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The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program is celebrating Medical Laboratory Professionals Week:
April 20-26, 2025

Check out the puzzles and games at the Lab Week table in St. Francis lobby to win a prize!

Medical laboratory professionals week began in 1975 and is now celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Laboratory test results constitute an estimated 70% of the patient’s medical records and are vital to the diagnosis and treatment of illness and disease. Did you know that 70% of medical decisions are based on laboratory findings?

Laboratory testing is performed by both medical laboratory technicians and medical laboratory scientists. There are approximately 300,000 practitioners of medical laboratory science in the United States. Since the development of this career in the 1920s, the medical laboratory science professional has played an increasingly vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease. Today, the medical laboratorian is a key member of the health care team.

Medical laboratory practitioners analyze body specimens using sophisticated instruments and computers along with specialized knowledge and learned techniques. Laboratory testing includes complete blood counts, coagulation testing, blood typing and compatibility testing, chemistry panels, therapeutic drug monitoring, tumor markers, hormone levels, hepatitis testing, and a variety of cultures for the detection of microorganisms. Though the majority of the work performed in the laboratory occurs behind the scenes, the role of the laboratory professional is crucial when it comes to delivering the fast and reliable test results essential to patient care. Opportunities for work exist in hospital laboratories, clinics, forensic laboratories, veterinary clinics, biotechnology and industrial research laboratories.

ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ offers a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science that will prepare professionals to enter this exciting field. For more information, please contact Deborah Fox, program director at Deborah.Fox@franu.edu.