The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Training Program at Scripps Health in San Diego offers an intensive, full-time, 12-month educational program for Clinical Laboratory Scientists, providing didactic and practical instruction in all major discipline sections of a large health system clinical lab. Training encompasses performance and evaluation of routine lab tests as well as high-complexity laboratory procedures. The Scripps program is approved by the California Department of Public Health - Laboratory Field Services and has been awarded full accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). NAACLS can be contacted at 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL, 60018-5119, by phone at 773-714-8880 or by email at info@naacls.org.
Completion of the Scripps CLS Training Program and receipt of a passing score on the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) MLS generalist exam, or other qualifying certification exam, meets CLS licensing requirements in California as well as confers a national MLS certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Refer to the Clinical Laboratory Scientist License (CLS) (Examinations section).
Our program produces highly qualified graduates who are ready to immediately enter the clinical laboratory profession. Our staff includes clinical instructors who are knowledgeable and experienced clinical laboratory scientists, as well as physicians, leaders and other professionals who embrace the role of educator. In keeping with the Scripps mission, we educate trainees in a caring environment and mentor them to make a positive difference in the communities we serve.
Currently, our CLS program does not charge a tuition. Just as Scripps believes all patients should have access to affordable and quality health care, we believe future scientists should have access to affordable and quality education. Please note that students are responsible for costs associated with housing, transportation, textbooks, licensing/certification exam fees, immunizations required for health clearance and medical insurance. A stipend is not offered at this time.
The mission of the Scripps Health Clinical Laboratory Scientist Training program is to provide a program that uses proven educational methodologies to teach best practices in clinical laboratory medicine in both theory and practice, to continuously strive for improvement in outcomes, and to graduate competent, highly skilled professionals who are passionate about quality patient care and outcomes.
Program goals were developed in alignment with our program’s mission, vision and objectives. The goals of the training program are to provide an educational experience for the clinical laboratory science trainees so that graduates will:
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will transition to a contributing member of the healthcare team, providing quality, timely and cost-effective laboratory results and consult to healthcare providers. The graduate will continue to grow in knowledge and skills, become involved in process improvements, and support the profession through mentorship and publicity.
A clinical laboratory scientist is a health care professional who performs a variety of chemical, hematological, immunologic, microscopic and bacteriological diagnostic analyses on body fluids, such as blood, urine, sputum, stool, cerebrospinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, synovial fluid and other specimens.
A CLS uses sophisticated biomedical instrumentation and technology. The role requires a blend of manual dexterity and reasoned judgement to provide accurate laboratory results that form the basis of approximately 70-80% of all medical decisions.
Clinical lab scientists are qualified to pursue laboratory and leadership careers in many environments, including hospitals and clinics, reference and forensic institutions, industry (such as biotech and research), and public health. This role is also referred to as a medical laboratory scientist (MLS) or medical technologist (MT).
You might be asking yourself, “Is a clinical laboratory scientist a good career for me?” A clinical laboratory scientist is a good career for people who enjoy the intrigue and challenge of science and medicine while making a difference behind the scenes by contributing to the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Why seek CLS training opportunities at Scripps Health over the many CLS programs in California? As a legacy organization in San Diego, Scripps is consistently honored for clinical innovation, quality care and leadership.
In recent years, Scripps has been recognized by:
One hundred percent (100%) of the graduates of the Scripps Health CLS program have found employment in the clinical laboratory professional field. Most are employed in a hospital setting, where their skills have led to positions as a generalist CLS, who is competent in many areas of the lab. Others have moved directly into specialty areas, such as microbiology, molecular diagnostics and immunology.
Overall, Scripps is invested in professional growth and training, with specialty nursing programs and fellowships and residencies in medicine to name a few. Our commitment to professional education and advancement is highlighted on the For Health Care Professionals webpage. You can search current job openings on our careers portal.
Scripps has a long history of teaching clinical laboratory professionals and had hosted its own CLS program in the past. Since 2009, the Scripps Lab has provided practical training experiences for medical laboratory technicians and phlebotomists. After revitalizing full lab practical training for clinical laboratory scientists in 2016 under a program partnership with the San Diego CLS Training Program Consortium, Scripps program then became fully autonomous in 2020.
Since 2016, Scripps Health CLS program trainees have achieved a 100% pass rate on a California qualifying certification exam.
