CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

20
ESSENTIALS OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
certified the worker. Some government agencies also have their own set of
descriptive job titles for laboratory workers.
This profession demands the ability to move from task to task, attention to
details, and the ability to work well under pressure with samples of the various
body fluids, such as blood, sputum, feces, and tissue specimens. With supervision
by medical technologists, MLTs perform complex examinations on body fluids
and waste products.
Major categories of tasks performed routinely by MLTs and CLTs in the
majority of medical facilities are the preparation and staining of a variety of slides
with various types of stains designed to stain specific components of body fluids.
They perform routine chemistry tests on blood, tissues, and fluids and perform
counts of various cell types. MLTs keep official records of results and perform
quality control procedures to ensure accuracy of results. They use a variety of
laboratory equipment such as computers, microscopes, and analytical equipment
to gather data used to determine the absence, presence, extent, and cause of diseases.
As they gain experience, MLTs are often given more responsibility and may
progress to performing more complex tests. Technicians generally are associatedegree–level
personnel who have completed an academic and clinical course of
study leading to a specialized degree. Almost all states require that the technician
successfully complete a major credentialing test or that the technician be licensed
by the state, if licensure is required by a particular state where personnel licensure
laws have been adopted. Technicians most often perform routine tests that are
repetitious and must work under the direct supervision of a technologist. Areas
of specialization in the medical laboratory include clinical chemistry, hematology
and coagulation, immunohematology, microbiology, serology, and urinalysis.
The MT may also be known as a CLS for the near future, again dependent
on the policies of the work site and credentialing agency. At least a bachelor’s
degree based on both academic studies and clinical training are required to
become a technologist. The technologist must be organized and work independently
while supervising other categories of laboratory workers such as technicians
(MLT or CLT). Good problem-solving skills with critical thinking are
required, and the ability to work well under pressure is important. Medical
technologists must be able to recognize abnormalities in the functions of instruments
during the analysis of patient specimens. They are responsible for monitoring,
screening, and troubleshooting analytical systems for calibration, quality
control results, and constant monitoring of results. To maintain the integrity of
the entire laboratory process, the medical technician or technologist must be
capable of recognizing factors or errors that could be or have been introduced
into the test results and rejecting samples and reagents that are contaminated or
not perfor ming properly.
MTs and CLSs are the technical experts who have great input into the functions
of nearly every laboratory. They ensure a well-run operation by providing
reliable results and controlling the quality of results obtained. These technical
experts also provide training and supervise laboratory technicians and laboratory
technology when students are assigned to their facility during clinical practice.
They provide data so that physicians and researchers can determine the
presence and extent of disease as well as evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
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