Academics

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Physical Demands

In keeping with its mission and goals, and in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Medical Campus promotes an environment of respect and support for persons with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations. The definition of individuals with disabilities are those who currently have, have a record of having, or are regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. Major life activities include caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, and working.

In order to fulfill the requirements of the Histologic Technology program at Miami Dade College, students must be able to meet the physical demands associated with the profession. Examples of these requirements include but are not limited to the following:

Strength and Endurance

Strength and Endurance
Physical Demands How Often Used
Standing Frequently
Walking Frequently
Sitting Frequently
Lifting (up to 125 pounds) Occasionally
Carrying Frequently
Pushing Frequently
Pulling Frequently

COMMENTS:

Standing and sitting for long periods of time during equipment operation or changing.

Balance and Coordination

Balance and Coordination
Physical Demands How Often Used
Balancing Frequently
Climbing N/A
Crouching Frequently
Crawling N/A
Stooping Frequently
Kneeling Frequently
Reaching Frequently
Manual Dexterity Frequently
Tactile Sensitivity Frequently

COMMENTS:

Balancing, crouching for long periods of time during operation or changing.

Communication

Communication
Physical Demands How Often Used
Talking Frequently
Hearing Frequently
Seeing Frequently
Communicating Frequently

COMMENTS:

Effective communication using the English language in both written and oral form. Following oral directions given by supervisor or pathologist. Distinguish varying shades of gray and other.

In addition to the Physical Demands listed above, students enrolling into the Histotechnology program must be able to follow the following guidelines:

Strength:

The Histologic technology student must be able to safely lift a 30 to 35 pound weight. This lifting must be done with or without reasonable accommodations.

Vision:

The student must be able to read charts and graphs, read instrument scales, discriminate colors, read microscopic materials, and record results.

Speech and Hearing:

The student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively in order to elicit Information. The student must also be able to assess non-verbal communication and be able to adequately transmit information to all members of the health care team.

Fine Motor Functions and Manual dexterity:

Due to the complexity of the work done in histology, students must have excellent manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination. These skills are necessary to carry out the following:

  • Diagnostic procedures such as tissue grossing and identification.
  • Manipulation of tools and chemicals: such as working with forceps and small brushes and removing chemicals from specified equipment.
  • Working with high precision instruments: such as Microtomes, Embedding Centers, and Microscopes.
  • Identifying tissue structures through specialized staining procedures.
  • Determining whether a staining procedure is done correctly with or without the aid of a microscope.

Psychological Stability:

The student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of the applicant’s intellectual abilities. The student must also be able to recognize emergency situations and take appropriate actions. The student must be able to follow oral and written instructions correctly

Respiratory Stability:

Students in the Histologic Technology Program will be exposed to a variety of chemicals and their fumes during the course of the program; therefore students with respiratory ailments are advised to speak to their physician before entering the program. A list of chemicals that you will be exposed to will be provided during orientation, as part of your health form requirements.

Individuals requesting a milestone review, progression to clinical courses, and graduation from a program in Nursing and Health Sciences must be able to meet the physical and emotional requirements of the academic program. In addition, students admitted to the programs in Nursing and Health Sciences must possess the following qualities:

  • The emotional maturity and stability to approach highly stressful human situations in a calm and rational manner.
  • The ability to make clinical judgment using critical thinking.
  • The ability to adhere to ethical standards of conduct as well as applicable state and federal laws.
  • The ability to provide effective written, oral, nonverbal communication with patients and their families, colleagues, health care providers, and the public.

Because of the unique responsibilities involved in all Health Science professions, each department reserves the right to require that the student who appears to be unsuited for any program therein withdraw from the program and be guided into another curriculum of study at the College.

An individual who poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or themselves may be denied admission, progression or graduation. The College's determination that a person poses a direct threat will be based on an individualized assessment that relies on current medical evidence or on the best available evidence to assess the nature, duration, and severity of the risk and the probability that the potential injury will actually occur.