Degree Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science

This curriculum is a translation of the curriculum of the Finnish degree program.

Curriculum responsibility: Maritta Pitkänen

Basis of Education

Foundations of the degree programme

The degree programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science leads to the Bachelor of Health Care degree; the qualification title is “bioanalyytikko (AMK)” (Biomedical Laboratory Technologist). The extent of the degree studies is 210 ECTS credits. It takes 3.5 years to complete the degree studies. Competence provided by the degree meets the standards of higher education generally defined in the European Union, which enables the mobility of labour and experts.

A biomedical laboratory technologist acts as an expert in clinical laboratory work in multiprofessional groups of health care (Government Decree 352/2003 on Polytechnics), develops and promotes evidence-based clinical laboratory work and participates in societal decision-making in accordance with sustainable development. Professional expertise comprises comprehensive skills and knowledge for acting in expert tasks of the field (Act 351/2003 on Polytechnics, section 4). A biomedical laboratory technologist’s area of core competence is the management and development of the laboratory test process. After completing the studies, he or she is expected to have basic competence in clinical physiology and isotope medicine, clinical neurophysiology, clinical haematology, immunohaematology, clinical histology and cytology, clinical immunology, clinical biochemistry, clinical microbiology, cell biology and molecular biology. Furthermore, he or she is expected to have competences in customer service, methodology, information technology, occupational safety and customer safety, information management, communication and languages. A biomedical laboratory technologist generates reliable laboratory test results, which will be used for evaluating the customer’s medical condition and for health promotion. Clinical laboratory work is governed by the values and ethical principles as well as national and international provisions and instructions of clinical laboratory work.

Granting a licence to practice as a health care professional

Upon application the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (VALVIRA) shall grant the degree holder a licence to practice as a licensed health care professional. For granting a licence it is required that the degree programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science has the extent of 210 ECTS and covers the contents of the curriculum. The professional qualifications of a biomedical laboratory technologist are governed by Level 6 descriptors of knowledge and skills of the European Qualifications Framework (2006) and by the recommendation of the Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (Arene) on the application of the National Qualifications Framework (2010) and the common competences of qualifications at universities of applied sciences. The university of applied sciences shall verify that the graduating health care professional’s competence meets the requirements for professional skills.

Competence Standards

Objectives

The degree programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science aims to provide the student with a comprehensive and strong competence in clinical laboratory work, application of knowledge, development and evaluation as well as ability for continuous learning. Competence acquired during the studies corresponds to the level descriptors of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and to Level 6 of the national framework for qualifications and other learning (Ministry of Education 2009:24).

Level 6 of the National Framework for Qualifications

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The competence profile of a biomedical laboratory technologist is made up of general and professional competences.

The generic competences and working life skills of graduates from Savonia University of Applied Sciences have been defined in accordance with the statement of the Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (http://www.arene.fi/) as follows: learning competence, ethical competence, working community competence, innovation competence and international competence. The generic competences create the basis for the acquisition of intellectual skills and expertise needed when solving problems of working life, and for their systematic deepening.

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Biomedical laboratory technologist’s competences and core contents of studies, prepared in network cooperation between Finnish universities of applied sciences

A biomedical laboratory technologist cooperates actively with other professional groups of health care by providing patient care and laboratory tests required by the development of patient care, and by participating in the activities of multiprofessional teams as an expert in clinical laboratory work. The comprehensive management of the laboratory test process and the related in-depth understanding of pre-analytical factors of studies as well as the process quality management form the basis of a biomedical laboratory technologist’s expertise and distinguish it from other health care professions.

Competence corresponds to the competence level descriptors of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and to Level 6 of the national framework for qualifications and other learning, and the recommendation on the application of the National Qualifications Framework and the common competences of qualifications (www.arene.fi).

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Structure of Studies

Structure of studies

The extent of the degree studies in Biomedical Laboratory Science is 210 ECTS credits. According to the curriculum, one year of studying yields 60 ECTS credits, which corresponds to a student’s workload of 1,600 hours. The student’s workload consists of direct contact teaching, distance learning and independent studying, online learning, practice etc. Furthermore, research and development activities based on the needs of working life are integrated into the studies.

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Development of Expertise

Development of expertise

In Savonia’s curricula, the courses form study modules. In this way, they are not separate entities but instead support the student's overall development and the development of expertise. At the same time, instruction can be combined with working life oriented research and development activities.

