advantages - Southwest General Health Center

ADVANTAGES
• Be at the forefront of medical advances, learning more about science every day.
• Find a job in a medical laboratory immediately after graduation and select from diverse, plentiful jobs nationally and internationally.
• Earn a competitive salary.
• Discover phenomenal opportunities for career advancement.
Journey to Careers in
Medical Laboratory Science
ASCP BOC Certification
Maintenance Program
Requirements
renewal for ASCP certifications
every three years
First Career Choice
investigate different types of
laboratories, hospitals,
and alternatives
ASCP Board of Certification
(BOC) Certifications
expertise, higher income,
and career advancement
Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum
combine multiple science courses
with liberal arts classes
Clinical Rotation Programs
preparation for working in the profession
Accredited and Approved
Programs for Universities
or Military Centers
The practice of medicine cannot exist without
The
practice
of medicine
exist without
high-quality
testing
performedcannot
by medical
high-quality
testing performed
by medical
laboratory
professionals.
Through these
laboratory
professionals.
test
results, pathologists
can Through
accuratelythese test
results, pathologists
can the
accurately
diagnose
diseases. Without
correct diagnose
diseases. patients
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diagnoses,
diagnoses,
not correct
receive the
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not receive
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right
treatments.
treatments.
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When patients
not
treated
appropriately,
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theyare
may
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theysometimes
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and
dieunnecessarily
much too early.and sometimes
die much too early.
The Right Medical Laboratory Role for You
Medical Laboratory Scientist, Histotechnologist, Cytotechnologist,
Technologist in Cytogenetics, or Technologist in Molecular Biology
High School Curriculum
biology; microbiology; anatomy and physiology; physics; chemistry;
and AP courses in physics, mathematics, biology, and chemistry
EIGHT STEPS FOR A CAREER AS A MEDICAL
LABORATORY PROFESSIONAL
Accredited and Approved
Programs for Universities
or Military Centers
High School Curriculum
Take a variety of science and mathematics courses to lay the
groundwork for your university experience. Examples are
biology; microbiology; anatomy and physiology; physics;
chemistry; algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus,
and calculus; as well as advanced placement courses in physics,
mathematics, biology, and chemistry.
Find a university or medical center that is accredited through
the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory
Sciences (NAACLS), Commission on Accreditation of Allied
Health Professionals (CAAHEP), or the U.S. Army Medical
Department Center and School (AMEDDC&S).
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The Right Medical
Laboratory Role for You
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Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) study specimens
in the laboratory to help pathologists diagnose and
prevent many different diseases. These laboratory
professionals are among the most important people on
the medical team. In a single day, they perform some of
the most complex tests on blood, tissue, body fluids,
and other samples from numerous patients. The results
of this testing help provide doctors with most of the
information they use to treat infections and diagnose
cancers and other diseases.
Histotechnologists (HTL) prepare, slice, and stain tissue
samples and biopsies to help pathologists diagnose disease.
This work requires patience and steady hands: slicing
tiny, paper-thin sections of tissue and applying special
stains in preparation for analysis under a microscope.
Cytotechnologists (CT) examine cells under the microscope
to find diseases and infections. These professionals help
save patients’ lives by finding cancer cells or cells that may
become cancerous. With the help of the cytotechnologist,
the pathologist and clinician can treat the patient and stop
the cancer.
Technologists in Cytogenetics (CG) examine human genes
to find diseases that may affect the patient in the future.
By discovering how chromosomes affect human
development, a technologist in cytogenetics can help predict
diseases or conditions that patients may develop, even
before birth, such as Down syndrome.
Technologists in Molecular Biology (MB) diagnose genetic
diseases and disorders at the gene level. Their focus lies
in performing DNA and RNA testing to make the most
accurate diagnosis of a disease. For example, the tests
run by a technologist in molecular biology can help the
pathologist and oncologist pinpoint the most effective
chemotherapy for treatment of a particular type of cancer.
During your clinical rotation, you will progress through
different laboratories, including blood banking, microbiology,
hematology, clinical chemistry, and immunology. At some
schools, you complete the clinical rotation in the same
facility as your courses. At others, you will choose among
affiliated hospitals. If you can select among hospital-
based programs, here are two key questions to ask:
• What is the success rate for students getting a job after graduation?
• How do students perform on the ASCP
Board of Certification (BOC) exam?
The closer both answers are to 100 percent, the better the hospital program.
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NAACLS—go to www.naacls.org/search/programs.asp
to find universities throughout the United States that offer
clinical laboratory science degree programs, including
those for medical laboratory scientists, histotechnologists,
technologists in cytogenetics, technologists in molecular
biology, and other fields.
