Program Overview
The Inova Fairfax Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Science is a division of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. Established in 1963, we pride ourselves in graduating highly qualified medical laboratory scientists who are competent to enter the laboratory profession. Our staff includes dedicated and experienced clinical instructors, laboratory scientists, physicians, and administrators, all of whom participate in the education of our students.
The program is proud to be fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720, Rosemont, Illinois 60018, 773-714-8880, www.naacls.org. The program is required to comply with NAACLS standards for Medical Laboratory Science. NAACLS accreditation assures that the Inova Fairfax Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Science has met or exceeded specific national standards and speaks to the excellent quality of the education our students receive, the credentials of our faculty and the relationships we have with the professional community in this area. The school received the maximum accreditation award in 2019 which means that our program has demonstrated on-going commitment of our faculty in providing the highest caliber academics and excellence in MLS education.
The Inova Fairfax Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Science is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (www.schev.edu), James Monroe Building, and 101 North Fourteenth Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
The Inova Fairfax Hospital Medical Laboratory Science program is a highly competitive and rigorous 11-month-long program consisting of over 1,700 clock hours of instruction. The program is intended to qualify its graduates to take the National Board of Certification examination given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology in pursuit of the MLS (ASCP) certification. We enroll 6-8 students each year.
Our program is open to both:
- Current university students enrolled in a qualifying medical technology, medical laboratory science or clinical lab science program who will attend our program full-time to complete the final year of their degree (3+1 option)
- Those who have already earned an approved Bachelor's degree and wish to pursue the MLS certification (4+1 option)
The curriculum encompasses didactic and clinical experiences; the development of professional and leadership skills; and a commitment to life-long learning. The program promotes the values of respect for others, integrity, teamwork, and excellence in providing the high-quality care patients need and deserve.
During their clinical year of training, students are trained as generalists and rotate through all sections of the laboratory including immunohematology, chemistry, hemostasis and thrombosis, hematology, immunology, microbiology and urinalysis & body fluids. The rotations include lectures and practical instructions.
The program schedule is Monday through Friday and starts in August of every year. Students attend lectures and clinical rotations daily. Hours vary, but are typically 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students receive days off for holidays and breaks.