Laboratory Improvement: Laboratory Improvement Training Workshops

Workshop Director: Kristi Jenkins, Barbie Page
P.A.C.E. Contact Hours: 5.0 (subject to change)
Fee: $0

We are currently offering both virtual and in-person options around the state. To register for in-person workshops, submit application to michelle.rufus@dhhs.nc.gov or fax to 919-715-9243. To register for virtual workshops, email application directly to kristi.jenkins@dhhs.nc.gov.

Program Description: The packaging and shipping of clinical laboratory specimens is regulated by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) as a Class 6 hazardous material. The primary goal of these regulations is to ensure the safety of individuals, animals and the environment against risks associated with transporting hazardous materials.

Federal law requires specific training and testing of all individuals "…who affect the transport of hazardous materials in commerce.” The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health is sponsoring this program to assist employers in certifying their employees to safely collect, package and ship Category A, Category B, Exempt Human and specimens that result from the possible exposure to a chemical terrorism or chemical threat agent. Attendance will assist in maintaining compliance with the College of American pathologists (CAP), JACHO, and DOT regulations in effect as of March 2011.

Plan: This intermediate level course integrates lectures and discussions with “hands-on” function specific training so that participants can demonstrate their understanding of the fundamentals necessary for proper classification, marking, labeling, packing, and documenting of Division 6.2 hazardous materials for transport by land, air and U.S. mail.  

Who Should Attend: Healthcare professionals and those persons actively involved in packing diagnostic and infectious specimens for shipment to the state lab and other reference labs, as well as diagnostic specimens that result from exposure to a chemical threat agent.

Registration: Workshop Application (PDF, 210 KB) - Applications must be received by deadline dates! Late applications will not be accepted.

Workshop Director: Michele Sartin
PACE Contact Hours: 12.0
NCWOA Professional Growth Hours: 8.0
FEE: $100.00 

Program Description: This basic level workshop provides participants with the technical skills and knowledge to perform approved bacteriological laboratory procedures for the analysis of drinking water. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to describe qualitative and quantitative tests for total coliform and E. coli contamination, and heterotrophic plate counts for enumeration of general bacterial populations. Information will be presented in lectures and laboratory exercises. Students will gain technical skills using selected chromogenic/fluorogenic and plate count methodologies in order to perform laboratory analysis of drinking water samples.

Due to on-going renovations/construction at the NCSLPH, the hands-on portion of the class cannot be accommodated. Estimated reinstatement of the hands-on portion is sometime in 2026. The application and course fee have been adjusted to account for the shorter class time.

• Registration: Environmental Workshop Application (PDF, 547 KB)

Workshop Director: Barbie Page, Kristi Jenkins
P.A.C.E. Contact Hours: 6.5
Fee: $0.00

Program Description: This intermediate level one-day program focuses on practical microbiological methods clinical laboratorians should use to recognize, rule out, and refer agents of bioterrorism.  Laboratory presentations and demonstrations will provide the participants with up-to-date information on gram, stain, culture, and biochemical characteristics of these organisms that they can use to help with initial identification of these agents.  Emphasis will be on identification and biosafety procedures to allow the laboratorian to safely work with clinical isolates of these suspected organisms.  Participants will also learn briefly about the confirmatory procedures that are performed at the State Lab which serves as an LRN reference laboratory. Other topics covered include Biosecurity, Biosafety, and Chemical Terrorism.

Registration: Registration links will be provided as they become available.

Workshop Director: Ashita Patel
P.A.C.E. Contact Hours: 5.5
Fee: $20.00
Class capacity: 14
Class hours: Registration 8:30 am, Class 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Participants attending this workshop will learn how to collect, Gram stain, and correctly read a male urethral smear for the detection of gonorrhea. Laboratory quality assurance and quality control will be discussed as it pertains to the Gram stain procedure. Participants must correctly identify intracellular Gram-negative diplococci. Participants will learn how to quantify white blood cells/oif in the absence of intra-cellular Gram-negative diplococci in patients with suspected non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU).

Prerequisite: Understanding the Basics: The Gram Stain Procedure (found below in the Free NCSLPH Training Resources Section)

Registration: Workshop Application (PDF, 256 KB)

Workshop Director: Ashita Patel
P.A.C.E. Contact Hours: 5.5 (Microscopy) & 5.5 (Vaginal Wet Mount)
Fee: $40.00  Class capacity: 14
Class hours: Registration 8:30 am, Class 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Program Description: This two-day workshop combines both the content of our Microscopy and Wet Mount workshops. In this basic level course, participants learn the principles of the brightfield microscope and the practical use of the precision instrument. Participants will develop skills in microscopy covering the following areas:

• Identify all parts of a microscope and understand the function of each.
• Clean and maintain the microscope.
• Properly align the light to improve contrast and resolution using the Koehler Illumination technique.
• List features to consider when purchasing a microscope.

The participants also learn techniques that are used in the identification and reporting of elements found in vaginal wet mount preparations. The course incorporates lectures and laboratory exercises including preparing wet mounts and identifying Trichomonas, yeast, clue cells, and bacteria in clinical specimens. A laboratory practical exam will be given at the end of the course.

The intended audiences are nurses and other nonlaboratory trained professionals whose responsibilities include microscopic work.

Prerequisite: Understanding the Basics: Microscope Parts and Functions (found below in the Free NCSLPH Training Resources Section)

Registration: Workshop Application (PDF, 256 KB)

Workshop Director: Ashita Patel
P.A.C.E. Contact Hours: 11
Fee: $40.00 Class capacity: 14
Class hours: Registration 8:30 am, Class 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Program Description: This basic level workshop provides participants with technical skills and knowledge to perform laboratory procedures used in the isolation and identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This two-day workshop will include hands-on experience with specimens and is designed for staff that perform laboratory tests for gonorrhea from cultures in a health department setting. This workshop will focus on basic bacteriology, quality assessment, and microbiological techniques used in the presumptive diagnosis of gonorrhea.

Prerequisite: Understanding the Basics: The Gram Stain Procedure (found below in the Free NCSLPH Training Resources Section)

Registration: Workshop Application (PDF, 256 KB)

Workshop Director: Ashita Patel
P.A.C.E. Contact Hours: 5.5
Fee: $20.00 Class capacity: 14
Class hours: Registration 8:30 am, Class 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Program Description: This phlebotomy refresher and critical thinking course is designed for participants who have phlebotomy experience and would like to review phlebotomy skills. Participants will review basic phlebotomy skills and critical thinking concepts in the following areas:

• Infection control and safety measures
• Vein selection
• Order of draw
• Venipuncture procedure
• Common errors and prevention

All procedures will be performed on training arm. No live venipunctures will be performed.

This is not a phlebotomy certification course. Participants must have previous phlebotomy experience.

Pre-requisite: See application for previous phlebotomy requirements

Registration: Workshop Application (PDF, 261 KB)