School of Medical Laboratory Science

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission are considered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, result of genetic testing, age, national origin, disability, status as a veteran, Vietnam era veteran, or being a member of the reserves or National Guard.

Educational Requirements for Admission to the BMC School of Medical Laboratory Science :

• Three years (90 semester hours) of collegiate training in a college or university approved by a recognized regional accrediting agency; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

Minimum Requirements for Admission:

All prerequisite course work must be completed prior to the start of the program and have been completed within the last 10 years.Prerequisite courses may be in progress or scheduled to be completed by spring semester during the application period.

• Biological Science (16 semester hours)
• Microbiology, Immunology, Anatomy/Physiology, and Genetics/Molecular Biology must be included
• Chemistry (16 semester hours)
• Organic and/or Biochemistry must be included
• Mathematics
• Statistics is required

Additional Courses Recommended:

• Chemistry: Advanced Organic and/or Biochemistry, Quantitative Analysis and Physical chemistry
• Biological Science: Human Clinical Microbiology, Parasitology and Hematology
• Other: Physics, Computer courses, Management, Research and Instrumentation

Berkshire Medical Center Admission Requirements:

• Student must pass a pre-admission physical, including random urine drug screening
• Provide immunization records and agree to follow the immunization policy of BHS
• Submit to a background investigation following acceptance into the clinical internship

No advance placement is available for our program. Transfer credits and experiential learning credits for university affiliated students are at the discretion of the university registrar. Experiential learning credits for certificate students are at the discretion of the Program Director. Substitutions for the required courses are at the discretion of the Program Director.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying to the BMC School of Medical Laboratory Science for the class of 2025, which begins in July of 2024 and ends in June of 2025, the application period begins on August 1, 2023 and is open until December 1, 2023.

The application period for the class of July 2023 – June 2024 is currently closed.

Official transcripts of all college or university credits must be forwarded.

• Three letters of recommendation are required.
• The student is expected to have at least an overall GPA of 3.0 and a science GPA of 3.3 for admission into the program.

Selection of applicants is based on: the application form, cumulative GPA, science grades, quality of courses, references and interview. Preference will be given to applicants who have maintained an overall GPA of 3.3 or above and a Science GPA of 3.5 or above.

The interview process starts in November and students are chosen at the beginning of January.

Applicants for positions at the School of to Medical Laboratory Science are considered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, result of genetic testing, age, national origin, disability, status as a veteran, Vietnam era veteran, or being a member of the reserves or National Guard. 

Required Application Materials

• Application (form)
• A $20.00 non-refundable application fee – Please make check out to Berkshire Medical Center.
• A current official transcript of all your college work
  *International students must have their transcripts evaluated from an approved agency (a list will be provided upon request).
• Three reference letters, one from an employer if possible
• Read and sign the Essential Functions Form
• A personal narrative in applicant’s own words and handwriting as to why you have chosen medical laboratory science as a career

Find all downloadable forms described here.

Thank you for considering Berkshire Medical Center for your internship.

Important Information About Licensure

Some states require licensure to be able to work as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.  We highly suggest that prospective students contact the applicable licensing board(s) in the state the student lives or intends to seek employment prior to applying to or attending this internship.  Many licensure boards have additional requirements beyond successful completion of our MLS program. Please be advised that state laws, regulations, and policies continually change. These changes can impact the program’s ability to meet the education requirements for licensure.  Prospective students and students who have been offered a position in this program are strongly encouraged to check with the licensing board(s) in the state(s) of interest.  The Berkshire Medical Center School of Medical Laboratory Science does not guarantee that any specific state licensure or certification agency will approve or deny a student’s application.

*Currently, Massachusetts does not require licensure.

An information packet and application materials listed above can be mailed to you in hard copy upon request. To request application materials in hard copy, e-mail your request to: lmoore@bhs1.org.

Medical students who schedule clerkships, sub-internships or electives at Berkshire Medical Center are provided with free room and board.

Objectives & Competencies

Upon successful completion of the medical laboratory science program the graduate will:

• Determine appropriate specimen collection, processing, and analysis of patient specimens to ensure quality lab results by following established procedures.
• Perform manual and automated testing on patient blood or body fluids that result in valid laboratory results.
• Perform routine maintenance, trouble shooting, quality control, and calibrations on instrumentation following established procedures.
• Evaluate quality control data and determine course of action when quality control falls outside of range.
• Interpret laboratory data generated from different laboratory disciplines regarding test accuracy, pathological conditions/disease states, and the relationship to the established reference ranges.
• Comply with state, federal, institutional, and accrediting guidelines as they apply to successful operation of the clinical laboratory.
• Evaluate published research to make informed choices as a consumer.
• Apply published safety practices to work in the clinical laboratory.
• Apply principles of education methodology to instruct or present information to students, new employees and other healthcare professionals.
• Maintain professional competence and growth by continuing education and life long learning.
• Promote the MLS profession by active participation in professional organizations and community service.
• Apply principles of laboratory management and supervision using learned skills regarding organization, human resources, financial resources, and laboratory operations.
• Comply with established protected health information confidentiality guidelines.
• Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct with all healthcare professionals, consumers, and patients.
• Use current information systems technology to requisition tests, access patient information, data entry, monitor quality control, and exchange information while complying with confidentiality guidelines.

