2. Goals
After the presentation, the student will:
• understand what CLS is and its importance in
the health care field.
• appreciate the different departments of CLS.
• acknowledge the different job opportunities and
career routes available for a CLS/MLS.
• understand the structure of UTEP’s CLS program
and know how to apply.
• evaluate the presenter’s performance.
3. Objectives
At the conclusion of the presentation, the student will
• list the different areas/departments in the CLS lab and list the types of
procedures performed in each section.
• describe the types of CLS programs available.
• describe three career routes that can be taken after completing a CLS
degree from UTEP.
• determine the steps that need to be taken for acceptance when given a
scenario of a recent high school graduate who wants to apply to UTEP’s
CLS program.
• evaluate the speaker based on the grading rubric provided.
• observe the role of CLS in providing effective patient care.
• identify the importance of the CLS in the health care field.
• promote UTEP’s CLS program to other students in their high school.
4. Laboratory Science
• Is a medical specialty that encompasses the diagnostic study of
diseases by means of laboratory testing of patient specimens and
other materials
• Careers in the lab:
– Medical laboratory scientists (CLS)
– Medical laboratory technicians
– Cytotechnologists
– Histotechnologists
– Phlebotomists
– Molecular biologist
– Pathologists’ assistants
– Clinical chemists
– Cytogenetic technologist
5. What is our job?
• performs tests on blood, tissue, body
fluids, and other patient samples
helping provide doctors with vital
information that can be used to
diagnose and treat conditions
• As a CLS/MLS we:
– look for bacteria, parasites, and other
microorganisms
– analyze the chemical content of fluids
– match blood for transfusions and type
samples
– test for drug levels to show how a
patient responds to tx
– count cells and identify cell
abnormalities
– use high-tech automated equipment
and computerized instruments for
specimen testing
6. Why Choose Laboratory Science
Professions?
• Develops your interest in science, specifically anatomy and
physiology.
• Allows you to work in a lab with minimal interaction with the
patient
• Allows you to develop relationships with inquiring doctors , nurses
, and lab team
• Take part in solving diagnostic mysteries and troubleshooting
• Flexibility to change departments
• Career advancement and specialization
(education, research, instrument development)
• Find a job right after graduation/certification (plan B)
• According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology, “at least
70% of all medical decisions rely on some sort of laboratory data.”
7. American Society for Clinical Pathology’s 2011 Vacancy Survey of U.S. Clinical Laboratories
8. MLT or MLS
• Associate’s degree • Bachelor’s degree in science
• MLT program accredited by NAACLS • MLS/CLS Program accredited by
NAACLS
• MLT certification from the ASCP BOC
• MLS certification ASCP BOC
• Perform routine lab tests
• Are proficient in performing full
• Prepare specimens range of lab test
• Operate equipment under • perform complex chemical and
technologist supervision biological tests
• Average salary: • evaluating test
– $40,768 results, developing and modifying
laboratory
– Supervisor $49,338 procedures, monitoring programs
for efficiency and accuracy
• Leadership in management and
education
• Average salary:
– $54,413
– Supervisor $65,894
10. Hematology
• the study of blood and blood-producing organs
• Involves analysis of:
– Blood cell morphology
– Cell inclusions
– Plasma proteins
– Cell counts
• Example tests
• CBC
• Differential counts
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation rates
• Hematocrit, MCH
11.
12. Coagulation
• The study of blood
coagulation in relation to
hemostasis
• Example studies:
– PT
– BT
– Platelet aggregation studies
– Factor assays
13.
14. Immunohematology
• Also known as blood bank
• the study of antigens and
antibodies
• Example tests:
– compatibility testing
– family studies
– ABO, Rh blood type
– antibody screens
– Rosette test
– DAT
15.
