CLS, MLS, MT? What do these acronyms have in common? They are all codes representing a certified medical laboratory scientist. If you are a Clinical Laboratory Science major, the name of your major is changing to Medical Laboratory Science.
These professionals typically work in hospital laboratories, helping other medical professionals save lives, but working unseen and providing physicians with up to 70% of the data they use to make decisions regarding patient care. You can kind of think of these techs as medical detectives. The student that usually selects this major enjoys the laboratory portion of his or her courses, frequently has hobbies that require some manual construction or activity, or is a musician, and enjoys programming like “Monsters Inside Me”, “CSI”, or “NCIS”.
The profession has been in existence since the 1920s, but there have three name changes. The first of these professionals were called Medical Technologists (MTs). The American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) began credentialing MTs in 1928. A second certifying agency, the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) certified these individuals as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS). In 2009, the two credentialing bodies merged and changed names yet a third time to Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS). A MLS, CLS, or MT professional is considered equivalent.
At WSU, students complete three years of typical undergrad BIO major courses. The last year is a full 12 months, about half on campus and half in the hospital labs. For the past 6 years we have had 100% job placement and the average starting salary of the class that just graduated was about $50K/year.
So this term and next we will be using both names, Medical/Clinical Laboratory Science (MLS/CLS) on announcements but will be transitioning to only Medical Laboratory Science beginning with the new clinical year class in May 2017. The new subject bode will be MLB (representing Medical Lab) and will also begin in May 2017.
We are currently accepting applications for the new clinical year class that will start May 8, 2017. If you will have a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or chemistry this April, you are eligible to apply at this link. If you are interested in finding out more about this program, please contact tammybash@wright.edu.
