A medical lab technician is a person qualified to analyze samples from patients like body fluids, blood etc to analyze and help the physician decide the proper diagnosis and treatment plan pertaining to the particular condition. Medical lab technicians look for harmful microbes such as bacteria and viruses, chemical contents and harmful drug levels in these samples and evaluate the treatment plan, look for symptoms and prepare patients for procedures such as transfusions, dialysis and other procedures. Common areas of interest for medical lab technicians are cytology, immunology and phlebotomy.
On the career front, possibilities for medical lab tech jobs are numerous. As there is sustained growth in population, people require more and more accurate diagnostic testing to be performed. Furthermore, as preventative care becomes the norm and testing techniques become easier to perform, the demand for medical lab tech jobs keeps growing exponentially. Although the education and certification requirements will vary between different places around the world, it’s relatively easy to become a medical technician and step into a career in medicine. Jobs for medical lab technicians are varied in nature, for instance a phlebotomist collects blood samples and a histotechnician collects tissue samples for analysis. Usually sample collection is performed under the guidance of a lab technologist.
Medical lab technicians can choose from a much wider range of jobs. They can find jobs in lab supervision or management or in other specialized fields. The job description of a lab technician is not just confined to obtain samples and preparing slides. Their work description involves the proper analysis, conduction of tests and preparation of comprehensive reports which are vital to determine an appropriate treatment plan by the physician. As such working as a medical lab technician requires dedication, accuracy and attention to detail.
To become a medical lab technician, the minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree, usually a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. It is mandatory to enroll in an educational program that covers the science required for sample analysis and also the operation of complex equipment. While certification is not required, many employers prefer technicians who are certified by a reputed medical body. As such applicants can obtain certification from organizations like The Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the American Medical Technologists, the National Credentializing Agency for Laboratory Personnel and the Board of Registry of The American Association of Bioanalysts.
As of now, more than half of the medical lab technician jobs are in hospitals. Employment is also available in private medical labs, doctor’s clinics, deaddiction centers and government labs. Another avenue in which medical lab technicians can shine is in the area of pharmaceuticals. The job opportunities offered by pharmaceutical companies are quite numerous. They mainly involve working with teams of scientists who develop and perform clinical trials of new drugs. Non profit organizations, government funded research activities, national research and research funded privately or by various universities also offers up many job opportunities for prospective candidates.