Monday, April 27, 2009

Clinical Lab Science program receives accreditation award

The Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program at the University of Illinois at Springfield has received the official accreditation award from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

The program was awarded continuing accreditation for seven years, the maximum award. The program met standards in all areas, including faculty, curriculum, resources and outcomes. The National Accrediting Agency site visitors who came to UIS in November summarized their findings by saying, “This is an overall excellent program.”

According to CLS program director Linda McCown, clinical laboratory science, which is also called medical technology, is a career where nationally-certified professionals provide clues for determination of disease and health.

The curriculum at UIS includes four major areas: hematology, microbiology, clinical chemistry and immunohematology (blood banking and transfusion services). It includes rotations at two hospital laboratories in central Illinois. The program also boasts 100 percent placement for graduates seeking employment in the profession.

The CLS program at UIS has three full-time faculty, two adjunct instructors and five clinical faculty. Many of these faculty members have received honors, including Distinguished Author, awarded to Wayne Gade, and Member of the Year of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, awarded to Paula Garrott. CLS students have also placed first, second and third in the Illinois Student Bowl competition in the past three years.

For more information about the Clinical Laboratory Science program at UIS, contact Linda McCown at 206-7550 or go online to www.uis.edu/clinicallabscience.

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