<p>My son appears to be interested in the Clinical Laboratory Science aka Medical Laboratory Science aka Medical Technology degree - doing complex laboratory diagnostic and research activities for hospitals. I know it is well documented on these forums that Bio and Chem graduates are finding it tough, but I'm hearing MLS/CLS may be different in that it is more specialized. And no, I'm not talking about the the 2 year technician degree but a 4 year with the 1 yr internship w/certification. Does anyone have real-world experience with this degree or jobs after college (job prospects, starting salary, etc.)? What colleges have respected programs (preferably in the SE US)? -Thanks</p>
<p>Hospitals do have openings for MT/CLS’s but for good reason. The pay is mediocre $35k to $45k but at least they get benefits. There is a lot of shift and holiday work involved. The doctors and nurses can treat the MT’s very poorly as they are at the bottom of the healthcare food chain. It also is a very dead end job. A few people can make it to lab supervisor but most toil away in the lab barely advancing in pay each year. Also a lot of states with no licensing requirements rely more on cheaper technicians and there are many cost cuts in the lab as the patients don’t see it. </p>
<p>I looked into the field extensively and came to the conclusion it was not worth the ammount of work it would take to get licensed. One might as well go into nursing as they get paid at least 50% higher. </p>
<p>My prediction in the future is that there will be no distinction between MLT’s and MT’s. The job description will call for a BS degree and license and pay at the MLT rates ~$12-15 an hour which is what industry is paying everyone that works in their science labs now a days via the temp agencies they use to staff their labs and deny benefits to them.</p>
<p>Having done MLS, I can answer a few questions. That said, this field has its share of problems.</p>
<p>1) What colleges have respected programs (preferably in the SE US)?:</p>
<p>You should look for an university based NAACLS accredited program: see [NAACLS</a> - Search - Programs](<a href=“http://www.naacls.org/search/programs.asp]NAACLS”>http://www.naacls.org/search/programs.asp)</p>
<p>There may or may not be a program near you. Over the past twenty years, about half the programs have closed. These programs are unbelievably expensive per student (often the most expensive program at a school) and have low enrollment rates. </p>
<p>Following the program, you take a comprehensive board MLS ASCP exam. You should be aware that the programs are very intensive and are essentially a full time job.</p>
<p>2) Does anyone have real-world experience with this degree or jobs after college (job prospects, starting salary, etc.)</p>
<p>See [Medical</a> and Clinical Laboratory Technologists](<a href=“http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292011.htm]Medical”>http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292011.htm)</p>
<p>Salaries are low, the lowest of any 4 year allied health professional (I’ve seen as low as 50% of a 2 year RN), but you do get benefits. Depending on where you live, you should be able to get a job. Raises are scant, and there are no advancement opportunities in the lab. Labs are typically run by a pathologist, which takes 4 year Med school + 3 year rotation + 3 year fellowship. Lab personnel are the oldest of any allied health profession, with the average age > 50. </p>
<p>The southeast, which has mostly unlicensed states, pays very little for this degree, around $20-25/hour regardless of experience. California, which has the most stringent licensing, can pay 100k+/year. Only a dozen states have licensing requirements. The west coast and northeast pay the best.</p>
<p>The use of 2-year MLTs depends on the facility. A better facility will prefer ASCP certified personnel. The increasing automation of testing has limited the usefulness MLTs at some facilities. Others, in unlicensed states, almost exclusively use MLTs.</p>
<p>The people in MLS are often book smart, but are lacking socially. Also, the field is ~80% women.</p>
<p>Let me know if you have other questions.</p>