Download CAREERS IN PATHOLOGY - Institute of Biomedical Science

BLOOD TRANSFUSION II
• Also involved in specialised testing for resolution
of grouping problems, the preparation of
diagnostic grouping reagents, the provision of rare
blood & tissue matched blood products, and the
preparation of blood components and plasma
• ALL BLOOD IS TESTED TO EXCLUDE AIDS,
HEPATITIS B & C AND SYPHILIS
DONORS ALWAYS NEEDED
CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY I
MONITORING TREATMENT
• Tumour markers - levels are used to monitor
treatment and to detect reoccurance
• diabetes - glucose levels, kidney function
• patients on Lipid lowering drugs - cholesterol
and triglyceride levels
• thyroid disease - thyroid hormones
• fluid balance - patients on IV infusions
• drug levels - e.g anti-epileptic drugs to ensure
levels are kept within a therapeutic range
CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY II
SCREENING
• Neonatal screening - babies are screened for
phenylketonuria (a metabolic enzyme defect)
congenital hypothyroidism (under developed
thyroid) - each condition can lead to brain damage
if detected, & cystic fibrosis
• drugs of abuse - illegal substances and patients on
treatment for drug abuse
• genetic screening - an area of development e.g
cystic fibrosis, early detection of cancer
CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY III
AID TO DIAGNOSIS
• Measurement of products of metabolism in
body fluids ie blood, urine, faeces and sweat
- eg. Glucose in Diabetes Mellitus, urea and
creatinine in kidney failure
- enzymes released into the bloodstream from
damaged tissues, eg infertility and thyroid disease
- diseases of infancy and childhood-detection of
inherited metabolic enzyme defects
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY - NEAR PATIENT TESTING
Clinical Chemistry
An advanced multichannel analyser
HISTOPATHOLOGY I
• Is the examination of tissues and organs removed
from patients in order to determine a diagnosis,
and to provide information on further treatment
and the likely prognosis
• tissue is processed to paraffin wax (about 15
hours), and a wax block made of the tissue.
Sections (about 3 microns) are cut & stained so
that cellular structures and details can be
visualised microscopically
HISTOPATHOLOGY II
• Further staining techniques may be required to
identify a tissue component not readily seen in the
first section eg organisms such as TB
• other special techniques such as
immunocytochemistry can be used to identify a
tumour or variant of tumour
• very rapid results can be obtained using frozen
sections
• some labs specialise in electron microscopy
Histopathology - a slice through a kidney
Histopathology - A stained section of the
same kidney tissue
Histopathology - a piece of stomach
showing an ulcer
Histopathology - the same ulcer
under the microscope
CYTOLOGY I
• Is the study of cells
• best known for its role within the National
Cervical Screening Programme and the
microscopical detection of pre-malignant
changes within the cells taken from the cervix
(neck of the womb) on stained slides
• headed by medical cytopathologists, the team
includes BMS’s and Cytoscreeners, who undergo
2 years of intensive training
CYTOLOGY II
• Also involved is the study of specimens
from any site where cells can be obtained
without surgery, these include:
- sputum & bronchial washings/brushings
- urines
- fluids from body cavities and cysts
- fine needle aspirations (FNA) eg breast
lumps
Cytology - normal stained cells in a cervical smear
Cytology - small discrete abnormal cells scattered
amongst normal cells in a cervical smear
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
• Modern pathology
and biomedical
laboratory work
entails complex
investigations. For
these a sound
scientific education
is required
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
• Clinical biochemists/scientists - 8 year period
from graduate entry (usually post doctoral) leading
to Membership of the Royal College of
Pathologists (MRCPath) through formal and
vocational training
• Consultant Pathologist - 12-15 years training from
graduate entry leading to Membership of the
Royal College of Pathologists (MRCPath) by
exam progressing to FRCPath
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
• Biomedical Scientists - a science degree is now an
essential prerequisite to work as a Biomedical
Scientist. The most appropriate degrees are those
specifically for the profession and accredited by
the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)
• the most suitable school or college qualifications
are A-Level biology & chemistry and GCSE
maths or their equivalent
Further information for Careers
in Biomedical Science
Institute of Biomedical
Science
12 Coldbath Square
LONDON
EC1R 5HL
tel. 0207 713 0214
www.ibms.org
[email protected]