What it takes to become a medical laboratory scientist

Front Row – Graduates from the January 2024 ceremony (Winter 2023 cohort), left to right – Nick Hipskind, Malia Clark, Alexandria Domonkos, Emma Winks, Santiago Lopez Uranga, and Cheney Bonaudi. Back Row – Graduates from the July 2024 ceremony (Summer 2023 cohort), left to right – Landon Kish, Megan Gilpin, Aaliyah Dates, Jacie Ritchie, Sarah Kloepper, Qin Zhou, Nay Maung, Regan Klein, and Evan Williams.

This post was written by Allegra McMillen, MEd, MLS(ASCP)CM, Education and Safety Specialist and Program Director, Parkview Medical Laboratory Science Program, Parkview Health.

According to data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 5% from 2023 to 2033. As the need continues to rise, Parkview's Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program is preparing the next generation of laboratory professionals. Here's what you need to know about this essential career path.

Who are medical laboratory scientists?

Medical laboratory scientists (MLS) perform testing and obtain results from medical samples, like blood or urine. These test results help providers diagnose and treat patients. At Parkview, MLS professionals typically have:

• A bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science (formerly known as clinical laboratory science or medical technology) or a related science field such as biology, chemistry or biochemistry.

• Clinical training, usually completed through a Medical Laboratory Science Program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), like the Parkview MLS Program.

• Taken and passed a national certification exam.
   

Who might be interested in the MLS program?

The MLS Program is an excellent fit for individuals who are drawn to science and research and prefer a less direct role in patient care. This can include:

• High school students who are interested in career options in science and medicine.

• Current college students majoring in fields like chemistry, biology and biochemistry.

• College graduates with science degrees who would like to be a vital part of the healthcare team.
   

Where is the MLS Program located?

The Medical Laboratory Science Program is located on the Parkview Randallia campus in a recently renovated space designed specifically for it. It can accommodate up to 20 students at one time.
 

What is the Medical Laboratory Science Program like?

The Medical Laboratory Science Program is 12 months long, with two admission cycles per year, in August and February. Up to 10 students are accepted with each cycle.

Students spend approximately nine months out of the year learning the various medical laboratory disciplines and their corresponding techniques. These include:

• Immunohematology

• Hematology

• Coagulation and hemostasis

• Chemistry

• Immunology

• Microbiology

• Urinalysis

• Phlebotomy

• Specimen processing

MLS students spend 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday, in the student laboratory, learning the necessary material. The final three months are dedicated to clinical practicum rotations at one or more of Parkview Health laboratories, refining their skills and applying their knowledge in preparation for the certification examination and their future careers.
 

When can I get a job as an MLS if I enroll in the Program?

The general timeline for the Medical Laboratory Science Program is shown below.

Why is the Medical Laboratory Science Program such a hidden gem?

The Parkview Medical Laboratory Science Program regularly exceeds required NAACLS benchmarks, such as the following for the last five years:

• A 100% graduation rate

• A 100% certification exam pass rate

• A 98.1% job placement rate

The MLS Program has also recently doubled in size, from taking up to 9 students per year before 2022 to now taking up to 20 students per year. This makes it not just the only MLS Program in the area, but also one of the largest MLS programs in the state of Indiana.

Many graduates go on to work in Parkview laboratories as certified Medical Laboratory Scientists! Here's what two students from the 2024 summer cohort had to say:

"I liked that Parkview had a wealth of resources, with different offices, clinics and hospitals in the area, and that after I finish the MLS Program, I can take the knowledge I learned and work for Parkview," said Lizzie Landrigan, when researching the program. "I also specifically heard good things about the program's certification pass rates and job placement rates. The educators do a great job of taking us through numerous scenarios with different pieces of equipment, so wherever we work, we are adequately prepared."

Natalie Hedden, who came to Fort Wayne from Indianapolis, added, "I liked the block scheduling of labs and lectures together by topic and learning within a real-world hospital environment. Fort Wayne is also a great city to live, work and learn in."

_{Graduates from the January 2025 ceremony (Winter 2024 cohort) – (left) Hannah Sanderson and (right) Becca Martinez.}

 

_{Graduates from the July 2023 ceremony (Summer 2022 cohort) – Front row, left to right – Victoria Spuller, Kayla Lennartz, MaKenna Whicker, Kaili McEvoy. Back row, left to right – Tim Loeffler, Olivia Groves, Abigail Brown, Sarah Ruthiririza, Emily Cochern, Austin Cornewell}

 

 

 

Learn more about the MLS Program at Parkview here.