Medical Laboratory Science Program

What is a Medical Laboratory Scientist (Medical Technologist)?

As a valued member of the health care team, the medical laboratory scientist uses advanced technology to perform analyses on blood and other body fluids that are useful in detecting and/or treating disease. Working closely with physicians and other allied health professionals, the medical laboratory scientist (often called a medical technologist) plays an integral role in comprehensive patient care by providing accurate and timely results. Graduates of a medical laboratory science-training program have a firm foundation enabling them to work in the medical laboratory and pursue graduate study for many advanced or alternate career paths.

Medical Laboratory Science Program Philosophy and Goals

The Undergraduate Program

The Medical Laboratory Science Program at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children cooperates with area colleges and universities in offering the clinical year of a four-year program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science. During the first three years, the student follows a course of study concentrating on biology and chemistry at the college where the student is matriculated. In the fourth year, all courses are held at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and various medical laboratory sites in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Students will spend Mondays and Tuesdays in the classroom, and Wednesday through Friday in the medical laboratory to fulfill their clinical and academic requirements over a 10-month period. The academic year begins in late August and ends in late June.

The Post Baccalaureate Program

Enrollment in the Medical Laboratory Science Program is not limited to undergraduates. Individuals with Bachelor's degrees and medical laboratory technicians who wish to advance to the medical laboratory science level are also accepted based on their qualifications and mandatory prerequisites. Individuals with Bachelor's degrees who have already taken the courses required by the certification agencies are typically required to take only the courses given during the clinical year at the hospital.

College Affiliates

While the program accepts students from many colleges, it is currently affiliated with:

• East Stroudsburg University
• Gwynedd-Mercy College
• Holy Family University
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Kutztown University
• Slippery Rock University
• University of The Sciences in Philadelphia
• West Chester University

The System of Hospitals

Clinical rotations will be performed at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and Hahnemann University Hospital. These rotations will provide a broader experience for the students and enhance their understanding of the profession of medical laboratory science (medical technology) in both pediatric and adult populations.

The Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to give the student a thorough background in the performance, interpretation and application of medical laboratory procedures. Equally important is the emphasis placed on correlation of test results with pathologic conditions of patients.
The four major areas of the hospital laboratory are Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry, Hematology and Immunohematology (Blood Bank). Upon completion of the 10-month program, the individual will be proficient in each of these four areas. In addition, students are exposed to the basics of health care management, education, research and computer skills, which are applicable to career advancement and/or graduate school. Students will also be introduced to the clinical disciplines of transfusion medicine, cytogenetics, virology, flow cytometry, HLA and molecular diagnostics.

See Also

Course descriptions

Pre-Clinical Course Requirements

The Medical Laboratory Science Program at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children is fully accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). You may contact the NAACLS at 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720 Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 or (773) 714-8880.

In order to become enrolled in a NAACLS-approved medical laboratory science program, students must take college-level courses in the following areas:

• A minimum of 16 semester hours in the Biological Sciences to include:
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Genetics or Molecular Biology
• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Must include Bacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology
• A minimum of 16 semester hours in Chemistry to include
• Organic Chemistry OR Biochemistry
• A minimum of three semester hours of college-level Mathematics, preferably Statistics

Recommended:

• Medical Terminology
• Hematology/Coagulation
• Immunohematology (Blood Bank)
• Clinical or Biological Chemistry
• Medical Microbiology
• Computer courses to include the use and function of Windows, spreadsheet usage, database usage, and word-processing.

Survey/introductory courses do not qualify as fulfillment of chemistry and biology science prerequisites. Remedial mathematics courses will not satisfy the mathematics requirements. Other science courses may be necessary to satisfy the degree requirements of the various college affiliates. Students may be required to update any biology and chemistry course work that was taken seven years prior to admission to the clinical year. Students completing course work in a foreign country must submit a transcript evaluation. Further information on this can be obtained from the program director.

Clinical Course Requirements

* Students will spend a five-day week on the hospital site.
** Varies somewhat with each college affiliate.

