School of Clinical Laboratory Science

Clinical laboratory science is the study and practice of clinical diagnostic laboratory medicine, which includes the analysis of body tissues, blood, stool, body fluids and other substances using complex instrumentation, sophisticated techniques and specialized knowledge.

Clinical laboratory scientists are an integral part of the healthcare team. They work primarily in hospitals, physician’s offices, government laboratories, reference laboratories and research facilities. Additionally, they provide clinicians with 70% of the critical objective test results needed for the diagnosis, treatment and preventative health care.

As healthcare demands continue to increase, so does the need to diagnose medical conditions through various laboratory test procedures. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for clinical laboratory scientists is expected to grow by 11% between 2018 and 2028. This job growth rate is significantly faster than all other occupations in the U.S. economy.

Piedmont Augusta partnered with the University of South Carolina-Aiken (USCA) to create a Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) Program in May 2019 to meet the high demand for Clinical Laboratory Scientists. Upon successfully completing the CLS program, students will be awarded a certificate of completion from Piedmont Augusta Laboratory that will allow them to become certified Clinical Laboratory Scientists. Additionally, undergraduate biology majors at USCA who complete the CLS program also have the opportunity to secure a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science (BSCLS).

The CLS program prepares students for entry-level employment in a clinical laboratory setting, which includes clinical hematology, hemostasis, urinalysis, immunology, chemistry, microbiology, mycology, parasitology, phlebotomy, flow cytometry, molecular diagnostics and blood bank (immunohematology).

Clinical Laboratory Science Handbook

Career Opportunities

A degree in Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) opens the window to exciting career opportunities. CLS graduates find employment in:

• Hospital clinical laboratories
• Commercial and reference laboratories
• Public Health Laboratories
• Pharmaceutical and Chemical Laboratories
• Biotechnical Companies
• Forensic and law enforcement laboratories
• Veterinary clinics
• Research and teaching institutions
• Transplant and donor centers
• Cancer centers
• Andrology (fertility) clinics, cosmetic and food industries

Admissions

CLS Program Requirements for University of South Carolina – Aiken Students:

• Application to clinical component is made during the junior year (completion of 60 credit hours)
• 2.75 or higher cumulative and science GPA
• Clinical component limited to six students per year, selected in a competitive process by the CLS Admissions Committee.
• Upon successful completion of the clinical component, students are eligible to sit for certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist from a laboratory professional accreditation agency like the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

CLS Program Requirements for Post-Baccalaureate Students:

• Application to clinical component is made after a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or Biology.
• Transcripts from undergraduate university with a 2.75 or higher GPA.
• Clinical component limited to six students per year, selected in a competitive process by the CLS Admissions Committee.
• Upon successful completion of the clinical component, students are eligible to sit for certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist from a laboratory professional accreditation agency like the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

The CLS Program clinical component admissions process is administered by the Piedmont Augusta program director. There are no regards given to race, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, veteran status, or disability during the admission process. The CLS Program clinical component admission process is as follows:

• Applications and recommendations must be submitted between the first Tuesday in February and the third Tuesday in March.
• Application material is reviewed by the Admissions Committee.
• Selected applicants are scheduled for a personal interview with the Admission Committee by will the 1st Tuesday in April.
• Personal interviews to begin by 2nd Tuesday in April.
• Applicant selections are made by the Admissions Committee.
• The CLS program director will send acceptance notification to each applicant via email by the last Friday in May.
• Accepted applicants complete and return the acceptance form by the 1st Tuesday in June.
• Confirmed acceptance applicants complete a background check, drug screen, TB skin testing, Hepatitis B vaccination, Influenza (FLU) vaccine, and other required up-to-date immunization records.
• Complete enrollment in contingent upon a negative drug screen, TB test, completed Hepatitis B vaccination, up to date immunization records, and an acceptable background check.
• The CLS clinical schedule will follow the USC Aiken academic calendar.

For further information to acquire a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences please visit University of South Carolina – Aiken’s website.

Clinical Laboratory Science Program Application

Program Accreditation

Piedmont Augusta School of CLS is accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), which is committed to being the premier accreditation agency for ensuring the advancement of education in clinical laboratory sciences and related health care disciplines provided by domestic and international programs.

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N, River Rd., Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Telephone: 773-714-8880
Website: http://www.naacls.org

Mission

The mission of the Piedmont Augusta Clinical Laboratory Science (PAG-CLS) program is to graduate students with exceptional education, training, knowledge, and skills necessary to become responsible, competent, entry-level clinical laboratory science professionals. Additionally, the CLS Program serves to support Piedmont Augusta’s mission to make a positive difference in every life we touch.

Goals and Competencies

Competencies: The ultimate goal of the CLS Program at Piedmont Augusta-CLS is to prepare students for career entry positions as Clinical Laboratory Scientists. Therefore, specific professional competencies dictated by NAACLS are the goals for each graduate. The program strives, through its educational methods, to incorporate all facets of quality laboratory practice into the professional development of students. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates in various testing and analysis skills with the following career entry level competencies in mind:

• Collect and safely handle biological specimens for analysis.
• Perform laboratory testing with accuracy.
• Evaluate and interpret laboratory test data.
• Identify problems and take corrective actions.
• Utilize quality assurance to monitor procedures, equipment and technical competency.
• Operate equipment properly and perform preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Comply with established laboratory safety regulations.
• Utilize computers and laboratory software effectively.
• Evaluate the efficacy of new procedures and instrumentation for a given setting.
• Demonstrate ethical behavior and maintain confidentiality of patient results.
• Interact professionally with patients and other health care personnel.
• Apply principles of education methodology.
• Apply principles of management.

Program Goals:

• To provide students with a quality education in accordance with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) standards for a Clinical Laboratory Science program.
• To provide students with a comprehensive education and clinical experience necessary to obtain national CLS certification.
• To effectively prepare graduates of the CLS program with a strong theoretical and practical foundation of clinical laboratory science, strong communication and interpersonal skills and laboratory competencies needed to secure an entry-level position as a clinical laboratory scientist.
• To effectively prepare competent, flexible clinical laboratory scientists who accept and fulfill the roles of health care professional in diverse clinical laboratory settings or other related vocations.
• To foster the development of positive attitudes, behavior and a philosophy of continual professional development and education.
• To promote professional respect, interaction, and communication among fellow health care professionals.
• To develop clinical laboratory scientists who perform the highest quality laboratory services in the most optimal time frame, while maintaining a safe working environment and remaining within compliance of regulatory and accrediting agencies.
• To develop clinical laboratory scientists who maintain superior professional standards, and zeal.

Benefits of the CLS program::

• Respected profession
• Low cost education
• Hands on clinical education
• Low student-teacher ratio
• Scholarship/job availability after graduation

Outcomes

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) requires all accredited programs to openly communicate to prospective students the outcome measures below for the past three active years:

Certification Examination and Licensure

Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science or certificate of completion from PAG-CLS qualify to sit for the national certification examination in medical laboratory science (MLS) administered by the Board of Certification (BOC) of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Graduates are also eligible to take the American Medical Technologists (AMT) certification examination. Both examinations are offered year-round in major cities throughout the United States.

Contacts

Yvonne Banks, MHA, MLS (ASCP CM)
School of Clinical Laboratory Science
Program Director
Email: Yvonne.banks@piedmont.org (preferred)
Office: 706-481-7487