How To Get A Job As A Medical Laboratory Technician

Medical Laboratory Technicians are an integral part of the medical community.  They work as part of a team, under the direct supervision of a physician or Medical Technologist.

To be a successful Medical Laboratory Technician you must be able to follow directions exactly, be precise in your work habits and have good communication skills.  You must be mentally mature and hard-working.

Medical Laboratory Technicians work in clean well-lit surroundings, with safety clothing and equipment when necessary.  They are employed in acute care facilities, research facilities, hospitals, clinics, health laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies.

To help physicians with the diagnosis and treatment of disease, Technicians perform precise testing of body fluids such as blood, and urine, as well as body tissue.  They match blood for transfusions, prepare specimens for analysis, monitor tests and procedures, analyze the chemical contents of fluids, operate automated analyzers, and search sample tissues and fluids for parasites, bacteria, and other microorganisms.  They also keep records, and maintain laboratory equipment.

As a Medical laboratory Technician, you may choose to specialize.  Areas of specialization include Hematology, Virology, Microbiology, Immunology, Chemistry, Blood Banking, and Cytotechnology.

Education

If you wish to become a Medical Laboratory Technician, you must first complete High School, or obtain your GED.  Courses in chemistry mathematics, English and physics will help with essential future training.  Further formal training is necessary.  This is available in Vocational and Technical Schools, as well as some Community and Junior Colleges, and the Armed Forces.

Training takes from one to two years and offers either a Certificate or an Associate Degree.  Training courses cover subjects such as Laboratory Mathematics, Microbiology, Immunology, Chemistry, and Pathology.  In addition to classroom courses,  laboratory experience is also provided.

After completing training from an accredited training facility, you are eligible to become certified.  The need for certification varies from state to state but is desired, if not demanded, by most employers.  To become Certified, you must pass a national exam.  This is available from either the American Society For Clinical Pathology or the American Medical Technologist.

Always get the best education you can afford to ensure that your services are in highest demand.

Due to the advances in medicine and science, there is a growing demand for skilled qualified Medical Laboratory Technicians.  Salaries for experienced technicians are excellent.  For more information, go to the following site:

http://www.ascp.org/