Medical Laboratory Scientist Internship: Requirements and Career Path

Ready for a career in healthcare? A medical laboratory scientist (MLS), also known as a medical technologist or clinical laboratory scientist, plays a vital role in modern medicine. They are responsible for performing scientific testing on samples and reporting results to physicians, analyzing a variety of biological specimens. The data they find plays an important role in identifying and treating cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other medical conditions. Medical laboratory scientists collaborate very closely with physicians and medical laboratory technicians in diagnosing and monitoring disease processes, as well as monitoring the effectiveness of therapy. This article explores the requirements for medical laboratory scientist internships and provides insights into this rewarding career path.

The Role of a Medical Laboratory Scientist

Medical laboratory scientists perform complex tests on patient samples using sophisticated equipment like microscopes. This healthcare professional performs chemical, hematological, immunological, microscopic, bacteriological, and molecular analyses on patient specimens. An MLS analyzes blood and body fluids to diagnose disease and monitor health. They are part of the team of health care professionals who work to determine the presence, extent, or absence of disease. They perform a range of laboratory tests to detect diseases such as cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes.

Medical Laboratory Scientist vs. Technician

While similar, there are a few key differences between a medical lab scientist and a medical lab technician. They both work in the lab and perform tests on biological samples, however, a medical lab scientist typically has more education and is able to perform more involved lab work. A medical laboratory assistant is a subgroup of medical laboratory technician. They are responsible for preparing biological specimens, recording information, and perform more of the lab maintenance tasks such as cleaning equipment and stocking supplies.

Educational Requirements

Completing a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or clinical laboratory science is a fundamental requirement. A bachelor’s degree in a science or health-related field (e.g. Typically, a medical lab technician will progress to a medical lab scientist with more training.

Curriculum and Tracks

Admitted first-year students begin in pre-medical laboratory science. Students are encouraged to apply by the posted deadline to the medical laboratory science program.

The Certification Track: The curriculum for this track is designed to prepare students for entry-level work as medical laboratory scientists. In addition to four semesters of medical laboratory science courses, students participate in a six-week internship program during the final semester. This preparation helps students gain clinical experience and take a required comprehensive final exam to help prepare for the national certification exam.
The Medical Science (Non-Certification) Track: The curriculum for this track is designed for students interested in medical, nursing, physician assisting, dental, veterinary, optometry or any other professional or graduate school. Course content includes pathophysiology of laboratory diagnostics without actually teaching laboratory procedures. This area of study is excellent preparation for medical school or other post-baccalaureate studies. The absence of lab requirements in this curriculum allows for more flexible scheduling, which can accommodate outside courses required for admission into professional or graduate programs.

Prerequisite Coursework

Students are eligible for the Extended Internship Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Program after completing 59 prerequisite credits, including Biology with lab, Anatomy and Physiology with lab, Microbiology with lab, both chemistry with lab courses, and both science electives. However, upon acceptance into the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, an additional six credits of general education prerequisites must be listed on the student’s degree plan. The program will accept AP, IB or CLEP credits awarded by other institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institutions to fulfill the math and general education coursework. Chemistry, biology, and health science courses must be suitable for majors in those disciplines and must include laboratory credit in required courses. The following courses (including labs) are considered equivalent to biology with lab, anatomy and physiology with lab, or microbiology with lab: animal or human anatomy, animal or human physiology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, cell biology, cell physiology, genetics, genomics, immunology, molecular biology, mycology, neuroscience, organic chemistry, parasitology, pathology, pathophysiology, pathogenesis, quantitative analysis, toxicology, virology or zoology. Other courses may fulfill the program’s requirements.

Internship Programs

In their final semester, certificate track students gain practical experience in the clinical laboratories of affiliated hospitals. This six-week internship program is comprised of rotations in each of the five primary disciplines of clinical laboratory science (chemistry, immunology, transfusion medicine, microbiology and hematology). Students are encouraged to investigate research opportunities. The majority of students enrolled in the program are college seniors on affiliation from their respective universities to complete the requirements for a Medical Laboratory Science degree.

The MLS programs consist of 45-weeks of combined didactic classroom lecture and real-life clinical laboratory training in our state-of-the-art medical laboratories. The student to instructor ratio in the classroom is 10:1. The student to clinical training staff member ratio in the laboratory is typically 1:1.

Internship Requirements and Continuation Criteria

To be eligible for the clinical internship, students must meet the following criteria:

Completion of all Clinical Lab Sciences core coursework with a minimum grade of “C” in each course and a cumulative GPA of 2.8 in these courses. Students may retake any CLSC course only once to replace a previously earned grade.
A minimum cumulative EMU GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Completing at least 60 hours of University credit, including 45 credit hours of prerequisite courses, as indicated on the application form. The prerequisite courses may be taken at EMU or other four-year or two-year institutions. Only transfer courses with an earned grade of “B” or higher may be applied to the major.
May not be on probation (administrative, academic, academic dishonesty, or other university-sanctioned probations).
For non-native speakers of English, a TOEFL iBT score of 88 or above.

