Hi, I am Carlita Maurice, Director of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at the University of New Haven. It is a pleasure to tell you about this wonderful program that is available at the university. This program was developed in response to the shortage of medical laboratory scientists in Connecticut, and the nation at large, and also at the request of multiple local area hospitals and healthcare systems that are experiencing very high vacancy rates in their medical laboratories.
Our Bachelor of Science Program is a professional program that serves individuals who are seeking healthcare careers that develop their scientific, analytical, and curious nature. This program would prepare you for careers working in medical or clinical laboratories in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, urgent care centers, blood banks, and more.
Medical Laboratory Scientists play a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and the maintenance of health. They are professionals who are not only prepared to produce laboratory data, but also to assure the quality of that data. They compare and select laboratory methods advise other healthcare workers on the validity of data, and they supervise other laboratory personnel. If you love the sciences and want to have an opportunity to help physicians and patients with your knowledge and skills, this major may be ideal for you.
Our program has earned serious applicant status with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Scientists, "NAACLS" and is awaiting final approval to become a fully accredited Medical Laboratory Scientist program. Students who complete our major [will] receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science from the University and are also qualified to take a certification exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathologists Board of Certification.
Medical Laboratory Science is a field that applies the principles of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics to perform and interpret clinical laboratory data. Therefore, courses include foundational sciences, such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics, also Clinical Medical Lab Science courses, and a clinical rotation that is performed at an affiliated hospital, which provides hands-on training by experienced Medical Laboratory Scientists. Some of the duties of Medical Laboratory Scientists include collecting and processing specimens, performing chemical microscopic, hematologic, immunologic, serologic, and molecular diagnostic testing and to prepare blood for blood transfusions.
Medical Laboratory Scientists also examine blood or body fluids under the microscope for bacteria, parasites, fungus, or cells that might indicate cancer or other diseases. Med Lab Scientists also test for drug levels in the blood that show how a patient is responding to treatment, or to evaluate accidental or intentional drug overdose or poisoning or drug dependency. In general, Medical Laboratory Scientists perform routine and highly-specialized tests to diagnose and or aid in treatment of disease.
Our program will provide you with the knowledge and skills to be a Medical Laboratory Scientist. So some of the courses you'll be taking will include a bottom a Clinical Chemistry, Bacteriology for Medical Laboratory Science, Laboratory Operations, Regulations and Compliance, Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Mycology, Parasitology, Virology, Hematology, Hemostasis, and of course there is a capstone project and a clinical practicum.
Med Lab Science is a growing field with unprecedented demand for graduates. The employment opportunities for Med Lab Scientists is expected to grow by more than 13% by 2026. These opportunities exist not only in hospitals, but also in doctors' offices, blood banks, independent, clinical, forensic, and research laboratories, fertility centers, public health services, medical, manufacturing and supply companies.
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science or NAACLS, reports that schools nationwide are only graduating about 1000 or so laboratory professionals per year. Yet it is believed that labs will require up to 80,000 new laboratory professionals, including Medical Laboratory Scientists. Furthermore, Medical Laboratory Science is a critical field that impacts the health of every individual. Doctors and other health practitioners simply cannot do their jobs without us and the health of the world's population depends on us.
With a critical nationwide shortage of certified Med Lab Scientists, market demand has resulted in increased salaries and excellent job placements. So now is definitely the perfect time to pursue a career in Medical Laboratory Science because of numerous job opportunities, offering amazing solid salaries and lots of room for advancement. So please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. My email is cmaurice@newhaven.edu. Welcome to Charger Nation!