Medical Laboratory Scientist

Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) – Commissioned Officer | U.S. Navy

Overview

The U.S. Navy is seeking experienced Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) to serve as Commissioned Officers in Navy Medicine. This opportunity is designed for highly qualified laboratory professionals who are passionate about clinical excellence, leadership, and serving those who serve our nation.

As a Navy Medical Laboratory Scientist, you will oversee laboratory operations that directly support patient care, disease diagnosis, transfusion medicine, force health protection, medical readiness, humanitarian assistance, and global military operations. You will serve alongside a multidisciplinary healthcare team while developing as both a laboratory professional and military officer.

Important: This is an Active Duty military position. It is not a civilian, remote, hybrid, or permanently location-based role. Officers are assigned according to the needs of the U.S. Navy and must be willing to relocate throughout their careers to military treatment facilities and operational commands within the United States and overseas.

What You'll Do

As a Navy Medical Laboratory Scientist, you may:

• Direct and supervise clinical laboratory operations.
• Perform and oversee complex laboratory testing in chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, and transfusion medicine.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and quality assurance standards.
• Interpret laboratory data and collaborate with physicians and healthcare providers to support patient diagnosis and treatment.
• Lead laboratory personnel while managing staffing, training, safety, and workflow.
• Develop and implement quality improvement initiatives.
• Manage laboratory instrumentation, validation, maintenance, and new technology implementation.
• Support operational medicine, deployment readiness, and contingency operations.
• Participate in research, education, and professional development initiatives.
• Provide laboratory support during humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions when required.

Typical Areas of Practice

Medical Laboratory Scientists in Navy Medicine support laboratories that provide:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Hematology & Coagulation
• Microbiology
• Immunology & Serology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Blood Banking & Transfusion Services
• Quality Management
• Laboratory Administration
• Point-of-Care Testing Programs

Applicants with experience in blood donor centers or transfusion services are highly encouraged to apply.

Possible Duty Stations

Duty assignments are based on the needs of the U.S. Navy and may include:

• Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA
• Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA
• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center – Bethesda, MD
• Naval Hospital Jacksonville, FL
• Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, CA
• Naval Hospital Bremerton, WA
• Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan
• U.S. Naval Hospital Guam
• Military treatment facilities throughout the United States
• Overseas Navy hospitals and clinics
• Operational and expeditionary medical commands supporting fleet and joint operations

Assignments may change throughout your Navy career and may include opportunities for overseas service.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree from an accredited college or university in:
• Medical Technology (MT)
• Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS)
• Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)
• Or a natural science
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including a 3.0 GPA in core MT/CLS/MLS science coursework.
• Successful completion of a one-year NAACLS-accredited Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Laboratory Science program.
• Current Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or Medical Technologist (MT) certification awarded by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
• Minimum three years of recent clinical laboratory experience within the last six years.
• Research laboratory experience and veterinary laboratory experience do not satisfy this requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

Competitive applicants will also possess:

• Supervisory or laboratory leadership experience
• Experience managing laboratory operations
• Blood Bank or Transfusion Service experience
• Blood Donor Center experience
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Experience with quality management and regulatory compliance

Active Duty Service Commitment

This opportunity is for professionals seeking to serve as Active Duty Navy Officers.

Applicants should understand that:

• This is not a civilian position.
• This is not a remote or hybrid role.
• This is not tied to one permanent geographic location.
• Officers serve wherever the mission requires and must be willing to relocate throughout their careers.
• Assignments are determined by the needs of the U.S. Navy and may include locations across the United States or overseas.

Why Navy Medicine?

Serving as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in the U.S. Navy provides the opportunity to:

• Lead highly skilled laboratory teams.
• Practice in advanced military medical centers.
• Support operational and expeditionary medicine.
• Participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
• Develop leadership skills as a Navy Commissioned Officer.
• Serve alongside some of the nation's most respected healthcare professionals while making a direct impact on the health and readiness of Sailors, Marines, their families, and military beneficiaries worldwide.

If you are an experienced Medical Laboratory Scientist who is ready to combine clinical expertise with leadership and military service, we encourage you to explore a career as a U.S. Navy Medical Laboratory Scientist Commissioned Officer. Please contact LTJG Rafeal T. Ramirez at rafeal.t.ramirez.mil@us.navy.mil or at 617-872-7580.