Clinical Laboratory Science Career Outlook 2010-2011
Clinical Laboratory Science Programs Available at Bemidji State:
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science (B.S.)
Department Website: http://www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/departments/biology
Major Highlights:
Clinical laboratory science solves problems associated with diagnostic medicine. Through laboratory work, research, and
supervisory activities, clinical laboratory scientists contribute to the accurate diagnosis of disease. The clinical laboratory
science program begins with three years of on-campus study in science, math, and liberal education. It concludes with a
fourth year of highly specialized training at a hospital school of clinical laboratory science accredited by the National
Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Permission to apply for the competitive fourth year positions
usually requires a 3.00 grade point average. Clinical areas of study include hematology, chemistry, immunology,
microbiology, immunohematology, and microscopy. Upon completion of the clinical year, students are eligible to take
the National Registry Examination of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and the National Certifying
Examination of Medical Technologists. Graduates of the program are in high demand and are prepared for technologist
and supervisory positions in hospital, clinical, and research laboratories. The Clinical Laboratory Science degree is also
appropriate preparation for graduate study in related careers such as biology, chemistry, and medicine.
Employment Areas:
The "Occupational Outlook Handbook" reports that Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians held about
330,600 jobs in 2010. About 52 percent of medical laboratory technologists and technicians were employed in hospitals.
Most others worked in doctors' offices or diagnostic laboratories.
Projected Demand for Clinical Laboratory Science Majors in Minnesota:
MnCareers reports that the outlook for medical and clinical lab technologists is fair, with 3,960 technologists employed in
Minnesota, and a median income of $28.80 per hour. Budget restraints are temporarily slowing hiring; however, there
will be strong demand to replace retirees.
Projected Demand for Clinical Laboratory Science Majors Nationwide:
The DISCOVER guidance system reports that the nationwide demand for medical technologists is increasing moderately
with a 1.6% expected growth rate per year. The starting salary for medical technologists averaged $33,500 per year from
2010 to 2011.
Placement Information for Clinical Laboratory Science Graduates:
There are many career opportunities for Bemidji State University clinical laboratory science graduates. Of the BSU 20092010 clinical laboratory science graduates, 100% reported obtaining related employment within one year of graduation.
This does not include students who were not seeking employment, furthering their education, unavailable, or had
unknown status.
A Partial List of Employers Who Have Reported Hiring BSU Clinical Laboratory Science
Graduates: (This list only includes employment within one year of graduation.)
Allina Health Systems
Department of Veterans Affairs
Fairvew Hospital
Falls Memorial Hospital
Medical Technologist
Medical Technologist
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Medical Technologist
Fridley, MN
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, MN
International Falls, MN
A Partial List of Employers Who Have Reported Hiring BSU Clinical Laboratory Science
Graduates Since 1997: (This list only includes employment within one year of graduation.)
Hennepin County Medical Center
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Sanford Health
St. Luke's Hospital
Veterans Medical Center
Medical Technologist
Clinical Lab Science
Medical Technologist
Clinical Lab
Medical Technologist
Medical Technologist
Minneapolis, MN
Rochester, MN
Rochester, MN
Bemidji, MN
Duluth, MN
Minneapolis, MN
Note 1: Some of the above job/career titles require advanced degrees or specialized training.
Note 2: Degrees alone do not get students jobs. Internships, summer jobs, volunteer work, part-time jobs, work-study
positions, and active participation in student organizations on campus are all ways to become more competitive in a
tight job market.
Note 3: Personal Competencies: it is also recommended that individuals be competent in a variety of communication
methods, and computer skills are a must.
Bibliography:
Annual Graduate Follow-Up Study 1997-2010. Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN (2011)
Bemidji State University Undergraduate Catalog 2011-2012. Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN (2011)
DISCOVER. The American Testing Program, Educational Technology Center, Hunt Valley, MD (2011)
MnCareers/iSeek. Research and Statistics Office, MN Dept. of Economic Security, St. Paul, MN (2011)
Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Dept. of Labor, JIST Publishing Inc., Indianapolis, IN (2010)
For more information, please contact the Career Services Office in 102 Sanford Hall
or call us at 218-755-2038 or toll free at 800-657-3726.