Laboratory Medicine Team Roles

Patient Service Representatives

These members of the team are essential for making the laboratory run efficiently and smoothly. In addition, they play a critical role in patient safety. They are responsible for ensuring the physicians orders are carried out and the correct laboratory tests are performed on the right person. That is why it is essential that they ask for your picture identification and your Kaiser identification to match you with the physician’s laboratory requisition slip. They also contact the physician if questions arise concerning the laboratory test ordered.

Laboratory Assistants

All of the blood collected in the clinics and most of the blood collected in the hospital is done by blood drawing specialists called laboratory assistants. They are highly trained in the collection and processing of blood. As they perform the majority of the blood draws, they are the best and most qualified in performing this procedure. They also perform an essential check to make sure that the blood specimen collected matches the correct patient by rechecking patient identification with the specimen labels. Finally, they log the sample into the hospital computer and triage it to the laboratory staff who will perform the testing in Santa Rosa or send it to the regional laboratory in Berkeley where testing is performed.

Clinical Laboratory Scientists

Clinical Laboratory Scientists are individuals who are college educated with a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in clinical laboratory science. They are the ones behind the scenes who conduct the highly specialized tests. They utilize sophisticated computerized laboratory equipment and are responsible for assuring that the test results are accurate and consistent with the patient’s status. In order to do this, they must be knowledgeable about normal physiology and disease states. Simply stated, they are the “real brains” behind the computerized laboratory results. They are responsible for monitoring the quality of the results, compliance with government regulations, and administrative and educational duties.

Laboratory Managers

They provide the leadership that enables the laboratory to provide excellent quality care. They select, orient, and evaluate employees. Monitor the quality of testing and competency of employees. Create an environment that is open to suggestions for improvement which enable the employees to thrive, which further fosters a delivery system of excellent patient care.

Pathologist

A pathologist helps care for patients every day by providing your doctor the information needed to ensure appropriate patient care. Read more