The Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science: A View of Clinical Practice Development

Elizabeth Kenimer Leibach

doi:10.29074/ascls.21.4.196

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Elizabeth Kenimer Leibach⇑
1. is professor and chair 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), professor and chair, 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

Seminal reports refocusing the operational definition of quality in clinical laboratory services delivery have drawn attention to the need for a clinical laboratory science (CLS) practitioner of a new ilk.^1,2 The doctorate in CLS (DCLS) is the unique and clinically-based degree defining this new healthcare practitioner that will afford an unprecedented opportunity to coordinate laboratory information among all providers to better organize patient care and case management efforts for the entire interdisciplinary healthcare delivery team. Since utilization of laboratory information is foundational to the practice of all other healthcare providers, the DCLS will coordinate the integration of laboratory services as needed into the practices of other healthcare professionals and for the direct management of patients.

Postgraduate degrees are valued in the clinical laboratory industry from masters degrees in basic science, health education, and clinical laboratory management to doctorates (PhD) in specialty areas within the clinical laboratory such as immunology, biochemistry, and microbiology.^3,4 Missing from these specialty degrees is the doctoral-level CLS generalist who is prepared by a clinical laboratory-focused, patient-centered, and clinically-oriented curriculum to func tion in leadership roles in all aspects of the clinical laboratory industry. The ASCLS, through the DCLS Committee, continues to develop and implement educational programs for the DCLS accessible nationally and for the entire international community. The DCLS practitioner will be credentialed for practice at the doctoral level after graduating from an accredited program and successfully completing a certification examination.

Summarizing progress toward the goals of development and implementation, task forces of the American Society…

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.