Medical Laboratory Science

Play a vital role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease as a Medical Laboratory Scientist

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Stevenson's Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science combines the sciences of biology and chemistry with medicine and the clinical sciences to prepare you for a professional career as a medical laboratory scientist, also known as medical technologist.

Medical laboratory scientists are “diagnostic detectives.” They apply biology, chemistry and medicine to perform and interpret laboratory data. This laboratory data aids in the diagnosis and treatment of disease as well as disease monitoring and prevention. It is a profession that requires vast knowledge to make life-saving decisions. This is an exciting, challenging and rewarding healthcare profession.

There is a demand for more testing as our population grows older and medical knowledge expands into biogenetics, DNA and cell marker technologies, and personalized medicine. But, there is a critical shortage of medical laboratory scientists nationwide. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects for 2016-2026 the annual number of MLS job openings are 12,900, but the number of certified MLS graduates are only approximately 3,500 per year.

Our program curriculum culminates in the senior year at the Sinai Hospital of Baltimore campus and a semester-long clinical practicum to develop competency in all areas of the modern, automated hospital laboratory, including microbiology, hematology, chemistry, blood banking, immunology, and molecular diagnostics. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination to become a certified Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP). You will have the benefits of the MLS faculty who are working professionals in their area of expertise. Our program offers personal attention in a small, select class of students and the networking opportunities as a result of being in the clinical laboratory your entire last semester.

The Medical Laboratory Science degree is a versatile one that will prepare you to become a certified medical laboratory scientist qualified to work wherever laboratory testing is researched, developed, or performed, including hospital, private, research, industrial, biomedical, and forensic laboratories; pharmaceutical companies; and fertility centers.Our graduates are currently employed in many area hospitals, such as, Sinai Hospital, Northwest Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center, and Johns Hopkins Hospital. In fact, 100% of our MLS graduates obtain full-time employment (many before graduation) or continue on to post-graduate education.

Medical Laboratory Science Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Medical Laboratory Science program of Sinai Hospital and Stevenson University is to provide the academic and applied science education to graduate ethical, certified entry-level medical laboratory scientists. As professionals, they will provide service, research and leadership in a rapidly changing and dynamic healthcare delivery system. The program strives to create an environment that nurtures Medical Laboratory Science as a unique and highly specialized profession.

Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Science program will:

• Demonstrate proficiency in performing the full range of clinical laboratory tests in the contemporary clinical laboratory.
• Evaluate test systems and diagnostic algorithms in terms of diagnostic value, compliance outcomes, and cost-effectiveness.
• Evaluate the results of laboratory analyses for accuracy and validity, and correlate laboratory data to disease processes.
• Apply the principles and practices of quality assurance/quality improvement as applied to the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical components of laboratory services.
• Exhibit the ethical and professional behaviors required within the healthcare delivery system.
• Communicate effectively orally, in writing, and through laboratory information systems in order to consult with members of the healthcare team, to provide patient education and customer service, and to interact with external parties.
• Use research design/practice skills to evaluate published studies and investigate clinical laboratory issues/problems.
• Exhibit an understanding of the concepts and principles of laboratory management such as human resource management, finance, operations, regulatory compliance, performance improvement, critical pathways and clinical decision-making.
• Demonstrate understanding of education techniques and terminology to train/educate users and providers of laboratory services.
• Seek national certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and pursue employment within this field or a related field or continue to post-graduate education.

MORE LEARNING OBJECTIVES