Introduction
This handbook is intended for anyone working as a medical laboratory technologist (MLT) in Nova Scotia, whether you work for someone else or are self-employed. It’s designed to guide you in the professional obligations and legal requirements of the profession by examining common issues and scenarios, and providing direction to resources.
The chapters of the handbook address not only requirements for credentials and education, but also such important issues as confidentiality, consent, and professional misconduct. In addition to the table of contents at the beginning, you’ll find a simple table of contents at the start of each chapter, and a short list of “practice pearls:” important points to remember from the content that follows.
While this handbook discusses legal concerns and requirements, it is not legal advice. If you believe that you need legal advice, please consult a lawyer.
What is Professionalism?
Professionalism lies at the heart of the practice of medical laboratory technology. It is a combination of the skills and knowledge acquired through training and experience, and the high standards we demand of ourselves. As MLTs we show professionalism when we consistently put the welfare of the patient first—when we practise safely and demonstrate competence, integrity, and respect. It’s in everyone’s interest to ensure that our professionalism is maintained.
The NSCMLT and CSMLS
Two organizations actively support and focus on the professionalism of MLTs in Nova Scotia: The Nova Scotia College of Medical Laboratory Technologists (NSCMLT) and the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). These two organizations have different purposes.
Insome provinces, including Nova Scotia, MLTs are self-regulated professionals. Knowing that we are the people with the body of knowledge necessary for effective regulation of our profession, the MLTs of this province participated in the creation and implementation of the Medical Laboratory Technology Act (MLT Act) http://nslegislature.ca.
Subsequently, we formed the NSCMLT. The role of the College is to uphold the professionalism of MLTs in Nova Scotia, and to ensure that our act and by-laws are honoured, for the protection of the public.
The CSMLS is the Canadian association that establishes national standards for medical laboratory science, and oversees training and certification of MLTs. All MLTs working in Canada, whether trained here or abroad, must be certified by the CSMLS. A second explicit purpose of the CSMLS is to promote our profession to the public, to government, and to other groups.
The Code of Professional Conduct
A code of professional conduct is a set of guidelines that describes the basic characteristics of professionalism in any given profession — a level of excellence that the professional must aspire to meet. The NSCMLT uses the Code of Professional Conduct provided by the CSMLS.
CSMLS Code of Professional Conduct
- Medical laboratory professionals are dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of the public. The welfare of the patient and respect for the dignity of the individual shall be paramount at all times.
- Medical laboratory professionals work with other health care professionals, to provide effective patient care.
- Medical laboratory professionals shall promote the image and status of their profession by maintaining high standards in their professional practice and through active support of their professional bodies.
- Medical laboratory professionals shall protect the confidentiality of all patient information.
- Medical laboratory professionals shall take responsibility for their professional acts.
- Medical laboratory professionals shall practise within the scope of their professional competence.
- Medical laboratory professionals shall Endeavour to maintain and improve their skills and knowledge and keep current with scientific advances. They will uphold academic integrity in all matters of professional certification and continuing education.
- Medical laboratory professionals shall share their knowledge with colleagues and promote learning.
- Medical laboratory professionals shall be aware of the laws and regulations governing medical laboratory technology and shall apply them in the practise of their profession.
- Medical laboratory professionals shall practise safe work procedures at all times to ensure the safety of patients and co- workers and the protection of the environment.
Reprinted with permission from CSMLS
Aspects of Professionalism
All of the points in the CSMLS Code of Professional Conduct arise from three core values: competence, integrity, and respect. As a professional, all of your actions are guided by these values:
- Competence is the ability to do your job correctly, and comes not only from specific training and study, but also from good judgment. A competent MLT knows how to perform tasks appropriately, and when additional help or resources are required.
- Integrity is honesty — truthfulness and fairness to others—but it is also a predictable and uncompromising commitment to do the right thing in every circumstance.
- Respect is fair and positive acknowledgement of the rights, abilities, and needs of others. The professional MLT owes respect to patients, colleagues, other members of the health care team, employers, educators, governing bodies, and the public.
Codes of professional conduct and discussions of core values are necessarily vague; no guideline can describe and analyze every potential scenario. The seasoned MLT acquires professionalism from understanding the guidelines, experience on the job, and the culture of the profession in the work
Conclusion
Professionalism is a personal responsibility for MLTs. A combination of competence, integrity, and respect, it is vital to how we, as MLTs, see ourselves, and also to how others see us. The CSMLS Code of Professional Conduct is the document we use to describe ourselves, and the basic set of rules that we live by in our professional lives.
Acclaimed Indian social activist Sanjit ‘Bunker’ Roy said: “Who is a professional? A professional is someone who has a combination of competence, confidence and belief.” Roy knew that credentials alone won’t make a professional; professionalism comes from within.
