What Can You Do with a DCLS Degree? 8 Jobs to Consider

Health care professionals depend on quality laboratory testing in every aspect of patient care. Out of this importance emerges the need for medical laboratory scientists who are knowledgeable and adaptable. In other words, there is a critical need for Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) practitioners.

If you’re thinking about pursuing an advanced degree in laboratory science, you may have some questions. What sets the DCLS program apart? Will you have career opportunities after graduation? What you can even do with a DCLS? Luckily, you’ll soon discover that DCLS prepares you for a wide variety of jobs in clinical laboratory science.

Key Takeaways

• A Doctoral of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) is a terminal degree and paves the way for laboratory employment and beyond.
• DCLS practitioners make a difference in a wide spread of industries, such as biotechnology, clinical research, and academia.
• UC’s online DCLS program stands out because of its flexibility, allowing students to enroll full time or part time and complete their in-personal clinical requirements locally.

What Is a Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science? 

The Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) program is a professional doctoral degree. Graduates of the DCLS program provide invaluable insight into laboratory utilization, diagnostic management, and other best practices within the laboratory environment. They also possess an advanced understanding of what factors impact lab testing and diagnosis. Because of this, a DCLS can impart this knowledge to patient-facing clinicians who don’t have a background in laboratory medicine.

Since the initial development of the DCLS degree, its practitioners have proven themselves to be integral voices within health care teams. They are particularly skilled at conducting research and monitoring laboratory processes to recommend improvements. The DCLS is also the highest credential that laboratory science professionals can earn. This cements its practitioners as experts in their field.

In the DCLS program, you’ll engage in a wide array of coursework. A balanced focus on intensive science courses and laboratory leadership ensures that you graduate with competitive skills. Whether you are providing guidance to medical laboratory scientists or other clinicians across an interprofessional care team, you will make a direct impact on patient outcomes as a DCLS. For a detailed overview of the DCLS curriculum, visit the DCLS program webpage.

8 Jobs You Can Pursue with a DCLS Degree

While earning your DCLS will make you a more effective laboratory professional, it will also open the door to career advancement! Upon graduation, a variety of advanced positions in laboratory leadership, health policymaking, and academia await you.

Don’t know where to start? Here are eight jobs you can pursue with a DCLS degree:

1. Clinical Laboratory Consultant: These medical laboratory experts provide independent guidance to healthcare facilities. With expertise as generalists or specialists in specific disciplines, CLCs are committed to quality patient care.
2. Laboratory Director or Manager: Some of a lab manager’s responsibilities include inventory control, equipment validation and maintenance, safety and quality control, and employee management and support. Given the degree’s focus on laboratory leadership, a DCLS grad will excel in these types of management roles.
3. Clinical Research Scientist: By applying new discoveries in science and technology to their work, these individuals focus on disease treatment and human health. Their goal is to bring safe and effective new therapeutic products into the marketplace. A DCLS professional will thrive in this role that emphasizes efficiency and improving health care.
4. Medical and Health Services Manager: These health care administrators plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services, making it a perfect fit for DCLS graduates. They may manage an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice for a group of physicians—and the 2023 median pay for this role was $110,680.
5. Public Health Laboratory Scientist: These laboratory scientists may perform tests on lab samples, research different diseases and infections, and analyze test results and conclusions to better assess issues or hazards surrounding public health. A DCLS may thrive in this role by focusing on the “big picture” rather than individual patient care only.
6. Academic Professor or Educator: The role of the DCLS is often to answer clinician’s questions about lab results. These professionals educate care teams on the nuances of laboratory science and testing, so it’s no surprise that many DCLS graduates go on to teach at the university level.
7. Quality Assurance/Regulatory Specialist: While these roles may step outside of the laboratory and into biotechnology, they provide the perfect opportunity for DCLS graduates to utilize their communication and organizational skills. The main responsibilities of these specialists include liaising with regulatory bodies, managing process improvements, and achieving a balance between regulatory concerns, compliance, and cost.
8. Clinical Research Coordinator: Through managing clinical research and drug trials, these professionals collect data that improves preventative care and immunizations. Clinical research coordinators must possess extensive clinical and managerial expertise, making this role a perfect fit for DCLS practitioners.

This list is varied, but it isn’t by any means exhaustive. Every year, DCLS graduates demonstrate their value in many industries. What’s clear is that a DCLS degree doesn’t just prepare you for one job. It prepares you for the career of your dreams.

Is a DCLS Degree Right for You?

If you are a current medical laboratory scientist with a passion for leadership, then earning your DCLS may be a logical next step for your career. A distinct benefit of UC’s DCLS program is that students may enroll full time or part time. If a full-time doctoral program sounds daunting, then enrolling part time may be perfect for you. This flexibility makes a huge difference in your ability to juggle your education, work, and family.

The DCLS program webpage provides an overview of the admissions requirements for the program. If you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in medical laboratory science (or a related field) and an MLS generalist certification, then the DCLS may be right for you!

Why UC’s Online DCLS Degree?

At UC, we prioritize your goals as a student and understand that flexibility is key. We show that through the design of our DCLS program. With a combination of 100% online and asynchronous coursework and three semesters of in-person clinical experience, you can complete your degree on your timeline.

Best of all, the clinical requirement for the DCLS can be completed at your local hospital or laboratory location. Gone are the days of having to move across the country to further your education. Now you can advance your career without leaving behind your community and personal ties.

Take the First Step Toward Earning Your DCLS Degree Online—Contact Your Enrollment Advisor Today!

If you’re ready to take the first step toward earning your DCLS, contact your Enrollment Advisor today! Earning your DCLS is a pathway toward advanced career opportunities and making an even bigger difference in the lives of your patients.

Still unsure if a DCLS is right for you? Don’t just take our word for it. Check out our video Q&A with the DCLS program director, Dr. Patricia Tille, and get answers to your burning questions about the program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

How much does a DCLS graduate make?

While salaries for DCLS professionals vary, the average annual salary is $122,539 for laboratory managers and $124,121 for laboratory directors. A DCLS grants you a competitive edge when applying for these high-level positions.

Can a DCLS be a lab director?

Yes! In fact, a DCLS provides an eligible pathway toward earning your High-complexity Clinical Laboratory Director (HCLD) certification, a sought-after position in the field.