National Certification

Upon completion of the program and all other college requirements, the student is eligible to receive a bachelor's degree. This is conferred by the college at which the student is enrolled. The student is then eligible to take one of two nationally administered certification examinations. After passing the exam, the individual becomes certified as a Medical Laboratory Scientist MLS (ASCP).

Admissions

The Admissions Committee at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children bases its acceptance on the strength of a student's academic record, recommendations and a personal interview that is conducted during the application process.  

The prerequisites for admission into the fourth year of the program include approximately 90 semester credits of both liberal arts and science courses, including the content areas listed previously under Pre-Clinical Course Requirements. Admission will be limited to students with a minimum cumulative average of 2.8 and minimum average of 2.8 in all science courses. If accepted for the fourth year of the program, the student must maintain a 3.0 average in all science courses during the fourth year. The program accepts applications from August through November for the next academic year's class; however, it is suggested that applications be received by October to be considered for the first round of admissions.  The MLS Program at St. Christopher's admits 8 students each year to provide the very best in personalized education in the medical laboratory sciences. Students assume responsibility for their own health care and hospitalization costs. In addition, all Medical Laboratory Sciences students are required to maintain health insurance during the professional training experience. All applications should be received no later than November 30.

Tuition

For individuals affiliated with a college, tuition varies depending on the institution. For persons with a degree, tuition is charged by St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. The current tuition rate for the Medical Lab Science Program is $13,500/ year.  This rate is not inclusive of the textbooks which usually range from $400.00 - $600.00 for the entire program.  Two payments must be submitted each program year by the student or university in the amounts of $6750.00 each.  Please note students will gain knowledge and experience for both pediatric and adult populations by utilizing two clinical settings (St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and Hahnemann University Hospital). 

MLS Program Refund Policy

Tuition refunds are granted as follows:

Students enrolled in our Program through one of our affiliate colleges must abide by the refund policy of the respective college to which they pay tuition if the college is reimbursing the hospital; otherwise, the refund policy for students who withdraw during the curriculum year will be pro-rated and will depend upon:

• Length of attendance
• Reason for leaving is voluntary drop-out, not dismissal

Percent of refund is as follows:

If a student spends less than 60 percent of the time, for the first time, in the program, the student is entitled to a pro-rated refund.

To apply for admission to the Medical Laboratory Science Program at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, contact:

Medical Laboratory Science Program
St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
3601 A Street
Philadelphia, PA 19134
Leah Beck, MPH, MT, (ASCP), CLS (NCA)
Program Director / Clinical Education Coordinator
Phone: (215) 427-5050
Email: Leah.Beck@Tenethealth.com

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, handicap, sexual preference, disability or Vietnam era veteran status or financial status, in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, their programs, activities or facilities.

 Instructions for Applicants

 Application

Applicant Self-Evaluation

Student Reference Form

Course Objectives

Essential Functions

Graduates of our program are prepared for many varied and stimulating career opportunities.

Graduates may:

• Practice as generalists, rotating through all sections of the laboratory; or they may specialize in one section, such as hematology, blood bank, microbiology, chemistry or immunology. 
• Work in a city, suburban or rural hospital, in the armed services or Veterans Affairs, in a medical school or research institute, in private or commercial laboratories or in public health.
• Accept a wide variety of positions in other laboratories and in public health.
• Perform a wide variety of positions in other laboratory-related industries:
• Marketing, Research and Development
• Technical Sales
• Instrument Service
• Management
• Instructors/Professors
• Medical Writing
• Pharmaceutical Sales/Research and Development
• Forensic Laboratories
• Fertility Centers
• Health Departments
• Elect to continue their education in areas such as a laboratory specialty, computer science, business/healthcare administration or healthcare education. This advanced education may permit them to pursue careers as educators, healthcare administrators, healthcare computer specialists or laboratory consultants/inspectors.
• Choose to attend a medical, dental or veterinary school.

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