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The Laboratory’s Role in Health Care

Dedicated laboratory experts play a vital role in your health care. Members of the medical laboratory and pathology team provide test results and explanatory guidance critical to the clinical care team’s ability to diagnosis and treat patients.

What Is a Laboratory Professional?

Laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids, and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; analyze the chemical contents of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood that show how a patient is responding to treatment.

Technologists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids. They use microscopes, cell counters, and other high-tech laboratory equipment. They also use automated equipment and computerized instruments to test specimens. After testing and examining a specimen, they analyze and relay the results to physicians.

There are many types of laboratory professionals.

  • Medical Laboratory Scientists
  • Medical Laboratory Technicians
  • Cytotechnologists
  • Histotechnologists
  • Phlebotomists
  • Molecular Biologists
  • Pathologists' Assistants
  • Clinical Chemists
  • Technologist in Cytogenetics

What is Pathology?

Pathology is the study of disease using body tissue and cells. Pathologists examine tissues with the naked eye, examine stained cells with a microscope, or analyze the cellular or chemical composition of body fluids. Pathologists work with the medical laboratory team, as well as the clinical care team, to provide diagnoses, which determine treatment plans and care options. 

Resources

Follow the links below for information about careers in laboratory medicine.

  • What's My Next - interactive website for students and educators
  • Who's Who in the Lab: A Look at Laboratory Professionals

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