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Train for a critical role in patient care
 Full-time, 11-month training program

Medical laboratory scientists are a vital component of the healthcare team. They test blood, tissue, and body fluids and equip physicians and other healthcare providers with the objective information used to make critical medical decisions. 

Inova’s full-time, hospital-based training program provides students with the training, education and experience essential for passing the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) MLS national board certification exam and building a successful career in this rapidly growing field. Applicants must be a 3rd year student at an affiliated university enrolled in a qualifying program or have already earned an approved bachelor’s degree. 

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Why choose a career in Medical Laboratory Science?

The field of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) is rapidly growing, with high demand for skilled professionals in hospital laboratories and beyond. Graduates of Inova’s MLS program enjoy diverse career opportunities and a high employment rate within three months of graduation. Subspecialties include:

  • Clinical chemistry
  • Hematology
  • Transfusion services
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular diagnostics 


View application process 

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

Class YearClass SizeGraduate RateEmployment RateBoard of Certification First-Time Pass Rate
20258100%100%100%
20248100%100%100%
20238100%100%100%
20227100%100%100%
20217100%100%100%
20206100%100%100%


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.

View prerequisites and admission requirements 

Contact us

Inova Fairfax Hospital Laboratory 
School of Medical Laboratory Science Program  
Attn: Rhoda Restauro 
Professional Services Bldg. Basement 
3300 Gallows Road 
Falls Church, VA 22042-3300

Email the Program Supervisor: 

Book a time to connect with the Program Supervisor by phone

Meet our clinical instructors

Alexander Amati

Alexander Amati,

MLS(ASCP)CM

Technical Specialist | Inova Central Laboratory – Microbiology

Alex brings nearly a decade of hands-on experience in clinical microbiology. He received his BS in medical lab science from Old Dominion University. Prior to joining Inova in 2021, he worked at Sentara Health specializing in microbiological diagnostics and laboratory operations.

He views microbiology as a complex puzzle and is dedicated to mentoring future laboratory professionals by sharing his expertise and enthusiasm for the discipline.

Shammelah Bucarey

Shammelah Bucarey,

MLS(ASCP)CM

Technical Specialist | Inova Fairfax Medical Campus – Blood Bank

A proud graduate of George Mason University, Shammelah earned her bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science with Magna Cum Laude honors and received academic awards: GMU Melissa Stanley MLS Award and Most Outstanding Student IFH-MLS Program (2022). Before becoming an ASCP-certified MLS, Shammy gained foundational lab experience as a Lab Tech Assistant in Central Processing at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Passionate about immunohematology and transfusion medicine, she now shares her knowledge and enthusiasm through teaching future MLS professionals and training/onboarding new blood bank team members.

Alexis Bustamante

Alexis Bustamante,

MLS(ASCP)CM SM

Medical Laboratory Scientist II | Inova Central Laboratory – Microbiology

Alexis holds a BS in microbiology from Virginia Tech and completed her MLS training at Radford University Carilion. She is ASCP certified both as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and a Specialist in Microbiology. She joined Inova in 2022, bringing prior experience from Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO, where she worked across multiple disciplines before specializing in Microbiology.

She is passionate about mentoring students and fostering interest in the microbial sciences.

Amy Dong

Amy Dong,

MS, MLS(ASCP)CM

Lab Section Specialist | Inova Fairfax Medical Campus – Blood Bank

Amy is an ASCP certified MLS with more than nine years of experience in immunohematology and clinical lab operations. She holds an MS in immunohematology and biotechnology from George Washington University and a BS in clinical laboratory science from Virginia Commonwealth University.

As a Lab Section Specialist at Inova, Amy leads the education and training initiatives for blood bank procedures and onboarding new team members. Her expertise includes quality control, CAP inspections, instrument validation, and process optimization, making her a valuable leader in the laboratory.

Jaimarie Epistola

Jaimarie Epistola,

MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM

Technical Specialist | Inova Fairfax Medical Campus – Core / CVOR Labs

Jaimarie earned her BS in MLS and an MPH in epidemiology from George Mason University. She completed her clinical training through Inova’s 3+1 MLS program pathway and received the Melissa Stanley MLS Award from GMU. She joined Inova right after graduating from the MLS program and has been working as a Technical Specialist at IFMC's Core and Cardiovascular OR labs.

She is committed to mentoring future laboratorians and supporting their professional development.

Jennifer Garlick

Jennifer Garlick,

MLS(ASCP)CM SC

Technical Specialist | Inova Fairfax Medical Campus – Core Lab

Jennifer is an ASCP-certified Medical Laboratory Scientist with dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and MLS from George Mason University. She completed her clinical training at Inova’s MLS program in 2016 and has been a key member of the Core Lab team since. She earned her ASCP Specialist in Chemistry (SC) certification in 2023.

She is dedicated to advancing clinical education and laboratory excellence.

Tiffany Khordehpaz

Tiffany Khordehpaz,

MLS(ASCP)CM

Technical Specialist | Inova Fairfax Medical Campus – Hematology

Since joining Inova in February 2019, Tiffany has brought expertise and dedication to the lab, supporting both clinical excellence and education. She holds dual degrees in biology and medical laboratory science from George Mason University and completed her MLS training at Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, VA.

Jenny Lee

Jenny Lee,

MLS(ASCP)CM SH

Technical Specialist | Inova Central Laboratory – Coagulation 

Jenny is an experienced MLS specializing in coagulation, with a BS in medical laboratory science from George Mason University. She is an ASCP-certified Specialist in Hematology and is currently pursuing an MS in data science. Before joining Inova, Jenny served as lead nightshift technologist at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, working as a generalist across all major departments.

She is passionate about advancing coagulation science and mentoring future laboratory professionals through hands-on training and lectures.

Nicole Tomazic

Nicole Tomazic,

MLS(ASCP)CM

Technical Specialist | Inova Central Laboratory - Chemistry

Nicole is an experienced MLS with an associate of science in MLT from SUNY Broome and a BS in clinical laboratory science from the University of Cincinnati. She currently works as Technical Specialist in the Chemistry Department at Inova Central Laboratory.

She is passionate about the impact of laboratory science on patient care and is committed to teaching and mentoring future professionals.

MLS moments: From classroom to clinical care

Our student in the lab
MLS students
MLS students
MLS students
MLS Students
Students in the lab