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Rutgers SHP Requirements for Graduation and Course Descriptions

Department of CLS&MIS

Diagnostic Cytopathology - Entry Level

DCYT5129 - Cytopreparatory Laboratory Techniques

Course Description

This course provides foundational, theoretical concepts of basic laboratory principles associated with the pre-analytical stages of all cytopathology specimen processing. The main emphasis will be on cell collection, preparation, processing, staining and trouble-shooting of gynecological, non-gynecological, fine-needle aspiration, and surgical specimens. Topics will include test ordering, sample transport, accessioning, adequacy assessments, specimen gross descriptions, fixation, staining and staining will be cover. The basic laboratory skills, such as universal precautions, reagent preparation, centrifugation, pipetting, and micro-pipetting will be emphasized. Frozen sections, FISH and basic laboratory operations, including quality control, quality assurance, laboratory safety, and emergency preparedness will be introduced. Histologic preparation methods, including small specimen grossing, fixation, processing, embedding, and cutting will be covered.

Credits/Modes of Instruction

Credits: 2

2 credits/Mixed Mode
Students will participate in approximately weekly one-hour lecture and 1.5 hours laboratory over a 15-week period. Other activities include exam and quiz preparation, article critiques and practical exams for approximately 37.5 hours of activities.

Prerequisites

Completion of Rutgers Environmental Health and Safety "Laboratory Safety and Blood Borne Pathogens" Training. Completion of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences HIPAA Training.

Course Goals and Outcomes:

Goals

The course begins with cytopreparation, the foundation of cytologic microscope interpretation. The goal here is to provide students with the theoretical basis of preparing cytopathology samples and the skills needed to prepare gynecologic, non-gynecologic, fine needle aspiration, FISH, and surgical samples which provide the framework for microscopic interpretation of the cellular samples. Laboratory practice will provide students opportunities to work in lab to become familiar and comfortable with hands-on preparation of cytopathology specimens.

Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Discuss and demonstrate principles of ethics, safety, trouble shooting and professional practices associated with cytology laboratory practice.
2. Discuss and demonstrate various specimen collection techniques and processing methods for conventional and liquid based gynecologic, non-gynecologic, fine needle aspiration cytologic samples and small tissue biopsies.
3. Describe and demonstrate principles of cytologic staining inclusive of Papanicolaou, Romanowsky and Hematoxylin stains as well as stains associated with various ancillary techniques.
4. Discuss and differentiate concepts of specimen acceptance and rejection measures such as specimen adequacy and what constitutes unacceptable specimens to be returned to providers.
5. Competently prepare cytopathology samples.
6. Critically analyze and synthesize the literature associated with principles and practices of cytopathology preparations.