This medical laboratory science (MLS) credential is almost always a prerequisite for a position in the field and may provide improved job opportunities and higher starting salaries. Writing research grant proposals and applying for funding from public and private sector sourcesĪfter obtaining a degree in clinical laboratory science, graduates may be eligible to take a national certification examination through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).Developing new studies that can improve health outcomes.Standardizing drug potency, doses, and methods for mass manufacturing.Designing and conducting studies to investigate disease and methods of treatment.Providing physicians with information on the validity and significance of laboratory test results.Assuring the quality of blood for transfusions.Performing laboratory tests that aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients.
Professionals who administer medical services or perform medical procedures on human patients must be licensed as physicians and adhere to individual state licensure requirements. Graduate level study often includes coursework, clinical rotations, laboratory experience, and independent research studies. National certification as well as state licensure is often a prerequisite for a career in the field.Īfter receiving a bachelor’s degree in a life science field, clinical researchers generally complete a graduate-level education as an MD or PhD-and some researchers pursue both so that they can have more job opportunities and higher starting salaries. In addition to coursework, prospective clinical laboratory scientists will usually perform clinical rotations to gain a hands-on understanding of the profession. Clinical laboratory scientists may also complete their undergraduate degree in a general life science but may then be required to obtain additional certification or training. When choosing between the two fields of study, it is important to dig into the details to find out exactly what separates them.Ĭlinical laboratory science uses laboratory information and services to help diagnose, monitor, and treat disease.Ĭlinical research uses scientific investigation to study the health and illness of people and answer questions about medicine and behavior.Ĭlinical laboratory scientists typically complete a four-year degree bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science, medical technology, biomedical science, or medical laboratory science-ideally from an institution accredited by the NAACLS.
CLINICAL SCIENCE LABORATORY PROFESSIONAL
Further certification through a professional society such as the Association for Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) can distinguish a clinical researcher further in a field that is expected to grow almost twice as fast as the average for all occupations, according to the BLS.Ĭlinical laboratory science and clinical research both take a scientific and investigative approach to answering medical questions, but each involves a different set of methodological approaches, institutional certifications, work responsibilities, and educational requirements. They may design or administer studies that investigate a particular disease or evaluate a new drug’s effectiveness and impact.Ĭlinical researchers often attain graduate-level education through doctoral degrees in medicine or philosophy (MD or PhD), and according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), many pursue both due to the increased job opportunities and higher starting salaries that go with it. Prospective clinical laboratory scientists often pursue undergraduate degrees in clinical laboratory science (or a related field) at institutions accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), and then sit for a certification exam through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).Ĭlinical researchers, on the other hand, use scientific investigation methods to study human health and illness, and answer specific questions about medicine and behavior. They may perform tests, interpret results, or develop entirely new laboratory tests and processes. While they may operate in similar settings, clinical laboratory science and clinical research are two vastly different fields of medicine.Ĭlinical laboratory scientists, sometimes referred to as medical laboratory scientists, specialize in laboratory information and services that inform the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of medical conditions.
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