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This course is the second of four clinical placement courses designed for students seeking a career as medical laboratory scientists. It follows on from Pathology Clinical Placement 1, which focussed on pre-analytical pathology, and introduces students to analytical pathology or the testing of patients’ specimens. This course provides students with opportunities to apply their knowledge of haematology and/or medical microbiology and acquire new practical skills in a clinical environment supported by a team of laboratory professionals.

The assessment in this course is competency-based. Students will achieve either a pass or fail for each assessment. Students need to pass all assessment items to successfully complete the course. These competency items form part of the USQ accreditation agreement with the accrediting organisation/s (where relevant).

This course provides students with an opportunity to apply their specialised theoretical knowledge in a real-world clinical setting in preparation for future employment in a pathology laboratory. Students undertaking this clinical placement will gain organisational, time management and practical skills as they observe and participate in the day-to-day running of an analytical pathology department. This course encourages a reflective approach to the development of the students' workplace skills and will enable the student to make valuable professional connections with laboratory staff, potentially enhancing future employment prospects.

Students intending to enrol in this course should communicate with the professional placements office well in advance of the first week of the semester so that the process of arranging a suitable placement with a pathology provider can begin. The course is offered in S1.

The normal workload for this course is attendance of 18 days per semester. The details of the clinical placement are negotiated by the professional placements officer to suit the student's requirements and the pathology provider's capacity to accommodate the student.

1. Pathology Clinical placements
Pathology clinical placements are an integral component of the Bachelor of Health (Medical Laboratory Science) program. The Pathology Clinical Placements enable students to gain practical experience in a workplace setting. However, as this is a clinical workplace setting students must be aware of the privacy and confidentiality issues that are associated with working in such an environment. Students undertaking pathology clinical placements must undertake Queensland Health Orientation training and sign deeds relating to placement requirements and privacy. Students will be provided with a comprehensive clinical placement guide upon enrolment.

On completion of this course students should be able to:

1. demonstrate enhanced understanding of analytical procedures in specific disciplines of pathology and make positive contributions to workflow in the clinical pathology laboratory;
2. develop and utilise organisational and time-management skills which will enable them to make a positive contribution to the goals of the organisation;
3. develop and utilise practical laboratory skills and demonstrate an ability to work independently and collaboratively as an effective member of a professional team;
4. illustrate a reflective approach to professional development and enhanced professional written and verbal workplace communication skills;
5. employ safe work practices, and demonstrate a clear understanding of quality control and quality assurance procedures and the ethical and professional responsibilities associated with working in a pathology laboratory.