The UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program is an accredited, 45-week (NAACLS accredited) preceptorship offering intensive study in diagnostic theory and direct clinical experience in laboratory testing and diagnosis of disease. Our certificate program, which accepts undergraduates (3+1) and post graduates (4+1), prides itself in its quality graduates who have become responsible and competent laboratory professionals locally and beyond.
Our Program begins each August and utilizes a tier-approach to learning. Rotation I-didactic (August-January) involves lectures in the vast diagnostic knowledgebase along with technical skill-building in a Student Laboratory environment, creating a strong foundation of laboratory knowledge and skills. Rotation II-clinical (February – July) includes over 700 hours of clinical practice in which the student joins laboratory scientists for direct experience in real patient testing in each department of the clinical laboratory. Students hone their depth of diagnostic theory by applying the knowledge in the laboratory and through case studies and problem-solving. This career-building year is vital in perfecting skills and applying learned theory necessary to become a certified/licensed quality medical laboratory professional.
UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program would like to congratulate our 2025 graduates.
The mission of the UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program is to provide a challenging, comprehensive program for assisting students in acquiring the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values to gain the level of excellence and competence required for entry into the profession of Medical Laboratory Science.
Fulfillment of our mission statement is determined by the program’s level of achievement in the following goals.
The UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program and the UPMC Chautauqua laboratory are committed to student learning and the promotion of excellence in the profession.
A Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) is a highly trained, conscientious individual involved in the performing and reporting of laboratory tests important in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease in a dynamic health care environment, working as a vital member of the health care team and extending care and compassion to the patient and health care community through customer service and education.
In a collaborative effort with clinicians and other health care professionals, the MLS conducts efficiently and precisely a variety of tests on patient blood, body fluids, or tissues utilizing manual methods and sophisticated instrumentation. An MLS not only knows how to perform each diagnostic test using strict protocols but is able to evaluate and validate each result to assure accuracy, including understanding the medical significance of different physiological conditions and how they may affect the results of laboratory tests. The MLS may work as generalist throughout the clinical laboratory or specialize in a certain discipline, such as, clinical chemistry, immunochemistry, hematology, coagulation, immunohematology (blood banking), urinalysis and microbiology.
Quality, precision skills, and the vast knowledge learned in the clinical preceptorship are dynamic and adaptable to many career areas and are sought after by employers both within the hospital laboratory and in health-related industries and research.
A student must possess the following skills and abilities to accomplish the essential requirements of the hospital-based program either with or without reasonable accommodations. An applicant must attest his/her personal capabilities to meet these standards; utilization of a proxy or intermediary is not permitted.
Communication standards:
Visual acuity and psychomotor standards:
Intellectual and cognitive standards:
Behavioral and ethical standards:
The UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program is affiliated with the following institutions of higher learning and extends courtesy faculty appointments to their program Coordinators/Directors.
The student will be bound by the Academic Affiliation Agreement and the Program Letter of Agreement between UPMC, the hospital program and the degree granting institution. The affiliation protects all entities, including assuring an accepted student of his/her right to complete the program year should the hospital or university discontinue their respective program. These universities listed below have been found to provide the necessary academic preparation for students wishing to pursue a career in Medical Laboratory Science at the UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program.
Students attending non-affiliated colleges or universities are also considered for acceptance providing admission criteria have been met. It is generally determined that given equality in all other aspects, the affiliated student will be given preference over a non-affiliated student.
This 45-week preceptorship provides a comprehensive curriculum of theoretical knowledge and direct clinical experience in medical laboratory science. The course content and presentation encourages excellence, independence, and confidence in the application of skills, clinical theory, and problem solving within a carefully crafted program which guides students to distinction as highly-qualified, competent, entry-level technologists.
Each course includes the didactic rotation of in-depth lecture series and corresponding student lab sessions, followed by the clinical rotation supplying over 720 hours of direct clinical experience including substantial involvement with instrumentation and quality control, along with direct supervised experience from specimen procurement through result reporting.
The listed course credits are suggested guides and are not awarded by UPMC Chautauqua; refer to the affiliated college/university catalog for the distribution of credits awarded for the following courses.
