About the Program

The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program at UF Health Jacksonville is a hospital base program that prepares competent laboratory professionals that are able to perform and interpret laboratory tests, and explain the appropriate use and meaning of laboratory tests to other health-care professionals and patients. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion and are eligible to take their national board examinations for Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification, American Medical Technologist, and the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB). Students passing their board examinations will then be nationally certified as a Medical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologists and are eligible for licensure in the state of Florida as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist by endorsement. The MLS program is 11.5 months in duration and consists of five (5) months of didactic lectures and student laboratories followed by six and one half (6.5) months of practicum rotations in the various departments of the clinical laboratory.

As a hospital-based program, practicum placement is guaranteed through acceptance into the program.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of UF Health Jacksonville School of Medical Laboratory Science to graduate competent and ethical medical laboratory scientists with entry-level skills, knowledge, and insight to excel in the practice of laboratory medicine and to pass national certification examinations. The Program’s goal is to foster the importance of professional development through life-long learning, an atmosphere that promotes courteous and professional communication, provide the community with dedicated and highly skilled laboratory professionals, promote ethical behavior, and provide for future laboratory leaders and educators in a positive, non-discriminatory and supportive learning environment in its graduates.

Program Goals

At UF Health Jacksonville, we consider the past, study the present, and anticipate the future. The School of Medical Laboratory Science is committed to:

• equip our students with the education necessary to be part of a high-performance laboratory team that provides accurate and timely laboratory results to aide in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and maintenance of health
• provide students with the skills necessary to succeed in the medical laboratory and allied health field
• instill the practice of quality assurance and quality improvement in day to day laboratory performance
• provide an atmosphere that promotes courteous and professional communication between co-workers, students, patients and all members of the healthcare team
• encourage professional curiosity and instill the value of continuing education for growth and maintenance of professional competence
• provide our community with dedicated and highly skilled laboratory professionals
• promote ethical behavior as a foundation for leadership and education
• provide future supervisors, managers and educators in the health care professions

Accreditation

UF Health Jacksonville Medical Center is accredited by:

• The Joint Commission (TJC)

The UF Health Jacksonville Clinical Laboratory is accredited by:

• College of American Pathologists (CAP)
• Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB)

Note: The UF Health Jacksonville School of Medical Laboratory Science program is seeking accreditation through NAACLS**

**National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone (773) 714-8880
FAX (773) 714-8886
info@naacls.org
www.naacls.org

Scholarships

The UF Health Jacksonville School of Medical Laboratory Science program is an approved education provider for First Coast Workforce Development, Inc. and Polk County Workforce Development Board, Inc. Interested Florida residents should reach out to the Workforce development board in their area of domicile to inquire about educational funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The Regional Demand Occupations List, Standard Occupation Classification code for the program is 292010.

Tuition, Fees and Supplies

• Acceptance fee - $300 (applied toward tuition)
• Tuition - $3000
• Student training Licensing fee - $45
• Scrubs of the approved color and style (wine) – prices vary with retailer
• White lab coat – prices vary with retailer
• Application fee - $25

Tuition Refunds

Students withdrawing from the Program during the first three weeks of classes will be refunded tuition according to the refund schedule below:

Benefits

The following benefits are provided by UF Health Jacksonville plans at no cost to the student:

• Medical - GatorCare Prime medical plan - Employee Only coverage - Automatically enrolled effective the first day with UF Health Jacksonville
• Dental - DHMO plan
• Life Insurance - $10,000