| The average age of a Medical Laboratory Scientist is 53-57 years of age. Consequently, the age
of retirement is rapidly approaching for a large portion of the medical laboratory workforce
across the United States. This projected workforce retirement rate, combined with increased
demand for medical laboratory professionals, makes the recruitment of future Medical
Laboratory Science students critical. The purpose of this study is to determine the most effective
methods of recruitment into the Medical Laboratory Science program at Idaho State University.
Secondarily, it is the hope that this research will aid in ascertaining the best ways in which to
retain these students as well as professionals already working in the field.
Survey data was gathered from previous applicants (n=69), current students in Idaho State
Universities Medical Laboratory Science program (n=22), as well as current professionals
working in the field was gathered (n=46). Data from current students and professional staff was
gathered at the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Scientists (Idaho chapter) convention in
April of 2017. The data collected from previous student applicants came from those who applied
to Idaho State University between the years of 2011-2016. The data demonstrated many
different aspects of the Medical Laboratory Science career field and it depicted many trends.
The most important of these trends include: age, advertising, recruitment, retention, and
marketing. The data also indicated the most effective strategies for recruitment into Idaho State
Universities Medical Laboratory Sciences program.
Keywords: Medical Laboratory Science, workforce shortage, recruitment, retention.
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