21 - Wednesday, June 3, 1987 - North Shore News studen lat graduate PAGE 26 have changed techno LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS have been an integral part of the hospital scene for a long time. Their professional association, the Canadian Society of Laborato- NEWS photo Stuart Davis ry Technologists (CSLT), celebrat- ed its 50th anniversary last month. As a key part of the medical team, the lab technologist provides information that aids the physician in diagnosis and treatment of pa- tients. The overall function of the technologist has remained the same over the years, but many aspects of the job have changed a great deal. “Hospital labs used to be dark dungeons in the basement,” said Lions Gate Hospital senior after- noon technologist Heather Mac- Donald, a laboratory technologist for 25 years. ‘“They needed us, but they wanted us hidden off some- where where we wouldn't offend with obnoxious smells.”’ Testing then, as today, was mainly done on blood and urine and involved manual methods. “‘Now,’’ said MacDonald, ‘‘we take much less blood, about one- sixteenth as much, which certainly makes the patients much happier. We have equipment that can make sevetal different, very precise analyses and provide a print-out of the findings within one minute.”’ New technology frees up technologists from time-consuming manual methods, but it also makes its own special demands. A new acquisition in the LGH liogists | lab, a chemistry analyser that can perform 30 different tests on blood, required the attendance of two staff members at a week-long training program with the equip- ment manufacturer in Montreal. “I’ve probably completely relearned my job five times in the last 25 years. If you leave the field for three years, you would be completely out of date,’’ said MacDonald. In-service training, refresher courses and constant continuing education help technologists stay abreast of the new technology. Students entering the basic train- ing program for laboratory technologists must have first -year university with a major in science to enter the one-year Medical . Laboratory Program offered at BCIT. Students study biochemistry, hematology, innumohematology, microbiology and histopathology. This is followed by a year interning at a training hospital such as Lions Gate Hospital. MacDonald is past-president of both the provincial and national levels cf the 25,000 member CSLT. Last fall she received the CSLT Award of Merit for her contribu- tions to the field. . HOSPITAL LABORATORY technology has changed radically during the past 50 years. Student intern Katherine Wadey (left), senior afternoon technologist Heather MacDonald (centre) and medical technologist Renee Wiersma work with a new automatic analyzer at-Lions Gate Hospital. The analyzer performs 30 different tests from blood samples. THE RENTAL of approximately 600 square feet of space in the Union Steamship Company Store on Bowen Island for public library use has been endorsed by the Greater Vancouver Regional District, which owns the restored e Theme Parties every week all summer e Win a Trip for Two to Reno with Ashmore Travel e Windsurfer from North Shore Sailboard ¢ Labatts’ ‘Balloon Rides ° Grouse Mountain Summer Passes ¢ Tugs will Video Tape your sporting event for viewing on the Big Screen e Tugs Dart League starts soon — sign up now e Patio Barbeque & Beverages historic building. The rental agreement is subject to a number of conditions. The “GVRD acquired the building with its purchase of the property for Crippen Regional Park on Bowen Island. LONSDALE QUAY HOTEL 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, B.C. Phone 986-6111 (FREE PARKING AFTER MARKET HOURS) NEW ADULE 1445 Marine Drive @ North Vancouver * BASED ON 24 MONTHS FACILITIES & SERVICES EXCLUSIVELY FOR WOMEN * INDIVIDUAL LOCKERS * LIFECYCLE AND FAN BIKES * PRIVATE DRESSING BOOTHS « AEROBIC CLASSES * NO-BOUNCE AEROBICS * CUSHIONED WOOD FLOOR « FREE-WEIGHTS ¢ WHIRLPOOL * SAUNA ¢ PRIVATE SHOWERS PATRONS ONLY 80-56 ©20008000S9006 0006985