16. Clinical Chemistry
• analysis of chemical constituents of body fluids
• Example Tests:
– BUN
– Cholesterol
– Glucose
– PCO2
– Cardiac markers
– Hemoglobin electrophoresis
17. Serology
• Also known as immunology
• study and analysis of the immune response
• molecular technology
• Example tests:
– RID
– IFE
– ELISA
– RPR
– Monospot
– ANA
– Hepatitis, Rubella, S. pyogenes, and viral testing
18.
19. Microbiology
• identification and evaluation of bacteria, viruses, and parasites and their
properties in relation to disease.
• Example Tests:
– Catalase
– Oxidase
– Cdiff toxin
– Kirby Bauer
– Stool concentrations and staining
20.
21. Urinalysis
• The study and examination of urine at the
physical, chemical, and microscopic level.
• Example tests:
– Dipstick urinalysis
– Specific gravity
– Clinitest test (sugar confirm)
– Acetest (confirm ketones)
– Occult blood testing
– Microscopic examination for
cells, casts, bacteria, crystals
22.
23. Beginning your Journey
• High School Curriculum
– Biology
– Microbiology
– Anatomy and physiology
– Physics
– Chemistry
– Recommended AP or Pre-
AP courses
• Physics
• Math
• Biology
• Chemistry
24. Choose an Accredited University
Program
• Type of programs:
– University-based
• university provides clinical education and grants
bachelor’s degree
– Hospital-based
• Hospital provides clinical education and partners with a
university/college which provides a bachelor’s degree
25. 2+2 Program Integrated
• CLS courses are taken junior • CLS courses beginning
year in college freshman year and last the
• courses include lecture/lab 4 years of college
to provide students with
fundamental skills and Plus 1 program
knowledge • 3 years of prerequisite science
• Clinical rotations during courses (basics)
• 1 year clinical rotation
senior year for competency • Bachelors degree after clinical
development rotations
• 4+1 programs are the same but
require a bachelors degree prior
to entry to program
26. Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree
• Multiple science courses
• Liberal arts courses (basics)
• Senior year clinical rotations
27. ASCP BOC Certification
• Study study study!
• Register
• Advantages of certification:
– Expertise, specialization
– Higher income
– Career advancement (supervisor, etc)
– Increased probability to be hired
28. Job Opportunities
Government
Agencies
Healthcare Medical
Administration Facilities
Advanced
Industry
Education
MLS
Private
Education
Consulting
Information
Research
Management
29. Certification Maintenance
• Participation in proficiency testing
– CAP surveys
– laboratory peer comparison program
– Permits evaluation of laboratory performance
– How it works:
• CAP provides laboratories with unknown specimens to test
• Participants must analyze the specimens and return the results to the CAP for
evaluation
• After review, the laboratory receives a performance report and a summary
report that includes the results of all participating laboratories
• Renew certification after 3 years
• Continuing education
– Attending seminars
– Taking classes/lectures (online option)
– Must accrue 36 points within 3 years of certification expiration
30. Licensure
• Definition • Licensure laws in:
– “process by which a governmental – California
agency grants an individual who – Florida
has met certain requirements the – Georgia (for facilities)
right to work in a particular
occupation or hold a title” – Hawaii
– Louisiana
– Montana
• Granted on basis of : – New York
– state residency – Nevada
– years of formal education – North Dakota
– experience – Puerto Rico
– passing national certification exam – Rhode Island
– continuing education – Tennessee
– maintenance of competence – West Virginia
• None for Texas
31. Pursue Higher Education
• Specialize in area of • Doctoral degrees prepare
interest
– CLS in areas of research focusing
on the creation of new basic
• Masters degrees prepare laboratory techniques, studying
– CLS for a career in patient outcomes based on
research, teaching, or treatment protocols, designing
management positions in
academia, laboratories diagnostic algorithms for use in
and in related industries new techniques
32. UTEP CLS Accreditation
• Accreditation:
– “a process of external peer review in which an agency grants public
recognition to a program of study or an institution that meets established
qualifications and educational standards”
• UTEP is accredited by The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical
Laboratory Sciences
• This means:
– Provides resources that are available to the student
– Maintains faculty qualifications and continuing education
– Established and follows course syllabi and objectives
– Adheres to evaluation methods
– Uses budgets with student in mind
– Maintains affiliation agreements with clinical sites
– Provides written procedures for student admission and dismissal
– Has shown positive program outcomes (student performance in certification
exam and job placement)
33. About the Program
• Mission statement:
– “to provide competent Clinical Laboratory Scientists
that will serve and fulfill the current and future needs
of the U.S. – Mexico border populations and other
areas throughout the Southwest”
• Commitment:
– “to providing high quality educational experiences
that develop knowledgeable, skillful, and ethical
professionals who will fulfill leadership positions and
contribute to the growth and advancement of the
health care community”
34. Program Goals
• “provide effective and innovative educational
methodologies hence students may assume
professional roles and responsibilities of the
profession.”
