The Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science: CLS Education beyond the Baccalaureate

Elizabeth Kenimer Leibach

doi:10.29074/ascls.21.2.78

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Elizabeth Kenimer Leibach⇑
1. is chair and associate professor in the Department of Biomedical and Radiological Technologies, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta GA

Address for correspondence: Elizabeth Kenimer Leibach EdD MS CLS MT(SBB), chair and associate professor, Department of Biomedical and Radiological Technologies, EC 2437 Medical College of Georgia, Augusta GA 30912-0500. (706) 721-3046, (706) 721-7631 (fax). ekenimer{at}mcg.edu.

Extract

The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) has clearly articulated the responsibilities of the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS):

“Missing within the continuity of healthcare are enough scientists and physicians within the clinical laboratory or elsewhere on the healthcare team, who are totally dedicated to and who have the breadth of knowledge and assigned authority essential to the ordering of appropriate laboratory tests, the effective use of laboratory test information, effective consultation with other healthcare team members, direct communication with patients, review of patient records, and interpretation/application of laboratory generated information in reference to clinical signs and symptoms. A clinical laboratory science professional holding a doctoral degree (DCLS) is needed to provide the critical interface across the healthcare system in order to assure improved patient outcomes and cost effective patient care.”¹

At some level, all who have needed healthcare recognize the need for an individual to function in our healthcare system as described above.² In fact, the need for interpretation of laboratory information related to appropriate patient assessment is a growing need worldwide. In a recent publication in an online global news service, the point was made and supported with survey data that confusion over test-ordering practices in Great Britain places patients at risk.³ Blame for the confusion was attributed to lack of clinical pathology education in the medical curriculum.

With the design and implementation of the DCLS, the clinical laboratory science profession has claimed and accepted responsibility for the quality of the information provided by the clinical…

ABBREVIATIONS: ASCLS = American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science; CLS = clinical laboratory science; DCLS = doctorate in clinical laboratory science; NAACLS = National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.