The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) training program provides a full year of didactic and clinical instruction. The curriculum includes intensive bench training, formal and informal lectures, and case studies. Students receive more than 200 hours of formal lectures covering the various disciplines of clinical laboratory science. The instructor-student ratio for lecture sessions is 1:6. Training in the clinical laboratories takes place with an instructor-student ratio of 1:2 to 1:6.
Learn more about the PROGRAM'S curriculum
After fulfilling all program requirements, students receive a certificate of completion and are eligible to take the external exam leading to licensure as a California CLS and certification as a medical laboratory scientist (MLS) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
The program is approved by the California Department of Public Health, the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and the UCI Allied Health Committee.
The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) training program was established in 1958 by the UCI School of Medicine Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. This program was previously referred to as the Medical Technology (MT) training program. CLS, MT and medical laboratory scientist (MLS) are often used interchangeably.
Mission
The mission of the CLS training program is to provide a learning environment in which students acquire the academic knowledge, technical skills, professional behaviors, critical thinking and problem-solving ability necessary to become a proficient CLS.
The goal of our program is to provide a learning experience that will:
- Stimulate and challenge the student to become educated in the principles of laboratory medicine.
- Teach the clinical significance of laboratory procedures in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
- Provide an in-depth curriculum and clinical experience in an environment in which the problem-solving and judgment abilities of the student can develop and mature.
- Develop an understanding of the principles, necessity and practices of quality assurance.
- Allow acquisition of the technical skills necessary to perform manual tests and operate complicated, state-of-the-art instrumentation.
- Build problem-solving skills and familiarize students with principles of research/evaluation methods and personnel/business management in a clinical laboratory.
- Offer instruction in issues regarding patient rights, patient safety, patient privacy and compliance with regulatory agencies.
- Deliver instruction in environmental, health and safety practices necessary in a clinical laboratory.
- Assist in the development of communication skills that will enable effective listening, reading, speaking, writing and presentation of concepts, ideas and information.
- Provide examples of professionalism, leadership, integrity and compassion that can be observed and practiced.
- Demonstrate dedication to and the need for the continued acquisition of knowledge required for continuing professional development.
Upon completion of the CLS training program, individuals will possess the competencies necessary to perform the full range of clinical laboratory tests in areas of clinical chemistry, hematology/hemostasis, immunology, immunohematology, transfusion medicine, microbiology, urine and body fluid analysis, molecular diagnostics, laboratory operations and other emerging diagnostics, and will play a role in the development and evaluation of test systems and interpretive algorithms.
The CLS will have diverse responsibilities in areas of analysis and clinical decision-making, regulatory compliance with applicable regulations, education and quality assurance/performance improvement wherever laboratory testing is researched, developed or performed.
At entry level, the CLS will have basic knowledge and skills in:
- Principles and practices of clinical study design, data analysis, implementation and dissemination of results.
- Principles and practices of administration and supervision as applied to clinical laboratory science.
- Communication skills sufficient to serve the needs of patients, the public and members of the healthcare team.
- Principles and practices of professional conduct and the significance of continuing professional development.
- Educational methodologies and terminology sufficient to train and educate users and providers of laboratory service.
- Application of safety and governmental regulations and standards as applied to clinical laboratory science.
Adapted from “Unique Standards for the Medical Laboratory Scientist, Core Standards for Accredited and Approved Programs.” National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), adopted 2012 (revised 2019).
Fees/Costs
There is no tuition cost for this program. Lab coats and personal protective equipment are provided. Students are responsible for costs associated with health insurance, professional liability insurance, parking, transportation, licensing and certification exam fees, and immunizations as required for health clearance. Scholarships to cover out-of-pocket expenses will be offered to admitted students, paid on a monthly basis. The amount is dependent on the annual budget.
Ellena Peterson, PhD, F(AAM), CLS, MT (ASCP)
Program Director
epeterso@uci.edu
Luis M. de la Maza, MD, PhD
Program Medical Director
lmdelama@uci.edu