Terri Brown, MHA MLS(ASCP) LSSGB
MLH Laboratory and Pathology Director
How can you be right at the heart of everything that happens in healthcare?
How can you support other healthcare professionals AND the patients?
Are you good at detective work and have a passion for science?
The lab might just be the place for you!
So why choose a career in the lab? Did you know that laboratory diagnostics account for up to 70% of all medication decisions made in the clinical setting? And that’s just one reason. Others enjoy the fast-paced environment, variety of work responsibilities and multiple types of opportunities that the lab provides.
Some of the possible jobs you might have in the lab are:
- Phlebotomists are the face of the lab and are most often seen at the patient bedside collecting blood and other diagnostic specimens.
- Clinical lab assistants are responsible for direct patient care at the patient bedside, collecting blood and other specimens. They also are cross-trained in specific areas of the lab, directly supporting scientists and technicians through registrations, specimen processing and limited-scope testing.
- Department assistants and couriers work with specimen registration and testing triage, customer service and processing. Couriers manage multiple routes to bring diagnostic specimens to the lab and pathology throughout the day, ensuring timely results to ordering providers.
- Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) are required to have an Associate’s Degree with board certification. They are responsible for specimen analysis and test results, reporting to the ordering provider.
- Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLSs) have a Bachelor’s Degree with board certification. They analyze specimens and test results, and report to the ordering provider. These professionals also are involved in section-specific supervisory functions, laboratory information systems, accreditation and compliance, training and quality initiatives.
- Histotechnicians (HTs) and Histotechnologists (HLTs) process anatomic (surgical) pathology tissue and special stains. They prepare tissues for microscopic examination by pathologists. The main difference between the two professional roles is HTs have an Associate’s Degree and HLTs have a Bachelor’s Degree with board certification.
- Pathology Technologists are professionals who help with grossing and cutting of tissues in preparation for processing. A Bachelor’s Degree is required.
- Cytotechnologists (CTs) specialize in the study and diagnostic interpretation of cells and cellular abnormalities, often in fluids and aspirations. A Bachelor’s Degree and board certification are required.
- Pathologists have Doctor of Medicine Degrees. These professionals diagnose disease at the tissue and cellular level. They work hand-in-hand with physicians of all kinds. They are doctors behind the microscope and are commonly referred to as “the doctor’s doctor.” They directly oversee the anatomic pathology section in the laboratory and can also function as the medical director of the laboratory.
At MLH, our laboratory is big enough that technicians and scientists can work in all areas of the lab at a highly complex level. Mary Lanning Healthcare (MLH) is a Level III trauma center, a Level II NICU, has an Intensive Care Unit, Surgical Services, Oncology and multiple clinic sites. We have a fully functioning microbiology lab and blood bank in addition to core areas such as chemistry, hematology, coagulation and urinalysis. The size of our laboratory gives professionals the ability to use all their education and training in one workplace.
MLH has many entry-level positions available and are able to grow our professionals from within through educational assistance packages. We fully support and encourage additional education for our employees.