Medical laboratory science is a branch of medicine that uses laboratory analyses to diagnose and treat disease. Laboratory analyses are performed on blood, body fluids and tissue. Physicians use these laboratory results to determine the presence, extent and cause of disease in their patients. The role of the medical laboratory scientist is critical since the analyses must be performed quickly and reliably.
The medical laboratory scientist’s training is versatile allowing some to pursue other opportunities in medicine, health law, health care administration, dentistry, veterinary science, public policy development and medical writing. Students who desire a challenging and vital profession in the health sciences should consider medical laboratory science.