The MLS Transition Guidebook: A Resource for Institutions to Embrace a Unified Nomenclature
By - January 08, 2025
Severe understaffing continues to challenge the medical laboratory profession, making public visibility essential for its future. However, raising awareness can be challenging when educational institutions, HR departments, and even licensing organizations all use different titles to describe the same profession. From Medical Technologists to Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS) to Biomedical Scientists, these varied titles lead to unnecessary confusion for students, professionals, and the public.
Fortunately, key professional and accrediting bodies in the laboratory field have agreed on a unified nomenclature for a four-year degree: Medical Laboratory Science (MLS).
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), along with numerous professional partner societies all agree that this title is the best choice to encapsulate the skills and credentials of the profession. And it aligns with the ASCP Board of Certification (ASCP BOC).
Embracing this standardization across the profession won’t happen overnight. But if educational programs adopt the MLS terminology for their degree programs and certifications, it will gain traction much faster.
Encouraging your institution to commit to such a significant change can feel daunting. That’s why ASCP, in collaboration with NAACLS, ASCLS, and the ASCP BOC, developed the Navigation Guide for Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program Title Change. This eBook provides program directors with practical steps for getting their institutions to agree to switch to the MLS standard.
Critical Values spoke with three laboratory professionals about the guidebook, how the name change process works, and why it’s so important.
Why was ‘Medical Laboratory Science’ chosen?
There are multiple reasons for choosing the title Medical Laboratory Science. One major factor is the respect and confidence it instills, explains Marisa James, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, Chief Executive Officer, NAACLS.
“Medical Laboratory Scientist most accurately reflects the education and skills required for the role, and distinguishes us as professionals deserving of respect,” she says. “It’s important to emphasize that we are scientists in our field.”
Other options just didn’t have the same impact.
For example, the term Clinical Laboratory Science wasn’t chosen because it’s now used for a broader categorization.
“NAACLS accredits multiple programs in the clinical laboratory sciences,” Ms. James says. “Medical Laboratory Science is one of those pathways.”
And while Medical Technologist used to be commonly used for certification, this term has become outdated.
“It leads to confusion, with ‘tech’ sometimes implying an entry-level position, diminishing the perception of our expertise,” she says. “My degree was a Medical Technologist before. But now if anybody calls to verify my credentials, I’m an MLS.”
The term medical technology is also increasingly associated with the actual computer technology itself, rather than with people, says Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SM (ASCP)CM, SVCM, MBCM, FACSc, Global Fellow, Regents’ Professor, Texas State University System, University Distinguished Chair and Professor, in the College of Health Professions, Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program.
Why is standardization important?
Not having a standardized title has hurt the profession’s visibility, says Sue Johnson, MSTM, MLS(ASCP)SBBCM, Nomenclature Task Force Chair and ASCP BOC BOG Past Chair.
“Even the Bureau of Labor Statistics didn’t know what to call us,” she says. “They ended up using a job title about our profession that nobody uses.”
This can cause a whole host of issues. When a job applicant’s degree doesn’t match a listing’s requirements, HR departments might wrongly think they aren’t qualified. Or if a student wants an MLS degree and your program uses a different name, they might go somewhere else.
“Every individual student counts,” Ms. Johnson says. “If your program doesn’t have the MLS name, and a student doesn’t know what CLS or MT means, they might not find you.”
Currently, the NAACLS Board of Directors isn’t mandating that programs change their names, Ms. James says. Doing so was determined to be outside the scope of accreditation and could inadvertently lead to citations which could cause programs to lose their accreditation. Instead, it’s up to laboratory professionals to realize why the move is important and advocate for it.
How the guidebook works
The Navigation Guide for Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program Title Change provides a step-by-step overview, guiding you through the process of changing your program’s title to MLS. It provides supporting documentation, including statistics you can use when creating a purpose statement to present to your administrators.
“If you’re going to your dean or a committee, there’s a lot of documentation on why the name change is important,” Ms. Johnson says. “If anybody is worried they don’t have enough evidence, we have that for them.”
Dr. Rohde was a key player in creating this guidebook. He led Texas State University’s name change to MLS. And while doing so, he documented the steps he took and included them in the MLS guidebook.
“Our goal was to help other programs around the country have an example,” he says. “Programs need a straightforward process to help reduce concern, or even fear, of going through a name change. In most academic settings, these changes bring about bureaucratic red tape and additional workloads that can sometimes be a major challenge.”
That’s why the guidebook is so important. Having helpful steps and documentation at your fingertips can make everything feel less overwhelming.
Support for taking the next step
If you’re hesitant about putting in the time to change your program’s name, Ms. James encourages you to take the plunge.
“This change is about personal and professional pride,” she says. “It ensures the education and expertise we bring to the table is not underestimated.”
Dr. Rohde says he’s happy to speak with anyone who wants to start the name change process but feels hesitant.
“I’ll continue to be a champion for this change because I know how critical it is to our profession’s global, national, and local awareness,” he says. “I’m more than happy to answer any questions and talk about my journey if that helps other program leadership adopt this change.”
Remember: this standardization is about more than just changing the title of university programs and certifications. It’s about visibility, recognition, and the future of the profession.
“It’s about the success of your program,” Ms. Johnson says. “And it’s about the survival of our profession. We need to become more visible, and we need to speak with one voice. That starts with the universities.”
