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Learn More about Mayo Clinic's Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program

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Medical laboratory science graduates: Where are they now?

It became clear that we would experience some of the best of the best at Mayo. For instance, the teachers and educational specialists are experts in their fields and are always there for the students. They assist students far and beyond everything and make sure that each one of us are on track and no one is left behind.

Faisa Ahmed, MLS(ASCP)
Completed the program in 2015 and now works as a clinical laboratory technologist in the hematopathology morphology laboratory at Mayo Clinic

The rigorous curriculum was challenging in all the right ways, and opened doors that allowed me to form strong bonds with both the instructors and the fellow students. It was exciting to be lectured by some of the brightest minds in laboratory medicine, and I felt fortunate to receive such a strong base of knowledge to learn from.

Jamie Elvert, MLS(ASCP)
Completed the program in 2015 and now works as a clinical laboratory technologist in clinical microbiology at Mayo Clinic

The mentorship program was created to provide new students an opportunity to interact with recent graduates of the Medical Laboratory Science program and to help serve as a resource throughout the program. The mentors have various titles throughout the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, which provides a rich source of information not only about the Department but also the profession of Medical Laboratory Science at Mayo Clinic.

Nate Hines
Completed the program in 2009 and spearheaded the development of the Medical Laboratory Science Mentorship Program

Advancement opportunities for medical lab scientists

Abundant career opportunities are available for individuals with training and certification in medical laboratory science. Graduates may seek employment in a medical/clinical laboratory setting, the public health sector, or may elect to apply their skills in the biotechnology industry or in sales and marketing.

Medical laboratory scientists are highly sought after, and our program graduates have a 100% employment rate. Graduates may seek employment in a medical/clinical laboratory setting, the public health sector, or may elect to apply their skills in the biotechnology industry or in sales and marketing.

Career tracks

The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology's (DLMP) mission is to provide the highest quality laboratory and pathology services to the patients, physicians, and others we serve. At one of the largest laboratories in the world, more than 5,000 people work in more than 100 specialty laboratories and perform millions of tests each year.

Once you enter the field of medical lab science at Mayo Clinic, there are several advancement opportunities from which to choose:

Development technologist track

The development technologist track is designed for technically skilled technologists with several years of experience in the clinical laboratories. These technologists generally have honed their skills on routine diagnostic assays and are able to use those skills as a development technologist. In the Development Track, technologists spend their time developing new tests using either commercially available kits or Mayo Clinic-developed assays. They also develop and apply new technologies to existing tests. Individuals with the Development Track are also involved in writing scientific papers and presenting findings at local and national scientific meetings.

Technical track

The technical specialist track has been developed to encourage individuals to utilize their knowledge and expertise in such areas as computer systems, education, instrumentation, physician extenders, and quality assurance.

Professional opportunities in this track: Technical Specialist I and II and Technical Specialist Coordinator III.

Education track

The education track is designed for those individuals who have developed strong teaching and training skills in the clinical laboratories. In the Education Track, these specialists teach students, train employees, and design schedules and curriculum.

Professional opportunities in this track: Education Specialist I and II and Education Program Coordinator.

Quality track

The quality track is designed for individuals with outstanding attention to detail, record keeping, and analytical skills. Our quality specialists lead individual laboratory audits and inspections by national accrediting agencies.

Professional opportunities in this track: Quality Specialist I and II.

Management track

The management track is designed for those individuals who have developed strong skills at the bench and are interested in the "big picture" of leading a diagnostic laboratory. Individuals within this track develop a new set of skills, including skills that allow them to bridge the gap between the technical and the business sides of laboratory testing.