Medical

Laboratory
Science
The Hidden Profession
Written By
Kimberly A. Whiter MLS(ASCP)CMP

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This is your microscope!

Use it to take a closer look at
this exciting career choice
throughout this presentation.

I know you are excited to learn about this

wonderful career so grab your microscope and lets find out
what Medical Laboratory Science is all about!

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Clinical Laboratory Science

THINK
Think about the Medical Professions that you know. How
many can you name? M.D., Nursing? Any others?

How about Medical Laboratory Science? There are many

more Medical Professions than you are probably aware of,
but we are going to take a close look at Medical
Laboratory Science, an exciting profession that remains
hidden behind the medical investigation scene.

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Ponder
Ever wonder what happens to the blood
after it is drawn from you?
Where does it go, who is dealing with it?
How does the doctor decide on your
diagnosis from your blood?
The Medical Laboratory Science
profession is the answer to all of these
questions!

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Upon completion of this program you will:

Be able to identify what is Medical Laboratory
Science
Be able to identify the job duties of a Medical
Laboratory Scientist
Be able to identify the different departments in
the Laboratory
Be able to see how a Medical Laboratory
Scientist fits in the healthcare system

Main Menu
A Day as a Medical Laboratory Scientist

Definition of Medical Laboratory Science

Job Duties of a Medical Laboratory Scientist

Divisions of the Laboratory

How to be a Medical Laboratory Scientist

A Day in the Life of a Medical Laboratory Scientist

Your average MLS will arrive at work
early in the morning, especially in
hospital settings. Physicians like to have
all laboratory results completed when
they are making their morning visits with
patients. Therefore, your MLS is working
hard behind the scenes to ensure your
lab tests are done before the doctor
arrives.

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A Day in the Life of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist

After the morning rush, your MLS

professional works throughout the day
running routine lab work from the
hospital and physician offices. It is the
goal of every Laboratory to process,
test, and result quality lab tests in a
highly timely fashion.
Many hospital settings allow for variation in
shifts that a MLS can work, offering Day,
Evening and Night Shift to complement your
personal life.
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Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)

is a health care profession

with special expertise in laboratory
medicine. Members of this
challenging profession are
responsible for providing accurate,
reliable laboratory tests for
monitoring health and diagnosing
and treating disease

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What does a Medical Laboratory

Scientist do?
Perform analytical tests of body fluids, cells and
other substances.
-Body fluids include blood, urine, serum/plasma, CSF,

and other various body fluids.

Many different tests can be performed on each of the
various body fluids. These tests help the physician
decide on a diagnosis. A Medical Laboratory Scientist is
the professional that performs these tests.

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What does a Medical Laboratory

Scientist do?
Review and correlate data, recognize problems,
identify causes, and formulate and apply
solutions.
-Each test that is run requires review from a
specially trained Medical Laboratory Scientist that
will be able to recognize problems with the results,
identify reasons for the cause of the results either
pathological or instrumental and will be able to
formulate a solution if needed.

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What does a Medical Laboratory

Scientist do?

Confirm abnormal results

-All abnormal test results must be confirmed with a
highly trained MLS before reporting.
Execute quality control procedures and
interpret quality control data.
-Quality control is a procedure of running known
substances to assure the accuracy of the results
that are being reported. You want to know that the
test results you are getting back are accurate!

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What does a Medical Laboratory

Scientist do?

Execute preventive maintenance of equipment

and/or identify appropriate sources for repairs.
-In addition to running quality lab tests, knowledge
about how each instrument in the laboratory
analyzes and works is necessary to initiate
maintenance and repairs if needed. MLS
Professionals work as instrument maintenance
personnel as well!

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What would be an example of a job duty for a Medical

Laboratory Scientist?
a. Taking patients body temperature
b. Taking a radiograph of a patient
c. Testing blood from the patient to help diagnose cause of
illness

Abnormal test results must be confirmed by a trained Medical

Laboratory Scientist before resulting to Physician.
a. True
b. False

Medical Laboratory Scientists are responsible of upkeep on

Laboratory instruments.
a. True
b. False

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You are correct!

Medical Laboratory Scientists are the
professionals that run laboratory tests on
patient blood, urine, body fluids, etc. These
procedures allow the physician to accurately
make a diagnosis and treat the patient.

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

The professional that takes the temperature on
the patients is the Nurse.

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

The professional that takes the radiographs
are the Radiation Technologists.

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

All abnormal test results must be confirmed
with a trained Medical Laboratory Scientist.

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You are correct!

All abnormal test results must be confirmed
with a trained Medical Laboratory Scientist.

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You are correct!

Instruments in the Laboratory require
maintenance that is performed by the
Medical Laboratory Scientist.

