INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNLOGY :

A profession concerned with providing information based on the performance of analytical tests on human body substances to detect evidence of or prevent disease or impairment and to promote and monitor good health.

Assuring reliable test results which contribute to the prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of physiological and pathological conditions.

Departments

• BioChemistry – body fluid components
• Microbiology – pathogenic microorganisms
• Histopathology
• Serology (Immunology) – antibody studies
• Hematology – whole blood analysis and coagulation
• Blood Bank (Immunohematology) – transfusion related testing

           

History Of Clinical Laboratory Science :

 

Evidence of blood fluid testing as early as 1500 B.C.

First clinical lab opened at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1896 (Baltimore)

First autoanalyzer introduced in 1957

 

Qualification of Medical Laboratory Technologist :

 

Bachelor's degree in (Allied Health science)

3 years general college plus one year hospital internship

 

Subject Covered In Medical Laboratory Technologist :

 

1     Haemotology and blood banking

2     Immuno haematology and transfusion medicine   

3     Coagulation & transfusion medicine

4     Advanced microbiology, serology ,Virology and mycology

5     Advanced lab instrumentation

6     Introduction to clinical pathology & histo pathology

7     Advanced biochemistry and biochemical techniques

8     Advanced histopathology and cytopathology techniques

9     Lab instruments and ethics

                                         

Role of medical laboratory technologist :

 

A Medical Laboratory Scientist's role is to provide

• Accurate laboratory results in a timely manner. Safeguards, such as experimental controls, calibration of laboratory instruments, delta checks (monitoring of significant changes within a normal series of results), ensure accuracy.
• Laboratory results aid clinical practitioners in confirming or ruling out diagnoses, monitoring chronic disease changes, and analyzing the effects of medical therapies. Case to case study of patient care & prognostic value.
• Carry out routine and advanced laboratory tests using standard laboratory methods;
• Apply problem-solving strategies to administrative, technical and research problems;
• Conduct community – based researches in collaboration with other categories of health professionals;
• Provide professional consultancy on matters related to the establishment, renovation, upgrading and reorganization of medical laboratories of intermediate Levels.

 

Medical Laboratory Scientist's role in Laboratory management :

1.   Balance/examine the clinical and administrative needs of the laboratory and  medical   staff to determine how or if testing makes sense at that facility

2.  Develop, in consultation with appropriate colleagues, culturally competent test menus,  reference ranges, and patient information.

3.  Compare, select, and implement new instruments and testing 

4.  Prepare and manage the departmental budget. 

5.  Forecast trends and technological growth in clinical laboratory practice with a high  level of accuracy. 

7.  Develop plans for efficient space utilization. Lead laboratory facility redesign or facility design projects.

8.  Serve as clinic (i.e., physician office) practice coordinator (i.e., oversee entire clinic  operations including all personnel and departments,safety, quality assurance, etc.)

9.   Establish and implement a plan to maintain assessment of employee competency.

10. Use statistical tools to evaluate laboratory methods and productivity, patient  outcome measures and other investigative procedures as needed.

11     Manage the information systems through appropriate delegation of authority.

 

Occupational Titles of Medical laboratory scientists :

 

• Clinical Immunology Technologist
• Cytology Technologist
• Cytotechnologist
• Histology Technologist
• Immunohematology Technologist
• Medical Laboratory Technologist
• Medical Technologist

 

Higher Education for Medical laboratory technology :

 

A Medical Laboratory Scientist may pursue higher education to advance or further specialize in their career.

• Master of Science in Medical laboratory technology
• Master of Science in Education/Management
• Master of Health Administration
• Doctor of Philosophy in Management/Directorship in clinical laboratory
• Doctor of Philosophy academic research and professorship.

Future for Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist :

 

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist of the future will have an expanded role that builds on the currently defined Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology Scope of Practice. The future CLS/MT will move into a variety of additional clinical and non-clinical areas. This individual will also assume additional roles that should be in the Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology domain.  

 

CONSULTATION (Internal and External)

 

1. Consult or advice in all practice settings by correlating laboratory data and patient status.  

• Physician offices
• Hospitals
• Government areas
• With other health care professionals
• Industry
• Public health

2.   Provide in-laboratory interpretation of admission laboratory tests and the Ordering Develop new rubrics/algorithms for tests based on reading of the                       scientific literature.

 

3.   Serve as an enriched partner on healthcare team being available 24/7 to assist  physicians and other clinicians and bringing testing knowledge to rounds              along with  physicians, nurses, pharmacists, etc.,communicating the  following:

• Meaning of test results
• Further testing recommendations
• Assess patient condition from a laboratory medicine perspective
• Participate in rounds and patient care conferences to provide the clinical laboratory perspective.
• Proper blood product utilization
• Provide information for timing tests and consolidation of blood collection

 

4.  Work collaboratively with healthcare team to improve TAT and the ability to diagnose, treat and discharge patients in a hospital setting by reducing the number of blood collections and tests ordered by providing rationale for appropriate testing based on knowledge and algorithm designs similar to a critical pathway design.

 

5. Work with hospital and medical quality groups to review blood product usage, waste, utilization, etc. (Blood Utilization Technical Specialist).

 

6. Serve on all facility medical practice committees to include, but not be limited to Infection Control, Medical Practices, Quality Management, Transfusion Committees.