What is MLS?
I Am a Medical Laboratory Scientist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU8vyqHCy5w
The video opens with soft instrumental music playing over a series of calm, professional laboratory scenes. Viewers are shown medical laboratory scientists and students of diverse backgrounds working inside clean, well-lit clinical laboratory environments. Individuals wear lab coats, gloves, and safety goggles as they move between workstations. Close-up shots show scientists carefully preparing samples, labeling test tubes, and examining specimens under microscopes. The video highlights several laboratory departments, including hematology, microbiology, chemistry, immunology, and blood banking, with visuals of blood smears, automated analyzers, petri dishes, and diagnostic equipment. Scientists are shown focusing intently on their work, recording results, and collaborating with colleagues, emphasizing accuracy and teamwork. Throughout the video, text appears on screen reinforcing the message that medical laboratory scientists play a critical role in patient care by providing the data doctors rely on to make diagnoses and treatment decisions. These messages include yearly diagnoses happening in each department for the following: hematology diagnosing 44,000 new cases of leukemia and chemistry tests diagnosing 1,900,000 new cases of diabetes. Blood bank transfuses 30,000,000 blood components each year. Every day, scientists identify deadly allergies, diagnose new STDs and antibiotic superbugs in immunology and microbiology. They also identify bioterrorism agents before they reach your family. The video includes testimonials from several medical laboratory scientists about the importance and fulfillment they receive from coming to work every day. To network and learn more about medical laboratory science or to become an ASCLS member, visit www.ascls.org.
The overall tone is quiet, purposeful, and respectful, portraying laboratory science as precise, essential, and impactful work that often happens behind the scenes but directly affects patient health outcomes.
ASCLS Career Recruitment Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zQrxaVIaqw&t=1s
The video begins by asking questions of the viewer and showing laboratory analyzers at work, a phlebotomy procedure, a scientist performing a test, and a microscope. The video features multiple medical laboratory scientists speaking directly to the camera inside clinical laboratory settings, sharing personal testimonials about why they enjoy and value their profession. Each individual is shown standing or seated in laboratory spaces. As they speak, the background includes laboratory benches, microscopes, computer workstations, analyzers, and other diagnostic equipment. The speakers describe their satisfaction with helping patients, contributing to medical decisions, solving problems, and working as part of a healthcare team, even though their role is often behind the scenes. Between testimonials, brief shots show scientists performing routine laboratory tasks such as reviewing results, handling specimens, and working with instruments. The overall tone is positive and reflective, emphasizing purpose, pride, and the meaningful impact medical laboratory scientists have on patient care through their expertise and dedication.
Graduates of this program will be able to work as Medical Laboratory Scientists (also known as Medical Technologists or Clinical Laboratory Scientists). Upon successful completion of this program, students will be prepared for employment in traditional clinical laboratory settings such as hospital, clinic, reference, specialty (genetics, reproductive, toxicology, transplant services, et.), and state/federal laboratories. Related laboratory settings include research, pharmaceutical, veterinary, forensics, environmental, industrial, and food testing laboratories. Graduates may also work in related areas such as infection prevention and control, environmental health and safety, quality control and assurance in various industries (e.g., food, beverage, chemical plants, milling, plastics), laboratory consultation, sales (laboratory, medical, or pharmaceutical), and within the diagnostics industry as a technical specialist or field service engineer. For students planning to further their education by going to graduate school for a science or healthcare-related degree, or becoming a Physician Associate, or going to Medical School, a BS in Medical Laboratory Sciences is an excellent undergraduate degree and provides a strong foundation of science knowledge. Masters and Doctorate level degrees are also available in the field of Medical Laboratory Sciences as well.
A medical laboratory professional performs, develops, evaluates, correlates and assures the accuracy and validity of laboratory information; directs and supervises clinical laboratory resources and operations; and collaborates in diagnosis and treatment of patients. As part of the laboratory testing research, development, or performance process, they perform multiple functions that include analysis and clinical decision making, information management, regulatory compliance, education, and quality assurance/performance improvement.
The medical professionals carry out tests independently and collaboratively, each being responsible for their own actions. They possess the knowledge and skills necessary to educate laboratory professionals, others in the health care field, and the general public.