Internships and Fellowships

Program Overview

Medical Laboratory Scientists perform a critical role in healthcare by providing the objective information used by clinicians for the management of health and the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. 

The mission of the VA New England Healthcare System MLS hospital-based certificate program is to provide a quality clinical and didactic training for students in the profession of medical laboratory science, enabling them to pass national certification examinations and qualify to become part of a highly engaged healthcare team that delivers the highest quality of care to the veterans we serve.

Eligible students will spend 11 months at one of the participating VA New England hospital systems (VA Connecticut West Haven, VA Bedford MA, VA Boston, VA Central Western in Leeds MA, VA Maine, VA Manchester New Hampshire, VA Providence RI, and White River Junction VA Vermont) where all the appropriate medical laboratory science didactic and clinical practicum courses will be taught by experienced, certified lab professionals. Upon successful completion of the program, a certificate of completion will be awarded, and students will be eligible to sit for national certification exams for Medical Laboratory Scientist.

The Program is seeking accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018, .

All Program policies and procedures are available from the Program Director upon request.

VA educational programs admit students in accordance with national non-discrimination policies.

Scholarships are available to eligible VA employees and US citizens.

 VISN 1 clinical laboratories serve the veterans of the US armed forces in the New England Healthcare system (VA Connecticut West Haven, VA Bedford MA, VA Boston MA, VA Central Western MA, VA Maine, VA Manchester NH, VA Providence RI, and White River Junction VA VT). 

https://www.newengland.va.gov/index.asp

VISN 1 clinical laboratories perform over 9 million tests per year and are accredited by the Joint Commission, College of American Pathologists, CLIA and the FDA. 

VISN 1 clinical laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art clinical instrumentation and a sophisticated interfaced computer information system.

VISN 1 clinical laboratories have integrated Pathology residency programs.

VISN 1 clinical laboratories are full-service core laboratories including stat, reference, routine, and special testing.  

VISN 1 National Reference Labs provide flow cytometry, virology, mycobacteriology identification and susceptibility testing, and molecular diagnostics COVID-19 sequencing.

The vision of the VISN 1 MLS program is to be the primary provider of ethical, highly qualified, certified medical laboratory scientists who will effectively engage with the team delivering exceptional healthcare to the Veterans we serve.

The mission of the VA New England Healthcare System MLS hospital-based certificate program is to provide a quality clinical and didactic training for students in the profession of medical laboratory science, enabling them to pass national certification examinations and qualify to become part of a highly engaged healthcare team that delivers the highest quality of care to the veterans we serve.

• To produce highly skilled entry level Medical Laboratory Scientists who can provide accurate and timely laboratory results to aide in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and maintenance of health, in accordance with regulatory compliance and departmental procedures and policies, and who can effectively integrate as part of a high-performance laboratory team.
• To produce Medical Laboratory Scientists committed to providing excellent customer service and high-quality care to veterans within the VHA healthcare system.
• To promote ethical behavior and courteous and professional communication between laboratory staff, students, patients, and all members of the healthcare team.
• To provide a positive, non-discriminatory, supportive learning environment lead by experienced laboratorians.
• To provide future laboratory leaders, subject matter experts and educators.
• To foster the importance of professional development through life-long learning and advocacy for the field.

Students who successfully complete the VISN1 MLS program will:

• Demonstrate skills related to providing accurate and timely laboratory results in accordance with established clinical lab procedures and policies. 
• Demonstrate knowledge required to pass national MLS certification examinations. 
• Exhibit effective communication skills, ethical behavior, and the qualities of leadership and professionalism. 
• Demonstrate analytical thinking and an understanding of research design and practice applicable to the clinical lab and the improvement of patient care. 
• Demonstrate the value of continuing education for growth and maintenance of professional competence. 

The VISN 1 MLS program runs for 11 months beginning in September and ending in July.

Students will receive both didactic and clinical rotation experience in the areas of Microbiology, Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis and Body Fluids, Chemistry, Immunohematology, Immunology, Laboratory management and additional specialized topics.

All courses have an online didactic component and a practical component at one of the VISN 1 sites (VA Connecticut West Haven, VA Bedford MA, VA Boston, VA Central Western in Leeds MA, VA Maine, VA Manchester New Hampshire, VA Providence RI, or White River Junction VA Vermont).

