Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Official General Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Official General Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Histological Technician: A.A.S.


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Associate in Applied Science

CIP Code: 51.1008


Mission

The mission of the Histological Technician program is to develop New York State-licensed pathology laboratory professionals. Educational experiences rely on sound and innovative pedagogical approaches, unique technical training, and robust clinical practice. We serve as a pathway for direct employment in the statewide healthcare community. Our mission aligns with the institutional mission by creating access to inclusive, diverse educational experiences through our fully-online certificate and associate degree programs.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Competent in collecting, processing, and analyzing tissue specimens and other substances.
  2. Demonstrate proper lab safety techniques, and biohazard and chemical handling.
  3. Perform histological processing of tissue specimen and other specimens including:  preservation, fixation, embedding, sectioning and staining paraffin-embedded tissue.
  4. Recognize factors that affect procedures and results, and taking appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated.
  5. Perform and monitor quality control within predetermined limits.
  6. Perform preventative and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or refer to appropriate sources for repairs.
  7. Apply principles of safety.
  8. Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and with the public.
  9. Recognize the responsibilities of other laboratory and health care personnel and interact with them with respect for their jobs and patient care.

Program Supervisor

Rachael Hagerman, Chairperson
Office:  Decker Health Science Center, Room 217
Telephone:  +1 (607) 778-5495
Email: hagermanrm@sunybroome.edu


Histotechnology professionals prepare, mount, cut, and stain tissue sections used by pathologists to diagnose disease or other abnormalities, such as cancer.  They have diverse and multi-level functions in the areas of analysis and clinical decision-making, information management, regulatory compliance, education, and quality assurance/performance improvement wherever anatomic pathology testing is researched, marketed, developed or performed.  They perform, develop, evaluate, correlate and assure accuracy and validity of laboratory testing and procedures; direct and supervise anatomic pathology laboratory resources and operations; and collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

First Year


Second Year


Graduation Requirement: 62-64 Credits


Notes:


Grading Policy

The program adheres to the grading policy, as published in the college catalog.  A copy of the equation for determining the students’ grades in each course will be given to students during the first meeting of that course.  It will include:

  1. The number of quizzes/exams to be given
  2. Additional criteria to be used to determine grades
  3. Breakdown of the percentage of grade assigned to each exam/quiz/additional criteria

Standards for Academic Progress

Curriculum-specific courses completed more than 5 years prior to graduation must be repeated to satisfy graduation requirements.  

The Clinical Laboratory Technologies Department adheres to the overall college policy on Standards for Academic Progress, as published in the college catalog. In addition, a minimum grade of “C” must be obtained in all prerequisite courses to gain admission to the CLT program. To graduate, students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0, have earned a “C” or better in each lecture annd laboratory course, satisfactorily completed all clinical rotation requirements, and have completed the minimum number of total credit hours necessary to complete the appropriate program.

The decision to send a student to a clinical practicum will be made by the department chairperson in consultation with the student’s instructors. The student must have attained the necessary competencies in knowledge of the subject area and practical skills to be permitted to progress to the clinical practicum.

Students who earn grades below “C” in courses applied toward any departmental degrees or certificates are also subject to the consequences to academic progress as outlined in the following tables. Students must earn a “C” or better in all laboratory courses before they are eligible for placement in any clinical rotation. Students dismissed from a program do have the right to appeal or reapply for admission to the program in question. Readmission to the program requires approval of the department chairperson and is on a space-available basis only. The student Academic Grievance procedure may be found in the student handbook or may be obtained from an academic Dean’s office.

Consequences of Grades below C

Clinical Laboratory Technician Degree, Phlebotomy Certificate, Histological Technician Degree or Histological Technician Certificate
C- or lower in prerequisite courses (BIO 090, CHM 090, ENG 090, MAT 090, 092, 093, 096)
 
Failing grade, course must repeated                                                    
C- or lower in any non-CLT course
 
Failing grade, course must be repeated
C- or lower in one CLT course/lab
 
Failing grade, course/lab must be repeated; warning is issued

2 Grades below C in CLT courses/labs in one semester

(includes U grade and withdrawals from CLT clinicals with unsatisfactory grade status)

Failing grade, course/labs must be repeated; conditional warning is issued. Students are required to meet biweekly with academic coach or faculty advisor during the next semester (meeting will be documented in Starfish or equivalent) and earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher to be allowed to progrss.

Students who fail to meet the conditional requirements are dismissed from the program.

2 F grades in CLT courses/labs

(includes U grade and withdrawals from CLT clinicals with unsatisfactory grade status)

Dismissal from the respective program.

If students are readmitted to the program, all CLT courses below C must be repeated with a C or above.

GPA below 2.0 overall

Student may not graduate until GPA meets standards

The Program makes every effort to ensure that students who are accepted into the program can continue to progress at their maximum speed.  Should a situation arise where there are more qualified students that available clinical sites, waiting list ranking will be determined by date of qualified admission to the program.  For students with the same date of qualified admission, students will be ranked by grade point average, with students having higher GPAs receiving higher ranking on the waiting list.  Students whose progress is delayed by withdrawal or failure from courses or by part-time study will be placed in practicum courses as space permits.

Admissions and Progression Procedures

Admissions

Competitive Admissions Procedures (see “Admissions Information for Health Science Degree Program Applicants” in the college catalog).

Clinical Progression
  1. Students must satisfactorily complete each scheduled, successive clinical course, in order to progress in the program.
Dismissal
  1. All students attending SUNY Broome are subject to the “Policy of Standards for Academic Progress” as defined in the college catalog.
  2. Each Health Science program policy manual includes information on additional criteria used by the program for dismissing students from that program. Program policy manual procedures are supported by the college. Students dismissed from a program are advised to see an academic advisor, if they wish to continue taking courses within another curriculum. Dismissed students lose the curriculum designator and will no longer be advised by the department faculty or chair.
Readmission to the Program
  1. Students dismissed from a Health Science program may apply for readmission and will be considered eligible for the competitive admissions process.  Students dismissed more than once may not reapply to the same program.
  2. Students who interrupt their course of study may be readmitted, by-passing the Competitive Admissions process, directly into program courses, with permission of the Department Chairperson.

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