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For more info, contact Program Director Nadine A Fydryszewski, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM

Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science

DCLS Prepares Certified Medical Laboratory Scientists

Rutgers online Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) was the first Advanced Practice Doctorate program in the U.S. created for Certified Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS).
This new healthcare model brings advanced practice medical laboratory scientists into front-line roles on healthcare teams with physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other health care professionals.

Our program prepares certified MLS to be advanced practice healthcare practitioners dedicated to increasing the value of diagnostics through consultation as members of inter-professional healthcare teams and conduct research focused on evidence of the impact of diagnostics on clinical and healthcare outcomes.

The application deadline for Fall admissions is March 15th including all required documents.


Questions?  Contact Program Director Dr. Nadine A. Fydryszewski fydrysna@shp.rutgers.edu

The program prepares certified medical laboratory scientists as advanced practice healthcare practitioners dedicated to increasing the value of diagnostics through consultation as members of interprofessional healthcare teams and conduct outcomes and quality research focused on evidence of the impact of diagnostics on healthcare outcomes. Graduates are prepared to be effective leaders in many facets of the clinical laboratory science profession, particularly in advanced practice roles promoting quality health care through appropriate and cost-effective utilization of clinical laboratory services.

The value and contribution of DCLS include:

  • increasing diagnostic efficiency,
  • facilitating patient management outcomes
  • improving timely access to accurate and appropriate laboratory information by participating in patient-care decisions
  • monitoring laboratory utilization
  • conducting research on the diagnostic process.

Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science students complete a one-year advanced clinical practice residency at an affiliate clinical site. The clinical practice residency learning environment is supplemented by weekly virtual advisement sessions. Our program instills an appreciation for advanced clinical practice and research. Students complete a practice-based outcomes research project.

The mission of the Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science Program is to improve people’s lives in New Jersey and beyond, through quality education, innovative research and scholarship, superior service, and improving the quality and delivery of clinical laboratory services.

 The goal of the Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science program is to prepare caring, collaborative, and competent doctoral educated advanced practitioners in clinical laboratory science dedicated to increasing patient safety and the value of clinical laboratory services through consulting, collaborating on the interprofessional team, optimizing test utilization and diagnostic processes, and conducting and applying evidence-based translational research.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:

  1. Provide patient-centered, customized consultation services on appropriate test selection and interpretation for the purpose of collaborative clinical decision making among the interprofessional health care team and for the patient.
  2. Monitor laboratory data, test utilization, and diagnostic testing processes in individual patients and populations using informatics and analytics to reduce diagnostic errors, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
  3. Conduct research and apply evidence to demonstrate clinical utility of laboratory tests and algorithms and to improve the quality, efficiency, and safety of the overall diagnostic testing process.
  4. Educate health care providers, patients, their families, and the general public about the indications, best evidence, patient preparation, and interpretation of clinical laboratory testing, including home self-testing.
  5. Contribute to laboratory operations to comply with all state and federal laws and regulations, as well as guidelines determined by professional boards of licensure, and certification/accreditation agencies.
  6. Participate in health policy decision making at all institutional levels using best evidence.
  7. Demonstrate exemplary professional and ethical behaviors in practice, education, and scholarly activities.

The Doctoral program, Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey is a Candidate for Accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720 Rosemont IL 60018-5119; 773.714.8880.

Candidacy is a “pre-accreditation” status with NAACLS, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 4 years.

The clinical practice/residency year is full time, three consecutive semester Summer-12 weeks, Fall -15 weeks, Spring-15 weeks and takes place at an affiliated accredited medical centers/hospital with a fully accredited clinical laboratory. The time commitment is designed as a 40-hour week with 20-25 hours per week as the target average hours for completion of DCLS educational requirements within the traditional work week at the clinical site.

In addition, significant blocks of time beyond traditional work hours will be required to complete some curriculum requirements, particularly clinical services research related to the DCLS Research Project & the Diagnostics Consultation Model©(DCM©) consultation activities, and case analysis. These hours contribute to the 40 hr./wk. full time expectations.

