CLS Essential Functions

Essential functions are knowledge, skill, and attitude requirements needed to become a successful clinical laboratory scientist. Our national accrediting agency (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, NAACLS) mandates that the essential functions, required for admission to our CLS program, be made available to prospective students and to the public.

CLS students must be able to perform the following functions:

• Communication skills—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, and in writing; appropriately assess nonverbal as well as verbal communication.
• Locomotion—Must be able to move freely from one location to another in physical settings, such as the clinical laboratory, patient areas, corridors, and elevators.
• Small motor skills—Must have sufficient eye-motor coordination to allow delicate manipulations of specimens, instruments, and tools. Must be able to grasp and release small objects (e.g., test tubes, microscope slides); twist and turn dials/knobs (e.g., for a microscope, balance, or spectrophotometer); and manipulate other laboratory materials (e.g., reagents and pipettes) in order to complete tasks.
• Other physical requirements—Must be able to lift and move objects of at least 20 pounds. Must have a sense of touch and temperature discrimination.
• Visual acuity—Must be able to identify and distinguish objects macroscopically and microscopically; read charts, graphs, and instrument scales.
• Safety—Must be able to work safely with potential chemical, radiologic, and biologic hazards and follow prescribed guidelines for working with all potential hazards, including mechanical and electrical.
• Professional skills—Must be able to follow written and verbal directions; work independently and with others and under time constraints; prioritize requests and work concurrently on at least two different tasks; maintain alertness and concentration during a normal work period.
• Stability—Must possess the psychological health required for full use of abilities and be able to respond to others in a collegial manner; must be able to recognize emergency situations and take appropriate actions.
• Affective (valuing) skills—Must show respect for self and others and project an image of professionalism, including appearance, dress, and confidence; and have complete personal integrity and honesty. Must adhere to appropriate professional deportment.
• Application skills— Must be able to apply knowledge, skills, and values learned from previous coursework and life experiences to new situations.