Doctorate in CLS, a step forward to increase standards in the lab

The doctorate in CLS is the next step to promote our profession. Such a move would increase standards in the lab and would increase salaries. NAACLS has already produced guidelines for the DCLS in universities. It is only a matter of time.

www.ascls.org/currentevents/documents/DialogDis_Winter%202008.pdf

Taken from part of the article:

"This generalist DCLS’ knowledge will supplement and support the focused knowledge of clinical laboratory PhD specialty scientists as well as the practice of medical doctors in fulfilling quality responsibilities in the clinical laboratory.

Most likely, rules regulating the practice of specialty scientistsin the clinical laboratory (e.g., CLIA, state-specific licensure laws) will apply to these new DCLS degrees. Additionally, a more non-traditional role of consultation is envisioned and supported in the literature. There is growing evidence of physicians’ need for advice on laboratory test selection and interpretation of complex and diverse laboratory test options and results. The DCLS will be formally educated as a key resource in disease prevention and management, thus reducing the burden of practice related to CLS among physicians."

This is what our profession is coming to, increasing standards like all other ancillary professions. The DCLS has to have total control over the lab, while the pathologist can take care of the anotomical area and grossing.

This is a great step forward, and the more autonomy we have, the more standards we will have, soon all the test results will have DCLS on the page instead of MD.

I do think one way to decrease healthcare costs for patients is to educate doctors on ordering appropriate tests. We have some doctors that just order everything and hope they get an answer because they know the patient has good insurance.

Although it should probably be the lab director's responsibility to educate doctors and nurses, they probably don't get a lot of respect from medical doctors because they don't have a doctorate.

I do agree that a professional doctorate degree in CLS is a very appealing prospect, for reasons stated above, and also because it offers a career ladder for clinical laboratory professionals. Perhaps when colleges/universities start graduating DCLS, medical technology won't be seen as a stepping stone to other health science careers anymore, but a real and viable career path in itself. Now, the question is when are universities going to start offering DCLS programs? I for one am very interested in applying.

This has got to be a joke.

Like people have been telling you time and time again, standards are increasing in ALL ancillary fields, so you as the mlt will be the cheap labor in the equation.

Pharmacy = pharmD
Physical Therapy = DPT
Lab = DCLS

My university will start the DCLS degree in 2010 and I will be applying.

Hi Ricky. Which university do you attend?

Michigan State university pending approval.

Most of the techs I know went for the MT degrees because it was quicker and easier than a traditional degree. Will this be the same? Will any master’s degree qualify as a prerequisite or does it need to be a masters in CLS? The PHD's here think this might be too much trouble for what it's worth and they did laugh a bit.

Ricky said: Like people have been telling you time and time again, standards are increasing in ALL ancillary fields, so you as the mlt will be the cheap labor in the equation.

Pharmacy = pharmD
Physical Therapy = DPT
Lab = DCLS

My university will start the DCLS degree in 2010 and I will be applying.

Nice that's good to hear that universities are starting it. I may apply as well.

Annie2 in Frisco, Texas said: Most of the techs I know went for the MT degrees because it was quicker and easier than a traditional degree. Will this be the same? Will any master’s degree qualify as a prerequisite or does it need to be a masters in CLS? The PHD's here think this might be too much trouble for what it's worth and they did laugh a bit.

It won't be too much trouble providing that the salaries are commensurate with education.

I came across this archived presentation from the CDC - it raises some really good points in favor of advanced clinical practice for laboratory professionals. Here's the link:

wwwn.cdc.gov/cliac/pdf/Addenda/cliac0906/AddendumN.pdf

From the article that Daniel pointed to:

Current status cont.
-- Chronic problems are exacerbated by the shortage
-- Lack of clear distinctions between levels of practice contribute to attrition – CLS/MT vs CLT/MLT
-- CLT/MLT staff believe they are doing the same job for less pay
-- CLS/MT staff feel their skills are under used
E.g. eliminate microbiology and blood banking from CLT scope of practice

It looks like if you don't want to be management, work in microbiology or blood bank, MLT might be the future qualifying standard.

Larry you are a moron, if they eliminate blood bank and micro in a MLT/CLS curriculum, who would hire a tech that is limited when you can hire a MT that can work in all departments of the lab.

According to Daniel article, if they do make that distinction in the scope of practice, MLT will not be hirable bc they would only work in the automative departments. MLT would be so far from the standard if they ever changed the MLT scope of practice.

In large hospitals the generalists usually do not do micro (maybe gram stains and setups) and BB. The MLT is quite hireable due to the current hospital discriminatory hiring practices and it's not the MLT that drives down salaries it's the hiring practices of American companies. We are all about cheap slave labor and high profits for a select few.

Daniel in Houston, Texas said: I do agree that a professional doctorate degree in CLS is a very appealing prospect, for reasons stated above, and also because it offers a career ladder for clinical laboratory professionals. Perhaps when colleges/universities start graduating DCLS, medical technology won't be seen as a stepping stone to other health science careers anymore, but a real and viable career path in itself. Now, the question is when are universities going to start offering DCLS programs? I for one am very interested in applying.

Me too. But i can't seem to find accurate info on the opening of DCLS programs. If i were you i'd give it a fews years and see how its working for new grads just in case it is not worth the amount of loans you would accumulate at the end of the program. I will definitely keep an eye on it.