Medical Laboratory Science

Medical Laboratory Scientists (also known as Clinical Laboratory Scientists or Medical Technologists) are highly skilled laboratory scientists who perform and evaluate laboratory procedures using a variety of sophisticated instruments. They perform, supervise and provide consultation for laboratory analyses on blood and various body fluids to obtain data from which a diagnosis is made and appropriate therapy initiated. The major disciplines in laboratory science are:

• Hematology
• Immunohematology (blood banking)
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Urinalysis
• Mycology
• Parasitology

An individual may specialize in one of these disciplines or remain a generalist, depending on the type of laboratory and the needs of the facility in which they are employed. A career in medical laboratory science provides opportunities for work that are both personally rewarding and challenging.

As cost consciousness in health care delivery has increased, Medical Laboratory Scientists have become increasingly valuable to the health care system. This is because Medical Laboratory Scientists are knowledgeable about cost effective ways to deliver quality care and are trained to make the kinds of decisions that make effective lab services possible. Medical Laboratory Scientists assume positions of increasing responsibility in clinical laboratories and within institution management structure. Their functions include managing the laboratory and directing the work of others performing complex laboratory analyses and making judgments about the quality of laboratory results before they are reported. Medical Laboratory Scientists must be experts in clinical laboratory science as well as in the administrative and managerial functions necessary to ensure the effective operation of clinical laboratory services.

Application Information

2025 applications are now open.

Early Application Deadline: December 1
Regular Application Deadline: April 1
Late Application Deadline: June 15

MLS Program Outcomes

*Required program outcomes are reported to NAACLS annually with dates from July 1-June 30.

a NAACLS defines attrition based on the number of students who start year 2 of the program.

b Pass rates within one year of graduation from the program for the ASCP BOC and the AMT Certification Exams.

c Students who were employed in the field or a closely related field and/or continued their education within one year of graduation from the program.

d The rate of employment was 100% for those students seeking employment.

• Educational Requirements
• Technical Standards
• Student Handbook
• Clinical Rotation Handbook
• Clinical Affiliates
• Personal Qualifications
• Career Opportunities
• Licensure and Certification
• Wage and Labor Information

Minimum requirements for becoming a medical laboratory scientist includes satisfactory completion of two years of pre-professional college work, including certain prescribed courses. Students may then be admitted to a two-year professional program approved the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). High school students can prepare for a career in Medical Laboratory Science by taking courses in physical and biological sciences, along with other college preparatory courses.

For admission to the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science degree programs or the Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), students are expected to be able to successfully meet the Technical Standards outlined below. Students are required to sign the Technical Standards Commitment form indicating their understanding and ability to meet these standards either with or without accommodations (for persons with documented disabilities). Any questions about these technical standards should be directed to the program director of the MLS programs.

UTHSC receives applications from a diverse body of potential students including those with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to help students meet these technical standards when appropriate, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Any student wishing accommodations should contact the Disability Services for further information. Information regarding accommodations can be found on the Disability Services web page or email Keri Snyder.

In the event a student cannot fulfill these Technical Standards with or without reasonable accommodations at any time in their program, the student will be ineligible for admission or continued enrollment in the program. In addition to ensuring that students can meet the intellectual, emotion and physical criteria for medical laboratory science, it should also be noted that of utmost importance is the student's ability to provide for the welfare and safety of their patients and others. This is the foundation of all Technical Standards and if this cannot be done, the student is unable to meet the criteria outlined by the Technical Standards.

Once enrolled in the BS MLS or MS CLS Program, students must meet the requirements of the curriculum, including the demonstration of the skills described herein for the Program in order to progress through the curriculum and to graduate.

General Standards

The students must have the ability to:

• Assess and make appropriate judgments regarding lab services and patient outcomes.
• Prioritize and perform laboratory testing.
• Adapt to a variety of patient care situations, including crisis.
• Communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing.
• Participate in discussion in the classroom, the clinical arena and with colleagues and patients.
• Acquire information developed through didactic instruction and clinical experiences.
• Comprehend reading assignments and to search and evaluate literature.
• Prepare written assignments and maintain written records.
• Perform duties and assignments in a timely fashion while under stress and in a variety of settings.
• Meet deadlines and manage time.
• Utilize the computer for instructional assignments and patient care activities.

