Defining the Discipline (Clinical Laboratory Science)
Profession as a CLS
The CLS profession requires an excellent background in mathematics, chemistry, and general biological sciences. A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, with one year of practical lab experience or training also should be included in any medical technology program. Also the laboratory program should be accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). The Distance-Learning program here at UC (University of Cincinnati) is just such a program. Upon graduation licensure takes place by setting for a national exam. Depending upon the license necessities of the student's state, the most likely exam can be taken at the national level through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP-BOC). This organization also has membership availability which helps technologists in keeping updated in their profession. They publish a monthly magazine (Lab Medicine), and offer Continuing Education Work (called CEU's) to maintain certifications.
The profession calls for performing tests that aid doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients. Working in acute care hospitals in a 24/7 task involving three shifts of personnel. One must work well under pressure and pay attention to detail in the particular department of the lab one performs in at all times. Although I trained in all departments in the military, my special training was in performing bone marrow staining, and other special hematological diagnostic tests. Currently I work in the hematology branch in a California hospital where I assist the supervisor in doing morning lab work from all areas of the hospital. I also maintain analyzer protocol and cleaning procedures. Further into my daily tasks I participate in quality control and maintenance in other departments. I also work nights on Friday and Saturday every other weekend. My future plans is to graduate, still work in same lab, and hopefully be the new supervisor in my department when she retires.
In a typical student lab program training is situated in hematology,(study of blood cells and their components), chemistry, medical microbiology, (concerning germs or microorganisms), parasitology, virology, and immunology, (study of our immune system). Other technologists might want to specialize in the blood bank department or, as it is better known as blood transfusion services. Here the tech matches blood unit types to patients who need transfusion, and make sure any unit of blood is of highest compatibility. Others may work in urinalysis, or other specialities such as molecular diagnostics and genetics. These attributes also work well for those wanting to work in industry, public health, and other reference, research, or forensic laboratories. Students become well acquainted working with blood, body tissues and fluids, (like urine or chest fluid), and cultures procured from just about any possible body site on a human. Also during training, it would be wise for students to evolve their skills on modern robotic and computerized analyzers. The complexity of skill needed to troubleshoot these machines and recognize problems is paramount as a technologist. A great deal of manual dexterity and patience is ultimately a goal in heading off incidents in the modern lab.
Salaries can range from $45,700 for staff to $66,500 for supervisors and manager. If the lab performs a great deal of volume of tests per year, most likely salaries are in the higher ranges. Employment is expected to be higher in this lab profession from 2008-2018. An increase as much as 14%, with 50% of the workforce occurring in acute care hospitals is expected in the near future.
Most of the websites I found I am already quite familiar with their information and protocol regarding the CLS profession. This is mostly due to my longevity in the field since 1981 in the military. Out here in California the premiere organization is Loma Linda University Medical Center. Right now CLS's are in marked shortage, depending upon the needs of the particular lab facility and its location. My goals will remain the same, as long as I can balance them with work and school during this time. I hope I have given more details about my chosen discipline, that helps people better grasp this profession, and the dedicated individuals behind the scenes who help doctors and nurses carry out their duties helping patients.
Works Cited
.edu- http://www.llu.edu/allied-health/sahp/clinlab Loma Linda University Medical Center
.gov- http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos096.htm Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-2011
.org- http://www.ascp.org/MainMenu/AboutASCP/FactSheet ASCP & ASCP-BOC
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