Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory Science
Gain the skills you need to be a qualified laboratory professional.
The mission of the Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory Science is to recruit, educate and prepare highly competent medical laboratory scientists to serve their patients in the healthcare profession while demonstrating high ethical standards.
Ever wonder what happens after a blood, urine or swabbed sample is collected for medical diagnostic testing? It’s analyzed by a medical laboratory scientist trained specifically in the method of testing needed to provide diagnostic information to medical care providers so they can determine treatment care plans for patients.
Gain the skills you need to be a qualified laboratory professional at Geisinger's School of Medical Laboratory Science.
Ready to apply?
The application cycle for the Class of 2025 is expected to open from January to March 2024.
Why choose Geisinger?
Program values
At the Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory Science, we value:
Kindness: We treat everyone as we would hope to be treated.
Excellence: We treasure colleagues who humbly strive for excellence.
Safety: We provide a safe environment for our patients, members and the Geisinger family.
Learning: We share our knowledge with the best and brightest to better prepare the caregivers of tomorrow.
Innovation: We constantly look for new and better ways to care for our patients, our members, our communities and the nation.
Program vision
To transform laboratory workforce education using innovative, evidence-based practices to develop well-trained, highly competent healthcare professionals, committed to providing quality care.
Program outcomes
Class graduation rates, certification exam pass rates and job placement rate will be posted here and updated annually 90 days after graduation.
Program information
What is a medical laboratory scientist?
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences describes the medical laboratory scientist profession this way:
The medical laboratory scientist is qualified by academic and applied science education to provide service and research in clinical laboratory science and related areas in rapidly changing and dynamic healthcare delivery systems. Medical laboratory scientists perform, develop, evaluate, correlate and assure accuracy and validity of laboratory information; direct and supervise clinical laboratory resources and operations; and collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The medical laboratory scientist has diverse and multi‐level functions in the principles, methodologies and performance of assays; problem‐solving; troubleshooting techniques; interpretation and evaluation of clinical procedures and results; statistical approaches to data evaluation; principles and practices of quality assurance/quality improvement; and continuous assessment of laboratory services for all major areas practiced in the contemporary clinical laboratory.
Medical laboratory scientists possess the skills necessary for financial, operations, marketing, and human resource management of the clinical laboratory. Medical laboratory scientists practice independently and collaboratively, being responsible for their own actions, as defined by the profession. They have the requisite knowledge and skills to educate laboratory professionals, other health care professionals, and others in laboratory practice as well as the public.
The ability to relate to people, a capacity for calm and reasoned judgment and a demonstration of commitment to the patient are essential qualities. Communications skills extend to consultative interactions with members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education.
Medical laboratory scientists demonstrate ethical and moral attitudes and principles that are necessary for gaining and maintaining the confidence of patients, professional associates, and the community.
Program goals
The goals of the Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory science are:
- Provide education, guidance and background necessary for 100% first time pass rate on ASCP BOC MLS Exam for graduates of the program.
- Provide opportunities for career advancement for interested and qualified Geisinger employees.
- Provide educational opportunities for Geisinger community members, including available placement locations for qualitied candidates in area 3+1 MLS programs.
- Provide 100% of program graduates with the skills and guidance to secure entry-level positions in hospital and private clinical laboratories, medical and science research laboratories and medical industry positions within one month of graduation.
- Provide an excellent educational experience for Geisinger students, team members and partners.
- Equip and promote continuous education for both instructors and professionals in current and innovative evidence-based practices.
Accreditation
The Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory Science is seeking Accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
The Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory Science submitted an Initial Accreditation Packet in Aug. 2023, and expects NAACLS to Approve the Initial Accreditation Application no later than March 30, 2024.
The Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory Science expects to achieve Serious Applicant Status from NAACLS no later than Nov. 1, 2024. All students who graduate from a Medical Laboratory Scientist program in Serious Applicant Status from NAACLS are eligible to apply for the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Certification Exam from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) and upon passing the certification exam will become Medical Laboratory Scientists.
Questions about program accreditation or the accreditation process may be addressed to:
NAACLS
5600 N. River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone: 773-714-8880
Fax: 773-714-8886
Email: info@naacls.org
Website: naacls.org
Program affiliations
The Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory Science is seeking affiliations with the following universities:
• Bloomsburg University
• East Stroudsburg University
• Kings’ College
• Lock Haven University
• Marywood University
• Misericordia University
• Penn State University Park
• The University of Scranton
• Wilkes University
Questions about current or former affiliation agreements can be addressed to the program director:
Marianne T. Downes Ph.D. MLS (ASCP)CM
100 N. Academy Ave.
Mail code 19-20
Danville, PA 17822
570-214-6268
GSMLS@geisinger.edu
Academic calendar
Geisinger’s School of Medical Laboratory Science Program begins on-site classroom instruction the first full week of January and completes the second week of December. Instructional days are typically scheduled 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is no student instruction on Geisinger observed holidays and scheduled academic breaks.
Clinical rotations typically take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and didactic instruction on Thursday and Friday. Some clinical instruction may take place at alternate times to match workflow in those instructional areas and maximize your educational experience.
Each year’s schedule of didactic and clinical instruction will be published with the student handbook at orientation. Absences and observance of specific and religious holidays are addressed in the student attendance policy distributed in the student handbook. Questions regarding the academic calendar, attendance policy, and absences should be addressed to the program director.