As the demand for healthcare workers grows, the University of Illinois Springfield’s Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) bachelor’s degree program is proud to report a 100% job placement rate following graduation.
Medical laboratory scientists play a crucial role in the healthcare system by performing a wide range of laboratory tests and analyses on blood, body fluids and other samples that help diagnose, treat and prevent diseases.
“The United States is currently experiencing a nationwide critical need for medical laboratory scientists,” said Andrea Jensen, UIS assistant professor and MLS program director. “An MLS career is great for those folks who want to work in healthcare, maybe don't want to have so much contact with patients, but still want to do their part to help patients and help their communities. It's a great profession."
MLS students spend their first two years at UIS completing general education requirements. During their junior year, students complete their laboratory courses, followed by clinical learning experiences at affiliate laboratories during their senior year.
Senior MLS major Chelsea Cavenaile said she’s learned a lot from the program. She transferred to UIS after earning her associate’s degree at Lincoln Land Community College.
“As an MLS, you get to do all the testing,” Cavenaile said. “You get to find out what the bacteria is; you get to find out what's going on with the person. I think that's pretty cool to see the more behind-the-scenes stuff. It’s like a mystery.”
Cavenaile is currently completing her clinical learning experience at Springfield Memorial Hospital, where she’s learning a lot about working in a laboratory.
"Working in the lab, you get to see everything behind the scenes. So if you just go to the doctor and they take your blood or they take your urine, and then they just send it off, and then you just find out. I like to know what goes on beyond that,” she said.
Cavenaile points out that an MLS degree can allow students to work in exciting fields, such as forensics. Students can also use the degree to go on to medical school or become a physician’s assistant.
She has already recommended the UIS program to a few of her friends because of the hands-on learning and attention given to students.
“There's a lot of support from the professors,” she said. “They work with you a lot. They don't want you to fail; they want you to succeed, and you get to do something you love.”