CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

32
ESSENTIALS OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
worker. Technologists generally have the knowledge to work in all general areas
of the laboratory if necessary but may confine themselves to one department and
assume responsibility for their work as well as for those whom they supervise,
the technician-level employee.
Technician-Level Medical Laboratory Worker
Technicians as Medical Laboratory Professionals and technicians employed in
the medical laboratory generally possess at least an associate degree in medical
laboratory science. They perform most of the routine laboratory testing and may
work in any department. Technicians perform mostly repetitious tasks that do
not require any modification of the procedures and are not responsible for making
judgments as to any changes in organization of the laboratory or in choosing
methodology. In many facilities they provide services as a basic “bench tech” and
perform many of the same functions as the technologist level but without the
decision-making responsibilities. They do not supervise other workers except in
the case of laboratory assistants who perform no laboratory procedures but only
ancillary duties such as clerical and inventory functions. Technicians work closely
with phlebotomists, however, and may provide direction to them. Continuing
education from outside organizations and inservice programs are required in
most medical facilities for all categories of laboratory worker.
Phlebotomists
The name “phlebotomist” literally means vein cutting. The first basic step and
perhaps the most important step is to attain a specimen that is adequate and
appropriate for the required testing. A phlebotomist should be trained in a number
of techniques for collecting blood. Phlebotomists usually are graduates of
an approved phlebotomy program and the current trend is to require certification
of the graduates of a formal program. Some of the agencies of registry for
medical laboratory technicians and technologists, such as AMT, also provide
for certification of phlebotomists but some are dedicated to certification of only
phlebotomists. They must have a high degree of manual dexterity as well as good
communication skills and considerable knowledge of laboratory tests and the
specimens required, along with institutional policies. But some facilities provide
on-the-job training in which a high school graduate is paired with an experienced
phlebotomist, and most of the knowledge is of an informal nature through
the gradual attainment of experience and practice. Most agencies require continuing
education each year to maintain certification.
Job Descriptions for Technologists and Technicians
Broad lists of general responsibilities and duties that may be performed by technologists
and technicians have some overlap in duties, and in most general laboratories
job descriptions are the same or similar in the tasks performed. The
profession demands the ability to move from task to task, paying attention to
details, and working well under pressure while not having an aversion to body
fluids, such as blood, sputum, feces, and tissue specimens. With supervision by
Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.