Medical Laboratory Science
Medical Laboratory Science is currently the "Highest Need" healthcare career field in South Dakota.
The annual national projection for employment is approximately 13,000 openings and academic programs currently graduate about 5,000 across the United States. The average pay in this region, as projected by the South Dakota Healthcare Workforce Initiative, is approximately $23 per hour for a nationally certified medical laboratory science professional.
Offerings
A Medical Laboratory Science Degree that Opens Doors
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a projected 22% increase in employment for laboratory science professionals between 2012 and 2022—twice the rate of all other occupations. The salary for laboratory professionals varies with geographical location and training level; however, the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) 2013 wage survey in the United States indicates that the national average for a staff level MLS B.S. level professional is $56,430 per year and $77,113 per year at the supervisory level. Nationally salaries are considerably higher for those individuals who are lab directors or faculty members.
Medical laboratory scientists (MLS) are allied health professionals that work with other health care professionals to aid in patient care by performing laboratory tests that can help in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. A patient's medical history may be 70-80% laboratory testing. The tests performed by medical laboratory scientists uses advanced technology to perform testing on blood and body fluids in the areas of chemistry, microbiology, hematology, immunology, toxicology, blood banking and molecular procedures.
The demand is high for a medical laboratory science graduate and the SDSU program has a 100% job placement in a variety of settings.
About the Program
Mission:
The Medical Laboratory Science Program is committed to providing an education program consistent with the essentials outlined by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). The program provides an educational experience for the development of responsible, competent entry-level professionals in medical laboratory science.
Goals:
The program goals of the SDSU Medical Laboratory Science program are to:
- Provide an educational program within the framework of the University setting in accordance with the Standards of Accredited Programs for the Medical Laboratory Scientist as established by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS).
- Provide adequate numbers of entry level medical laboratory scientists to meet the workforce needs of the state of South Dakota, the region and the nation.
- Provide the health care community with quality individuals who are competent to conduct laboratory procedures in large medical facilities and small rural laboratories and who demonstrate positive professional attitudes, ethics and practices.
The SDSU Medical Laboratory Science program will meet these goals by:
- Providing a curriculum which includes a general or liberal education, content specific theory and applications, technical knowledge, professionalism and clinical competence to successfully complete a national registry exam.
- Assisting students in career placement by providing academic and occupational advisement
- Instilling in students a sense of professionalism, commitment to lifelong learning and academic excellence
- Preparing students to successfully enter the health care field as competent entry level professionals that communicate well, appreciate social diversity and possess a genuine compassion and concern for others.
Avera Health Network
- Avera DeSmet, DeSmet
- Avera Marshall, Marshall, Minnesota
- Avera McKennan Regional Laboratory, Sioux Falls
- Avera Queen of Peace Health Services, Mitchell
- Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton
- Avera St. Luke's Hospital, Aberdeen
- Avera St. Mary's Hospital, Pierre
Private and Government Affiliates
- Black Hills VA Health System, Hot Springs
- Douglas County Hospital, Alexandria, Minnesota
- Essentia Health, Brainerd, Minnesota
- Huron Regional Medical Center, Huron
- Madison Community Hospital, Madison
- Prairie Lakes Health Care System, Watertown
- Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City
- VA Regional Medical Center, Sioux Falls
Sanford Health Network
- Sanford Health System Clinic, Alexandria, Minnesota
- Placement is available at other Sanford Health facilities upon approval.
Clinical Experience Placement
The number of students placed in the clinical experience (on campus program) is based on capacity of the clinical facilities to accommodate students. If there are not enough clinical sites to accommodate all students in a given year, selection will be based on the student’s academic and numerical ranking determined by program officials. Every effort is made to ensure admitted students of placement for training within the capabilities of the university. However, SDSU cannot guarantee that events beyond its control such as natural disasters, labor disputes, war, etc. might not prevent a student’s completion of a clinical experience.
Upon successful completion of the Medical Laboratory Sciences program, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam. The major certification exam is offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification. Application information is available online. The student is recommended to take the exam. Taking or passing the board examination is not a prerequisite for graduation from South Dakota State University. However, board certification is usually required for employment in most facilities.
There is currently no state licensure for laboratory professionals in South Dakota. However, many states do require licensure (see state licensure requirements). Most of the states that require licensure will recognize certification as a MLS (ASCP)
SDSU Graduates of the MLS program are one of the most sought after healthcare professionals! SDSU is the only university NAACLS-accredited program in South Dakota!
The SDSU Medical Laboratory Science program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science NAACLS, 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720, Rosemont, Illinois 60018-5119.
Program Director
Stacie Lansink
Lecturer/MLS Program Director
Department of Allied and Population Health
Medical Laboratory Science
