Chapter 24
Medical Laboratory
Health Care
Science
Technology
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Objectives
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2
Summarize the roles and
responsibilities of a phlebotomist,
medical laboratory assistant, medical
laboratory technician, and medical
technologist.
List the various places where a
medical laboratory worker can be
employed.
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Chapter 24
Objectives (cont.)
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3
Define phlebotomy and explain the
various methods that can be used to
draw blood.
Identify various methods used for a
drawing blood.
Practice aseptic techniques during
laboratory procedures.
Successfully complete 8 medical
laboratory procedures.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 24
Careers in Medical Laboratories
24-1
The Phlebotomy Technician
 Medical Laboratory Assistant
 Medical Laboratory Technician
 Medical Technologist/Clinical
Laboratory Scientist
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4
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Chapter 24
The Phlebotomy Technician
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Phlebotomy – an incision,
or cut, made into a vein to
draw blood.
The most common method
used to obtain blood is
called venipuncture,
puncturing a vein using a
specifically-designed
needle with a holder for
special tubes.
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Chapter 24
The Phlebotomy Technician (cont.)
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Performs capillary punctures that are
used to collect small blood samples.
May collect urine specimens and
throat cultures.
Commonly works in hospitals or large
clinics; also works in physician
offices, laboratories, nursing homes,
blood banks, and health departments.
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Chapter 24
The Phlebotomy Technician (cont.)
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Job Responsibilities
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Properly identify blood samples. This is the most
important part of the job.
Explain the procedure to the clients.
Accurately label all samples.
Treat all samples correctly.
Maintain confidentiality.
Obtain the correct specimen in the correct manner.
Transport the specimen in the right manner to the
designated location.
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Chapter 24
Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA)
Often starts as a phlebotomy
technician.
 May work in the lab under the
control of a medical technologist.
 May be directed by a nurse or
physician in a physician’s office.
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8
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Chapter 24
Medical Laboratory Assistant (cont.)
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Job Responsibilities
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9
Performs many tests to diagnose
diseases.
Collects specimens, prepares them
for testing, analyzes samples, and
reports results.
Performs waived tests.
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Chapter 24
Medical Laboratory Assistant (cont.)
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Job Responsibilities (cont.)
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May perform electrocardiograms,
calculate and give injections, and
perform breathing tests.
Can remove sutures and change wound
dressings.
May be trained to perform front office
responsibilities and may assist the office
manager.
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Chapter 24
Medical Laboratory Assistant (cont.)
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Job Responsibilities (cont.)
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11
Collect throat specimens for culture
of organisms.
Prepare bacteriological smears.
Stain culture smears with Gram’s
stain for use in organism
identification.
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Chapter 24
Medical Laboratory Assistant (cont.)

Job Responsibilities (cont.)
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12
Test urine with chemical reagent
strips.
Test urine for glucose using copper
reduction.
Collect capillary blood samples.
Perform blood glucose and
cholesterol tests.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 24
Medical Laboratory Assistant (cont.)

Job Responsibilities (cont.)
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Identify the client.
Identify the proper procedure for
specimen collection.
Collect the specimen properly.
Accurately label the specimen.
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Chapter 24
Medical Laboratory Assistant (cont.)
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Job Responsibilities (cont.)
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Properly transport the specimen.
Perform lab tests.
Transmit accurate and timely
reports to the physician.
Maintain confidentiality.
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Chapter 24
Medical Laboratory
Technician (MLT)
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Involved in preparing
specimens and running
automatic analyzers
rather than collecting
samples.
May be the person in
charge in a physician’s
office lab.
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Chapter 24
Medical Laboratory Technician
(cont.)
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Job Responsibilities
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Perform routine clinical lab tests to help
in the diagnosis and treatment of
diseases.
Perform less complex tests and lab
procedures than technologists.
Usually work under the supervision of a
medical laboratory technologist or
laboratory manager.
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Chapter 24
Medical Laboratory Technician
(cont.)
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Job Responsibilities (cont.)
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Operate automated instruments.
Troubleshoot problems that occur
with the equipment.
Prepare chemical solutions.
Maintain quality control for the tests
being performed.
Keep accurate records.
