Program Overview

Program Overview

The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is an 11-month training program that results in a certificate in medical laboratory science while fulfilling requirements for a bachelor’s-level degree in a Medical Laboratory Science-related major from the affiliating college or university.

Program Goals

The mission of the MLS program is to prepare individuals for the practice of medical laboratory science and provide qualified laboratory professionals for Penn State Health's needs, as well as regional, national, and global needs. The program aims to:

• Provide educational experiences relevant and appropriate to medical laboratory science
• Provide a quality-driven curriculum based on current needs and latest testing methodologies and technological advances
• Immerse students in the day-to-day responsibilities of laboratory practitioners committed to the mission, vision, and values of Penn State Health
• Share information, provide resources, and create a consistent training program to build stronger teams and create a culture that cultivates stable and sustainable relationships within healthcare systems and beyond
• Encourage students to constantly seek opportunities for individual personal and professional growth to enable success in career-entry level positions and their professional development into well-trained and highly skilled laboratory scientists
• Prepare graduates for certification and/or licensure in medical laboratory science
• Broaden community awareness of the profession of medical laboratory science and its vital role in providing the best quality care for patients, as well as improving the health of the community
• Help meet the demand for competent practitioners in a variety of laboratory settings and venues
• Share expertise around the globe (global health)
• Help students learn new skills and seek out and share knowledge to promote teamwork in the healthcare setting and surrounding community

Program Details

Program Structure

The program is divided into two phases:

• Pre-clinical education in classroom and student laboratory settings
• Experiential learning through scheduled rotations throughout the clinical pathology laboratories at Penn State Health

Curriculum and Courses

The curriculum encompasses didactic and clinical experiences, the development of professional and leadership skills, and a commitment to life-long learning. The program promotes the values of respect for others, integrity, teamwork, and excellence in providing high-quality care patients need and deserve. Seven courses are required as part of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program:

• MLS 405A: Seminar and Practicum in MLS: Chemistry
• MLS 405B: Seminar and Practicum in MLS: Urinalysis
• MLS 405C: Seminar and Practicum in MLS: Hematology
• MLS 405D: Seminar and Practicum in MLS: Immunohematology (including HLA and HCT)
• MLS 405E: Seminar and Practicum in MLS: Microbiology
• MLS 405F: Seminar and Practicum in MLS: Serology-Immunology
• MLS 405G: Seminar & Practicum in MLS: Orientation to MLS & Phlebotomy, Education, Lab Management, and Capstone project

Affiliations

The Medical Laboratory Science Program at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has formal academic affiliation agreements with:

• Penn State
• Immaculata University
• Lebanon Valley College
• Moravian University
• Shippensburg University
• Saint Joseph's University
• York College of Pennsylvania
• Commonwealth University
• Penn State Berks
• Wilkes University
• Millersville University
• Slippery Rock University

Tuition Policies

The tuition fee for the program is reviewed annually and is currently set at $15,000. Other student expenses include textbooks and living expenses. Financial aid policies and procedures are in place for students.

Academic Calendar

The program starts in June and ends in April, with a total duration of 48 weeks (44 weeks of instruction). Time off includes holidays and breaks.

Training Facilities

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

The Medical Center is a leading academic medical center located in Hershey, PA, providing high-level, patient-focused medical care.

Pathology Department Laboratories

The laboratories serve the needs of both clinicians and patients, offering a range of services including anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, transfusion medicine, and transplantation support.

Classroom and Training Spaces

The Medical Laboratory Science training program has a separate classroom dedicated to Phase One didactic instruction and a student laboratory that allows students to gain technical skills necessary to perform laboratory testing on clinical specimens.

Harrell Health Sciences Library

Medical Laboratory Science students have free, unlimited access to Harrell Health Sciences Library resources, including books, ebooks, online full-text journals, and databases.

Resources for Students

Functional Expectations/Essential Functions

Students must possess certain physical and mental attributes to complete the Medical Laboratory Science curriculum, including:

• Senses of smell, vision, and touch to observe demonstrations and perform exercises
• Visual acuity to identify microscopic structures, cells, organisms, and color recognition
• Fine motor skills and manual dexterity to obtain and manipulate specimens, reagents, instruments, and analytical equipment
• Communication skills to effectively convey and/or explain results to other healthcare personnel
• Interactive skills to maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with coworkers, patients, and other healthcare personnel
• Professional demeanor, behavior, and ethics
• Mental ability to read and comprehend written material to correctly perform laboratory test procedures
• Emotional stability to exercise appropriate judgment in responding to emergency situations
• Ability to effectively handle stressful situations, function independently in the face of uncertainties, and prioritize activities to complete tasks on time

Evaluation Details

MLS students are evaluated on academic achievement, practical skills development and mastery, and professional behaviors exhibited throughout the year. Additional requirements for successful completion of the program include presentation of a capstone project and passing a comprehensive examination in Phase 2 of the program. Instructional objectives are provided to students to facilitate the learning process, and evaluation mechanisms are designed to measure attainment of these objectives.