In Roads
Inside information for the employees of Mercy Medical Center
Medical Laboratory Professionals Week will take place April 19-25, 2015 Medical Laboratory Professionals Week provides the profession with a unique opportunity to increase public understanding of and appreciation for clinical laboratory personnel. There are approximately 300,000 practitioners of clinical laboratory science in the United States. Since the development of this career group in the 1920s, the clinical laboratory science professional has played an increasingly vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease. Today, the clinical laboratorian is a key member of a health care team. As team members of one of the largest industries in the United States, the dedicated efforts of laboratory professionals often go unnoticed by the general public, as well as by the very institutions employing their services. With the public now demanding the assurance of quality health care and professional accountability, organizations representing practitioners of this critical science have a responsibility to ensure that the public is well informed about clinical laboratory competency.
courses and have training through an approved CLS training program to qualify for the ASCP national board exam. In addition, a CLS needs to have good laboratory technique, strong critical thinking skills, the ability to work under stressful conditions, a professional attitude and well developed communication skills. Clinical laboratory scientists use specialized procedures and equipment to determine the causes and cures of diseases. These experts use reagents, chemicals, and laboratory equipment to test body fluids and tissues. The evaluation of blood and tissue samples, and the precision and insight involved in diagnosing and analyzing medical findings, are vital to treating injury and disease.
CLS stands for Clinical Laboratory Scientist. Currently in California, all highly complex blood tests, urinalysis, toxicology, and microbiology ordered by health care providers must be performed by a licensed CLS. Sixty-six percent of the health care decisions are made on the basis of lab test results generated by a licensed CLS. In California, you must have a bachelor’s degree, complete certain prerequisite
“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” Princess Diana
April Performance Excellence Boards
From left: Rosie Godoy, RN 7th Floor , Gian Arocena, RN 7th Floor, and Sandy Andrews, RN, MSN 7th Floor Clinical Manager.
The laboratory at Mercy Medical Center is staffed with Clinical Laboratory Scientists, Certified Phlebotomy Technicians and clerks.
What is a CLS?
APRIL 17, 2015
By Sandy Andrews, RN, MSN 7th Floor Clinical Manager
What is a Phlebotomist?
Phlebotomists are medical professionals who draw blood from patients for various lab tests and procedures. A high school graduate or college student could take a course at a local technical or vocational school to learn phlebotomy. The state of California requires all phlebotomists to obtain phlebotomy certification.
Performance Excellence (PE) Team Lead from the 7th Floor, Gian Arocena, completed the theme “April Showers” for floors 4 through 7. If the floor meets the PE Lag Time Goal, the staff will put a rainbow sticker on the corresponding blue rain drop. However, if the goal is not met, then the time is placed into that date. Great job Gian on making our April Showers Boards look so great!