Degree Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science, adult education, Jyväskylä: 12SABIOJ-1096

Description

Degree Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science
Bachelor of Health Care
210 credits and 3.5 years
Full-time study
Kuntokatu 4. 33520 Tampere



The title of the graduating students of Degree Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science is Bachelor of Health Care. The degree is comparable with equivalent degrees in other EU countries. Bachelors of Health Care are authorised by National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health as health care professionals (medical laboratory technologists).

Eligibility: see TAMK´s websites on application and eligibility for bachelor´s degrees at www.tamk.fi/en

Competences developed

The core competence field of Bachelors of Health Care is to master and develop the health care laboratory test process. The laboratory test process consists of guidance of clients, sampling, sample processing and analysis as well as assessment of reliability. Implementation of the laboratory test process requires know-how in client service, method technology, information technology, occupational safety, quality control and self-evaluation. Bachelors of Health Care are required to have information management, communication and language skills as well as readiness to lifelong learning. Bachelors of Health Care master the used analysis methods, equipment and technical completion as well as the manual skills needed in the work. Microscopy examinations require good visual perception where the ability to discriminate colours and morphological deviations is significant.

Professional status

Bachelors of Health Care work in primary health care, special health care or private laboratories and in other laboratory service production tasks requiring health care laboratory expertise, for example in medical and biomedical research institutions and production plants and other enterprises in the field. The work includes sampling, processing and analysis of laboratory samples, completion of diverse point of care tests and patient examinations. Client safety, responsibility for the reliability of test results and informing about the test results appropriately in terms of further measures are important. Bachelors of Health Care participate in validation of equipment and methods, quality control as well as education, supervision and consulting services. Key professional competence is formed of mastery of the laboratory test process and Bachelors of Health Care implement it independently and as members of multiprofessional teams.

Basic values

Basic values of the degree programme are respect for patients´/clients´ human dignity, autonomy and rights as well as reliability of laboratory test results.

Implementation of teaching

The degree programme is implemented according to the legislation concerning universities of applied sciences and it consists of core studies, professional studies, optional professional studies, elective studies, bachelor’s thesis and clinical training to enhance professional skills. The clinical training (75 credits) is part of the professional studies and it takes place in teaching laboratories and clinical laboratories which have a clinical training agreement with 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 Bachelors of Health Care is formed by the theoretical knowledge on clinical laboratory science and other related sciences and its application into practice. The key contents of the degree programme are studies in clinical physiology, clinical neurophysiology, clinical haematology, immunohaematology, clinical histology and cytology, clinical immunology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, phlebotomy and cell and molecular biology. The studies are implemented according to an investigative work approach. It is important that students learn to produce practical information. The aim of the clinical training is to familiarise the students with the key practical duties from the viewpoint of 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 and aims of programme / academic year

After the first year, students can act in the learning and operating environment of the university of applied sciences and know their degree programme and future profession in the health care system. Students can use their mathematical and natural scientific knowledge and skills as basis in the professional studies. After careful orientation, students can take samples needed for the most common laboratory tests and complete point of care tests taking the preliminary preparations of sampling, privacy protection, professional secrecy and occupational and patient safety into consideration. Students can record electrocardiogram reliably.

After the second year, students have familiarised themselves with the scientific bases of health care laboratory work and can complete the most common laboratory tests in diverse laboratory fields. After orientation, students are able to work independently in laboratory sampling. Students have expanded their know-how in all fields of the professional studies in a client-oriented manner taking quality issues, privacy protection and occupational safety into consideration. Students can use their information acquisition and foreign language skills, know the basics of research and can utilise their working life experiences in deepening their theoretical knowledge.

After the third year, students know the Finnish health care system, related legislation and laboratory administration. After orientation, students can work independently in diverse clinical laboratories taking quality assessment into consideration in clinical laboratory work. 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 under supervision.

Biomedical laboratory science students can temporarily work in authorised biomedical laboratory scientist duties after they have completed two-thirds of their studies.

After the fourth year (3.5 years), students can work in the basic tasks of diverse laboratory fields and have deepened / extended their know-how in some special fields. Students´ investigative and critical work approach has developed further in making the bachelor´s thesis. Students have a critical attitude towards research information and they can complete diverse development tasks in working life in accordance with the chosen research approach.

Structure of degree programme
Core studies 10 cr
Professional studies 180 cr
• Professional studies of the degree programme 163 cr
• Optional professional studies 17 cr
• Clinical training 75 cr

Elective studies 5 cr
Bachelor’s thesis 15 cr
In total 210 cr

Degree programme curriculum