Chemistry Competencies

Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)/ Medical Technologist Program (MT)

Pre-Clinical Chemistry Competencies

Clinical Experience	The clinical chemistry course at HCMC consists of 6 weeks of practical laboratory experience supplemented with self-instructional units (SIUs) and a lecture series. Students will be directly involved in the daily procedures in the chemistry section.
Pre-clinical Requirements	Upon entering the clinical rotation, we ask that students come to us with specific pre-clinical competencies. These competencies will be the basis on which we build the knowledge needed to attain career-entry competence through practical experience. To review this basic material that will be assumed knowledge upon arrival at HCMC, please complete the following assignments using the references given or any appropriate college texts.
Instructions	Write out answers (preferably typed) to each of the Biochemistry and Technical objectives. Turn in your written objective answers on the first day of orientation. These will be reviewed and returned to you to reference during your clinical chemistry class
References	Burtis-Ashwood, Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry, 6th ed., 2007. Bishop, Fody, Schoeff, Clinical Chemistry Principles, Procedures, Correlations, 5th ed., 2005, Lippincot Required to purchase

Roberta Hatalla, MT (ASCP)
Medical Technologist Specialist
HCMC Clinical Chemistry
Revised 2/05

Reviewed by Laura Koroll 3/08

I. BIOCHEMISTRY PRE-CLINICAL COMPETENCIES
The student will be able to describe, explain, and discuss:
A. Carbohydrates

1. The structure of carbohydrates
2. The metabolism of carbohydrates including

a. Digestion
b. Absorption
c. Catabolism

1) glycolysis
2) phosphogluconate pathway
3) citric acid cycle (aerobic)
4) Embden Myerhof pathway (anaerobic)

B. Proteins

1. Protein structure
2. Protein metabolism including

a. Digestion
b. Protein synthesis

1) transfer RNA
2) ribosomal RNA
3) messenger RNA

c. Transamination
d. Deamination
e. The urea cycle

C. Enzymes

1. Definition of an enzyme
2. Function of an enzyme
3. Factors affecting enzyme activity
4. Coenzymes and isoenzymes

D. Lipids

1. Lipid structure
2. The metabolism of lipids including:

a. Digestion and absorption
b. Fatty acid catabolism and anabolism
c. Tissue and depot lipids
d. Cholesterol metabolism
e. Lipoproteins

. Endocrinology: The function of hormones associated with the

1. Thyroid
2. Parathyroid
3. Gonads

4. Adrenals
5. Pancreas
6. Pituitary

F. The regulation of water, electrolyte and acid base balance

1. Water and electrolytes

a. Distribution of body fluids
b. Electrolyte content
c. Intake and output

2. Acid-base balance

a. Buffer systems of the blood
b. Roles of the respiratory system and the kidney
c. Factors contributing to acidosis or alkalosis

II. TECHNICAL PRE-CLINICAL COMPETENCIES
The student will be able to:
A. Differentiate and describe the correct use of the following pipettes:

1. Volumetric
2. Serologic

3. Mohr
4. Positive displacement pipette

. Interpret the following inscriptions on pipettes:

1. Volume
2. Tolerance
3. T.D. or T.C.

4. Frosted bands
5. Temperature

C. Describe the proper use of analytical balances.
D. Describe the principle of how an electronic single pan balance operates.
E. Differentiate among the following grades of reagents and indicate the grade best suited for clinical chemistry analysis.

1. Analytical reagent grade
2. Chemically pure grade
3. National Formulary (NF) grade
4. Practical or pure grade
5. Technical or commercial grade

F. Identify the basic concepts of spectrophotometry

1. Components of a spectrophotometer

2. Purpose of a calibration curve

3. How absorbance curve is constructed

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