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Medical laboratory
Science
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About the department
Laboratory Sciences offers opportunities for those interested in
different fields of laboratory sciences, leading to a career in the
health service or in research.
•Medical laboratory specialists are professionals who perform
laboratory tests and analyses that assist physicians in the
diagnosis and treatment of patients.
•They also assist in research and the development of new
laboratory tests.
•They must know the theory and scientific fundamentals as
well as the procedures for testing.
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 The various studies include chemical and physical analysis
of body fluids (clinical chemistry and urinananlysis);
examination of blood and its component cells (hematology);
isolation and identification of bacteria, fungi, viruses and
parasites (clinical microbiology and parasitological); testing
of blood serum for antibodies indicative of specific diseases
(immunology and serology) and collection, storage of blood,
pretransfusion testing and other immunohaematological
procedures (blood banking). In addition, medical laboratory
scientists prepare tissues for histopathological, cytological
and cytogenetic examination.
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What is Medical Laboratory Sciences?
 Medical laboratory sciences combines the use of
sophisticated instruments and techniques with the
application of theoretical knowledge to perform
complex procedures on tissue specimens, blood
samples and other body fluids.
 The tests and procedures that Medical Laboratory
Specialist
perform
provide
critical
information
enabling physicians to diagnose, treat and monitor a
patient's condition.
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What is Medical Laboratory Science?
Medical Laboratory Science is the “Nerve Center” of
medicine.
– Think about the last time you had a really bad sore throat.
– If you went to the doctor, you probably had your throat
cultured (the cotton swab rubbed on the back of your throat.)
– That culture was then taken down to the lab and the Clinical
Laboratory Scientist was the person who identified which
“bug” was causing your sore throat.
 All samples taken by a Doctor, Nurse, they are analyzed by a
Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
 Without the Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Doctors would not
be able to diagnose diseases properly or treat patients
effectively.
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The role of medical laboratory science?
 Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the
detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.
 85% of all medical diagnostic and treatment
decisions are based on laboratory test results.
 Clinical laboratory technologist - also referred to as
clinical
laboratory
scientists
or
medical
technologist - perform these tests.
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 medical
Laboratory
Scientists
often
find
themselves working to solve the riddle of what
body malfunction or infectious organisms are
making a patient ill.
 Clinical Laboratory Scientists use their strong
scientific background in chemistry, biology, and
human physiology to solve medical mysteries
and ultimately help patients regain their health.
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Medical Laboratory Scientists examine and analyze
body fluids, and cells.
They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms;
analyze
the
chemical
content
of
fluids;
match
blood
for
transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood that show how a
patient is responding to treatment.
Scientists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells,
and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids.
 They use microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated
laboratory equipment.
They
also
instruments
use
automated
capable
of
equipment
performing
a
and
computerized
number
of
tests
simultaneously.
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• After
testing
and
examining
a
specimen,
they
analyze the results and relay them to physicians.
• With increasing automation and the use of computer
technology, the work of Clinical Laboratory Scientists
has become less mechanical hands-on and more
analytical. The complexity of tests performed, the
level of judgment needed, and the amount of
responsibility workers assume depend largely on the
amount of education and experience they have.
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 Medical
Laboratory
chemical,
biological,
Scientists
perform
hematological,
complex
immunologic,
microscopic, and bacteriological tests.
 Scientists microscopically examine blood and other
body fluids. They make cultures of body fluid and
tissue
samples,
to
determine
the
presence
of
bacteria, fungi, parasites, or other microorganisms.
 They analyze samples for chemical content or a
chemical reaction and determine concentrations of
compounds such as blood glucose and cholesterol
levels. They also type and cross match blood
samples for transfusions.
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Medical Laboratory Scientists in small laboratories perform
many types of tests, whereas those in large laboratories
generally specialize.
 Clinical
chemistry
lab
scientists,
for
example,
prepare
specimens and analyze the chemical and hormonal contents of
body fluids.
 Microbiology lab scientists examine and identify bacteria and
other microorganisms.
 Blood bank lab scientists (immunohematology) lab scientists
collect, type, and prepare blood and its components for
transfusions.
 Immunology lab scientists examine elements of the human
immune system and its response to foreign bodies.
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Areas of Specialty :
There are thousands of different tests that are
performed in specialty areas of the medical
laboratory:
1. Clinical Chemistry:
Conducts tests on blood and body fluid to detect
chemicals, hormones and/or drugs.
Common Test:
Blood Glucose (blood sugar) to diagnose and
monitor diabetes.
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2. Clinical Microbiology:
Is the study of microorganisms including bacteria,
viruses, parasites, and fungi
Conducts tests on blood, body fluid and/or tissue
samples to detect bacteria, fungi, viruses, and/or
parasites .
Common Test:
Throat swab to detect strep throat for detection of
bacterial infection and detection of bilharzias and other
parasites in stools.
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3. Hematology:
Is the study of blood cells
diseases/disorders of the blood.
and
to
detect
Common Test:
Hemoglobin test to detect anemia.
Cross-matching for blood transfusions.
Transfusion Science:
Conducts blood typing and blood compatibility tests.
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4. Histology:
Prepares samples of body tissue for tests to detect disease.
Common Test:
Biopsy of a breast lump.
Diagnostic cytology:
Conducts tests on cells taken from the body to detect cancer.
Common Test:
Test to detect cervical cancer.
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5. Clinical Genetics:
Molecular
biology
lab
scientists
perform
complex protein and nucleic acid testing on cell
samples.
