Medical Laboratory Science Program

What is a Medical Laboratory Scientist (Medical Technologist)?

As a valued member of the health care team, the medical laboratory scientist uses advanced technology to perform analyses on blood and other body fluids to aid in detecting and/or treating disease. Working closely with physicians and other allied health professionals, the medical laboratory scientist (often called a medical technologist) plays an integral role in comprehensive patient care by providing accurate and timely results. Graduates of a medical laboratory science training program have a firm foundation enabling them to work in the medical laboratory and pursue graduate study for many advanced or alternate career paths.

Program Overview

The Undergraduate Program

The Medical Laboratory Science Program at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children cooperates with area colleges and universities in offering the clinical year of a four-year program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science.

During the first three years, the student follows a course of study concentrating on biology and chemistry at the college where the student is matriculated. In the fourth year, all courses are held at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and various medical laboratory sites in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

To fulfill their clinical and academic requirements within 10 months, students spend two months in didactic instruction with the remainder of time spent as follows: Mondays in the classroom and Tuesdays - Fridays in their medical laboratory rotations. The academic year begins in late August and typically ends in late June.

Undergraduate College Affiliates

The program accepts students from various colleges but is affiliated with the following institutions:

The Post Baccalaureate Program

Enrollment in the Medical Laboratory Science Program is not limited to undergraduates. Individuals with Bachelor's degrees and Medical Laboratory Technicians who wish to advance to the Medical Laboratory Science level are also accepted based on their qualifications and mandatory prerequisites. Individuals with Bachelor's degrees who have already taken the courses required by the certification agencies are typically required to take only the courses given during the clinical year at the hospital.

The Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to give the student a thorough background in the performance, interpretation and application of medical laboratory procedures. Equally important is the emphasis placed on correlation of test results with pathologic conditions of patients.

The four major areas of the hospital laboratory are:

• Microbiology
• Clinical Chemistry
• Hematology
• Immunohematology (Blood Bank)

Upon completion of the internship year, the individual will be proficient in each of these four areas. Students will also be introduced to the clinical disciplines of Urinalysis, Immunology/Serology, Point-of-Care Testing, Cytogenetics, Virology, Respiratory Therapy, HLA, and Molecular Diagnostics. In addition, students are exposed to the basics of health care management, education, research and computer skills, which are applicable to career advancement and/or graduate school.