MLS-1 IMMUNOLOGY / IMMUNOCHEMISTRY (5 Credits)
The didactic rotation covers the theory and principles surrounding the body’s immunological response to disease and the current means of detecting and determining such responses, along with topics in abnormal antibody production as seen in autoimmune diseases and multiple myeloma, and the dynamic field of molecular diagnostics. The clinical rotation allows for direct experience in the numerous serological diagnostic methods, including protein electrophoresis, while building competency in techniques and diagnostic theory.
MLS-2 IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY (BLOOD BANK) (5 Credits)
Coursework in the didactic rotation emphasizes the theory, practice, and diagnostic principles in antibodies and red cell antigens. Topics include blood group systems, hemolytic diseases, and blood donor and recipient transfusion practices. Competency is proven during the clinical rotation with direct bench experience in the intricate procedures and techniques of transfusion medicine, blood component therapy, and the application of immunohematology problem solving.
MLS-3 HEMATOLOGY / COAGULATION (6 Credits)
The study of the cellular and formed elements of blood, body fluids, and the blood-forming tissues and their relation to the diagnostic care of patients as correlated with the entire clinical condition are covered in the didactic rotation. Theory and practice of hemostasis and fibrinolytic pathways are also covered in depth. During the clinical rotation, competency is met through direct experience with specialized instrumentation and manual methods utilized to study cellular morphology, physiology, and pathology, including extensive experience in the differential analysis of microscopic smears of a wide variety of disease abnormalities.
MLS-4 CHEMISTRY / INSTRUMENTATION (6 Credits)
The didactic rotation focuses on the study of analytical chemistry and qualitative analysis of human blood and body fluids stressing the chemistry of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, enzymes, hormones, and more, and their correlation with states of health and disease. Additional topics include applicable principles of quality control, statistical analysis, and laboratory mathematics, along with therapeutic drug monitoring and detecting drugs of abuse. Direct, hands-on experience with the sophisticated instrumentation in the clinical rotation complements the learned knowledgebase through applying the theory of disease to real-time patient results while gaining direct experience in troubleshooting pre-analytical and analytical findings.
MLS-5 URINALYSIS (1 Credit)
Coursework during the didactic rotation considers the anatomy and physiology of the urinary system along with the physical, chemical, and microscopic properties of normal and abnormal urines. Kidney function analysis rounds out the creation of the clinical picture. During the clinical rotation, experience with manual and automated methodologies further builds competency in urinalysis as results are utilized for clinical disease evaluation.
MLS-6 MICROBIOLOGY (7 Credits)
The didactic rotation covers the study of significant microorganisms recovered in clinical specimens through the principles of bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, virology, and parasitology, along with an introduction to microbiology laboratory skills. The direct clinical experience within the clinical rotation sets high competency standards as microbiological techniques and procedures for culture, isolation, staining, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogenic microorganisms are stressed. This clinical rotation includes significant experience in molecular diagnostics with both automated and semi-automated molecular genetic techniques in the diagnosis of disease.
MLS-7 SPECIAL STUDIES (2 Credits)
This combines several segments of instruction:
Along with rotations at UPMC Chautauqua, students have the opportunity to experience a clinical rotation(s) at other UPMC hospital laboratories that have joined alongside our MLS Program. Each of these laboratories follows our MLS curriculum, allowing all students to complete our program with the required knowledge, skills, and more. We are excited for students who are able and willing to expand their laboratory experiences. As part of the UPMC healthcare system, instrumentation is the same/similar across the system, not only helping in cost-effective reagent utilization for the laboratory but is also very supportive for our MLS students; no matter where they do their rotations students are exposed to identical instrumentation and diagnostic theory. Free housing for rotations outside of Jamestown is available to students who request by the announced deadline
Serving a large population in Chautauqua County, Cattaraugus County and beyond, the UPMC Chautauqua clinical laboratory is vital to western NY communities. A vast array of state-of-the-art instrumentation, the laboratory boasts a long history of training quality medical laboratory scientists since the MLS Program’s inception in 1974. The open-lab environment permits unique patient samples and results to be seen and experienced by students in a timely manner, no matter which area of the laboratory the student is currently studying. Rotations are in all areas of study (chemistry, blood bank, hematology/coagulation, and microbiology) for 8 students in each 5-week rotation.
