The Beaumont School of Medical Laboratory Science was established in 1966. It has graduated more than 500 students to date.
Class Size: The School of Medical Laboratory Science 26-week program currently accepts twenty (20) students a year as follows:
- 12 students in a summer session
- 8 students in a winter session
Start Dates: The 26-week program has two sessions per year
- Summer session beginning mid-June / early-July)
- Winter (mid-December / early-January)
The program structure is a fast-paced 6.5 month (26 week) program and is specifically designed for students with a Medical Laboratory Science major. Clinical rotations are conducted predominantly at the Beaumont Royal Oak campus. Students will spend 40
hours a week, Monday through Friday, receiving lecture, demonstration, observation and/or hands-on practice at a student or live clinical bench. Under the supervision of faculty or teaching technologists, students have opportunities to work with state-of-the-art
biomedical instrumentation and a diverse collection of clinical specimens.
The School of Medical Laboratory Science was awarded continuing accreditation for ten years on April, 30, 2017 by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. This accreditation
will continue until April 30, 2027 with a site visit during the fall of 2026.
The School’s accreditation enables any student who successfully completes the requirements of the clinical program to apply for the Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) national certification examination offered by the American Society for Clinical
Pathology, Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) under the Route 1 option.
The school is supported by the Beaumont Laboratory Department of Clinical Pathology located on the Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak campus. The Clinical Pathology department is comprised of several laboratory sections including: Automated Chemistry/Immunology,
Special Testing (Manual Chemistry/Immunology, Toxicology, and Trace Metals), Transfusion Medicine, Hematology and Hemostasis, Microbiology, Virology, Molecular Pathology, Flow Cytometry and Ancillary Testing. The staff consists of board-certified
pathologists, physicians, Ph.D.’s, certified medical laboratory scientists, technicians, phlebotomists and assistants.
Service work performed by students in clinical settings outside of program hours is non-compulsory.
Program mission
The primary mission of the School of Medical Laboratory Science is to provide a clinical educational program of merit and thoroughness which reflects the high standards of patient care established at Beaumont. In addition, we strive to retain excellent
graduates for employment and promotion at Beaumont.
More specifically, the Beaumont School of Medical Laboratory Science is committed to providing students:
- An education program in accordance with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) Standards for Medical Laboratory Science.
- Educational experiences in the application of theory and ethical practice of clinical laboratory science that will prepare students with the knowledge, technical skills and professional attitudes to become proficient, certified members of the health
care team.
- Career-entry competencies in clinical laboratory testing, quality assurance, and professionalism.
- An introduction to topics in clinical education methodology and laboratory operations.
Program goals
The program’s goals are to graduate individuals who will:
- pass the national certification examination to enter professional practice
- be competent, entry-level laboratory professionals
- support and promote the Beaumont Values of Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence
- recognize the role of the medical laboratory scientist in the assurance of high quality, efficient, and accessible health care services to all patient populations
- possess a commitment to continuing medical laboratory education
- contribute to the improvement of laboratory services and processes to meet the challenges of the changing health care environment
Learning outcomes
Upon program completion, the graduating student will be expected to demonstrate:
- entry-level competency to perform the full range of clinical laboratory testing in a state-of-the art clinical laboratory. This includes pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical components of laboratory services in the disciplines of chemistry,
hematology/hemostasis, immunohematology, immunology, microbiology, molecular pathology, urinalysis & body fluid analysis and point-of-care testing.
- entry-level competency to interpret, problem-solve, troubleshoot and evaluate clinical procedures and laboratory test results including the use of statistical methods to evaluate data.
- compliance with safety and government regulations and standards as applied to clinical laboratory practice, including competency assessment and proficiency testing.
- professional conduct that includes respecting the confidentiality, privacy, and diversity among patients and the healthcare team as well as displaying appropriate composure under stressful conditions.
- appropriate skills to communicate laboratory test information to the healthcare team, patients and the public.
- basic knowledge of laboratory operations including the principles and practice of administration, personnel management, quality assurance, process improvement, patient safety activities, and financial resource management within the clinical laboratory
setting.
- skills in education methodology principles to appropriately instruct peers, consumers and providers of laboratory services and an appreciation of the importance of continuing professional development.
Sources
- Beaumont MLS Program Annual Assessment, April 2020
- Description of Entry-Level Competencies of the Medical Laboratory Scientist in the NAACLS Standards (November 2020 update).