Are you a new sales and service representative who will visit medical laboratories but has little to no previous experience with the medical laboratory?
Are you a sales or training manager who needs to provide your new and less experienced staff with the basics of the medical laboratory?
Are you considering a career in the clinical laboratories sciences but need to learn more?
Our comprehensive introductory curriculum teaches you or your team everything they need to know about the laboratory:
- What are the basic tests and panels that the laboratory performs, where are they performed, and why are they important?
- Who are the personnel licensed to perform these tests and how are they qualified? What professional organizations educate and certify these workers?
- How are laboratories regulated to assure patient privacy, worker safety, and consistent quality results?
All these questions and more are answered in our curriculum.
Curriculum Description
An Introduction to the Medical Laboratory is a three-part curriculum that describes the operation of a medical laboratory, the organizations that certify professional staff and accredit the laboratory, and the federal regulations and the departments that enforce them. This curriculum assumes that the learner has little or no background in medical practice or clinical laboratory science. It is ideal for those contemplating a career in any clinical laboratory field, sales representatives who will be visiting clients in the laboratory and need an introduction to provide context for their future sales contacts, and anyone else who has an interest in the field and desires an introduction.
Part 1 covers the anatomical pathology and clinical laboratories, professionals who work in the laboratories, and major clinical laboratory departments with their associated tests. It outlines the entire process from a patient providing a specimen to staff importing test results into the electronic medical record (EMR).
Part 2 covers the certification, accreditation, and membership organizations that medical laboratory scientists (MLS) and technicians (MLT) frequent. This course also describes how those organizations regulate the clinical laboratory. Such organizations include ASCP, AMT, CAP, TJC, and ASCLS.
Part 3 covers federal regulations related to the clinical laboratory and the departments that enforce them. Such regulations include OSHA, CLIA, and HIPAA.
Objectives
- Part 1
- Compare and contrast the operation and function of the anatomical pathology laboratory and the clinical laboratory.
- Name the different clinical laboratory personnel and explain their role in the laboratory.
- List the typical departments of the clinical laboratory and describe their functions.
- Compare and contrast the various sites for laboratory testing.
- Part 2
- List the different certification organizations and be able to discuss the certifications they offer.
- List the different accreditation organizations and be able to discuss their accreditation requirements.
- List the membership organizations and be able to discuss their offerings.
- Part 3
- Describe the federal laws that govern clinical laboratories.
- Describe the laws' corresponding federal agencies and their role in the clinical laboratories.
Additional Information
Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience
This course is intended as an elementary introduction to the operation of a medical laboratory, the organizations that certify professional staff and accredit the laboratory, and the federal regulations and the departments that enforce them. It assumes that the learner has little or no background in medical practice or clinical laboratory science. It is ideal for those who desire an introduction to the operation and function of the laboratory, and the qualifications and mindset of those professionals who staff it. This curriculum is designed for those contemplating a career in any clinical laboratory field, sales representatives who will be visiting clients in the laboratory and need an introduction to provide context for their future sales contacts, and anyone else who has an interest in the field and desires an introduction.
Author Information
Julia Clendenin is a content and graphics developer for MediaLab, Inc. She graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a B.S. in Literature, Media, and Communication.
Paul Fekete, M.D. is the CEO of MediaLab, Inc. He was formerly Assistant Professor of Pathology at Emory University, and was Director of Laboratories for Gwinnett Health System, near Atlanta. Dr. Fekete has extensive experience teaching, and is the author of numerous journal articles, and several book chapters. He additionally has extensive experience in instructional design.
Reviewer Information
Rory Huschka, M. Ed., MT(ASCP), has over 20 years of experience as a medical technologist, technical supervisor, professor, and manager. He is the former Program Director of the Medical Laboratory Science and Medical Laboratory Technician Programs at Brookline College. He is currently a Program Director at MediaLab, Inc. Rory holds a BS degree in Medical Technology from North Dakota State University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership.
Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBTCM has over 20 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. He is the former Director of Clinical Laboratory Technology Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. He is currently a Program Director at MediaLab, Inc. Alexandru holds BS degrees in Biology and Medical Technology from Clark Atlanta University and an MBA from the University of Georgia.
