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What is CLS?

Behind-the-Scenes Health Care Detectives

Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS), are laboratory professionals who test different types of patient samples to help doctors diagnose, treat and monitor patients.

Other Names for CLS

Bachelor's/ Master's/ Doctorate Degree

  • Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS)

  • Medical Technologists (MT)

Associate Degree

  • Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLT)

Common Misconception #1

Myth:

We are just phlebotomists who draw your blood.

​

Truth:

We are highly skilled scientists who discover the presence or absence of disease and provide data that help physicians determine the best treatment for the patient.

-(according to explorehealthcareers.org) to put it concisely but we are so much more.

We are also trained in phlebotomy but we are not just phlebotomists.

Different Divisions of the Laboratory

Microbiology

From Gram positive & negative bacteria to Mycology and Parasitology.

Learn all about the fascinating bacteria that will keep you up at night and dosing your skin with hand sanitizer.

Hematology

Don’t need to be a vampire to enjoy this topic. With topics like leukemia, manual differentials, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. This section is sure not to disappoint.

Clinical Chemistry

Glucose, Liver panel, Cholesterol, Electrolyte levels.

You name it, we got it! Understand the chemistry in your body through all the analytes laboratorians run every day.

Blood Bank

There’s more to your blood than ABO types. Read up on all the intricacies of different blood groups and antibodies! Learn how to “rule out” on blood panels and what goes into blood transfusions! 

Urinalysis & Body Fluids

Nothing to be grossed out here, just Understanding the wonders of urine, cerebral spinal fluid, amniotic fluid, and synovial fluid.

Read More >

Types of Patient Samples Tested

Types of Testing

  • Blood

    • Whole Blood​

    • Serum 

    • Plasma

  • Tissues​

  • Organs

  • Fecal Specimens

  • Body Fluids

    • Urine​ 

    • Effusions

    • Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF)

    • Amniotic Fluid

    • Semen 

    • etc.

There are 3 types of testing done on patient samples:

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  1. Point-of-Care Testing:

    • Testing that can be done by the bedside of patients​

      • Can be done out side the lab​

      • Instruments are portable

    • Most testing is low complexity & fast turnaround time

      • Can be done by non-laboratory professional 

  2. Manual Testing

    • Testing done only by laboratorians​

    • High-complexity testing 

    • Done whenever automated instruments breakdown 

  3. ​Automated Testing

    • Testing done only by laboratorians​

    • High-complexity testing

    • ​Instruments are huge

      • Can test multiple samples at once

      • Can do batch testing ​

      • Perfect for high-volume labs

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Testing Examples

Glucometer

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Manual CBC Differential

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MicroScan
WalkAwaySystem

Common Misconception #2

Myth:

The lab is full of "machines". The people there just put samples on the machines, press a button and then a result comes out.

​

Truth:

Laboratorians play a very important role in getting precise & accurate results.

  • Instruments help test large volume of patient samples but its the laboratorian who holds the responsibility to release those results to the healthcare provider.

  • They "double check" the instruments  

Whenever instruments do go offline or breakdown (sometimes often), laboratorians need the know-how and the ingenuity to have an alternative solution while the instrument is getting fixed.

  • That means knowing the:

    • Understanding Quality Control & Assurance of each test

    • Principle of the test

    • Analyte being tested

    • Reference Ranges & Critical Values

    • Disease States associated to the result values

    • etc.

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