Mission
Statement

The mission of the UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program is to provide a challenging program for assisting students in acquiring the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values to gain the level of excellence required for the profession of Medical Technology and Clinical Laboratory Science.

Congratulations
to our
2024 Graduates

The UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program is an accredited, 45-week, program offering intensive study and clinical experience in a medical laboratory. The classroom-based and hands-on clinical education is designed to develop a responsible and competent laboratory professional who will be prepared to pass an examination required for national certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.

It is the desire of the UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program to provide students with quality education as they pursue their career goals (see our Outcome Measures). Our Mission Statement is taken seriously and the patients our students will serve are the cornerstone of our vision.

Thank you for visiting our website for information about our program. Feel free to contact us with any questions about our program or about the career of a Medical Laboratory Scientist.

Statement of Beliefs

Excellence

We believe we are responsible for creating an atmosphere of excellence, encouraging learning and inquiry, while promoting dedication to the profession of Medical Laboratory Science.

The Future

We believe the cornerstone of our program goals are the future patients our students will serve.

Quality

We believe our commitment to quality, passed on to our students, will extend to every level of community.

The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), also known as a Medical Technologist (MT), is a highly trained, conscientious individual involved in the performance and reporting of laboratory tests important in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease in a dynamic health care environment, working as a vital member of the health care team and extending care and compassion to the patient and health care community through customer service and education.

In a collaborative effort with clinicians and other health care professionals, the MLS conducts efficiently and precisely a variety of tests on patient blood, body fluids, or tissues utilizing manual methods and sophisticated instrumentation. An MLS not only knows how to perform each diagnostic test using strict protocols but is able to evaluate and validate each result to assure accuracy, including understanding the medical significance of different physiological conditions and how they may affect the results of laboratory tests. The MLS may work as generalist throughout the clinical laboratory or specialize in a certain discipline, such as, clinical chemistry, immunochemistry, hematology, immunohematology (blood banking), and microbiology. Quality, precision skills, and the vast knowledge learned in the clinical preceptorship are dynamic and adaptable to many career areas and are sought after by employers both within the laboratory and in health-related industries and research.

Discover More About Medical Laboratory Science

For more information on laboratory science careers, visit https://www.laboratorysciencecareers.com/

We all knew this was going to be a hard program, so I could complain about the large workload or stress it created but I think that by keeping the right mindset, I was able to take advantage of all that and really just dedicate myself. I think it paid off because I feel very well prepared and it’s a good feeling to know I did my best and accomplished everything.

Hitting the material twice in first and second rotation is a great way to solidify concepts. Some things made more sense the second time around and I was able to recognize what I had down pretty well versus what I struggle with. Tons of hands-on training and experience to prepare us for our laboratory careers.

I’m very thankful for all that Michele and Kyle have done for us this past year! I never once doubted that they always had our best interest in mind and that they were devoted to all of our success individually. They made themselves more available to come to for help or questions than any professor I’ve ever had. I’m incredibly glad that I chose the UPMC MLS Program for my clinical internship year. Almost all of the lab staff were very willing to teach us and answer any and all questions that we had. They were kind and welcoming and made me excited to be a future member of the UPMC lab. Even though I know that it can be somewhat of a burden to constantly teach students, it almost never felt that way with most of them. I feel completely prepared to join the workforce in the lab and far more confident in my abilities to function as a tech than I ever imagined that I would.

Student lab and clinical rotation provided the time and space to build the necessary hands-on experience to perform tasks both independently and under the watch of others (ie. performance pressure) and allowed development of critical thinking, plan of action, and the ability to notice when to reach out for help.

Although the program was extremely challenging, I am glad to have went through it and experienced everything that it has offered. I felt it properly prepared me for the certification exam and for entering the clinical work field.

The biggest strength of this program is the small class size that allows for everyone to get one on one experience with instructors if they need it. Also, Kyle and Michele care so much about ensuring the success of each and every student that it's honestly difficult to do poorly in the program. The setup of learning all of the material first rotation and then reinforcing it during second rotation is very conducive to a better understanding and a longer lasting memory.

I came here feeling nervous, shy, and not at all confident and I feel like I am leaving with a huge sense of accomplishment and a huge gain in confidence in myself as a scientist.

Accredited by

The UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The Program meets and often exceeds the Standards established by NAACLS in education quality and outcome measures.

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N River Rd, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
773-714-8880
www.naacls.org

Mission Statement

Congratulations to our 2024 Graduates