Praise for Medical Laboratory Professionals

From Daily-Journal.com, Kankakee, Ill.

You won't find a huge banner at the entrance of your local hospital declaring Medical Laboratory Professionals week April 24-30. No public interest article or advertisement in the newspaper or on the radio. A random small poster might be found, taped crookedly on the wall, if you ventured into the basement laboratory.

We are Medical Laboratory Professionals, an essential part of the health care team and a little self-promotion is in order.

We embrace the laboratory profession because we believe that what we do each day has a genuine impact on patients' lives. Some chose a laboratory career initially and for others the laboratory chose them. Clinical Laboratory Science is an opportunity to make a difference by providing a vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease through laboratory testing. Our data is utilized by physicians to diagnosis, monitor and assist with treatment.

Clinical laboratories demonstrate excellence by College of American Pathologists accreditation, of which we all work diligently to achieve and proudly exhibit. Individual professional competence is documented by ASCP Board of Certification credentialing and continuing education.

As with many health-care careers, there continues to be a critical shortage of qualified personnel with resulting staffing challenges. On a local level, Kankakee Community College offers a NAACLS accredited Medical Laboratory Technician program. Many skill levels and educational requirements form the laboratory team: phlebotomist, assistant, technician, technologist, scientist, as well as histologist, cytologist and pathologist.

Community awareness to the dedication and role of the medical laboratory professional in your health care is a first step.

Tammy Frederici, MHA, MT (ASCP)

Monee

Alverno Clinical Laboratories

Presence Health