KRS 333.020: Definitions for chapter.

As used in this chapter unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms

shall have the meanings set forth below:

(1) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation,

municipality, political subdivision, or any other entity whether organized for profit

or not;

(2) "Cabinet" means the Cabinet for Health and Family Services;

(3) "Medical laboratory" means any institution, building, place, or any other facility in

which operations and procedures for the microbiolog ical, serological, chemical,

hematological, immunohematological, biophysical, cytological, pathological, or

other methods of examination of tissues including blood, secretions, and excretions

of the human body are performed to obtain information in diagnos ing, preventing,

or treating disease, or in which the results of any examination, determination, or test

are used as a basis for health advice. These activities include the diagnosis and

identification of disease by the examination of tissues removed by su rgery and also

the determination of cause of death by the examination of tissues removed at

autopsy. The term "clinical laboratory" shall be deemed synonymous with the term

"medical laboratory," and includes laboratories operated and maintained exclusively

for teaching purposes;

(4) "Medical laboratory director" means the individual who is responsible for the

administrative, scientific, and technical operation of the medical laboratory,

including supervision of laboratory procedures, reporting of findings, and active

participation to such extent as may be necessary to assure compliance with the law.

He shall be responsible for the proper performance of all work in the laboratory and

shall direct, supervise, and be responsible for the work of subordinates;

(5) "Medical laboratory supervisor" means an individual who, under the general

supervision of a medical laboratory director, supervises technical personnel,

performs tests requiring special scientific skills, experience, and educational

background, and, in t he absence of the director, is held responsible for the proper

performance of all medical laboratory procedures and the reporting of results;

(6) "Medical laboratory technologist" means an individual who performs tests which

require the exercise of indepen dent judgment and responsibility, with minimal

supervision by the director or supervisor, in only those specialties or subspecialties

in which they are qualified by education, training, and experience;

(7) "Medical laboratory technician" means any individu al other than the medical

laboratory director, supervisor, technologist, or trainee who functions under the

supervision of a medical laboratory director, supervisor, or technologist and

performs only those medical laboratory procedures which require limite d skill,

responsibility, and a minimal exercise of independent judgment;

(8) "Medical laboratory trainee" means any individual in a medical laboratory who is

seeking training and experience which, combined with the appropriate educational

background, will qualify that person for employment as a "medical technologist" or

"medical laboratory technician." Trainees may perform procedures under the direct

supervision of the laboratory director, supervisor, or medical technologist;

(9) "Medical laboratory personnel" includes the medical laboratory director, supervisor,

technologist, or technician, but does not include medical laboratory assistants,

trainees, or other individuals employed by a medical laboratory to perform clerical

or other administrative responsibilities;

(10) "Medical laboratory evaluation program" means a program for evaluating the

proficiency of medical laboratories by the cabinet; and

(11) "Medical laboratory advisory committee" shall mean a group of consultants

appointed by the secretary for h ealth and family services or his designee to advise

the cabinet on matters relating to the regulation of medical laboratories.