day in the life of a Medical Laboratory Technician / Technologist
Today's medical laboratories set the stage for great advancements and medical breakthroughs within the scientific and medical communities. These bright spaces filled with colourful vials and sophisticated equipment are home to a number of laboratory professionals performing exacting and scientific work. Their specialised training allows them to analyse and gather data from bodily tissues, fluids and cells, in liaison with Physicians, laboratory staff such as Technologists and Technicians address medical problems and challenges, to prevent and treat diseases.
Some of their specific responsibilities might include:
- Preparing and analysing body fluids and cells
- Isolating and identifying bacteria, parasites and other microorganisms
- Analysing the chemical content of fluids
- Determining blood types and matching them for transfusions
- Testing drug levels in blood and other body samples to determine a patient's successful response to treatment
To accomplish these tasks, laboratory staff use an array of sophisticated equipment, requiring a strong technical aptitude, including microscopes, cell counters and other computerised instruments.
Professionals in medical laboratories are more often known by the titles of: Research Scientists, laboratory Technologists and laboratory Technicians. Technologists work more independently and perform more complex tasks than Technicians, a more detailed overview of their responsibilities might include:
Clinical Laboratory Technologists
- Perform complex chemical, biological, haematological, immunological, microscopic and bacteriological tests
- Microscopically examine blood and other bodily fluids
- Analyse samples' chemical reactions and contents
- Type and match blood samples for transfusions
- Compile and analyse data generated
Clinical Laboratory Technicians
- Perform less complex tasks than Technologists such as sample preperation
- Work under Technologists' or laboratory managers' supervision
- Prepare specimens
- Make cultures of samples
- Operate automated analysers and equipment
- Perform manual tasks
The laboratory Technician's responsibilities also depend on the size of the laboratory. In small laboratories, Technologists have many duties. In larger laboratories, the Technologists specialise in only one or two topics such as microbiology or clinical chemistry, for example.
The working environment for laboratory professionals is clean and well-lighted and they regularly come into contact with infections specimens, but laboratories are safe workplaces when we follow the proper guidelines. Health and safety aspects are important to ensure everyone's safety, Research Scientists, Laboratory Technologists and Technicians regularly wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as masks, gloves and goggles while working to comply with their employers Health & Safety guidelines.
How to become a medical Laboratory Technician / Technologist
For dedicated individuals who reach their educational goals working in this kind of exciting and evolving environment doesn't have to be a fantasy. If you possess some of the following personal skills as well as the dedication and passion you too could find a rewarding career in the lab:
- Good analytical judgment
- Able to work well under pressure
- Close attention to detail
- Good manual dexterity
- Computer program and technology knowledge
- Excellent eyesight and colour perception
Since laboratory Technologists have more advanced responsibilities than Technicians, most of these positions require more advanced education, such as a bachelor's degree in biotechnology (this is the most common), but some choose a degree in one or more of the relevant life sciences.
Perhaps the qualities most sought after by employers is the combination of a sound knowledge base either through a relevant degree or recognised qualification and relevant experience gained academically or through employment.
If you are interested in looking for a Laboratory Technologist job, Laboratory Technician job or a Research Scientist job then please look at our Quick job search for details about positions we currently have available.
