FAQ

For the traditional track, Lexington campus, the deadline for applications is March 1st. 
For the traditional track, Hazard campus, the deadline for applications is May 1st.
For the MLT to MLS track the deadline to apply is June 1st.

Overall GPA for acceptance into the MLS program is 2.5.

Tammy Jo tammy.edge@uky.edu.

For information about the MLT to MLS track, contact Chad Guilliams at Chad.Guilliams@uky.edu.

Yes, health insurance is required upon entry into the MLS program.

Tuberculosis Screening

New Health Science College students are required to complete a 2-step TB Skin Test* or 2-step equivalent (IGRA).**  If you have had a TB test within the last year, please submit/bring a copy with you to your appointment.

Upper classmen must complete a TB skin test or IGRA test on an annual basis. Documentation of a negative Mantoux TB skin test is accepted from other institutions and must include (1) date given, (2) date read, (3) reading in millimeters, (4) name of facility and credentials of person administering and reading test.

If known history of positive TB test or IGRA test, documentation must include date of reading in millimeters and chest x-ray.  If these records are unavailable, UHS requires a 2-step TB skin test or equivalent IGRA. Students with a positive PPD will participate in annual TB screening by answering a TB symptom questionnaire.

*2-step TB Skin Test: two (2) TB skin tests within one year.  **IGRA: Blood test for TB.

Hepatitis B

A series of three injections at recommended intervals.  It is strongly recommended to check a Hepatitis B surface antibody (blood test) 4-8 weeks after dose # 3.

MMR

Proof of immunity to Rubella, Rubeola, and Mump. One of the following maybe used as documentation:

• Two MMR vaccines with the first dose at 12 months of age or older;
• Rubella, Rubeola, and Mumps disease diagnosed by healthcare provider*;
• Documentation of protective Rubeola, Rubella, and Mumps titers

Varicella

Proof of immunity to varicella by one of the following:

• Chicken Pox or Shingles disease diagnosed by a healthcare provider*;
• Positive antibody titer;
• Documentation of two varicella vaccines with the first dose at 12 months of age or older

Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis

Documentation of one dose of Tdap vaccine at age 11 or older. NOTE: Td (tetanus/diphtheria) vaccine is NOT the same as Tdap

Seasonal Influenza

One dose of the seasonal influenza vaccine is required if a student is present in a UK HealthCare facility at least one day during designated influenza season (October 1 – March 31)

Travel might be required.

The MLS program has the following clinical sites:

Lexington and surrounding areas:

• Baptist Health Lexington (Central Baptist)
• Lexington Clinic
• St. Joseph Hospital
• St. Joseph East
• UK HealthCare Chandler Medical Center
• VA Medical Center (Lexington)
• Clark Regional Medical Center (Winchester)
• St. Joseph Mt. Sterling
• Frankfort Regional Medical Center

Outside Lexington area:

• Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center (Danville)
• Harrison Memorial Hospital (Cynthiana)
• Hardin Memorial Hospital (Elizabethtown)
• Norton Hospital (Louisville)
• St. Claire Medical Center (Morehead)
• Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (Somerset)
• Rockcastle Regional Hospital (Mt. Vernon)
• Baptist Health Corbin
• Baptist Health Madisonville
• Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center
• Appalachian Regional Healthcare Reference Laboratory (Hazard)
• Highlands Regional Medical Center (Prestonsburg)
• Pikeville Medical Center
• Whitesburg ARH Hospital

Student practicum rotations last for 5 months. During this time students will train for 6 to 8 hours daily (Monday-Friday) at a clinical site.

Yes, besides traditional college/university financial aids students in the MLS program have specific opportunities available to them in the form of loans and scholarships.

Yes, the program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N. River Rd.
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119

http://www.naacls.org/

Medical laboratory science educational programs prepare students to work in a variety of settings including hospital, physician office, veterinary, research, public health, private, pharmaceutical, and reference laboratories. Other career opportunities include consulting, marketing, research and product development, administration and management, education, sales, and public health.

Currently, there is a 10–20% vacancy rate across the country. Increased testing demands and retirements will result in the need of more than 10,000 new lab professionals per year. Yet, there are only 4,100 new laboratory professional graduates per year.

Average salary for professionals with a baccalaureate degree (2013) was $59,460 (nationally) and $58,080 (Kentucky)