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

Instruments in the Laboratory require
maintenance that is performed by the
Medical Laboratory Scientist.

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Departments in the Laboratory

Hematology
Chemistry
Blood Banking

Microbiology

Serology

Department Review

Hematology
Is the study of cells in your blood. Your blood is made up
of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. A
Medical Laboratory Scientist working in this
department will count how many of each type of cell you
have and evaluate the size, shape and color.
A Medical Laboratory Scientist working in the
Hematology department is trained in the physiological
and physical aspects of every cell.
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Platelet

Red Blood Cell

White Blood Cell

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Blood Banking
Is the practice of crossmatching blood components for
healthy transfusions. A Medical Laboratory Scientist
working in the Blood Bank department will identify blood
types, perform accurate and safe crossmatches with
various blood components, as well as identify unsuspected
antibodies.

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Microbiology

Is the study of microorganisms. A Medical Laboratory

Scientist working in the Microbiology department
identifies bacteria, fungus and parasites. The Medical
Laboratory Scientist must also tell the physician which
antibiotics to use to kill the bacteria found.

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Chemistry

The chemistry department quantitates hormone, enzyme,

electrolyte and drug levels in your blood stream, urine or
body fluid. A Medical Laboratory Scientist working in
the Chemistry department must be able to evaluate the
results of these levels to determine if they are
pathological or not.

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Serology

Is the study of immunity and antibodies in your blood. A

Medical Laboratory Scientist working in the Serology
department identifies antibodies to pathological
syndromes such as measles, chicken pox, mononucleosis,
and Strep. throat.

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1.Hematology is the study of cells. Your blood is made of

what three cellular components?
A. lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes
b. white cells, red cells, and platelets
c. antibodies, bacteria, and viruses

2. Medical Laboratory Scientists working in the hematology

department are trained in what two aspects of each cell?
A. physiological and physical
b. color and shape
c. immunogenicity and function

3. The smallest cell is a...

A. white blood cell
b. red blood cell
c. platelet
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You are correct!

White blood cells, Red blood cells and Platelets make
up the cellular portion of your blood.

Platelet
White Blood Cell

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Red Blood Cell

Sorry, that is Incorrect.

White blood cells, Red blood cells and Platelets make
up the cellular portion of your blood.
Lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes are types of
White blood cells.

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

White blood cells, Red blood cells and Platelets make
up the cellular portion of your blood.

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You are correct!

A Medical Laboratory Scientist working in the
Hematology department will be trained in the
physiology, how the cell works and does its job, and
the physical, the size, shape and color of the cell.

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

A Medical Laboratory Scientist working in the
Hematology department will be trained in the
physiology, how the cell works and does its job, and
the physical, the size, shape and color of the cell.

Back

Sorry, that is Incorrect.

A Medical Laboratory Scientist working in the
Hematology department will be trained in the
physiology, how the cell works and does its job, and
the physical, the size, shape and color of the cell.

Back

You are correct!

The platelet is the smallest cell in your blood. The
white blood cell is the largest and the Red blood cell
is larger than a platelet yet smaller than a white blood
cell.

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

The platelet is the smallest cell in your blood. The
white blood cell is the largest and the Red blood cell
is larger than a platelet yet smaller than a white blood
cell.

Back

Sorry, that is Incorrect.

The platelet is the smallest cell in your blood. The
white blood cell is the largest and the Red blood cell
is larger than a platelet yet smaller than a white blood
cell.

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1. The practice of crossmatching blood components for

healthy transfusions is known as what?
A. Serology
b. Blood Banking
c. Microbiology

2. A Medical Laboratory Scientist working in the this

department will identify blood types.
A. True
b. False

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You are correct!

Blood Banking is the practice of crossmatching blood
components for healthy transfusions

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

Blood Banking is the practice of crossmatching blood
components for healthy transfusions.
Serology is the study of immunity and antibodies in
your blood.

Back

Sorry, that is Incorrect.

Blood Banking is the practice of crossmatching blood
components for healthy transfusions.
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms.

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You are correct!

Performing a Blood Type on patients is part of the
job duties required for a Medical Laboratory
Scientist working in Blood Bank.

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

Performing a Blood Type on patients is part of the
job duties required for a Medical Laboratory
Scientist working in Blood Bank.

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1.What are three things that a Medical Laboratory

Scientist will identify if working in the Microbiology
department?
A. viruses, cells, and antibodies
b. bacteria, fungus, and parasites

2. A Medical Laboratory Scientist working in the

Microbiology department will test the bacteria against
_________ to tell the Physician what to treat the patient
with.
A. pesticides
b. antibiotics

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You are correct!

