Clinical Laboratory Science Option Including Postbaccalaureate Certification

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Clinical Laboratory Science is an interesting, challenging and rewarding profession. Laboratory tests performed to aid physicians in their diagnosis and treatment of patients are done under the direction of clinical laboratory scientists. Working in a hospital, clinic, research laboratory, physician’s office or public health laboratory, they are responsible for a variety of chemical, hematological, immunological, microbiological, serological and other laboratory procedures.

Medical laboratory professionals have unlimited choices of practice settings and a critical shortage of qualified personnel exists throughout the nation. Positions are open now in all areas of the country. In the years to come, the major areas of scientific exploration will include the immune system, cell marker technology, bioengineering, DNA technology and cancer research. In the clinical area, drug testing, therapeutic drug monitoring and biogenetics are just a few of the specialties with openings. In commercial businesses and industries, there are positions available in marketing and sales of laboratory equipment and products as well as research and development of new technology.

Health care is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. More than a quarter million people work in medical laboratory services alone. As our population grows older and medical knowledge expands, there is an increasing need for highly skilled and educated professionals. Despite this growth, there is a national shortage of Clinical Laboratory Scientists (a higher percentage deficit than for any other health-care professional-including nursing). This shortage is likely to increase in the next decade as programs close while the need continues to expand.

At Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, you will find well equipped classroom and laboratory facilities where you will spend most of the time learning the principles and theories of clinical laboratory science. These courses are taught by qualified faculty at the University who are knowledgeable in all areas of the clinical laboratory. The classes are small, and the faculty is dedicated to quality instruction and interaction with the students. In addition, you will spend the summer of your final year in various clinical laboratories throughout the city, including a children’s hospital, an independent laboratory and several large city hospitals. This provides a diversity of experience and provides a basis for choosing working circumstances upon completion of this program.

Information at a Glance:

Option: Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science
Certification Possibilities:

• General Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist)
• Medical Microbiologist
• Clinical Chemist

Program/Major: Biomedical Sciences (degree conferred is Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences)
Department: Life Sciences
College: Science and Technology
Institution: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Tenured/Tenure-track Faculty with Doctoral Degrees and CLS Certification:

• Christina K. Thompson, Ed.D. (Director of CLS) — MT (ASCP), SBB (ASCP)
• Kenneth Ihenetu, Ph.D. — FIBMS (London), CC (NRCC)
• Lillian Waldbeser, Ph.D. — MT (ASCP), SBB (ASCP)

Current Clinical Affiliates:

• Christus Spohn Health System:
  • Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial
  • Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Shoreline
  • Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-South
  • Christus Spohn Hospital Kleberg
  • Christus Spohn Hospital Alice
  • Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville
• Corpus Christi Medical Center:
  • Corpus Christi Medical Center-Bay Area
  • Corpus Christi Medical Center-Doctors Regional
• Coastal Bend Women's Center
• Driscoll Children's Hospital

Maximum number of students in program: 48 (12 in each grade level) This number is based on access to equipment, the number of faculty and the availablity of clinical affiliates. The student population is a mixture of…

• Full-time and part-time B.S./Certification Pre-CLS students who will earn their first degree from A&M-Corpus Christi
• Full-time and part-time B.S./Certification Pre-CLS students (with A.S. degrees from other institutions) in the CLT-CLS articulation
• Postbaccalaureate students (with non-CLS B.S. degrees) seeking training and certification.

For more information about Clinical Laboratory Science, visit the Biomedical Sciences Program website:
http://lsci.tamucc.edu/bims

… or contact the Director of Clinical Laboratory Science, Dr. Christina Thompson

Clinical Laboratory Science at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is accredited by the: