Essential Functions

To ensure each student’s success in the Piedmont Augusta CLS program, each student must possess the following essential functions for both the CLS program academic/didactic and clinical practicum settings:

• Ethical Standards
  • Adherence to Piedmont Augusta's patient confidentiality policy, laboratory standard of operation and compliance standards as well as USCA and Piedmont Augusta's academic and professional code of ethics.
  • Maintain an orderly, clean and safe working environment according to state, institutional and department safety regulations.
• Visual Acuity
  • Normal/corrected vision to ensure safe and accurate laboratory testing (pre-analytical, analytical and post analytical).
  • Ability to recognize, discriminate and characterize color, shading, microscopic components, specimen viscosity, reagents and chemical reactions.
  • Ability to read text, numbers, graphs electronically and in print.
• Manual Dexterity
  • Good hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills coordination need to perform venipuncture and laboratory testing sufficiently and safely.
• Initiative and Responsibility
  • Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
  • Display suitable initiative and motivation.
  • Actively participate in the learning process by displaying active engagement.
  • Willingness to accept and seek instructional direction as needed. 
• Intellectual and Cognitive Abilities
  • Ability to reason, judge, analyze, comprehend, make calculations and report lab results under normal and stressful situations.
• Effective Communication
  • Ability to effectively read, comprehend, write, speak and understand English.
• Attendance
  • Develop and maintain a valued appreciation for having a compliant attendance and punctuality recorded in the academic and clinical practicum setting.
• Demeanor
  • Display appropriate professional decorum.
  • Exhibit a cooperative, respectful and collegial demeanor in all interactions.
  • Respond to constructive criticism in a positive manner.
  • Develop positive strategies for coping with stressful situations, unpredictable situations, and unexpected changes.
• Stamina
  • Ability to keep up with the fast paced environment.
  • Ability to stand or walk for a prolonged period of time.
  • Ability to lift 30lbs.
  • Ability to reach, bend, kneel or crouch as needed.