Bacteria, fungus, and parasites are three things that
a Medical Laboratory Scientist will test for in the
Microbiology department.

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

Bacteria, fungus, and parasites are three things that
a Medical Laboratory Scientist will test for in the
Microbiology department.

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You are correct!

Antibiotics are tested against the bacteria found by
the Medical Laboratory Scientist to find out which
treatment the Physician should use on the patient.

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

Antibiotics are tested against the bacteria found by
the Medical Laboratory Scientist to find out which
treatment the Physician should use on the patient.

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1. What are four things that can be quantitated in Clinical

Chemistry analysis?
a. viruses, microorganisms, parasites, and fu
ngus
b. Antibodies, antigens, fibrin, and solutes
c. hormones, enzymes, electrolytes and drug
levels

2. Clinical Chemistry analysis can be performed on

serum/plasma, urine, and body fluid.
a. True
b. False

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

Clinical Chemistry quantitates hormones such as
hCG levels, enzymes, such as AST levels,
electrolytes, such as Na, and drug levels.

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

Clinical Chemistry quantitates hormones such as
hCG levels, enzymes, such as AST levels,
electrolytes, such as Na, and drug levels.

Back

You are correct!

Clinical Chemistry quantitates hormones such as
hCG levels, enzymes, such as AST levels,
electrolytes, such as Na, and drug levels.

Back

Sorry, that is Incorrect.

Clinical Chemistry analysis can be done on
serum/plasma, urine, or body fluids such as
CSF.

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You are correct!

Clinical Chemistry analysis can be done on
serum/plasma, urine, or body fluids such as
CSF.

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1. Serology is the study of _________.

a. cells
b. bacteria
c. immunity

2. A Medical Laboratory Scientist working in the

Serology department identifies _________.
a. Bacteria
b. Hematologic diseases
c. antibodies

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You are correct!

Serology is the study of immunity.

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Sorry, that is Incorrect.

Serology is the study of immunity.

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You are correct!

A Medical Laboratory Scientist working in the
Serology department identifies antibodies in the
blood that are associated with various pathologic
syndromes, such as measles, chicken pox, Strep
throat, and syphilis.

Back

Sorry, that is Incorrect.

A Medical Laboratory Scientist working in the
Serology department identifies antibodies in the
blood that are associated with various pathologic
syndromes, such as measles, chicken pox, Strep
throat, and syphilis.

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How to become
a

Medical Laboratory Scientist

Degree Plan

Job Opportunities

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Degree Plan
The Medical Laboratory Science degree is a 4 year Bachelors of Science degree.
It must be obtained from a NAACLS approved program.
Most programs offer a 3+1 program containing 3 years of theory and 1 year of
clinical internship at a NAACLS approved laboratory. However, you can enter the
clinical internship year post-graduation from a Bachelors program.
Most programs require courses in Microbioloy, Immunology and Organic
Chemistry to be taken prior to the clinical internship year.
After the completion of the program, you are required to pass a National Board of
Registry examination to be allowed to practice Medical Laboratory Science.
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Job Opportunities
Generalist: A Medical Laboratory Scientist that works in all
departments of the Laboratory.
Specialist: A Medical Laboratory Scientist that has had three
years experience in a particular department in addition to
passing a Specialist exam. This professional will only work in
that department.
Supervisor: A Medical Laboratory Scientist that has risen in the
ranks of the Laboratory to become the head of a particular
department.
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Job Opportunities
Lab Manager: A Medical Laboratory Scientist that has risen in
the ranks to become head of the entire Laboratory.
Educator: A Medical Laboratory Scientist with at least 5 years
experience that has also earned a Masters degree and is
teaching Clinical Laboratory Science at the college level.
Instrument Sales: A Medical Laboratory Scientist that sales
clinical instruments to buying laboratories.

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Job Opportunities
Research: A Medical Laboratory Scientist that works in a
research facility, possibly for the government.
Chemist: A Medical Laboratory Scientist can directly transfer
their degree to get them a position at a Chemical Plant due to
extensive training in Chemistry.
Veterinary Application: A Medical Laboratory Scientist can
perform lab tests in the veterinary field just as easily as the
human field.
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Credits
You have now completed learning about
Medical Laboratory Science. Thank you for taking your
time to view information about this exciting career
choice.
Hopefully you see now that there are
highly trained professionals working in the
background as part of the healthcare team.
Medical Laboratory Science is an exciting
field that is quickly growing with new technology.

The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. (2002-2003).

Retrieved March15, 2005, from
http://www.clsmedtech.wisc.edu/CLSdefinition.html
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Useful Links
American Association for Clinical Pathologist
American Association for Clinical Laboratory
Scientists

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