Med Tech / Clinical Lab Science as a Pre-Med Major. Thoughts?

[wholeheartedly]

One other thing I'd like to add is that the CLS degree is proving to be quite valuable in a number of unexpected ways as well.

I'm 3 years out at this point and work in the transfusion lab of a Level 1 trauma center. I picked this because it's one of the most intellectually challenging areas and I wanted some experience handling high pressure situations as well.

The learning curve here is insane, in a good way. I went from a wide-eyed, jaw on the ground new tech while watching my labmates run what was essentially orchestrated chaos with multiple patients massively bleeding to just 3 months later leading newer techs in the type same situation.

My multi-tasking, anticipating 10 steps ahead, keeping a level head under pressure, effective communication, and leadership skills have gone through the roof. I'm naturally more of a shy reserved person. That may not be something an adcom will see on paper, but definitely experiences you can draw on in an interview and will use regularly as a doctor.

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[CopToEM]

Just an update. As of a few months ago, its no longer called MT (medical technologist). It is now called MLS (medical laboratory scientist). You now become MLS certified after sitting fir the ASCP exam.

The terminology confuses the crap out of me. My University is under the opinion that "Medical Technology" and "Clinical Laboratory Science" are one and the same. In fact, the degree is called, word for word, "[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY/CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE."

Reading around online I see that this could be considered an oxymoron!
.

 

[CopToEM]

My multi-tasking, anticipating 10 steps ahead, keeping a level head under pressure, effective communication, and leadership skills have gone through the roof.

If you can relate that in an interview without sounding arrogant that certainly sounds to me a lot like an EM physician's workflow skills! 👍

 

[wholeheartedly]

If you can relate that in an interview without sounding arrogant that certainly sounds to me a lot like an EM physician's workflow skills! 👍

lol, don't think that'll be a problem. i tend to be on the opposite end of the confidence spectrum a lot of the time which was why i wanted take a position that would force me to step up to the plate. EM is definitely something i've thought about too 😎

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Just an update. As of a few months ago, its no longer called MT (medical technologist). It is now called MLS (medical laboratory scientist). You now become MLS certified after sitting fir the ASCP exam.

Yeah, ASCP went and ruined my perfectly good forum name

 

[Skippygonenuts]

The terminology confuses the crap out of me. My University is under the opinion that "Medical Technology" and "Clinical Laboratory Science" are one and the same. In fact, the degree is called, word for word, "[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY/CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE."

Reading around online I see that this could be considered an oxymoron!
.

MT, MLS, and CLS are the same. All are 4 year programs. Since ASCP and ASCLS merged, the new universal name is MLS and all programs will soon be changing to that name.

MLT is different. It is only a 1-2 year program which doesn't require you to have take. All your med school prereqs (bio chem physics etc). The name MLT will remain the same even with the merge.

practically speaking, they both do the same thing in the lab but the difference is in education and of course, pay.

 

[Thebrainina]

Are you sure MLS classes can count for science gpa for MD schools?

I know they count for sci gpa for DO schools.

 

[wutthechris]

Just an update. As of a few months ago, its no longer called MT (medical technologist). It is now called MLS (medical laboratory scientist). You now become MLS certified after sitting fir the ASCP exam.

While the title has now changed to MLS, those of us that passed our ASCP boards prior to the official merger date are still considered MT(ASCP). That's what my certificate shows, anyway. I'm guessing it will be updated at recertification(which is 2012 for me).

practically speaking, they both do the same thing in the lab but the difference is in education and of course, pay.

Some states and institutions do not allow MLT to verify/release results. Mine doesn't even hire them except for processing jobs.

 

[Skippygonenuts]

While the title has now changed to MLS, those of us that passed our ASCP boards prior to the official merger date are still considered MT(ASCP). That's what my certificate shows, anyway. I'm guessing it will be updated at recertification(which is 2012 for me).

If you took your ASCP prior to 2005 (or possibly 2004), then you are automatically granted to MLS(ASCP). if you took the ASCP after that then you need to attend any continued education courses (i.e., ASCLS meetings or seminars) then you will be given the MLS(ASCP)cm title. [[the cm is supposed to be in superscript]].

Some states and institutions do not allow MLT to verify/release results. Mine doesn't even hire them except for processing jobs.

you are actually absolutely right. Sorry that slipped my mind.

 

[clinicallabguy]

I loved being a CLS major. I wasn't sure how much it would help me during med school until I got to medical micro in the 1st year. In my school it has the reputation of being in the top 2 toughest classes (w/ anatomy) in MS1. But I'd seen all of the information in my CLS micro classes in undergrad, so it wasn't all that bad. That was definitely a perk!