Students enrolled in the program will spend eight hours a day, Monday through Friday, in clinical and didactic instructions. Clinical practicum is 1st half of the day and didactic lectures are the 2nd half of day with 20 clinical hours and 15 didactic hours per week for a total of 43 weeks. 

Clinical training rotations are concurrent with classroom lectures; however, clinical rotations may not coincide with lecture/classroom subjects. 

Students are not allowed to perform service work and are never substituted for regular staff during clinical practicum hours.

After successful completion of the VISN 1 MLS Program, graduates will receive a certificate of completion and will be eligible to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) national board certification examination and/or the American Medical Technologists (AMT) certification exam to become certified as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. 

• United States citizen. 
  • Applicants who are permanent residents or otherwise authorized to work in the US may be considered in the absence of qualified American citizens.
• Graduated from an accredited university/college with < 10 years since graduation.
• Completed 3 years or 90 semester hours at affiliated college or university and be eligible for a bachelor’s degree upon completion of the MLS certificate program.
• Minimum grade point average: 3.00
• Must pass pre-employment screening and security checks.
• Must be able to complete 11 months of continuous training from September to July.
•  

Prerequisites

• 16 credit hours of chemistry including organic or biochemistry. 
• 16 credit hours of biology including microbiology and immunology.
• One semester of college level math
• One semester of physics, statistics and molecular biology recommended.

*Survey and introductory courses are not acceptable.

**Only courses with grades of "C" or better will be considered in evaluating the prerequisite requirements listed above.

***Completion of prerequisite courses at an affiliated university does not guarantee admission to the VISN 1 MLS program. 

Essential functions represent the technical or non-academic requirements that all students must master to successfully participate in the VA New England Healthcare System MLS Program. Inability to meet any of these requirements will result in ineligibility or dismissal from the program. All students and, thereby, all applicants are expected to:

• Be able to easily recognize and read text, numbers, and graphics in print and on monitor screens. 
• Be able to discriminate patterns and colors to identify reagents, media, stained cell preparations and physical properties of various body fluids, as well as delineate fine details of cellular structure and morphology when using a microscope. 
• Be able to read, write and communicate in the English language to facilitate effective communication with patients, physicians, and all other members of the health care team. 
• Be able to understand the normal speaking voice and discern audible instrument alert signals and timing devices, with or without auditory aids. 
• Demonstrate sufficient manual dexterity to perform required tasks such as: performing phlebotomy safely and accurately; operating delicate instruments; manipulating tools; handling small containers of potentially biohazardous specimens, utilizing sample measuring devices; adequately focusing and manipulating a microscope, and using a keyboard. 
• Bend, reach, sit and be sufficiently mobile to traverse about the laboratory and hospital corridors, including patient rooms. 
• Have sound psychological health and stability, to effectively solve problems and to react effectively in stressful situations. 
• Be able to recognize emergency situations and take appropriate action. Be flexible, creative, and adaptable to change. 
• Use intellectual skills to calculate, interpret, analyze, reason, evaluate and explain data, solve problems, make critical judgements, and initiate corrective action as necessary. 
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity. 
• Follow directions, be able to make decisions, prioritize tasks, and work on multiple tasks simultaneously. 
• Work independently and in cooperation with others. 
• Work with potential biological, chemical, radiological, mechanical, and electrical hazards. 
• Maintain personal hygiene and neatness appropriate to the professional workplace. 
• Achieve regular, reliable, and punctual attendance at clinical site and lecture sessions.

Admitted students are also expected to abide by the Code of Ethics of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) to uphold duty to Patients, the Profession and Society.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) and diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the VA workplace. Recruitment and admission procedures for the VA New England Healthcare System MLS program will comply with VA EEO (VHA Directive 1124) and D&I (Executive Order 14035) guidelines and policies, where applicable and consistent with the program’s goals and objectives.  https://www.va.gov/ormdi/docs/StrategicPlan.PDF

To Apply submit the following:

• Resume, Cover Letter and Application Form
• Personal statement—300 words “I want to be a Medical Laboratory Scientist because...”
• Official Transcripts-in sealed envelope or email from School sent directly to the Program Director.
• Degree candidates must submit a letter of "anticipated graduation" from the registrar's office of their school. A letter of eligibility or conditional eligibility contingent upon successful graduation with a bachelor’s degree.
• Two letters of support: from college professor/lab instructor/academic advisor (if applicable) and/or current/former employer. Letters should be on official letterhead if applicable.
• Essential Functions form -signed and dated. 
• Application Deadline: February for Fall cohort. 

