School of Clinical Laboratory Science
Clinical laboratory science is the study and practice of clinical diagnostic laboratory medicine, which includes the analysis of body tissues, blood, stool, body fluids and other substances using complex instrumentation, sophisticated techniques and specialized knowledge.
Clinical laboratory scientists are an integral part of the healthcare team. They work primarily in hospitals, physician’s offices, government laboratories, reference laboratories and research facilities. Additionally, they provide clinicians with 70% of the critical objective test results needed for the diagnosis, treatment and preventative health care.
As healthcare demands continue to increase, so does the need to diagnose medical conditions through various laboratory test procedures. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for clinical laboratory scientists is expected to grow by 11% between 2018 and 2028. This job growth rate is significantly faster than all other occupations in the U.S. economy.
Piedmont Augusta partnered with the University of South Carolina-Aiken (USCA) to create a Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) Program in May 2019 to meet the high demand for Clinical Laboratory Scientists. Upon successfully completing the CLS program, students will be awarded a certificate of completion from Piedmont Augusta Laboratory that will allow them to become certified Clinical Laboratory Scientists. Additionally, undergraduate biology majors at USCA who complete the CLS program also have the opportunity to secure a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science (BSCLS).
The CLS program prepares students for entry-level employment in a clinical laboratory setting, which includes clinical hematology, hemostasis, urinalysis, immunology, chemistry, microbiology, mycology, parasitology, phlebotomy, flow cytometry, molecular diagnostics and blood bank (immunohematology).
Learn more about the CLS Program