What is a Clinical Laboratory Science Professional?
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Clinical laboratory science professionals, often called medical
laboratorians, are vital healthcare detectives, uncovering and
providing laboratory information from laboratory analyses that assist
physicians in patient diagnosis and treatment, as well as in disease
monitoring or prevention (maintenance of health). We use
sophisticated biomedical instrumentation and technology, computers, and
methods requiring manual dexterity to perform laboratory testing on blood and body fluids.
Laboratory testing encompasses such
disciplines as clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, and molecular biology. Clinical
laboratory science professionals generate accurate laboratory data that
are needed to aid in detecting cancer, heart attacks, diabetes,
infectious mononucleosis, and identification of bacteria or viruses that cause infections, as well as in detecting drugs of
abuse. In addition, we monitor testing quality and consult
with other members of the healthcare team.
The clinical laboratory science profession has more than one career track based on level of education: clinical laboratory technician (2 years) and clinical laboratory scientist (4 to 5 years). Clinical laboratory technicians are competent in the collection, processing and analysis of biological specimens, the performance of lab procedures, the maintenance of instruments, and relating lab findings to common diseases/conditions. Clinical laboratory scientists have a more extensive theoretical knowledge base. Therefore they not only perform laboratory procedures including very sophisticated analyses, but also evaluate/interpret the results, integrate data, problem solve, consult, conduct research and develop new test methods.
In order to participate in a clinical
laboratory science educational program, students must be able to comply
with program-designated essential functions, or request reasonable
accommodations to execute these essential functions. Requirements
include a sound intellect; good motor skills: eye-hand
coordination and dexterity; effective communication skills; visual
acuity to perform macroscopic and microscopic analyses, or read
procedures, graphs, etc.; professional skills such as the ability to
work independently, manage time efficiently, to comprehend, analyze and
synthesize various materials, as well as to hold sound
psychological health and stability.