The Academy

cscc_a.jpgThe Roles of the Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemistry

 

PROFESSION OF THE CLINICAL BIOCHEMIST IN CANADA

The Clinical Biochemist is a member of the laboratory management team and is primarily responsible for setting the standards of performance for the Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory. The Clinical Biochemist must call upon a variety of skills developed through post doctoral training programs to ensure that laboratory services meet the needs of the patients served while being delivered in an efficient manner. The Clinical Biochemist is a quality expert who monitors the quality of the testing services. The Clinical Biochemist is also a technical expert who evaluates and selects methods and instrumentation.

The Clinical Biochemist uses the combination of clinical and technical knowledge to assist physicians with the selection and interpretation of tests and to support the research and teaching activities of the Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory.

The primary responsibility is to set standards of performance for Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory testing including:

  • selection of tests to be performed by the Laboratory
  • selection of test methods and instrumentation
  • definition of pre-analytical conditions for testing
  • speed of availability of results
  • interpretation of test results
  • consultation with laboratory users such as physicians
  • laboratory management,and
  • teaching and research

The Clinical Biochemist interacts with a variety of other professionals, including physicians, nurses, technologists, administrators, government officials, students (medical and technical), and business personnel. The daily variety makes Clinical Biochemistry a stimulating, challenging and enjoyable profession.

BACKGROUND AND TRAINING

The term "clinical biochemist" usually refers to an individual who has a PhD degree in biochemistry or a related discipline. This research background, with or without postdoctoral research experience, is followed by a two or in some cases three year professional training program at an accredited university. This training orients the resident towards the analytical and interpretative skills needed to perform the above functions. Following the residency program, professional Certification in Clinical Biochemistry is possible, as outlined below.

Individuals with an MD degree, who have received the Fellowship in Medical Biochemistry from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, practice as medical biochemists, and are also eligible for Certification.

CERTIFICATION AND FELLOWSHIP

The prime role of the Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (CACB) is to maintain and enhance the standards of competence in the practice of Clinical Biochemistry in Canada, and to assure the public and other professional groups that a satisfactory standard is being maintained. Most positions for clinical biochemists or medical biochemists require that the successful applicant be eligible for Certification in their specialty area. For clinical biochemists, this requires university training and related experience acceptable to the Academy's Credentials Committee plus a minimum two year training program approved by the CACB. The Certification process involves both written and oral examinations. The certified individual is then eligible to become a Fellow of the CACB, and to append FCACB after other academic qualifications.

For a select group of outstanding individuals, it is possible to become a Fellow of the CACB without becoming certified, based on the category of "special distinction".