MOS 68K—Medical Laboratory Specialist

Qualifications for initial award of MOS 68K, Medical Laboratory Specialist:

PULHES: 323222
Physical Demands Rating: moderately heavy
Required ASVAB Score: ST: 106
Enlistment Bonus: None
Security Clearance: None
U.S. Citizenship: Not Required
AIT Length / Location: 26 weeks at Ft Sam Houston, Texas
Other Requirements

Medical Laboratory Specialist (MOS 68K) Description / Major Duties:

The medical laboratory specialist performs bloodbanking procedures and elementary and advanced examinations of biological and environmental specimens to aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease and other medical disorders. MOS 68K personnel require manual dexterity and no aversion to the sight of blood or needles.

Duties for MOS 68K at each skill level are:

MOSC 68K1O. Perform elementary blood banking and clinical laboratory procedures in hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, serology, bacteriology, parasitology and urinalysis. Collects blood specimens by venipuncture and capillary puncture. Packs, unpacks, inspects, stores and distributes blood and blood products. Assembles, disassembles and maintains laboratory equipment.

MOSC 68K2O. Perform elementary blood banking and clinical laboratory procedures in hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, serology, bacteriology, parasitology and urinalysis. Collects blood specimens by venipuncture and capillary puncture. Packs, unpacks, inspects, stores and distributes blood and blood products. Assembles, disassembles and maintains laboratory equipment. Supervise laboratory sections in the performance of their duties. Performs and monitors Quality Control and Assurance.

MOSC 68K3O. Perform elementary and advanced blood banking and clinical laboratory procedures in hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, serology, bacteriology, virology, mycology, toxicology, parasitology and urinalysis. Collects blood specimens by venipuncture and capillary puncture. Packs, unpacks, inspects, stores and distributes blood and blood products. Assembles, disassembles and maintains laboratory equipment. Supervise technical and administrative functions for a small medical laboratory. Train lower skill levels in all elementary laboratory procedures and contributes to process improvement.

MOSC 68K4O. Perform advanced blood banking and clinical laboratory procedures. Supervise the technical and administrative functions for a medium medical laboratory. Develops and manages budgets, supplies and training work schedules. Establishes and analyzes quality control and assurance programs. Reviews and makes appropriate recommendations on doctrine and training policies and procedures. Supervise personnel blood storage and distribution units.

MOSC 68K5O. Serve as general supervisor for large medical laboratory activities. Develop budgets, training schedules and authorization documents. Provide technical and administrative management, coordination, control and operational duties as the senior medical laboratory NCO. Evaluates training programs, devises solutions and implements improvements to training. Participate in a wide variety of studies and reviews. Advises command in strategic planning, risk management, blood management and all matters concerning enlisted Soldiers. Participate in command review, inspection and approval of subordinate unit activities.

Other Requirements for Award of MOS 68K:

  • Normal color vision.
  • Must have a minimum of 1 year of chemistry, high school or college credit and 1 year algebra, high school or college credit with a "C" grade or higher in both subjects. Official high school or college transcripts are required.
  • No history of a felony conviction.
  • No history of conviction of crimes involving:
    • An out of hospital patient or a patient or resident of a medical care facility.
    • Financial exploitation of a person entrusted to a care of the applicant.
    • Any weapons/ammunition/explosives/arson charges.
    • Any drug activity involving illegal possession, buying, selling or distribution (dealing) of controlled substances or synthetics.
    • Violence against persons or property.
    • Sexual misconduct.
  • No record of conviction by special or general courts-martial or civilian courts of offenses listed in AR 27-10 (Military Justice), chapter 24 or otherwise required to register as a sexual offender under AR 27-10, chapter 24.
  • Formal training (completion of MOSC 68K1O courses for skill level 1 in MOSC 68K1O conducted under the auspices of the AMEDD Center and School) is mandatory or meet the ACASP criteria in paragraphs (a) for a medical laboratory specialist (MOSC 68K1O); (b) for a cytotechnology specialist (MOSC 68K1OM2) and (c) for biological science Research (MOSC 68K2OP9) as outlined below.
    • Medical Laboratory Specialist (MOSC 68K1O): Have graduated within the previous 36 months from a medical laboratory technician training program of at least 50 weeks in length, accredited by the committee of allied health education and Accreditation (CAHEA). (See note below). Documentation must include a copy of the school certificate, with original date not more than 3 years prior to enlistment.
      1. Certification within 36 months of enlistment as a medical laboratory technician by the Board of Registry of the American Society of clinical Pathologists, MLT (ASCP); or, certification as a medical laboratory technician by the Board of the American Medical Technologist, MLT (AMT); or certification as a clinical laboratory technician by the National Certification Agency for Clinical Laboratory Personnel, CLT. Documentation must include a copy of the appropriate certificate, with original date not more than 3 years prior to enlistment.
      2. Proficiency training must be performed under supervision of a clinical laboratory officer (AOC 71E), laboratory sciences officer (AOC 67B), pathologist (AOC 61U), or an NCO (SSG or above) qualified in MOS 68K.
    • Cytotechnology Specialist (MOSC 68K1OM2): Have graduated from a Medical Laboratory Technician Training Program of at lest 50 weeks in length accredited by the Committee of Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA). Documentation must include a copy of the school certificate.
      1. Certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologist, MLT (ASCP); or certification as a medical laboratory technician by the Board of the American Medical Technologist, MLT (AMT); or certification as Clinic Laboratory Personnel, CLT. Documentation must include a copy of the appropriate certificate.
      2. Have earned a Bachelor of Science degree; and
      3. Have graduated within 36 months of enlistment from a School of Cytotechnology accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA); or
      4. Be certified within 36 months of enlistment as a cytotechnologist (CT) by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologist.
      5. Documentation of the bachelors degree requires an official transcript from the degree granting institute. A certified copy of documenting certification by ASCP or graduation from CAHEA-accredited School of Cytotechnology is required.
      6. Proficiency evaluation must be performed under the supervision of a medical oncologist (AOC 61B) pathologist (61U), or an NCO qualified as a cytotechnology general supervisor (MOSC 68K3OM2 or 68K4OM2).
    • Biological Science Research (MOSC 68K2OP9): Have a bachelors degree with specialization in biology, chemistry, toxicology, physiology, organic chemistry, physics, microbiology, zoology, parasitology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or other related physical science, or medical allied science.
      1. Be certified as a medical laboratory technician (MLT), or medical technologist (MT), by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologist (ASCP); or certified as a MLT or MT by the Board of the American Medical Technologist (AMT); or certified as a clinical laboratory technician (CLT) or clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) by the National Certification Agency for Clinical Laboratory Personnel (NCA). Documentation must include a copy of the appropriate certificate.
      2. Be approved for enlistment in this MOS by Human Resources Command (HRC). Guidance counselor will call and record specific assignment instructions as well as obtain approval prior to enlistment.
      3. Successfully complete the proficiency training required at the location of the assigned research project. Foreign transcripts must be evaluated prior to contacting AHRC. Note: Enlistment grade will be SPC due to the applicant having a bachelors degree.

Additional Skill Identifiers for MOS 68K:

M2—Cytotechnology (skill level 2–4 only).
P9—Biological Science Research (skill level 1-3 only).

Article Last Modified: May 10, 2011

Return to: Medical Service Corps MOS List or the top level Army Jobs / MOS List