Professional Information
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The Profession
A Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), also referred to as a Clinical
Laboratory Technician (CLT), is an Associate Degree graduate. Graduates
holding a baccalaureate degree are Medical Technologists (MT), also
referred to as Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS). The technician
performs diagnostic laboratory testing which may include tests in
the following areas: hematology, microbiology, clinical chemistry,
serology and immunohematology. MLT’s work in a variety of
laboratory settings (see “career opportunities” below)
with lab aides, other technicians, and technologists who may be
their supervisors.
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Career Opportunities
Although many MLTs work in the traditional setting of a hospital
laboratory, opportunities exist in other areas including: physician’s
office laboratories, out-patient laboratories, health department
laboratories, medical and industrial research laboratories, cosmetic
and pharmaceutical laboratories, environmental laboratories. Graduates
may also pursue careers outside of laboratory settings, including
sales and technical representatives for laboratory equipment supply
companies, computer technology, and careers in the areas of epidemiology
and quality assurance.
With further education, MLTs may become educators in MLT/MT programs
or administrators of laboratory operations. The MLT-AD also serves
as a good foundation for transferal into related science programs
leading to the baccalaureate degree such as: Medical Technology,
Cytotechnology, Respiratory Therapy, Bioscience, Physician Assistant,
Nursing. MLT-AD graduates may also prepare for entrance into Schools
of Dentistry, Medicine, and Veterinary Science through completion
of a baccalaureate degree.
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NAACLS Educational Standards
The MLT program at Farmingdale, as a National Accrediting Agency
for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) www.naacls.org
accredited program, is committed to preparing graduates
that meet the entry-level competencies as revised by NAACLS in 2001.
These competencies are published in the Essentials and Guidelines
of Accredited Educational Programs for the Medical Laboratory Technician
as follows:
The clinical laboratory professional 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
possess skills for financial, operations, marketing, and human resource
management of the clinical laboratory. 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 laboratory practice as
well as the public.
The ability to relate to people, a capacity for calm and reasoned
judgment and a demonstration to commitment to the patient are essential
qualities. Communications 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.
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 a working 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 process.
The clinical laboratory technician/medical laboratory technician
will have responsibilities for information processing, training,
and quality control monitoring wherever clinical laboratory testing
is performed.
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American Society for Clinical Laboratory
Science
The Medical Laboratory Technology faculty and staff are committed
to upholding the professional standards of the American Society
for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) www.ascls.org
as such we adhere to the organizations mission statement, purposes
and code of ethics and expect all students to demonstrate the same
professional standards.
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Mission Statement
The mission of the ASCLS is to promote the profession of clinical
laboratory science and provide beneficial services to those who
practice it. To enable its members to provide quality services for
all consumers, the society is committed to the continuous quest
for excellence in all its activities, and:
- Promotes high standard of practice in workplace
- Advocates professional autonomy
- Ensures professional competence
- Supports worthy educational efforts at all levels
- Encourages laboratories in their pursuit of expanded roles and
responsibilities
- Enhances the public’s understanding and respect for the
profession and its practitioners
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Purpose
The purposes for which the Society is formed are:
- To promote standards in clinical laboratory methods and research,
and in affiliated fields;
- To enhance the professional status and image of its members;
- To create mutual understanding and cooperation among the Society
and its members and all other who engaged in the interests of
individual and public health;
- To be responsible for providing educational programs in the
clinical laboratory and
related sciences and defining standards of competence at all levels;
- To be responsible for determining entry level requirements and
providing for appropriate
credentialing;
- To represent the interests of the clinical laboratory and affiliated
professions and the members of the Society;
- In all government and other forums that affect those interests;
- To establish and promote ethical standards for the professions
represented; and
- To provide aid and benefit to all members of said professions.
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Code of Ethics
As a clinical laboratory professional, I strive to:
- Maintain and promote standards of excellence in performing
and advancing the art and science of my profession;
- Preserve the dignity and privacy of others;
- Contribute to the general well-being of the community;
- Uphold and maintain the dignity and respect of our profession;
- Seek to establish cooperative and respectful working relationships
with other health professionals;
- I will actively demonstrate my commitment to these responsibilities
throughout my professional life.
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American
Society for Clinical Pathology
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) www.ascp.org
is a not-for-profit medical society organized exclusively for educational,
scientific, and charitable purposes. Its mission is to promote the
public health and safety by the appropriate application of pathology
and laboratory medicine and to serve as the national resource to
enhance the quality of pathology and laboratory medicine, primarily
by developing comprehensive educational programs and materials.
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Board of Registry Certification
The American Society for Clinical Pathology is widely accepted as
the most influential leader in the certification of laboratory personnel
through its Board of Registry (BOR) www.bor.org/bor/,
an administratively independent certification agency. Initiated
in 1928, the BOR prepares relevant standards and develops procedures
to assure the competence of laboratory personnel. It certifies individuals
who meet given academic and clinical prerequisites and who achieve
acceptable performance levels on examinations. More than 340,000
certificates have been issued to date. BOR certificants comprise
the bulk of the American medical laboratory work force.
Because the MLT program is NAACLS accredited, graduates are eligible
to take the national certification examination offered by the American
Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP-BOR) directly
upon completion of the degree. Passing of this examination designates
the graduate as MLT(ASCP), a certification status that is often
required for employment in a medical setting. The ASCP-BOR examination
pass rate for Farmingdale State graduates has met or exceeded the
national pass rate for the past several years.
Go to Certification
Examination Application Procedures
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Professional Associations - Student
Memberships
Both the ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) and ASCLS
(American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science) offer student
membership at reduced yearly rates. These memberships offer the
following benefits to students:
- subscription to Society journals
- society newsletters
- discounts: Society conference fees & publications
Applications for membership in either society may be obtained from
the MLT office, or at either of the Society’s web sites.
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