Who Are Medical Laboratory Professionals

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:

Clinical chemistry, the testing of blood and body fluids to detect chemicals, hormones, or drugs

Clinical microbiology, the testing of blood, body fluid and other samples to detect bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites

Hematology, the testing of blood to detect blood diseases and disorders

Transfusion science, the testing of blood to determine type and compatibility

Histology, the preparing of samples of body tissue to detect disease

**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.

In the Lab

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!

Did You Know?

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.

Click below to learn more

Hematology

Leukemia

In 2019, an estimated 6,700 Canadians were diagnosed with leukemia.

Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood stem cells. Stem cells are basic cells that develop into different types of cells that have different jobs.

Medical laboratory technologists conduct a complete blood count (CBC) on your blood sample, which measures the number and quality of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Leukemia and other conditions can cause abnormal blood cell counts.

Prenatal Screening

10,000 Canadian women undergo amniocentesis each year.

Amniocentesis (also referred to as amniotic fluid test or AFT) is a test in which fetal DNA is examined for genetic abnormalities.

Laboratory professionals called Genetic Technologists analyze and diagnose abnormalities in chromosomes and DNA, which are unique to every individual. Their analysis can lead to a diagnosis of genetic diseases.

Transfusion Science

Blood Donations

Every 60 seconds, someone in Canada needs blood.

Blood and blood products are a critical part of everyday medical care including major surgeries, medical procedures, cancer treatments and managing disease.

Medical laboratory assistants often draw blood from patients for clinical or medical testing, transfusions, donations, or research.

Medical laboratory technologists, specifically those in transfusion science, conduct blood typing and blood compatibility tests. This is vital for any blood donation and subsequent transfusions.

Clinical Genetics

Genetic Testing Surge

There are more than 75,000 genetic testing products on the market today.

Genetic testing has evolved in complexity beyond the single-gene paradigm, the genetic testing market has become similarly complex and dynamic.

These new and abundant genetic tests would be performed by Genetic Technologists, who diagnose abnormalities in chromosomes and DNA which can lead to diagnosing genetic diseases.

Who Are Medical Laboratory Professionals

MLT

CY

CG

MLA

Behind Every Patient

In the Lab

Did You Know?

Hematology

Leukemia

Histology

Cancer

Clinical Genetics

Prenatal Screening

Transfusion Science

Blood Donations

Clinical Genetics

Genetic Testing Surge

Summary of COVID-19 tests performed across Canada