Medical Laboratory Sciences

Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists and clinical laboratory technicians/medical laboratory technicians perform most of these tests. 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. Laboratory personnel 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. With increasing automation and the use of computer technology, the work of technologists has become less hands-on and more analytical.

 

Clinical Laboratory Scientist/ Medical Technologist

Clinical Laboratory Scientists/medical technologists evaluate test results, develop and modify laboratory procedures, and establish and monitor quality control programs, to ensure the accuracy of laboratory diagnostic testing. These individuals also serve in a supervisory capacity to clinical laboratory technicians/medical laboratory technicians. Medical technologists may perform a wide range of tests in all areas of science or may choose to focus their skills in one area. Examples include:

Clinical Chemistry Technologist—A clinical chemistry technologist conducts tests on blood and bodily fluids with respect to their chemical characteristics.

Microbiology Technologist—A microbiology technologist specializes in analysis of blood, bodily fluids and other tissue for the presence of microorganisms and bacteria.

Blood Bank Technologist—A blood bank technologist collects, types, and prepares blood and its components for transfusions. The blood bank technologist also searches for blood irregularities and is responsible for processing testing, and labeling donor blood. Disease control is a high priority for these specialists because they must ensure that blood is safe for public use.

Immunology Technologist—An immunology technologist examines elements and responses of the human system to foreign bodies.

Hematology Technologist—A hematology technologist performs counts on blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.  Abnormal specimens must be examined microscopically in order to identify abnormal cellular morphology.

Generalist—A medical technologist works in all of the departments in the laboratory and floats to various departments as needed.

Cytotechnologist—A cytotechnologist studies cells and cellular abnormalities. The cytotechnologist prepares and stains microscopic slides using a variety of laboratory stains and equipment. By observing the stained nuclei and cytoplasmic structures within individual cells, cytotechnologists can identify the presence or absence of malignant cancer cells. Cytotechnologists work independently to evaluate and report on normal cells or with pathologists to study cancerous or abnormal cells. The information developed by a cytotechnologist is often used to aid in the determination of the plan of care for a cancer patient.

Histotechnologist—A histotechnologist, using specialized or standard methods, prepares body tissues for microscopic evaluation by pathologists. Cross-sections of biopsies body tissue, when stained, will show signs of abnormality, illness, or disease. The work of histotechnologists is often done while a patient is undergoing surgery to assist the surgical team in proper disease diagnosis and allow for the resumption of surgery as appropriate. Histotechnologists also utilize immunohistochemistry techniques, which allow for the attachment of specific antibodies to cells and in turn allows for the identification of the origin of tumors and other diseases. A histotechnologist is also trained in autopsy techniques and in the preparation of autopsy samples, which is vital to the law enforcement community.

Education

There are several ways to become a clinical laboratory scientist/medical technologist. Many entry-level positions as a medical technologist require a Bachelor’s degree with a major in medical technology or one of the life sciences. Bachelor degree programs in medical technology include courses in chemistry, biology, microbiology, mathematics, and specialized courses devoted to knowledge and skills used in the clinical laboratory. Many medical technology programs also require courses in management, business, and computer applications. Universities, in conjunction with hospitals, offer medical technology programs. The NCA—National Credentialing Agency awards certification for Clinical Laboratory Scientists CLS(NCA) and Clinical Laboratory Technicians CLT(NCA). The ASCP—American Society of Clinical Pathology awards certification for medical technologists MT (ASCP) and medical laboratory technicians MLT (ASCP).

 

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Places of Employment

Many clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists work in hospitals. Medical laboratories, physician offices, or clinics employed most of the remaining medical technologists and medical laboratory technicians. A small number of medical technologists and medical laboratory technicians worked for blood banks, research and testing facilities, industry, reference laboratories, and the federal government. The types of hours, shifts, and weekend, holiday work depend upon the place of employment.

 

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Career Outlook

Employment of clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all other occupations through 2008. The volume of laboratory tests is expected to increase as the population grows and ages along with the development of new types of tests. Hospitals and independent laboratories have undergone considerable consolidation and restructuring to boost productivity and allow the same number of personnel to perform more tests.

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Clinical Laboratory Technician/Medical Laboratory Technicians

Clinical laboratory technician/medical laboratory technicians are clinical laboratory personnel who perform a variety of tests under the supervision of a medical technologist. Medical laboratory technicians aid in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and accomplish this through specific tasks, including inoculating culture media, performing microscopic evaluations, and operating equipment. As with medical technologists, they may assist in the performance of a wide range of tests or work in a specific area, such as blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, and histology.

Education

Most medical laboratory technicians receive an associate’s degree from a community college or a certificate from a hospital or vocational-technical school.

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Places of Employment

Approximately one-half of clinical laboratory technologists/medical technologists and clinical laboratory technicians/medical laboratory technicians work in hospitals. Medical laboratories, physician offices, or clinics employed most of the remaining medical technologists and medical laboratory technicians. A small number of medical technologists and medical laboratory technicians worked for blood banks, research and testing facilities, and the federal government. The types of hours, shifts, and weekend, holiday work depend upon the place of employment.

 

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Career Outlook

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all other occupations through 2008. The volume of laboratory tests is expected to increase as the population grows and ages along with the development of new types of tests. Hospitals and independent laboratories have undergone considerable consolidation and restructuring to boost productivity and allow the same number of personnel to perform more tests.

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Phlebotomist

Phlebotomists are medical laboratory professionals whose primary role is to collect blood samples directly from the patient. The phlebotomist draws blood via venipuncture and keeps careful records of all procedures. Blood may be collected for work in a clinical laboratory or may be drawn for blood bank collection.

 

Education

Some individuals can be trained as phlebotomists through an on-the-job training program offered by hospitals. Additionally, there are formal education and training programs for individuals who desire employment as a phlebotomist.

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Places of Employment

Phlebotomists may be employed in hospital laboratories, blood banks, blood donation center, physicians’ offices, clinics, and nursing homes.

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Career Outlook

There is expected to be average growth in employment for phlebotomists over the next several years.

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