Medical Laboratory Assistant
Encyclopedia
Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) prepare, and in some cases process samples within a pathology
laboratory. They also utilise pre-analytical systems in order for biomedical scientist
s (BMS) or Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers to process the biochemical
tests requested on the sample. The majority of an MLA's time is spent in processing specimen
s. As such, the MLA has to have excellent knowledge of their particular sample acceptance policy, whilst obeying the data protection act, patient confidentiality
, COSHH and the Caldicott rules.
A typical method of sample acceptance (in a clinical chemistry lab) is as follows:
MLA's also deal with all sample queries and give low level advice to clinical staff on sample acceptance and correct sampling method. They may also do minor upkeep on the pre-analytical systems as well as further upkeep on some point of care analysers — depending on the laboratory in which they are based.
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
laboratory. They also utilise pre-analytical systems in order for biomedical scientist
Biomedical scientist
A biomedical scientist is a scientist trained in biology, particularly in the context of medicine...
s (BMS) or Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers to process the biochemical
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
tests requested on the sample. The majority of an MLA's time is spent in processing specimen
Specimen
A specimen is a portion/quantity of material for use in testing, examination, or study.BiologyA laboratory specimen is an individual animal, part of an animal, a plant, part of a plant, or a microorganism, used as a representative to study the properties of the whole population of that species or...
s. As such, the MLA has to have excellent knowledge of their particular sample acceptance policy, whilst obeying the data protection act, patient confidentiality
Physician-patient privilege
Physician–patient privilege is a legal concept, related to medical confidentiality, that protects communications between a patient and his or her doctor from being used against the patient in court. It is a part of the rules of evidence in many common law jurisdictions...
, COSHH and the Caldicott rules.
A typical method of sample acceptance (in a clinical chemistry lab) is as follows:
- Sample is received.
- Sample is checked (to ensure that the sample is sent in the correct container for the specimen).
- Patient's details checked and matched on both form and sample (non-matching samples and/or forms rejected).
- Sample and form labelled with unique identifying number (UIN).
- Tests requested on form receipted onto UIN on computer system.
- Samples placed either on pre-analytical system by MLA or analysed immediately by BMS (dependent on test requested).
- UIN attached to patient using patient identifying details on form.
MLA's also deal with all sample queries and give low level advice to clinical staff on sample acceptance and correct sampling method. They may also do minor upkeep on the pre-analytical systems as well as further upkeep on some point of care analysers — depending on the laboratory in which they are based.