By Sara Wilson
Do you ever wonder where your blood goes after it gets drawn? Have you ever asked who is responsible for your lab test results? Well then, you might be interested to learn more about medical laboratory scientists.
This week, April 20-28th, marks National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. An annual event, this last week in April honors the laboratory professionals who work behind-the-scenes as part of the health care team.
Originating in 1975, this is the 36th year in which the laboratory profession has been recognized in celebrating National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. Although they usually go unnoticed, the laboratory is vital in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Autopsy, Blood banking, Chemistry, Cytopathology, Hematopathology, Microbiology, Surgical Pathology, Sample Management, and Tissue Antigen testing are all integrative parts of the field of medical laboratory science.
Currently, there are approximately 300,000 medical laboratory scientists in the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the field of medical laboratory scientists is growing in employment by 14 percent every year. With more than 10 billion laboratory tests performed in the United States every year, the importance of medical laboratory scientist is evident.