V. Reading Activities.
a) Pre - reading Stage.
- Skim through the text and write out key words.
b) While-reading Stage.
- Read the text Laboratory assistant work and write out the stages of laboratory testing and the duties of laboratory assistants. Put them into the table.
Stage of testing |
Laboratory’s assistant work |
… |
… |
Lab assistant work
L
ab
assistant work is usually associated with clinics, health centers,
hospitals, and private laboratories which include the job of
assisting other lab personnel, precisely the medical lab
technologists. Yet, the lab assistants have several other autonomous
responsibilities to carry out such as sterilizing apparatus;
operating laboratory machines viz., centrifuge or autoclave tool;
preparing specimen samples; etc.
Lab assistants are involved in performing plain laboratory tests and managing the specimens. Moreover, these lab assistants undertake many grave responsibilities and are expected to undergo appropriate training. However, it is found that the lab technicians typically get paid less than what the laboratory technologists regularly earn. |
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Lab assistants are normally present in the laboratories conducting the tests assigned to them. Their work stations are clean, tidy, and in sanitary conditions. Duty hours differ depending on the location of their service whether they are working in independent infirmary, hospitals, clinics, laboratory or specialty health-care facility. However, they usually work 40 hours a week. They are required to utilize safety gears as they may be exposed to perilous materials, toxic supplies, chemicals or infectious samples. Otherwise, such circumstances can pose danger to their lives.
Job Prospects of Lab Assistant
The prospects of lab assistant jobs are predicted to amplify swiftly. Lab assistants can progress to senior job profiles or may even change to a different comparable occupation in the same field with the help of added education, training, knowledge, and practical experience.
Physicians order diagnostic tests from the medical laboratory to help diagnose and treat their patients. When an order is received by the laboratory, either on a manual lab request form or through the hospital MIS, the lab will first obtain the proper type of sample. This may involve drawing blood (venipuncture), which is typically performed by a phlebotomist (person who specializes in venipuncture). Samples such as urine, feces, sputum, or tissue usually are obtained by nurses or physicians in the nursing unit. Surgical samples will be delivered to the lab by surgical technicians. Some samples, such as single or 24-hour urine samples, are brought to the lab by patients themselves (if they are outpatients). Laboratory personnel are responsible for checking all specimens received in order to determine that they are properly labeled and collected in the proper container. Personnel responsible for specimen processing will separate the blood components if required and store the sample at the proper temperature prior to testing. Technologists or technicians perform the analysis, evaluate the test system using quality control procedures, and review each result before reporting it. Inappropriate specimens are rejected, and suspicious results may require repeat testing using a new sample. Critical values and stat requests must be called immediately to the ordering physician. Some physicians have issued a written request for follow-up testing when results are abnormal. Timely communication between the laboratory staff and the primary care provider is essential for effective utilization of laboratory tests and results.
c) Post-reading Stage.
- What’s missing:
Laboratory assistant work is usually associated with … … … and … laboratories.
The Laboratory assistants have several autonomous responsibilities to carry out such as …
Laboratory assistants are involved in performing plain laboratory tests and …
It is found that … … typically get paid less than … …
Laboratory assistant’s work stations are …, … and in sanitary conditions.
Laboratory assistants usually work … hours a week.
They are required to utilize … … .