occupational Safety and Health Administration website

• http://www.clsi.org/ -- Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (formerly NCCLS)