I liked CLS because I could study about medical diagnostics before medical school. I knew I was interested in medicine, and was anxious to start learning more about it.

 

[Skippygonenuts]

I loved being a CLS major. I wasn't sure how much it would help me during med school until I got to medical micro in the 1st year. In my school it has the reputation of being in the top 2 toughest classes (w/ anatomy) in MS1. But I'd seen all of the information in my CLS micro classes in undergrad, so it wasn't all that bad. That was definitely a perk!

I liked CLS because I could study about medical diagnostics before medical school. I knew I was interested in medicine, and was anxious to start learning more about it.

Just sucks that were "not allowed to diagnose"

Stupid laws...

 

[CopToEM]

I loved being a CLS major. I wasn't sure how much it would help me during med school until I got to medical micro in the 1st year. In my school it has the reputation of being in the top 2 toughest classes (w/ anatomy) in MS1. But I'd seen all of the information in my CLS micro classes in undergrad, so it wasn't all that bad. That was definitely a perk!

I liked CLS because I could study about medical diagnostics before medical school. I knew I was interested in medicine, and was anxious to start learning more about it.

It's great to see your perspective now that you're in med school! 👍

 

[llee8820]

I took the initiative to email AMCAS about any policy change, in short, the answer is no. Here is the email they sent me.

Thank you for contacting AMCAS.

There have not been any recent policy changes in this area. Inclusion in the science GPA would depend on how the course is classified in the application.

Course classification is self-determined by the applicant and should be based entirely on the primary content of the course. It is possible that AMCAS may change the course classification during the verification process. Applications are not returned for incorrect course classifications and this will not interfere with the processing time of the application.

If an applicant disagrees with this change, he or she must submit an Academic Change Request, including the course description found online so that AMCAS can verify the primary content of the course. The Academic Change Request is available through the main menu of the application once the application has been processed.

Course Classifications, in addition to describing the courses you enter, are used in the calculation of your AMCAS GPA. The BCPM GPA is comprised of courses classified as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Coursework classified in all other categories will be calculated into the AO (All Other) GPA.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I took the initiative to email AMCAS about any policy change, in short, the answer is no. Here is the email they sent me.

Thank you for contacting AMCAS.

There have not been any recent policy changes in this area. Inclusion in the science GPA would depend on how the course is classified in the application.

Course classification is self-determined by the applicant and should be based entirely on the primary content of the course. It is possible that AMCAS may change the course classification during the verification process. Applications are not returned for incorrect course classifications and this will not interfere with the processing time of the application.

If an applicant disagrees with this change, he or she must submit an Academic Change Request, including the course description found online so that AMCAS can verify the primary content of the course. The Academic Change Request is available through the main menu of the application once the application has been processed.

Course Classifications, in addition to describing the courses you enter, are used in the calculation of your AMCAS GPA. The BCPM GPA is comprised of courses classified as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Coursework classified in all other categories will be calculated into the AO (All Other) GPA.

So if we feel one of our courses was more based in Biology than CLS we can address it as so; though it may get changed?

 

[wutthechris]

So if we feel one of our courses was more based in Biology than CLS we can address it as so; though it may get changed?

The great majority of CLS classes could be considered biology or chemistry.

 

[dapdrow]

The great majority of CLS classes could be considered biology or chemistry.

I agree. I never did a yearly rotation thing like most people do. And all of my classes taught the same material you would learn in any other course---the only difference was sometimes the lab component would focus on clinical things primarily---but not always.

In my school, for example, my clinical biochemistry was a year-long course in which the textbook for the lecture was a regular biochemistry book. We never talked about anything you would do in a clinical chemistry/biochemistry lab in lecture---only in lab. In immunology we did more research-based stuff in lab than anything clinical.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I loved being a CLS major. I wasn't sure how much it would help me during med school until I got to medical micro in the 1st year. In my school it has the reputation of being in the top 2 toughest classes (w/ anatomy) in MS1. But I'd seen all of the information in my CLS micro classes in undergrad, so it wasn't all that bad. That was definitely a perk!

I liked CLS because I could study about medical diagnostics before medical school. I knew I was interested in medicine, and was anxious to start learning more about it.

If you're still around this thread, mind letting us know where you filed your "Med Tech" courses under?

 

[clinicallabguy]

If you're still around this thread, mind letting us know where you filed your "Med Tech" courses under?