A level 1 trauma center in Erie, PA, UPMC Hamot’s laboratory and blood bank are vital to the emergency care of its community and surrounding areas. UPMC Hamot takes 1 student per rotation in allowing for the opportunity for up to 4 blood bank students and 4 chemistry/ immunochemistry students to experience their 5-week rotation in Erie, PA.
UPMC Hamot is 50 miles (1 hr) from UPMC Chautauqua. For those unable to commute, free housing is available.
In the heart of New Castle, PA, UPMC Jameson’s laboratory offers training in microbiology. Centrally located, their microbiology lab acts as a reference laboratory for other UPMC hospitals and clinics. UPMC Jameson takes 1 student per rotation allowing for the opportunity for up to 4 students to experience the wide variety of specimens and specimen quantity.
UPMC Jameson is 133 miles (2 hr 15 min) from UPMC Chautauqua. Free housing option will be available.
As you approach the end of the long driveway alongside a peaceful field, you discover the impressive and welcoming UPMC Northwest. Located in Seneca, PA, UPMC Northwest is similar to UPMC Chautauqua in size with its number of inpatient suites and also in the high number of outpatients it serves. UPMC Northwest takes 1 student per rotation in the disciplines of hematology, urinalysis and phlebotomy, allowing for up to 4 students to experience this small-in-size but large in test volume laboratory.
UPMC Northwest is 65 miles (1 hr 25 min) from UPMC Chautauqua. Free housing is available.
After successfully completing the program a graduate is awarded a Certificate of Completion and is ready to take a national certification examination to become certified as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
The final course grade for each individual clinical course is determined from practical, academic, and attitudinal assessments in each discipline during both Rotation I: Didactic and Rotation II: Clinical, and from the final exam for each course.
The UPMC Chautauqua program utilizes the following grading scale. All grades reported to a student’s college/university are given in numerical values allowing each college to access its own letter grade and quality points according to its policy.
A student must satisfy all of the following criteria to receive a Certificate of Completion from the UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program. Receiving a Certificate of Completion is not dependent upon the student completing or passing any external certification or licensure examination.
A student who does not meet the Completion Criteria at any time during the program year or performs at a level of competence inconsistent with the welfare of the patient will be placed on probation or may be immediately dismissed from the program.
The UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program is a quality preceptorship guiding its students to the following career entry-level competencies. The role of the professional Medical Laboratory Scientist demands knowledge and skills as a scientist and a keen awareness of his/her vital role in the health care team and in service to the patients.
Tuition for the 11-month (45-week) clinical program year is $7,300/year (subject to change).
The billing arrangements for students enrolled in their college/university are pre-determined and stated in the affiliation agreement signed between the University and Hospital. Check with the Program Director or your college/university advisor for your institution’s arrangement; tuition options in the affiliation agreements may include:
Tuition will be billed in two installments; the first payment (Rotation I) is due no later than November 15th (Fall) and the second payment (Rotation II) is due no later than March 15th (Spring). (Note: the deposit submitted upon acceptance to the Program is utilized to pay for the certification exam at the completion of the program year).
Credit card payment via a secure on-line portal is preferred, although a check or money order is acceptable. All tuition must be paid by the above stated deadlines or a student may be dismissed from the program
The purchase of the required textbooks is the responsibility of the student. A required book list with ISBN numbers is provided, along with suggested purchasing options. Most textbook acquisition is least expensive directly from the publisher which offers a significant discount, or through a book distributor (Pro Forma program with Rittenhouse Book Distributors). A student is to have all required books in his/her possession at the start of the internship year; these texts will be actively utilized throughout the year. In the unlikely happening that a text(s) must be purchased by the Program due to availability, the student will be required to purchase the text(s) (payment to UPMC Chautauqua) during the first week of classes.
The current cost of books for the whole internship year is approximately $700 (subject to change).
If a student withdraws or is dismissed prior to completion of the program, no monies will be refunded (paid deposit, tuition, etc.). Any outstanding bills, including textbook fees, fall tuition and/or spring tuition (depending on time of departure), must be paid in accordance with the policies outlined in the Student Handbook.
