BIOBPRA1 Medical Biochemistry Practice Course description

The course deals with the professional role and practice of biomedical laboratory scientists, with a focus on pre- and post-analytical conditions, analysis instruments, control procedures, technology and automation systems, methods and analysis processes.

In medical biochemistry laboratories, it is the biomedical laboratory scientist’s responsibility to analyse biological material using advanced analysis instruments and assess the analytical quality of the test results. During practical training, emphasis is placed on introducing the students to procedures and quality assurance processes, and on the students acquiring an understanding of how analysis results contribute to the treatment of the patient. During the practical training, students will collect blood samples from patients and develop the ability to cooperate under supervision by experienced biomedical laboratory scientists with relevant skills and knowledge.

• Passed first year or equivalent of the Bachelor’s Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, with the exception of the course BIOB1060

or

• Admitted to the Complementary Education in Biomedical Laboratory Science

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can describe the methods and analysis principles used on the practical training institutions for instance hematology, coagulation and clinical chemical instruments
• can describe the measurement principles of the analysis instruments used at the practical training institution
• can describe significant factors that can affect measurements and analysis results in patient samples
• can describe sources of error relating to the methods used at the practical training institution
• can describe quality assurance in the practical training institution and explain how and why quality controls are used in analytical work in medical biochemistry
• can explain how laboratories can contribute to the patient treatment
• is familiar with the laboratory information systems (LIS), middleware solutions and management systems for analysis instruments at the practical training institution

Skills

The student

• can comply with the laboratory’s daily routines and analysis procedures
• can participate in analysis work at the practical training institution
• can assess the suitability of sample material
• can assess the reliability of analysis results based on biochemical, methodological and technical knowledge
• can use and maintain a selection of analytical automated devices used at the practical training institution
• can safeguard the patient in the situation surrounding sample taking

General competence

The student

• can take responsibility and demonstrate initiative and independence in the work situation
• can cooperate with fellow students and patients regardless of their ethnic, religious and cultural background

Work and teaching methods comprise a seven week long supervised external practical training period in a laboratory for medical biochemistry.

No particular coursework requirements.

Note that there is an attendance requirement for practical training. For more information about the attendance requirement for practical training, see ‘Assessment of external practical training’ in the main section of the programme description.

Combined assessment:

Part 1) Assessment of practical training. The minimum attendance requirement for the practical training period is 90%. For more information about the attendance requirement in practical training, see ‘Assessment of external practical training’ in the main section of the programme description.

Part 2) Individual written home exam, 2,000 words (+/- 20%). The assignment is handed out at the start of the course and must be submitted after the end of the practical training period.

Both part 1 and 2 must be approved to pass the course.

New assessment/exam. If the student fails part 1 (practical training period), he/she must normally retake the whole practical training period. If the student fails part 2, the home exam, he/she will be given one (1) opportunity to submit a reworked version.

Students can appeal the grade awarded for part 2, the home exam.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

This course teaches students about patients and next-of-kin in an acute, critical and chronic context, and what the nurse’s areas of responsibility entail. Students will learn to communicate with patients and next-of-kin in situations of stress and crisis. Systematic mapping and assessment, nursing of somatic diseases, pre and postoperative nursing and competent drug administration are also part of the course.

To start this course, you must have passed:

• SYKP/SYKP1010 Foundations of Nursing 1, 15 credits.
• SYKK/SYKP1110 Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, 15 credits.
• SYKK/SYKPPRA10 Foundations of Nursing 2, 15 credits.

or equivalent.*

* For year group 2023 at OsloMet, the equivalent is:

• Approved work requirements from SYKK/SYKP1300 Pharmacology and Drug Administration, 5 credits.

Passed course:

• SYKP/SYKP1000 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing/Foundations of Nursing 1, 13 credits.
• SYKK/SYKP1100 Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, 12 credits.
• SYKK/SYKP1200 Microbiology and Infection Control, 5 credits.
• SYKK/SYKPPRA10 Fundamentals of Nursing/Foundations of Nursing 2, 15 credits.

For practical training, there is a requirement for 80% attendance in theory, activities and practical training that is marked compulsory in the timetable, as well as 90% attendance during the practical training period itself. The student fills in the self-assessment for the start of the practical training, the rotating schedule during the first week of practical training and the self-assessment form no later than two working days before the agreed mid- and final assessment. Other compulsory assignments included in the overall assessment of the course are:

• Courses in blood test.
• Individual assignment, scope of 1,500 words (+/- 10 %).