No matter what career choices they make, all medical laboratory professionals have certain common characteristics:

• They are problem solvers
• They like challenge and responsibility
• They are accurate, reliable, emotionally stable, work well under pressure, and are able to finish a task once started
• They communicate well, both in writing and speaking
• They set high standards for themselves and expect quality in the work they do.

But, above all, they are deeply committed to their profession, and are truly fascinated by all that science has to offer. Unlike many other careers, your education in medical laboratory science prepares you directly for a job. While you’re going to school, you can work part-time in a laboratory to earn extra money. And you could start working full-time the day after you graduate.

To prepare for a career as a laboratory professional you should have a solid foundation in high school sciences—biology, chemistry, math, and computer science.

You’ll need a combination of formal education plus clinical education in a laboratory science program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). There are a variety of these post–high school programs to choose from. Bring this brochure when you meet with your guidance counselor, or speak with the laboratory professionals at your local hospital or laboratory.

To be sure that laboratory personnel are competent and able to perform high-quality laboratory tests, the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) gives a national certification exam. Students take this exam after meeting their academic and laboratory education requirements. Those that pass the exam may use the initials MT, MLT, CT, HLT, HT, PA, or PBT after their names.

Scholarships
Through the generous contributions of its members and support from Dade Behring, Inc., the American Society for Clinical Pathology offers scholarships to qualified students enrolled in approved laboratory science educational and training programs. Scholarship selection criteria include academic achievement, leadership abilities and community activities, professional goals, and endorsements from faculty and community leaders. www.ascp.org/careerlinks/scholarships. www.dadebehring.com, Company, Scholarships.

Information Resources
Education/Training and Certification Requirements
ASCP Board of Registry
Mail: 33 W. Monroe St., Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603-5617
Phone: 312-541-4999 or (800) 621-4142
Email: bor@ascp.org
Web site: www.ascp.org/bor

Accredited Programs in Cytotechnology
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Mail: 515 N. State St., Suite 7530
Chicago, IL 60610-4377
Phone: 312-464-4624

Accredited Programs in Medical Laboratory Technology and Histologic Technology
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Mail: 8410 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 670
Chicago, IL 60631
Phone: 773-714-8880