The following list includes items not provided by the program or UPMC Chautauqua and any financial obligations related to these are the responsibility of the student.
UPMC Chautauqua does not participate in the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Student Loan program or in federal loan programs. Students who wish to obtain financial aid must do so through their college or university.
The program is 5-days per week, no weekends.
The clinical year commences on the third Monday in August.
The program culminates after completion of 45 weeks of study (graduation in the following July).
Schedules for each section and clinical rotation site are supplied to students in advance.
Week days
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Morning: 2 lectures
Afternoon: Student Laboratory
Weekdays
Hours vary (mostly 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. w/ experience on other shifts)
Laboratory Department Rotations
One-on-one training; real patient diagnostics experience
Each enrolled student will receive a copy of the Student Handbook before the first day of classes. This resource includes an in-depth description of student policies, grading criteria, dismissal policies, appeals process, and other procedures and information pertinent to the clinical year. Prospective students interested in reviewing this publication may request, via e-mail, a digital version of the Student Handbook.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory and the student is expected to maintain a professional attitude concerning work ethics in attendance and be flexible to the schedules of the laboratory departments, instructors and personnel. Tardiness is not tolerated.
Personal Leave / Sick Time
A student is allotted five days of Personal Leave to be used as sick or personal time. If possible, a personal day should be scheduled in advance with the program officials. Absences beyond five days of Personal Leave will result in grade penalties further outlined in the Student Handbook. Students are responsible for making up any missed work and excessive absences may result in disciplinary action.
Dress Code
An in-depth dress code is provided in the Student Handbook. Attire suitable for a patient-service environment is expected, including scrub-type uniforms (any color) and a conservative, professional appearance. Shoes or sneakers must be rubber soled and cover the entire foot. Personal appearance must be neat and clean at all times.
Disposable lab coats required for specimen handling or patient care are provided by the hospital. A professional lab coat for personal use only (white or colored) is optional.
Identification Badge
For legal and safety issues, UPMC Chautauqua requires all its employees and students to wear photo identification badges. UPMC Chautauqua provides the badge which identifies you by photo, name and position to patients, visitors, and employees. You are the only one authorized to wear the badge and it must be worn and visible at all times. The badge must be returned when you leave.
Academic Dismissal
A policy of care and compassion toward each student is followed at Medical Laboratory Science Program. A student’s academic progress along with their professionalism is monitored by the education staff, with help and counseling provided. However, a student may be dismissed at any time during the academic year for gross misconduct or gross academic failure. See the Student Handbook for additional information related to dismissals and the process of appeal.
Students may be dismissed from the Program for the following reasons:
Medical Insurance Coverage
The individual student must assume responsibility for medical insurance coverage. Some form of hospital and medical insurance must be carried by the student throughout the duration of the program. The medical services of UPMC Chautauqua are available to each student; however, financial responsibility rests with each individual student and his/her insurance company. Documentation of medical insurance coverage will be maintained in the student’s file. It is understood that the UPMC Chautauqua will be held harmless from any injury, disability, or any liability that may result from the student participation within the hospital setting.
Liability Insurance Coverage
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) requires each student to carry liability coverage. UPMC Chautauqua does not provide this coverage. Students are responsible for their own liability coverage unless their college/university maintains liability coverage for their undergraduates during the clinical year. Coverage must have a minimum of $1 million per claim and an aggregate of $3 million per occurrence, and the policy must remain in full force and effect for the duration of the clinical year. Students are provided with suggestions on where/how to obtain liability insurance; cost has been historically very reasonable (approximately $40 per year).
Students must have proof of both liability coverage and health coverage on or before the first day of the clinical program (photocopies of insurance cards or signed/dated policies are acceptable proof). Proof of insurance will be kept in the student’s file for the clinical year.
Pre-Entry Medical Clearance
All incoming students are required by UPMC and the New York State Department of Health to complete a pre-entry medical clearance prior to starting their clinical year. Successful applicants will make arrangements with UPMC Chautauqua’s Occupational Health department. The clearance includes general student health assessment information along with written proof of vaccinations and/or antibody titers, tuberculosis testing, drug screen and any other requirements to clear a student for the patient-care environment. All student health matters and student health records are maintained with complete confidentiality in the student’s personal chart in the UPMC Chautauqua Occupational Health office.
