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Discover the roles and responsibilities of Medical Laboratory Technicians serving in various areas of clinical laboratories. Explore workflows, understand test procedures in Hematology, Immunohematology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Urinalysis, and Phlebotomy. Learn about career opportunities and the organizational structure of lab management.
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Generalists Serving in all areas of the clinical laboratory
Understanding Laboratory Workflow Doctor’s Order Results Reported Patient Sample to Doctor Collected / Identified Analysis of Sample Specimen Delivered Sample Process
Workflow • Pre-analytical • Orders • Chain of Custody • Patient identification and prep • Analytical • In-lab vs. POCT • QC • Calibration • Maintenance • Post-analytical • sample transport / storage • result documentation
Hematology/Coagulation • Study of cells and other components found in the vascular system, bone marrow and other body fluids (such as synovial fluid, cardiac fluid, and spinal fluid). • Testing • in the diagnosis of blood disorders such as leukemia, anemia, and bleeding problems • monitoring patient blood who have infections or burns or who have undergone surgery or cancer treatment. • use microscopes and automated equipment. • CBC (Complete Blood Count) – Using analyzers, the MLT determines the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets found in a cubic millimeter of blood. Hemoglobin and cell volumes/concentrations are also calculated. • Differential – Using a microscope, cells can be visually analyzed by the MLT to determine if infections, cancer or other abnormalities exist in a patient sample. • Bleeding Tests – PT and APTT are only a few of the tests used in coagulation studies to monitor patients who have bleeding disorders or who are taking anticoagulant drugs. • Website for Hematology: • www.hematology.org
Blood Bank - Immunohematology • Blood Grouping and Typing and Antibody Identification • Ensure Safe Blood Supplies (safe from AIDS, hepatitis and other infections • Transfusion Testing • Issues blood products such as packed cells, plasma, coagulation factors, and platelets. • plasmaphoresis, Rhogam tests, identification panels, transplantation, and paternity testing. • Website for Blood Bank: www.aabb.org
Clinical Immunology / Serology • Studies antigenic relationships to specific antibodies • Distinguish acute from chronic and present from past infections. • Some of the conditions studied include: lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, hepatitis, and AIDS. • Some procedures include: ELISA, electrophoresis, hemagglutination, fluorescence, and radio-immunoassay. • Website for Immunology: www.aai.org www.amli.org
Microbiology • Identification of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites • Procedures such as culturing, microscopic evaluation, chemical /serological / genetic testing / • Various illnesses such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, diarrhea, meningitis, and venereal diseases • Website for Microbiology: www.asm.org
Chemistry • Sophisticated instrumentation • Assays to help evaluate conditions such as diabetes, heart attack, hepatitis, and renal disorders • Analytical studies determine the physiologic levels of proteins, fats, sugars, enzymes, electrolytes, and other chemicals • Subdivisions of Chemistry include: Toxicology (therapeutic as well as drugs of abuse) and Endocrinology (hormones). • Website for Chemistry: www.aacc.org
Urinalysis • Kidney function assays • Microscopy, assay kits, and automated equipment • Assist the primary health care providers in diagnosing conditions such as diabetes, nephrosis, infections, pregnancy, and hemolysis
Phlebotomy • The Phlebotomist is trained in the process of blood collection using either venipuncture or capillary punctures. • Website for Phlebotomy: www.aspt.org
Types of Clinical Laboratories • Hospitals and Clinics • In-patients • Out-patients • Reference Laboratories • Commercial • Satellites / Phlebotomy Centers • Physician Office Laboratories (POL)
Opportunities • Veterinary offices • Armed forces • Pharmaceutical companies • Research and clinical work in facilities that specialize in cancer, neurologic disorders, and fertility studies
More Opportunities • Forensics • Genetics, epidemiology, medical publications, computer science, and quality assurance • Industry • development of new tests, procedures, and instrumentations. • sales, distribution, and service of new procedures, analyzers and reagents.
Organizational Structure Laboratory Management • Laboratory Medical Director • Laboratory Manager • Department/Technical Supervisor • Chief/Lead Technical Staff Laboratory Staff • Medical Technologist • Medical Laboratory Technician • Medical Laboratory Assistant • Phlebotomist
Beyond Science • Quality Improvement - Revenue / Cost • Standard Operating Procedures • Human Resources • QA