Program Learning Outcomes

The doctorate in clinical laboratory sciences (DCLS) program promotes the general outcomes established for clinical doctorate graduates of Rutgers School of Health Professions and implements the competencies developed by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) Professional Doctorate Task Force. These learning outcomes meet the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) core competencies for health care professionals, namely, the ability to provide patient-centered care, work in interdisciplinary teams, employ evidence-based practice, apply quality improvement, and utilize informatics. (Institute of Medicine. Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press, 2003)

The graduate of the Rutgers DCLS program will be able to:

• Provide patient-centered, customized consultation services on appropriate test selection and interpretation for the purpose of clinical decision-making among the interprofessional health care team and for the patient. (IOM Core Competencies 1: patient-centered care, interprofessional teams.)
• Monitor laboratory data, test utilization, and diagnostic testing processes in individual patients and populations using informatics and analytics to reduce diagnostic errors, improve efficiency, and reduce cost. (IOM Core Competencies 1: quality improvement, informatics.)
• Conduct research and apply evidence to demonstrate clinical utility of laboratory tests and algorithms and to improve the quality, efficiency, and safety of the overall diagnostic testing process. (IOM Core Competencies 1: evidence-based practice, quality improvement, patient-centered care, informatics.)
• Educate health care providers, patients, their families, and the public about the indications, best evidence, patient preparation, and interpretation of the clinical laboratory testing, including home self-testing. (IOM Core Competencies 1: patient- centered care, interprofessional teams.)
• Contribute to laboratory operations to comply with all the state and federal laws and regulations, as well as guidelines determined by professional boards of licensure, and certification/accreditation agencies. (IOM Core Competencies 1: quality improvement.)
• Participate in public and private health policy decision-making at all organizational and government levels using best evidence. (IOM Core Competencies 1: quality improvement, interprofessional teams.)
• Demonstrate exemplary professional and ethical behaviors in practice, education, and scholarly activities.