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Program Director

Derick Lim, MS, SC(ASCP)^CM, MLS(ASCP)^CM

Pennsylvania Hospital

Since its founding as the first hospital in the nation in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond, Pennsylvania Hospital has been an innovator in patient care, treatment techniques and medical research. It has established a national reputation for routine and high-risk obstetrics, care of high-risk newborns and multiple births, orthopaedics, cardiac care, neurosciences, hematology, oncology, urology, fertility care and behavioral health.

Pennsylvania Hospital, a 475-bed facility, admits more than 21,000 patients and handles 118,000 outpatient visits annually. As part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Pennsylvania Hospital provides training to some of the nation's leading medical professionals.

Medical Laboratory Science

Laboratory tests play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Medical laboratory scientists perform these tests on blood and other body fluids using a variety of sophisticated equipment. As a medical laboratory scientist, you will have the knowledge of physiological conditions that affect test results enabling you to report accurate data that can be used by the physician to determine the presence, extent, and cause of certain diseases.

Medical laboratory scientists may be employed by hospitals, independent laboratories, clinics, public health facilities, or private industry. They may perform technical duties as well as have supervisory or managerial responsibilities. Additional opportunities also exist in areas such as research, pharmaceuticals, molecular diagnostics, biotechnology, sales, and teaching.

School of Medical Laboratory Science at Pennsylvania Hospital

The School of Medical Laboratory Science functions within the general structure of the Ayer Clinical Laboratory and is supported as a part of a commitment to provide health care and education to the community. The program accepts nine students annually. Hospital Administration continues to support the program in its commitment to provide health education to the students. We have state-of-the-art technology to diagnose diseases and offer a stimulating and challenging atmosphere for our students and staff. The laboratory also operates a Pathology Residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Our program aims to provide students with an appreciation for the professional responsibility of rendering service to the sick and injured. Students are given both practical and theoretical training in various sections of the clinical laboratory. The practicum is a 11-month rotating program based on a 40-hour week, beginning in late August (Fall cohort) or January (Spring cohort). The program devotes six hours per week to formal lectures.

Students obtain practical experience through rotations in the following sections of the clinical laboratory:

• blood bank
• chemistry
• microscopy
• hematology
• microbiology
• immunology/virology
• urinalysis

View the list of courses offered in the School of Medical Laboratory Science »

Program Mission Statement

The Pennsylvania Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Science has a responsibility to:

• Provide quality education for students seeking a profession in Clinical Laboratory Science
• To develop in its students an appreciation of the professional responsibility of rendering service to the sick and injured

Program Goals

In order to achieve its mission, the Pennsylvania Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Science will:

• Maintain accreditation under the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• Provide state-of-the-art technology and a stimulating and challenging atmosphere for its students
• Immerse its students in the day to day responsibilities of laboratory staff who are committed to the mission, vision and values of Pennsylvania Hospital
• Provide the community with laboratory practitioners who have a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of clinical laboratory operation and management
• Prepare students for successful completion of national certification exam in medical laboratory science

View Ability to Meet Essential Functions of Program (pdf)

Program Outcome Measures

Graduation, Employment and Certification Rates:

MLS Program Handbook:

View the MLS Program Handbook (pdf)