Clinical laboratory science is crucial to the practice of modern medicine. Physicians depend on accurate laboratory data to diagnose diseases, while nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals rely on this information to plan or implement treatment and care for the individual patient. Billions of dollars are spent each year for tests performed in clinical laboratories with volumes expected to increase annually.
What Does a Clinical Laboratory
Scientist Do?
They work
with specialized, high-precision instruments to obtain results that are
both valid and meet high standards of accuracy, precision and quality control.
They are also responsible for correlating and interpreting test data, assessing
and improving existing laboratory test methods and designing, evaluating
and implementing new methods. They work with all types of body tissues and
fluids, from blood and urine to cell samples.
The Well Rounded
Professional
A solid academic background in the sciences, expertise in all aspects of laboratory practice and the highest professional qualities are combined to develop a well-rounded professional. Having practiced the team concept throughout their course work, graduates apply these same principles to health care delivery, interacting with other health care professionals by consulting on test methods, interpreting results, and coordinating interdepartmental efforts (e.g., point-of-care testing).
Advances in technology have simplified
certain lab tests to allow their performance by minimally trained workers.
However, only certified laboratory professionals can perform, interpret and
evaluate the hundreds of other moderately or highly complex tests necessary
for today's sophisticated health care environment.
