Profession medical laboratory assistant

Medical laboratory assistants work under supervision of the biomedical scientist and carry out basic laboratory procedures. They work in the pre-analytical handling of samples such as checking the details of specimens received for analysis, maintaining analysers, loading reagents, and packaging specimens. They also perform clerical tasks such as monitoring the stock levels of reagents used in analysis.

Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Laboratory techniques

  Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.

• Microbiology-bacteriology

  Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Automated analysers in the medical laboratory

  The methods used to introduce samples into the laboratory instrument that analyses biological samples for diagnosis purpose.

• Techniques of blood-sampling

  The appropriate techniques for the collection of blood samples for laboratory work purposes, depending on the group of people targeted such as children or elderly.

• Blood type classification

  The classification of blood types such as group A, B, AB, 0 and their characteristics.

Skills

• Prepare samples for testing

  Take and prepare samples for testing, verify their representability; avoid bias and any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination. Provide clear numbering, labelling and recording of the sample details, in order to make sure that the results can be accurately matched to the original material.

• Examine cell specimens microscopically

  Prepare and put the cell specimens received for examination on slides, stain and mark cellular changes and abnormalities.

• Calibrate laboratory equipment

  Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.

• Work safely with chemicals

  Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.

• Transport blood samples

  Ensure that the blood samples collected are transported safely and correctly, following strict procedures to avoid contamination

• Check the received biological samples

  Ensure that the received biological samples such as blood and tissues, are correctly labeled, registered and contain the appropriate information about the patient.

• Perform laboratory tests

  Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.

• Communicate effectively in healthcare

  Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.

• Test chemical samples

  Perform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schemes.

• Apply safety procedures in laboratory

  Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.

• Label blood samples

  Label blood samples taken from patients in compliance with regulations and the identity of the patient.

• Record test data

  Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.

• Use chemical analysis equipment

  Use the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equimpent, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.

• Mix chemicals

  Mix chemical substances safely according to recipe, using the proper dosages.

• Send biological samples to laboratory

  Forward collected biological samples to the concerned laboratory, following strict procedures related to the labeling and tracking of the information on the samples.

• Maintain medical laboratory equipment

  Regularly check the condition of medical laboratory equipment used, clean, and perform maintenance operations, as necessary.

• Operate scientific measuring equipment

  Operate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.

• Maintain laboratory equipment

  Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and inspect it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.

• Perform sample testing

  Examine and perform tests on prepared samples; avoid any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination during the testing phase. Operate sampling equipment in line with design parameters.

• Identify patients' medical records

  Locate, retrieve and present medical records, as requested by authorized medical personnel.

• Archive healthcare users' records

  Properly store the health records of healthcare users, including test results and case notes so that they are easily retrieved when required.

• Wear appropriate protective gear

  Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB