Medical laboratory professionals provide accurate and timely laboratory test results to physicians to help make critical medical decisions. There are different specializations within the profession. Medical laboratory professionals are trained to have the right knowledge and skills to perform duties specific to their roles. Here are the four specialized roles.
Medical laboratory technologists, or MLTs, analyze samples, such as tissues and body fluids, to provide results for physician diagnosis and treatment. MLTs specialize in several areas:
Diagnostic Cytology Technologists are health professionals that analyze cellular changes that can determine the presence of specific diseases. Mostly through the use of slides under a microscope, diagnostic cytology technologists are able to detect pre-cancerous cells. An abnormal finding would be sent to a pathologist for a final diagnosis.
Clinical Genetics Technologists use a variety of instruments to analyze and diagnose changes or abnormalities in chromosomes and DNA, which are unique to every individual. A genetics technologist's analysis of these cells can lead to a diagnosis of genetic diseases.
Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) work under the supervision of a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT), performing the practical components of sample analysis. MLAs sort, prepare and sometimes process samples that will be tested and analyzed by an MLT. MLAs often collect samples, such as blood, and are often the laboratory professionals that interact directly with patients.
Every year, we ask major landmarks to light up in indigo to celebrate medical laboratory professionals. This year we want to shine that light on the work they do ensuring accurate diagnosis for both patients and other health care professionals.
They are experts and key figures in every patient’s journey, and there is no doubt their work is essential for a well-functioning health care system.
Visit labweek.csmls.org to learn more about the medical lab professionals behind your care.
is a medical laboratory professional.
We’re here for you, our patients. Through every step of your health care journey. Every day. And all through the night.
The work done in the lab is often unseen, but each of the millions of tests performed by medical laboratory professionals is vital to your care.
Host Andrew Chapman brings you behind the scenes for an inside look at how medical laboratory professionals take care of your health in the lab!
Hundreds of millions of lab tests are performed every year in Canada. Medical laboratory professionals run these tests to provide critical information about your health. Get a deeper look at how these tests inform patient care, why they are done and how medical laboratory professionals get results.
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