Careers
Your responsibilities will vary according to the size of the institution for which you work and the extent of services it offers. Your work may include:
- Collection, screening, and processing of blood transfusion components
- Blood glucose determinations for diabetes and hypoglycemia
- Isolation and identification of disease-causing organisms
- Determination of appropriate antibiotics
- Blood-clotting studies to detect hemophilia and related disorders
- Blood analyses to aid in the identification of cancer, leukemia, and anemia
- Communication with patients and medical staff
- Use of computer technology and advanced automated equipment
Specialty areas of the clinical laboratory
Chemistry
Measuring levels of chemicals produced by glands and organ systems, analyzing body fluids using techniques of chemical analysis.
Hematology
Detecting and classifying the different types of cells in blood to identify anemias, leukemias, coagulation abnormalities, and malignancies, making observations using microscopes, chemical techniques, and electronic counting devices.
Blood bank
Performing serological procedures for the detection of various conditions, preparing blood products for patients with long-term illnesses, and cancer.
Microbiology
Detecting and identifying bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral organisms that cause infection and disease.
Professional organizations
Professional organizations are an important part of preparing for and working in any healthcare profession. They provide continuing education, certification standards, scholarships, and information on legislation affecting our profession, A few of the many professional organizations that serve the interests of the medical laboratory professions are:
- The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
- The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians
For more information
Contact Tanya Maldonado, the Allied Health Student Employment Specialist.