Discover Medical Laboratory Science! American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science

With Appreciation With sincere appreciation to our original presenters as well as to the sponsors of the Salt Lake City event. This presentation was initially presented to guidance counselors and teachers as a special session during CLEC 2012 And is now offered for others to use as a guide to spread the word about the profession

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

How Can Your Students… Help doctors diagnose and treat disease? Have an exciting and rewarding career helping others? Join a growing field with flexibility and job security? Image Courtesy of Marquette University, College of Health Sciences, Clinical Laboratory Science Program

A Rewarding Career... Blending of science, medicine and technology Reasoning and technical skills Challenging, interesting, changing Life long learning Image Courtesy of Marquette University, College of Health Sciences, Clinical Laboratory Science Program

Why Become a Laboratory Professional… Laboratory tests are invaluable –contribute up to 70% of all medical decisions made by doctors Modern medicine could not function Demand for laboratory professionals EXCEEDS supply Image Courtesy of Marquette University, College of Health Sciences, Clinical Laboratory Science Program

Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Scientist holds four year Bachelor of Science Degree Perform and interpret routine and complex tests with little or no supervision –Use microscope, electronic equipment, computer

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) Technician holds two year Associate Degree Perform general lab tests –Use microscope, electronic equipment, computer

Other Lab Professionals Cytotechnologist Histotechnologist Phlebotomist Pathology Assistant Pathologist

Education, Training, Preparation High School: Solid skills in Math and Sciences like Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science College: Combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical training. –Anatomy & physiology –Genetics –Immunology –Chemistry –Biology

Education, Training, Preparation Education, Training, Preparation NAACLS accredited programs –National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science Certification exam State licensure Continuing education

Job Opportunities….. Hospital Laboratory Independent or Reference Laboratory Research Education Industry/Food or Flavoring Industry Physician Office Laboratory Public Health/Government Laboratory Forensic Testing Private Consulting Healthcare Administration

The MLS Career in the Clinical Laboratory Beth Warning, MS, MLS (ASCP) cm

Microbiology Image Courtesy of Marquette University, College of Health Sciences, Clinical Laboratory Science Program

Blood Bank

Clinical Chemistry

Hematology

Urinalysis

Molecular Diagnostics

Education and Salary Education BS in biology, chemistry, or Clinical Laboratory Science AND…internship through a NAACLS approved program Clinical rotation/practicum National certification State licensure Salary MLS – staff level –$54,412 average MLS – supervisory level –$65,478 Hospitals and reference labs highest level Physician office labs lower level (ASCP Wage Survey 2010)

The MLS Career in the Reference Laboratory Martha Bale, MS, MT (ASCP) ARUP Laboratory

Wide Variety of Positions for MLS’s in a Reference Laboratory Setting Clinical Testing Education – Teaching Research – New test development Laboratory Management Business Development

Testing Personnel Medical Laboratory Scientist – MLS(ASCP) –$ 42,000 per year starting salary OTHER ROUTES Technologist Trainee – BS Biology or Chemistry –$36,000 per year starting salary Technologist I – One year on the job training as Technologist Trainee –$38,000 per year Technologist II – Further education and practical rotations (1-2 years) for Certification in a single discipline (Microbiology, Chemistry, Molecular Biology) –$42,000 per year

Clinical Laboratory Setting Hospital and Outpatient Testing –Best to do testing as close to the patient as possible Reference Lab - same disciplines of testing (Microbiology, Hematology, Chemistry, Immunology, Transfusion medicine) Esoteric testing – highly complex or infrequent (Genetics, DNA sequencing, Tandem Mass Spectrometry)

Education Academic Involvement –Strong requirement for continuing education –Clinical site for rotations of MLS students –Clinical site for rotations of post graduate programs MD, PhD’s, Pharmacists, Genetic Counselors –Provide additional training for internal workforce

Research New technologies and method evaluations –Assays, instruments, or technologies usually tried in Reference Lab setting first New test development –Validation of testing required prior to implementation Publications and presentations to contribute to the scientific community

Laboratory Management It Takes a Team! –Technical Specialist –Quality specialist –Teaching specialist –Lead Technologists –Technical Supervisor –Group Managers

Business Development Sales Marketing Business analysis

The MLS Career in Research Mary Ann McLane, PhD, MLS(ASCP) cm University of Delaware

Photos courtesy of the University of Delaware, CLS Program

Transferable skills Troubleshoot methods Critical thinking Quickly learn new instrumentation Ability to look at the “big picture” Statistical interpretations Quality control Teamwork and independence

…and more Additional education – Usually masters or PhD (so 2-7 years beyond the BS, but there’s nothing like being called “doctor”!) Duties – Academic setting expectation to publish “regularly” and write grants to fund your research Connection to obtaining tenure (teaching/research/service) $60,000 – 100,000+ – Industry setting Position tied to the needs of the company No weekends! Salary usually higher than academic setting

The MLS Career in Education Shirlyn B. McKenzie, Ph.D. MLS, SH(ASCP) CM

Opportunities in Education University Community College Hospital Industry Positions –Program Director –Chair –Faculty –Clinical Coordinator –Dean –Education specialist

Department Chair/Program Director Qualifications: –M.S., Ph.D. –Certification as MLS generalist –3 years experience in MLS education Responsibilities –Teach –Lead –Research/publish –Plan –Develop

Graduate CLS Education MS - generalist or specific scientific area, education, management Professional doctorate or PhD

Research and Publication

Professional Service Community Other health professions Professional organization Continuing education Committee membership Consulting

Additional Resources Lab Test Online – Labs Are Vital – American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science – American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Recruitment tools -

Thank You To Our Sponsors!