Competencies

Clinical Laboratory Technicians (also known as Medical Laboratory Technicians) are important members of the medical team, concentrating on laboratory techniques related to diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, and maintenance of health. The medical or clinical laboratorian performs qualitative, quantitative and analytic testing in Microbiology, Hematology, Blood Banking, Clinical Chemistry, Serology and Immunology, and Urinalysis.

Medical Laboratory Technicians are proficient in:

• collecting, processing,and analyzing biological specimens and other substances;
• performing analytical tests on body fluids, cells and other substances;
• recognizing factors that affect procedures and results, and taking appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated;
• performing and monitoring quality control within predetermined limits;
• performing preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or referring to appropriate source for repairs;
• Applying principles of safety;
• demonstrating professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and with the public;
• recognizing the responsibilities of other laboratory and health care personnel and interacting with them with respect for their jobs and patient care;
• applying basic scientific principles in learning new techniques and procedures;
• relating laboratory findings to common disease processes; and
• recognizing and maintaining continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence.

Upon graduation and initial employment, the Medical Laboratory Technician should be able to demonstrate entry level competencies in the above areas of professional practice.

(1995 Essentials, NAACLS)

Description Of Career Entry Of The Clinical Laboratory Technician/Medical Laboratory Technician

At career entry, the clinical laboratory technician/medical laboratory technician will be able to perform routine clinical laboratory tests (such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular, and other emerging diagnostics) as the primary analyst making specimen oriented decisions on predetermined criteria, including aworking knowledge of critical values. Communications skills will extend to frequent interactions with members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. The level of analysis ranges from waived and point of care testing to complex testing encompassing all major areas of the clinical laboratory. The clinical laboratory technician/medical laboratory technician will have diverse functions in areas of pre-analytical , analytical, post-analytical processes. The clinical laboratory technician/medical laboratorytechnician will have responsibilities for information processing, training, and quality control monitoring wherever clinical laboratory testing is performed.

(Standards 2001, NAACLS)

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© 2008 St. Louis Community College Last revised 5 September 2007