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School of Health Professions - Student Handbook 2021-2022


MP Overview of Program

Overview of the Molecular Pathology Program 
The Program accepts one class per year, beginning in the summer semester. Students are required to complete a one-year curriculum.  Completion of the curriculum according to the policies set forth by the State of Texas and the School of Health Professions will culminate in the award of the Master of Science in Molecular Pathology.  This curriculum consists of:
  1. On-campus classes and laboratory sessions in the TTUHSC student laboratories. These courses are taught by Molecular Pathology faculty and guest speakers and are intended to prepare students for the clinical preceptorship. Some classes are delivered online and taught by Molecular Pathology faculty.
  2. Online classes. Several courses will be administered online.
  3. A graduate-level research project. This project is designed to give students the experience of performing diagnostic molecular research and presenting the data in various forms.
  4. Clinical Preceptorships in affiliated laboratories. The Clinical Education Coordinator in cooperation with the clinical teaching staff direct the education of the students at the affiliate site. Clinical faculty will serve to instruct students in the application of theory and principles to patient testing procedures. The clinical preceptorship begins in March and ends in May. Students are assigned their clinical preceptorship site during the fall semester. This assignment is made in advance so students can make arrangements for moving. It is the student’s responsibility to find housing, meet all financial obligations, arrange for transportation, and seek employment (if desired).

Mission Statement
The mission of the Molecular Pathology program is to improve the health of people by producing competent and compassionate molecular scientists by providing a high quality relevant education with an emphasis on scholarly activity, research, patient care and service, in order to meet the educational and clinical needs of the communities of West Texas, Texas, and the nation.
 
Vision Statements
The vision of the Program in Molecular Pathology is to earn regional and national recognition for excellence in graduate education.  We will progress toward achieving this vision by:
  • providing students with a specific educational background in molecular testing by utilizing a variety of education resources and experiences,
  • providing a strong curriculum based on current needs,
  • maintaining the level and quality of instruction in the molecular science courses by including the most recent technological advances,
  • developing in students the professional attitudes and ethics required of laboratory professionals,
  • educating students on the merits of continuing professional development,
  • providing the region and the State of Texas with molecular scientists who can function at career entry level and who can assume leadership roles as health professionals.

Departmental Organizational Structure 
Chairperson
The Chairperson is directly responsible for departmental functions including: serving as a liaison between the departmental personnel and the university administration, conducting performance evaluations, determining merit salary, assigning staff (secretaries and clinic coordinators) duties; mediating all personnel and/or student grievances; assigning and determining space utilization; coordinating faculty meetings; administering all departmental budgets and accounts payable with recommendation from the Program Directors; determining course instructors; appointing committees; coordinating tenure and/or promotion applications; executing disciplinary actions per the University Operating Procedures Handbook; and reports to the School of Health Professions Dean.
 
Program Director
The Program Directors are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the academic programs and clinical operations.  Duties include serving as the first point of contact for grievances, course scheduling, and facilities management; participating with the chairperson in annual performance appraisals; monitoring curricular requirements in accordance with NAACLS maintaining outcome data for the academic and clinical programs; managing the department’s Quality Improvement processes; reviewing students’ academic records; and monitoring budgetary matters.  Other duties may be assigned by the Chairperson.
 
Assistant Program Director
The Assistant PD assists the Program Director in duties associated with oversight of the program curriculum including assessment and evaluation of effectiveness.  The APD also assists the Program Director in monitoring requirements in accordance with NAACLS.  Additional duties include recruitment activities, student advisement, and the admissions process.
 
Clinical Education Coordinator
The Clinical Education Coordinator assists the Program Director with matters regarding the affiliates. Duties include developing clinical affiliation agreements (i.e., contracts), assigning students to clinical sites, and meeting regularly with affiliate education coordinators. Other duties may be assigned by the Program Directors or Chairperson.
 
Laboratory Manager
The Laboratory Manager is responsible for setting up student laboratory sessions, instrument maintenance and troubleshooting, and managing day to day operations of the laboratory.  The Lab Manager also assists the students in technique and theory behind individual laboratory sessions.  Other duties may be assigned by the Program Director.
 
Admissions Committee
The committee serves to review all undergraduate and graduate applications into the respective programs of study (i.e., pre-professional and graduate), coordinate graduate applicant interviews; recommend admission or denial to the Chairperson; maintain statistical information relative to student indices (e.g. grade point averages, etc.); execute all admission policies per faculty approval; and report to the Chairperson at each faculty meeting.
 