For all of my med tech classes, I think I remembered classifying them as health science (HEAL). AMCAS reclassified them.

Clinical chemistry was reclassified as chemistry (CHEM).
Clinical hematology, immunohematology, and microbiology was reclassified as biology (BIOL).
Laboratory management courses remained as health science (HEAL).

 

[Buttercreme]

Glad I was directed to this thread.

Can't wait till I can contribute to it. Just got accepted into a MT/CLS Program and start in about 3 wks.

It is a Post-Bacc Program, already obtained my BS in Nursing.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

For all of my med tech classes, I think I remembered classifying them as health science (HEAL). AMCAS reclassified them.

Clinical chemistry was reclassified as chemistry (CHEM).
Clinical hematology, immunohematology, and microbiology was reclassified as biology (BIOL).
Laboratory management courses remained as health science (HEAL).

👍 Awesome, this is what I was hoping was the case but it is so confusing since there is the other category.

You've been a great help, been trying to figure out how to classify these classes for the past year.

 

[wutthechris]

Glad I was directed to this thread.

Can't wait till I can contribute to it. Just got accepted into a MT/CLS Program and start in about 3 wks.

It is a Post-Bacc Program, already obtained my BS in Nursing.

You decided to make less money? 😛

 

[lapelirroja]

I was a Medical Laboratory Science major (MLS). I just have to say that not all programs require you to "apply" to the clinical year, for some it is built in to the curriculum and everyone gets one--as it should be. So don't be scared off because you may not get a clinical spot...look into the particular programs around you and check out what their policies are. The hospitals around me are clamoring for MTs, and the program I graduated from in 2008 at a major university in Boston shut down last year....so they really need new MTs (whoops, sorry, I mean MLS).

Being an MLS major was TREMENDOUSLY helpful in helping me reach my goals. I was originally gunning for a career in research (MS or PhD) when I discovered during my junior year (actually my 4th year out of 5 in undergrad) that I wanted to do patient care and that research was too abstract for me. I applied to PA school, got in, and kicked major ass. My final GPA for 2 didactic years is a 3.93 and I scored 50 points above the national average on the pre-boards that PA students take (PACKRAT). Knowing clinical chemistry, hematology, medical microbiology, immunology, etc. and my time spent in a hospital laboratory was so very valuable, and I cannot recommend it enough. My program did not include Calculus or Physics but I did have 3 elective spots over my 5 year program where I could have inserted these courses. Organic Chem, Bio, Biochem, Genetics, etc. was all included. I start clinicals next week, and although sometimes I wish my background was more clinically oriented, I know I have a great science foundation to build upon during this next year before I become a full-fledged PA-C.

 

[BlameItOnTheOH]

I've been trying to figure out how to classify my MT courses forever - glad to see other people are in the same boat!

Heres my situation though....my undergrad paid for my MT internship (hospital-based, unaffiliated with my university) and the internship shows up on my undergrad transcript for some reason, as just a CR course. I have a hospital transcript with all my actual courses listed and grades, so I can have them send that in....but how do i actually get to list those courses since I cant add my MT internship as a "college"?

So confused....appreciate any response!

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I've been trying to figure out how to classify my MT courses forever - glad to see other people are in the same boat!

Heres my situation though....my undergrad paid for my MT internship (hospital-based, unaffiliated with my university) and the internship shows up on my undergrad transcript for some reason, as just a CR course. I have a hospital transcript with all my actual courses listed and grades, so I can have them send that in....but how do i actually get to list those courses since I cant add my MT internship as a "college"?

So confused....appreciate any response!

Does it show up on your schools transcript? If so just add it in with your school. If you get college credit for it, as far as AACOMAS is concerned it is "college"

 

[BlameItOnTheOH]

It does show up on my transcript...but its just there listed as Med Tech Clin Internship (no actual courses), but says hours earned is 0. So confused. Would it be okay to list courses like Hematology, etc..under that college? even though all that shows up on the transcript is Med Tech Clin Internship? And then should I just send the transcript with the actual course grades from the hospital internship even though its not listed anywhere?

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

It does show up on my transcript...but its just there listed as Med Tech Clin Internship (no actual courses), but says hours earned is 0. So confused. Would it be okay to list courses like Hematology, etc..under that college? even though all that shows up on the transcript is Med Tech Clin Internship? And then should I just send the transcript with the actual course grades from the hospital internship even though its not listed anywhere?

When in doubt I'd just list it as it is on the transcript, personally. Whether it was 0 CR or 15, if you just recieved "CR" it isn't going to affect your GPA either way.