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Chapter 24
Medical Technologist (MT)/
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)
Performs tests from the routine
to the most complex.
 Requires little or no
supervision.
 May be a teacher, supervisor, or
researcher.
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18
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Chapter 24
Medical Technologist/
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (cont.)
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Job Responsibilities
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Analyze the chemical content of fluids.
Match blood for transfusions, test for drug
levels in the blood, prepare specimens for
examination.
Use automated equipment and
instruments capable of performing a
number of tests simultaneously.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 24
Medical Technologist/
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (cont.)
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Job Responsibilities (cont.)
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Examine and analyze tissues, cells, blood, and
other body fluids.
Analyze the chemical content of body fluids.
Prepare blood for transfusion.
Perform drug tests.
Identify fungi, parasites, or bacteria.
Report the sensitivity to antibiotics of identified
microorganisms.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 24
Medical Technologist/
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (cont.)
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Job Responsibilities (cont.)
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Operate complex precision equipment.
Interpret results to assist physicians in the
diagnosis of diseases.
Evaluate test results.
Develop procedures, quality control, and
quality assurance.
Maintain the integrity of equipment.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 24
Section 24-1
Apply Your Knowledge
Which laboratory position
requires the least amount of
supervision?
Answer:
Medical Technologist/
Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
22
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Chapter 24
Medical Office Procedures 24-2
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23
Collecting Specimens
Performing Tests on Urine
Additional Career Skills
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Chapter 24
Collecting Specimens
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24
Practice aseptic technique.
Obtain the specimen without causing
harm, discomfort, or embarrassment to the
client.
Give clear, complete instructions to the
client regarding the collection method.
Collect the specimen in the proper manner
and at the correct time.
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Chapter 24
Collecting Specimens (cont.)
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Assemble the correct collection methods,
containers, and transport systems.
Collect the proper quantity of the specimen to
avoid repetition.
Ask the client about any allergies or current
medications that might affect test results.
Label all specimens with required information
including the client’s name and date of
collection.
Establish the legality of a diagnostic test
before performing.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 24
Performing Tests on Urine
Urinalysis is the oldest screening
tool for diseases.
 The urinalysis provides information
about:
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Carbohydrate metabolism.
Liver and kidney function.
Acid-base balance.
The presence of infection.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 24
Additional Career Skills
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Various additional tests are performed by
the medical laboratory staff.
Blood collection is an invasive procedure
and is regulated by state and federal
guidelines.
When handling blood and other body
fluids you should follow strict standard
precautions at all times.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 24
Section 24-2
Apply Your Knowledge
What might an elevated
cholesterol reading indicate?
Answer:
Liver malfunction, hypothyroidism, or
atherosclerosis.
28
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Chapter 24
Procedures in Student Text
24A
24B
24C
24D
29
Preparing Bacteriological
Smears
Inoculating an Agar Plate
Staining Culture Smears with
Gram’s Stain
Performing a Rapid Strep Test
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Chapter 24
Procedures in Student Text (cont.)
24E1
24E2
24E3
24E4
30
Assessing Urine for Color and
Turbidity
Measuring Specific Gravity
Using a Urinometer
Testing Urine with Chemical
Reagent Strips
Microscopic Urine Analysis
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Chapter 24
Additional Procedures in
Lab Activity Manual
LM24-1
LM24-2A
LM24-2B
LM24-2C
LM24-3
31
LM24-4
LM24-5
Performing the Test for
Infectious Mononucleosis
Testing Urine for Glucose
Using Copper Reduction
Testing Urine for Protein
Performing a Pregnancy Test
Collecting a Capillary Blood
Sample
Performing a Hematocrit
Performing a Hemoglobin Test
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 24
Additional Procedures in
Lab Activity Manual (cont.)
LM24-6
LM24-7
LM24-8
LM24-9
LM24-10
32
LM24-11
LM24-12
LM24-13
Making a Blood Smear
Manual Method for Counting Cells
Collecting a Venous Blood Sample
Performing a Butterfly Blood
Collection
Performing an Erythrocyte
Sedimentation Rate Test
Performing a Cholesterol Test
Determining ABO Group
Determining Rh Blood Factor
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Chapter 24