Clinical Laboratory Science – Rochester, Minn. and Jacksonville, Fla.

Quick Facts

Program length: 10.5 months, e-learning didactic curriculum Florida appointed students: 12 months e-learning didactic curriculum Prerequisites: 3+1: Enrolled in a clinical laboratory science affiliated baccalaureate program 4+1: Related bachelor's degree Granted: MSHS Certificate of Completion and degree from affiliate school Patient interaction: Low Placement outlook: Excellent

Mission
Mayo Clinic’s Clinical Laboratory Science program is committed to training undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students in laboratory medicine, quality assurance and professional practice. Faculty will promote academic excellence, instill professionalism, and encourage the pursuit of life-long learning. We strive to retain excellent students for employment and promotion at Mayo Clinic.

Goals

1. To provide the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Mayo Clinic with "entry-level" allied health staff trained in the profession of Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS).
2. To prepare CLS graduates for entry into the workforce in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Mayo Clinic in both Rochester, Minnesota and Jacksonville, Florida.
3. To assure that entry level practitioners of CLS are adequately trained in the following areas of laboratory medicine; clinical microbiology, hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, renal-analysis, clinical immunology, molecular diagnostics, phlebotomy, quality control, quality assurance, and laboratory management.
4. To assure that entry level practitioners of CLS are adequately prepared to withstand the pressures of the job including the ability to multi-task, maintain stability under pressure, and work accurately and efficiently.
5. To assure that our graduates enter the work force with a strong understanding of "professionalism" as demonstrated by; their ability to work with a diverse group of individuals; participate as team-members towards the overall goals of the system; maintain competency in their field of study through board examination certification and maintenance; and by participation in professional societies and regular attendance at continuing education programs.
6. To provide an educational clinical laboratory rotation experience that builds upon their academic education.
7. To provide instruction and evaluation based on identified competencies and content of the clinical laboratory science discipline.
8. To provide student(s) with adequate knowledge and background experience to qualify for national certification examinations appropriate to their level of training.

Competencies

A.)Professional Knowledge

1. Explain the principles underlying clinical laboratory testing, including the pathological indications for performing specific laboratory tests.
2. Understand quality system planning, including quality control and method validation, as applied to the laboratory setting.
3. Interpret a wide array of patient laboratory values and note when values are abnormal or erroneous.
4. Interpret and understand new protocols, technologies and advances in the field in order to practice and respond to evidence-based changes in clinical laboratory science.

B.) Professional Skills

1. Perform a wide variety of laboratory tests from low to high-complexity.
2. Troubleshoot laboratory assays, identifying and correcting potential problems.
3. Correlate clinical laboratory results with differential diagnoses.
4. Demonstrate safe working practices and recognize patient samples as valuable extensions of the patient, placing the needs of the patient first.
5. Perform quality control of patient laboratory tests and apply quality assurance methodology to assure accuracy of laboratory testing.
6. Communicate patient test results clearly and accurately to clinicians.
7. Perform work efficiently and accurately under the pressure of time constraints and be able to multi-task.

C.) Professional Attitudes, Behaviors and Cultural Competencies

1. Adhere to the student policies of the CLS Program and the Mayo School of Health Sciences.
2. Display professionalism in communication and dress, and show respect for colleagues and superiors.
3. Demonstrate tolerance and establish effective working relationships with others from diverse backgrounds, including age, race, and gender.
4. Work effectively as a team member or independently, as required to accomplish the goals of the work unit (laboratory).
5. Demonstrate advocacy in the field of laboratory medicine, seeking to engage in activities that help to increase the awareness, status and quality of the CLS profession.
6. Value self-directed learning, maintain board certification, and participate in on-going continuing education to increase and update knowledge of laboratory medicine.

Program
The Clinical Laboratory Science Program includes  three options:

• 3+1 Program
  Students enrolled in the 3+1 track of the clinical laboratory science baccalaureate program at an affiliated education institution complete their final year (10.5 months) of didactic courses and clinical laboratory rotations in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic.
• 4+1 Program
  Students enrolled in the 4+1 track of the clinical laboratory science certificate program will complete 10.5 months of didactic courses and clinical laboratory rotations in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic.
• 4+1 Program (Florida Appointed Students)

Students enrolled in the 4+1 track of the clinical laboratory science certificate program will complete 12 months of didactic courses and clinical laboratory rotations in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic. Eight months of didactic courses and clinical laboratory rotations are completed at the Mayo Clinic Rochester campus; and the remaining four months at Mayo Clinic in Florida.

Accreditation
Mayo School of Health Sciences' Clinical Laboratory Science Program is currently awaiting accreditation by The National Accrediting Association of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
8410 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 670
Chicago, IL 60631
(773) 714.8880
Fax: (773) 714.8886
E-mail: info@naacls.org
http://www.naacls.org

Mayo Clinic is also accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission.

Higher Learning Commission
30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
(800) 621-7440
(312) 263-0456
Fax: (312) 263-7462
www.ncacihe.org

3+ 1 Program Affiliated institution(s)
To participate in the Mayo School of Health Sciences' 3+1 Clinical Laboratory Science Program, you must be enrolled at one of the following affiliated academic institutions:
 

• Luther College, Decorah, Iowa
• St. Mary’s University, Winona, Minn.
• University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa
• University of Wisconsin LaCrosse, LaCrosse, Wis.
• Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa
• Wartburg University, Waverly, Iowa
• Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wisc.
• University of MARY, Bismark, North Dakota

 

Facilities

The Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester comprises an extensive outpatient complex, two hospitals, and research and education facilities. Mayo Clinic is among the largest, most advanced medical centers in the world.

• Mayo Clinic's Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology is one of the largest clinical laboratories in the world. It's comprised of 3,600 people working in 58 specialty laboratories.
• The department receives patient specimens for testing from Mayo Clinic as well as other hospitals worldwide.  A highly skilled team of pathologists, physicians, scientists, clinical laboratory scientists, clinical laboratory technicians, biologists, chemists, geneticists and other specialists perform lab work.
• The wide repertoire of test services, the high volume of specimens received for testing, and the diverse and highly educated faculty makes the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic an ideal educational setting for students in clinical laboratory science training programs.
• Take a virtual tour of our Minnesota campus.
• Take a virtual tour of our Florida campus.



Certification
Graduates from our program are eligible for certification through the ASCPBoard of Certification (BOC) and will be credentialed as Medical Laboratory Scientists or MLS (ASCP).

Our program has a 95% first-time pass rate for the national certification examination and our program mean score is above the national mean for both hospital- and university- based programs.

State Licensure
The State of Florida requires licensure for employment in a clinical laboratory.  Licenses are issued by the Florida Department of Health, Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel.


Hours
Didactic and Student Laboratory

• July through December:
• 8:30 A.M. to 10:30 A. M. and 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Monday through Friday (some exceptions may occur)
• Four to six hours of homework per day, on average

Clinical Experience – Mayo Clinic Rochester Program

• January through May:  
• Eight-hour days, Monday through Friday

Clinical Experience – Florida-appointed students only – Mayo Clinic Florida
January through March: Mayo Clinic Rochester
          Eight-hour days, Monday through Friday
March through July: Mayo Clinic Florida
          Eight-hour days, Monday through Friday (hours vary)

Class Size
Each year, Mayo School of Health Sciences admits up to 24 students (includes two to four Florida-appointed students) to its Clinical Laboratory Science Program.  During the program students will receive a comprehensive educational experience with close instruction.