Clinical Laboratory Science
The School of Health Professions offers a BS in Clinical Laboratory Science (also known as medical technology), which is a biology/chemistry-based bachelor’s degree that prepares students for exciting, challenging and dynamic careers in demand in places such as FBI crime labs, NASA, Centers for Disease Control or biotechnology as well as jobs in traditional healthcare settings. Students take 2 years of specified liberal arts courses (biological science, chemistry, math and general education) followed by entry into the professional component of the program at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City. The degree consists of two concentrations – the clinical concentration (traditional) and the molecular biotechnology concentration. A student may choose either option or both. (Completing both concentrations will require approximately 1 additional semester).
Clinical Laboratory Science Program website
Sample of Related Skills
- Provide essential information used to make diagnose and treat disease
- Assist physicians and/or detectives in making decisions based on scientific analysis of blood, tissue and other body fluids
- Analyze blood, urine, tissue or other body specimens
- Identify and explain fundamental biological concepts and principles on the molecular, cellular, organismal and population levels
- Communicate scientific findings both orally and in written forms
- Develop experimental skills and techniques used in laboratory and field research
Popular Career Paths
Healthcare: Includes performing and analyzing a full range of laboratory tests to help detect, diagnosis and treat diseases. Can also involve collecting quality samples from patients.
Education: Involves training students in universities, community colleges, hospitals, and laboratories to work in a clinical laboratory setting.
Industry: Includes marketing and sales of laboratory equipment and products, as well as research and development of new technology.
Research: Involves the research and development of new products, laboratory methods and clinical treatments.
Forensic Science: Involves the collection, identification, classification, and analysis of physical evidence related to criminal investigations.
Jobs to Consider
- Blood Bank Quality Assurance Coordinator
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Technologist
- Cytotechnologist
- Forensic Science Technicians
- Histotechnician
- Histotechnologist
- Immunohistochemistry Technician
- Infection Control Specialist
- Laboratory Informatics Specialist
- Laboratory Manager
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Medical Technologist
- Molecular Pathology Technologist
- Pathologist Assistant
- Pharmaceutical Scientist
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Program Director
- Quality Assurance Director
- Research and Development Engineer
- Researcher
- Sales Manager
- Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB)
- Veterinary Pathologist
Places to Seek Employment
- Biotechnology Research Laboratories
- Blood Banks
- Clinical Laboratories
- Cosmetic and Food Industries
- Federal Government Agencies
- Fertility Clinics/Laboratories
- Forensic and Law Enforcement Laboratories
- Hospital Laboratories
- Industrial/Commercial Laboratories
- Law Enforcement Agencies
- Medical Center Research Laboratories
- Molecular Biotechnology Companies
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Physicians' Offices
- Public Health Laboratories
- Research Laboratories/Institutes
- Universities/Colleges
- Veterinary Clinics
Explore More Career Resources
All50Medical.com - job opportunities and information on traveling allied health careers
Allied Health Careers.com - job opportunities in allied health-related careers, including clinical laboratory science
American Association for Clinical Chemistry Job Center - national and international job opportunities for clinical laboratory professionals, research scientists, physicians and others involved in clinical chemistry
American Medical Technologists - job listings and job seeker resources
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science - career and job search information for graduating students, including sample resumes and licensure information
ExploreHealthCareers - career overview of a Clinical Laboratory Technologist
Hospital Jobs Online - comprehensive listing of healthcare jobs in hospitals across the US, including many clinical laboratory science job postings
American Society for Clinical Pathology Career Center - overviews of careers in Pathology and Medical Laboratory Science