Advisory Committee
The Molecular Pathology advisory committee meets as needed to review curriculum and discuss evaluation of each program’s effectiveness.  Evaluation of program effectiveness includes student course evaluations, employer’s surveys, national certification scores, and faculty input regarding curriculum and the admissions criteria for each program. The committee provides a unique perspective in the field of laboratory medicine.

Program Goals
It is the primary goal of the TTUHSC Molecular Pathology program to provide excellent graduate professional education in molecular pathology; it is the ultimate goal of the Molecular Pathology program to prepare students for career entry positions as diagnostic molecular laboratory professionals. The Molecular Pathology preceptorship will enhance a student’s knowledge in the clinical aspect of molecular diagnostics and in the application of laboratory theory and technique.  The program goals are as follows:
  1. To provide students with a broad educational background by using a variety of educational resources and experiences.
  2. To provide a strong graduate curriculum based on current needs.
  3. To maintain the level and quality of instruction in the molecular science courses by including the latest in technological advances.
  4. To develop in students the professional attitudes and ethics required of molecular scientists.
  5. To educate students in the merits of continuing professional development.
  6. To provide the region served by the program with graduate diagnostic molecular scientists who can function at career entry levels and who can assume leadership roles as health professionals.
 
Program Affective Objectives
The student shall:
  1. Follow biosafety regulations by practicing proper disposal of biohazardous material, as evidenced by complying with established safety regulations.
  2. Exhibit interest in the laboratory assignments and lecture discussions through participation.
  3. Help maintain a neat, clean, and orderly work area in all laboratories without being asked.
  4. Demonstrate proper care and use of laboratory equipment, as evidenced by lack of breakage.
  5. Attend classroom and laboratory sessions regularly and punctually.
  6. Demonstrate preparedness for the laboratory by following directions and completing the tasks assigned with little need for additional instructions.
  7. Cooperate by communicating with and helping other students.
  8. Exhibit assurance and confidence in performing laboratory tasks.
  9. Demonstrate integrity by recognizing and repeating questionable tests.
  10. Act responsibly.
  11. Accept instruction and constructive criticism maturely.
  12. Show respect for other students, instructors, and patients.
  13. Comply with the stated dress codes.
  14. Demonstrate interprofessionalism through respect, collaboration and appropriate communication with other healthcare professionals.

Career Entry Competency Goals of the Program
It is the ultimate goal of the program to prepare students for career entry positions as molecular scientists. Thus specific professional competencies focused on pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical knowledge are expected of graduates.  The program strives, through educational methods, to incorporate all facets of quality laboratory practice into the students’ professional development.  At career entry, the Diagnostic Molecular Scientist will be able to demonstrate entry level competencies such as:
  1. Evaluating and monitoring methods of collection, transport and handling of various specimen types for molecular analysis;
  2. Applying principles, practices and applications of molecular based testing for clinical laboratory testing purposes;
  3. Performing appropriate techniques utilizing instrumentation for molecular analysis and correlating results with acquired, inherited and infectious diseases;
  4. Complying with and performance of preventive and corrective maintenance programs for instruments and equipment, as well as troubleshooting and evaluating appropriate actions for problem resolution;
  5. Investigating and implementing procedures as a result of studies on new technologies, procedures or diagnostic correlations in molecular science;
  6. Applying principles of quality control which evaluate data for necessity of repeat analysis, correlation with disease states, organism identification and disease diagnosis;
  7. Applying principles of quality assurance and performing measurements to assure validity and accuracy of laboratory data generated;
  8. Complying with laws, regulations and accrediting standards as well as guidelines of relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies;
  9. Utilizing resource management strategies to maintain optimal laboratory efficiency;
  10. Exercising established procedures for general laboratory safety, biohazard containment and waste disposal;
  11. Demonstrating leadership, professional and ethical conduct and interpersonal skills for clients, healthcare professionals and the public;
  12. Formulating a strategic plan for professional career development.
*Adapted from the Standards for Accredited and Approved Programs for the Diagnostic Molecular Scientist, 11/2018 NAACLS.
 
Accreditation
The MP program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) 5600 N. River Road Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018.
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, doctoral, and professional degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The commission should be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support the institution’s significant non-compliance with a requirement standard.
A member of the Texas Tech University System, TTUHSC has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as a separate institution from Texas Tech University since 2004. TTUHSC received its reaffirmation of accreditation from SACSCOC in 2009. The next reaffirmation is scheduled for 2029.