Conducts tests on chromosomes, DNA and RNA
from cells of body fluids and tissues, to diagnose
genetic diseases.
Common Test:
DNA paternity and other forms of pre-natal testing.
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6. Immunology :
The study of antigen and antibody interaction in the
diagnosis of disease
Or the study of the body’s defense mechanisms
7. Immunohematology:
The application of theory and principles of blood
banking, cell typing, compatibility testing, and
antibody identification
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Clinical Laboratory Science
Today’s CLS is likely to be found in modern, bright
surroundings using the latest state-of-the-art
equipment.
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CLS’s Help to Save Lives
Here are just two examples of how the CLS provides
valuable information to the health care team.
– Cross matching Blood
A laboratory test in which volunteer donor's red blood cells are
mixed with the patient's serum to determine whether the donor's
cells will most probably survive in the patient's circulation after
transfusion.
– Immunology
The scientific study of the functions of the body which provide
immunity to disease. It often involves looking for antibodies to
foreign substances in the patient's blood.
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What a CLS might see under the microscope?
In this picture of blood, there are red blood cells and one white blood
cell. Red blood cells (pink discs seen here) are special cells that contain
the protein hemoglobin, which allows them to pick up and transport
oxygen from the lungs to release it deep into the tissues via our
circulatory system.
In this picture, the large cell with the lobular purple nucleus (the
nucleus is segmented) and the cytoplasm is filled with rose-violet
granules.
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Under the Microscope:Sickle Cell Anemia
• Sickle Cell Anemia is a
genetically inherited
disease in which the
hemoglobin of the
person’s red blood
cells are mutated.
• Under certain
stressful conditions,
the hemoglobin
crystallizes and the
red cell forms a
sickled shape.
Sickled cells cannot fit through tiny capillaries
in our bodies and damage to these small
veins and capillaries and organ damage can
occur as a long term result of being born with
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this disease.
Under the Microscope: Malaria
Malaria is the infection of our red
blood cells with a microscopic
parasite.
It
is
transmitted
to
humans through the bite of an
infected mosquito, primarily in
tropical climates (see red purple
dots on rings inside the red
blood cells).
The infected red blood cells rupture when the parasite matures
and fever, chills and possibly organ damage.
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Examples of laboratory tests performed by
Clinical Laboratory Scientists include:
 The detection of the abnormal cells that cause leukemia.
 The analysis of cardiac enzyme activity released during a
heart attack.
 The identification of the type of bacteria causing an
infection.
 The detection of DNA markers for genetic diseases.
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 Identify bacteria and determine the best antibiotic for
treatment of the infection.
 Microscopically classify and differentiate normal and
abnormal cells, microorganisms, and crystals.
 Operate complex electronic instruments to analyze blood
for the presence of normal, abnormal, and malignant
chemical elements, cells and components.
 Determine drug levels to asses treatment and to detect
drugs of abuse.
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 Prepare blood for transfusion and match proper blood
donors to recipients
 Test for and monitor treatment of bleeding and clotting
disorders
 Evaluate the chemical and cellular composition of
blood, urine, and other body fluids
 Examine responses of the immune system to foreign
antigens and infectious organisms
 Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot sophisticated and
computerized instruments
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 Evaluate and implement testing protocols, procedures,
and equipment.
 Use computers for data management.
 Perform specialized types of testing including PCR,
cytogenics, electrophoresis and cell marker technology.
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Why become a Medical Laboratory Specialist ?
Medical laboratory specialist is a constantly evolving and
rewarding career. The lab of today is far more complicated
one than the lab of just ten years ago. As new discoveries
advance scientific knowledge, the specialist's role will
continue to change and expand. Even now, we can see the
impact of future tests that may be developed for diagnosing
such health problems as cancer of genetic disorders.
Working in medical laboratory sciences is a fascinating
career that combines science and technology with the
opportunity to help people.
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Clinical Laboratory Science Career Options
 Clinical Laboratory Science is a dynamic profession!
 With a Baccalaureate degree in Clinical Laboratory Science,
you could go into numerous careers:
– Hospital Laboratories
– Physician Office Laboratories
– Research Assistants
– Reference or Industrial Laboratories
– Forensic/Crime Labs
– University Laboratories
– Pharmaceutical Companies
– Lab Supervisor or Manager
– Laboratory Educator
– Diagnostic Medicine Quality Control
– Epidemiology Veterinary Medicine
– Infection Control
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Careers in CLS
A Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science opens a window of exciting
career opportunities. CLS graduates can be found working as:
• Clinical laboratory generalists in hospitals, clinics or commercial
laboratories.
• Clinical
laboratory
microbiology,
specialists
hematology,
working
blood
bank,
in
areas
chemistry,
such
as
molecular
biology/DNA, histocompatiblity, virology, immunology/serology and
bone marrow labs.
• Clinical laboratory supervisors, managers, administrators and
directors.
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• Quality
assurance/quality
management
specialists
in
hospitals or industry (e.g. pharmaceutical quality operations).
• Technical representatives, sales representatives or research
and development specialists in laboratory industries.
• Clinical
Research
Associates
(CRA)
in
clinical
trials
organizations.
• Research technologists or research supervisors/coordinators
in academic medical centers.
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• Laboratory information systems specialists.
• Infection control officers in hospitals or clinics.
• Educators
for
employee
training
programs
or
formal
academic programs.
• Consultants for Physician Office Laboratories.
• Clinical laboratory scientists in veterinary laboratories.
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