#Labweek April 22-29 – Celebrating our Medical Lab Professionals

Medical Lab Professionals (MLP) Week

Global Service Resources celebrates the contributions made by MLPs. Especially in medicine and the treatment of all patients worldwide.

MLPs are often the unsung heroes of the hospitals. Rarely do you come in contact with them as opposed to doctors and nurses. However, MLPs perform some of the most crucial work in the diagnosing of diseases. They do this through their analysis of samples and reports generated from the data they gather.

Furthermore, the safe handling and disposal of samples are managed by various MLP. It is hard to imagine modern medicine without the contributions of these skilled workers.

Types of MLPs

MLPs are broken down by duty, rank, and specialization of function. Most of all, it’s based on how they handle or prepare samples. Moreover, we’ll cover a few of the more fundamental roles in this section to give you an idea of just how vast this field is.

Did you know that Pathologists are considered MLPs?

Pathologists work with primary care physicians and use testing to identify or rule out diseases and conditions. Therefore, a lab may hire one or more pathologists depending on the requirements of the lab.

Pathologists work in two broad areas:

Anatomic pathology

  • They look at biopsies and organs removed at surgery as well as cells that are collected from brushings or body fluids. Additionally, they perform autopsies to investigate the cause of death. Some sub-specialize based on organ systems.

Clinical pathology

  • Deals with the measurement of chemical constituents of blood and other body fluids. Furthermore, they direct the labs that perform these tests and provide consultation to other doctors on the significance of test results.

Medical Lab Scientist (MLS), Medical Technologist (MT), Clinical Lab Scientist (CLS)

Above all, these lab professionals are responsible for performing routine as well as highly specialized tests. For instance, they diagnose and/or aid in the treatment of disease, troubleshooting, and communicating test results.

Scientists/Technologists

Many specialize in one particular area. For instance, they have a bachelor’s degree in clinical/medical lab science or life sciences. That included three or four years of academic coursework and one year of clinical experience.

However, most labs require that they be certified. For instance, they are certified by separate organizations. Some states require them to obtain a license from the Department of Health or the Board of Education.

Citations

* Compiled in part from “Careers in Medical Laboratory Technology,” published by the American Society for Clinical Pathology; “Clinical Chemistry: Partnerships in Healthcare” by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry; the Association of Genetic Technologists; and Laboratory General: CAP Checklist 1 (April 1998). The specific name for many of these positions varies by location. Graphic obtained from (https://labtestsonline.org/articles/medical-laboratory-professionals)

Looking for work as a MLP?

Above all, if you’re looking for help in finding a job as a MLP please contact us today! Give us a call toll-free at (800)779-GLOBAL.

Take a look at our current job postings and apply today! We make a great team! Let us get you to work!