Application Process

The deadline to apply for continuation is March 15th. The application form and all supporting documentation must be received by this date. Please present your application materials to the Program Director neatly organized into a folder or large envelope. Interviews will be scheduled in April. The application packet must include the following:

Application Form
Résumé
Transcripts from all colleges attended, including EMU (‘official’ copies are not required)
Student Responsibility Form and Professional Skills and Responsibilities Form (See Handbook for both forms)
Request recommendations from three references to be sent directly to the Program Director or submitted by the student in a signed and sealed envelope. It is suggested that references should include a science instructor and an employer
Personal statement: A 500 to 1000-word essay describing what you think the profession of Medical Lab Science (MLS) is, if you have explored other health professions, and why you chose MLS
Documentation that an applicant will have completed all major courses before beginning clinical rotations in the spring of the senior year.
TOEFL score report (non-native English speakers only)

If accepted, clinical assignments will be based on your application, references, GPA, interview, student clinical site rankings, and student clinical site preferences. The program does not consider the location of clinical sites when making assignments. Placement in an internship requires that the student carry personal health insurance and have all the necessary vaccinations, a drug screen, and a background check. These requirements are the student’s financial responsibility.

Major Requirements

87-91 hours A student must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all courses required for the major. A grade of D, D-, or F in one course in the clinical laboratory sciences major may, upon recommendation by the Program Review Committee, result in dismissal from the program. Only transfer courses with an earned grade of “B” or higher may be applied to the major. A student on probation (administrative, academic, academic dishonesty, or other university-sanctioned probations) may not register for, remain in, or receive credit for science courses or practicum courses within the clinical laboratory sciences program. Earn a minimum of 60 credits from a four-year college or university; courses taken at community colleges cannot be used to meet this requirement (Some formal program-to-program articulation agreements modify this requirement. Have a minimum of 30 unique credit hours in their major and 20 unique credit hours in their minor for a total of at least 50 unique credit hours between them. Earn no more than 60 credit hours in one subject area (prefix). Transfer credit will be awarded for courses taken at colleges and universities that are accredited by one of the recognized regional accrediting bodies only if the courses are college-level (equated to 100-level or above at EMU) and the student earned a “C” (or 2.0 on a 4 point scale) or better. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in courses taken at EMU to graduate. In addition, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be reached in each major and minor. Only courses a student takes at EMU and those applied to their major or minor are used to calculate their major and minor cumulative GPAs. General Education Requirements - EMU’s General Education Program requires students to choose from a menu of approved courses in several different areas; do not assume that other courses in the same department or similar names will fulfill these requirements.

SFSU's Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) post-baccalaureate certificate program

Launch your career in medical diagnostics with SFSU's Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) post-baccalaureate certificate program. You’ll gain the hands-on skills and professional experience to work in hospital labs, public health labs and biotech settings across California. Get ready to apply to the Clinical Lab Science program by completing the required prerequisites. The SFSU Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) post-baccalaureate certificate and internship program is a 14-month, full-time program. You’ll gain hands-on skills to work in hospitals, clinics and research labs. CLS professionals also find careers in public health, private industry, education and lab management. Real-world lab skillsBuild the practical skills employers look for. Since 1977, the SFSU Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program has prepared students with the academic and hands-on training needed for entry-level careers in the field. The program blends a strong academic foundation with intensive technical development. Our faculty take seriously the role CLS students play in patient testing and outcomes. The CLS program is committed to equal opportunity. Our goal is to prepare you to become a knowledgeable, skilled and respected clinical laboratory scientist. As a CLS, you’ll use advanced lab instruments, microscopes and computer systems. If you have a disability, reasonable accommodations may be available. Cost$22,800, 38 units at $600 per unitGator Pass: Receive a free transit pass while enrolled. (Fall and spring only. The CLS certificate program does not lead to a graduate degree, so graduate-level aid (like Grad PLUS loans) is not available.

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Certification

Most employers require medical laboratory scientists to obtain certification through an accrediting body, such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC). After graduation, students can sit for the BOC exam, leading to certification as a medical laboratory scientist.

Career Opportunities and Outlook

Medical lab scientists work in hospitals, clinics, forensic or public health laboratories, as well as pharmaceutical industries, biotechnology companies, veterinary clinics, or research institutions. Depending on the setting, their work hours may vary; but typically labs are run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Medical laboratory scientists spend the majority of their time on their feet, analyzing test results in the lab.

Job growth and security are high for medical laboratory technicians and scientists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is currently a shortage of medical lab technicians and scientists in many parts of the country which guarantees ample employment opportunities and sometimes higher salaries for graduates. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of medical laboratory scientists and technicians will grow 7% from 2021 to 2031 and medical laboratory scientists will grow 17%.

The median annual wage for medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is $57,380.

With additional training and experience, a medical lab scientist can become a department lead or lab manager. Others may seek specializations to advance their careers.

Essential Skills and Qualities

Successful medical lab scientists are effective communicators with a sound intellect and interest in science and technology. In order to be admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, applicants must possess certain physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities necessary to complete the curriculum. These requirements exist to ensure that students are able to effectively acquire the knowledge and skills needed to become competent and successful laboratory scientists. Students starting this program are strongly encouraged to complete the hepatitis B vaccine series.

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