For more information contact:
Email: clsinfo@gwu.edu
Phone: (202) 994-3186

Clinical Laboratory Science Bachelors Program

Mission and Focus

The primary goal of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program is to produce highly competent and professional clinical laboratory scientists who will be able to immediately enter the health care field and be prepared to comprehend future scientific and technological advances in clinical laboratory science.

The mission of the program is to:

• provide the student with superior courses in clinical laboratory science including theoretical and clinical education
• develop problem-solving skills
• facilitate the development of leadership and communication skills
• facilitate the development of the skills needed for response to future changes in the health care system and clinical laboratory science

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, students should be able to demonstrate entry-level competencies in the following areas of professional practice:

• developing and establishing procedures for collecting, processing, and analyzing biological specimens and other substances;
• performing analytical tests of body fluids, cells, and other substances;
• integrating and relating data generated by the various clinical laboratory departments while making decisions regarding possible discrepancies;
• confirming abnormal results, verifying quality control procedures, executing quality control procedures, and developing solutions to problems concerning the generation of laboratory data;
• making decisions concerning the results of quality control and quality assurance measures, and instituting proper procedures to maintain accuracy and precision;
• establishing and performing preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments as well as identifying appropriate sources for repairs;
• developing, evaluating, and selecting new techniques, instruments and methods in terms of their usefulness and practicality within the context of a given laboratory's personnel, equipment, space, and budgetary resources;
• demonstrating professional conduct and interpersonal skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and the public;
• establishing and maintaining continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence;
• providing leadership in educating other health personnel and the community;
• exercising principles of management, safety, and supervision;
• applying principles of educational methodology, and
• applying principles of current information systems.