There are many branches of medical laboratory science. The one you choose will depend on your interests and goals, as well as the type of career you want to pursue.
The most common types of medical laboratory science include:
Clinical Laboratory Science – Clinical laboratory scientists perform tests in a clinical setting, such as a hospital or doctor’s office. They may also be responsible for processing specimens and coordinating with doctors and other healthcare professionals to interpret test results. Clinical laboratory scientists may work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics and private practices. Education requirements vary depending on the type of testing performed and the state where you plan to practice.
Forensic Laboratory Science – Forensic laboratory scientists collect evidence from crime scenes, analyze it and interpret its meaning in order to provide information that can help solve crimes. The forensic scientist must be able to read lab reports correctly so they can make an accurate analysis of their findings based on those reports. Education requirements vary depending on the type of testing performed and the state where you plan to practice; however most states require some sort of education beyond high school (GED) level before licensure is granted within that state’s borders.*
Medical Technology – Medical technicians work within hospitals or other medical facilities performing tasks such as preparing
Branches Of Medical Laboratory Science
Introduction
A career in Medical Laboratory Science can be a fulfilling one, and we’re all about showing you the many different options you have to explore. With that in mind, here are some of the branches of Medical Laboratory Science which you can dive into!
Clinical Chemistry
Clinical chemistry is the study of the chemical composition of body fluids and tissues, including blood, urine and other body secretions. These chemicals can be used to detect changes in a person’s health status and to monitor disease progression or treatment effectiveness. For example, a patient may have abnormal levels of certain substances in their blood sample if they have diabetes or kidney disease.
Toxicology
Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms. Toxicology is a branch of pharmacology, which deals with drugs and their effects on the body; toxicology is also considered to be a branch of chemistry because it studies chemical reactions at the molecular level. It overlaps with biology in that it examines how these substances affect living organisms, including humans.
In addition to its medical applications, toxicology has many other uses: studying plants for pesticides or herbicides; determining if a drug properly reaches its intended destination in the body; verifying product safety before public use; and developing standards for safe handling procedures (such as those used by firefighters).
Hematology
Hematology is the study of blood and blood-forming tissues. Hematologist is a medical doctor who specializes in hematology and related fields. The field of hematology has been growing in recent years, as more people develop an interest in bone marrow transplants, diseases like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, and other problems associated with abnormal red blood cells or platelets.
Hematologists work closely with pathologists because they must examine samples taken from patients before they make any conclusions about what might be wrong with them. Large amounts of data are required by both doctors to determine whether someone has cancerous cells growing inside their body, so it’s important that these two branches work together closely if we want to keep up with modern healthcare needs!
Histopathology
Histopathology is a medical specialty that focuses on the microscopic examination of bodily tissues. This process can be used to diagnose diseases, determine the extent of disease and its severity, monitor the effectiveness of medication and treatment, provide information about organ function, determine if cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasis), and locate abnormal tissue for removal or biopsy.
The first step in performing histopathology involves preparing sections of tissue from a patient’s organ or body part (biopsy). A doctor will remove small pieces of tissue with a needle or surgical scalpel and then send them to a lab for testing. Once this is done, technicians examine these samples under microscopes using special stains to highlight certain aspects of cells for easier identification by pathologists (doctors who specialize in interpreting results). The results are then interpreted by pathologists based on their experience with similar cases; they don’t need extensive training because most methods have been standardized over time so they’re consistent across labs around the world.
Cytogenetics
Cytogenetics is the study of chromosomes and their abnormalities. It involves the analysis of chromosomes, their karyotypes and other characteristics that help identify abnormalities in cellular division and cell lineage. The field emerged from cytology (the study of cells) during the latter half of the 20th century, when advances in technology made it possible to directly observe chromosomes as distinct objects under a microscope.
Microbiology/Immunology/Serology
Microbiology/Immunology/Serology is the branch of medical laboratory science that studies microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It also focuses on the immune system and blood serum. The study of these topics is important for understanding infectious diseases, as well as for conducting research in microbiology and immunology.
These fields are related to each other because they all involve studying living things at a microscopic level. They are used throughout clinical medicine because knowing about pathogens (disease-causing organisms) can help doctors diagnose infections in patients who have been exposed to them.
Parasitology
If you’ve ever had a skin condition, or experienced any kind of discomfort in your digestive system, you’ve likely heard the word “parasite.” Parasitology is the study of parasites—organisms that live off another organism. They’re not always harmful: some plants and animals have symbiotic relationships with other organisms that can actually improve their health. But there are many types of parasites whose sole purpose is to cause harm to their hosts.
Parasites may be bacteria, viruses, fungi or protozoa; they can infect humans as well as animals and plants. Some parasites are microscopic (tiny enough to be seen only under a microscope), while others are visible to the naked eye.
Medical Laboratory Science is a field with a number of different specialties that can be discovered through research.
In the medical laboratory science field, there are many different specialties that you can explore. Each specialty has its own requirements and path to becoming a professional in that area. Some of these specializations include:
- Microbiology (the study of microorganisms)
- Clinical chemistry (testing bodily fluids to detect abnormalities)
- Hematology (the study of blood)
Conclusion
Medical laboratory science is a broad field with plenty of opportunities and room for professional growth. We hope that after reading this, you feel a little more confident in what direction you want to take your career. If you’re still unsure about which specialization suits you best, don’t worry! The best way to find out is by doing some research on each one and seeing which one fits your interests most closely.
