What is the difference between Medical Laboratory Science and Medical Laboratory technology? MLS VS MLT
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
Medical laboratory science is the use of chemical laboratory tests to detect, diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases. Blood, tissue, and body fluids can be chemically analyzed and examined for foreign organisms and abnormalities. A Medical laboratory scientist aims to analyze a variety of biological specimens. They perform scientific testing on samples and relay results to physicians. They use sophisticated clinical equipment like microscopes, cell counters and other high precision equipment to carry out tests in chemistry, hematology, immunology, transfusion medicine, and microbiology. The decision of a physician regarding a patients diagnosis, hospital admission, treatment, and discharge is heavily dependent on a Medical laboratory scientists report.
Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) is also the branch of science that uses chemical laboratory tests to detect, diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases. Blood, tissue, and body fluids can be chemically analyzed and examined for foreign organisms and abnormalities. Medical Laboratory Technologists perform complex tests and procedures that help physicians diagnose and treat diseases. They can perform a variety of tests or specialize in one area depending on where they work. Medical Laboratory Technologists are required to earn at least an Associate’s degree in Medical/Clinical Laboratory Science or similar courses with additional clinical training (Microbiology, Biochemistry or Anatomy).
Both Medical Laboratory Scientists and Medical Laboratory Technologists perform tests on biological samples however Medical Laboratory Scientists tend to have more education and are able to perform more laboratory work and has more job responsibilities such as examining patient’s biological samples, relaying tests results to Physicians, cross matching blood for transfusion, monitoring patient outcomes, carrying out cell counts, organizing quality assurance programs to prove the credibility of tests performed as well as overseeing Medical Laboratory Technologists, while Medical Laboratory Technologists perform routine laboratory work such as setting up, maintaining, calibrating, cleaning and testing the sterility of laboratory equipment, preparing solutions or reagents to be combined with samples, collecting blood, tissue or other samples from patients, matching blood compatibility for transfusions, and examining immune system elements. Medical Laboratory Technologists are required to have precise technical skills.
Olayinka Shyllon
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A Medical Laboratory Technologist and a Medical Laboratory Scientist are the same with the same amount education and responsibility in the medical laboratory. A Medical Laboratory Technician is the one with the lesser responsibility and education. Please correct this article!