Mission, Goals & Outcomes

Mission
Our mission is to provide the most comprehensive, up-to-date, high quality, affordable education in the field of medical laboratory science. We provide graduates with the knowledge, technical skills, professional and ethical behavior needed to function in the clinical laboratory and the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the healthcare environment.  

Program Goals
The goals of Berkshire Medical Center School of School of Medical Laboratory Science are: 

• To provide high quality instruction, both academically and clinically, in all areas of the clinical lab so that students receive a strong knowledge base and strong clinical skills as evidenced by exam scores and clinical outcomes.
• To provide graduates with the skills and experience to effectively communicate and interact with other healthcare professionals and patients.
• To provide graduates with the relevant skills and experience to provide high quality customer service.
• To adequately prepare graduates for the successful completion of the national certification examination.
• To provide entry level medical laboratory scientists for the profession who meet entry level competencies as evidenced by the successful completion of the program.
• To provide graduates with adequate skills and experience for clinical decision making, quality assurance, process improvement, and regulatory compliance.
• To instill graduates with ethical standards to guide professional behavior and judgments.

Rules & Regulations

Students will train 40 hours per week from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If absence is necessary, the Program Director must be notified. A student may not be absent from the laboratory for more than 10 working days during the year whether for vacation or illness. Time lost in excess must be made up before a certificate will be issued.

All students are granted nine (9) holidays per year in addition to ten (10) personal days. Legal holidays at BMC are New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Patriot’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Policies and Practices
Information concerning the patient must be considered confidential, and the trust of both patient and physician must never be violated.

Students must comply with policies and practices that pertain to BMC employees as well as those of the School of Medical Laboratory Science. These policies will be signed by students before they begin the internship.

Verbal/Written Warnings
Unsatisfactory performance or violations of the Medical Center’s or School’s policies, standards, practices and regulations may result in corrective actions according to the frequency, seriousness, and circumstances surrounding the offenses. A more detailed explanation is provided to the student during orientation.

Grading Policy
Didactic:
No student will be allowed to graduate from this program with a final lecture grade of C- or lower in any subject. A minimum average of 75% must be maintained.

Practical:
No student will graduate from this program with a final clinical grade of C- or lower, a minimum average of 75% must be maintained. A student will not graduate from this program until they complete all assigned work in each rotation.

Grievance and Dismissal Policy
The Grievance and Dismissal policy is provided during student orientation. Some of the offenses that may result in immediate dismissal from the program include, but are not limited to:

• Cheating
• Plagiarism
• Violation of patient confidentiality
• Excessive absenteeism
• A student may be terminated or denied a certificate of graduation if they do not complete the internship according to all School of Medical Laboratory Science, Laboratory, and hospital policies.

Withdrawal Policy
A written notice to the Program Director is required as soon as a student decides to cancel their enrollment.

• Students from affiliated universities should consult with their Academic Advisor/ Medical Laboratory Science Program Coordinator and their university catalog.
• Non-affiliated students should submit their request in writing to the Program Director. An exit interview with the Program Director is encouraged.
• Textbook fees or any other expenses incurred before or during the program are non-refundable.
• All students who withdraw from the program shall relinquish the right to use student services made available by the hospital and laboratory.

Refund Policy
If we receive your notice before the first day of clinical training and you have already paid your tuition in full we will refund all of your tuition minus the $250.00 non-refundable deposit to hold your position.

Tuition, Fees & Expenses

Tuition
Tuition for the medical laboratory science internship is currently $5,000 for both in-state and out-of-state students. This fee does not include housing, certification exam fee, or other miscellaneous expenses. For refund policies or additional information, call the BMC School of Medical Laboratory Science at 413-447-2580.

Books
A list of required texts will be provided to the student before the start of the internship. All books are to be purchased by the student.

Health Program
A routine physical examination is required at the beginning of the training period. Students are required to follow BHS vaccination policies. For students that will not be covered by health insurance during the clinical internship, please contact Lori Moore at 413-447-2580.

Housing and Meals
Student housing may be available within walking distance of BMC for qualified students. Meal costs are the responsibility of the student.

Work
Opportunities to work as a phlebotomist, laboratory assistant, or lab courier are available on a limited basis for all students throughout their internship. Service work in not mandatory and not necessary for successful completion of the program.