Diagnosing discrepancies

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John-Andre Obedoza, 35th Medial Support Squadron NCO in charge of shipping and urinalysis, manually checks a urinalysis sample for any abnormalities at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 11, 2015. Results of a urinalysis are completed utilizing a urine chemistry analyzer; however, when a discrepancy is identified, it is analyzed manually for confirmation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Diagnosing discrepancies

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rion Urven, 35th Medical Support Squadron medical lab technician, and Staff Sgt. John-Andre Obedoza, 35 MDSS NCO in charge of shipping and urinalysis, are assigned to the 35th Medical Group’s laboratory flight and are tasked with providing accurate diagnostic support at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 11, 2015. Lab technicians work in different sections inside the laboratory including hematology, chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, and shipping, among other divisions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Diagnosing discrepancies

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Bedics, 35th Medical Support Squadron NCO in charge of hematology and coagulation, draws blood from a patient at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 11, 2015. Whether it is for a medical diagnostic or annual check-up, lab technicians provide doctors with accurate information to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Diagnosing discrepancies

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rion Urven, 35th Medical Support Squadron medical lab technician, conducts an antibody screening test at the blood bank at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 11, 2015. When completing an antibody screening test, lab technicians must look for and identify any unusual or unexpected antibodies in the blood cells. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Diagnosing discrepancies

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rion Urven, 35th Medical Support Squadron medical lab technician, conducts an antibody screening at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 11, 2015. Utilizing a centrifuge, used to separate bloods cells from plasma cells, lab technicians must look for and identify any unusual or unexpected antibodies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Diagnosing discrepancies

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rion Urven, 35th Medical Support Squadron medical lab technician, conducts a manual complete blood count at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 11, 2015. As part of a medical blood test diagnostic, Urven checks the count of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, identifying any unusual counts which could indicate disease. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Diagnosing discrepancies

Published March 12, 2015
By Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Medical lab technicians assigned to the 35th Medical Group laboratory flight are charged with providing accurate diagnostic support to more than 10,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and their families at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Managing sections like hematology, chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, and shipping, the technicians provide medical diagnostics on patient health to doctors by identifying any discrepancies in bodily fluid samples. While each section serves a unique purpose in diagnostics, the technicians are all trained and qualified to perform necessary duties.