CAAHEP—go to www.caahep.org/Find-An-Accredited-
Program/ to find universities throughout the United States
that offer cytotechnology degree programs.
AMEDDC&S—go to http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/
to find military centers that offer a variety of medical/clinical
laboratory science and cytotechnology degree programs.
Bachelor’s Degree
Curriculum
Take varied and in-depth science courses, including biology,
organic and inorganic chemistry, molecular biology, microbiology,
anatomy, immunology, human genetics, and cytogenetics.
Also, enroll in liberal arts courses to help you develop strong
communications skills—written and verbal—that are crucial for
successful laboratory professionals. Accredited universities
have different types of programs for earning degrees in medical
laboratory science, histotechnology, cytotechnology, cytogenetics,
and molecular biology.
Certification from
the ASCP Board
of Certification
Once you have completed your bachelor’s degree as a medical
laboratory professional through a NAACLS-, CAAHEP-,
or AMEDDC&S-accredited program, you will be eligible to
schedule and take the appropriate ASCP BOC examination for
your specialty. Certification for laboratory professionals is a process
by which the ASCP BOC grants recognition of competency to
an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications.
ASCP BOC certification includes completing an application form,
receiving an admissions letter from ASCP BOC that authorizes you
to take the examination, and scheduling and taking the examination
at a Pearson Professional Center nearby. To find out more about
the detailed process for scheduling the ASCP BOC examination
and earning your certification, go to www.ascp.org/BOC.
Program directors and laboratory directors recommend that
you earn the ASCP BOC certification within a year of your
graduation. The 2010 ASCP Wage Survey showed laboratory
professionals who achieve the ASCP BOC certification may earn
up to 14.7 percent more than their noncertified colleagues.*
Some laboratory directors will hire only ASCP BOC certified
laboratory professionals.
“You have to look at the medical laboratory as your
profession where you want to make your mark. Achieving
the ASCP certification is your first point of distinction.”
Lynnette Chakkaphak, MT(ASCP), Laboratory Director,
St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Jacksonville, Fla.
Clinical Rotation Programs
For most accredited programs, the last year of your bachelor’s
degree program will be spent performing a clinical rotation that
prepares you for working in the profession. This is called a 3 + 1
program. Some institutions have variations; for example,
accredited universities also have 2 + 2 programs, which accept
students who have completed their lower division coursework and
who then spend the last two years in the medical laboratory professional program. In a 4 + 1 program, a student has completed a
bachelor’s degree and then spends the fifth year in a clinical setting.
“When you have an ASCP BOC certification on your resume,
you have a stamp of approval. You are fully qualified to work
in a medical laboratory, and you are very employable.”
Mark A. Bailey, HTL(ASCP)CM, Education Program Director,
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
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First Career Choice
Investigate different types of laboratories and/or hospitals,
as well as the alternatives listed below. Be selective about
finding an environment that fits your skills and in which you can
advance your career.
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Crime laboratory for a law enforcement agency
Physicians’ office laboratory
Veterinarians laboratory
Quality assurance
Reference laboratory
Academic institutions
Reproductive medical/fertility facility
Laboratory instrument manufacturer
Also, look into what the laboratory or organization is doing.
Is it progressive, for example, moving toward personalized
cancer management? Does it foster great teamwork for patientcentric care?
“Don’t be afraid to leave the state and take on a new
adventure. Experience is what you need when you are
a new laboratory professional.”
Michele A. Smith, SCT(ASCP), Cytology Program,
University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.
ASCP BOC Certification
Maintenance Program
Requirements
ASCP BOC certification lasts three years. Renewal of your ASCP
certification is not only necessary but also important to stay on
top of advances in your field. During this three-year period, you
must take educational courses to accrue 36 points to maintain
your certification as a medical laboratory professional. ASCP
offers various educational sessions—in both traditional classroom
and online formats—so you can earn those 36 points. To learn
more about the specific requirements, go to www.ascp.org/CMP.
“From their first year through their 30th year, all laboratory
professionals need to be engaged in continuing to learn
more things about the profession. This includes keeping
up to date with technology and participating in local,
regional, and national professional societies.”
Michele A. Smith, SCT(ASCP), Cytology Program,
University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.
Garcia E, Bennett A, DeFranco M, Schultze M, Tanabe P, Rodriguez F, Edward J, Lee H, American Society for Clinical Pathology’s
2010 Wage Survey of U.S. Clinical Laboratories. LabMedicine 2011;42(3):141–146.
SIEMENS–ASCP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:
RESOURCES*
Making a Difference in the Lives of Medical Laboratory Students
Here is a quick guide for becoming a Medical Laboratory Professional
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics in partnership with ASCP awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate
medical laboratory students in amounts ranging from $500 to $2,000. The annual scholarship program is part
of a continuing effort to help defray education costs, promote medical laboratory science as a rewarding career,
and address the laboratory workforce shortage.
