This I think has to do with competition more than anything else. Many pathologists are really not equipped to direct a lab technically. Their expertise might be in diagnosis and even in test selection. I was part of a group of a group pushing for DCLS for many years. The DCLS has the requisite body of knowledge, the technical expertise and the experience to direct a clinical laboratory. I go so far as to say that if I had to choose, the DCLS is often times MORE qualified to direct today's laboratory than any other doctorate. As I said, this is not based on logic or facts; it's a reactive knee-jerk reaction to possible competition.
Hello Dr. Bell … you mentioned that you went up the ranks and served once as a lab director before you receive your DCLS. I’m sure your doctorate degree is very much an advantage but do you feel your experience and your degree at that time was inadequate to be be a good admin lab director?
I am in support of DCLS as lab director. However, the current criteria to enter a DCLS program is for generalist only. I personally do not feel a generalist DCLS is qualified to run a molecular lab. However, a molecular CLS specialist who were to graduate with a DCLS would be. I think there needs to be more discussion regarding this degree option and how it can help the field and I think it doesn’t need to be limited to only generalist. I believe having a specialist field option would be extremely more helpful in the industry.
There are clinical fellowships for molecular scientists. Molecular specialty labs most likely won't even consider to hire anyone who hasn't completed one of those clinical fellowships as their LD. Those fellowships are only offered to MD/DO pathologists or PhD graduates. I don't ever see them allowing DCLS graduates to be part of those.
I’m 22 and I want to become a lab director. Any good advice ? I’ve been considering a PhD in clinical lab science from UTMB what are y’all’s thoughts on the program.
Medical Laboratory Scientists have contributed alot and it unfair see some healthcare providers standing on the path of career ladder of DCLSs. Are there plans to have College for DCLSs where all practicing DCLSs will be registered as Fellows? There is need for DCLSs Fellowship. There is need for DCLSs trained in different institutions to be sharing information and making contributing to a membership college. Am not comfortable to see DCLSs using MLS as if they only have undergraduate degree. It's time to register all practicing DCLSs as Fellows. Fellow of College of Advanced Clinical Laboratory Scientists (FCACSc or FCACliSc) Or Fellow of the College of Doctors of Clinical Laboratory Science (FCDoCliSc).