• “contribute to knowledge through research and
to strengthen the profession through service.”
• “work with our border communities to improve
health.”
• “contribute to the growth and development of
the students quality of life.”
35. Clinical Affiliates
• Providence Memorial • Cancer Treatment Center-
Hospital East & West
• Sierra Providence East • Physicians Hospital
Medical Center
• North West Medical Center
• Sierra Medical Center
• Mountainview Regional
Medical Center
• University Medical Center
• Memorial Medical Center
• Las Palmas Medical Center
• Del Sol Medical Center
36. Applying
• Declared Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science Major
– Complete 72 hours of pre-requisite/pre-professional courses
– 65 of these hours must be completed by the end of the spring semester of
application
OR
Previous biology degree
• Must have:
– overall GPA of 2.0
– 2.5 GPA in math and science
• Upper Division CLS Program
– Apply spring semester of sophomore year
– Deadline: February 28
• Application form and other documentation/forms
• 2 recommendation letters
• Degree plan evaluation provided by academic advisor
37. Acceptance
• After you apply
– you must attend the faculty interview date at the end of March and beginning of April
– No more than 30 students are accepted each year
– If accepted you will receive a letter of acceptance
• Must complete compliance requirements by the end of summer of your junior
year
– Professional liability insurance (usually provided by UTEP)
– CPR card
– Physical examination
– Background check
– Drug screening
– Update immunization record
• Once accepted:
– Classes begin the summer semester
– Grade of “C” (75) to pass each upper division course
– 74.9 is failing
– If “C” is earned, student must withdraw from the program and reapply the next year
39. Why choose over Premed-Biology
• Acquaintance with medical field
– Specimen collection, processing
– How to treat the patient
– How to communicate with doctors
– Issue requisition forms
– Interpreting and reporting results
– Critical values
– Following hospital policies
– Narrows course focus to anatomy and physiology
• Access hospitals through rotations
– First hand experience
– Familiarize with work environment
– Build connections
– Develop a patient-health care worker relationship
– Higher probability to get hired after graduation
40. Conclusion
• CLS
– Is a medical specialty that encompasses the diagnostic
study of diseases by means of laboratory testing of
patient specimens and other materials
– Encompasses:
Hematology, Coagulation, Immunohematology, Clinica
l chemistry, Serology, Microbiology, & Urinalysis
– Is a good plan B
– Can open your doors
41. References
• Susan J. Beck, Ph.D., CLS(NCA) and Vicky A. LeGrys, D.A., CLS(NCA) Division of Clinical Laboratory Science, The
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Copyright 2007: The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
• ftp://anonymousftp.chicago.ascp.org/public/project_home/largepdfs/siemens_brochure_032812.pdf
• http://www.ascp.org/functional-nav/career-center
• http://www.ascp.org/functional-nav/career-center
• ftp://anonymousftp.chicago.ascp.org/public/project_home/largepdfs/ASCP_Roche_CareerBrochure.pdf
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how&_windowLabel=cntvwrPtlt&cntvwrPtlt%7BactionForm.contentReference%7D=media_resources%2Ffactsheet
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certification-85519729.jpg
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