Introduction
Analyzing patient samples is the bread and butter of a medical laboratory scientist (MLS), also known as a medical laboratory scientist. They analyze samples scientifically and present findings to doctors.
Medical laboratory specialists conduct in-depth analyses of patient samples using high-tech instruments like microscopes. The information they uncover is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. The findings of the tests run by medical laboratory scientists are relied on for somewhere between sixty percent and seventy percent of all choices made about a patient’s diagnosis, treatment, hospital admission, and release.
How Long Does It Take For Medical Laboratory Scientist?
Students entering the BMLS degree program through the Joint Matriculation system will take five years, while students entering the system will take four years.
Professional Medical Laboratory Scientists from the Professor through Lecturer II levels are in charge of the BMLS program. Other Basic Science Departments will handle part of the curriculum in its first two years.
How Much Schooling Is Needed To Work In A Medical Laboratory?
In order to work in a medical laboratory, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. There are typically two routes available to undergraduates interested in medical laboratory science majors:
1st Method:
- The first two or three years of a four-year bachelor’s degree program in medical laboratory science often require students to fulfill general education requirements.
2nd Method:
- There is a bachelor’s degree programme for people holding an associate’s in medical laboratory technology; it takes four years to complete.
For example, New England Normal School for the Arts and Sciences (NWHSU) offers a BS in Medical Laboratory Science degree completion program.
A career in medical laboratory science may be entered via many entry points. If you need clarifications on your potential options, please contact the institutions’ admissions departments.
Furthermore, many professionals in the medical laboratory science field seek certification. More information about this topic may be found in the next paragraph.
How Much Time Does One Need To Become A Medical Laboratory Scientist?
The time commitment involved in becoming a medical laboratory scientist should be considered by anybody considering this career path. While specific time frames may vary from person to person, the processes outlined here should give you a good idea of what is required to enter this sector.
- Some students may be able to complete high school in less than four years, while others may choose the less time-intensive General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
- A bachelor’s degree is typically earned in four years of full-time study; however, motivated individuals may sometimes graduate sooner. In addition, the United States military offers a route to a bachelor’s degree. However it takes just as long and requires duty in the armed services as any other route.
- Unless the candidate has finished a bachelor’s degree programme in MLS that is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, experience in the area is necessary for certification (NAACLS). The work experience requirement is removed. The latter might take as long as five years depending on the circumstances.
- To practice as a medical laboratory scientist, one must first get certification by passing an exam. There is just a single day of exams.
- The time it takes to get a bachelor’s degree, gain appropriate job experience (if necessary), and sit for and pass the certification test is fewer than five years; this does not include the time it takes to earn a high school diploma.
How to Get Your Degree in Medical Laboratory Science and Start Your Career?
There is no predetermined method to become a qualified medical laboratory scientist, as seen by the variety of qualifying pathway options presented above. To get a job in this industry, the first few stages are similar across the board. To get into Major League Soccer, most people take the following steps.
1st Step: A diploma from an accredited high school is required
Before doing anything else, people should make sure they have either a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). To get certified as a medical laboratory scientist, you’ll need the one required for entry to almost all four-year institutions and universities. Moreover, although not strictly necessary, high school students should strive for excellence in chemistry, biology, mathematics, English, and foreign language classes to earn admission to a good institution.
Internships or summer jobs at a health care clinic are highly suggested for students who want to get experience in the field.
2nd Step: Become A Bachelorette
After finishing high school, students who want to further their education should attend a four-year, regionally or nationally recognized institution to study for a bachelor’s degree.
Students who cannot afford a four-year degree may find the medical laboratory scientist training offered by several military programmes in return for a service commitment to be an appropriate option.
When deciding on a degree program, it is important to determine whether any hands-on experience will supplement the coursework.
3rd Step (Timeline Varies): Get Certified
The student should begin the application process with the American Society for Clinical Pathology’s Board of Certification (BOC) for medical laboratory scientist certification after graduating and gaining the appropriate job experience.
Applicants will be informed via email whether or not they have been approved to take the certification test by the ASCP after submitting an application, application fee, and all other paperwork.
4th Step: Look for an entry-level position
The last step is to start looking for work in the clinical laboratory field after the candidate has obtained certification as a medical laboratory scientist.
The medical laboratory scientist may seek employment requiring further specializations after gaining sufficient work experience. Microbiology, blood banking, clinical biochemistry, and toxicology are just a few of the many possible examples.
Conclusion:
This is indeed longer than what’s needed for certain technician positions. Still, medical laboratory scientists get to do interesting work and have a lot of responsibility, so it is worth it. More than 560,000 people have found the ASCP certification process worthwhile despite the time investment.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How many years of schooling are required to become a medical laboratory scientist?
Joint Matriculation entrants will spend five years completing the BMLS program, whereas direct entrants will do it in 4 years.
- How long does it take to earn a master of library science degree?
Due to the time it takes to get an M.S. in MLS (3-4 years), students may expect to study each subject at least once throughout their time in the program.
- Do Medical Laboratory Scientists get a good salary?
In the middle of their careers, laboratory scientists with 2–5 years of experience might earn upwards of $300 to $400.