Physical and Motor Skills

The student must possess:

• Dexterity with both wrists, hands and arms, and dexterity with al fingers.
• Motor skills to grasp, pinch, push, pull, finger, hold, extend, rotate, and cut.
• Ability to obtain and/or verify patient samples.
• Sufficient stamina to tolerate physically taxing workloads.
• Ability to operate/manipulate and effectively evaluate the status of laboratory instruments and equipment.

Sensory Skills

The student must possess:

• Visual acuity (corrected to 20/40); visual perception with respect to depth and color.

Cognitive, Integrative, Quantitative Skills

The student must possess the:

• Ability to measure, calculate, analyze, interpret, synthesize and evaluate as applicable to clinical practice.
• Ability to solve one or more problems within specific time frames, which are often short.
• Ability to comprehend spatial relationships.

Affective, Behavioral and Social Skills

The student must be able to:

• Function as part of a team (communicate effectively in English, consult, negotiate, share, delegate).
• Delegate to and supervise others.
• Adhere to safety guidelines for self and others.
• Comply with standards and regulations required by external agencies.
• Follow instructions/procedures with accuracy and precision.
• Maintain intellectual and emotional stability and maturity under stress, while also maintaining appropriate performance standards.
• Learn and exhibit professional attributes.

American Esoteric Laboratory, Memphis
1701 Century Center Cove
Memphis, TN 38134

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville
1500 West Poplar Avenue
Collierville, TN 38017

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Desoto
7601 Southcrest Parkway
Southaven, MS 38671

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis
6019 Walnut Grove
Memphis, TN 38120

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton Co
1995 Highway 51 South
Covington, TN 38019

Baptist Memorial Hospital – Union City
1201 Bishop Street
Union City, TN 38261

Baptist Women's Hospital
6225 Humphreys Boulevard
Memphis, TN 38120

Erlanger Health System
975 E. Third Street
Chattanooga, TN 37403

Jackson-Madison County General Hospital
620 Skyline Drive
Jackson, TN 38301

Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center
848 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103

Maury Regional Medical Center
1224 Trotwood Avenue
Columbia, TN 38401

Medical University of South Carolina
165 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29425

Memphis VA Medical Center
1030 Jefferson Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104

Methodist Hospital-Germantown
7691 Poplar Avenue
Germantown, TN 38138

Methodist Hospital-North
3960 New Covington Pike
Memphis, TN 38125

Methodist Hospital, Olive Branch
4250 Bethel Road
Olive Branch, MS 38564

Methodist Hospital, South
1300 Wesley Drive
Memphis, TN 38116

Methodist University Hospital
1265 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104

Path AI (Formerly Popular Healthcare, LLC)
3495 Hacks Cross Road
Memphis, TN 38125

Regional One Health
877 Jefferson Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105

St. Francis Hospital
5959 Park Avenue
Memphis, TN 38119

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place MS 250
Memphis, TN 38105

Medical Laboratory Scientists.

• are fascinated by science
• are problem solvers
• like challenge and responsibility
• are accurate and reliable
• enjoy a fast-paced environment
• communicate well
• set high standards for themselves
• want to help others

Career opportunities are numerous in.

• Hospital and private laboratories
• Biotechnology industry
• Research and forensic laboratories
• Public Health
• Sales and lab product development
• Management
• Higher education
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Armed forces
• Histocompatibility
• Molecular Diagnostics

Graduates of programs in Medical Laboratory Science approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) are eligible to take certification examinations given by certifying agencies including the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the American Medical Technologists Association (AMT). Individuals certified by the Board of Certification of the ASCP and AMT are recognized as professional Medical Laboratory Scientists by the designation MLS after their names.

A Tennessee state license may be required by some employers to practice medical laboratory science in Tennessee. To obtain a Tennessee state license, one must provide evidence of earning a degree in medical laboratory science and/or passing a national certification examination.

To obtain more information on obtaining a Tennessee state license for medical laboratory science, visit the Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board webpage or call (615) 532-5128. You may also contact them at:

Tennessee State Department of Health
Medical Laboratory Board
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243