Articulations

Medical Laboratory Scientists are detectives and problem solvers who use their knowledge and technical skills to conduct a wide variety of medical laboratory tests and then correlate the results with disease processes. They are experts in monitoring quality-control programs and also possess the technical skills to operate and maintain laboratory instruments. Students learn biochemical tests to identify unknown pathogens, learn to perform 100s of chemical assays providing the lab results physicians need to diagnose and monitor patients, and learn to identify abnormalities, such as infections, anemia, leukemia, or tumors in smears of blood, bone marrow, and other bodily fluids. Students also learn to perform gel card testing to determine the presence of RBC antibodies that can impact transfusion.

Cytotechnologists are versatile, highly specialized members of the Anatomic Pathology team. They work closely with pathologists and are primarily focused on microscopically identifying infectious agents and abnormal cellular changes, including those associated with cancer. In this era of precision medicine, the scope of practice for the field of cytotechnology is evolving! In addition to evaluating the cellular morphology of preparations, cytotechnologists often perform ancillary high-complexity testing, like Urovysion testing in cytogenetics, HPV genotyping in the diagnostic molecular lab, preliminary immunohistochemical stain analysis, and flow cytometric assays to evaluate solid tumors. Today, cytotechnologists are being trained to correlate concurrent test results with cytologic findings to assist pathologists and clinicians with solving diagnostic puzzles.

Histotechnologists play a fundamental role in detecting cellular abnormalities by preparing and testing surgical and biopsied tissue specimens for microscopic examination by pathologists. A histotechnologist prepares very thin slices of human, animal, or plant tissue for microscopic examination. This is an important part of the intricate process of scientific investigation used in establishing and confirming a patient's diagnosis. Because of the histotechnologist’s skillful application of laboratory techniques, the amazing invisible world of tissue structure becomes visible under a microscope.

Molecular genetic technologists study the role of genetics in medicine, Mendelian genetics, multifactorial inheritance, DNA structure, chromosome structure, population genetics, mutation rates, ethnicity of disease, and genetic mapping in a diagnostic setting. Molecular genetic technology examines genes at a molecular level using advanced techniques to analyze their structure, function, inheritance, and the effects of mutations or DNA sequence changes. This information helps enhance our understanding of genetic diseases, develop genetic therapies, and improve DNA-based diagnostic methods. They use their expertise to identify disease-causing mutations, assist in diagnosing diseases, tailor treatments, and monitor responses. They can also contribute to forensic science by aiding in human identification and supporting mass casualty investigations through DNA-based analysis.