Students receiving the Siemens–ASCP Scholarships come from across the country and have different backgrounds.
Students may apply for the Siemens–ASCP Scholarships annually from August 1 to November 15.
Programs for Medical Laboratory
Science, Medical Laboratory
Technology, Histologic Technology,
Molecular Biology, Pathologists’
Assistant, and Cytogenetics
Programs for Cytotechnology
Commission on Accreditation of
Allied Health Education Programs
727.210.2350
www.caahep.org
National Accrediting Agency for
Clinical Laboratory Sciences
773.714.8880
www.naacls.org
Military Programs in Medical
Laboratory Science, Histologic
Technology, Cytotechnology,
Molecular Biology, Pathologists’
Assistant, and Cytogenetics
U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School
www.cs.amedd.mil
Scholarships and National Student Honor Award
Visit www.ascp.org/LabStudents for a complete listing of current scholarships and National Student Honor Award.
ASCP Membership is free for laboratory professional students.
American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification
To apply for certification examinations by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) after you have finished your educational and clinical requirements, go to www.ascp.org/BOC.
ASCP BOC has developed helpful study guides for the various examinations, which can be downloaded or ordered online at www.ascp.org/BOC.
Keith Acquino, MLT(ASCP)CM
Laura Jordan, MLT(ASCP)CM
Tenzin Lhakhang
A Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer survivor, Keith Acquino, MLT(ASCP)CM,
used the funds from the Siemens–
ASCP Scholarship to pay for his
Florida state board license
examinations and the purchase of board review materials.
Keith’s journey to become a Medical Laboratory Scientist began with his desire to help
patients and to learn their stories,
especially children and young adults with cancer.
Laura Jordan, MLT(ASCP)CM, felt more motivated after receiving
the Siemens–ASCP Scholarship.
She took the ASCP BOC examination
immediately after graduating from
Marquette University, Milwaukee.
“I love behind-the-scenes work in
the laboratory because I enjoy doing
accurate, precise work,” Laura said.
“I wanted to work in health care,
but I was not interested in
becoming a doctor.”
As a Tibetan who immigrated to the United States from India, Tenzin Lhakhang remains conscious
of his heritage while embracing the
superior education available here.
Receiving the Siemens–ASCP
Scholarship helped him set an example for the Tibetan community in Burlington, Vt. “I love to understand how things work from the inside out,” said Tenzin. “The Siemens–ASCP Scholarship
motivates me to attain higher levels of academic achievement.”
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is a global leader in the clinical diagnostics industry
and a strong supporter of the medical laboratory science profession.
ASCP BOC certification indicates that you are competent and able to perform high-quality tests. And the ASCP 2010 Wage
Survey of U.S. Clinical Laboratories found that certified professionals may earn up to 14.7 percent more per year. The ASCP 2011 Vacancy Survey of U.S. Clinical Laboratories showed a pervasive workforce shortage of laboratory professionals, which will deepen in the next five years because of retirements. Currently, blood banking vacancy rates rank highest at 11.6 percent, while in five years immunology will be hit hardest by retirements with an expected vacancy rate of 17.9 percent. Additionally, medical laboratory professionals are ranked among the top 50 careers by US News & World Report.
To learn about ASCP BOC educational and clinical requirements, visit www.ascp.org/BOC.
Earning Higher Incomes, Finding Jobs Nationwide
The workforce shortage for medical laboratory professionals means more jobs and opportunities for advancement nationwide.
Learn more by reading the ASCP reports on wages and vacancies at www.ascp.org/careerlinks.
Job Listings and Resources
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www.ascp.org/careercenter
www.facebook.com/ASCP.Chicago
Join the American Society for Clinical Pathology on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com)
Go to the career pages on websites for hospitals, laboratories, and other businesses that hire medical laboratory professionals.
* This brochure focuses on medical laboratory professionals who must receive bachelor’s degrees
in their respective fields and perform a clinical rotation as part of their educational program.
Promising Future, Accelerating Career Advancement
“Being a medical laboratory scientist is a
great starting point. It’s a position that you
can rely on for the rest of your life. Having
the medical technologist degree and training
opened doors for me all over the workplace,
allowing me to grow in my career.”
Mary K. Bennett, MT(ASCP)
Field Applications Manager
Arkray USA, Edina, Minn.
33 West Monroe Street
Suite 1600
Chicago, Illinois 60603
P 312.541.4999
F 312.541.4998
www.ascp.org
Proudly sponsored by
www.facebook.com/ASCP.Chicago
www.twitter.com/ascp_chicago
www.linkedin.com
www.siemens.com/diagnostics