|
Nearly 300,000 practitioners of clinical laboratory science are working in the United States today. Since the development of this career profession in the 1920s, clinical laboratory science professionals have played a vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease.
Nature of the Job
A medical technologist performs a full range of laboratory tests from simple blood tests to more complex tests to even assisting with the uncovering of diseases such as cancer.
- Look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms
- Analyze the chemical content of fluids
- Match blood for transfusions
- Test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment
- Prepare specimens for examination
- Count cells
- Look for abnormal cells
- Use automated equipment and instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously
- Use microscopes, cell counters and other sophisticated laboratory equipment
- Analyze results and relay them to physicians
- Perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests
- Microscopically examine blood, tissue and other body substances
- Make cultures of body fluid and tissue samples to determine presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites or other microorganisms
- Analyze samples for chemical content or other reaction and determine blood glucose and cholesterol levels
- Type and cross match blood samples for transfusions
- The examination of blood for cells, which would indicate leukemia or anemia
- The chemical testing of blood for products of metabolism
- Evaluate test results
- Develop and modify procedures
- Establish and monitor programs to ensure the accuracy of tests
- May supervise medical and clinical laboratory technicians
With 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 possessed.
AMT is qualified by education and experience to perform clinical laboratory testing requiring the exercise of independent judgment and discretion.
Medical Technologists who work in small laboratories perform many types of tests, whereas those in large laboratories generally specialize.
Specialized areas are:
- Clinical Chemistry Technologists – prepare specimens and analyze the chemical and hormonal contents of body fluids
- Microbiology Technologists - examine and identify bacteria and other microorganisms
- Blood Bank Technologists/Immunohmatology technologists/Phlebotomy Technicians – collect, type and prepare blood and its components for transfusions
- Immunology Technologists – examine elements and responses of the human immune system to foreign bodies
- Cytotechnologists – prepare slides of body cells and microscopically examine these cells for abnormalities that may signal the beginning of cancerous growth
- Molecular Biology Technologists – perform complex genetic testing on cell samples
Education requirements:
Medical Technologists usually have a bachelor’s degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences, or they have a combination of formal training and work experience. Universities and hospitals offer medical technology programs.
It is also possible to qualify through a combination of education, on-the-job, and specialized training.
Bachelor’s degree programs courses include:
- Chemistry
- Biological sciences
- Microbiology
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Specialized courses devoted to knowledge and skills used in the clinical laboratory
- Management (depends on school)
- Business (depends on school)
- Computer applications (depends on school)
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act required technologists who perform certain complex tests to have at least an associate’s degree.
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) fully accredits 503 programs for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, medical and clinical laboratory technicians, histologic technologists and technicians and pathologists’ assistants. NAACLS also approves 70 programs in phlebotomy, cytogenetic technology, molecular biology, and clinical assisting. Other nationally accrediting agencies include the Accrediting Bureau of Health education Schools (ABHES) and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Some states require laboratory personnel to be licensed or registered. Information is available from state department of health boards. Certification is a voluntary process by which a non-governmental organization grants recognition to an individual whose professional competence meets prescribed standards. Widely accepted by employers and in many cases is a prerequisite for most jobs and often is necessary for advancement.
Working Conditions
Hours vary according to the size and type of employment setting. In large hospitals or in independent laboratories that operate continuously, personnel usually work the day, evening or night shift and may work weekends and holidays. Laboratory personnel in small facilities may work on rotating shifts, rather than on a regular shift. In some facilities, laboratory personnel are on call several nights a week or on weekends, in case of an emergency.
Laboratories are usually well lighted and clean; however, specimens, solutions and reagents used in the laboratory sometimes produce fumes. Laboratory workers may spend a great deal of time on their feet.
Employment/Employment Outlook
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians held about 302,000 jobs in 2004. More than half of jobs were in hospitals. Most of the remaining jobs were in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic laboratories. A small proportion was in educational services and in all other ambulatory health care services.
Technologists may advance to supervisory positions in laboratory work or become chief medical or clinical laboratory technologists or laboratory managers in hospitals. Manufacturers of home diagnostic testing kits and laboratory equipment and supplies seek experienced technologists to work in product development, marketing and sales. Graduate education in medical technology, one of the biological sciences, chemistry, management or education usually sppeds advancement. A doctorate is mandatory to become a laboratory director. However, federal regulation allows directors of moderate complexity laboratories to have either a master's or bachelor's degree combined with the appropriate amount of training and experience.
Estimated Earnings
Median annual earnings of medical and clinical laboratory technologists were $45,730 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $38,740 and $54,310. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $63,120. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical clinical laboratory technologists in May 2004 were as follows:
- General medical and surgical hospitals $46,020
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories 45,840
- Offices of physicians 41,070
Median annual earnings of medical and clinical laboratory technicians were $30,840 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $24,890 and $37,770. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,410, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $45,680. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical and clinical laboratory technicians in May 2004 were as follows:
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools $32,410
- General medical and surgical hospitals 31,830
- Offices of physicians 29,620
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories 29,220
- Other ambulatory health care services 28,130
|
