California currently faces an acute shortage of certified Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS) to meet the immediate and growing workforce need within the life science and healthcare industries.
The growing workforce demand for CLS professionals is due in part to the emerging molecular diagnostics and personalized genomics industry in California. In companies statewide, clinical professionals perform analyses that provide diagnostic and prognostic information. In addition, these companies hire clinical laboratory professionals to validate and certify their new products. Molecular diagnostics products are integral to the practice and promise of personalized medicine, which aims to reduce healthcare costs and increase the efficacy and safety of biopharmaceutical products.
Laboratories and companies that test human samples and specimens must comply with federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations. Consequently professionals working in these laboratories must be licensed to practice, requiring specialized training and education.
Job titles and licensure for clinical laboratory sciences are varied - from cytogenetics to cytotechnology to medical technician to generalist clinical laboratory scientist. Visit the National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Laboratory Sciences webpage (NAACLS) for more career information. See the California Department of Health Laboratory Field Services to find California licensing information and approved laboratory training programs. See also the Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT) webpage for more career information on the cytogenetics sub-specialty.
To get a sense of Clinical Laboratory Scientist jobs available in California today, click here.
The CSU is addressing this severe shortage in California by offering baccalaureate programs specializing in Clinical Laboratory Science, leading to licensure in California by the Department of Public Heath's Laboratory Field Services. Other baccalaureate programs help prepare students for post-baccalaureate certificate programs that have been approved and accredited by NAACLS and involve training at CLIA licensed laboratories.
Bachelor of Science with Clinical Laboratory Sciences Option
The Clinical Laboratory Sciences emphasis is designed to provide the basic course requirements to prepare students to meet the entrance requirements for post-baccalaureate study in clinical laboratory science in a state-licensed training laboratory and/or NAACLS Approved Program.
For more information contact: Department of Biology, Kathy Szick-Miranda at (661) 654-6165 or (661) 654-6956 or visit program information flyer 
.
Bachelor of Science in Biology with Emphasis in Clinical Laboratory Science
Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Clinical Laboratory Science prepares students for further clinical training and California License Exam in Clinical Laboratory Science or for training and certification in Public Health Microbiology.
For more information contact: Jessyka Dalton at
(805) 437-2779
or biology@csuci.edu or visit program website .
Bachelor of Science in Biology with Emphasis in Medical Imaging
The Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Medical Imaging prepares students for graduate or professional study in the medical sciences (medical imaging, medical physics, health physics, dosimetry, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, oncology, biomedical engineering), or for entry into professional positions in the clinical environment and in medical imaging research and development.
For more information contact: Jessyka Dalton at
(805) 437-2779
or biology@csuci.edu or visit program website .
Bachelor of Science in Clinical Science - Cytotechnology Option or Medical Technology Option
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Clinical Science is designed to provide baccalaureate level didactic and clinical practica in the clinical science professions. A strong clinical experience is combined with a science base within the liberal arts and sciences focus of the University. Course work dealing with automation, management, laws affecting laboratory and health care services, and ethics of patient care are encompassed within the curriculum leading to professional certification. Graduates of the program, upon passage of the appropriate certification examination(s), are considered to be health professionals armed with the technical skills and knowledge theory necessary to meet current and future standards of quality laboratory and health care services practice.
There are two professional clinical options: Cytotechnology and Medical Technology. The clinical or internship components of all options are offered under the supervision of university faculty, in affiliation with approved, accredited health care facilities.
For more information contact: Cheryl Jackson-Harris, Program Coordinator at (310) 243-3748 or visit the CSU Dominguez Hills catalog .
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Medical Technology Track
The Medical Technology track prepares students for the clinical year of training and the California License exam in Clinical Laboratory Science or for training and Certification in Public Health Microbiology. It is designed to meet the State academic requirements for Clinical Lab Science (Medical Technology) or Public Health Microbiology. Students who complete the course sequence for Medical Technology will be prepared to apply for the clinical year of training in Clinical Lab Science or to begin a career in industry or government.
For more information visit: program website .
Bachelor of Science with Clinical Laboratory Science Concentration
Visit program website for more information.
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with Clinical Laboratory Science Concentration
For more information contact: Jane Bruner at bruner@biology.csustan.edu or
209-667-3485
or visit program website .
Bachelor of Science in Microbiology with Clinical Laboratory Science emphasis
For more information contact: Marlene De Mers at mdemers@sciences.sdsu.edu or visit the program website.
