Cytotechnology

Technical Standards

Technical Standards for Students in the College of Allied Health Sciences
The goal of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) is to prepare students for the practice of the professions of cytotechnology, dental hygiene, health information management, medical technology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. This includes undergraduate education and graduate education, where applicable. Modern allied health education requires that the accumulation of scientific knowledge be accompanied by the simultaneous acquisition of essential skills, functions and professional attitudes and behaviors. The faculty of the College of Allied Health Sciences have a responsibility to graduate the best possible practitioners and graduate students; therefore, admission to educational programs in the College is offered only to those who present the highest qualifications for education and training in the art and science of the respective allied health professions.

Applicants to programs of the College must possess the following general qualities: critical thinking, sound judgment, emotional stability and maturity, empathy, physical and mental stamina, and the ability to learn and function in a wide variety of didactic and clinical settings. Graduates of the College must have the minimal skills, essential functions and knowledge to function in a broad variety of clinical settings, while rendering a wide spectrum of healthcare services.

The faculty of the CAHS have a responsibility for the welfare of the patients treated or otherwise affected by students enrolled in the College as well as for the educational welfare of its students relative to the educational programs of the College. In order to fulfill this responsibility, the Committees on Admissions for the various professional programs of the College maintain that certain minimal technical standards must be present in applicants to the various educational programs of the College. Candidates for the bachelor of science degree, as well as those enrolled in any graduate education programs of the College, must have the following essentials: motor skills, sensory/observational skills, communication skills; intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities; and behavioral/social skills and professionalism. The Committees on Admissions, in accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Vocational Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (PL101-336), have established the aforementioned essential functions of students in the educational program offered by the CAHS.

These Committees on Admissions will consider for admission applicants who demonstrate the ability to perform, or to learn to perform, the essential skills listed in this document. The College must ensure that patients are not placed in jeopardy by students with impaired intellectual, physical or emotional functions. Students will be judged not only on their scholastic accomplishments, but also on their physical and emotional capacities to meet the full requirements of the Colleges curricula and to graduate as skilled and effective practitioners.

The essential abilities listed in this document can be accomplished through direct student response, the use of prosthetic or orthotic devices, or through personal assistance, e.g., readers, signers, note-takers. The responsibility for the purchase of prosthetic orthotic devices serving a student in meeting the abilities noted remains with the student and/or agency supporting the student. The College will assist with this accomplishment, as required by law and institutional policy.

Upon admission, a student who discloses a properly certified disability will receive reasonable accommodation but must be able to perform the essential functions of the curriculum and meet the standards described herein for the program in which the student is enrolled. Possible accommodations include opportunities for individual and group counseling, peer counseling, linkages with community services, faculty advisory committees whose members are aware of disabled students and their needs, career counseling, assistance with job searches and interview skills, and extended test taking time, if and when appropriate. Students seeking accommodations should initiate their request in the office of the Dean, CAHS at 930 Madison Ave., 6th Floor or the Office of Students with Disabilities, Student Academic Support Services at 8 S. Dunlap, Room BB9, General Education Building.

In addition to the general standards described above, each professional program requires additional specific standards as follows:

Additional Specific Technical Standards for Cytotechnology Students enrolled in the Master of Cytopathology Practice (MCP) Degree Program:

Sensory/Observational Skills
Candidates for admission to the Master of Cytopathology Practice (MCP) Program must be able to observe demonstrations and participate in laboratory experiments as required in the curriculum. Candidates must have visual acuity corrected to 20/40 and visual perception with respect to depth and color.

Physical and Motor Skills
Candidates for admission to the MCP Program must have sufficient motor function to operate/manipulate and maintain a microscope and other laboratory instruments or equipment. Candidates must have dexterity with both wrists, hands and arms, and dexterity with all fingers. Candidates must possess eye-hand coordination and have the ability to engage in laboratory procedures which involve grasping, pinching, pulling, fingering, holding, extending, rotating, and cutting. Candidates must have the ability to obtain and/or verify patient samples and possess sufficient stamina to tolerate physically taxing workloads. Candidates must be able to tolerate sitting for long periods of time while working with a microscope. Candidates must be able to remain alert and concentrate for extended periods of time.

Communication Skills
Candidates for admission to the MCP Program must be able to communicate in English in oral and written form. Candidates must have the ability to participate in discussion in the classroom, the clinical arena and with colleagues and patients. Candidates must be able to acquire information developed through classroom instruction, clinical experiences, independent learning and consultation. Candidates must have the ability to understand and complete reading assignments and to search and evaluate the literature. Candidates must be able to complete written assignments and maintain records. Candidates must acquire the ability to use a computer for instructional assignments and patient care activities.

Intellectual/Conceptual, Integrative and Qualitative Skills
Candidates for Admission to the MCP Program must have the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, interpret, synthesize and evaluate data. Candidates must have the ability to prioritize and perform laboratory testing. Candidates must have the ability to make sound judgments and formulate diagnoses after correlating clinical data with cytologic findings. Candidates must possess organizational skills and be able to solve one or more problems within specific time frames which are often short. Candidates must have the ability to perform duties and assignments in a timely fashion while under stress and in a variety of settings. In addition, candidates must have the ability to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of anatomic, histologic and cellular structures. Candidates must be capable of acquiring specified microscopic interpretive skills as presented by microscopic demonstrations and other experiences required by the curriculum.

Behavioral/Social Skills and Professionalism
Candidates for admission to the MCP Program must demonstrate the ability to follow instructions/procedures with accuracy and precision. Candidates must possess the ability to maintain intellectual and emotional stability and maturity under stress, while maintaining appropriate performance standards. Candidates must have the ability to manage time, organize workload and meet deadlines. Candidates must be able to learn and exhibit professional attributes. Candidates must adhere to safety guidelines for self and others and be able to comply with standards and regulations required by external agencies. Candidates must have the ability to function as part of a team and to delegate responsibilities appropriately.

Tuition & Fees
Information on tuition, fees and expenses can be found at: www.utmem.edu/finaid

Scholarships

Several award and scholarship recipients are selected by each department during the academic year. Students wishing to be considered should complete the scholarship application and return it to their program director.

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