The Association for Diagnostics and Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) has published an article highlighting the impact those who hold Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) degrees have on patient care, hoping to grow interest in the program.
The article breaks down the DCLS, defining it as a “a doctoral-level degree that focuses on increasing the value of diagnostics.” It was developed in 2014 to address laboratory staff shortages and to minimize errors. DCLS graduates are eligible to do research, be a part of interprofessional healthcare teams, and can hold the position of CLIA high-complexity laboratory director. They “work closely with clinicians to order and interpret tests, thereby accelerating and enhancing clinical practice.”
Currently, the degree is only offered at Rutgers University, the University of Texas Medical Branch, the University of Kansas, and the University of Cincinnati. Graduates move on to be laboratory directors, work in clinical education settings, and more. ADLM has started a DCLS Task Force to better support degree holders.
The article concludes with a quote from Michael Laposata, MD, PhD, professor of pathology at the University of Texas Medical Branch. “As more DCLS graduates enter the field, they forge connections that are greatly needed right now. We need people who can look at those lab test values and say, ‘Whoa, this cancer patient has congestive heart failure. That link has been missing for 40 years.”
