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Lab Professionals
Walkerton, E-coli, SARS, Wet Nile, avian flu. Ten years ago, these words
were virtually unknown to most Canadians. Today, they’re part of our
vocabulary.
Canada’s
medical laboratory professionals — medical laboratory technologists,
assistants and scientists — are on the frontlines of the public health
system. Their skill, accuracy and dedication help to save countless lives
each day. They protect public health in a wide variety of settings, from
hospitals to community health clinics to public health laboratories. They
work on infection control teams and help make sure that our food and
drinking water are safe.
As the
country’s third largest group of health care professionals, medical
laboratory professionals play an essential role in Canada’s health care
system. Whether fighting old diseases or new ones, medical laboratory
professionals protect the health of all Canadians. Eighty-five per cent of
physicians’ diagnosis and treatment decisions are based on laboratory test
results.
Medical
laboratory technologists perform sophisticated medical tests on body
tissue and body fluids, and interpret results. They are graduates of
accredited training programs at the college or university level. The
Canadian Society certifies many Canadian MLTs for Medical Laboratory
Science. Medical laboratory scientists work in both medical and
research laboratories. Their knowledge and expertise contribute to
innovations in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and other
medical conditions.
The
hospital laboratory at the Arnprior & District Memorial Hospital – located
on the ground floor – employs both technologists and technicians. It is
overseen by a Valley Laboratory Manager, Patti Boyd, who also oversees the
laboratories at the Kemptville and Carleton Place hospitals and consults for
the Queensway-Carleton Hospital. The ADMH lab is open to the general public
in the afternoons.
Currently
under renovations, the hospital laboratory is preparing for accreditation.
Surveyors will be visiting the laboratory from April 25-28. An award of
accreditation means that the laboratory has met the explicit quality
management criteria while recognizing the exemplary work of the lab and its
technologists and technicians.
“We are
proud of the work that we do to support the health and well-being of people
in our community,” says Patti Boyd, Manager of Laboratory Services.
“National Medical Laboratory Week is an excellent opportunity to raise the
profile of our profession and to educate the public about the important role
that we play in our health care system.”
Patti Boyd, Valley Laboratory Manager
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