C.W. Post Degree Qualifies for New State Medical Technologist License

March 23, 2005 - Brookville, N.Y. – Now that clinical laboratory science has been designated a licensed profession in New York State, the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University expects increased interest in its well-established accredited clinical laboratory science degree program, campus administrators said.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science with a concentration in Clinical Laboratory Science is offered at the C.W. Post School of Health Professions and Nursing.  The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science and will qualify graduates to meet the standards established by the New York State Clinical Laboratory Practice Act, said Program Director Angela Meisse.

“Graduates from our Clinical Laboratory Science program are eagerly sought after by clinical agencies and readily employed.  State licensure brings long-deserved professional status to clinical laboratory technologists,” Meisse said. “CLS professionals are the detectives that solve many mysteries of disease. Their skilled analysis of blood, bone marrow and other body fluids saves lives every day.”

As an important part of the health care team, clinical laboratory scientists use sophisticated equipment to perform tests on cells, tissue and blood to unlock mysteries of human health. They evaluate and analyze test results to provide physicians with critical information for use in the diagnosis and treatment of patients’ medical problems.

Early this year, Gov. George Pataki signed legislation making the position of clinical laboratory scientist, also known as medical technologist, a profession licensed by the New York State Education Department. The bill was sponsored in the state senate by Sen. Michael Balboni of East Williston.

Clinical laboratory scientists are in great demand nationwide. The period 1998-2008 is expected to see a need for 98,000 new CLS professionals, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2003, the last year for which data is available, the average salary for medical technologists was $51,190, according to the Bureau.

For more information, visit the School of Health Professions and Nursing Web site at www.liu.edu/health.