1. CHAPTER 22 LABORATORY CAREERS
Donor
Fomite
Immunity
Infection
Microorganism
Nonpathogenic
Pathogen
Phagocyte
Phlebotomy
Recipient
Sterile
Journal question: What personal qualities are needed for laboratory careers?

2. Chapter 22 Learning Objectives
Define at least 10 terms relating to laboratory careers.
Specify the role of selected laboratory health care workers, including personal characteristics, levels of education, and credentialing requirements.

3. Chapter 22 Learning Objectives
Differentiate between pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms.
Identify six groups of organisms that may be pathogenic in humans.
Describe the conditions that are favorable for the growth of microorganisms.

4. Chapter 22 Learning Objectives
Identify three ways in which the skin serves as a defense against infection.

5. Clinical Laboratory Science
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standards
Ensures quality laboratory testing
Personnel of certified labs must meet specific educational qualifications
Laboratory personnel do not usually have contact with the patient.

6. Laboratory Careers

7. Laboratory Careers: Educational Costs and Earnings

8. Clinical Laboratory Science
Pathologist
Medical doctor who examines specimens of body tissue, fluids, and secretions to diagnose disease
Education
Medical school
Specialized education and training
Pathology is divided into two major specialties, anatomic and clinical. Anatomic pathology deals with the tissue diagnosis. Clinical pathology deals with the laboratory test diagnosis.

9. Clinical Laboratory Science

10. Clinical Laboratory Science
Clinical laboratory scientist (CLS)
Also called laboratory technologist
Performs clinical laboratory testing and analyzes results
Education
Bachelor’s degree plus a 1-year training program
Bachelor’s degree and examination to become a certified technologist (CT)
Licensure of laboratory technologist is required in some states.

11. Clinical Laboratory Science
Areas of specialization for laboratory technologists
Microbiology technologist
Collects, grows, and isolates microorganisms to assist with their identification
Cytotechnologist
Specializes in preparation and screening of cells used to diagnose cancer, infectious agents, or inflammation
Microorganisms collected may be used to diagnose cancer, infectious agents, or inflammation.

12. Clinical Laboratory Science
Chemistry technologist
Analyzes body fluids and wastes
Other areas of specialization
Hematology
Study of blood
Immunology
Study of resistance to pathogens

13. Clinical Laboratory Science
Medical laboratory technician (MLT)
Works under the supervision of a laboratory technologist or pathologist
Responsibilities
Obtains blood samples, prepares tissue slides, analyzes body specimens, and performs cell counts and urinalysis
Education
Two years of training
Some states require certification or licensure
Medical laboratory technicians are also called clinical laboratory technicians.

14. Clinical Laboratory Science
Histology technician (HT)
Medical laboratory technician specializing in histology
Responsibilities
Preparation of tissues for diagnosis, research, and teaching purposes
Education
Certified histology technician must have 1 year of experience in histopathology or 3 years under the supervision of a certified pathologist
Some states require certification and/or licensure for histology technicians.

15. Clinical Laboratory Science
Medical laboratory assistant (MLA)
Performs routine tests under the supervision of the technologist or other qualified personnel
MLA may work in the following testing areas:
Urinalysis
Hematology
Serology
Bacteriology
Education
1 year of training in a hospital or a 2-year college or vocational program
Certification is available.
The American Medical Technologists (AMT) offers national certification testing, which earns students the title of Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA). Although not required, some employers prefer applicants who are certified by a recognized professional association, such as the American Medical Technologists. 

16. Clinical Laboratory Science
Phlebotomist
Obtains and processes blood specimens
Education
Community college or vocational program
On-the-job training
Certification as a phlebotomist is offered by The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) and is a comprehensive examination that tests all areas of phlebotomy knowledge.

17. Phlebotomists Use a Centrifuge To Process Blood
FIGURE 22-4 The phlebotomist uses a centrifuge to process blood.
(From Klieger D: Saunders textbook of medical assisting, St. Louis, 2005, Elsevier.)

18. Blood Banking Careers in blood banking Donor recruitment
Collection and processing of donor blood
Testing and typing of blood
Laboratory supervision
Teaching
The first facility to be known as a blood bank was established in a Leningrad, Russia, hospital in 1932.

19. Blood Banking Specialists in blood bank (SBB) technology
Responsibilities
Selecting donors
Drawing blood
Typing blood
Pretransfusion testing to ensure safety of recipient
Education
Must be a certified medical laboratory technologist and have a baccalaureate degree.
Completion of 12-month blood bank specialist program and may be qualified for certification
The first hospital blood bank was established at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, in 1936.

20. Summary
Laboratory technologists test and analyze results, using independent judgment. This can include crossmatching blood for transfusion. Technologists usually complete a bachelor’s degree and additional training.
Pathogenic microorganisms cause disease, and nonpathogens do not.