Inova Fairfax Hospital Medical Laboratory Science Program

Learn to question, explore, and solve

Our program’s mission and primary objective is to equip students with the knowledge and experience required to qualify and pass the ASCP MLS national board certification exam. It offers 1,700 hours of instruction through lectures and clinical rotations in various lab disciplines including immunohematology, chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology and urinalysis. 

As part of their enrichment observation experience, students also rotate through Inova Blood Donor Services and Quest Diagnostics-Nichols Institute in Chantilly, VA, a large reference laboratory and Inova’s clinical affiliate. 

At the end of the program, students will have the following entry-level competencies

• Quality assurance: Quality control practices that ensure accurate and reliable lab results
• Lab testing: Ability to perform, analyze, and verify lab tests
• Clinical significance: Understand and explain the clinical relevance of lab procedures in diagnosis and treatment
• Result correlation: Integrating information to verify results and resolve problems
• Patient evaluation: Assess patient results and make testing recommendations
• Technical skills: Ability to maintain and troubleshoot lab equipment and implement new techniques and instruments
• Professionalism: Communicate effectively and uphold ethical standards

View curriculum, student support services and resources

Program information 

Hours: 1,700 
Course Length: 11 months 
Class Schedule: The program begins in August and runs Monday through Friday, with lectures and clinical rotations from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students receive holidays and breaks off. 
Enrollment: 6-8 students enrolled annually 

Graduation and Certification: 

• Students will receive a certificate of completion from the Inova Fairfax Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Science which grants them eligibility to take the national certification examination conducted by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Obtaining the program certificate is not dependent on taking or passing the national certification exam.
• MLS ASCP certification is awarded upon passing the ASCP national certification exam.
• Students enrolled in the 3+1 option will receive transfer credits to their universities upon completing the program, according to the affiliation agreement. The universities will then award the baccalaureate degree.
   

Program outcomes

Admission requirements 
Applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in either Chemistry, Biological Sciences or Medical Technology, or must be actively enrolled in a degree program at one of Inova’s affiliated academic institutions.

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