Medical Laboratory Technician
Annotation or definition.
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What profession is been described in these guidelines? Medical Laboratory Technician What are other names for this profession? Sample of reported job titles: Chief Medical Technologist; Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS); Clinical Laboratory Technologist; Histologist Technologist; Medical Laboratory Technologist (Medical Lab Tech); Medical Technologist (MT); Medical Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist; Microbiologist; Microbiology Technologist; Research Assistant |
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Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician Nature of the Work Medical and clinical laboratory technicians typically:•Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components. •Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results. •Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers. •Collect and study blood samples to determine the number of cells, their morphology, or their blood group, blood type, or compatibility for transfusion purposes, using microscopic techniques. •Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage. •Establish or monitor quality assurance programs or activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results. •Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction. •Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment. •Provide technical information about test results to physicians, family members, or researchers. •Cultivate, isolate, or assist in identifying microbial organisms or perform various tests on these microorganisms. Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems. See more occupations related to this activity. Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis. See more occupations related to this activity. Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals. See more occupations related to this activity. Operate laboratory equipment to analyze medical samples. See more occupations related to this activity. Analyze laboratory findings. Tools & Technology Chemistry analyzers — Automated chemistry analyzers; Automated/semi-automated dipstick analysis systems; Heterologous test systems; Homologous test systems See more occupations related to this tool. Coagulation analyzers — Automated coagulation analyzers; Portable coagulation analyzers Hematology analyzers — Automated hematology analyzers; Automated platelet analyzers; Hemaglobinometers; Hematology task-targeted automation TTA systems See more occupations related to this tool. Laboratory diluters — Automatic pipetter diluters; Diluters See more occupations related to this tool. Photometers — Flame photometers See more occupations related to this tool. Technology used in this occupation: See more occupations related to this technology. Electronic mail software — Email software See more occupations related to this technology. Medical software — Electronic medical record EMR software; Laboratory information system LIS software; Test result delivery software; Test routing software See more occupations related to this technology. Office suite software — Microsoft Office software See more occupations related to this technology. Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel See more occupations related to this technology. Word processing software — Microsoft Word What Does a Medical Lab Technician Do? Medical laboratory technicians assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases by performing tests on tissue, blood and other body fluids. Medical lab technicians most commonly work in hospitals or doctors' offices. Medical lab technicians work under the supervision of a physician, lab manager or medical technologist and perform laboratory tests on specimens. The tests that lab techs conduct assist doctors in verifying the causes of an illness, making medical decisions and determining treatment options. Some of the areas in which medical lab technicians may specialize include: Microbiology Hematology Blood banking Immunology Clinical chemistry Molecular biology Cytotechnology Work Environment Most medical lab technicians can be found working in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and physicians' offices. Other employment options for medical lab technicians are available with blood and organ banks, research facilities, clinics, public health organizations, as well as pharmaceutical and reference laboratories. Their workplaces are clean, sanitized and well lit. They must wear protective clothing, including lab coats, masks, goggles and gloves, when handling equipment or specimens. They can work odd shifts throughout the day and be on call, in case of emergency. Job Duties Medical lab technicians set up and sanitize laboratories, prepare specimens, match blood compatibility for transfusions, analyze fluid chemical content, collect blood samples and examine immune system elements. Technicians are expected to handle sophisticated laboratory equipment, including cell counters, microscopes and automated analyzers. These devices are used to search for parasites, bacteria and other microorganisms. Medical laboratory technicians carry out less complicated procedures and tests than do medical laboratory technologists. Types of Training Medical lab technicians are generally required to have a certificate or an associate's degree from an accredited school. Topics covered as part of a medical lab technician training program may include human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, chemistry, medical laboratory techniques, applied immunology, blood coagulation and urinalysis. In some cases, they may need licensing based on state requirements. Medical lab technicians may advance to medical lab technologists with additional experience and training. Technologists need to earn a bachelor's degree in medical technology. |
Medical laboratory
 Clinical laboratory in a Hospital setting showing several automated analysers. | ||
 Laboratory equipment for hematology (black analyser) and urinalysis (left of the open centrifuge). | ||
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Medical laboratory staff The staff of clinical laboratories may include: Medical Technicians and Technologists Pathologist Clinical Biochemist Pathologists' Assistant (PA) Biomedical Scientist (BMS) Medical Laboratory Scientist (MT, MLS or CLS) Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) Phlebotomist (PBT) Phlebotomists They are trained in specially trained in the collection and processing of blood. Medical Technicians and Technologists Medical technicians and technologists are college-educated professionals who specialize in clinical laboratory science. They run the tests, look through the microscopes, report and assess the quality of results, and implement new methods. Pathologists and PhD Scientists Pathologists (physicians who specialize in laboratory medicine) and PhD clinical scientists provide medical leadership to the laboratory, analyze and interpret specialized tests, and consult with your providers on the right tests to order and the meaning of results. Other members of the Laboratory Team Other workers perform important clerical, maintenance, information processing, administrative and other support functions for the laboratory. Here are further guidelines. | ||
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Chemistry Panel & Complete Blood Count (CBC) What is included in a human blood Chemistry Panel & Complete Blood Count (CBC)? Take a look at this.
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