What is the difference between cls and mlt

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In , the two agencies sought to eliminate the redundancy and merged as the ASCP Board of Certification, providing a singular certification under a new title: medical laboratory scientist MLS. Please note that there is a difference between these titles and that of a medical technician. While they all perform many of the same general tasks, a medical technician generally conducts less complex tests and has less education than their MLS, CLS, and MT counterparts.

Search For Schools. According to the BLS , there are , medical technologists and clinical laboratory scientists practicing in the US. Since technologists generally earn more than technicians, an MT or CLS will land on the higher end of this salary spectrum. Expected Job Growth Job openings in the U. The BLS projects some 19, jobs will be added for medical technologists and clinical laboratory scientists by Program Details Four-year medical laboratory science programs cover a mix of core subjects, such as biology, chemistry, anatomy, and math, before adding in complex laboratory courses that go over hematology, immunology, parasitology, and more.

An important consideration for a degree program is how it prepares its graduates to begin work as an MT or CLS. Expected job growth 33 percent from to , much faster than average for all occupations, according to the BLS. Number of new positions expected to be available by 47, 22, Degree requirements Technicians need to have a postsecondary certificate or an associate degree, reports the BLS.

Some postsecondary certificate programs are also available, but not all programs may be accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Scientists.

Be sure to check before enrolling, as accreditation can be important to certification. Some of these degrees also can be found online. Post-baccalaureate certificates also can be found through some schools. Also, there are some online MLS programs. Program details Students take courses in areas such as blood banking, clinical chemistry, hematology, and microbiology.

Students may also learn about equipment and technology, safety standards and diagnostic testing. Many schools have labs in which students can practice and become skilled in lab work.

Some programs build from the ground-up while others accept MLT students who are interested in completing a four-year degree. Often, these experiences are done under the mentorship of an MLS in a real-life lab setting.

Some of the certifications available at the technologist level include: Blood bank Chemistry Cytogenics Cytotechology Hematology Histotechnologist Medical biology Microbiology Medical lab scientist Graduating from an accrediting program is often part of eligibility requirements. Similarly, students can find links for state licensing requirements here. Re-certification and re-licensing Recertification and relicensing can vary per state, so the certification board or state licensing agency should be contacted for more information.

Those who received certification through the ASCP are required to take specific steps to maintain their certification every three years. Because recertification and relicensing can vary per state, the initial certification board or state licensing agency should be contacted for more details.