DESCRIPTION OF THE CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE PROFESSION

The clinical laboratory profession is qualified by academic and applied science education to provide service and research in clinical laboratory science and related areas in rapidly changing and dynamic healthcare delivery systems. Clinical laboratory professionals perform, develop, evaluate, correlate and assure accuracy and validity of laboratory information; direct and supervise clinical laboratory resources and operations, and collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The clinical laboratory professional has diverse and multi-level functions in the areas of analysis and clinical decision-making, information management, regulatory compliance, education, and quality assurance/performance improvement wherever laboratory testing is researched, developed or performed. Clinical laboratory professionals practice independently and collaboratively, being responsible for their own actions, as defined by the profession. They have the requisite knowledge and skills to educate laboratory professionals, other health care professionals, and others in the laboratory practice as well as the public.

The ability to relate to people, a capacity for calm and reasoned judgment and a demonstration of commitment to the patient are essential qualities. Communication skills extend to consultative interactions with members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. Laboratory professionals demonstrate ethical and moral attitudes and principles that are necessary for gaining and maintaining the confidence of patients, professional associates, and the community.

(NAACLS 2008)

Of note - the Medical Laboratory Science program at UND was formerly known as Clinical Laboratory Science.

 

CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE CAREER ENTRY DESCRIPTION

At career entry, the clinical laboratory scientist/medical technologist will be proficient in performing the full range of clinical laboratory tests in areas such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular and other emerging diagnostics, and will play a role in the development and evaluation of test systems and interpretive algorithms. The clinical laboratory scientist/medical technologist will have diverse responsibilities in areas of analysis and clinical decision-making, regulatory compliance with applicable regulations, education, and quality assurance/performance improvement wherever laboratory testing is researched, developed or performed. The clinical laboratory scientist/medical technologist will also possess basic knowledge, skill, and relevant experiences in:

1. Communications to enable consultative interactions with members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education;
2. Financial, operations, marketing, and human resource management of the clinical laboratory to enable cost-effective, high-quality, value-added laboratory services;
3. Information management to enable effective, timely, accurate, and cost-effective reporting of laboratory-generated information and;
4. Research design/practice sufficient to evaluate published studies as an informed consumer.

(NAACLS 2008)