Drug Screening
Incoming students are required to have a drug screen as part of the required medical clearance and students must be negative for substance abuse to continue in the program.
Vaccinations
Our hospital provides free of charge to students the annual flu vaccination and the optional hepatitis B vaccination series. The flu vaccination is required by UPMC and the New York State Department of Health.
A student may request a medical exemption by submitting documentation from a licensed physician. Each request is reviewed individually, and an exemption may be granted on a case-by-case basis
Health Care Services
UPMC Chautauqua is a full care facility, and all services are available to the student at the usual cost with each individual student assuming responsibility for medical insurance coverage.
A limited number of student positions (usually in specimen receiving or phlebotomy) have traditionally been available in the UPMC Chautauqua laboratory for program-accepted students who wish to work during the clinical year. This is compensated work experience for which students are trained on-the-job, requiring no previous experience. Due to the need to train, positions typically begin in the summer prior to the start of the academic year. Students do not work during school hours and must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Hours of employment are determined individually with most students gaining 16-20 hours per week.
All positions are provided by UPMC Chautauqua and are not related to the Medical Laboratory Science Program. Applications, interviews and hiring are handled by the UPMC Chautauqua supervisors/managers. Interested students should contact the Program Director or the Administrative Director of Laboratory Services for more information.
Our goal is to have our graduates join our team!
UPMC Chautauqua knows the quality of the professionals it graduates from its Medical Laboratory Science Program. Having our graduates join the UPMC laboratory team is the ultimate goal of our hospital system.
We are honored when our graduates remain at and commit to helping our patients to the best of their ability. We are also proud as these new graduates join the noble endeavor to teach and guide the next class of students to become quality entry-level technologists. We hope each graduate will seriously consider joining UPMC Chautauqua or another hospital in the UPMC healthcare system. Although UPMC does not guarantee positions for its graduates, traditionally, a varying number of positions have been available for graduates and those interested should complete, at any time during the program year, the application and interview process.
Read a note from our program leaders (PDF).
Read letters from past graduates:
The UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program held its first class in the fall of 1979 under the founding direction of Mary Kathryn “Katie” C. Kutschke, MA, MT(ASCP), Program Director, and Donald J. Furman, MD, program Medical Director. The development of a program stemmed from the desire to train quality professionals and continued under the leadership of Barbara Davis, MS, MT(ASCP), Katie Kutschke, past Program Directors. This history of excellence continues to this day under the medical directorship of William A. Geary, MD, PhD, pathologist, and Michele G. Harms, MS, MLS(ASCP), Program Director
Prior to the establishment of program accreditations, the laboratory trained technologists in an on-the-job format under the direction of pathologist William J. Tracy, Jr., MD, with graduates in 1962, 1966, and 1967, many of whom became the supervisors and teachers in the 1979-founded program.
To this day, the UPMC Chautauqua Medical Laboratory Science Program and the UPMC Chautauqua Laboratory remain deeply committed to student learning and to promoting excellence within the profession. Our graduates are highly accomplished individuals, many of whom continue to serve patients in our local community and throughout the UPMC healthcare system. Others have gone on to pursue dynamic careers as laboratory managers, supervisors, diagnostic instrumentation representatives, laboratory information system analysts, educators, physician assistants, physicians, and more.
The program’s strong foundation in academic and personal excellence has consistently produced the high-quality professionals essential to today’s healthcare environment.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N River Rd, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
Phone: 773-714-8880
Fax: 773-714-8886
Email: NAACLS@naacls.org
American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC)
Chicago (Headquarters)
33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 800-237-2727
Email: boc@ascp.org
American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB)
906 Olive Street
Suite 1200
St. Louis, MO 63101
Phone: 314-241-1445
Fax: 314-241-1449
American Medical Technologists (AMT)
10700 West Higgins Rd, Suite 150
Rosemont, IL 60018
Phone: 847-823-5169; 800-275-1268
Fax: 847-823-0458
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). This Program meets and often exceeds the Standards established by NAACLS in education quality and outcome measures.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N River Rd, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
773-714-8880
www.naacls.org
Chat Keywords List
