CAREERS IN LABORATORY CAREERS IN LABORATORY MEDICINEMEDICINE

Phlebotomist/Lab AssistantPhlebotomist/Lab Assistant

Cytologist/HistologistCytologist/Histologist

PathologistPathologist

Medical TechnologistMedical Technologist

Phlebotomist/Lab AssistantPhlebotomist/Lab Assistant

• Works directly with patientsWorks directly with patients• Collects blood samples from patientsCollects blood samples from patients• Delivers specimens to Lab personnel for Delivers specimens to Lab personnel for

testingtesting

• Education: High School Diploma Education: High School Diploma – On the job training or On the job training or – Completion of phlebotomy course at an Completion of phlebotomy course at an

accredited schoolaccredited school

PhlebotomyPhlebotomy

• The obtaining of blood specimens The obtaining of blood specimens by venipuncture or capillary by venipuncture or capillary puncturepuncture

• Use of Vacutainers, syringes, Use of Vacutainers, syringes, needles, butterflies, finger lancetsneedles, butterflies, finger lancets

• What do all those different colored What do all those different colored tubes mean?tubes mean?

Cytologist/HistologistCytologist/Histologist

• Histologist prepares very thin sections of body Histologist prepares very thin sections of body tissues for microscopic exam by pathologisttissues for microscopic exam by pathologist

• Cytologist examines cells under the Cytologist examines cells under the microscope for early signs of cancer & other microscope for early signs of cancer & other diseasesdiseases

• Education: Education: – Bachelor of Science DegreeBachelor of Science Degree– Completion of a clinical rotation in accredited Completion of a clinical rotation in accredited

Cytology ProgramCytology Program– National Licensure by American Society of Clinical National Licensure by American Society of Clinical

Pathology (ASCP)Pathology (ASCP)

Histology/CytologyHistology/Cytology

• Pathologists examines tissue or Pathologists examines tissue or specimen removed in surgery (gross specimen removed in surgery (gross exam)exam)

• Tissue is processed & embedded into Tissue is processed & embedded into wax blockswax blocks

• Very thin shavings made from blocksVery thin shavings made from blocks• Mounted onto slide & stainedMounted onto slide & stained• Examined microscopically by PathologistExamined microscopically by Pathologist

PathologistPathologist

• Medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis Medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis of diseaseof disease

• Medical Director of the laboratoryMedical Director of the laboratory• Performs autopsiesPerforms autopsies• Examines tissues & blood smears for Examines tissues & blood smears for

presence of diseasepresence of disease• Education:Education:

– 4 year college4 year college– Medical schoolMedical school– 5 year Residency5 year Residency– MD licensureMD licensure– Pass Pathology Clinical & Anatomical BoardsPass Pathology Clinical & Anatomical Boards

Medical TechnologistMedical Technologist

• Perform a multitude of tests on all types Perform a multitude of tests on all types of body fluids (blood, CSF, urine, feces, of body fluids (blood, CSF, urine, feces, semen, sputum, synovial fluid, etc.)semen, sputum, synovial fluid, etc.)

• Information they gather, helps doctors to Information they gather, helps doctors to diagnose diseasediagnose disease

• Education:Education:– Bachelor of Science DegreeBachelor of Science Degree– Completion of a clinical rotation in accredited Completion of a clinical rotation in accredited

Medical Technology ProgramMedical Technology Program– National Licensure by American Society of National Licensure by American Society of

Clinical Pathology (ASCP)Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Inside the LabInside the Lab

• PhlebotomyPhlebotomy• Hematology/CoagulationHematology/Coagulation• Blood BankBlood Bank• Chemistry/Special ChemistryChemistry/Special Chemistry• Serology/UrinalysisSerology/Urinalysis• MicrobiologyMicrobiology• Histology/PathologyHistology/Pathology

Hematology/CoagulationHematology/Coagulation

• Hematology is the study of the Hematology is the study of the cells that make up blood (White cells that make up blood (White blood cells, Red blood cells, and blood cells, Red blood cells, and Platelets)Platelets)

• Coagulation is the study of the Coagulation is the study of the process in which the blood clots or process in which the blood clots or coagulatescoagulates

Blood BankBlood Bank

• Four types of Blood:Four types of Blood:– AA– BB Rh FactorRh Factor– ABAB -positive -positive– OO -negative -negative

• Compatibility testingCompatibility testing

• What can be What can be transfused at FAMC?transfused at FAMC?

– Red Blood CellsRed Blood Cells– PlateletsPlatelets– Fresh Frozen Fresh Frozen

PlasmaPlasma• An average adult’s An average adult’s

body contains 8 to 10 body contains 8 to 10 units of blood units of blood

Chemistry/Special Chemistry/Special ChemistryChemistry

• Most of the testing done in these 2 depts. Most of the testing done in these 2 depts. are done on complex machines or are done on complex machines or instruments & involve chemical reactionsinstruments & involve chemical reactions

• Tests performed on serum or plasma Tests performed on serum or plasma portion of the bloodportion of the blood

• We can test all the major organ systems:We can test all the major organ systems:– Heart - GallbladderHeart - Gallbladder– Liver - BonesLiver - Bones– Kidney - Digestive systemKidney - Digestive system– Lungs - ProstateLungs - Prostate– Thyroid & HormonesThyroid & Hormones– Cancer/Tumor MarkersCancer/Tumor Markers

New Beckman Coulter LXi 725

Serology & UrinalysisSerology & Urinalysis

• Serology=antigen/antibody Serology=antigen/antibody detectiondetection– MonoMono– PregnancyPregnancy

• Urinalysis=chemical analysis of Urinalysis=chemical analysis of urineurine– InfectionsInfections– Kidney stonesKidney stones

MicrobiologyMicrobiology

• The study of bacteria, viruses, The study of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungiprotozoa, and fungi

• Normal flora vs. PathogensNormal flora vs. Pathogens• Organism identification and Organism identification and

selection of antibioticsselection of antibiotics