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Mission

The Medical Laboratory Science Program is committed to providing an education program consistent with the essentials outlined by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). The program provides an educational experience for the development of responsible, competent entry-level professionals in medical laboratory science.

Goals

The program goals of the ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Medical Laboratory Science program are to:

• Provide an educational program within the framework of the University setting in accordance with the Standards of Accredited Programs for the Medical Laboratory Scientist as established by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS).
• Provide adequate numbers of entry level medical laboratory scientists to meet the workforce needs of the state of South Dakota, the region and the nation.
• Provide the health care community with quality individuals who are competent to conduct laboratory procedures in large medical facilities and small rural laboratories and who demonstrate positive professional attitudes, ethics and practices.

The ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Medical Laboratory Science program will meet these goals by:

• Providing a curriculum which includes a general or liberal education, content specific theory and applications, technical knowledge, professionalism and clinical competence to successfully complete a national registry exam.
• Assisting students in career placement by providing academic and occupational advisement
• Instilling in students a sense of professionalism, commitment to lifelong learning and academic excellence
• Preparing students to successfully enter the health care field as competent entry level professionals that communicate well, appreciate social diversity and possess a genuine compassion and concern for others.

Avera Health Network

• Avera DeSmet, DeSmet
• Avera Marshall, Marshall, Minnesota
• Avera McKennan Regional Laboratory, Sioux Falls
• Avera Queen of Peace Health Services, Mitchell
• Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton
• Avera St. Luke's Hospital, Aberdeen
• Avera St. Mary's Hospital, Pierre

Private and Government Affiliates

• Black Hills VA Health System, Hot Springs
• Douglas County Hospital, Alexandria, Minnesota
• Essentia Health, Brainerd, Minnesota
• Huron Regional Medical Center, Huron
• Madison Community Hospital, Madison
• Prairie Lakes Health Care System, Watertown
• Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City
• VA Regional Medical Center, Sioux Falls

Sanford Health Network

• Sanford Health System Clinic, Alexandria, Minnesota
• Placement is available at other Sanford Health facilities upon approval.

Clinical Experience Placement

The number of students placed in the clinical experience (on campus program) is based on capacity of the clinical facilities to accommodate students. If there are not enough clinical sites to accommodate all students in a given year, selection will be based on the student’s academic and numerical ranking determined by program officials. Every effort is made to ensure admitted students of placement for training within the capabilities of the university. However, ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ cannot guarantee that events beyond its control such as natural disasters, labor disputes, war, etc. might not prevent a student’s completion of a clinical experience.

Upon successful completion of the Medical Laboratory Sciences program, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam. The major certification exam is offered by the (ASCP) Board of Certification. Application information is available from their website. The student is recommended to take the exam. Taking or passing the board examination is not a prerequisite for graduation from South Dakota State University. However, board certification is usually required for employment in most facilities.

There is currently no state licensure for laboratory professionals in South Dakota. However, many states do require licensure (see ). Most of the states that require licensure will recognize certification as a MLS (ASCP)