Career Description
A medical laboratory scientist, also referred to as a medical technologist, is an allied health professional who is qualified by academic and practical training to perform complex analytical tests in a clinical laboratory.
These highly skilled scientists discover the presence or absence of disease and provide data that helps physicians determine the best treatment for the patient. With the use of advanced skills and sophisticated biomedical instrumentation, medical laboratory scientists work behind-the-scenes to determine the levels of chemicals constituents in blood and body fluids, classify cells for abnormalities, identify bacteria and viruses causing infection and uncover markers for cancer and inherited genetic diseases. In addition, they confirm the accuracy of test results and monitor the quality of testing procedures.
Individuals interested in a career in medical laboratory science must have a keen interest in science and mathematics and enjoy problem solving. They must work well under pressure, be organized to finish a task once started, expect quality in their work and be able to work with minimal supervision. Patient contact is limited.
To prepare for a career in medical laboratory science, a student must have a bachelor's degree in science plus clinical education in an accredited medical laboratory science program. Many colleges and universities offer a degree in medical laboratory science via two routes of entry: a "3+1" or a "4+1" route.
In the "3+1" route (also known as a university-based program), students complete approximately three years of appropriate prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university that is affiliated with a clinical laboratory. During the fourth year, they complete an internship at an affiliated clinical laboratory which is usually located in a hospital. In this route, the student will be granted a bachelor of science degree in medical laboratory science from the college or university upon successful completion of the clinical internship.
Students who elect a "4+1" route (also known as a hospital-based program) first complete their baccalaureate degree at a college or university that offers the appropriate prerequisite medical laboratory science courses. During the senior year, they apply and interview for admission into an accredited hospital-based medical laboratory science program. The student then completes the clinical internship after graduation from the university.
Upon successful completion of either route, students are eligible to take the national Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certification examination offered by the ASCP Board of Certification.
Learning outcomes
Upon program completion, the graduating student will be expected to demonstrate:
- Entry-level competency to perform the full range of clinical laboratory testing in a state-of-the art clinical laboratory. This includes pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical components of laboratory services in the disciplines of chemistry, hematology/hemostasis, immunohematology, immunology, microbiology, molecular pathology, urinalysis & body fluid analysis, and point-of-care testing
- Entry-level competency to interpret, problem-solve, troubleshoot and evaluate clinical procedures and laboratory test results including the use of statistical methods to evaluate data
- Compliance with safety and government regulations and standards as applied to clinical laboratory practice, including competency assessment and proficiency testing
- Professional conduct that includes respecting the confidentiality, privacy, and diversity among patients and the healthcare team as well as displaying appropriate composure under stressful conditions
- Appropriate skills to communicate laboratory test information to the healthcare team, patients, and the public
- Basic knowledge of laboratory operations including the principles and practice of administration, personnel management, quality assurance, process improvement, patient safety activities, and financial resource management within the clinical laboratory setting
- Skills in education methodology principles to appropriately instruct peers, consumers and providers of laboratory services and an appreciation of the importance of continuing professional development
Learn more
American Society for Clinical Pathology
Laboratory Science Students Career Page
33 West Monroe, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312.541.4999
Email: info@ascp.org
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
Career Center: What is a Medical Laboratory Science Professional
6701 Democracy Boulevard, Suite 300
Bethesda, Maryland 20817
Phone: 301.657.2768
Email: ascls@ascls.org
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Up-to-date description of the clinical laboratory career.