The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

What medical laboratory scientists do
The medical laboratory scientist has the best of both worlds with the challenges and rewards of medicine and science.

The medical laboratory scientist performs a full range of laboratory tests-from simple pre-marital blood tests, to more complex tests to uncover diseases such as AIDS, diabetes, and cancer. The medical laboratory scientist is also responsible for confirming the accuracy of test results and reporting laboratory findings to the pathologist and other doctors.

Medical laboratory scientists work quickly and carefully. They hold life and death in their hands, because the information they give to the doctor influences the medical treatment a patient receives.

In their search for data on a patient's health, medical laboratory scientists do much more than examine specimens through a microscope. They operate complex electronic equipment, computers, and precision instruments.

Medical laboratory scientists are self-sufficient, precise and thorough. They are trouble-shooters who not only report accurate results, but also know when results are incorrect and need to be rechecked.

Medical laboratory scientists work in five major areas of the laboratory: Blood banking, Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology and Microbiology.

Job ratings
According to the best-selling 1999 book, Jobs Rated Almanac: The Best and Worst Jobs by Les Krantz, medical laboratory scientists are in the top 20 list of best jobs. Medical  laboratory scientists ranked 16 in a list of 250 jobs. They also ranked third in the healthcare/medicine occupational category. The positions were scored on factors such as salary, stress levels, work environment, outlook, security and physical demands.

Job opportunities
Medical laboratory scientists have unlimited choices of practice settings. Hospitals, independent laboratories, clinics, public health facilities, and industry all currently have positions open for qualified medical laboratory scientists. Additional opportunities are available in molecular diagnostics, molecular biotechnology companies and in vitro fertilization laboratories as well as in research labs.

Salaries
The national average salary for medical laboratory scientist is approximately $40,200, although salaries vary by area of the country. Experienced supervisors' and managers' average salaries range approximately from $59,200 to $63,000.

What it takes to be a medical laboratory scientist
All medical laboratory scientists have certain common characteristics. They are problem-solvers. They like challenge and responsibility. They are accurate, reliable, work well under pressure and are able to finish a task once started. They communicate well, both in writing and speaking. They set high standards for themselves and expect quality in the work they do. But, above all, they are deeply committed to their profession, and are truly fascinated by all that science has to offer. For someone who chooses a career in the medical laboratory, the exploration never ends.

Career preparation
To prepare for a career in medical laboratory science, you should have a solid foundation in high school sciences - biology, chemistry, math and computer science. You'll also need a combination of formal education (baccalaureate degree) plus clinical education in a medical laboratory science program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a variety of programs from which to choose. Many colleges and universities offer a degree in Clinical Laboratory Science.

Your education in medical laboratory science will prepare you directly for a job in a wide variety of laboratory settings. You have many choices in pursuing a career in medical technology. While you're going to school, you can work part-time in a laboratory to earn extra money. And you could start working full-time the day after you graduate.

Certification
To be sure that laboratory workers are competent and able to perform high quality laboratory tests, the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology gives a national certification exam. Students take this exam after meeting their academic and laboratory education requirements. Those who pass the exam in medical technology may use the initials, MLS (ASCP), after their name to show they are proficient in their field.

Opportunities to specialize
A medical laboratory scientist who gains experience in one of the special areas of the laboratory has the opportunity to advance to a specialist level. In today's laboratories, areas of scientific exploration are the immune system, cell marker technology, bioengineering and cancer research. In the clinical areas, drug testing, therapeutic drug monitoring and biogenetics are just a few of the specialties with openings. In industry, medical technologists are needed for positions in product development, marketing, sales, quality assurance, environmental health and insurance, among others.

Learn more about becoming a medical laboratory science
Educational requirements/certification requirements:
Contact the ASCP Board of Certification,
33 W. Monroe St, Suite 1600 Chicago, IL  60603
Phone: 800-267-2727 Option 2 then 2
I
 
Email: boc@ascp.org
On-line: www.ascp.org

Accredited programs in medical laboratory science:
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 8410 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631, phone (773) 714-8880.

Scholarships or loans: Contact schools offering accredited programs.

A career in medical laboratory science: Visit laboratory professionals at your local hospital or laboratory. Talk with biology teachers and career counselors in your school.

This information is two in a series describing laboratory careers. For information on a career as a cytotechnologist, histologic technician or medical laboratory technician,  visit the ASCP web site at http://www.ascp.org/MainMenu/laboratoryprofessionals/CareerCenter.aspx

Last updated: March 2010