Academic Program

Overview

The program consists of 47 weeks of lecture and laboratory experience:

• Total length: Approximately 50 weeks (including vacation).
• Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Starting Date: Second Monday in July.
• Vacation: Three weeks (week of Thanksgiving, week of Christmas, and spring break).
• Holidays: Labor Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day.

The School of Medical Laboratory Science program includes seven basic areas of laboratory assignments:

• Chemistry.
• Hematology.
• Immunohematology.
• Immunology.
• Laboratory Operations.
• Microbiology.
• Molecular Diagnostics.

The courses include lectures, student lab and clinical lab experience. Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus Hospital and Akron General are the two locations for the clinical lab experience. Students acquire the basic skills and knowledge needed as they complete the course.

During the rotation, students rotate through various bench assignments either singly or, more commonly, in small groups.

Practical work is supervised by instructors and supplemented by informal discussions, reading assignments and/or other self-study material.

Students work with biohazards, chemical hazards and odorous materials during the course of their training. Safety training is included during the first week of the program. Students are expected to use the safety equipment provided for employees and adhere strictly to laboratory safety procedures.

Academic progress is closely monitored by weekly testing. Tests are scheduled to correlate as closely as possible with the general area of rotation and/or student lab exercises.

Accreditation & Certification

The School of Medical Laboratory Science program at Cleveland Clinic is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS):

5600 N. River Rd.
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
773.714.8880

This accreditation allows any student who successfully completes the program to apply for the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) national certification examination offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC).

The School of Medical Laboratory Science program is approved by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation.

Graduation Requirements

Acceptable performance in all courses must be achieved in order to complete the program. A student must complete the entire program to be eligible to sit for any certification examination. This includes satisfactory academic and laboratory performance along with satisfactory completion of all portions of the comprehensive final examinations. Criteria for acceptable performance are determined by the student’s performance throughout the entire school year. The criteria are outlined in the Student Academic and Laboratory Performance Standards section of the student handbook.

Successful completion of the program entitles the graduate to a Certificate of Completion from the Cleveland Clinic School of Medical Laboratory Science. It may also be credited toward a baccalaureate degree through affiliated institutions. Neither the Certificate of Completion nor the conferring of a baccalaureate degree from the affiliate educational institution are contingent upon a candidate having passed a Medical Laboratory Science certification examination.

Program Outcomes

*Based on number of graduates desiring employment at Cleveland Clinic

Program Goals & Objectives

Program Goals

Behaviors demonstrated by students are expected through their course of training and as they assume a role in the clinical laboratory as a medical laboratory scientist.

• Ethical behavior: Students conduct themselves with honor and do not cheat or falsify academic information or laboratory data at any time.
• Respect: Students make every effort to maintain effective relationships and communication with their peers, instructors and laboratory staff.
• Diligence: Students strive to be on time, prepare daily, complete assignments and apply themselves to study.
• Knowledge: Students assimilate the knowledge required to achieve competency as a medical laboratory scientist.
• Integrity: Students follow required lab practices and maintain an organized work space.
• Judgment: Students exercise their best judgment in analysis and problem-solving.
• Competency: Students sustain grades to remain in good standing in the program.
• Quality: Students are mindful that quality in all phases of school or work is essential and is foundational to accurate diagnostics and the best patient care.
• Certification: Students pass a certification examination on completion of studies and maintain certification throughout their career.
• Continuous learning: Students commit to the personal responsibility of keeping abreast of new information and practice.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the Cleveland Clinic School of Medical Laboratory Science program, the graduate will be able to: 

• Perform specimen collection and processing procedures, evaluate specimen adequacy, and resolve issues related to specimen processing.
• Perform and evaluate pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical procedures to ensure quality lab results.
• Perform chemical and biological analytical test procedures on body fluids and tissues, evaluate lab data to correlate test results with clinical significance, and identify and correct problems.
• Explain the methods and principles in the laboratory tests performed in the clinical laboratories.
• Operate laboratory instrumentation with basic proficiency, performing basic maintenance on a routine basis.
• Identify problems with instrumentation and follow the defined process for resolution.
• Identify the physiological functions of each organ or organ system that are evaluated by laboratory testing and correlate them.
• Evaluate test results, identify the probable disease associated with the results, and suggest confirmatory testing.
• Explain sources of error and any effects of interfering substances on test results, including recognizing results that are inconsistent with physiological disease states.
• Use the defined quality assurance programs to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information being produced, including recognizing out of range quality control results and taking appropriate actions.
• Evaluate new techniques or procedures for clinical usefulness, cost effectiveness, standards of performance, and establishing reference ranges.
• Prepare and present educational material for new employees, support personnel, students, and continuing education programs.
• Understand and apply principles of management and supervision, including lab safety, budgeting, instrument selection, human resource management, and governmental regulations as they apply to the clinical laboratory.
• Participate in laboratory research, assisting with developing protocols, performing data collection, interpreting the results using statistical analysis, and presenting the findings.
• Demonstrate a professional attitude in all interactions, maintain a willingness and enthusiasm to learn and accept instruction and suggestions in a positive, constructive manner, and continue to develop themselves professionally.
• Practice medical and professional ethics.
• Communicate ideas effectively in oral and written form; use electronic methods to communicate, collaborate and disseminate information.