About Laboratory Science
The practice of modern medicine wouldn’t be possible without the tests performed in the clinical laboratory.
Medical laboratory science is the branch of medicine concerned with the performance of laboratory determinations and analyses used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and the maintenance of health.
These laboratory analyses are performed by the medical laboratory scientists on blood, tissue and body fluids, using precision instruments such as microscopes and automated computerized analyzers.
Medical laboratory scientists establish and monitor quality control programs that ensure the precision and accuracy of both the instruments and the laboratory staff. They’re able to recognize interdependency of tests and have knowledge of physiological conditions affecting the test results. These skills are necessary in order to provide correct data, which is used by the physician in determining the presence, extent, and as far as possible, the cause of the disease. Medical laboratory scientist are knowledgeable in all areas of the laboratory and are able to perform all routine and specialized procedures, and assume supervisory and teaching positions.
Students in this training program learn to perform laboratory tests on actual specimens from hospitalized patients, under the close supervision of professional medical laboratory scientists. Because learning experiences directly involve actual patients, our students develop a strong sense of personal responsibility toward patients.
Prospective students should possess the following qualities and aptitudes:
- manual dexterity
- ability to accept responsibility
- integrity
- intellectual curiosity
- a high degree of persistence
- a capacity for patient, thorough effort.
Academic requirements emphasize chemistry and biology; therefore, you must like the sciences. You must like people and desire to work in a service-oriented profession.