We work with students to try and identify a site in their geographical area that is amenable to collaborate as an affiliate with Rutgers to provide the DCLS clinical practice residency experience and curriculum activities. A formal affiliation agreement with the site must be established.

We have clinical education affiliate sites in several states and continue to seek additional sites. However, we cannot guarantee a site can be found in a specific geographical area and travel or relocation for the clinical practice year may be required and may incur additional expense to the student.

DCLS Clinical Education Affiliates

RWJBH System NJ
Hackensack Meridian Health Inc. NJ
University Hospital  NJ
Augusta University Medical Center Inc. GA
Wellstar Health System, Inc, GA
South Atlantic Division, Inc. Memorial Health
University Medical Center GA
Iowa City VA Health Care System IA
Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, IL
University of Maryland Medical Center MD
Baptist Memorial Hospital -Golden Triangle, MS
Barnes Jewish Hospital, MO
The New York and Presbyterian Hospital, NY
Froedtert Health Inc. & The Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc., WI

 

Join us at an upcoming Virtual Information Session. Please register in advance to receive the Zoom link.

The Rutgers Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) program is a competitive admission process. Admissions decisions are by the DCLS Admissions Committee. Only complete applications including all required documents submitted by the application due date will be reviewed.

Application Deadline is March 15 – application and all required supportive documents.

Admission /Eligibility Requirements:

  • Prospective students must be Certified Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS-ASCP)cm or equivalent.
  • Baccalaureate degree in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science or related science from a regionally accredited US institution or equivalent.
  • Completion of a NAACLS-accredited Medical Laboratory Science program or equivalent.
  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.3; Science courses cumulative GPA of 3.2.
  • Minimum three years’ experience post-MLS certification working as a medical laboratory scientist in a United States clinical laboratory. Preference will be given to applicants with work experience as a generalist or work experience in several clinical laboratory science areas.
  • GRE is not required

DCLS applicant required materials:

  1. Official transcripts from all institutions attended- undergraduate and graduate coursework.
  2. Proof of current professional certification as a generalist Medical Laboratory Scientist MLS(ASCP)CM,  MLS(ASCP)i , or equivalent or MT(ASCP) with proof of continuing education equivalent to ASCP-BOC-CMP.
  3. Proof of continuing certification maintenance: current ASCP-BOC CMP-CE transcript or official transcript of continuing education equivalent to ASCP-BOC-CMP such as ASCLS-PACE CE transcript
  4. Resume or Curriculum vitae (CV)
  5. Letter of intent addressing the reasons for pursuing the DCLS degree, research interests and short and long-term career goals for completing the DCLS program. (maximum 500 words)
  6. Two letters of recommendation on institution letterhead including address and email of the individual providing the letter. One letter must be from an individual with a doctoral degree who is familiar your professional work responsibilities, ethics and professionalism and/or academic achievements.

Degree from Non-US Institution

Applicants who have earned a degree from a non-US accredited institution must provide International transcript evaluation records (courses and grades) from World Evaluation Services (WES) and an English Proficiency Examination as follows: TOEFL, achieve a minimum score of 550 or higher or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) achieve 6.5 or higher.

International Applicants

Guidance for distance education:  This program is entirely online except for the in-person (in the United States only) clinical component. Thus, if you are an international applicant interested in the DCLS program, please follow the Federal Department of Homeland Security guidance regarding online/distance programs. 
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/study/full-course-of-study

Interview: The Admissions Committee carefully reviews each complete application submitted by the due date and the most competitive applicants are invited for an interview. Interviews are conducted virtually via Zoom.

Non-Discrimination Statement: The University does not discriminate on the basis of race/color, national origin/ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or marital status. The University recognizes the value of diversity and is committed to providing appropriate support to its student body.

Technical and Health /Immunization Requirements:

Drug Screen: Typically, all programs with a clinical component require drug testing. However, students only require drug testing if the clinical site requests it. Students will be informed regarding clinical site requirements before the start date of their clinical experience.

Criminal Background Check: A Criminal Background Check is required upon admission.

