THE WORLD IS CHANGING RAPIDLY, SO ARE HEALTH CARE CAREERS

Home About Us Our Sponsors Careers Education Employers Labor Market Info Important Links Downloads Contact Us		Medical Technologist,  (Clinical Laboratory Services) DID YOU KNOW?   (click for more) DID YOU KNOW?   (click to hide) How is technology impacting any of the following areas in Medican Technology field? 1. Education: More Medical Technology (MT) students are taking "on-line" prerequisite courses. Students use tutorial programs, case presentations, and image directories as supplemental teaching tools. Education and management sections of the MT program use state-of-the-art audiovisual aids for lectures. 2. Research: MT students also review research journals, articles and clinical trials on the Internet. 3. Indirect patient care: Laboratory Information Systems (LIS), [is computer software that handles receiving, processing and storing information generated by medical laboratory processes. These systems often must interface with instruments and other information systems such as hospital information systems (HIS) and ] are a critical link between the laboratory and the physician. 4. Any other area you deem important: Graduates of the MT program look for jobs on-line. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids, tissues, and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment. These technologists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells. They use automated equipment and instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously, as well as microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment. Then, they analyze the results and relay them to physicians. With increasing automation and the use of computer technology, the work of technologists and technicians has become less hands-on and more analytical. The complexity of tests performed, the level of judgment needed, and the amount of responsibility workers assume depend largely on the amount of education and experience they have. Medical technologists (also referred to as clinical laboratory technologists) perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests. Technologists microscopically examine blood, tissue, and other body substances. They make cultures of body fluid and tissue samples, to determine the presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites, or other microorganisms. They analyze samples for chemical content or reaction and determine blood glucose and cholesterol levels. They also type and cross match blood samples for transfusions. Medical and clinical laboratory technologists evaluate test results, develop and modify procedures, and establish and monitor programs, to ensure the accuracy of tests. Some medical technologists supervise medical laboratory technicians. Technologists in small laboratories perform many types of tests, whereas those in large laboratories generally specialize. Some of the specializations technologists may choose include clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunohematology technology (blood bank technology), immunology, cytotechnology, and molecular biology. Mean annual salary for this position is $45,870. WHERE EMPLOYED: About half work in hospitals with others in medical laboratories or offices and clinics of physicians. A small proportion work in educational services; other ambulatory healthcare services, including blood and organ banks; outpatient care centers; and scientific research and development service. PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Clinical laboratory personnel need good analytical judgment and problem-solving abilities, computer skills and the ability to work under pressure. Close attention to detail can be crucial for quality patient care. Manual dexterity and normal color vision are highly desirable. With the widespread use of automated laboratory equipment, computer skills are important. In addition, technologists are expected to be good at problem solving. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: The usual requirement for an entry-level position as a medical laboratory technologist is a bachelor`s degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences. Universities and hospitals offer medical technology programs. It also is possible to qualify through a combination of education, on-the-job, and specialized training. Some states require laboratory personnel to be licensed or registered. Information on licensure is available from state departments of health or boards of occupational licensing. Certification is a voluntary process by which a nongovernmental organization, such as a professional society or certifying agency, grants recognition to an individual whose professional competence meets prescribed standards. Widely accepted by employers in the health industry, certification is a prerequisite for most jobs and often is necessary for advancement. Agencies certifying medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians include the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the American Medical Technologists, the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel, and the Board of Registry of the American Association of Bioanalysts. These agencies have different requirements for certification and different organizational sponsors. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor`s degree programs in medical technology include all of the courses that a medical technician program would include, in addition to advanced courses in chemistry, biological sciences, microbiology, mathematics, statistics, and specialized courses devoted to knowledge and skills used in the clinical laboratory. Many programs also offer or require additional courses in management, business, and computer applications. The courses for a medical technologist prepare one to possess, in addition to the skills of a laboratory technician, complex analyses, fine-line discrimination, and error correction. Entry into the clinical portion of these four-year programs generally includes college courses and credits in general chemistry, gneral biological sciences, organic or biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, and mathematics. Educational program types for this career. EMPLOYERS: Potential employers for this career. LAST UPDATED: 9/9/2007 - Update Current status - Active
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