Benefits Of Studying Medical Laboratory Science
Medical laboratory technologists and technicians, also known as medical laboratory scientists, collect samples and carry out tests to examine body fluids, tissue, and other substances.
The following are typical duties of medical laboratory technicians and technologists:
- Investigate body liquids, like blood, pee, and tissue tests, and record typical or unusual discoveries
- Determine the number of cells, the morphology of the cells, the blood type, and compatibility with other blood types in blood samples for use in transfusions.
- Utilize sophisticated laboratory equipment like cell counters and microscopes.
- Make use of computerized instruments and automated equipment that can carry out multiple tests simultaneously.
- Log information from clinical trials and enter results into a patient’s clinical record
- Examine results and discoveries of research center tests and systems with doctors
- Administer or prepare clinical research center specialists
The two professionals and technologists perform tests and methodology that doctors and specialists or other medical care staff request. In any case, technologists perform more complicated tests and lab systems than professionals do. For instance, technologists might get ready examples and perform itemized manual tests, while specialists perform routine tests that might be more mechanized. Clinical research facility professionals typically work under the overall oversight of clinical lab technologists or lab administrators.
Technologists in little labs perform many kinds of tests; in enormous labs, they here and there practice. Examples of specialized medical laboratory technologists include the following:
Blood donation center technologists, or immunohematology technologists, gather blood, group it by type, and plan blood and its parts for bondings.
Clinical science technologists get ready examples and break down the compound and hormonal items in body liquids.
Cytotechnologists plan slides of body cells and inspect these phones with a magnifying instrument for irregularities that might flag the start of a dangerous development.
Immunology technologists analyze components of the human insusceptible framework and its reaction to unfamiliar bodies.
Microbiology technologists inspect and recognize microscopic organisms and different microorganisms.
Sub-atomic science technologists perform complex protein and nucleic analyses on cell tests.
Medical laboratory technicians, like technologists, can work in multiple lab areas or specialize in a single area. For instance, histotechnicians cut and stain tissue examples for pathologists, who are specialists who concentrate on the reason and improvement of sicknesses at a minuscule level.
Technologists and technicians often specialize after they have worked in a particular area for a long time or have received advanced education or training in that area.
How to Become a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist or Technician
Medical laboratory technologists typically need a bachelor’s degree. Technicians usually need an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Some states require technologists and technicians to be licensed
Medical laboratory technologists typically need a bachelor’s degree.
Medical laboratory technologists typically need a bachelor’s degree. Technicians usually need an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Some states require technologists and technicians to be licensed.
Education
A section level occupation for technologists generally requires a four year certification in clinical innovation or life sciences.
Courses in chemistry, biology, microbiology, mathematics, and statistics are included in a medical laboratory technology bachelor’s degree program, which is also known as a medical laboratory scientist degree. Coursework underlines research facility abilities, including security methods and lab the board.
The courses may be offered during a student’s senior year of college through a university or hospital-based program. School graduates who major in different sciences and meet a program’s essentials, for example, having gotten done with required tasks in science and science or keeping a specific GPA, likewise may apply to a clinical research center science program.
Clinical lab specialists frequently complete a partner’s certification program in clinical research center science. A predetermined number of 1-year declaration programs are accessible from clinics, and confirmation necessities fluctuate. The Military and professional or specialized schools likewise may offer testament programs for clinical research center experts. Professional coursework tends to the hypothetical and functional parts of every one of the significant research center disciplines.
Secondary school understudies who are keen on seeking after a profession in the clinical research facility sciences ought to take classes in science, science, and math.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some states require laboratory personnel to be licensed. Requirements vary by state and specialty. For specific requirements, contact state departments of health, state boards of occupational licensing, or visit
The American Society for Clinical Laboratory ScienceIn some states, medical laboratory technologists and technicians must be certified before they can be licensed. In spite of the fact that confirmation isn’t expected to enter the occupation in all cases, businesses regularly really like to enlist ensured technologists and experts.
Medical laboratory technologists and technicians can obtain a general certification as a medical laboratory technologist or technician, respectively, or a certification in a specialty, such as cytotechnology or medical biology. Most credentialing institutions require that technologists complete an accredited education program in order to qualify to sit for an exam. For more credentialing information, visit the
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
Important Qualities
Ability to use technology. Medical laboratory technologists and technicians must understand how to operate complex machinery.
Detail oriented. Medical laboratory technologists and technicians must follow exact instructions in order to perform tests or procedures correctly.
Dexterity. Medical laboratory technologists and technicians need to be skilled with their hands. They work closely with needles and precise laboratory instruments and must handle these tools effectively.
Physical stamina. Medical laboratory technologists and technicians may work on their feet for long periods while collecting samples. They may need to lift or turn disabled patients to collect samples for testing.
Advancement
After additional education, work experience, or certification, technologists and technicians may specialize in one of many areas of laboratory science, such as immunology, histotechnology, or clinical chemistry. Some medical laboratory technicians advance to technologist positions after gaining experience and additional education.
The median annual wage for medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $50,550 in May 2015.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
Median annual wages, May 2015
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists $60,520
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians $50,550
Health technologists and technicians $42,190
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians $38,970
Total, all occupations $36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
The median annual wage for medical and clinical laboratory technologists was $60,520 in May 2015. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,510, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $84,300.
The median annual wage for medical and clinical laboratory technicians was $38,970 in May 2015. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,890, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $60,810.
In May 2015, the median annual wages for medical laboratory technologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Hospitals; state, local, and private $61,300
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 61,010
Offices of physicians 57,550
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private 54,420
In May 2015, the median annual wages for medical laboratory technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private $40,290
Hospitals; state, local, and private 39,890
Offices of physicians 39,320
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 37,410
Most medical laboratory technologists and technicians work full time. Technologists and technicians who work in facilities that are always open, such as hospitals and some independent laboratories, may work evening, weekend, or overnight hours.
Job Outlook
Employment of medical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. An increase in the aging population is expected to lead to a greater need to diagnose medical conditions, such as cancer or type 2 diabetes, through laboratory procedures.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
Percent change in employment, projected 2014-24
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians 18%
Health technologists and technicians 16%
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians 16%
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists 14%
Total, all occupations 7%
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment of medical laboratory technologists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster the average for all occupations. Employment of medical laboratory technicians is projected to grow 18 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.
An increase in the aging population is expected to lead to a greater need to diagnose medical conditions, such as cancer or type 2 diabetes, through laboratory procedures. Prenatal testing for various types of genetic conditions also is increasingly common. Medical laboratory technologists and technicians will be in demand to use and maintain the equipment needed for diagnosis and treatment.
The number of individuals who have access to health insurance is expected to continue to increase because of federal health insurance reform. As a result, demand for the services of laboratory personnel may grow as more patients who were previously uninsured, or found treatment to be cost-prohibitive, seek laboratory tests.
Job Prospects
Job prospects will be best for medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians who complete an accredited education program and earn professional certification.
Employment projections data for medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, 2014-24
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
Employment, 2014 328,200
Projected Employment, 2024 380,300
Change, 2014-24 Percent 16%, Numeric 52,100
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists
Employment, 2014 164,800
Projected Employment, 2024 187,900
Change, 2014-24 Percent 14%, Numeric 23,100
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians
Employment, 2014 163,400
Projected Employment, 2024 192,400
Change, 2014-24 Percent 18%, Numeric 29,000
