Biological Sciences
Department Re-establishes
Clinical Laboratory Scientist Training Program
"The Scientist", Fall 2002
Article originally published in the College of Science "The Scientist", Fall 2002.
First Class of Students Starts Fall 2002
 
It is an exciting time for the Department of Biological Sciences and its current
and prospective students. As the result of encouragement and support from the Northern
California Hospital Council and the huge demand for Clinical Laboratory Scientists
(CLS), the Department has re-instituted its CLS Training Program. The previous training
program, while highly regarded, was a casualty of the severe economic recession
of the early nineties. Both faculty and alumni are thrilled that San Jose State
University will once again train CLSs beginning this Fall.
The Need
Despite rising unemployment, hospitals around the country are experiencing critical
workforce shortages in their clinical laboratories. The growing shortage of licensed
Clinical Laboratory Scientists is of great concern because, in California, only
CLSs currently are allowed to perform the laboratory tests doctors use in their
diagnosis. In partnership with the Northern California Hospital Council, the Department
of Biological Science is working to combat this shortage. The shortage in laboratory
professionals came into being because of a convergence of economic forces. In the
late 80's and early 90's, many hospitals decreased their staff and closed their
CLS training programs to cope with the economic impact of managed care. College
counselors encouraged students interested in science to pursue careers in information
technology, a booming industry where jobs were plentiful. Also, in an effort to
cut costs, many colleges stopped offering courses (such as Hematology and Medical
Microbiology) required for entry into CLS training programs. As a result, many students
did not prepare for careers in the laboratory and applications to the few remaining
training programs decreased.
The situation has changed dramatically. Today, healthcare is the third fastest growing
industry in the nation. The demand for laboratory testing is predicted to grow as
the population ages and new molecular diagnostic techniques come into common use.
CLSs produce the test results critically important for two- thirds of all medical
decisions and yet increasingly, these professionals will be in short supply. In
addition, the biotech and pharmaceutical industries are competing with hospitals
and reference laboratories for these highly skilled workers.
The demographics of the current laboratory workforce ensure that the current crisis
is a mere taste of what is to come. In the next six to ten years in California alone,
10,000 CLSs are expected to retire. Currently, fewer than 40 CLS students are trained
in California each year. The San Jose State University CLS training program (operating
at full capacity) will nearly double the number CLS students trained each year in
California.
SJSU CIS trainees will enroll in 12 months of post-baccalaureate work. After the
successful completion of practical and lecture courses, students will be eligible
to take the California CLS licensing exam. Individuals with a bachelor's degree
and the required prerequisite courses are encouraged to apply. For details about
the prerequisites or for a program application write to cls@science.sjsu.edu.
Applications are due six to eight months before the September and March start dates.
By Mara Williams
For more in information go to www.sjsu.edu/cls/
Related article Connecting with Alumni:Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program.
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