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Clincal Laboratory Sciences |CLS| A VITAL PARTNER IN MEDICAL DECISIONS

Clinical Laboratory Scientists perform laboratory analyses to aid physicians to:

• diagnose, treat, and monitor disease
• evaluate the maintenance of an individual's health

It is estimated that 70% of medical decisions are based on the clinical information that is determined by Clinical Laboratory Scientists.

Role of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Medical Technologist)

Clinical Laboratory Scientists, traditionally known as Medical Technologists, are experts in the major scientific disciplines of clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, immunohematology and microbiology.

These skilled scientists use a variety of laboratory methods, including microscopic cell study, molecular diagnostic techniques, analytical chemistry procedures, immunologic testing, and microbial detection.

CLS Disciplines

Major scientific areas in the clinical laboratory and examples of tasks performed:

• Clinical Chemistry: assaying for constituents like glucose, cholesterol, and enzymes
• Hematology: detecting blood disorders such as anemia, leukemia, and bleeding problems.
• Clinical Immunology: measuring the presence of antibodies in disease such as AIDS
• immunohematology: testing and preparing blood units for transfusion.
• Clinical Microbiology: identifying infectious agents like bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist makes a valuable contribution to patient care by performing clinical laboratory procedures that, for example, may confirm a case of diabetes or a potentially dangerous drug level, identify the bacteria in a wound infection, or detect early cases of leukemia.

The CLS Role in Ensuring Quality of Results

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist not only produces laboratory test information but also

• assures the quality of that information compares and selects appropriate laboratory methods and instrumentation
• advises physicians and other healthcare professionals on the validity and significance of test information
• supervises other laboratory personnel