The degree programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science is prepared so that
- the degree provides the competence required in working life
- the education ensures the development of the student’s expertise.
Student
- prepares an individual study plan (ISP) to support his or her studies and to recognise his or her previously acquired competences
- is in charge of the progress of his or her studies.
Savonia’s teachers and other personnel guide and support the definition and attainment of the personal objectives.

The curriculum of the degree programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science is made up of four annual themes:
1. Introduction to clinical laboratory work
2. Training in clinical laboratory work
3. Deepening the knowledge of clinical laboratory work
4. Application of clinical laboratory work

The annual themes consist of courses. The graduate’s general competences and degree programme-specific competences are linked to courses. The annual themes 1 “Introduction to clinical laboratory work” and 2 “Training in clinical laboratory work” provide basic competence in clinical laboratory work, the annual theme 3 “Deepening the knowledge of clinical laboratory work” provides in-depth competence in clinical laboratory work and the annual theme 4 “Application of clinical laboratory work” provides applied-level competence in clinical laboratory work. The competence evolves from the basic level through training into the application of clinical laboratory work. The student makes choices according to his or her career plan through learning exercises and methods, through practice enhancing professional competence and through the thesis.
The student may expand his or her expertise with elective studies, which can be chosen from the curricula of the degree programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science or Savonia’s other degree programmes.

The courses contribute to the competence in biomedical laboratory science in accordance with the table below.

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Methods and implementation

Implementation of education

Education at Savonia is guided by OIS. This way of thinking combines high-quality learning and instruction, as well as research and development activities based on the needs of working life. OIS is short for Open Innovation Space. The student is an active player, and he or she works in various premises, groups, communities and online learning environments. Students from different fields, teachers, those in charge of research and development tasks and working life representatives all carry out different tasks arising from the professional practice. This way, studying combines both theory and practice.
The working life orientation of education at Savonia is implemented through the diverse networking of teachers. The networks also ensure the continuous development of substantive expertise. The staff creates learning situations and supports the student’s learning process. The Student Affairs Office, the Library and Information Services, the International Office and other support services are there to help. Education complies with the principles of accessibility and sustainable development.

The curriculum of the degree programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science is divided into flexible modules. The flexibility of the studies is ensured by the virtual studies, the use of social media as a learning tool and the use of alternative means of demonstrating competence. Recognition and accreditation of previously acquired competences is part of this process. In order to demonstrate previously acquired competences, the student shall prove to have competence referred to in the course objectives. Personalisation of studies (individual study plan, ISP) and development of competence are supported by the teacher tutor.

Here are some examples of flexible practices related to the degree studies:
- students complete study-related learning exercises in working life contacts
- online learning tools and social media tools are used in studying (Savonia’s electronic ISP, Adobe Connect Pro, Moodle, Google docs, Google sites etc.)
- students’ previously acquired competences are recognised with the help of surveys of competence
- the student can prove his or her previously acquired competences e.g. through a demonstration of competence in working life or at an educational institution
- the student completes some of his or her studies by participating in projects.

In the degree programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science, learning is based on the instruction and studying strategy of Savonia University of Applied Sciences. In this strategy, the learning outlook emphasises the development of the student’s professional expertise and supporting it with instruction and supervision. The student is a self-directive individual who assumes responsibility for his or her professional growth and development. As the student assumes responsibility for his or her studying, the teacher’s task is to support and follow the student’s learning, competence, development and learning process with supervision. Learning is a process where the learner changes his or her earlier thinking and concept systems in interaction with others. Education emphasises the student’s independent study, which is supported by direct contact teaching and learning.

Internationalisation is part of the studies. Students can learn about internationality and acquire cultural competences abroad through various exchange programmes, and at Savonia together with international students. (see WellPro study module). During the studies, the student shall earn at least 5 ECTS credits from instruction given in a foreign language (other than language studies). The student may improve his or her cultural skills by tutoring international exchange students and acting e.g. in immigrant communities.

Instruction is based on the working life skills of today and tomorrow. Working life representatives participate in the curriculum work and its development. Essential factors for the acquirement of working life skills include practice in working life, theses commissioned by working life and various cooperation projects.

Evaluation complies with the Degree Regulations of Savonia University of Applied Sciences. Evaluation serves the purpose of steering and adjusting the objectives set for the studies. The evaluation criteria are based on the objectives of the course, and the student is informed of these criteria at the beginning of each course. The student also has the right to be informed of the application of the evaluation criteria to his or her study performance.

Course Table

Course Descriptions

4 STYOP01 Orientation to Social and Health Care Studies