Service Responsibilities
Students are not required to perform service work for the program or its clinical affiliates. Hours of assignment during clinical rotation courses (CLS 4463 and CLS 4465) will vary among the clinical facilities; however, the hours are typically from 6:00 to 8:00 am to 3:00 to 5:00 pm but may be subject to change. Students are not routinely scheduled for weekends or evenings, however, clinical experiences may include evening assignments as part of the educational process. If included, this assignment replaces a daytime assignment and is supervised by clinical faculty.
Students may be given the opportunity to work in the clinical laboratory in the evenings or on weekends as long as it doesn’t conflict with a clinical rotation assignment.. Working in a clinical laboratory outside of regular academic hours is non-compulsory for students. These opportunities are optional and students are considered employees of the institution during these hours.
While in clinical rotations, students are NOT considered employees of the institution, even if they work there at other times. Students are not entitled to any compensation, employee benefits, or worker's compensation while participating in the clinical education experience.
Service work does not include:
1. Phlebotomy, as a required part of coursework.
2. Recruitment activities (Bobcat Days, MLS Insight Day, high school or other visits about our program) required as part of coursework.
3. Volunteering for health fairs to perform laboratory tests, bone marrow donor recruitment, and blood drives.
4. Volunteering for school or departmental service, such as ambassadors or giving tours to prospective students.
5. Any other activity that is voluntary, whether professional points are available or not.
Texas State MLS students are informed of the service work policy at orientation and prior to attending clinical rotations. The clinical faculty are made aware of the policy by the clinical coordinator and Chair / Program Director. Often, clinical affiliates are reminded of this policy if a student is employed at their lab.
This policy is available on the MLS website, Student Handbook, and included in email messages to clinical preceptors from the Texas State MLS Program Clinical Coordinator and other MLS faculty as appropriate.
