What is Medical Laboratory Science?
Medical Laboratory Scientists (also known as Medical Technologists or Clinical Laboratory Scientists) are important health care providers that perform laboratory analyses used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and maintenance of health. Because of the demands of this career, Clinical Laboratory Scientists receive extensive education and training using biomedical analyses and complex instrumentation. Medical Laboratory Scientists typically receive their degrees in Microbiology or Biology.
Medical Labortory Scientists are trained in four main areas of a medical labortory:
Microbiology
Viruses, parasites, fungus, and bacteria are isolated and identified.
Blood Banking (Immunohematology)
Compatible blood products are identified for patients needing blood, platelets, plasma, etc.
Chemistry
Blood serum/plasma and body fluids are analyzed for levels including cholesterol, glucose, and electrolytes.
Hematology
Whole blood and body fluids analyzed by an instrument and examined microscopically for abnormal cells and diseases of the blood.
What is the Montana Medical Lab Science Program?
The Montana Medical Laboratory Science (MMLS) Training program emerged in the summer of 2007 as the result of Montana State Legislature granting necessary funds to begin the program. In addition to the grant from the state, many hospitals also contributed money, equipment, and time to help make the program possible. The program was created to help alleviate the critical need for medical laboratory scientists in the state of Montana, especially in rural communities. The program will be self sustaining through tuition and fees in order to continue training Medical Laboratory Scientists for years to come. The program is a cooperation between the University of Montana, Montana State University-Bozeman, and Montana State University-Billings
Key Aspects of MSU's MMLS Program:
- Program will train up to 15 students each year, the next class starting in May of 2009
- Students will train during the summer at MSU and then move for fall and spring semesters for clinical rotations at nine major hospitals in Montana
- Students will be from MSU, MSU-Billings, and UM
- Students will also do a two week rural rotation near the end of their clinical training
- Students can complete their training in four years and become certified Clinical Laboratory Scientists and work in clinical laboratories throughout Montana
- Funding to develop the program was obtained in 2007 with appropriations from the state legislature and donations from 16 hospitals in the state. ($568,000)
- This will help alleviate a critical healthcare workforce need in Montana and nationally
Is this the career for me?
Is “science” considered one of your strengths? Have you thought about going into the medical field, but didn’t think nursing or medical school was for you? Are you looking for a career that is exciting, rewarding, and always evolving? Medical Laboratory Science is a multi-dimensional field that requires a sharp mind, willingness to help others, and continuous learning. While most Medical Laboratory Scientists work in hospital laboratories, many are employed in clinics, physician offices, commercial laboratories, research facilities, veterinary clinics, public health facilities, criminology/forensic laboratories, the armed forces and the Peace Corps.
How long does this program take?
MMLS trainees are career ready in 4 years. Students who enroll in the Medical Laboratory Science option in Microbiology will take three years of undergraduate coursework at either MSU-Billings, MSU-Bozeman, or U of M. Their fourth year consists of a clinical training program. The clinical training program includes a summer semester at MSU-Bozeman and two semesters in a Montana hospital. At the satisfactory conclusion of their clinical year, students will receive their diploma. This program can also apply to students receiving their Bachelor’s first and then attending their clinical training. Students also have the option of attending clinical training in other licensed locations. The high demand for new Medical Laboratory Scientists in Montana provides many employment opportunities in a large range of settings.
How do I apply?
Application materials and additional information for the Montana Medical Laboratory Science Training Program:
Please also refer to our curriculum requirements for Plan A and Plan B under the Medical Laboratory Sciences Option.
You can find additional information about all of our programs by contacting MMLS Director, Barbara Hudson at (406) 994-5664 or bhudson@montana.edu, or by visiting the following links: MSU and UM.,
Information courtesy of Summer Griffis, MMLS Bozeman Program