All application materials should be emailed to Carleta.Maurice@va.gov

Or mailed to:      

Carleta Maurice

Path and Lab Medicine Service 113, Rm C248

VA Connecticut Healthcare System 

950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516-2700

Admissions will be carried out on a rolling basis however, for first considerations applications should be completed in timely fashion. Admission to the program is competitive, with a limited number of student positions available. Attendance at an affiliated university does not guarantee placement in the program.

Applicants who have not yet completed a bachelor’s degree prior to the application deadline must submit a Letter of Conditional Eligibility from the Registrar of their University/College at least 1 month before the application deadline. These applicants may be conditionally accepted; however, the offer of acceptance will be withdrawn in the event of a failure to obtain the degree or be eligible for the bachelors’ degree. Applicant may resubmit for the following year once eligibility is met.

Evaluation and selection of students will be made by a selection committee based on the eligibility requirements, prerequisites, all application documents, and interview score.

The selection committee consists of the Program Director, faculty, and members of the Advisory Board.

After reviewing the candidate's completed file, eligible applicants will be interview by three or more members of the selection committee and the best candidates will be selected. Notices of acceptance or denial will be communicated by the program director to applicants at least 6 months prior to the start date of the program.

Accepted Students

To qualify for training at the VA Healthcare system each accepted student must provide proof of eligibility, must meet the essential functions (physical and mental) of the training program and must be immunized following current CDC guidelines and VHA policy for healthcare workers to protect themselves, other employees and patients while working in a healthcare facility. All documentation must be received by the Program Director.

Once the required documentation is received and all criteria have been met, an accepted student is onboarded through the VA Account Provisioning and Deprovisioning System (ADPS) process and appointed as a “Without Compensation (WOC) Health Professions Trainee (HPT) of the Veterans Healthcare Administration. Through this process, the student must submit to fingerprinting and a federal employee criminal background check. Any findings that contraindicate admission may result in withdrawal of the appointment to the program.

The student will receive an invitation and instructions for the ADPS process which must be completed before the start of the program.

Federal government regulations mandate a drug free environment. All applicants for government positions may be randomly subject to screens for illegal drugs of abuse. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied entrance into VA training programs.

Selective Service System:

All male US citizens, regardless of where they live, and male immigrants, residing in the United States,

who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. Males for these purposes are those born male on their birth certificate regardless of current gender. If not registered, a

Status Information Letter must be provided.  Additional information may be found on the Selective Service website. https://www.sss.gov/

Medical Requirement

Accepted students must provide evidence of satisfactory physical condition by obtaining a physical examination/evaluation performed in the last year and at their cost.

Accepted students must provide evidence or self-certification of up-to-date vaccinations for healthcare workers as recommended by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and VA to include, but not limited to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Influenza and COVID-19.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-adults/recommended-vaccines/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/index.html

All incoming students must provide documentation of Tuberculosis screening or testing as recommended by CDC health care personnel guidelines  https://www.cdc.gov/tb-healthcare-settings/hcp/screening-testing/

Failure to provide such proof may result in termination from the Program. Any medical findings that contraindicate admission to the Program may result in withdrawal of the appointment.

Students are strongly encouraged to obtain personal health insurance; there is no hospital group coverage available to the student.

Emergency treatment will be available to the student through the hospital’s Employee Health Service.

Liability Coverage

All VA appointed trainees are protected from personal liability while participating in training at a VA healthcare facility. Protection is provided under the Federal Employees Liability Reform and Tort

Compensation Act 28 U.S.C.2679 (b)-(d). The liability, if any, of the United States for injury or loss of

property, or personal injury or death shall be governed exclusively by the provisions of the Federal Tort

Claims Act.