About the Medical Laboratory Profession?
The medical laboratory profession is an essential component of healthcare. It is an exciting and challenging career that is continuously evolving due to new advancements in technology that improve the detection and diagnosis of disease.
Medical laboratory professionals perform and interpret laboratory tests on blood, tissue and other body fluids for the purpose of providing accurate laboratory data that aids healthcare providers in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease.
The detection of substances and pathogens from these samples requires investigative techniques and instruments including automated analyzers and manual methods in the disciplines of chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, coagulation, urinalysis, microbiology and molecular diagnostics.
As the results from laboratory testing are instrumental and frequently essential in patient care, many laboratory professionals find the career inspiring and rewarding. Furthermore, frequent advancements in technology and healthcare make this honorable profession stimulating and challenging.
Some of the skills desirable for a laboratory professional include fine motor skills, manual dexterity, effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills, attention to detail and the cognitive skills to comprehend, analyze and synthesize data.