Guidance for distance education:  This program is entirely online except for the in-person (in the United States only) clinical component. Thus, if you are an international applicant interested in the DCLS program, please follow the Federal Department of Homeland Security guidance regarding online/distance programs.

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/study/full-course-of-study

Degree from Non-US Institution: Applicants who have earned a degree from a non-US accredited institution must provide International transcript evaluation records (courses and grades) from World Evaluation Services (WES) and an English Proficiency Examination as follows: TOEFL, achieve a minimum score of 550 or higher or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) achieve 6.5 or higher. 

For Tuition and Fees, please see the Graduate Tuition and Fees.
(Scroll down to 2023-2024 Rutgers Health Tuition and Fee Rates and click on School of Health Professions)

The DCLS program offers an innovative educational experience utilizing a blended pedagogy, distance education, and clinical practice. The curriculum includes interdisciplinary theoretical courses and the clinical residency enhances the student’s experiences to interact with other healthcare professionals.

The DCLS curriculum focuses on four core areas: Advanced Clinical Laboratory Science, Professional, Research, and Clinical Practice/Residency. All pre-residency courses are offered ONLINE and during the residency year, some courses are web-enhanced.

The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the practicing MLS professional pursuing an advanced degree while continuing your professional develop through your experiences as a working MLS. The advanced theoretical courses are offered online and require a time commitment of 9-12 hours per week with online and off-line work.

  • 80 credits post-baccalaureate degree.
    • Part-Time: 2 courses/semester; 6 credits (18-24 hrs./wk.)
    • Full Time:  3 courses/semester; 9 credits (27-36 hr./wk.)
  • Clinical Practice Residency – one-year, full time, at an affiliated clinical site
    • Three (3) consecutive semesters (Summer, Fall, Spring; Monday-Friday)
    •  Hybrid: on-site clinical practice and online didactic weekly webinars.
    • Summer: 12 weeks 7 credits Fall: 15 weeks- 9 credits Spring 15 weeks – 9 credits

In considering a PT or FT course plan, it is important to assess time allocation to balance work commitments, academic commitments, and personal life commitments. A DCLS advisor is assigned to assist in assessing options.

Academic Requirements: Student must maintain a “B” average (GPA 3.0). Students are expected to continually maintain matriculation while enrolled in the program.

Program Requirements and Course Descriptions

The Diagnostics Consultation Model (DCM©) operationalizes the practice of the DCLS as active members of interprofessional health care teams in a variety of setting.

  • Patient Care Intervention (PCI): Daily patient-care clinical rounds with inter-professional healthcare team: attending physician, residents, medical students, DCLS residents, PharmD, Nurses, other healthcare providers.
  • Diagnostics Management Intervention (DMI): Encounters received through direct case management requests to the clinical laboratory with inter-professional team: pathologists, pathology residents, DCLS, clinicians, laboratorians, and other healthcare providers.
  • Utilization Review Intervention (URI): Encounters through review of reports generated by the LIS rules with inter-professional team: DCLS, pathologists, pathology residents, laboratorians, clinicians, other healthcare providers i.e., genetic counselors.
  • Community Intervention (CI): Consumer information response encounters via testing.com and the ASCLS public consultation network, and other community-based settings.
  •  Research – conduct clinical and quality outcomes research project during the clinical practice residency year under the guidance of the DCLS faculty mentor and clinical site preceptor.

These experiences require continuous involvement with interdisciplinary healthcare teams. The scope of interprofessional interactions and the research component are aligned with interaction with other healthcare providers to establish the DCLS as a partner on interdisciplinary healthcare teams and conduct the clinical outcomes research project.

Additional Information/Resources: 


 ASCLS Advanced Practice Doctorate in CLS Position Paper
https://ascls.org/advanced-practice-doctorate-in-clinical-laboratory-science/ 

 ARUP: Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS): Contributing Quality and Value in Clinical Laboratory Services Delivery 
https://arup.utah.edu/education/dcls-2019.php/

Dept. Home
APPLY NOW!

For more info, contact Program Director Nadine A Fydryszewski, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM