Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Associate of Science degrees with a Health Professions Specialization, Certificates in Health Science, and Career Studies Certificates in Pre-Allied Health are available from Lord Fairfax Community College.

Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.

Associate of Science Degrees in Medical Laboratory Technology are available from Lord Fairfax Community College.
 

Medical assistants work in medical offices and outpatient care centers, including urgent care centers and surgical centers. They work with licensed health care and allied health care providers, including doctors, optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, nurses, radiology technicians, respiratory therapists, and office support staff (e.g., clerical office staff). Some medical assistants work in small medical practices that employ only a physician and a single medical assistant, and others work in larger medical practices and outpatient care centers (including those affiliated with hospitals).

Medical assistants work with licensed medical care providers in medical offices or other outpatient centers to maintain office records and equipment, schedule and participate in the examination and treatment of patients, perform basic diagnostic tests or medical procedures, and provide patient education and follow-up support.

Work Process Schedule PDF

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

Career Studies Certificates in Medical Office Administration and Medical Assistant Programs are available from Lord Fairfax Community College.

Phlebotomists are Medical Lab Technicians who draw and process blood and other biological samples for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. They may explain the procedure to patients and provide assistance if patients have adverse reactions after their blood is drawn.

Phlebotomists work in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, doctors’ offices, and mobile phlebotomy services.

Because all blood samples look the same, phlebotomists must carefully identify and label each blood sample they have drawn and enter it into a database. In order to avoid causing infection and other complications, phlebotomists must keep their work areas and instruments clean and sanitary.

Phlebotomists are specialists at their craft and often represent the “face of the laboratory.”

Work Process Schedule PDF