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1 CE HOURClinical Medical Assisting

How Phlebotomy Supports Molecular Immunology

Course Introduction
  • Course description
  • Learning objectives
Introduction to Clinical Immunology and Molecular Methods
  • Overview of immunology
  • Importance of molecular diagnostics
  • Relevance to medical assistants
  • Introduction to PCR, ELISA, and flow cytometry
Understanding the Immune System: First Line of Defense
  • Purpose of the immune system
  • Innate immunity
    • Physical and chemical barriers
    • Phagocytes
    • Toll-like receptors
    • Natural killer cells
  • Adaptive immunity
    • B-cells
    • T-cells
    • Immune memory and vaccines
The Body’s Defenders: White Blood Cells and Antibodies
  • Overview of white blood cells (WBCs)
  • Types and functions of leukocytes
    • Neutrophils
    • Lymphocytes
    • Monocytes
    • Eosinophils
    • Basophils
  • Antibodies and immune response
  • Clinical relevance of CBC and immune testing
When the Immune System Doesn’t Work as It Should
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Allergic reactions and hypersensitivity
  • Immunodeficiencies
  • Importance of laboratory monitoring
Inside the Lab: How Molecular Tests Help Diagnose Disease
  • PCR testing
    • Conventional PCR
    • Real-time PCR (qPCR)
    • Digital PCR (dPCR)
    • Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR)
  • ELISA testing
  • Flow cytometry
  • Role of specimen collection in diagnostic accuracy
Phlebotomy and the Foundation of Reliable Results
  • Importance of specimen integrity
  • Common causes of compromised samples
  • Collection and handling considerations
  • Common molecular/immunology-related tests
    • HIV viral load
    • Hepatitis viral load testing
    • Parvovirus testing
    • Toxoplasmosis PCR
    • EGFR mutation testing
    • BCR-ABL1 testing
    • HHV-6 testing
  • Medical assistant responsibilities in specimen collection
Conclusion
  • Importance of accurate specimen handling
  • Connection between laboratory testing and patient care
  • The medical assistant’s role in supporting reliable diagnostic outcomes
References

Accreditation Numbers

  • 586-4201-26