MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE

Welcome to the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program at Baptist College of Health Sciences (BCHS). The Medical Laboratory Science program at BCHS is an accelerated full-time program designed to be completed in 16 months (four trimesters). Students who complete the program earn a baccalaureate degree from Baptist College of Health Sciences, which is a Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS) with a major in Medical Laboratory Science.

Medical Laboratory Scientists play an integral role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and helping people stay healthy through the analysis of cells, body fluids, and tissues. The Bureau of Labor Statistics state that employment opportunities for medical laboratory scientists are expected to exceed most occupations through the next decade. These projections are based on: (1) volume of laboratory testing increasing significantly in the coming years, (2) advances in technology which will create new tests and laboratory procedures, and (3) the retirement of professionals in the next five to ten years.

Medical Laboratory Scientists are also referred to as medical technologists and clinical laboratory scientists. The terms are used interchangeably; however, the most currently used term is medical laboratory science following the consolidation of two major national certification agencies, American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and National Accrediting Agency (NCA). The new national certification agency is Board of Certification (BOC).

Dr. Darius Y. Wilson, Ed.D, M.A.T.,BSMT(ASCP), Chair

Tennessee State Licensure Requirement

All medical laboratory personnel and special analysts in Tennessee must hold current Tennessee licensure, unless specifically exempt by statute or rules promulgated by the Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board.

The MLS program at Baptist College of Health Sciences has been granted a certificate by the  Tennessee Department of Health to conduct and maintain a school for training medical laboratory personnel in the specialty of medical laboratory technologist, general.

Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board contact information:

Heritage Place, Metro Center, 227 French Landing, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37243;

phone: 615-532-3202

Web Address: www.tennessee.gov

NAACLS (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences)

The MLS program at Baptist College of Health Sciences is in the initial accreditation process. The Preliminary Report has been approved by NAACLS.

NAACLS contact information:

5600 North River Road, Suite 720

Rosemont,Illinois 60018

phone: 773-714-8880

Web Address: www.naacls.org