AACLDS is a non-profit organization that represents clinical laboratory doctoral scientists in Alberta.
A clinical laboratory doctoral scientist (CLDS) is a PhD-trained scientist who has additional training in an approved clinical laboratory fellowship program and has been awarded board certification in one of the following specialities:
Clinical Biochemistry
Clinical Laboratory Genetics
Clinical Histocompatibility
Clinical Microbiology
Clinical Toxicology
CLDSs (e.g. Clinical Microbiologists) are essential health care workers as they ensure patient diagnostic testing is safe and performed to the highest standards.
CLDSs work as clinical laboratory directors, leaders of local and province-wide diagnostic units, interpretive experts and consultants who:
- Focus on the safe application of science in laboratory medicine.
- Interpret and report clinical significance of diagnostic laboratory results in their specialty.
- Provide consultation to health practitioners on the appropriate clinical indications for testing in their specialty, on understanding the clinical significance of results, and making recommendations for follow-up testing.
- Ensure that diagnostic laboratories adhere to all laboratory accreditation standards.
- Provide guidance on the scientific development and clinical validity of existing and new diagnostic laboratory tests in their specialty, including their inherent limitations.
- Develop & introduce new tests into clinical service that improve patient care and save money,
- Engage in research, education and administration with respect to patient testing and treatment monitoring within their specialty.