ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS   (see also Disabilities)

Essential Functions are the requirements of the clinical laboratory profession to be able to successfully complete the program of study and work successfully with patients and professionals. This is a list of descriptors of the types of tasks performed the typical clinical laboratory worker. As you review these essential functions, you must understand that any disabilities that you may have may require special accommodations for successful completion of a program of study and also to be successfully employed in a professional setting..

01 Communication. The ability to read, interact verbally, and with writing in the English language.

    A. This is important to keep accurate records, read and write procedures.

    B. It is using the spoken word to clearly express ideas or exchange information with colleagues and patients.

02 Hearing. The ability to listen accurately, recognizing laboratory sounds, instrument noises, alarms, use the telephone.

    A. It is the ability to hear sound with no less than a 40 decibel loss at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without corrective devices.

    B. It is fine discrimination in sounds.

03 Interaction. Ability to interact with, establish rapport, and maintain trust with individuals or groups in a range of social, cultural, emotional,
     and intellectual backgrounds. Interacting appropriately with patients, coworkers, and other health care professionals

04 Motility. The ability to:

    A. Move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces, move around laboratory instruments, patient’s beds, and storage areas.

    B. Stooping and bending the body forward and downward at the waist.

    C. Lifting objects from a low position to a higher one or from a high position to a low one or moving objects horizontally and maintaining
         control.

    D. Twist at the waist or neck.

05 Motor Skills. Having and demonstrating gross and fine motor skills.

    A. Stretching with the ability to reach and manipulate equipment, reagents, and supplies.

    B. Grasping, the ability to clutch with the fingers and hold boxes, glassware, and laboratory paraphernalia. Includes holding or assisting
         patients.

    C. Handling and fingering by grasping, holding, turning or other activities of using the hands and fingers. Includes using the keyboards of
         computers.

    D. Successfully manipulating microbiological testing items.

06 Olfaction. Sensitivity in olfaction to use odors to assess specimen’s, chemical reactions, instrument malfunction, patient environmental
      safety, or presence of smoke from a fire.

07 Self-Care. Maintenance of one’s self in terms of their health and safety.

    A. It is the presentation of a professional appearance .

    B. It is observing laboratory safety policies and practicing standard precautions with blood and body fluids.

08 Temperament Ability to perform duties in a high stress environment.

    A. Remain calm with asked to perform STAT procedures or work in an emergency situation.

    B. Be patient and calm with sick or unruly patients.

    C. Control emotions when dealing with angry individuals.

    D. Ability to use diplomacy and tact.

09 Vision. Ability to clearly see to perform and assess laboratory and patient procedures and testing.

    A. Accommodation is the ability of one’s eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This is required for doing near point work (with or without a
         microscope) at varying distances from the eye.

    B. Color vision is distinguishing colors and opacity. Recognizing agglutination, precipitation, identifying cells, parasites, and urinary sediment.

    C. Depth Perception is judging distances and spatial relationships to see what objects really are.

    D. Visual acuity should be clear and distinct at 20 inches or less. It is resolving 1 micron objects with a brightfield microscope.