Master of Science In Medical Laboratory
Science

Mission

The mission of the Medical Laboratory Science program is to provide a rigorous, competitive undergraduate training program to prepare graduatesto become competent medical laboratory scientists who demonstrate ethical standards and promote patient-centered care.

Vision

The vision of the Medical Laboratory Science program is to become a destination program for medical laboratory science in the region recognized for quality faculty, strong industry partnerships, and successful graduates. All graduates from the MLS program will become competent, ethical, certified MLS professionals prepared to become an essential member of the healthcare team.

Objectives

Professional Communication: To interact and communicate effectively by presenting information in oral and written formats, collaborating with professionals, peers, and clients, expressing ideas clearly, and giving and receiving feedback to serve the needs of patients, the public and members of the health care team.

Professional Competence: To possess knowledge, skills, and abilities to acquire an entry level position as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and to successfully complete the ASCP BOC MLS examination.

Professional Ethics and Conduct: To learn to treat patients and colleagues with respect, care, and thoughtfulness, to perform duties in an accurate, precise, timely and responsible manner, to maintain strict confidentiality of patient information and test results and to exercise professional judgment, skill and care while meeting established standards of the MLS profession.

Professional and Personal Development: To continuously improve and apply medical laboratory skills and knowledge and share such with colleagues, other members of the health care community and the public.

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) requires that the MLS program publish the following list of essential program functions. These “Technical Standards/Essential Functions” make up the non-academic requirements of the profession that all students must demonstrate to succeed inthe UNewHaven MLS program. The essential professional, communication, and technical requirements for Medical Laboratory Sciences students are listed below. If there are changes in these essential requirements, those changes will be published, and students will have the opportunity to discuss any changes with the Program Director and instructors in the Medical Laboratory Sciences Program.

The Technical Standards/Essential Functions required for successful completion of the MLS program at the University of New Haven are listed below. In accordance with the university’s commitment to providing equal access for individuals with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA of 2008), students seeking reasonable accommodations to meet these requirements should contact the Accessibility Resources Center to ensure appropriate accommodations can be made in a timely manner.

Professional skills

• Maintain professional decorum and composure in a wide variety of situations
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity
• Follow directions, be able to make decisions, prioritize tasks, and work on multiple tasks simultaneously
• Work independently and in cooperation with others
• Apply acquired learned skills and knowledge to new situations
• Work with potential biologic, chemical, radiologic, mechanical, and electrical hazards
• Maintain personal hygiene and neatness appropriate to the professional workplace
• Achieve regular, reliable, and punctual attendance at classes and regarding their clinical responsibilities

Communication skills

• Communicate effectively and efficiently with coworkers and members of the healthcare team
• Read and comprehend written material
• Record information accurately and clearly

Technical skills

• Complete fine repetitive movements such as pipetting
• Manipulate lab instruments
• Demonstrate proficiency to work with flammable and infectious materials, hazardous chemicals, and electrical equipment
• Demonstrate proficiency in all areas of the clinical lab
• Work in areas with distracting noises, unpleasant odors and in close proximity to fellow workers
• Perform all diagnostic procedures in the clinical lab
• Perform delicate manipulations of clinical specimens, clinical lab equipment, tools, and instruments
• Perform diagnostic procedure and venipuncture safely and accurately
• Adhere to standard precautions and meet safety standards applicable to the clinical laboratory
• Accurately identify, describe, and record fine details of clinical specimens both macroscopically and microscopically
• Read and interpret charts, graphs, and labels
• Read and interpret instrument panels and printouts
• Independently perform all aspects of diagnostic procedures in the clinical lab and report results accurately and timely