Study Guide

Description

The title of the graduates of the Degree Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science is Bachelor of Health Care. The degree is a higher education degree and it is comparable with equivalent degrees in other EU countries (EQF 6). Bachelors of Health Care are authorized by the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health as health care professionals (biomedical laboratory scientist).

Competence developed
The core competence field of Biomedical Laboratory Scientist is to master and develop the health care laboratory test process and to implement it both independently and as members of multi professional teams. The work includes collecting, processing and analysing laboratory samples, performing diverse point of care tests and patient examinations, and instructing clients. Client safety, responsibility for the reliability of test results, and reporting the test results in terms of further measures are important. In addition, the supervision of other health care professionals in sampling and point of care testing as well as in use of laboratory tests and patient examinations belongs to the core competence.

The laboratory test process consists of guidance of clients, collecting samples, sample processing and analysis, as well as assessment of reliability. Implementation of the laboratory test process requires know-how in client service, methodology, information technology, occupational safety, quality control, and self-evaluation. Bachelors of Health Care are required to have information management skills, communication and language skills and readiness for lifelong learning. Biomedical Laboratory Scientist must master the used analytical methods, equipment, and technical performance, as well as the manual skills and visual recognition methods needed in the work.

Professional status
Biomedical Laboratory Scientists work in primary health care, special health care, private laboratories, and other laboratory service production tasks requiring health care laboratory expertise, such as medical and biomedical research institutions and production plants, companies in the field, and animal laboratories. Biomedical Laboratory Scientists participate in the validation of equipment and methods, quality control and in education, supervision and consulting services. Biomedical Laboratory Scientists develop sampling services and point of care testing multi professionally. Participation in international and multicultural work duties requires good and extensive professional skills, language skills, knowledge of different cultures, and the ability to work in diverse clinical and research laboratories.

Basic values
Basic values of the degree programme are respect for patients’/clients’ human dignity, autonomy and rights. Reliability of laboratory test processes, service availability and client orientation are important in clinical laboratory work. The principles of sustainable development for ecological, economic, social and cultural sustainability also form the basis of the values of education.

Implementation of teaching
The degree programme is implemented according to the legislation concerning the universities of applied sciences and it consists of basic and professional studies, clinical training to enhance professional skills, optional professional studies, free choice studies and bachelor’s thesis. The key contents of the degree programme are studies in clinical physiology and clinical neurophysiology, haematology, immunology and immunohaematology, histology and cytology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, sample collection and client service, molecular biology and genetics, point of care testing, equipment and automation technology, and radionuclide imaging. The supervised clinical training (75 credits) is part of the professional studies and it takes place in the teaching laboratory and clinical and research laboratories which have a clinical training agreement with the universities of applied sciences. The laboratories are required to provide higher education level supervision during the clinical training. The basis of the professional skills of Biomedical Laboratory Scientist is formed by the theoretical knowledge of clinical laboratory science and other related sciences and its application into practice. The aim of the clinical training is to familiarize the students with the key practical duties from the viewpoint of the professional studies in a supervised manner as well as application of knowledge and skills in working life. Part of the studies may also be completed in international student exchange.

Learning outcomes of programmein in different academic years
After the first year, the student is able to operate in the learning and operating environment of the university of applied sciences and is aware of their education and future profession in the social and health care services system. Students are able to utilise evidence based information and the knowledge and skills they have acquired in mathematical and natural science studies as a basis for professional studies. The student is familiarized with taking the most common samples required for the most common laboratory tests, taking into account the pre-sampling preparations, patient and occupational safety, and data protection and confidentiality. The student is able to reliably register an electrocardiogram from patient surveys and also communicate professionally in English.

After the second year, students have familiarized themselves with the scientific bases of health care laboratory work and can perform the most common laboratory tests in diverse laboratory fields. After orientation, students are able to work independently in sampling. Students have expanded their know-how in professional studies in a client-oriented manner taking quality issues, occupational safety and privacy protection into consideration.

After the third year, students can work independently in diverse clinical laboratories. Students can guide patients and other personnel in the diverse fields of laboratory work and work according to the quality criteria. Students can make their bachelor’s thesis independently utilizing supervision. The student is able to work in multi professional projects as an expert of biomedical laboratory science in different operating environments. Biomedical laboratory science students can temporarily work in authorized biomedical laboratory scientist duties after they have completed two-thirds of their studies.

After the fourth year (3,5 years), graduated students can after orientation work in the basic tasks of diverse laboratory fields and have deepened/extended their know-how in special fields of their choice. In bachelor's thesis work and optional professional studies, the student is able to utilise the researched knowledge and participate in professional discussion.

Curriculum development and working life cooperation

Curriculum development and working life cooperation
The curriculum was developed in cooperation with working life. Supervised clinical training is implemented in clinical laboratories in cooperation with working life.