Department of Medical Laboratory Science

Medical Laboratory Science: Philosophy

The contribution of medical laboratory sciences to patient care and to the health delivery system is primarily one of diagnostic services. The increasing number and wide range of diagnostic tests performed by medical laboratory scientists requires frequent adaptation to new laboratory methodologies and instrumentation. Medicine requires today’s medical laboratory scientist to be a highly qualified professional who is willing and able to expand and extend his or her theoretical knowledge and technical skills.

Today’s professional medical laboratory scientist must develop technical expertise as well as teaching and administrative competence. He or she must be able to adapt to rapid changes in the field while maintaining an optimal level of performance. As a member of the health care team, the medical laboratory scientist must have a basic understanding of the role of other health practitioners to function effectively and to provide the best possible care. Although work in medical laboratory science often does not place the practitioner in direct contact with the patient, the medical laboratory scientist must maintain compassion and empathy and accept the patient’s welfare as the highest priority.